Trade Grades
Celtics get: PG Isaiah Thomas, PF Jonas Jerebko, SF Luigi Datome
Pistons get: SF Tayshaun Prince
Suns get: SG Marcus Thornton, Cleveland’s 2016 first-rounder via Boston (top 10 protected in 2016, 2017, 2018, unprotected in 2019)
This is obviously very debatable, as the McGee trade was a great one for the Sixers, the Bucks got a great package for Knight, as did the Nuggets for Afflalo; but I believe this trade was the very best deal by any team today. I’ve always been quite fond of Thomas, being able to look past his small 5’9” frame and see a great scorer that’s one of the most underrated players in basketball. Last year in Sacramento, he averaged 20.5 points, 6.5 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 threes, 1 steal, and all while shooting an efficient 45.5% from the field and 85% from the free throw line. This year, even while playing in a crowded backcourt in Phoenix, Thomas is scoring 15 points a game, while also chipping in 4 assists, 2.5 rebounds, 2 threes, 1 steal, and while hitting just under 43% of his shots and 87% from the charity stripe. His 4 year/$27 million deal has to be considered to be among the best in the league, right up there with superstar PG Stephen Curry’s 3 years/$34 million steal of a deal. Because of all this, the recently-turned-26-year-old is certainly worth a future first-rounder and a couple of role players, and then some.
Grade: A+
Celtics get: PG Isaiah Thomas, PF Jonas Jerebko, SF Luigi Datome
Pistons get: SF Tayshaun Prince
Suns get: SG Marcus Thornton, Cleveland’s 2016 first-rounder via Boston (top 10 protected in 2016, 2017, 2018, unprotected in 2019)
This is obviously very debatable, as the McGee trade was a great one for the Sixers, the Bucks got a great package for Knight, as did the Nuggets for Afflalo; but I believe this trade was the very best deal by any team today. I’ve always been quite fond of Thomas, being able to look past his small 5’9” frame and see a great scorer that’s one of the most underrated players in basketball. Last year in Sacramento, he averaged 20.5 points, 6.5 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 threes, 1 steal, and all while shooting an efficient 45.5% from the field and 85% from the free throw line. This year, even while playing in a crowded backcourt in Phoenix, Thomas is scoring 15 points a game, while also chipping in 4 assists, 2.5 rebounds, 2 threes, 1 steal, and while hitting just under 43% of his shots and 87% from the charity stripe. His 4 year/$27 million deal has to be considered to be among the best in the league, right up there with superstar PG Stephen Curry’s 3 years/$34 million steal of a deal. Because of all this, the recently-turned-26-year-old is certainly worth a future first-rounder and a couple of role players, and then some.
Grade: A+
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