There was almost a reunion in store for Isaiah Thomas and the Celtics.
In an exclusve interview with ESPN, the Nuggets point guard opened up about the struggles of last season as he dealt with nagging injuries and numerous trades.
Thomas signed a one-year deal with Denver earlier this month, but revealed he had reached out to Celtics general manager Danny Ainge before his contract was finalized and proposed a potential return to Boston. However, the Celtics had bigger priorities involving Marcus Smart and essentially closed the door on Thomas' prospective return.
Per the ESPN report:
Before finalizing the agreement with Denver, Thomas had reached out to Boston GM Danny Ainge. They talked for 15 to 20 minutes, Thomas says, and he told Ainge: "If the opportunity is there, I would just like to let you know that I'd love to come back."
Ainge says his mind was open to the idea, but the Celtics needed to work through Marcus Smart's restricted-free-agency discussions before they could consider making an offer to Thomas. Ainge was willing to continue the conversation, but Thomas accepted the Nuggets' offer before Boston had reached its new deal with Smart.
"S---, I'd have gone back," Thomas says. "I don't hold grudges."
Thomas, 29, was traded to the Cavaliers last season as a part of the Kyrie Irving deal but never fully recovered from his hip injury. He was then dealt to the Lakers, where he averaged 15.6 points in 17 games.
Before the injury, Thomas had developed into one of the game's elite scorers, averaging 28.9 points in 2016-17 with the Celtics. In the aftermath, questions remain regarding his long-term health.
