Isaiah Thomas plans to play in the NBA for ‘a few more years’ originally appeared in NBC Sports Boston
Isaiah Thomas will forever be a Boston Celtics fan favorite after his memorable three seasons with the team. After being the last player picked in the 2011 draft by the Phoenix Suns, Thomas went to Boston via trade at the end of the 2015 season – and the rest was history.
Fresh out a six-game return to the NBA with the team that drafted him After a two-year hiatus from the league, Thomas joined the NBC Sports Boston team in Celtics pregame live before Monday’s Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Cleveland Cavaliers to discuss his future plans.
“Look, I’m trying — well, I’m not trying — I’ll be in the league for a few more years,” Thomas said. “I want to have a few more years, a few more years until my boys reach high school [where] I can put my full focus on these guys and their development.”
In Thomas’ three years with the Celtics, the 5-foot-11 guard averaged 24.7 points, 6 assists, 2.7 rebounds and a steal per game, earning All-Star nods in both of his full seasons in Boston. . He even finished fifth in the MVP race after the 2017 season.
While the numbers proved his worth on the court, fans fell in love with Thomas wholeheartedly. No matter that he was often the team’s top scorer, fans adored Thomas for his effort, determination, courage and tireless attitude. This was evident in Boston’s first playoff game of the 2017 season, where Thomas got dressed the day after his little sister passed awayscoring 33 points, the best of the game.
“I’m trying to get to at least 14,” Thomas added. “I know Muggsy Bogues – my goal has always been to try to beat Muggsy Bogues by being the smallest guy with the longest career in the NBA. That’s still the ultimate goal, and I’m going to achieve it. I’m going to continue the slow walk, the marathon continues. “
After being traded from Boston to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a move that made Kyrie Irving a CelticThomas played for six different teams between the 2018 and 2022 seasons. He would see his stats drop to an average of 11.7 points, 3.3 assists and 1.7 rebounds per game over those years, leading to his fall from the league in 2022.
Instead of giving up, Thomas signed with the Salt Lake City Stars – the G-League affiliate of the Utah Jazz – earlier this year. He quickly proved he could still play, averaging 32.5 points on 40.7 percent from the field and an even better 44.6 percent from deep, 5.3 assists, 3 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game. .
After proving he still has gas in the tank, Celtics fans were finally able to rejoice when news broke that Thomas was returning to the NBA after signing a 10-day contract with the Suns. After signing an additional 10-day contract, Phoenix finally signed with IT until the end of the season. Playing about three minutes in each of his six games, Thomas recorded a total of eight points and three assists.
“Someone has to give me an opportunity where I can make the most of it,” Thomas said of what comes next.
Now 35, Thomas will look to play three more seasons to achieve his goal of playing in the league for 14 years.
