The Washington Wizards may not have had a lot of cap space, but they still managed to grab a former MVP candidate to fill in for John Wall next season.
We’ve got our big name free agent signing, folks! Last year it was Dwight Howard to the Washington Wizards. This year, it’s former MVP candidate, and Wizards killer Isaiah Thomas!
Thomas agreed to a deal with the Wizards on Tuesday night, the same day the franchise brought in Ish Smith and let Tomas Satoransky go join Otto Porter with the Chicago Bulls. The deal will be one-year, worth the veteran’s minimum.
With Thomas, the Wizards are getting a 5’9 question mark. The guy’s been great. Wizards fans know that almost too well after watching him systematically dismantle the Wizards in the 2017 playoffs to the tune of 53 points in game 2, and then 29 points and 12 assists in game 7.
Recently, however, Thomas has been a shell of that player. He’s often been injured. Even when he was healthy last season, he couldn’t earn a spot within the Denver Nuggets‘ crowded and competitive rotation.
If you ask Thomas, all he needs is a chance, and he’ll do the rest. It’s almost exactly what he told David Aldridge of The Athletic after agreeing to terms with the Wizards.
Asked Isaiah Thomas late last night why he picked the Wizards. His response: “Opportunity!!!! (actual number of exclamation points) That’s all I wanted, I’ll do the rest!”
— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) July 2, 2019
Plus, players around the league were pouring praise on Thomas, thrilled to see him getting another chance. Jamal Crawford, Dwayne Wade, Bradley Beal, and others took to Twitter to show the newest Wizard some love.
IT has always played with a bit of a chip on his shoulder. Once again, he’s out to prove something. For a Wizards team that will probably be underdogs for most of next season, he should fit right in. Here are three goals to help him show everyone he’s still got it.