Recent news broke that Boston Celtics star point guard Isaiah Thomas is looking to get a max-deal when he hits the market after next season.
“They better bring out the Brinks truck,” Thomas said. “They’re paying everybody else. I gotta get something.”
Based on stats from the 2016-17 season, in which he averaged 28.9 PPG, 5.9 APG and 2.7 RPG, pay the man already. The Celtics are 101-63 in Thomas’ first two full seasons with the club. They have reached the playoffs both seasons.
It is also well known Thomas helped to lure key free agent Al Horford to Boston.
His four-year deal of $27 million that was signed in 2014 makes him the most underpaid star in the league. The team won’t have any choice, but to pay the face of the franchise. The team offensive cornerstone is coming off a career-year in which he finished fifth in MVP voting. The last time the Celtics had a player finished top five in MVP voting was Kevin Garnett who slotted in third during the 2007-2008 campaign. Not bad for an undersized point guard who was pick last in his draft year.
Don’t expect Thomas to leave money on table and take a hometown discount when bench players are even getting paid. Recent addition Aron Baynes is set to make $4.2 million this season. Thomas will make $6.3 million, which makes him the fourth highest-paid member of the Green behind Gordon Hawyard ($29.7 million), Al Horford ($27.7) and Jae Crowder ($6.8).
Thomas is making less than 161 NBA players.
Thomas is not only the face of the franchise, but also the team’s leader. He ranked seventh in fourth quarter player effieiency and nint in value added across the league. Compared to point guards, Thomas finished second in both categories to this year’s MVP Russell Westbrook.
Thomas deserves the max contact and Boston will have to give him every penny that he deserves if they hope to keep him around.
The projected 2018-19 NBA salary cap is $103 million.
