WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 07: Isaiah Thomas #4 of the Boston Celtics reacts after a call in the second half against the Washington Wizards in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at Verizon Center on May 7, 2017 in Washington, DC.
Isaiah Thomas is now a Denver Nugget.
The free-agent guard signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the team on Thursday. This marks 29-year-old Thomas’s fourth team in four years. After one year with the Phoenix Suns and three seasons with the Boston Celtics, the two-time All-Star was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers last offseason. In February, Cleveland sent Thomas and Channing Frye to the Los Angeles Lakers in return for Larry Nance Jr. and Jordan Clarkson. Thomas’s latest campaign ended early, however, after he suffered a hip injury in March and underwent surgery.
Thomas will now reunite with coach Michael Malone, under whom the point guard played with the Sacramento Kings in 2013-214.
SLIDESHOW: 30 Best Sports Instagrams!
Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!
A week of sports news in your in-box.
We find the sports news you need to know, so you don't have to.
Thomas’s last season with the Boston Celtics, 2016-2017, was one of the finest of his NBA career: he averaged 28.9 points per game with the team, whom he helped lead to the Eastern Conference Finals. The Celtics ultimately lost to the Cavaliers 4-1.
Around the time last year’s playoffs started, Thomas also suffered a personal loss: his younger sister Chyna died in a car accident near his native Tacoma, Washington.
According to ESPN, Thomas is still in rehab for his hip injury, and has been treated in both Los Angeles and Seattle this offseason. This physical setback seemed to have hurt Thomas”s chances at signing a long-term deal with any team.
Incoming second-year Lakers player Kyle Kuzma bid Thomas farewell in a tweet in which he thanked the veteran guard for all of the things he taught him during the few months they were teammates.
Kuzma also recently said he can’t wait to play beside new Lakers addition LeBron James.
SLIDESHOW: Sports Figures Who Died In 2018
Dwyane Wade also congratulated Thomas on his new deal.
The Nuggets finished 46-36 and ninth in the Western Conference, ahead of the Lakers and Clippers but behind the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Atlanta Braves acquired veteran left-handed reliever Brent Suter from the Los Angeles Angels on…
A controversial in-game collision has become the latest flashpoint in an already tense WNBA season,…
Natasha Ward, a rising Australian middle-distance runner, has died at 21 following a motorcycle accident…
The Philadelphia Phillies acquired three-time batting champion Luis Arraez from the San Francisco Giants on…
New details emerging after the Los Angeles Dodgers' blockbuster trade for two-time Cy Young winner…
The Chicago Cubs bolstered their pitching staff Sunday night, acquiring right-hander Kevin Gausman from the…