After hitting his peak during the 2016-17 season, when he averaged 28.9 points per game and led the Boston Celtics to the Eastern Conference Finals, everything went downhill for former All-Star and All-NBA Team member Isaiah Thomas . After playing 76 games during that campaign, Thomas struggled to find his usual form after undergoing hip surgery.
As a result, the most games he ever played after that magical season in Beantown were 40 during the 2019-20 season, which he spent with the Washington Wizards . Between playing in the G League and signing 10-day contracts with various teams, Thomas kept grinding in hopes of landing a longer-term contract with an NBA team.
Intent on playing more than 14 NBA seasons to shatter the record held by Muggsy Bogues for most seasons played by a player under six feet, Thomas refused to entertain numerous inquiries about his availability to play overseas, saying that if he did take that route, he was sure his dream of returning to the NBA would cease to exist.
At any given time, there are roughly anywhere from 450 to 540 players spread out across the 30 NBA teams. This means the league can only accommodate a very small percentage of elite hoopers from around the world. This leaves the rest to play in the G League and, most of the time, in different international basketball leagues in China, Japan, Korea, the Philippines, and across Europe.
However, Thomas said he never considered that option, saying that aside from wanting to be around his children, he knew that if he played abroad, he would be so far off the radar of NBA teams that it would essentially shut down his dream of one day playing in the Association once again.
"If I go overseas – which overseas is amazing, you get paid well, there's great players overseas – but if I choose to go overseas, my NBA career is done," he asserted in a 2022 interview. "I'm not at that point right now. I want five more years in the NBA. I want to play 16 years in the NBA, to be the smallest guy to ever play that long. Muggsy Bogues played 14."
Now 37 and having last played in the NBA in 2024, Isaiah appears to have come to terms with the fact that his dream of returning to the big league will not come true. He has since been hired by the Boston Celtics to be a collegiate and pro scout.
However, the 5'9″ guard has expressed his desire to play overseas, saying , "I want to hoop overseas for a year!!! I want that experience! And to cook them, boys over that water."
As people reacted to his post on X, Thomas said he respects the style of play being played internationally and believes he can adjust his game to whatever a team needs to win.
"I can adjust to any type of basketball that's why I'm one of the GREATS! Don't get it twisted, like I couldn't go over there and WIN with a good team! I don't downplay Euroleague, they got some amazing players. But again, I'm one of those amazing players 2," Thomas wrote.
Thomas was as stubborn as a mule when it came to his desire to play on an NBA court and recapture his old glory. However, it's clear those days will no longer be happening and it will be interesting to see where he'll take his talents to next.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Sep 9, 2026, where it first appeared in the Off The Court section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
