NBA Rumors: Pelicans Signing Veteran To Short-Term Deal, Thomas Raring To Strut Wares – Report

KEY POINTS

Isaiah Thomas may get a chance to show he can still play NBA ball
The Pelicans have turned to Thomas with their backcourt thinning due to injuries, a report says
Thomas could be the veteran Stan Van Gundy needs to add experience to the team

The much-awaited opportunity for Isaiah Thomas has finally come, a report says. With Lonzo Ball and Josh Hart out of commission, the New Orleans Pelicans need some new bodies to man their backcourt. The two-time NBA All-Star may get a chance to breathe some life into his pro career despite not having played since February last year.

Thomas plans to sign a 10-day deal with New Orleans, Shams Charania of The Athletic reported, citing unnamed sources. If this is sealed, the 60th overall pick of the 2011 NBA Draft could be eligible to play for the Pelicans by Sunday.

Thomas last suited up for the Washington Wizards where he played 40 games, averaging 12.2 points, 3.7 assists and 1.7 rebounds in 23.1 minutes of action. However, his run was cut short when he was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers. The 32-year-old was waived two days later.

After having waited for over a year, it will be interesting how fit I.T. is. But if one looks deeper, Thomas could be that veteran guard that head coach Stan Van Gundy needs. Hence, it will be up to Thomas to show that he can fit in within the Pelicans system.

As of this writing, the Pels are 21-27 in the Western Conference, four games behind the eighth-place San Antonio Spurs.

Thomas was part of the U.S. team that copped a pair of wins in the FIBA AmeriCup qualifying tournament two months ago. Among his teammates in that squad were former NBA players Joe Johnson and Brandon Bass.

If signed, his arrival would be timely as the Pelicans try to buy Lonzo Ball some time. The 23-year-old has missed the last six games of New Orleans because of a hip injury. The former top pick sustained the injury when the Pelicans faced the Portland Trail Blazers on March 18.

Aside from Ball, Josh Hart has also been bitten by the injury bug. The 26-year-old suffered a torn UCL in his right thumb in the Pelicans' loss to the Orlando Magic in overtime. No timetable has been set for Hart’s return, but a report from The Athletic suggests that he is likely to undergo surgery.