The Husky Haul
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Former Washington Husky Isaiah Thomas is so Cavalier about trade

By Bret Stuter

INDEPENDENCE, OH - SEPTEMBER 7: Isaiah Thomas is introduced as a Cleveland Cavalier at Cleveland Clinic Courts on September 7, 2017 in Independence, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
INDEPENDENCE, OH - SEPTEMBER 7: Isaiah Thomas is introduced as a Cleveland Cavalier at Cleveland Clinic Courts on September 7, 2017 in Independence, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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Former Washington Husky Isaiah Thomas once prepared to welcome Markelle Fultz to the Boston Celtics. Five months later, neither are Celtics, and Thomas is very Cavalier about everything

The Boston Celtics did the unthinkable. When former Washington Husky guard Isaiah Thomas injured his hip in the playoffs, the Celtics decided to part ways with the young man.  It is a business for Boston after all.

Those Boston Celtics are between a rock and a hard place this season. After finishing first in the NBA Eastern Conference and losing convincingly to the Cleveland Cavaliers, the team has dealt like never before.   The no long have four of the team’s top six scorers from a year ago. Isaiah Thomas, Avery Bradley, Jae Crowder, and Kelly Olynyk now play elsewhere.  POOF!

The team wanted Gordon Hayward, and the price for signing him was fairly steep.  And in the Isaiah Thomas trade with nemesis Cleveland, the Celtics landed a pretty good player by the name of Kyrie Irving.

From team leader to trade chip

Still, when you have a player like Isaiah Thomas, a player who placed personal tragedy aside to lead the team in post season play, you’d think the Celtics might bend the business rules.  He is the emotional leader for the Boston Celtics. Scratch that… was.

For now, Boston is just a chapter in Isaiah Thomas’ life. He has had several in the NBA. In fact, he began as the last player selected in the 2011 NBA Draft by the Sacramento Kings. He was then traded to the Phoenix. In less than a year, Phoenix dealt him to the Boston Celtics.  And Thomas has been a Celtics for the past 2.5 seasons.

Tough not to root for Isaiah

Even if you do not like his team, it’s virtually impossible for anyone who knows the man to root against him.  He breaks barriers, but remembers his roots.  And it’s that commitment to community which is the puzzler to me.

Isaiah Thomas has been the leader on the Boston Celtics since he arrived.  Yes, he suffered a hip injury. Yes, those types of injuries are complicated. But the Boston Celtics essentially distanced themselves from Thomas at the first possible opportunity. And that is a shame, both upon the Celtics and upon the NBA.

Emotional connection

The nation appreciated the young man who played in a post season game despite tears of losing his beloved sister.  Now, less than six months later, the team he played so hard for exchanges him.  The common defense is that “it’s not personal”. But if this is not, than what is? A man is uprooted and moved despite putting his heart and soul out there.

Next: 5 reasons Washington Husky Markelle Fultz will thrive with Philadelphia 76ers

Cleveland is a winner in this exchange. Don’t look at the box score. Look at Thomas’ heart. He has improved in each chapter. That being said, the Cleveland Cavalier chapter will be his best yet.

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