Isaiah Thomas‘ NBA return draws ever closer, as The Athletic’s Shams Charania reports that the two-time All-Star will sign with the Salt Lake City Stars. The Stars are the G-League affiliate of the Utah Jazz.
NBA News: Isaiah Thomas’ NBA Return Draws Ever Closer
In pursuit of NBA return for stretch run, 11-year veteran Isaiah Thomas is joining the Utah Jazz’s G League affiliate Salt Lake City Stars, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. The two-time All-Star could be another guard option in marketplace.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 5, 2024
Isaiah Thomas’ Early NBA Career
Thomas’ collegiate career with the University of Washington Huskies saw him earn two First-team All-PAC 10 selections, before declaring for the 2011 NBA draft.
The Sacramento Kings decided to take a chance on Thomas, drafting him with the last pick in the draft. Having originated in the NFL, “Mr. Irrelevant” is the term used to dub the last pick in the draft. Thomas is without a doubt the most successful Mr. Irrelevant in NBA history. He appeared in 65 games in his rookie year, averaging 11.5 points. Thomas quickly proved his elite scoring prowess, averaging 15.2 points in his three seasons with the Kings.
In the summer of 2014, Thomas was dealt to the Phoenix Suns in a sign-and-trade deal. Despite appearing in 46 games prior to the 2014-15 All-Star break, Thomas was once again traded, this time to the Boston Celtics.
A Star is Born
Thomas’ star shined brightest in Boston, as the diminutive guard exploded on to the NBA’s grandest stage. The former Husky finished the 2014-15 campaign in strong fashion, averaging 19.0 points and finishing second in Sixth Man of the Year voting to Lou Williams. In 2015-16, he was named an All-Star for the first time, averaging 22.2, 6.2 assists, and 3.0 rebounds.
The following year was the best version of Thomas yet, as he increased his scoring output to 28.9 points per game, along with 5.9 assists and 2.7 rebounds. Despite this, groin and hip injuries began to nag at Thomas, and he was ruled out for the remainder of the 2017 playoffs, with his Celtics down 2-0 in the Eastern Conference Finals to LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The NBA is a cut-throat league, and the Celtics proved just that following the 2016-17 season. On August 22, 2017, Thomas was traded to the Cavaliers in a blockbuster move in exchange for Kyrie Irving.
The right hip injury that he had suffered in the previous year completely altered his NBA career, and he failed to make his Cavaliers debut until January of 2018. When he came back, it was clear that Thomas would never be the same player again.
Injuries Derail Thomas
Thomas struggled to stick in the NBA, as age and injuries limited the 5’9 point guard’s explosiveness. He barely lasted a month in Cleveland, and he was sent packing to the Los Angeles Lakers that February. His season was once again cut short, undergoing surgery to repair his hip in late March.
Thomas signed with the Denver Nuggets ahead of 2018-19. The Nuggets cut him after just 12 games played.
The now 35 year-old has bounced around the league since, including short stints with the Washington Wizards, New Orleans Pelicans, Dallas Mavericks, and Charlotte Hornets.
His last NBA minutes came on April 10th, 2021. In that game, he scored 14 points in 13 minutes off the bench, helping the Hornets take down the Wizards.
Another Chance at the NBA?
After going through what Thomas went through, many athletes would have simply given up. He is not one of them. Thomas never lost faith in his abilities, consistently campaigning for himself on social media.
Charania stated that Thomas “could be another guard option in the marketplace”. He will have to significantly impress for the Stars in order to attract NBA attention.
Another shot at the NBA seems unlikely for the veteran at this stage of his career, but if anyone has shown that they can defy the odds, it’s Isaiah Thomas.
