Isaiah Thomas Signs with Salt Lake City Stars: The 5’9” Giant Takes One More Shot at the NBA

Isaiah Thomas is back. The 5’9” scoring dynamo, once known as “the best 1.75m player on Earth,” has officially signed with the Salt Lake City Stars, the G League affiliate of the Utah Jazz. At 35 years old, Thomas is once again chasing his NBA dream, proving that his passion for the game remains as strong as ever.

For fans of the Boston Celtics, Thomas’ name brings back memories of electrifying performances, clutch shots, and the unforgettable 2016-17 season. But since being let go by the Celtics in the summer of 2017, his career has taken a turbulent turn. Over the past seven years, he has bounced around the league, playing for eight different teams, often on short-term contracts or as a fringe rotation player. Now, after another brief stint in the NBA earlier this season with the Phoenix Suns, Thomas is once again trying to fight his way back.

The Long Road Back

The last time Isaiah Thomas played in the G League, he was a man on a mission. During the 2021-22 season, he appeared in just four games for the Grand Rapids Gold but put up jaw-dropping numbers—33 points per game, reminding everyone why he was once a two-time All-Star. That performance earned him a brief call-up to the NBA, signing multiple 10-day contracts with the Lakers, Mavericks, and Hornets.

Despite those flashes of brilliance, stability never came. After playing 17 games with Charlotte to close out the 2021-22 season, Thomas found himself without an NBA contract once again. He spent 2023 waiting for an opportunity, and when the Phoenix Suns finally gave him another shot with a 10-day deal in early 2024, he barely saw the floor—logging just 3.2 minutes per game across six appearances.

Now, with the Jazz’s G League affiliate, Thomas is hoping to replicate the magic of his previous stints in the minor leagues. If history is any indication, he’s going to light up the scoreboard.

From MVP Candidate to League Nomad

It’s hard to believe that just seven years ago, Isaiah Thomas was an MVP candidate. During the 2016-17 season, he averaged an incredible 28.9 points and 5.9 assists per game for the Celtics, leading them to the Eastern Conference Finals. His Game 2 masterpiece against the Washington Wizards in that year’s playoffs—where he dropped 53 points while grieving the loss of his sister—remains one of the most inspiring performances in NBA history.

But as quickly as he rose to stardom, he fell just as fast. A hip injury derailed his career, and the Celtics, wary of committing to him long-term, traded him to the Cleveland Cavaliers as part of the blockbuster Kyrie Irving deal. Thomas was never the same after that.

Since 2017, he has played for the Cavaliers, Lakers, Nuggets, Wizards, Pelicans, Mavericks, and Hornets, struggling to find a permanent home. His career earnings—$34.8 million over 12 seasons—pale in comparison to today’s NBA stars, many of whom make that amount in a single year. But unlike some of his peers, Thomas has never chased money overseas.

Refusing to Take the Easy Route

While many aging NBA veterans have opted to cash in by playing in China, Europe, or other international leagues, Thomas has remained fixated on one goal: making it back to the NBA.

He has reportedly turned down multiple lucrative offers from overseas teams, unwilling to accept that his NBA days are over. Even at 35, his desire to compete at the highest level remains unwavering.

But at what point does persistence become stubbornness? When does chasing a dream become an act of self-denial? These are the questions that linger as Thomas embarks on yet another comeback attempt.

A Possible Showdown with Yuki Kawamura

One intriguing subplot to Thomas’ return to the G League is the potential matchup with Yuki Kawamura, the 5’8” Japanese sensation currently playing in the G League. Kawamura, at 1.72m, is considered one of the most talented Asian guards in recent history.

A Thomas vs. Kawamura showdown would be a battle of undersized warriors—two players defying the odds in a league dominated by giants. While Kawamura is still finding his footing in North America, Thomas is a proven scorer looking to reclaim his past glory.

Of course, Kawamura still has a long way to go before he reaches Thomas’ level. The former MVP candidate has done things that no other sub-6-foot player in NBA history has accomplished. But the mere possibility of these two crossing paths in the G League makes for an exciting storyline.

Can Thomas Defy the Odds Again?

Realistically, the odds are stacked against Isaiah Thomas. NBA teams are increasingly prioritizing younger talent, and Thomas’ defensive liabilities make him a tough fit in today’s game. But if he can dominate the G League once again, a team in need of scoring punch could take a flyer on him.

Even if he never plays another meaningful NBA minute, Thomas’ legacy is secure. He has already proven that size is no barrier to greatness. And whether or not this comeback attempt leads to another NBA contract, one thing is certain—Isaiah Thomas will never stop fighting.