Isaiah Thomas. Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports

Isaiah Thomas joining G League squad is his final role of the dice

Isaiah Thomas is joining the Salt Lake City Stars of the NBA G League, as reported by The Athletic's Shams Charania. Thomas, 35, hasn't played in the NBA since leaving the Charlotte Hornets in 2022. He helped lead the Boston Celtics to the Eastern Conference Finals at his peak. He also finished fifth in MVP voting during the 2017 season. 

Thomas has dealt with some significant injuries during his career. A hip issue hindered his tenure with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He was never the same player after that injury. He lost his elite first step. He also struggled to get lift on his jump shots. However, he does bring value as an experienced veteran with a team-first mentality.

By joining the Stars, Thomas will be bidding to prove he can still play at an elite level. It will also allow him to get his conditioning back up to a professional standard. There are multiple teams with open roster spots. If he can prove himself at the G League level, he may find himself fielding contract offers ahead of the postseason.

Of course, Thomas would be unlikely to feature in a playoff rotation. He would be acquired to provide positional depth and leadership off the bench. He has been the first option on a contending team and has led a team to the conference finals. That experience is invaluable, especially if he's surrounded by a younger roster.

Still, Thomas has been attempting to make an NBA comeback since leaving the Hornets. To this point, those attempts have fallen short. It will take some big performances to make NBA front offices take notice. If he can't make it work now, it might be time to accept that his career in the league is over. Although, he may still find some success playing abroad. 

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