Isaiah Thomas spoke about his future in the NBA in an interview with Dylan Ackermann. Thomas said, “I really want to just play two or three more years and then focus on my kids. That’s the ultimate goal and we’re just going to keep fighting until the end… I’m still at an age where I can still play at a high level. I always say that I have the same feeling going to the gym now that I did when I was a kid. I know when that goes away, it’s time to just try to find something else.”
Isaiah Thomas’ Struggles
Isaiah Thomas has still not signed with an NBA team and the 2024-25 season is a little over a month away. For the past few years, his career has been mired with injuries and bad luck. Thomas was unsigned for the entire 2022-23 season. In 2023-24, he signed with the Phoenix Suns but only played in six games. And before that, Thomas had been bouncing around from team to team for years. He has had short stints with the Charlotte Hornets, Dallas Mavericks, New Orleans Pelicans, and twice with the Los Angeles Lakers. The last team he played more than 17 games for was the Washington Wizards in 2019, where he played 40 games, starting in 37.
This trajectory started for Thomas when he was traded from the Boston Celtics to the Cleveland Cavaliers. The blockbuster trade involved Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, and a 2018 first-round draft pick for Kyrie Irving. This trade was a shock at the time, because while Kyrie Irving was a superstar who had expressed his discontent in Cleveland, Isaiah Thomas was the man in Boston. Before the days of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, Isaiah Thomas, a 5’9” guard, was the star that led the Boston Celtics.
Thomas was traded to Boston during the 2015 trade deadline and played two more full seasons with the Celtics. During those two full seasons, Thomas was a two-time All-Star. These were the only All-Star selections in his career. The 2016-17 season was his best, where he averaged 28.9 points per game, made the All-NBA Second Team, and finished fifth in MVP voting.
But Thomas also had a nagging hip injury that he was encouraged to play through. After he was traded to Cleveland, the injury only worsened. Already undersized, the injury impacted his movement and shiftiness on the court that he was able to utilize in Boston. Because of the injury, Thomas only played 15 games in Cleveland before he was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers at the trade deadline, thus beginning his tenure bouncing around the league.
Where Can Isaiah Thomas Contribute?
As an undersized 35-year-old guard, finding a role in the modern NBA could prove to be difficult for Thomas. In fact, one could say it already has. But that age also brings experience, and Thomas believes he can find a role as a veteran. Thomas said, “The vets know their experiences and been through what the younger guys are about to go through. It’s very important for NBA teams to have vets at the end of the bench to teach guys how to become a professional, to teach guys what it takes to be really good for a long time and have a long career.”
Thomas has a lot of experience and advice to offer. If he can stay healthy and ready, there may come a time during the season, once injuries start to pile up, where a spot opens up for Thomas.
Final Thoughts
Isaiah Thomas still wants to play two or three years in the NBA. With his height, health, and lack of playing time over the past few seasons, it will be tough, but Thomas has been defying the odds his whole career. As the NBA season gets closer, Thomas wants a shot to defy the odds one more time.
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