Isaiah Thomas to join Jazz’s G League team, hopes for NBA return

Former All-Star guard Isaiah Thomas is joining the Salt Lake City Stars, the Jazz’s NBA G League affiliate, with the hopes of eventually getting an NBA offer, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reports. 

In a December interview, Thomas said he was looking for another NBA opportunity. “I’m still trying to play the game of basketball. I want to get back to the NBA,” Thomas said. “So, I’m still working out and staying ready.”

Thomas held workouts last summer for NBA teams during the Las Vegas Summer League, hoping to catch someone’s attention.

Thomas signed 10-day hardship deals with the Mavericks and Lakers during the 2021-22 season before catching on with the Hornets for the remainder of that campaign. He appeared in a combined 22 games that season. He wasn’t in the league last season.

Thomas’ career peaked when he averaged 28.9 points and 5.9 assists during the 2016-17 season. His career was sidetracked by a right hip injury. He’s also played for Sacramento, Phoenix, Cleveland, Denver, Washington and New Orleans.

In 550 regular-season games, Thomas has averaged 17.7 points and 4.8 assists in 28.3 minutes.

A late second-round pick in 2011, Thomas turned 35 last month.