Atlantic Notes: Thomas, Raptors Bench, Hernangomez

Point guard Isaiah Thomas believes that if the Celtics are to make any trades this season, the team should focus on adding more scoring punch, Chris Forsberg of ESPN.com relays. When asked what needs Boston still has, Thomas responded, “Someone who can put the ball in the basket. A knockdown shooter would be what we need. I’m not saying anything against the guys that are on this team right now, because we have a talented group, but I think that is the most important thing we need. We need spacing, because we got a lot of guys that can create and attack the basket, but we definitely need spacing.”

When asked if he was thinking ahead to becoming a free agent or signing an extension with the Celtics, Thomas told Forsberg, “To be honest, I haven’t thought about it. I haven’t and that’s the honest answer. I feel like I would be selfish to think about that right now. When the time comes, we can weigh the options and see what they want to do, see what I’m able to do. First and foremost, it is about winning. And bringing the best talent we can to Boston. And trying to hang another banner up here.” Thomas is under contract through the 2017/18 campaign, but will be eligible to ink an extension next season.

Here’s more out of the Atlantic Division:

• If the Raptors are to be successful this season, the team will need its bench players to step and produce so the minutes of Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan can be reduced, writes Doug Smith of The Toronto Star. “I hope that one of the young guys steps up and be consistent where we can take them off,” coach Dwayne Casey said. “If not, their workload will probably be as much because it’s hard to take both those guys off the court unless Terrence Ross is consistent, Norman Powell is consistent or one of those backup guys is consistent. If those guys come up and make it easy for me to make that decision, I have no problem in cutting their minutes back but not at the sake of losing games. I think it’s important that we get off to a good start.”
• With the Warriors and Cavaliers looking extremely strong heading into the season, the Celtics should hold off on making any drastic moves until next summer, Jeremias Engelmann of ESPN.com (Insider subscription required) opines. The exception would be if players such as Anthony Davis or DeMarcus Cousins become disgruntled and demand trades, Engelmann adds. Forsberg disagrees in the same post, noting that a trade to clear up the guaranteed contract logjam would be beneficial.
• With Joakim Noah nursing a hamstring injury, rookie big man Guillermo Hernangomez is earning a spot in the Knicks‘ rotation with his solid preseason play, ESPN.com notes.