Former Boston Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas has not played in the NBA since appearing in six games with the Phoenix Suns during the 2023-2024 season.
With Thomas away from the NBA for nearly two years, the league has seemingly forgotten about him. However, Max Lederman from NBC Sports Boston believes the Celtics should offer Thomas a role, whether as a player or a coach, this season.
“I’d pay Isaiah Thomas to be a part of the organization, either as a player or on the coaching staff,” Lederman wrote. “I never felt right about how things turned out for IT, and bringing him back to Boston would be good karma.”
Thomas played for the Celtics from 2014 to 2017, earning All-Star honors twice. He led Boston to three playoff appearances, reaching the Eastern Conference finals in 2017.
Three months after leading the Celtics to the conference finals, Thomas was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for point guard Kyrie Irving.
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After being traded by the Celtics, Thomas played for nine teams. At 36 years old, his playing days are likely over, but a coaching career could be on the horizon.
While Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla doesn’t have an open coaching spot on his bench, the team could hire Thomas as a player enhancement coach.
A player enhancement coach assists individual players in improving their skills by developing a personalized game plan. Given his journey from being the last pick in the 2011 NBA Draft to becoming an All-Star, Thomas would be an excellent coach for young NBA players.
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