Isaiah Thomas re-emphasizes desire for max contract: 'I deserve it'

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/2017/08/isaiah_thomas_re_emphasizes_desire_for_max_contract_i_deserve_it



Isaiah Thomas re-emphasizes desire for max contract: 'I deserve it'



Stephen Hewitt


Saturday, August 05, 2017




Credit: John Wilcox
Isaiah Thomas celebrates the overtime win of the Boston Celtics over the Washington Wizards at the TD Garden. Tuesday, May 2, 2017. Staff photo by John Wilcox.




Isaiah Thomas hasn't been shy about his desire to get max contract money next summer, and he's confident it will happen.

The Celtics guard, whose contract expires at the end of the 2017-18 season, re-emphasized to the Herald on Saturday why he deserves a big payday. With other point guards across the league recently getting big bucks, Thomas think it's just a matter of time.

Thomas was asked how confident he is that he'll get the max money he's seeking.

"Very confident," he said Saturday during his annual basketball clinic at BU, where he hosted more than 400 campers. "I deserve it. I put the work in, and you can put me down against any guard in the NBA. ... My numbers are up there with the best players in the world, and my team is winning. So, I mean, you have to reward that.

"At the end of the day I’m not too worried about it. I only talk about it when people bring it up, so everybody's always like, ‘He’s always talking.’ I’m not talking about it unless somebody brings it up. I’m just going to keep working though. My time is gonna come. I have a lot of faith in God, and I just have to keep working to get better."

Thomas' intentions haven't been lost on president of basketball operations Danny Ainge, either. Just this week, a photo of Thomas' custom-made slides that feature a Brinks truck and a pile of money, became public on Twitter, and Ainge jokingly responded to it, saying, "How expensive are these brinks slides?"

Whether or not Ainge offers Thomas what he's looking for remains to be seen, but the message has clearly been translated to the Celtics boss.

"He knows," Thomas said. "Everybody knows. That’s just what it is. But we have a great relationship. Me and Danny and the Celtics organization, and I always said I would love to be here, but as everybody knows, it’s a business, and at the end of the day, you have to do what’s best for you just like the business is going to do what’s best for them, and that’s all I can say on that."

Thomas, a two-time All-Star with the Celtics since being acquired via trade in 2015, led the Celtics with 28.9 points per game as they earned the No. 1 seed in the East and advanced to the conference finals last season.


bob


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A story that needs to be put aside until next season is over. This can become a thorn if he continued his march to a coronation. I love the kid, believe he had brought excitement back to the Celtics and is the "face" of the team, but he is pushing too hard for something that will not happen TODAY. Time will tell

RosalieTCeltics wrote:A story that needs to be put aside until next season is over. This can become a thorn if he continued his march to a coronation. I love the kid, believe he had brought excitement back to the Celtics and is the "face" of the team, but he is pushing too hard for something that will not happen TODAY.  Time will tell

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IReb27tFqMg

pay the man...does anyone think Horford should make more than IT?

I agree that this story and reading quotes by Thomas regarding him semi-demanding a max contract because he "has earned" it is not going to help the team or Thomas. Let him play, and play well for his current salary as he was the one who agreed to whatever amount it may be for this season and then let everyone decide what to do for next year's salary next summer.

This topic is attached to a lot of emotion with probably half our forum on either side of the issue. Financial situations (the NBA cap not rising and the law of supply and demand) will always set the pay scale in any profession.

If Wal-Mart could not find enough cashiers or shelf stuffers they would have to pay people more than minimum wage to do such jobs. If the Cs feel that they can get someone else to do what Thomas can do for less, they will not give Thomas a max contract.

Since arriving in Boston, Thomas has done more than even he thought that he could do, but none of what he has done is going to get him a ton more money than what the Cs project him being able to do for the years of his next contract. So, the thoughts of paying him equal to Horford (who was thought by many, by the way, grossly overpaid) just because we are paying Horford too much is not a sound reason to give Thomas $150+M for his next five year contract. At least the Horford signing broke down the idea that free agents would not come to Boston. Timing (after Horford and now Hayward) for such a huge breakthrough willl not work in the same way for Thomas.

I have very much liked Thomas, his style and his production, but he is starting to sound like oh so many professional athletes who have let their ego out of the bag. I realize that many professional athletes seem to (many times) judge individual worth by the amount he is making, but Thomas is starting to sound a little too whiny.

He will get a big payday. I think either Danny offers him a max deal, for shorter period time - say 30 million a year for 3 years. OR he can take a bit less, say 25 million for 5. I do not see them offering a 29 year old of his size a 5 year max deal.

He answers the questions when they are asked. What is he supposed to say, I`m not worthy? These non- stories are yawn inducing.

No, just say, I have already answered that question, you know where I stand

Under free agency - the player gets to decide which is the best deal for himself - and management gets to negotiate from their point of view - and the fans get to draw their own conclusions - it doesn't get any fairer then that.

swish

Can Boston win the championship with IT?

My guess is that they come up short (no pun intended)

$20 mill for 3 years looks about right for him.  If Boston drafted Fultz kept Avery and signed Hayward they would be a better team looking ahead and this discussion would not be taking place.

Dboss

with that offer there will be a complete standoff. He is expecting to be a $100 million plus player.
What did Lowry sign for? $100/3 years? He will be looking for no less than that, if not, we may regret not drafting Fultz and keeping AB. I hope it does not come to that. If he is looking for Wall money he might as well start packing his bags, no way DA parts with that money. If he ever did he may be joining Doc in the prayer line.

I`m glad Ainge values IT more than some posters. I don`t think the Celtics would be in the eastern champions conversation if we had cut him loose and drafted Fultz. For those who haven`t noticed, point guard is a fairly important position in this league. I`ll take Thomas and Tatum over Fultz and Bradley every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

It would be nice to have 2 elite players on the team beyond this coming year - but if Thomas does not sign a new contract with the Celtics it could mean that the Celtics will likely be out of the free agent market when it comes to landing an elite player - perhaps setting back the time table for a potential championship.

swish

My guess is that IT will not command a $100 million contract on the open market.  Can someone name a few teams with cap space and PG needs that could be interested?

I am not suggesting that Boston lets IT walk.  This thread is about dollars.  It is also about value as it relates to winning the title.  I stand by my opinion that the Celtics willl NEVER win the title with IT.  

$20 million is a ton of cash for a very undersized point guard that cannot defend his own position cannot rebound the basketball and is an average set up guy.  Do I still want to keep him?  Absolutely.

Dboss

dboss wrote: If Boston drafted Fultz kept Avery and signed Hayward they would be a better team looking ahead and this discussion would not be taking place.

Dboss

Just to clarity. You think Fultz will be better than Tatum and Bradley is better than IT?

mrkleen09 wrote:

dboss wrote: If Boston drafted Fultz kept Avery and signed Hayward they would be a better team looking ahead and this discussion would not be taking place.

Dboss

Just to clarity.  You think Fultz will be better than Tatum and Bradley is better than IT?  

Yes. I think Fultz will be better than Tatum. But they play different positions. I think IT is the superior scorer over AB but I think AB is a better all around player.

In sum I think Danny drafted the wrong guy and traded the wrong guy.

Dboss

wow. ok.

mrkleen09 wrote:wow.  ok.

Don't sound so shocked. I said I think.

Both Fultz and Tatum as well as all the other high profile talent will have an opportunity to earn their stripes.

IT had a career year scoring the ball. I understand the sentiment here. I prefer players that are effective at both ends of the court and that is why I would have kept AB.

To be clear we drafted Tatum so I am rolling with him all the way. I am not impressed with his long range shooting and I have noticed a flaw in his realease which may be why he was a below average 3 point shooter. He will need to work on that. I think he has an above average mid-range games as well as ball handling skills.

These are all old arguments that surfaced because of IT.

Danny will not pay IT $100 because he does not have to.

Dboss

As for Fultz vs Tatum, time will tell. But if Tatum was their man all along, and the got a high pick PLUS their man from the 76ers - then DA is a genius.

As for AB vs IT -

Avery is often hurt, very often. If you take away his rookie year spent bouncing back and forth between Portland, he has lost more than 100 games in 6 seasons. He is a solid player, great defender, and improving every year. But with his injury problems, the fact that much of his game is based on athleticism which will fade over time, and the glut of guards on this roster he was expendable.

I really like AB, but no way is he the impact player that IT is. Thomas is a top 20 player in the NBA, an All Star and MVP candidate.

If Kyle Lowry at 31 years of age can get 100m, Thomas certainly deserves at least the same and will get it in Boston or elsewhere.

mrkleen09 wrote:As for Fultz vs Tatum, time will tell.  But if Tatum was their man all along, and the got a high pick PLUS their man from the 76ers - then DA is a genius.

As for AB vs IT -

Avery is often hurt, very often.  If you take away his rookie year spent bouncing back and forth between Portland, he has lost more than 100 games in 6 seasons.  He is a solid player, great defender, and improving every year.  But with his injury problems, the fact that much of his game is based on athleticism which will fade over time, and the glut of guards on this roster he was expendable.  

I really like AB, but no way is he the impact player that IT is.  Thomas is a top 20 player in the NBA, an All Star and MVP candidate.  

If Kyle Lowry at 31 years of age can get 100m, Thomas certainly deserves at least the same and will get it in Boston or elsewhere.

I think AB had played in 80% of games.

Getting two for one is not that important to me. It all depends on who you draft. If IT was a free agent this year maybe he gets more dough. I just think the market will be hard next year. A lot of guys got overpaid this year.

We will see what happens on many fronts. I defunitely respect your point of view.

Dboss

bob


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jrleftfoot wrote:I`m glad Ainge values IT  more than some posters. I don`t think the Celtics would be in the eastern champions conversation if we had cut him loose and drafted Fultz. For those who haven`t noticed, point guard is a fairly important position in this  league. I`ll take Thomas and Tatum over Fultz and  Bradley every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

Thank you, for this post and the earlier one about IT just answering questions honestly. I don't know if IT will end up getting the max - as others have noted, next year might not be the best time for him to go on the market as a 30 yr old PG - but it is certainly reasonable. Look at the money that has been handed out the past few years. IT is an amazing talent, who produces on a ridiculous level. What does a guy have to do to get consideration for max money? Average 30-20-20 and save a child from a burning building?? I also find it odd that so many are so concerned about the owners' pocket books. Those guys are making money hand-over-foot on the performance of the players. Shouldn't the players see some of this cash? I think so. Maybe someone doesn't think putting a ball in a hoop is worth millions of dollars - maybe, but is it any more reasonable that a bunch of old guys get millions and millions of dollars for someone else to put the ball in the hoop?? I remember Sam used to always say it wasn't his job to worry about how Danny and Wic paid players...

Great world these guys are living in huh? Wouldn't you love a pay jump like he wants? Only in the NBA, where guys make ridiculous amounts of money for playing the game they love. I like IT alot, I just am not sure he will get what he is expecting. I never see him getting John Wall money, or better yet, Mike Conley. Kyle Lowry money, maybe yes. And a 3 year deal, no way he gets a five year deal

Gee, I wish it was my money we were tossing about, I would pay everyone!!!

Last year IT had a career year.  By all accounts his feat was most unusual because I do not recall any player that experience a big jump in his scoring average in his 6th year in the League.  It may be plausible that fans are looking at his amazing 2016-17 performance as a starting point in evaluating his worth.

IT will be an unrestricted free agent.  He will need to test the market and I think Danny will also want him to test the market with an understanding that the Celtics will match any offer that he gets.  I also think IT is less likely to go to a bum team for a few dollars more because he likes the limelight that has been shinning on him in Boston and is pretty much guaranteed trips to the playoffs well into the future.

As I mentioned in an earlier thread can anyone out there name any teams with (Starting PG needs) and CAP space to sign IT to a contract in the $25 million range for any number of years?

We should not base his market value on what guys got paid this year.

I suggest if really interested, go look at teams and see what they already have at PG.  Check out their CAP space and I am certain you will come to the same conclusion that I have come to

http://www.spotrac.com/nba/cap/

Danny will low ball him at $20 million per for 3 years.  For those out there that want Boston to retain Marcus, you better hope IT can find a way to sign a lesser deal.  I think he is going to be very disappointed given all the Brinks Truck cartoons because that Brinks Truck already made a delivery.

dboss

Danny Ainge would be a fool to allow Thomas to test the market. He would also be a fool to low ball an offer. He knows better than to mess with a high functioning professional athlete's ego.

Isaiah Thomas is an unrestricted free agent and there ain't no matching contracts as such.

I imagine Danny Ainge will consider Isaiah Thomas's value to the team and as a NBA basketball player when it comes to his next contract.

We will have to wait and see.

gyso