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Denver Nuggets: Three bold predictions for Isaiah Thomas

By James Siegle

NEW ORLEANS, LA - MARCH 22: Isaiah Thomas #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts before a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on March 22, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - MARCH 22: Isaiah Thomas #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts before a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on March 22, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – MARCH 9: Isiah Thomas #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball against the Denver Nuggets on March 9, 2018 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – MARCH 9: Isiah Thomas #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball against the Denver Nuggets on March 9, 2018 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Denver Nuggets’ signing of Isaiah Thomas has garnered league-wide attention.

While very few disapprove, most don’t expect the Isaiah of old to resurface. But there is speculation. Will Thomas dominate the bench and airlift himself back to greatness? Or was last year simply too much crash for one man to handle?

Here are three Isaiah predictions for this season:

Minutes will be aplenty: 

Hidden amidst the juicy off-season moves is a disturbing observation. Denver’s back court reserves are in short supply. The best alternate guard besides IT? Malik Beasley…a dude who hardly played last year.

Will Barton spearheaded the Nuggets’ bench in 2017-2018. When “Thrill” drove the action, the second unit was respectable. In games Barton started? The bench proved itself barely relevant.

Barton served as Denver’s second-highest minute gobbler (33 per game – ESPN). Now that Will is starting, backup guard minutes are plentiful. Torey Craig and Mason Plumlee will play sturdy defense at the small forward and center positions, respectively. Each is limited offensively – a factor that demands scoring guards accompany them.

Guards like Isaiah Thomas.

IT averaged 27 minutes with Cleveland and Los Angeles (ESPN). He should see more time with Denver this season. IT is replacing Barton’s bench scoring role, so 30-35 minutes per game isn’t crazy to expect.

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