NBA Rumors: Isaiah Thomas, Suns Agree to Contract for Rest of Season Before Playoffs

zach bacharContributor IApril 8, 2024

Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images

Isaiah Thomas will remain a Phoenix Sun.

The Suns are planning on signing the point guard for the remainder of the 2023-24 season, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. Although the veteran couldn’t find a place to play in the 2022-23 season, Thomas initially agreed to join Phoenix on a 10-day contract on March 20.

The 35-year-old was given a second 10-day deal by the organization before his latest contract with the team was revealed on Monday.

The two-time All-Star made his way back into the association by joining the Salt Lake City Stars, the G League affiliate of the Utah Jazz, on March 6. In four G League games, Thomas averaged 32.5 points and 5.3 assists per game on 40.7/44.6/90.9 shooting splits.

NBA G League @nbagleagueIsaiah Thomas has the GREEN LIGHT and is scoring at will for the @slcstars! ⭐️

He’s already up to 16 PTS in Q2. pic.twitter.com/9mHfIOEkaQ

He hasn’t been able maintain his efficiency with the Suns just yet, playing sparingly on a team that is fighting for playoff positioning in the Western Conference standings. In four NBA appearances, Thomas is averaging 1.3 points in 3.5 minutes per game while shooting 33.3 percent from the field and 50 percent from behind the arc.

His on-court impact isn’t the sole reason for his new contract with the team, as Charania noted that he gives Phoenix “backcourt depth” as well as a “strong leadership and vet presence in locker room.”

After he was selected by the Sacramento Kings with a second-round pick in 2011, Thomas rose to stardom as a member of the Boston Celtics. In the 2016-17 season, his scoring average of 28.9 points per game ranked No. 3 among all players while he finished No. 5 in MVP voting.

Thomas’ efficient scoring ability at a height of just 5’9″ amazed fans as he led the Celtics to an Eastern Conference finals appearance in 2017. However, hip injuries derailed his career and he was never able to achieve his All-Star status again after he was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2018.

The veteran has now settled into a leadership role on a Suns team that has been flourishing as of late, winning seven of their past 10 games.