Isiah Thomas, a Chicago-born legend and the Detroit Pistons great, stands as one of the greatest point guards in the history of the sport. The man fondly referred to as ‘Zeke’ achieved a breakthrough in 1989 and 1990 after a series of playoff heartbreaks. He led the Bad Boys Pistons to consecutive championships, solidifying his status as a basketball icon.
Thomas, who retired due to a torn Achilles at 32, has been making waves and maintaining his relevance in the NBA through his activities with various NBA franchises. The legend recently made a surprising revelation about his role with two NBA teams, adding a unique layer to his legendary status.
Isiah Thomas addresses his position with Suns, Knicks
After retiring as a player, Isiah Thomas, a Hall-of-Famer, took on the role of a general manager, starting with the Toronto Raptors before transitioning to the New York Knicks three years later. His tenure with the Knicks lasted five years, from 2003 to 2008, marked by a mix of successes and challenges.
Beyond his basketball career, many don’t know Thomas’ significant advocacy for human rights and philanthropy within the Black community and once debunked having a feud with Michael Jordan.
A recent post on “X” by Forbes highlights Thomas’ ownership of not just one but two NBA teams at present. “It’s interesting the position I have. So, I sit on the board of ‘United Wholesale Mortgages’ and Matt Ishbia owns the Phoenix Suns. And I am an advisor/consultant to him.”.
Isiah Thomas added, “I also sit on the board of Madison Square Garden. James Dolan, who owns the New York Knicks, ‘The Sphere’ in Vegas which all of you at some point have got to see!”.
Isiah Thomas didn’t stop there; he proclaimed that he might be the only retired player sitting on the board of two NBA teams, laughing about it alongside his host. The NBA legend emphasizes that his current position is a result of stakeholders placing their trust in him. They rely on his capacity to maintain confidentiality in the ongoing situations involving two NBA teams.
Thomas’ history with Raptors
Regarding his retirement in 1994, he said, “What people always forget, I am the co-founder of the Toronto Raptors. I am the only player who left the floor and became an owner – a president of a team and started up the Toronto Raptors. So I left the floor in April, and in May, I was named owner, a president of a team,” while in the Hoop du Jour podcast with Peter Vecsey.
Despite the criticisms Isiah Thomas faces for his time as a Knicks executive in the 2000s, his tenure with the Raptors in the ’90s had its merits, especially in terms of drafting. His knack for selecting talented players is evident in the consecutive drafts where the Raptors chose Damon Stoudamire, Marcus Camby, and the crown jewel, Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady.
McGrady later evolved into one of the league’s best players, leaving a lasting impact with the Orlando Magic and Houston Rockets. However, Thomas’ significant role in shaping the Raptors often goes unnoticed, perhaps overshadowed by the unfortunate end to his relationship with the franchise. Despite his desire for a majority stake, negotiations fell through, leading to a sale of his shares in 1997 after a disagreement with majority owner Allen Slaight.
Following Thomas’ departure, the Raptors drafted Vince Carter, transforming into a playoff team during Carter’s sophomore season. Despite McGrady leaving for the Magic in free agency, the Raptors, 25 years after Thomas joined, achieved championship success with Kawhi Leonard’s remarkable stint. Yet, Thomas’ contribution to establishing the Raptors’ identity as an expansion team remains a crucial part of their history amid recent triumphs.
