Isaiah Thomas Set for NBA Return: Signs 10-Day Contract with Phoenix Suns
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- Former Celtics All-Star is set to return to the NBA after nearly two years
- Thomas averaged 32.5 points in four games with the Salt Lake City Stars, Utah Jazz’s G League affiliate
Isaiah Thomas is returning to the NBA and the Phoenix Suns after signing a 10-day contract, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.Thomas last played in the NBA in April 2022 for the Charlotte Hornets. He averaged 8.3 points in 12.9 minutes per game.The 35-year-old point guard played well in the G League with the Salt Lake City Stars, averaging 32.5 points, 5.3 assists and 1.3 steals in four games.Thomas’ career has been hampered by injuries, including a hip injury he suffered while playing for the Celtics in 2017.The Suns are currently dealing with injuries to guards Damion Lee and Josh Okogie, and Thomas is expected to provide depth at the point guard position.This is Thomas’ second stint with the Suns. He played 46 games for Phoenix in the 2014-15 season.
According to Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro, Thomas is expected to occupy the Suns’ final roster spot, although he may not feature prominently in the playoff rotation except as injury cover. The Suns are currently dealing with the absence of guards Damion Lee and Josh Okogie.
Isaiah Thomas and Kenneth Lofton Jr. STUFFED the stat sheet to lead the @slcstars to their sixth straight victory!
⭐️ Thomas: 34 PTS, 10/20 FG, 7/12 3PT
⭐️ Lofton Jr: 28 PTS, 16 REB, 7 AST pic.twitter.com/8EmQSCG1N7— NBA G League (@nbagleague) March 16, 2024
The 5-foot-9 Thomas previously played 46 games for the Phoenix Suns in the 2014-2015 season and earned recognition by finishing fifth in MVP voting during his tenure with the Boston Celtics two seasons later. However, he was traded to the Celtics in 2015, and his journey has since taken him to various teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks.
Most recently, Thomas showcased his skills in the G League with the Salt Lake City Stars, where he averaged an impressive 32.5 points, 5.3 assists, and 1.3 steals per game in four appearances. His return to the NBA comes after a string of temporary contracts with different teams and a stint in the G League, indicating his determination to make a comeback at the highest level of basketball.
The 35-year-old’s journey back to the NBA has been fraught with challenges, including a hip injury sustained during his time with the Celtics in 2017, which significantly impacted his performance. However, Thomas has remained resilient, continuing to pursue his dream of returning to the big stage despite setbacks along the way.
His signing with the Suns offers him a fresh opportunity to showcase his talent and contribute to the team’s success as they gear up for the playoffs. With his wealth of experience and scoring ability, Thomas could provide a valuable boost to the Suns’ backcourt rotation during the latter stages of the season.