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Toronto Raptors: Examining Toronto’s buyout market options

By Jeff Borsuk

OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 6: President of Basketball Operations Masai Ujiri and General Manager Bobby Webster of the Toronto Raptors speak to ESPN writer Zach Lowe during practice as part of the 2019 NBA Finals on June 6, 2019 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 6: President of Basketball Operations Masai Ujiri and General Manager Bobby Webster of the Toronto Raptors speak to ESPN writer Zach Lowe during practice as part of the 2019 NBA Finals on June 6, 2019 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors
Toronto Raptors potential target – Isaiah Thomas (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /

Isaiah Thomas

Isaiah Thomas has had a difficult career since leaving the Boston Celtics. He was traded yet again this season, going from the Washington Wizards to the Los Angeles Clippers. Marcus Morris was the big prize in that trade and the only player that the Clippers wanted to keep for the playoffs. They waived Thomas shortly after acquiring him, the day after his 31st birthday, in fact.

The Raptors certainly could take a chance on IT who still has a lot left to prove. Playing for the Wizards, Thomas rejuvenated his game, starting 37 of 40 games. The rugged point guard averaged 12.2 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 3.7 dimes playing in America’s capital.

Thomas’s downside is his defence. At 5’9″, he has trouble containing larger players and can often be exploited in mismatches. But the man who once wore the name “Pizza Guy” on the back of his jersey excels on offence, and that’s what he’d bring to Toronto.

A strong passer and an even better three-point shooter, Thomas’ offensive arsenal is extensive. From downtown this season, he hit an average of two triples per contest, on 4.7 attempts. That’s 41.3 percent from downtown. This is a new element to Thomas’s game, which is a clear upgrade from his career average of 36.4 percent.

Thomas has also shown that he can still create his own shot, which is something that the Raptors could use when they’re in need of a timely bucket. Even if Thomas is added to sit at the end of the bench, having him available to help lighten both Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet’s workloads makes sense.

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