NBA Rumors: Isaiah Thomas Won't Return to Mavs After 10-Day Contract Expires

The Dallas Mavericks reportedly aren't planning to re-sign guard Isaiah Thomas, with his 10-day contract set to expire before Sunday's home game against the Chicago Bulls.

NBA insider Marc Stein reported Saturday that Thomas' stay with the Mavs will "come to an end" after just one appearance because he was placed in the league's COVID-19 health and safety protocols following his team debut Dec. 29 against the Sacramento Kings.

Thomas recorded six points and four assists in 13 minutes off the bench for Dallas in a 95-94 loss to the Kings.

It marked his second 10-day contract over the past month as NBA teams juggled injuries and absences related to COVID-19. He previously averaged 9.3 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists across a four-game stint with the Los Angeles Lakers.

The 32-year-old University of Washington product scored 19 points in his season debut for the Lakers against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Dec. 17.

"The dopest moment for me? When I checked into the game and they really cheered for me," Thomas said after that contest. "And this is an away game. Those moments mean more to me than anything, just because people respect what I do and people respect the grind that I'm on."

A hip injury derailed Thomas' career after two standout seasons for the Boston Celtics. He ranked eighth among all NBA players in ESPN's Real Plus-Minus for the 2015-16 season and averaged a career-high 28.9 points in 2016-17.

He's never returned to the league's upper echelon, but he's worked hard for another opportunity to prove himself. He played for Team USA last February in the 2022 FIBA AmeriCup qualifiers and had a brief G League stint this season before signing with the Lakers.

Thomas should have a good chance to land elsewhere as teams continue to work through COVID-19-related roster shortages, and he's played well enough to potentially earn a full-time deal for the remainder of the campaign.

Dallas also has just one game over the next four days—Sunday's clash with Chicago—which limits the need for additional depth.