Isiah Thomas remains a Phoenix Sun.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Suns plan to sign a point guard for the remainder of the 2023-24 season. Thomas initially agreed to join Phoenix on a 10-day contract on March 20, although the veteran was unable to find a place to play in the 2022-23 season.
The 35-year-old was given a second 10-day contract by the organization before his latest contract with the team was announced on Monday.
Thomas, a two-time All-Star, returned to the organization on March 6 when he joined the Utah Jazz's G League affiliate, the Salt Lake City Stars. In four G League games, Thomas averaged 32.5 points and 5.3 assists per game. He had shooting splits of 40.7/44.6/90.9.
He has yet to maintain his efficiency with the Suns and has played sparingly for a team competing for a playoff spot in the Western Conference standings. Thomas played in four NBA games, averaging 1.3 points in 3.5 minutes per game while shooting 33.3 percent from the field and 50 percent from behind.
Charania said the only reason for his new contract with the team is that he gives Phoenix “backcourt depth” and “strong leadership and veteran presence in the locker room.” It's not just his impact on the court.
After being drafted as a second-round pick by the Sacramento Kings in 2011, Thomas rose to stardom as a member of the Boston Celtics. In the 2016-17 season, he averaged 28.9 points per game, ranking third among all players and finishing fifth in MVP voting.
Thomas, who is just 5 feet 9 inches tall, wowed fans with his efficient scoring ability as he led the Celtics to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2017. However, his hip injury derailed his career and he never achieved All-Star status again. After being traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2018.
The veteran has now settled into a leadership role on a Suns team that has been on a roll lately, winning seven of its past 10 games.
