Guard Isaiah Thomas. Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

Pelicans not re-signing Isaiah Thomas at this time

By Zac Wassink | Last updated Apr 13, 2021 4:18 PM ET

Earlier this month, two-time All-Star guard Isaiah Thomas joined the New Orleans Pelicans on a 10-day contract. That deal has expired, and ESPN's Andrew Lopez reports New Orleans "does not have immediate plans to sign him to a second deal" but could give the 32-year-old a call at some point over the next several weeks.

Thomas appeared in three games and averaged 7.7 points for the Pelicans.

"I haven't run into a veteran guy more grateful for an opportunity to play in the league in my entire time in the league. He's been unbelievable here," Pelicans coach Stan Van Gundy said after Monday's 117-110 home win over the Sacramento Kings. "To see him go in, even for a few minutes, make a shot, get the appreciation of the fans, I hope he heard it. A lot of times you don't when you're out there playing. I hope he heard it. I hope he enjoyed it. Because he certainly deserved it.

"I feel privileged that I've gotten the opportunity to coach him even for a very short amount of time."

Bobby Marks of ESPN added:

Here is what a sample timeline would look like for New Orleans to stay under the tax and sign 2 players:

4/27- 1 Ten-Day Contract (now $142,805 below)

5/11- Can sign 2 players ($66,599 each) to a rest of the season contract https://t.co/U63jt8ikDa
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) April 13, 2021

Mark Nilon of Hardwood Houdini recently campaigned for a reunion between Thomas and the Boston Celtics.

Zac Wassink

Zac Wassink is a longtime sports news writer and PFWA member who began his career in 2006 and has had his work featured on Yardbarker, MSN, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. He is also a football and futbol aficionado who is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment and who chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. You can find him on X at @ZacWassink

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