BOSTON — A player who first cast a skeptical eye toward a snow-covered city and its struggling basketball team upon his trade to Boston 16 months ago has now become one of the biggest ambassadors for both.
Isaiah Thomas has admitted he wasn’t exactly overjoyed when first told he was headed to the Celtics in a trade deadline deal last February, but soon warmed up to his new home as he learned about the franchise and helped lead it back to the playoffs.
A year, and second playoff trip, later, Thomas is now the unabashed lead salesman for both Boston and the Celtics as he tries to do his part to lure elite NBA talent to town.
“If you had told somebody that [back then] they would think you were lying,” he said of the transformation Thursday afternoon during a Celtics community event to unveil a new teen center at the Roxbury YMCA. “I don’t think I envisioned this. I always dreamed of it as a little boy, I guess, to be that guy who people call up for whatever it needs to be. But I couldn’t tell you that was going to happen [here]. For it to happen like it is, is special.
“I just want to win. I want to win here just because if you win here there’s nothing like it. This is a special place and I want to be a part of the future.”
That’s the message the All-Star point guard said he has personally conveyed to both Kevin Durant and Al Horford as they headed toward unrestricted free agency at 12:01 Friday morning. Following a slate of promotional appearances on Thursday, Thomas said he was off to the team’s practice facility in Waltham at night to talk recruiting strategy with Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge.
“It’s a crazy feeling just because years ago that didn’t even come close [to happening],” he said of his previous stops in Sacramento and Phoenix. “I was worried about making the team the next year. It’s a good feeling knowing that they, I guess, trust my word. They come to me for things they need, or they want me to do. Knowing you have the trust of the organization is a good thing.”
The Celtics are one of six teams to secure a meeting with Durant during his weekend in the Hamptons, and are also expected to pursue Horford.
“I just reached out to him,” Thomas said of Horford. “I got his number and reached out to him saying: 'I’m interested in playing with you. I just want to put that in your ear. I know the Celtics would love it if you came.'
Page 2 of 2 - “He texted me back and said: 'I’m a fan of how you guys play. I am a fan of your game. Would love the opportunity.' ”
Thomas said his interaction with Durant has been similarly positive about the team and the city.
“He’s a fan of the game,” he said. “He knows the game of basketball. He’s talked to me about how exciting it is to watch us on NBA League Pass and things like that. He knows.
“We’re just going to do what we can to seal the deal. Hopefully we can get in his ear. Then maybe he’s a Celtic and maybe he’s not. But we’re going to try. I’m going to try.”
One player Thomas knows will be his teammate next season is third overall pick Jaylen Brown, whom he was expected to meet at a summer league workout at the practice facility Thursday night.
“He’s a really good player,” Thomas said. “I think he’s slept on a lot by a lot of people. I watched Cal play a lot due to them playing in the Pac-12, and I’ve seen his highlights. He’s very athletic. He can play multiple positions. Hopefully, he’s ready to work.”
Thomas has certainly been hard at work — on the phone and through social media — trying to help secure what he called the “few more pieces” the team needs to get to the next level. He said he wants to do anything he can to change the perception that Boston is not a destination city in the NBA.
“Guys know about Boston,” he assured. “Guys are definitely talking Boston. And that’s a good thing.”
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