Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports activities
Full minimal seasons: 2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2018-19
Stats: 15.0 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 4.6 apg, 42.1 FG%
The little engine that would, Thomas captured hearts and minds throughout the nation as a star on the Boston Celtics. Earlier than that, nevertheless, Thomas was placing up numbers for a foul Sacramento Kings crew on a rookie-scale minimal after being the final decide of the 2011 NBA draft.
The 5-foot-9 Thomas had an illustrious run with the Kings, together with making the All-Rookie 2nd Staff and changing into the shortest participant ever to file a triple-double. Thomas endeared himself to followers by advocating at City Council meetings for the Kings to remain in Sacramento, and he outshone his way more hyped draftmate Jimmer Fredette along with his efficiency on the court docket. There was nothing fairly like him within the NBA, somewhat man who threw himself headfirst on the rim and climbed seven-footers like so many timber.
The Kings finally selected to maneuver Thomas to Phoenix, signing and trading him on a four-year, $27 million contract to the Suns. Thomas, in fact, went from Phoenix to Boston briefly order, the place he turned the “King of the Fourth.” Sadly, after warning the Celtics that they’d “better bring out the Brinks truck” for his subsequent contract, Thomas suffered a hip harm that derailed his profession, and regardless of bouncing round a number of groups, he’s by no means been capable of finding a touchdown spot.
For all his manufacturing, Thomas landed a spot on HoopsHype’s most underpaid players of all time.
