Former Celtics All-Star Isaiah Thomas is without a team and is looking for another chance to play in the NBA.
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There’s always a player who deserves to play in the NBA, but somehow stays out with no team willing to take a risk on them. Occasionally, they get a chance after a year or two in the wilderness, as Carmelo Anthony did after staying out for over 1 year. But most of the time they don’t.
Isaiah Thomas found himself on this unlucky list a few years after his incredible run to a Conference Final. The 32-year-old is best known for his time with the Boston Celtics. He made All-Star appearances in both of his full seasons there. The 2016-17 season was where he put the world on notice.
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‘IT’ averaged 28.9 points per game that year. Playing through a hip injury and mourning the death of his sister, he led the Celtics to the Eastern Conference Finals. But he was never the same after aggravating that injury. Cs repaid him with a trade to the Cavaliers the very next season.
Since then, he’s been continuously struggling with injuries and never played a full season for the ball club. He’s been in 5 different franchises in 5 years since 2017.
Isaiah Thomas wishes to play in the NBA again
The 5’9 guard is still active and is currently representing the United States in qualifying for the 2023 World Cup. He scored 21 points in last week’s 95-90 win over Cuba. But the man wants to play where he belongs.
In a series of tweets on Monday, Isaiah Thomas expressed his desire to play in the NBA again.
I just want to HOOP!
— Isaiah Thomas (@isaiahthomas) December 6, 2021
I don’t even ask why or how anymore… I just tell myself fuck it GRIND HARDER!
— Isaiah Thomas (@isaiahthomas) December 6, 2021
The legends of the game were in awe of IT after he led Boston to the 2017 Conference Finals, only to be out injured in the third game. Cs were then knocked out by LeBron’s Cavaliers, who went on to win the Championship. Everyone gave Isaiah his due respect that off-season.
Ai called me a REAL KILLA, Kobe gave me the nickname Mighty IT, Nip Hussle said I was lion hearted, Tom Brady called me a GREAT!!! I’m stamped by the greatest athletes ever….. It’s only a matter of time!!! I’ll be ready when it comes back around 🏁🏁🏁
— Isaiah Thomas (@isaiahthomas) December 6, 2021
Nobody regrets giving Melo another chance, not the Blazers last season and surely not the Lakers by any stretch of the imagination. If anything, LeBron and Co must feel lucky to get such an efficient option of the bench for a veteran’s minimum deal.
And although Melo and IT are entirely unique players, many teams can use Thomas’ play-making and shot-creating abilities with their second unit.
Isaiah Thomas could help these teams off the bench right now‼️
– Celtics
– Heat
– Sixers
– Lakers
– Nuggets
– Nets pic.twitter.com/7XuZf1QFCC— Ball Don’t Stop (@balldontstop) December 3, 2021
Thomas might not be half as effective as he was in the 2017, but an All-NBA selection can still be an efficient contributor and a veteran presence on an NBA team.