Washburn: should C’s sign IT to bolster thin bench?

[CelticsElite]

Paid article: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/12/26/sports/is-isaiah-thomas-answer-celtics-scoring-challenged-bench/?event=event25

The Celtics‘ bench – an Achilles heel for the team in 2019/20 – remains thin this season, especially with Kemba Walker unavailable, writes Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe. Washburn wonders whether the team would consider opening up a roster spot to create room for a veteran who can score, and suggests that Isaiah Thomas is one free agent who might be a fit.

[Tr1boy]

Need to put this to bed

Danny already has Pritchard and Teague as the backup pgs

[Somebody]

We have a boatload of small guards already, I would love IT4 if we didn't have FastPP.

[Hoopvortex]

Even a Globe writer is buying this mythology about the Celtics’ weak bench last year. Boston’s bench was sixth in the league in net points. Basketball is a zero-sum game: he wins who scores more than the opponent.

So his solution is Isaiah Thomas?! Sentimental fellow, I’d guess.

Not going to happen.

[LilRip]

Prior to Teague and draft, I would’ve said yes. Now? We’d be too undersized

What this team needs is shooting and a wing. Hopefully both! Nesmith better grow up fast or Semi better start shooting better.

[GreenEnvy]

While I can (kind of) understand why we wouldn’t be willing to risk a roster spot on him based on how Ainge constructed the roster, I really scratch my head wondering how there isn’t a single team out there willing to give him a chance.

Like, how could the Knicks, Pistons, Warriors, Twolves, etc not kick the tires on a former 30ppg scorer. Granted, nobody expects him to get back to THAT, but is it really out of the realm of possibilities that he turns into a 12-15ppg bench player? What terrible team wouldn’t take that risk? Maybe he finds his strength/athleticism again and becomes an 18-20ppg impact player, who knows.

[shut_the_gate]

I remember hearing one of the NBA journalists state recently that it was common knowledge about Thomas' hip well before Ainge traded him to Cleveland, and it was the extent of the hip issue that caused the conflict. I would say that Thomas' hips are the equivalent of Brandon Roy's knees, they are shredded with no cartilage left and factoring in IT's size, his career in the NBA is over. Even though IT played through injury for the Celtics, major hip injuries like his are a degenerate condition that was probably occurring his whole life.

[Somebody]

While I can (kind of) understand why we wouldn’t be willing to risk a roster spot on him based on how Ainge constructed the roster, I really scratch my head wondering how there isn’t a single team out there willing to give him a chance.

Like, how could the Knicks, Pistons, Warriors, Twolves, etc not kick the tires on a former 30ppg scorer. Granted, nobody expects him to get back to THAT, but is it really out of the realm of possibilities that he turns into a 12-15ppg bench player? What terrible team wouldn’t take that risk? Maybe he finds his strength/athleticism again and becomes an 18-20ppg impact player, who knows.

The Knicks are looking amazing with Barrett/Randle/Burks leading their offence so I can kind of see them not wanting to pull the trigger on an IT signing, but yeah I have no idea why the Warriors aren't looking at him when they lack shooting, ballhandling and passing so much outside of Curry.

[boscel33]

I was OK with moving on from IT4 when we did, but I agree, might be time to bring him in, but I still want PP getting minutes, so Brad will have some juggling to do.

[cltc5]

Sure.  Nothing says no clue than bringing back your former starting point guard that you traded 4 years ago to help your struggling team 

[DefenseWinsChamps]

First, there's a reason why he hasn't made a roster yet, regardless of nostalgia.

Second, taking minutes away from Teague and Pritchard, two of our best bench players, and giving them to a washed up, inefficient scorer who can't defend a paper bag is not the way to make the bench better.

Third, this feels like clickbait. Washburn knows mentioning signing Thomas in an article might get clicks.

[mrceltics2013]

I feel like I’m the only person who doesn’t really care about a bench. We have starter issues, screw a bench!!

[PhoSita]

I don't think IT provides what the team needs.  Yes, they need scoring, but they're already giving heavy rotation minutes to two small guards. 

What the team really needs is a two way big man that can have plays run through him, like they had with Horford.

Alternatively a player like Hayward running the second unit offense and acting as a secondary playmaker in the starting lineup would be great.  Of course, the issues with Hayward is that he was rarely healthy, he didn't want to play in the secondary role that they needed him in, and he got way overpaid.


Evan Turner and Kelly Olynyk circa 2015 would be welcome additions to the bench.

[liam]

Do the Celtics have any minutes for IT to play? I think we need another big forward more.

[michigan adam]

I think a SF/PF is where the biggest need.  The recent play of TT/Theis/RW3 leaves me pretty confident on the PF/C and C spots, it is the "big wing" spot where we are weaker.  Starting theis instead of KW is a big part of that.