Isaiah Thomas arrived late to the Boston Celtics last season after the team acquired him following a trade of Rajon Rondo to the Dallas Mavericks. Thomas turned out to be a threat off the bench as he looked every bit the part of an elite point guard. Thomas has no plans of that changing as he heads into a new season. However, the veteran would prefer to be a starter which could put Marcus Smart's role in jeopardy.
Thomas has already acknowledged that he wants to be a starter and head coach Brad Stevans is well aware of that desire. The All-Star point guard has been putting in the offseason work to make sure the move happens as he stresses that while he simply wants the team to win, he also wants to be the first on the court on opening night.
"But I definitely feel like I can be an All-Star. I'm not just saying that. I honestly feel that way. With hard work and dedication and just taking my craft serious. And, with the opportunity given with the Boston Celtics, I feel like I can reach that goal. That's a goal of mine," Thomas said, via ESPN.com.
Thomas has been putting in the work to get it done as he trains with Floyd Mayweather. Thomas has proven he can be a starter for the team which could put Smart's status in jeopardy. While the Celtics drafted Smart to eventually be the franchise point guard, his value could get the Celtics a nice trade deal if they sought one out. According to Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times, Smart is a player that team president Danny Ainge would list as a "hopeful keeper", but is certainly not opposed to trade deals.
Ainge has reportedly been eyeing one more big trade move prior to the season beginning. While that does not appear to be happening any time soon, if the Celtics were able to acquire someone like DeMarcus Cousins, Markieff Morris or Tristan Thompson, they would make the deal. If Smart has to be involved in the trade package, Thomas' improvement makes that an option.
For now, the Celtics are relying on players like Tyler Zeller and Jared Sullinger to step up in 2015. With no trade deals being discussed at the moment, both players are being given a chance to prove themselves. According to the Boston Globe, the Celtics have begun preliminary contract talks with both Sullinger and Zeller which could hurt trade deals if either player is signed before the October deadline.
