The Cavs may want Isaiah Thomas to remain for the long-term

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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Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Isaiah Thomas may be here to stay.

While the bulk of the media’s attention has focused on Isaiah Thomas’ health, the Cleveland Cavaliers front office seems to be investing in Thomas for the long-term. Considering the approach they’re taking to Thomas’ rehabilitation, the verbiage they used to describe the impact Thomas can make on the franchise and Thomas’ relationship with Cavs big man Kevin Love, this could be exactly what Thomas calls it –

a “match made in heaven.”

If the Cavs want to keep Thomas for the long-term, the immediate focus would be on making sure Thomas would return to the court fully healthy and they are. While Thomas hasn’t been running yet and there are reports of complications to Thomas’ labrum tear, December (when it was originally reported he would return) is four months away and that’s quite a ways away.

Luckily for the Cavs, they have experience with this situation.

With the knee injury Kyrie Irving sustained in the 2015 NBA Finals, Irving only played in 53 games in the 2015-2016 season. His first game of the season came on December 20th and the Cavs were 18-7 at that point, albeit with a far worse bench unit than they have now. As most of us know, the Cavs still made it to the NBA Finals that season – and with relative ease.

So, considering that the Cavs have invest in and have faith in Thomas’ long-term health, they’ll also look to give him periodic rest throughout the season and, when he returns, a minute restriction. Cavs fans should certainly see Thomas shaking off his rust on the court before the playoffs, where he can prove his worth on the NBA’s biggest stage.

By all accounts, the Cavs sound like they believe him. At the Cavs’ introductory press conference for the team’s new arrivals, general manager Koby Altman notoriously dodged questions about Thomas’ hip but he also praised Thomas’ intangibles and basketball ability:

(Quote transcribed by SB Nation’s Kristian Winfield):

"“Again, I don’t want this to be the Isaiah Thomas hip press conference,” Altman said, interrupting back-to-back hip questions to open the interview. “So I’m just gonna with all due respect, shut down the hip questions. If we wanna talk about Isaiah, let’s talk about Isaiah the All-Star. Let’s talk about Isaiah, the guy that averaged 29 points a game last year. Let’s talk about him as a leader and what he’s going to bring to this franchise in terms of his performance on the floor when we get him back.So again, guys, we appreciate the questions, but this is not going to turn into the Isaiah Thomas hip press conference. We want to talk about what he’s going to add and contribute to this team.”"

Those aren’t the words you say about a player you were just renting for half of a season. Especially when Cavs head coach Tyronn Lue sees a fit for Thomas, per cleveland.com’s Joe Vardon:

"“Getting Isaiah back healthy, add him to our team, and we look forward to him doing some of the same things Kyrie did for us,” Lue said. “Our offense is going to change a little bit, but for the most part we’re going to do the same things. I want Isaiah to be aggressive. I’m not going to hold him back. He doesn’t have to come in to look to fit in. Just come in, play your game, be who you are, and that’s what our team is all about from a team level.”"

To that point, Thomas certainly will come in and allow the Cavs do a lot of what they did with Irving. Both Thomas and Irving excel at getting into the lane, knocking down shots behind-the-line and stepping up in clutch moments.

If Thomas can maintain his midrange efficiency from last year, there won’t be a difference between he and Irving offensively. However, on the defensive end, Lue may not be able to hide Thomas on wing players like he did with Irving.

Thomas believes that playing with the talent the Cavs have on the roster, namely LeBron James, will make it easier for him to score and he’s right. Though Irving could slice and dice his way through defenders, at any given time you could see every member of the opposing team paying attention to one player.

James.

At 28-years-old, Thomas is in his prime and his timeline, if re-signed, matches James’ championship window. If James leaves and the Cavs are forced to rebuild with a top pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, having Thomas in the fold would allow the Cavs to remain competitive. Especially if their draft pick is able to be ahead of the curve as a rookie and James jumps conferences.

Thomas, who has averaged at least 20.3 points and 5.9 assists per game every season he’s played more than thirty minutes per game, is a very talented offensive player. For his long-term health and the team’s success this season, the Cavs can and should protect Thomas and unleash him when he’s healthy.

Maybe it’ll even seem like Irving never left. Especially when the Cavs need an explosive point guard to nail shot after shot or take over in the fourth quarter.

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