Suns land Thomas in sign-and-trade

Jul 12, 2014 - 7:56 PM Phoenix, AZ (SportsNetwork.com) - Restricted free agent Isaiah Thomas has officially joined the Phoenix Suns in a sign-and-trade deal with the Sacramento Kings that was completed Saturday.

In exchange for Thomas, an undersized but explosive guard who averaged a career-best 20.3 points per game last season, the Kings received the rights to forward Alex Oriakhi as well as a trade exception believed to be worth $7 million.

According to the Arizona Republic, Thomas agreed to a four-year, $27 million contract with the Suns.

A second-round steal by Sacramento in the 2011 NBA Draft, Thomas was one of only six players in the league to average at least 20 points and six assists this past season. The 5-foot-9 sparkplug has averaged 15.3 points and 4.8 assists while shooting 36 percent from 3-point range during his three pro seasons.

"Isaiah is one of the most dynamic scorers and playmakers in the NBA," said Suns general manager Ryan McDonough. "I have always admired his competitive spirit and his love for the game. He will be a great fit for our up-tempo attack and he will help solidify what we believe is the best backcourt in the league."

Thomas joins a crowded backcourt in Phoenix, which just missed making the playoffs in the tough Western Conference last season, as returning starters Goran Dragic and Eric Bledsoe each averaged over 17 points and five assists in 2013-14.

Oriakhi was taken by Phoenix with the 57th overall pick of the 2013 draft and spent part of last season in the Development League, averaging 7.2 points and 6.2 rebounds with Sioux Falls and Erie. The 24-year-old also had stops in France and Israel this past year.