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 might, Thomas captured hearts and minds throughout the nation as a star on the Boston Celtics. Earlier than that, nonetheless, Thomas was placing up numbers for a nasty Sacramento Kings staff 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 turning into the shortest participant ever to report a triple-double. Thomas endeared himself to followers by advocating at Metropolis Council conferences for the Kings to remain in Sacramento, and he outshone his much more hyped draftmate Jimmer Fredette along with his efficiency on the court docket. There was nothing fairly like him within the NBA, just a little man who threw himself headfirst on the rim and climbed seven-footers like so many timber.
The Kings in the end selected to maneuver Thomas to Phoenix, signing and buying and selling him on a four-year, $27 million contract to the Suns. Thomas, in fact, went from Phoenix to Boston in brief order, the place he grew to become the “King of the Fourth.” Sadly, after warning the Celtics that they’d “higher carry 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 gamers of all time.
