Isaiah Thomas hasn’t endured the winter of discontent many predicted he would.
The Los Angeles Lakers guard revealed to the Los Angeles Times’ Tania Ganguli on Tuesday he’s open to returning to the team next season, even in his current backup role. Thomas will be a free agent this summer and is keen to return to the status he enjoyed with the Boston Celtics as the offensive focal point.
However, the past year, during which he has been traded twice and overcome a serious hip injury, has taught him the business of the NBA can put players in less-than-ideal situations. That’s why he’ll consider re-signing with the Lakers, even if they plan to continue using him off the bench.
“I like it here, I like the situation I’m in, the system, coaching staff,” Thomas said. “Organization’s been great to me. If things work out I would love to be here. You just never know. With free agency, you’ve got to keep your options open. I have no complaints since I’ve stepped foot and put a Laker uniform on.”
Thomas has started just one of the 16 games he has played with the Lakers since the Cleveland Cavaliers traded him to Los Angeles on Feb. 8. He’s averaging 15.6 points in 26.9 minutes per game with the team and is embracing the responsibility of leading and mentoring his younger teammates like Kyle Kuzma, Julius Randle and Lonzo Ball.
“I want to win MVP, I want to continue to be an All-Star,” Thomas continued. “Their goals probably aren’t that yet. Coming straight into the league especially at 19, 20 years old. They’re in it for the experience just to figure things out on their own. And then on top of getting to the playoffs and winning championships, I want all that and it might not be their mindset yet. But at the same time being on this team I’m trying to put that in their heads that you can do whatever you put your mind to. Why not think big?”
Nevertheless, Thomas, 29, still will demand a prominent role and big contract from whatever team he decides to spend the next few years of his career.
“Obviously I want to make a lot of money, but I want to be where I’m wanted at and where the team wants me to be who I am,” Thomas told the Times. “And that’s being an All-Star. Being a special guard in this league.”
And that team might be the up-and-coming Lakers.
