Many NBA veterans are content with walking away from the game after struggling to land a new contract.
In most cases, they’re in their early to mid-thirties and are simply grateful they carved out solid careers for themselves. For a former Los Angeles Lakers guard, though, it isn't time to move on from professional basketball at age 35.
“I really just want to play two or three more years and then focus on my kids," Isaiah Thomas said during an interview with Cronkite News’ Dylan Ackermann. "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.”
Thomas signed two 10-day contracts with the Phoenix Suns this past season but is searching for 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 moved on from Thomas after three seasons, and he's been a journeyman ever since. He suited up for the Phoenix Suns, Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers before joining the Lakers 55 games into the 2017-18 season.
Thomas wasn’t a game-changing asset in Los Angeles, but it was evident he could still make an impact in the NBA. As an undersized guard, Thomas has prioritized pinning defenders on his back and getting the ball up on the rim before eager shot blockers can track it down.
Thomas has also shown he can stop abruptly and occasionally make perimeter defenders pay for going under ball screens. In 17 games, Thomas averaged 15.6 points while playing 26.8 minutes per contest in 2017-18 with the Lakers.
Thomas made three additional stops before returning to Los Angeles in 2021. This time, the two-time All-Star signed a 10-day contract with the Lakers and recorded 9.3 points per game in four regular season contests.
While I don’t envision Thomas joining the Lakers for the third time, this isn’t the end of the road for the determined 5-foot-9 guard.
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