Report: Isaiah Thomas to Rejoin G League's Grand Rapids Gold After All-Star Break
Feb 15, 2022
GRAND RAPIDS, MI - DECEMBER 15: Isaiah Thomas #6 of the Grand Rapids Gold brings the ball up court against the Fort Wayne Mad Ants during the first half of an NBA G-League game on December 15, 2021 at the DeltaPlex Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Kamil Krzaczynski/NBAE via Getty Images)
Isaiah Thomas will join the Grand Rapids Gold of the NBA G League following the conclusion of the NBA All-Star break, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.
Thomas made his G League debut with the Gold in a 131-127 loss to the Fort Wayne Mad Ants on Dec. 15. He finished with 43 points, seven rebounds and seven assists in 43 minutes.
The 33-year-old signed a 10-day contract with the Los Angeles Lakers a day after that game.
The Lakers, like many teams around the league, were struggling to fill out their roster as players entered the NBA's health and safety protocols.
Thomas made four appearances for L.A. before signing with the Dallas Mavericks. In five games this year, he's averaging 8.6 points and 2.0 assists in 22.8 minutes.
But his brief spells with the Lakers and Mavs showed the difficulty he had in carving out a regular role at this stage of his career. He wasn't the same player after a hip injury, and the decline became more pronounced as he aged.
Getting consistent minutes in the G League could help Thomas showcase his game as he looks to once again land on his feet in the Association.
NBA Rumors: Former Heat PG Mario Chalmers Agrees to G League Contract
Dec 18, 2021
DALLAS, TEXAS - JULY 31: Mario Chalmers #15 of 3's Company looks on during the game against Tri State during BIG3 - Week Four at the American Airlines Center on July 31, 2021 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images for BIG3)
Former Miami Heat point guard Mario Chalmers has agreed to a contract with the NBA G League's Grand Rapids Gold and will play in the G League Showcase Dec. 19-22, per The Athletic and Stadium's Shams Charania.
Chalmers last played in the NBA during the 2017-18 campaign. He has since played in Italy, Greece and Puerto Rico, and has also played in the BIG3, a three-on-three pro basketball league founded by rapper/actor Ice Cube and entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz in 2017.
Chalmers' decision to return to the United States stems from his desire to return to the NBA. The 35-year-old told JD Shaw of Hoops Rumors that he always wanted to return and end his career in the U.S.
"Finishing my career where I started would mean the world to me," Chalmers said. "I first got drafted into the NBA. I never had dreams of walking away from the game of basketball overseas, so this would be a great way to end my career. Just being back at home in front of the fans that helped me get to where I am today."
Chalmers added that he still has plenty of gas left in the tank and will be ready if and when another opportunity arises:
I have a lot left in the tank. I have fresh legs, a fresh body and I'm ready for that full NBA grind again. A lot of teams are fighting for those 16 playoff spots, so at the end of the day, if someone gets hurt or COVID becomes an issue, I'm ready.
I've been in the gym. I catch on fast and won't miss a beat. I've already been there before. At the end of the day, I know what it takes to help win a championship.
Chalmers' bid to return to the NBA probably couldn't have come at a better time. According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and Baxter Holmes, the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association are talking about implementing a rule that would force teams hit with significant COVID-19 outbreaks to sign replacement players.
Allowing teams to sign replacement players would limit potential game postponements and cancellations. So, Chalmers definitely has a shot at returning.
Chalmers spent the first seven-and-a-half seasons of his NBA career with the Heat before being traded to the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2015-16 campaign. He then suffered an Achilles tear in 2016 and was waived by Memphis, who re-signed him two years later, but he did not return to the NBA after the 2017-18 campaign.
In nine NBA seasons, the two-time champion averaged 8.9 points, 2.5 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game while shooting 41.7 percent from the floor and 35.1 percent from deep.
Isaiah Thomas Drops 42 Points in Debut with G League's Grand Rapids Gold
Dec 16, 2021
GRAND RAPIDS, MI - DECEMBER 15: Isaiah Thomas #6 of the Grand Rapids Gold shoots a free throw against the Fort Wayne Mad Ants during the second half of an NBA G-League game on December 15, 2021 at the DeltaPlex Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Kamil Krzaczynski/NBAE via Getty Images)
Isaiah Thomas looks like someone who can provide a spark for an NBA team.
The former Boston Celtics star was dominant during Wednesday's G League game for the Grand Rapids Gold. While his team lost 131-127 to the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, he finished with 42 points, eight assists and six rebounds.
A couple of NBA vets balled out tonight in the G-League 😤
Thomas looked the part of a two-time All-Star who was a member of the All-NBA Second Team as recently as 2016-17 when he averaged 28.9 points, 5.9 assists and 2.7 rebounds per game for a Celtics squad that reached the Eastern Conference Finals.
The 32-year-old has played for the Sacramento Kings, Phoenix Suns, Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets, Washington Wizards and New Orleans Pelicans and is working his way back toward a potential NBA return.
If Wednesday was any indication, he should be back in no time.
