Mavericks Isaiah Thomas Contract Final Call: Report

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Nico Harrison (right) and Jason Kidd of the Dallas Mavericks

He is 32 years old and has played a total of 65 games in five games NBA teams over the previous three seasons, but credit to defender Isaiah Thomas — he continues to strive for success here in the NBA. Unfortunately for him, his time is set to run again, as Dallas Mavericks will not bring him back after having signed a 10-day contract with him (which expires on Sunday) on December 29.

Thomas only made one appearance with the Mavs, scoring six points with four assists in the loss in Sacramento. He was subsequently placed on the COVID-19 health and safety protocols list and was ineligible to play again. With a 10-day contract expiring, Thomas will return to the freelance company.

When he was introduced in Dallas after signing, Thomas looked prepared, compared to 10 days earlier he had signed with the Lakers. He made four appearances with LA, averaging 9.3 points but only shooting 30.8% of the time.

“I was built for this, I was ready for it, I was so grateful for the opportunity and it was unquestionable that he (GM Nico Harrison) asked,” Thomas said at the time. “They told me to be ready. They told me, just be yourself. Every meaning of the word is just who I am and bring that to the team. I’m always ready, so I don’t know if I’m going out, I don’t know how much or how little I go out. But I’ve been an expert for 11 years, I’m just used to being available. That’s all I did tonight.”

Thomas Vaulted to Stardom in Boston

Although his effectiveness has faltered, it’s hard to believe that not a single team can use Thomas from the bench, both to deliver some scoring punches and some leadership. veteran. He’s one of the most popular players in the league, an affable 5 foot 9 keeper who was the last player selected in the 2009 NBA draft.

Thomas rose from that spot to earn a spot in the NBA, first as a starter in Sacramento, then as sixth man in Phoenix. His big break came when, after a disappointing start to his career with the Suns in 2015, the Celtics brought him to Boston, as part of a blockbuster three-team deal.

Thomas became a star with the Celtics, winning an All-Star game twice and placing fifth in the 2016-17 NBA MVP voting.

But a hip injury has plagued his career ever since, and the Celtics landed him in a deal with Cleveland to bring Kyrie Irving to Boston. Thomas said he’s 100% healthy now, but he hasn’t been able to sign a contract and a consistent role with a team since that summer of 2017.

Thomas hopes his ‘wisdom’ will get him a new contract

That, oddly enough, could be one of the attractions to signing Thomas, at least according to him. As a player, he already has loads of experience, and even entered the G League this season, where he scored 42 points with eight assists on his Grand Rapids debut in December, before when he signed with the Lakers.

He hopes that will help him stay in the NBA.

“I can carry anything,” Thomas said. “I’ve been in every possible situation in the NBA. I don’t know how many players in the NBA can honestly say they’ve been in any situation, whether it’s a franchise player, whether it’s the sixth person role, whether it’s a substitute or a guy who doesn’t. don’t even play. I’ve seen it all so you know, I can pass that experience on to the younger guys and the guys on this team. Whenever I can, I can lend a hand and give some wisdom. ”