Phoenix Suns new head coach Frank Vogel speaks during a news conference Tuesday, June 6, 2023, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
On Monday, the Phoenix Suns announced that they have signed Isaiah Thomas for the rest of the season. The team now has a full 15-man roster signed to standard contracts.
The 35-year-old guard had been pining to get an opportunity to get back into the NBA. Thomas was finally granted that chance when he signed a 10-day contract with Phoenix on March 20. The Suns signed him to a second 10-day deal once that one expired.
Thomas is now eligible to partake in postseason play for the Suns.
Playing collegiately at Washington, Thomas was taken with the last pick (60th overall) in the 2011 NBA Draft.
The 5-foot-9 guard began his career clearly outplaying his draft status, as he could score with ease. It wasn’t until he joined the Boston Celtics though that his career began to fully blossom.
Named an All-Star with Boston in 2015-16, Thomas had his breakthrough year in the following season.
The Celtics finished 53-29, the top record in the Eastern Conference. Thomas put up a magnificent season averaging 28.9 points and 5.9 assists. He finished fifth in MVP voting and made the All-NBA Second Team.
Unfortunately for Thomas, his Celtics lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals. Thomas sustained a hip injury in the playoffs, and he has not been able to play close to his 2016-17 level since. After the postseason loss, he was traded to Cleveland in a deal that sent Kyrie Irving to Boston.
Thomas has Bounced Around the League Since
Currently in his 12th NBA season (did not play in 2022-23), Isaiah Thomas has played for 10 teams.
He has played for eight different teams since being traded by the Celtics. The most amount of games he has played with any of those eight franchises incredibly is just 40, the amount of games he appeared in for the Washington Wizards in 2019-20.
Will Thomas Get Playoff Action for Phoenix?
Judging by how much he played during the two 10-day contracts, it doesn’t seem likely Thomas will get meaningful minutes.
It really only has been garbage time action for Thomas since joining Phoenix. Playing 14 minutes over four games, he has totaled five points and two assists. He has seemed to be in positive spirits though, enjoying his time back in the NBA.
The Suns are in a battle with the New Orleans Pelicans, Sacramento Kings, and Los Angeles Lakers to finish top-six in the Western Conference standings and avoid the Play-In Tournament.
