Brilliant 2015-16 Season Cements Isaiah Thomas’ Place in Boston Celtics’ Future

BOSTON — Just over one year ago, Isaiah Thomas was a surprise trade deadline acquisition for the Boston Celtics, his third team in only eight months after being dealt away by the Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns, respectively.

One full season and All-Star appearance later, Thomas is the face of the franchise. And we mean that literally. On May 17, he’ll join the ranks of Celtic legends who have served as the team’s NBA draft lottery representative, a list that includes luminaries such as Tommy Heinsohn, Jo Jo White and M.L. Carr.

Team ownership seems to be making a symbolic gesture by putting Thomas front and center for the occasion: In what could be an offseason of drastic changes, the point guard has cemented himself not only as an ambassador but as a foundational piece moving forward.

“Coming from where I’m from and the story I have, you’d never think I’d be asked to go represent an NBA franchise at the lottery,” Thomas said last week. “It’s a blessing for [team co-owner Wyc Grousbeck] to even ask me that.”

What’s more, the night could prove to be pivotal in shaping the team’s future. The Celtics hold the rights to the Brooklyn Nets’ unprotected first-round pick at the draft lottery. 

The Rapid Ascent

The Celtics have admitted there was some debate about acquiring the undersized 5’9’’ guard at the trade deadline in February 2015. Boston was 20-31 at the time of the deal, and team officials, including general manager Danny Ainge, viewed Thomas as a player who could limit the team’s lottery prospects for that season.

“Danny believed [in Isaiah],” Grousbeck told Felger and Mazz in an interview on 98.5 The Sports Hub (via CBS Boston). “Danny came and said, ‘Should we get this guy? The contract is a fabulous contract. He can really play and he’s going to help us win some games right now.’ We were looking at a lottery team then. Winning more games was a debate.”

“We said, ‘Yes, let’s do it, because we are going to be a better team for more years to come and be a better place for free agents to come.’ We took a fork in the road and deliberately got better with Isaiah.”

The speedster lived up to that expectation during the final months of the 2014-15 season, propelling Boston to a 20-11 record down the stretch and a unexpected playoff berth.

With the benefit of a full training camp acclimating him to Boston and head coach Brad Stevens’ system this year, Thomas reached even greater heights. He averaged a career-high 22.2 points and 6.2 assists over 82 games, one of six players in the NBA to average at least 22 points and six assists per game …

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