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Celtics' Thomas: Suns gave me Christmas gift by trading me to Boston

USA Today Sports

Isaiah Thomas isn't one to hold a grudge.

Despite being traded just half a year into his first season with the franchise, Thomas says he holds no hard feelings against the Suns, admitting that he's actually quite grateful that Phoenix sent him to the Celtics in 2015.

"It's like they gave me a Christmas gift sending me away," Thomas told reporters.

Thomas has quickly gone from underused backup to one of the league's most prolific guards during his two-plus seasons with the Celtics, collecting All-Star nods in each of the last two years. After slipping under the radar earlier in his career, the 5-foot-9 guard has evolved into one of the league's most marketable players, a change that is partly due to the city he plays in.

"Boston is bigger and better than everything in the NBA," Thomas said.

Unsurprisingly, Suns general manager Ryan McDonough has already admitted that trading Thomas was a mistake on his part, with Phoenix ranking as one of the worst teams in the NBA over the past few seasons.

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