Entering the final stage of the regular season and the final preparations for the playoffs, each team has begun to make a series of adjustments to the lineup and signed some role players to prepare for the playoffs. Thomas, who has always wanted to return to the NBA, won this opportunity. With his outstanding performance in the Development League, Thomas received a 10-day short contract provided by the Suns. This is obviously an opportunity provided by the Suns for Thomas to show himself.
As a late-round pick, Thomas Jr. has established a foothold in the NBA through his own efforts, and was selected to the All-Star team twice. In the 2016-17 season, he was also selected to the All-NBA second team. So far in his career, Thomas has played for 10 teams and led the Celtics to the Eastern Conference Finals. Unfortunately, due to injuries, Thomas' situation took a turn for the worse in the latter part of his career. After his contract with the Hornets expired in 2022, no team has been willing to sign him.
Thomas, who failed to get a new contract, did not choose to join a foreign league like other players. He is still persisting in his dream of returning to the NBA. In the news in the past two years, Thomas Jr. can always be seen speaking out on personal social media and recommending himself. Especially when some teams have an injury crisis, Thomas will use this opportunity to recommend himself. It is a pity that In the end no one paid attention.
Even so, Thomas did not give up this hope and chose to join the Salt Lake City Stars of the Development League some time ago. Thomas Jr., who regained the opportunity to play, quickly performed eye-catchingly, averaging 33 points in 4 games and shooting 45% from three-point range. It was with such outstanding performance that Thomas attracted the attention of the Suns management and finally gave him a 10-day short contract.
Although Thomas has been away from the NBA for two years, his abilities have not deteriorated much. The height disadvantage does not limit Thomas's scoring ability. He can still use breakthroughs to score at the basket, and can also find opportunities to shoot three-pointers from the outside. During the rotation time of the game, Thomas can act as a commando on the field, disrupting the opponent's defense and increasing opportunities for defensive counterattacks.
The Suns chose to sign Thomas Jr. in the hope that he can use his scoring ability on the offensive end to win more rest time for Durant, Booker and others. Among the Big Three, Durant is at risk of injury, Booker also needs a certain adjustment period after an ankle sprain, Bill's status has been ups and downs, and the Suns need more players who can disrupt the game during the rotation to solve offensive problems. With Thomas' offensive status, he can definitely serve as a surprise player on the Suns' offensive end.
Thomas was recognized for his ability to fight. Now that the Suns have given him such an opportunity, Thomas will obviously work hard to express himself. As long as he can show his scoring ability, Thomas Jr. hopes to sign with the Suns until the end of the season, become a surprise player for the Suns in the playoffs, and win himself a formal NBA contract.
