On this day in Boston Celtics history, the team traded forward Tayshaun Prince to the Detroit Pistons in 2015 in exchange for power forward Jonas Jerebko and small forward GiGi Datome. As part of the deal, the Celtics also sent guard Marcus Thornton to the Phoenix Suns. In turn, the Suns sent a young point guard fighting for playing time in their crowded backcourt rotation to the Celtics in exchange for Thornton’s services.
That floor general was none other than the future King in the Fourth, Isaiah Thomas, who was unhappy about having to compete with fellow Phoenix guards Goran Dragic and Eric Bledsoe to get on the court with the Suns.
IT carved out a starting role quickly with his new team, eventually becoming a part of Celtics lore himself with multiple deep playoff runs with the franchise.