In his first full season with the Celtics, Thomas set career highs in scoring and rebounding en route to his first All-Star selection. The diminutive point guard posted averages of 22.2 points, 6.2 assists (nearly a career high), 3.0 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game across 82 contests, while shooting 42.8 percent from the field and 35.9 percent from three-point range. After the All-Star break, Thomas ramped up his scoring to 23.6 points per game, knocking down 38.2 percent of his treys as the Celtics locked up the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference. While he struggled in Boston's opening round series loss to Atlanta, shooting below 40 percent from the field, Thomas' season solidified his status as the team's No. 1 scoring option. That should again be the case in 2016-17, though he'll have to adapt to playing alongside four-time All-Star Al Horford, who will command a much larger share of the offense than any of last season's frontcourt players. On paper, the addition of Horford should only help Thomas, providing him with a floor-spacing center who's among the league's most lethal pick-and-roll threats, but there could be an adjustment period as the duo builds chemistry.

Last year, after up and down stints in Sacramento and Phoenix, Thomas finally found a home in Boston. The February trade deadline move that brought Thomas to the Celtics was a godsend for a Boston team desperate for Thomas' instant offense. Formerly criticized for taking too many shots, Thomas was encouraged to lead the offense the moment he donned the green and white. He started the season averaging only 11.1 shot attempts per game for Phoenix, but while playing for the C's, Thomas averaged 26 minutes, 13.5 shot attempts, 19.0 points, 5.4 assists, and 2.3 three-pointers per game while shooting 86 percent from the charity stripe. The only blemish was his 41-percent shooting from the field. For 2015-16, expect similar numbers from Thomas as reprises his role as leading scorer and offensive sparkplug off the bench. Yes, Thomas will reluctantly still come off the bench for Boston. But he'll still be encouraged to shoot. Newly-drafted guards Terry Rozier and R.J. Hunter should not eat into Thomas' minutes. And expect fellow backcourt mates Avery Bradley and Marcus Smart to focus on defense. Also, Boston's addition of David Lee might result in a modest uptick in assists for Thomas, as he'll now have a skilled veteran scorer to pick-and-roll with. The future looks bright for Thomas as he enters his fifth NBA season.

Thomas is entering his fourth year in the NBA and his first with the Suns. Last season as a member of the Kings, he averaged 20.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 1.3 steals in 35 minutes per game, while shooting a solid 45 percent from the field on 15.2 attempts. Thomas converted 35 percent of his three-point attempts and an excellent 85 percent of his free throws. He joined the Suns this offseason after spending his first three NBA seasons with the Kings. Thomas will likely come off the bench to begin his career in Phoenix, which should equate to a decline in minutes, as well as production. However, with the future of Eric Bledsoe still unsettled, Thomas could see a spike in his value at any moment this season. Even if Bledsoe sticks around all season, the Suns didn't give Thomas a contract in excess of $25 million dollars to warm the bench. Whether he starts or not, he'll have a major role on the team. As the sixth man, Thomas should add solid scoring, assists, and steals with the potential to contribute much more as his role with the fast-paced Suns fluctuates in accordance with Bledsoe's situation.

In 2012-13 Thomas saw an uptick in his production compared to his rookie year, but the arrival of Greivis Vasquez might hurt his value. Thomas may have been the biggest sufferer from former coach Smart's ever-changing lineups – the promising youngster's role changed often, despite often appearing to be the Kings' most talented point guard. Though the starting lineup is still undetermined, Thomas currently appears likely to come off the bench behind Vasquez. Even as a backup, however, Thomas will be used heavily, and is capable of providing scoring, assists, 3-pointers, and good guard percentages. Thomas has been a pleasant surprise as a second-round pick in 2011.

Thomas may have been “Mr. Irrelevant” as the last pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, but he was hardly irrelevant on the court in his rookie season. Tyreke Evans was moved over to shooting guard and fellow rookie Jimmer Fredette struggled to adjust to the NBA level, prompting the Kings to give Thomas more playing time. Thomas was ultimately installed by coach Keith Smart as the starting point guard, seeing major minutes in March and April. The boost in playing time gave Thomas the run he needed to show his potential. In 37 games as a starter, he averaged 14.8 points, 5.4 assists, 3.1 rebounds, 1.0 steals, 1.4 turnovers, and 1.6 threes. While his steals leave something to be desired, Thomas’ production in other point-guard centric categories easily makeup for his deficiencies in steals. Thomas might ultimately be best suited as a Jamal Crawford-like sparkplug off the bench, predicated on his ability to shoot from deep (1.3 threes per game) while providing matchup problems for slower, bigger guards. Despite finishing the season on a high note, Thomas’ starting job could be in jeopardy going into the season. The Kings signed free agent Aaron Brooks, who has previous starting experience with the Rockets. Evans also lurks if the Kings elect to move him back into the starting point guard role to give their wing players more minutes.

Named after the All-Star point guard, the under-sized guard will provide some explosiveness off the bench. But barring injury, he won’t see much court time this season.