NBA Rumors: Isaiah Thomas To Bulls? Do They Need Him?
By Ronald Agers
Mar 9, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Sacramento Kings point guard Isaiah Thomas (22) puts a shot over Brooklyn Nets small forward Andrei Kirilenko (47) during the first quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Well let the NBA rumors hit the social media highway. With all of the things that are going on in the NBA with teams not named the Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder, there are going to be a lot of chatter going on in the next few weeks getting ready for the draft. One rumor that caught my eye was the Chicago Bulls taking a look at Sacramento Kings guard Isaiah Thomas.
Okay Pippen Peoples, let me let you in on a secret, NBA squads make phone calls all the time looking to get one over on another team to gain an advantage. Perfect example, The Toronto Raptors somehow convinced the New York Knicks to take Andrea Bargnani off their hands. We all know what happened after that. The Raptors went to the playoffs for the first time since Chris Bosh was in uniform and the Knicks watched them play on television. Sometimes you never know. Most of the NBA rumors will be just that…rumors. Some could be legit but about 85% probably will not. Pippen Ain’t Easy will be here to weed out the fluff and get to the inside track and provide analysis on the moves that will affect the Bulls.
If the Bulls wanted to inquire about Isaiah Thomas, they have to go any further than Jimmer Fredette who was a nice model of the Chicago Bulls uniforms during his tenure in Chicago.
Thomas has emerged as one of the NBA’s most improved players. He actually made Fredette expendable in Sacramento. Jimmer Fredette was the lottery pick and Isaiah Thomas was picked near the end of the second round. This is a testament to Thomas toughness and character. You can’t be 5’9 and 185 lbs and be a 20 point scorer unless you work on your game.
Here’s probably where the rumor lies. Thomas is soon to be a restricted free agent. The Kings are going to wait on Rudy Gay to see if he opts out of the final year of the max deal he signed in Memphis. He is due to make over 19 million in the last year of his deal. I really don’t think he will opt out unless he hates Sacramento. Rudy Gay’s contract got him run out of two franchises (Memphis and Toronto). He is not a max player and 19 million dollars to me is a blessing from God. I would be shocked if he left over 19 million on the table. He’s no LeBron James.
If he does opt out and resigns with the Kings, Sacramento might not be able to afford Thomas
Do the Chicago Bulls need him?
No. Sure the Bulls need scoring but not from the point guard spot when all of the chips have been pushed in waiting for Derrick Rose’s comeback…again. Sure Thomas averaged 20 points for the Kings but that’s a red flag right there. He is a shoot first point guard that will not fit in well with this team at all. Here’s why.
1) It’s not like he doesn’t have talent around him.
He has a complete beast in DeMarcus Cousins who would dominate the NBA if he didn’t let his temper deride him all the time. He is only one of four players that average 20 points and 10 rebounds. He also has the aforementioned Rudy Gay on the wing. The fact he has decent weapons and they weren’t close to playoffs raises red flags.
2) Is he a good playmaker?
The Chicago Bulls run a motion offense. The ball tends to stick in Thomas’ hands. I would like to see more than six assists from your starting point guard.
3) He can’t play defense
Mr. Thomas welcome to Chicago. Meet your coach Tom Thibodeau. He likes players that plays hard nose defense.
If he got to this roster he would be sitting next to Jimmer Fredette reminiscing about days in Sacramento. No defense, no playing time, no fit.
Don’t worry Pippen Peoples. He ain’t coming.