Celtics could bring back unlikely former star after opening up roster space?
The Boston Celtics are a step closer to a previously unfathomable scenario.
The Celtics made a series of different trades before Thursday’s deadline, moving seven players: Dennis Schroder, Josh Richardson, PJ Dozier, Bol Bol, Romeo Langford, Bruno Fernando, and Enes Kanter Freedom. They ended up receiving Derrick White and Daniel Theis (in addition to draft picks), giving them five open roster spots in total.
Brian Robb of MassLive.com reported that ex-Celtics star Isaiah Thomas is a candidate for one of the team’s open spots. Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe also mentioned the possibility of the Celtics bringing back Thomas.
For his part, Thomas had this to say on Twitter about the flurry moves around the NBA at the trade deadline.
Damn it’s going down
— Isaiah Thomas (@isaiahthomas) February 10, 2022
It would be surprising to see Thomas return to the Celtics. He was a beloved figure in Boston during his brief time with them from 2015 to 2017. But after Thomas’ All-NBA 2016-17 campaign where he fought through a major hip injury in the playoffs, the Celtics unceremoniously dumped him in a trade. Thomas was never the same player after the injury, never got another big contract, and never seemed to forgive the team, even as recently as last year.
That said however, Danny Ainge, the man who was responsible for trading Thomas, is no longer with the Celtics. There have also been indications in more recent months that tensions have been cooling. While the 33-year-old Thomas would not move the needle for Boston, a reunion would be a great feel-good story for Celtics fans and for NBA fans in general.
Photo: Apr 22, 2018; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens reacts following a call during the fourth quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks in game four of the first round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
