• Isaiah Thomas is trying to make the most of the NBA offseason
• The former All-Star has been out of the NBA since the 2021-22 season
• He tried suggesting the Blazers add veterans to mentor their young roster after the Jrue Holiday trade
Isiah Thomas was an absolute on-court menace during his prime with the Kings and Celtics. Injuries sidetracked his career, as his lack of size meant that teams didn’t necessarily want him when he lost his shifty speed and finishing ability. Nonetheless, the former All-Star is still trying to get back into the NBA, even at the risk of fans trolling him.
The Trail Blazers traded Jrue Holiday after getting him in the Damian Lillard trade to the Celtics, going all-in on their young core. Thomas suggested that the Blazers sign a veteran to tie their roster together, prompting fans to mock his attempts of trying to get back to the league.
I like Portlands pieces for the future!!! A vet can help with those young guards fa shoooo
— Isaiah Thomas (@isaiahthomas) October 1, 2023
After the Bucks landed Lillard, Thomas also tried getting the franchise to sign him as their backup guard, tweeting about the same. That clearly didn’t work, as the Bucks signed Cam Payne today for that role.
Fans Weren’t Feeling An Isaiah Thomas Return
NBA fans on social media are ruthless, and many were absolutely tearing into Thomas’ repeated failed attempts at getting a veteran minimum since last offseason.
https://twitter.com/d2tatee1/status/1708561714256773357
Fans were repeatedly saying Thomas had little shame for publicly advocating for an NBA contract after yet another trade.
NO SHAME LMFAO
— Mob (@MobHoops) October 1, 2023
Some fans joked about Thomas trying to fit in.
— Kyrie Center (@kyriecenterig) October 1, 2023
A fan thinks Thomas needs to let his NBA dream go after a clear lack of interest by the 30 teams in the league.
He gotta let it go man
— 🚀 Sober Success for Entrepreneurs (@SoberCoaching) October 1, 2023
Fans compared Thomas to Colin Kaepernick, who hasn’t played in the NFL since 2016 and is still trying to make a comeback.
Who’s more down bad rn you or Kaepernick?
— 🧊 ᅠ (@OGICEY) October 1, 2023
One fan had a very harsh summary of what the Blazers feel about Thomas.
https://twitter.com/k1szn_/status/1708550810554990824
Thomas is still an elite basketball player. He’s in the unfortunate situation where he’s too good to keep playing in lower leagues in the USA, as he regularly dusts opponents in pro-am competitions.
The NBA isn’t about that though, and Thomas’ lack of size and defensive ability make him a liability that a league over-saturated with guards doesn’t need. Unfortunately, it looks like his NBA journey is mostly over, but Thomas hasn’t signed with a foreign team in the absence of an NBA contract.
Not Every Old Player Is Looking To Be A Mentor
Every time we see a player in his early 30s or late 20s get signed or moved to a team, everyone calls it a move that boosts veteran leadership on a team. It’s portrayed as a good thing, as the rookies on any given squad will have older players helping them find their way in the NBA.
Not all old players are looking to help the generation that’s replacing them, with Dillon Brooks making an interesting comment about this last season when the Grizzlies were criticized for having a lack of veteran leadership and linked with signing Dwight Howard and Carmelo Anthony.
“Who do you want to sign? You wanna sign Carmelo Anthony? You wanna sign Dwight Howard? Who do you want to sign? Those guys are trying to get back into the league. They’re not trying to hone in on a guy and be a vet. A real vet is like Udonis Haslem.”
Haslem gave his all to the young players in Miami because he knew his spot in the league was secured. Most veterans aren’t looking to help be put out of a job by the younger generation, so NBA teams have to pick the players they sign as ‘veterans’ very carefully.
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