Nearly any NBA player would admit their journey to the league was difficult. But sometimes, the journey only gets harder once you make it there.
Life in the NBA isn’t easy when athletes are expected to be bulletproof and perform on a nightly basis. When they get knocked down, they’re supposed to get right back up.
Except, this former superstar has been trying to stand back up for years now, and he’s been overlooked through it all.
“I understand it, but I’ve had that same fight my whole life. This is just normal to me. It’s just another stage I have to get by,” (Isaiah) Thomas said during an interview with Dylan Ackermann of Cronkite News.
“I really want to just play two or three more years and then focus on my kids. That’s the ultimate goal and we’re just going to keep fighting until the end.”
Thomas was drafted by the Sacramento Kings with the last pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. The 5-foot-9 guard had three solid years in Sacramento, but he still found himself being doubted. The Washington product was dealt to the Phoenix Suns in 2014 where he would just play 46 games before harsh reality set in again, or so he thought.
What seemed unfortunate at the time, turned into one of the biggest blessings of his career. The former second-round pick was dealt to the Boston Celtics where his career took off. Thomas had a career year in 2016 averaging 28.9 points, 5.9 assists, and 2.7 rebounds.
And when it all seemed to be coming together, the undersized playmaker found himself facing adversity yet again.
Thomas injured his hip in the postseason which ultimately ended his time with the Celtics. Months later, he was involved in a blockbuster deal that sent him to the Cavaliers. Following the injury, the Tacoma native has struggled to get back to his former self.
However, after undergoing hip surgery in 2021, Thomas has made it clear he’s ready for another opportunity. That said, a team that would make sense for his services could be the Miami Heat.
The Heat have been in desperate need of backcourt depth and scoring off the bench, something Thomas could offer. Considering the former star just wants an opportunity to play the game he loves, it could be a low-risk, high-reward deal for Miami to make.
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