Former University of Washington guard Isaiah Thomas, who scored 1,721 points (No. 6 all-time) during his Huskies career (2009-11), is moving from the Sacramento Kings to the Phoenix Suns on a four-year, $27 million sign-and-trade deal. The Kings will receive a $7 million trade exception and the rights to Alex Oriahki. According to CBSSports.com, the Kings had no interest in matching the offer for Thomas and Thomas had no interest in staying with Sacramento.
The website said Thomas will receive $7.2 million in the first year of his new, front-loaded deal. The 5-foot-9 Thomas averaged 20.3 points and 6.3 assists on 45 percent shooting last season.
Thomas, the last player selected (60th overall) in the 2011 draft, averaged 15.3 points and 4.8 assists per game over his three-year pro career. He scored 30 or more points in a game eight times, including a high of 38 twice, Jan. 19 (vs. Oklahoma City) and Jan. 24 (vs. Indiana). He has twice recorded 12 assists in a game, most recently Feb. 22 against the Boston Celtics.
Last season, Thomas became the second ex-Husky to average more than 20 points per game in an NBA season. Brandon Roy averaged 21.9 for Portland in 2009-10.
Thomas averaged 16.4 points per game in three seasons at Washington with a high of 16.9 in 2010. He had a career-best 30 points vs. Wright State Nov. 13, 2009.
Thomas’ biggest UW moment occurred March 13, 2011, when he hit a fadeaway jumper at the buzzer, giving Washington a 77-75 victory over No. 15 Arizona in the first overtime championship game in then-Pac-10 tournament history.
1 Comment
Ever since the Kings drafted Isaiah they’ve had a log jam at the PG position and despite him proving he was the best of them all the club never seemed convinced of that. Hopefully this move will help Isaiah better establish himself as one of the premier PG’s in the league. He had terrific season and can get better as well.