Boston Celtics should take a flyer on Isaiah Thomas

The Boston Celtics created an open roster spot and some flexibility by releasing Jabari Parker on Friday before his guaranteed contract legitimately became “guaranteed”. Now with an open roster spot, it’ll be easy for Boston to slide a potential 10-Day contract in there.

The open roster spot gives the Celtics the flexibility they need to find the right player who can come in and contribute at a high level, while also making the team better around him. At this point, there’s one name that comes to mind – Isaiah Thomas.

The Boston Celtics have nothing to lose by signing point guard Isaiah Thomas to a 10-Day contract

At times, the Celtics lack energy and passion while on the court. They lack focus and direction trying to close out games they have the lead in, which has been an unfortunate trend all season. It’s hard to believe that Thomas couldn’t provide a serviceable role for this team.

Isaiah Thomas just completed his second 10-Day contract over the past month. In his most recent game with the Dallas Mavericks, Thomas produced six points and four assists in 13 minutes off the bench. Unfortunately, he only played in one game due to health and safety protocols.

It’s worth mentioning that Thomas averaged 9.3 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.5 assists throughout four games with the Los Angeles Lakers earlier this month. He scored 19 points off the bench in his season debut with the Lakers.

After Boston’s recent loss to the New York Knicks, head coach Ime Udoka questioned his team’s lack of mental toughness down the stretch and that it’s impacting the way they can control the game when they have the lead in the fourth quarter. But he also said that the team is missing a “calming presence” that can essentially control the game when his team enters “panic mode”.

“So it’s a lot of different things. And then, like I said, a calming presence to slow it down and get us what we want is really what you need at that point. And sometimes we all get caught up in it.”

Considering these comments from Udoka, it’s hard to believe that a player like Thomas couldn’t fill the roles of everything he said this team is missing and needs, mainly being a veteran presence and leader. Thomas would also increase the overall morale of this team and the fan base.

Thomas has worked hard to get himself back on an NBA court. Although, it’s fair to acknowledge that he’s not the same player he was when he was a consecutive All-Star and finished amongst the top in MVP voting in 2016-17 with the Celtics.

Since November, the Boston Celtics have blown four leads of at least 19 points, which is the most in the NBA this season.

• Nov. 1- Chicago Bulls, 19 points (128-114)
• Nov. 13- Cleveland Cavaliers, 19 points  (91-88)
• Dec. 25- Milwaukee Bucks, 19 points  (117-113)
• Jan. 6- New York Knicks, 25 points (108-105)

I’ve mentioned multiple times that the Celtics need a ”spark plug guy”- a player who can come in and provide some energy and momentum. Could that not be Thomas?

It would be a completely no-risk situation for Boston. It’s not the long-term answer, however, it could prove to help the Boston Celtics both on and off the court.