The Phoenix Suns have officially signed point guard Isaiah Thomas to a 10-day contract, the team announced in a press release.
Thomas has been playing for the Salt Lake City Stars of the G League.
He last played in the NBA during the 2021-22 season, when he averaged 8.4 points, 1.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 22 games with the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks and Charlotte Hornets.
“Excited for him. He’s been trying to get back in the league for a while,” forward Kevin Durant said, via Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic. “Good to have him back in the league. He’s been playing well in the G League. So when he gets his feet up under him, understand what we do, when he gets minutes, I know he’ll produce.”
A two-time All-Star, Thomas carries career averages of 17.7 points, 2.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists with the Sacramento Kings, Suns, Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Lakers, Denver Nuggets, Washington Wizards, New Orleans Pelicans, Mavericks and Hornets.
“Isaiah is someone we think is a hell of a player, has been a hell of a player throughout his career,’ Suns coach Frank Vogel told reporters. “We know he can still play from what he’s been doing in the G League.”
The Suns (39-29) enter Wednesday night in eighth place in the Western Conference standings, but are just a half-game behind the sixth-place Kings.
They have been using natural shooting guards Bradley Beal and Devin Booker as their primary ballhandlers, but perhaps Thomas can assist in that department.
“Clearly, the hope is that Thomas will bring some of the intangibles the current group sorely lacks. They need someone with an edge,” wrote Dan Bickley of Arizona Sports. “They need someone to goose the pace and get the ball up the floor in a hurry. They need someone to manage and organize the offense when necessary.”
Ashish Mathur contributed to this report.
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