ESPN Insider: Isaiah Thomas among best free agent signings
Jul 18, 2014, 7:42 PM | Updated: 7:42 pm
While his role is unclear, the Phoenix Suns signing Isaiah Thomas to a four-year, $27 million deal was ranked as the one of the top free-agent signings of the offseason, according to ESPN Insider Tom Haberstroh.
Haberstroh uses age and 2013-14 wins above replacement (WAR) to calculate a player’s annual contract value. He says Thomas is worth $11.1 million annually, with the Suns’ surplus on the deal more than $4 million annually.
Thomas, 25, averaged 20.3 points and 6.3 assists last season with the Sacramento Kings.
Haberstroh thinks the Kings were worried about his 5-foot-9 height instead of his scoring ability. Here is what he says about the signing:
This is Asset Accumulation 101 by Phoenix GM Ryan McDonough. Considering the Suns might have Eric Bledsoe and Goran Dragic in their backcourt, acquiring Thomas might seem like point guard gluttony. But smart teams find talent at discount prices, then deal with fit issues later.
Former Suns power forward Channing Frye was also on the list, with Haberstroh saying Frye was worth $12.2 million annually, while the Orlando Magic gave him a four-year contract worth $32 million.
