The Hornets officially announced: the team officially signed Thomas Jr. until the end of the season! Previously, the Hornets gave Thomas Jr. two short 10-day contracts, and now he finally got a formal contract and turned positive! IT wrote on social media: "Countless sleepless nights and efforts, although it took a long time, came at the right time! ”
Although there are fewer than 10 regular season games remaining, the contract for Thomas Jr. means that the Hornets recognize him and that he can still gain a foothold in the NBA. During two short 10-day contracts, Thomas Jr. played in seven games for the Hornets, averaging 13.4 minutes per game and averaging 9.9 points, 1.3 rebounds and 2 assists.
Thomas Jr. was efficient, shooting 46.2 percent from the field, 48 percent from three-point range and 100 percent from the free throws. In about 13 minutes of playing time, he can average 1.7 three-pointers per game, which can be said to be plug and play! Thomas Jr. said of his form: "I'm 33 years old, but I feel like I can still play for many more years. ”
Thomas Jr. signed a one-year pay contract with the Wizards in the summer of 2019, and he was cut by the Clippers on February 9, 2020. Thomas Jr. has since signed 10-day contracts with the Pelicans, Lakers and Mavericks, but the team has not renewed his CONTRACT with IT after expiration. From leaving the Clippers until he turned right in the Hornets, after 773 days he finally signed a formal contract.
The Hornets are Thomas Jr.'s 10th team and his 7th since leaving Boston. Before Thomas Jr. joined, the Hornets averaged just 24 years and 206 days, the fifth youngest in the league. Hornets player Bridges said: "IT is an All-Star player, and he also competed for MVP back then, and when he speaks, our whole team will listen!" ”
Bridges also spoke of Thomas Jr.'s help with three goals: "Ball is fast on the pitch, but we sometimes need to slow down. Thomas Jr. helped Ball slow down and let the ball move on either side. "Don't forget, five years ago Thomas Jr. averaged 28.9 points and 5.9 assists per game, and the MVP was in the top five, and was named to the All-Star and Season Team Second Team.
Thomas Jr. has been too bumpy in the last five seasons: in the summer of 2017, he was sent to the Cavaliers by the Celtics, and in the middle of the season, he was traded to the Lakers by the Cavaliers. Throughout the 2017-18 season, Thomas Jr. averaged 15.2 points per game, but shot just 37 percent from the field and 29 percent from three-point range. In the 2018-19 season, he averaged just 8.1 points per game.
After being cut by the Clippers on Feb. 9, 2020, Thomas Jr. went 14 months without the ball. The injury to his buttocks caused Thomas Jr.'s condition to plummet, and in March 2018 and October 2020, he underwent surgery twice. On April 4, 2021, the Pelicans gave Thomas Jr. a 10-day short contract, and he played three games to leave the NBA again.
In the 2021 offseason, Thomas Jr. cried after scoring 81 points in the amateur league, and he felt abandoned by the league. In order to return to the NBA, Thomas Jr. signed for the Development League, scoring 42 points on his debut. On December 18, 2021, the Lakers gave him a 10-day contract, and Thomas Jr. averaged 9.2 points per game and only 23 percent from three-point range.
On December 30, 2021, the Lone Ranger gave Thomas Jr. another 10-day contract, but he played a game that triggered the health and safety agreement, and once again there was no ball to play. Thomas Jr. could only return to the Development League, playing three games and averaging 41.3 points per game from the field on 52 percent shooting. He was named The Development League Player of the Week and also got a 10-day contract with the Hornets!
Little Thomas's spirit of not abandoning and not giving up deserves our admiration! No matter what others think of him, he has never given up his NBA dream! Come on, the strongest 175 on the surface!