I knew he wasn't a big playmaker like a Rondo or Chris Paul but I thought he had more than that. I'm a little surprised he averaged that many assists because it was odd for him to actually post more than his average. He really is no more of a PG than Allen Iverson was back in the day. In fact they're quite similar players. Iverson was a little bigger but both were small guards who played hard and helped their team win a lot of games but none when it really mattered.
I think a very poor man's Allen Iverson is a good comparison. Although Iverson's career average in assists (which includes several weak years at the end) is on par with IT's best year. Also, not saying Iverson was a good defender, but he averaged nearly 3 steals per game several times, an added element IT does not possess.
Ultimately, the issue with IT is the same as the issue with AI. Isaiah Thomas is about Isaiah Thomas. He is what he is and has never seemed interested in adapting. So what you get is a high volume alpha dog that opposing teams can exploit on defense.
That can work to a degree. The 76ers team Iverson took to the NBA finals was built perfectly around him, just as the Celtics were built perfectly around Thomas. Put him on the court with defensive-minded players who don't need the ball much and his strengths are highlighted while his weaknesses are minimized. That's why Orlando made a ton of sense and why the Nuggets fit seems destined to cause issues.
I've always maintained that if Thomas could swallow his pride and focus on being an elite sixth man who is happy to pick his moments and embrace his role, then he would be extremely valuable to any team. I just don't think that's how he's wired though. The same attributes that allowed him to put up nearly 30 ppg in an NBA season despite his diminutive size (unwavering confidence, cutthroat mentality, rigid focus) also make him a difficult fit for most teams. That's before even factoring in the injury concern.
I was never upset, even at the height of his success, that the Suns traded him. I was only upset that they got so little. (Though it seems like he may never have had the value one would think just looking at his counting stats.)