Isaiah Thomas‘ rise and subsequent fall from super-stardom over the past two seasons has been one of the most precipitous declines in recent memory. As the last pick in the 2011 draft, Thomas bounced around to Sacramento and Phoenix before becoming an All-Star in Boston.
After his breakout season with the Celtics, team president Danny Ainge traded him to the Cavs for a disgruntled Kyrie Irving, but a nagging hip injury and resulting surgery has keep him off the court since last March.
Now, it appears Thomas is inching closer to a return. According to the latest reports, the Nuggets are optimistic that he could make his debut for Denver prior to the All-Star break next month.
Via Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN:
There’s strong confidence that he will return no later than the first game of the post-All Star break on Feb. 22 in Dallas, league sources said.
The final hurdle for Thomas remains playing full five-on-five scrimmages Thomas is expected to start that process soon. Thomas signed a one-year deal with Denver in July.
The Nuggets, of course, have been on a tear. They held the top spot in the West for most of the first half of the season until a recent surge from the Warriors upended their reign top the conference standings.
The question remains as to how Thomas will factor into the equation in Denver after the All-Star break. Thomas signed a one-year deal with the Nuggets in the offseason and facing the rather daunting prospect of trying to crack a rotation that is already loaded in the backcourt.
(ESPN)
