Isaiah Thomas, a free agent guard, has agreed to a $2 million one-year deal with the Denver Nuggets. Reports indicate that Thomas met with Tim Connelly, the president of basketball operations for Denver, and Michael Malone, the team’s coach. Following the meeting, ongoing discussions through calls and texts revolved around Thomas’s potential role and the opportunity to join the Nuggets.
Experts view this move by the Nuggets as a calculated risk with the potential for high rewards. While Denver may not be aiming for a deep playoff run in the competitive Western Conference this season, Thomas sees this as a chance to rejuvenate his career with a winning team, maintain his health, and position himself for the upcoming free agency period.
Currently in recovery from hip surgery, Thomas is expected to provide scoring prowess and playmaking off the bench for Denver, according to Malone. Familiar with Thomas from their time together in Sacramento, Malone is eager to integrate him into the Nuggets lineup for the upcoming season.
Thomas is in a rehabilitation phase post his arthroscopic hip surgery in early April. His standout performance in the 2016-17 season with the Boston Celtics, averaging 28.9 points per game, earned him a spot on the All-NBA second team and was anticipating a lucrative contract. However, a hip injury in 2017 led to a prolonged recovery period, and Thomas was eventually traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers. After a stint with the Los Angeles Lakers, Thomas is now looking to make an impact with the Denver Nuggets.