Despite another flareup of hip issues, the Los Angeles Lakers would reportedly be interested in keeping Isaiah Thomas around past this season.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Lakers do still have interest in retaining Thomas, who is a pending free agent. Any such pursuit, however, would likely depend on how the team’s efforts to recruit LeBron James and Paul George go.
If they have the means — or the pursuit of both stars ends empty-handed — the Lakers would likely turn to one-year deals to preserve cap space, which would make Thomas a good potential fit.
Wojnarowski notes that no matter what, Thomas is probably fated for a one-year deal, given his struggles and injury issues. That would give him a chance to re-establish superstar value and try the market again in a year.
Thomas got some bad news on Wednesday, but perhaps he’ll be buoyed a bit in the knowledge that he’ll still have some interest despite a season to forget.
