Ray Allen Believes Isaiah Thomas Trade Shows Double Standard With Loyalty In NBA

If Isaiah Thomas wasn’t traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers and left Boston for a maximum deal elsewhere once he becomes a free agent next offseason, would Celtics fans be as sentimental about his departure?

It’s a good question, and for former players Caron Butler and Ray Allen, it shows the hypocrisy involved in people expecting NBA players to be loyal to their current teams. Butler posted text from a viral tweet on his Instagram on Thursday with a message for Thomas, and Allen responded in agreement.

View this post on Instagram

@isaiahthomas Much love my brother. I Got traded before. It was painful. Players leave for different team, They're disloyal!!! A Judas!! Teams trade a player who gave his heart and soul to the city and team, its called business. Hmmm. Does that make sense. ??‍♂️ The best way to deal with this business is not have any expectations from anyone but yourself. Keep being you. #keepinspiring #example #GIANT

A post shared by Caron Butler (@caronbutler) on Aug 24, 2017 at 12:20pm PDT

It’s a touchy subject for Allen especially, as Celtics fans and teammates trashed him when he turned down more money from Boston to join the Miami Heat in 2012.

Regardless, both Butler and Allen have a point. It’s tough to reasonably ask a player to stay with a team — sometimes for less money — when they know they can be traded at any moment that’s convenient for the front office.

It probably won’t stop fans from hating on players looking for a change of scenery — sorry, Kevin Durant — but it does give you something to think about.

Thumbnail photo via David Butler II/USA TODAY Sports Images