Isaiah Thomas Pursues NBA Comeback Through G League with Salt Lake City Stars

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — Two-time NBA All-Star Isaiah Thomas is attempting another comeback to the league, signing with the Salt Lake City Stars, the G League affiliate of the Utah Jazz, sources told ESPN on Monday. The 35-year-old guard is expected to make his debut for the Stars this week.

Thomas, who last played in the NBA during the 2022-23 season with the Phoenix Suns, averaged 33 points and made 25 3-pointers in four G League games last season. His performance earned him a call-up to the Suns, where he signed two 10-day contracts in March 2024 before securing a deal for the remainder of the season. This marked his return to the NBA after a 23-month absence.

Over his 12-year NBA career, Thomas has played for 10 teams, averaging 17.5 points and 4.8 assists across 556 games. He earned All-Star honors in 2016 and 2017 and finished fifth in MVP voting during the 2016-17 season, when he averaged 28.9 points per game for the Boston Celtics.

This move to the G League is part of Thomas’ ongoing effort to return to the NBA. Last season, he used a stint with the Stars as a springboard to rejoin the league. While he is unlikely to join the Jazz’s main roster, Thomas aims to showcase his skills to other NBA teams, potentially earning a contract later in the season to contribute to a playoff push.

“At 35 years old, turning 36 next month, Thomas has yet to reach the heights of an NBA championship, but he’s not going down without a fight,” said Jared Koch, Associate Editor of The Frozen Rope, SI.com‘s Utah Jazz team website. “His journey for a league comeback once again starts in Salt Lake City.”

Thomas’ next opportunity to play with the Stars comes on Tuesday, January 28, when the team hosts the Valley Suns at the Maverik Center at 7 p.m. MT.