Tomorrow, the Phoenix Suns will sign Isaiah Thomas to a 10-day contract, coach Frank Vogel said today, which will mark the first time in two years Thomas has been on an NBA roster.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!This signing comes after Thomas played just four games with the Utah Jazz’s G-League affiliate. In those four games, Thomas averaged 33 points on 45% shooting from 3.
The 35-year-old Thomas played for the Suns for half of a season back in 2014-15 before he was traded to the Boston Celtics. During his time in Phoenix, the Washington product averaged 15.2 points, 3.7 assists and 1.0 steals while playing 25.7 minutes per game across 46 contests.
With the Celtics, the 5-foot-9 Thomas became very well known because of some legendary playoff moments. He averaged a career-best 28.9 points in 76 games in the 2016-17 season. This led him to placing fifth in MVP voting that season.
2017 Isaiah Thomas was different pic.twitter.com/Te4Z6v4RCE
— KJ (@KJ__Hoops) May 27, 2023
After 2.5 seasons in Boston, IT was shockingly traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers after a bad hip injury he suffered in the playoffs and then bounced around to seven different teams.
The two-time All-Star had every reason to hang it up with the injuries he had dealt with, but continued to preserve back and is now back in the NBA.
The Bradley Beal and Isaiah Thomas Connection
One of the teams Thomas joined was the Washington Wizards where he was teammates Suns star guard Bradley Beal. Thomas played 40 games for Washington in the 2019-20 season before being traded to the Clippers at the trade deadline, where he was cut two days later and then out of the NBA for over a year.
“I’m a huge IT fan from competing against him for so many years when he was in Boston (to) being his teammate in D.C. as well,” Beal said. “I’ve gotten a chance to see him every single day, put the work in and the challenges that he went through as a player, overcoming some injuries, too.”
Phoenix will be the fifth team Thomas has signed a 10-day deal with. His last one with the Charlotte Hornets back in 2022 turned into a rest-of-season contract, which he will be hoping to do for the Suns.
“To be able to come back now, it’s very unheard of, but I commend him, and I salute him,” Beal said. “He’s always been a worker, he believes in the process. He trusts his work. And that’s just the evolution of today’s game and just the evolution of who he is. He’s always going to be a hooper. There’s nothing that can stop him or set him back from accomplishing his goals and dreams. And he’s one that lives it out.”
The Suns (39-29) have 14 regular season games remaining and one open roster spot left for the playoffs, which Thomas will be eligible to get if he is signed to a standard contract.
“He’s a great, prime example I feel like to kids and to a lot of people,” Beal said. “Just going on and just keep pushing, no matter if people tell you no, no matter if people shut you down. He’s heard it all, and to see him back, I love it and I’m excited for him.”
“Everybody called him too small, everybody said he couldn't make it. He’s checked every box and accomplished every goal that and wrote off every naysayer there is. I think that's what continues to push him and motivate him.” pic.twitter.com/dMRLyN1RPx
— Burn City Suns Talk 🎙️ (@BurnCitySuns) March 19, 2024
The Process of Isaiah Thomas Joining the Suns
Another team Thomas had a 10-day contract with was the Los Angeles Lakers, when current Suns coach Frank Vogel held this position in LA. Vogel explained the decision to sign Thomas to Phoenix.
“I just know his game, and to me, it was just a matter of seeing it that he’s healthy while seeing him play a few G-League games,” Vogel said. “I had him a couple of years ago, we looked at him when I was in LA on a 10-day (contract). I just know he can play. We just needed somebody that we trusted, that could give us some minutes if we encounter some injuries during this stretch while he’s gonna be here. Watching him play recent games in the G-League, it showed us that he’s functional and healthy.”
“He’s a very well-liked, respected guy in this league, in this NBA player fraternity. But, we’re gonna see where his game is at. I don’t know how much he’ll play for us. He’s really here from a depth standpoint because Saben Lee only has four games left.”
Lee, who has played spot minutes when Beal and Devin Booker are out, is on a two-way contract, which means he can only be active for 50 games. This means he’s been active for 46 games this season.
Even if Thomas does not get an opportunity to get minutes, Beal has seen firsthand what he brings to the table.
“We all know he’s a good offensive player, for sure,” Beal said. “But I think just his leadership, his ability to be able to lead a locker room, encourage guys, give his IQ of the game, which is just super high. I think he’ll definitely help me out a lot with running the point, just giving me some different viewpoints in ways that I can attack that I may have not have seen before. No.
“When we plug them in, he’s going to be dynamic for us, he’s going to be a scorer, he’s going to be able to help us, so we need his shooting ability because we need more 3s.”
The Suns host the 76ers tomorrow, and Vogel said he expects Thomas to be active for this game.
Report: Isaiah Thomas to make his Suns debut Wednesday against 76ers
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Brendan Mau is a senior writer covering the Phoenix Suns and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @Brendan_Mau
