Many NBA veterans simply walk away from the game after struggling to land a new contract.
In most cases, they are between 35 and 40 years old and are simply grateful to have managed to build a solid career. For one former Los Angeles Lakers guard, however, This is not the time to move on professional basketball at age 35.
“I definitely want to play two or three years or more and then focus on my kids,” Isaiah Thomas said in an interview with Dylan Ackermann of Cronkite News. “That’s the ultimate goal and we’re 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 I get the same feeling going to the gym now as I did when I was a kid. I know when that goes away, it’s time to try to find something else.”
Thomas signed two 10-day contracts with the Phoenix Suns last season but is seeking a guaranteed deal. He began his career in Sacramento after the Kings selected him with the 60th overall pick in the 2011 draft.
The organization let Thomas go after three seasons, and he’s been a journeyman ever since. He played for the Phoenix Suns, Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers before joining the Lakers after 55 games during the 2017-18 season.
Thomas wasn’t a game-changing asset in Los Angeles, but it was clear he could still make an impact in the NBA. As a small-framed point guard, Thomas prioritized defense and getting the ball to the basket before blockers could find him.
Thomas also showed he could stop abruptly and make outside defenders pay for his attempts to get underneath the ball. In 17 games, Thomas averaged 15.6 points while playing 26.8 minutes per game in 2017-18 with the Lakers.
Thomas made three more stops before returning to Los Angeles in 2021. This time, the two-time All-Star signed a 10-day contract with the Lakers and averaged 9.3 points per game in four regular-season games.
While I don’t see Thomas returning to the Lakers for a third time, this isn’t the end of the road for the determined 5-foot-9 guard.
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