NBA Free Agency: 3 reasons the Boston Celtics should bring back Isaiah Thomas

Less than two years ago, Isaiah Thomas finished 5th in the voting for the MVP award. Thomas' top-five finish came after a stellar season in which he guided the Boston Celtics to the summit of the Eastern Conference standings with a 53-29 record, and the then 28-year-old was widely regarded as one the NBA's best players.

Nevertheless, just months later, Thomas was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers he has since struggled to find a permanent home. Injuries have also taken their toll on Thomas, as the 30-year-old has played less than 50 times since leaving Boston.

Despite only recently returning to full-fitness, Thomas has already been pulled from the Nugget's rotation, and he looks likely to exit the team this summer. As it stands, Thomas' future prospects in the NBA don't look bright, although here we will look at three reasons why Boston should offer the point guard a lifeline.

#3 The Celtics owe it to him

Cleveland Cavaliers v Boston Celtics - Game Two

Isaiah Thomas was always a perfect fit for the Celtics. Boston is a city that loves an underdog, and few in the NBA have beat the odds to make it to the big time like the 5 ft 9 guard. Despite his slender frame and early professional setbacks, Thomas became a back to back All-Star during his time in Boston, also averaging nearly 29 points over the course of the 16/17 season.

During the 2017 playoffs, Thomas further endured himself to the Celtics fanbase as he continued to play despite dealing with both a serious hip injury and the shock death of his younger sister. Amidst both pain and grief, Thomas led the Celtics to the Conference Finals, and many fans were angered by the teams decision to trade him just months later.

There is no doubting that Thomas' incredible three-year spell with the franchise ended on a sad note, however, the Celtics still have the opportunity to make things right.

#2 Kyrie Irving is probably going to leave

Back at the beginning of the season, it looked as though Kyrie Irving was leaning towards signing a long term extension with the Celtics. In October, the 26-year-old publicly declared that he intended to re-sign with the franchise, and there was a genuine belief that the All-Star could lead the Celtics to NBA Finals.

However, Boston's season has bordered on disastrous, and Irving's recent comments and actions have signaled that he will walk away from the team this summer. Terry Rozier has also cast doubt over his future by revealing his frustration at his lack of playing time, and the Celtic's face the prospect of losing both their senior point guards.

While it is questionable whether Isaiah Thomas can once again orchestrate the Celtics offense, his arrival would at least offer some kind of stability to help combat the potential losses of both Rozier and Irving.

#1 He is no longer a max contract player

Cleveland Cavaliers v Boston Celtics - Game One

When Isaiah Thomas left the Celtics back in 2017, many insiders around the league believed that the point guard would command a near max contract the following summer. Thomas himself also stated that the Celtics would 'need to bring the Brinks trucks' to secure his future. The uncertainty surrounding IT's contract extension was a major worry for Boston, and it was ultimately a contributing factor in the franchises decision to trade him.

However, when Thomas' contract extension finally came around, he was forced to sign a 1-year veterans minimum deal. Due to injuries, Thomas' chances of ever landing a huge payday now look to be over, and he is heading towards another minimum deal this summer. Evidently, the Celtics will be Thomas' number one destination, and there is no reason why Boston shouldn't hand IT a one-year, $2.4 million deal.