Isaiah Thomas will have arthroscopic hip surgery on Thursday, as announced by the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday. There is no timetable for the point guard’s return but with only nine games left in the Lakers’ season, it’s probable that Thomas will not play basketball again this season.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the surgery is for a “minimally invasive” procedure to fix recurring issues with the injury Thomas suffered last season.
Thomas’ hip became an issue late last season but the guard played through the injury in the playoffs for the Boston Celtics, leading the team to an Eastern Conference Finals appearance.
The point guard took the offseason and much of this year to recover from the injury but has not regained his All-Star and MVP-candidate form since his return to the court.
In 32 games for the Cavaliers and Lakers this season, Thomas has shot only 37.3 percent from the field and 29.3 percent from three.
IT was traded to the Lakers in what was widely viewed as a cap-clearing move for the purple and gold as they sent Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance, Jr. to the Cavs in exchange for Thomas, Channing Frye, and a first-round pick.
Thomas’ return to the Lakers after this season (the point guard is an unrestricted free agent) was already in question due to the team’s plans for adding max salary talent. Now with the surgery potentially limiting him further, Thomas’ future in LA is even murkier.
According to Woj, the Lakers would have interest in re-signing Thomas to a one-year deal if their plan falls through. It’s not immediately clear whether Thomas will receive a significant offer in free agency from another team.
