Isaiah Thomas to have hip surgery: Out for season and uncertain free agency
By Tyler Watts
Isaiah Thomas’ hip surgery will end his season and clouds his upcoming free agency. Could the Sacramento Kings take a shot on the “Pizza Guy” this offseason?
Isaiah Thomas was drafted by the Sacramento Kings with the final pick of the 2011 NBA Draft. Thomas’ short stature, fierce play, and local advertising caused him to become a fan favorite quickly. Thomas earned the moniker “Pizza Guy” because of the local ads he starred in which you can see below.
Thomas left Sacramento in 2014 and has bounced around a bit since. He has played for four teams but had his breakout year last season with the Boston Celtics. Thomas injured his hip in the playoffs and had offseason surgery. That led the Celtics to trade Thomas to Cleveland in exchange for Kyrie Irving. Thomas’ time in Cleveland did not go as planned, and ultimately they moved him to the Lakers at the deadline. Well, that problematic hip has popped up again. Thomas is scheduled to have surgery on March 29 ending his season, but the ramifications could be far worse.
Upcoming free agent
Thomas is a free agent in the offseason and at perhaps the worst time for him. He is coming off his worst season since 2013 and has had two surgeries on the same hip in the last 12 months. The hip injury likely hampered him all season, and there is no guarantee Thomas will be fully healthy by training camp next season. There is almost no way Thomas gets the max money he was hoping. If IT secures a multi-year deal, it is likely at a deep discount, and that is probably not a route Thomas wants to go either. That means Thomas who just turned 29 in February will play on a one-year deal next season in hopes of rebuilding his value and proving he is healthy.
Related Story: Throwback Thursday: Isaiah Thomas
Return to Sacramento?
Could the Kings take a shot on Thomas on a one-year deal? The team is likely to have cap space, but a reunion appears unlikely. Sacramento will want to continue with De’Aaron Fox at the point and have Frank Mason to back him up. Thomas likely settles for a discount contract with a contender who is offering meaningful minutes (likely as the sixth man).
Final thoughts
Former Sacramento King Isaiah Thomas will undergo a second hip surgery and miss the rest of the season. He is a free agent this offseason, but do not bank on the Kings re-signing their former draft pick. Thomas is likely heads to a contender next season as their sixth man and spark plug off the bench. Hopefully, IT can get healthy and regain his form because the NBA is a better place with the Pizza Guy balling out.
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