Selected to be an All-Star for the second consecutive year and being named to the All-NBA Second Team, Isaiah Thomas has established himself as the No. 1 player on the Celtics and is possibly Boston’s franchise star for the foreseeable future. Thomas was instrumental to Boston’s success this season, which included a lengthy playoff run that ended in the Eastern Conference Finals, so given his excellent performance and all of the accolades he racked up, the Celtics All-Star due for a big pay day.
But while Thomas is eligible to sign a contract extension this summer, he is not in that big of a rush to do so. Thomas is willing to wait on his extension because by doing so it allows the Celtics more salary cap space to potentially sign another All-Star caliber player.
From ESPN’s Chris Forsberg:
“We need the best possible player that’s gonna help us win, and I’m with that,” said Thomas. “Anything Danny and this organization need me to do to help bring even more talent to this city, I’m all for that. I want to win a championship and being so close to getting to the Finals, that makes you want it that much more. I’m all help if they need it. I’ll be around.”
…
“No, that time will come,” said Thomas. “Whatever happens, happens. I’ve proved myself. The world knows what I bring to the table and I can’t do anything to control anything else. So whatever happens this summer with contracts, it happens. If not, then we’ll wait until next summer and then we’ll see where we go.”
As Forsberg notes, Thomas has talked in the past about how he is looking forward to a contract extension so he can properly be compensated for his elite play. However, it seems like after losing in the playoffs, Thomas has changed his mind and is putting the team’s needs over his individual wants.
This is not terribly out of character for Thomas as since he arrived in Boston, he has always been team-first. Yet it is still surprising to hear a player wanting to delay a big payday, because as we all know cash rules everything around us. But Thomas is an NBA player, after all, and while he may not have signed a max-level deal in his career just yet, he is still making millions of dollars. Plus, his payday will come either this summer or next when he will be an unrestricted free agent.
The only thing that could affect Thomas is how serious his hip injury is. Thomas missed the final two games of the Boston’s playoff run due to the injury, and it is unclear if he needs surgery. If he does need surgery, Thomas may miss some time at the beginning of the season, which could affect his performance next year. And if that is the case, that could affect Thomas’ future potential earnings.
But that is just a worst case scenario because at some point in the very near future, Thomas is going to get paid, and until that day comes, he is more concerned about the Celtics winning than anything else.
(ESPN)
