2-Time Ex-Laker Isaiah Thomas Joins West Rival's G League Squad, Targeting Comeback
Former league MVP candidate Isaiah Thomas, whose two appearances for your Los Angeles Lakers unfortunately did not coincide with his two All-Star appearances, is making his latest push for an NBA comeback.
Shams Charania of The Athletic reports that Thomas has inked a deal with the Utah Jazz’s G League affiliate, the Salt Lake City Stars. The 34-year-old NBA free agent has his heart set returning to the game’s most elite level, despite having not played a game anywhere since the 2021-22 season.
Thomas, fellow former All-Star point guard John Wall, ex-Lakers champion Dion Waiters and currebt LA two-way signing Harry Giles III all held workouts for league scouts during NBA Summer League activities last summer in Las Vegas.
After it became clear that a major hip injury had knocked his production off its All-NBA pedestal with LeBron James’ then-Cleveland Cavaliers in 2017-18, the 5’9” vet was flipped to the Lonzo Ball/Brandon Ingram era Lakers. Across 17 games with the rebuilding club, Thomas averaged 15.7 points on an inefficient slash line of .383/.327/.921, five assists and 2.1 boards. LA opted not to retain the Washington product in the offseason. He struggled to find a home the next year, and has been floundering around the league ever since, despite still being able to produce in tantalizing short bursts.
Thomas returned to the Lakers on a 10-day hardship exemption deal in 2021-22, averaging a brutal 9.3 points on .308/.227/.727 shooting splits, two rebounds and 1.5 assists.
