NBA Trade Deadline: 3 Teams that Isaiah Thomas could sign for in 2019

Isaiah Thomas has had a lot of ups and downs in the last three years. After being named to the All-Star team in 2016 and 2017, Thomas looked as though he would be rewarded by the Boston Celtics with a long-term max deal.

Nevertheless, the point-guard suffered a serious hip injury in 2017, which was made worse due to Thomas' desire to help the Celtics in the playoffs.

The 29-year-old was not rewarded for putting his body on the line for the Celtics, and Boston soon traded Thomas to the Cleveland Cavaliers as part of the deal for Kyrie Irving. Thomas played just 15 times alongside LeBron in Cleveland and ended the season as a reserve with the struggling Lakers.

Thomas finally became a free agent in the summer of 2018, however, instead of landing a max-contract, Thomas was forced to accept a 1-year veteran's minimum deal with the Denver Nuggets.

Due to injury, Thomas has yet to play a game in Denver, although his future with the team is already in doubt. The 2-time All-Star has made it clear that he wants to use this season as a year to demonstrate his ability in order to earn a big contract in the summer of 2019.

So with Thomas' future seemingly away from Denver, here are three teams that the former Celtics man could land on in 2019.

#3 Oklahoma City Thunder

A move to Oklahoma City will depend on Thomas' willingness to come off the bench, although Thomas could be a perfect backup to Russell Westbrook. The Thunder need a point guard that can keep the offence moving while Westbrook sits, and Thomas clearly has the ability to do this.

Dennis Schroder has been great in the role so far this season, although the Thunder are aware that the German's $15,500,000 contract doesn't represent good value to a team that already has huge contracts in place for Steven Adams, Russell Westbrook, and Paul George.

Ultimately, Thomas would be a much cheaper option who would offer similar productivity and added experience to the OKC bench.

#2 Orlando Magic

Isaiah Thomas in action for the Cleveland Cavaliers against the Orlando Magic last season

The Orlando Magic have slowly built an impressive young roster that contains promising youngsters such as Mohamed Bamba and Jonathan Isaac.

Despite this, the team is crying out for a point guard, as DJ Augustin is better suited as a backup guard. The 31-year-old is this season averaging 11.6 points, 4.8 assists and 2.1 rebounds, which are all numbers that Isaiah Thomas bettered last season, despite struggling with injuries and playing fewer minutes.

Replacing Augustin with Thomas would provide the Magic with an All-Star calibre player (barring injury), and someone who could lead the team back to the playoffs.

The Magic have cap-space and can afford to pay Thomas a salary that he wants, and the team should be serious about making a move for the former Celtics man if he can demonstrate his fitness in 2019.

#1 Chicago Bulls

Thomas has enjoyed a number of notable playoff series against the Chicago Bulls

Just like the Orlando Magic, the Chicago Bulls have been building an impressive young core of players over the past few years.

The team is looking to build around the impressive Lauri Markkanen, while Zach LaVine has also been impressive since landing with the team back in 2017. The team does not, however, have an out and out point guard, and Thomas would be a great pick up in the 2019 offseason.

The Bulls have a passionate fanbase similar to the Celtics, and the Chicago fans would immediately take to the 5-foot-9 point guard.

The Bulls are also way under the salary cap, so if Thomas rediscovers his form in Denver, the organization will be in a strong position to offer the player a contract that he wants. Ultimately a three-year deal worth $25 million could be great for both the Bulls and Thomas.

Edited by Debjyoti Samanta