2-Time Ex-Laker Isaiah Thomas Joins West Rival's G League Squad, Targeting Comeback

Can he pull it off?

Former league MVP candidate Isaiah Thomas, whose two appearances for your Los Angeles Lakers unfortunately did not coincide with his two All-Star appearances, is making his latest push for an NBA comeback.

Shams Charania of The Athletic reports that Thomas has inked a deal with the Utah Jazz’s G League affiliate, the Salt Lake City Stars. The 34-year-old NBA free agent has his heart set returning to the game’s most elite level, despite having not played a game anywhere since the 2021-22 season.

Thomas, fellow former All-Star point guard John Wall, ex-Lakers champion Dion Waiters and currebt LA two-way signing Harry Giles III all held workouts for league scouts during NBA Summer League activities last summer in Las Vegas.

After it became clear that a major hip injury had knocked his production off its All-NBA pedestal with LeBron James’ then-Cleveland Cavaliers in 2017-18, the 5’9” vet was flipped to the Lonzo Ball/Brandon Ingram era Lakers. Across 17 games with the rebuilding club, Thomas averaged 15.7 points on an inefficient slash line of .383/.327/.921, five assists and 2.1 boards. LA opted not to retain the Washington product in the offseason. He struggled to find a home the next year, and has been floundering around the league ever since, despite still being able to produce in tantalizing short bursts.

Thomas returned to the Lakers on a 10-day hardship exemption deal in 2021-22, averaging a brutal 9.3 points on .308/.227/.727 shooting splits, two rebounds and 1.5 assists.