Suns GM: 'Trading Isaiah Thomas when we did was a mistake'

When a team with postseason aspirations sits at 14-43 after a mid-season coaching change, the man who assembled that team is sure to second-guess himself over a few decisions.

Phoenix Suns general manager Ryan McDonough is no different, and on Wednesday, he admitted one decision in particular was probably the wrong one.

"I think in retrospect trading Isaiah Thomas when we did was a mistake," McDonough told Arizona Sports 98.7 FM.

The Suns, who acquired Thomas as part of a sign-and-trade with the Sacramento Kings in the summer of 2014, shipped the undersized guard to Boston at last season's trade deadline, less than a year into his Phoenix tenure.

"He wanted more, he wanted a bigger role and I understand why. He’s a talented player," McDonough said of Thomas, who was sharing minutes in the Suns' backcourt with Eric Bledsoe and Goran Dragic.

In Boston, Thomas emerged as a Sixth Man of the Year candidate in helping the Celtics sneak into last year's playoffs, before earning his first All-Star selection this season.

"In retrospect, we should have carried him into the summer," McDonough added. "If there’s one that stands out, if I could get a mulligan, that’d be it."

While the Suns languish near the Western Conference basement, Thomas is averaging a career-high 21.6 points, 6.8 assists, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.2 steals for the 33-25 Celtics, who sit third in the Eastern Conference.