Isaiah Thomas in May. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
BOSTON (WBZ-AM) -- In Boston, Isaiah Thomas quickly became a fan-favorite. He was a two-time All-Star, an All-NBA second-teamer, and a top-five vote-getter in the MVP race. And, on a team-friendly deal, he often spoke about a desire to get paid when he finally hit free agency.
"I'm a max guy, so I deserve to max, and we just got to continue to take care of business on the court and let the cards fall where they may," he said.
Thomas told NBC Sports Boston this time last year teams would have to back of the Brinks truck for him.Most know what happened next.
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Thomas was traded to the Cavaliers, then the Lakers, and never quite became the old I.T. again, while spending this past season recovering from a hip injury. He was limited to 32 games and an average of 15 points--well off his 29 per game for the C's a year earlier.
Now, the 29-year-old guard has a new home. Thomas reached a one-year deal for the vet minimum two million dollars with the Nuggets. He'll be reunited with head coach Mike Malone, who coached him in Sacramento.
Thomas will back-up Jamal Murray in his effort to resurrect his career, and he'll have chances on a playoff contender. Denver will mark Thomas's sixth team in eight years.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Adam Kaufman (@AdamMKaufman) reports