Phoenix Suns acquire RFA Isaiah Thomas in sign-and-trade deal with Sacramento Kings
Jul 11, 2014, 10:24 PM | Updated: Jul 12, 2014, 6:18 pm
Restricted free agent Isaiah Thomas officially became a member of the Phoenix Suns on Saturday morning.
Phoenix originally brought in the point guard for a visit on Thursday.
The following day, several reports emerged of the Washington product signing an offer sheet with the Suns.
Sacramento restricted free agent Isaiah Thomas has reached agreement on an offer sheet with Phoenix, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 11, 2014
Suns and Kings are finalizing a sign-and-trade deal on a four-year, $27M contract for Isaiah Thomas, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 11, 2014
The Kings will get an approximately $7 million trade exception and the draft rights to Alex Oriakhi, league source says.
— Ken Berger (@KBergCBS) July 11, 2014
God is great!!! I'm excited for what the future holds here in Phoenix. Proud 2 be apart of the @Suns organization! #Playoffs #Suns #TMC
— Isaiah Thomas (@Isaiah_Thomas2) July 11, 2014
The Thomas-for-Oriakhi deal was finalized Saturday morning. It’s an interesting move for the Suns, who are already loaded at the point guard position.
The 5-foot-9 Thomas, 25, is coming off a season in which he averaged 20.3 points, 6.3 assists, 2.9 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game for the Sacramento Kings.
Originally a second-round pick (60th overall) in the 2011 draft, Thomas has emerged as a solid scoring guard who is successful despite his slight frame.
“We welcome Isaiah Thomas,” said Lon Babby, president of basketball operations for the Suns, on Saturday. “His addition to our backcourt makes it one of the deepest and most dynamic in the league. We have enjoyed getting to know him during his visit to Phoenix this week. He will quickly become a fan-favorite.”
What this means for the Suns, who already have Goran Dragic, Tyler Ennis, the rights to Eric Bledsoe and Archie Goodwin in the backcourt remains to be seen, but general manager Ryan McDonough weighed in with his opinion Saturday.
“Isaiah is one of the most dynamic scorers and playmakers in the NBA,” McDonough said. “I have always admired his competitive spirit and his love for the game. He will be a great fit for our up-tempo attack, and he will help solidify what we believe is the best backcourt in the league.”
As for Oriakhi, the former second-round pick was planning on playing for the Suns’ Summer League squad, but instead will be heading to California’s capital.
