The Phoenix Suns are examining their bench depth for the postseason and elected to sign two-time All-Star guard Isaiah Thomas to a 10-day contract on Wednesday.
Thomas, 35, hasn’t played in an NBA game in 23 months but recently averaged 32.5 points and made 25 3-pointers in four games for the Salt Lake City Stars of the G League.
Thomas was a star for the Boston Celtics before a hip injury in 2017 derailed his career. He finished fifth in NBA MVP voting when he averaged 28.9 points for the Celtics during the 2016-17 season.
Thomas told reporters Wednesday that his joy for the game kept pushing him during his bid to return to the NBA.
“The love. The love for the game,” Thomas said. “I love it so much. Every time I step on the floor I got that same feeling. It puts a smile on my face. I love competing, I love playing basketball, I love trying to figure out how to get better.”
Thomas has played for 10 NBA teams and this will be his second stint with Phoenix. He averaged 15.2 points in 46 games (one start) in 2014-15 with the Suns before being traded to Boston during the season.
Thomas also has played for the Sacramento Kings, Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets, Washington Wizards, New Orleans Pelicans, Dallas Mavericks and Charlotte Hornets. He has a 17.7 scoring average in 550 games (362 starts) over 11 seasons.
–Field Level Media