What Isaiah Thomas Brings to Suns
The Phoenix Suns are turning to a point guard option - although it's not the player many anticipated.
Former All-NBA PG Isaiah Thomas is returning to the Valley for presumably at least the rest of the season after spending the first half of the 2014-15 season in Phoenix.
Thomas has team-hopped over recent seasons following a devastating hip injury - and will be making his first NBA appearance since 2022.
The most pressing question is - how a guard who hasn't played in the NBA in approximately two years can help the Suns in the short-term?
The answers are simple - leadership and spark-plug scoring.
Thomas has been in the NBA since 2011 - he will continue to add on to the already vet-laden squad.
The decision to bring a longtime, well-respected player was likely prudent from the Suns - if to give said player in Thomas a chance to bring a fresh voice to the locker room.
"I think he's someone the world roots for," said Suns coach Frank Vogel when asked about Thomas earlier this week.
Thomas has also been a longtime firecracker scorer - his career average of 17.7 PPG and a 36.2% clip from three-point range are evidence that there still may be something in the tank for the former MVP candidate.
He likely will only be a factor during the regular season, but his ability to put the ball in the hoop and be a leader could be just what the Suns need in the pursuit of avoiding the play-in tournament come mid-April.
For a Phoenix squad still looking to build continuity and mold together, another veteran voice in the locker room doesn't hurt come playoff time.
The Suns' next context will come on Wednesday night at home against the Philadelphia 76ers. Arizona Sports' John Gambadoro is reporting the team is expecting to have Thomas available.
