New Orleans Pelicans sign Isaiah Thomas: What can he add?

The New Orleans Pelicans are signing Isaiah Thomas on a 10-day contract in a bit of news first reported by Shams Charania that came out of left field.

The Pelicans are currently without their three most important players and primary creators in Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, and Zion Williamson. Ball has missed six games in a row with a hip injury, while Ingram and Williamson were recent additions to the injury report with a toe and thumb injury, respectively.

Thomas’ short-term addition to the team is an interesting one. For the Pelicans, it’s a temporary boost to a severely undermanned team in the midst of trying to make the playoffs. For the former all-star, it’s a chance to make it back into the league while auditioning for a spot on a promising team. Right now, it seems like a win-win for both parties.

Thomas has not played in an NBA game since February 3, 2020, when he suited up for the Washington Wizards. In that game, Thomas scored nine points on 3-for-10 shooting. Shortly afterward, he was dealt to the Los Angeles Clippers in a trade deadline deal and was promptly waived.

Prior to his short stay in the capital, Thomas had struggled to find his footing after suffering a hip injury in his last season with the Boston Celtics. Tiny stints for the Los Angeles Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Denver Nuggets did not materialize and, as of the last few months, Thomas had been a complete afterthought.

It has been quite the fall from grace for one of the NBA’s most lethal scorers just a few years ago. But can he rediscover that form in New Orleans?

For now, the one need that Thomas covers is extra scoring punch—likely off the bench. Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Kira Lewis Jr. had been the players responsible for that, but have been temporarily moved into the Pelicans’ starting five because of the sudden barrage of injuries.

Thomas can still get buckets, even if his efficiency is highly questionable. He averaged 12 points per game for the Wizards last season. Earlier this year, he suited up for the United States men’s basketball team in FIBA action, scoring nine and 19 points against Mexico and the Bahamas, respectively.

I’m curious to see how this signing will play out.

Thomas’ style of play does not fit at all into what Stan Van Gundy wants from his guards in terms of shooting a lot of threes and playing tough defense. Thomas was already essentially a complete non-factor on defense at the apex of his powers; now, I’m not even sure what to expect.

I’m rooting for Thomas to find a way back into the league, so let’s remain patient and wait for him to make his Pelicans debut before coming to any conclusions.