Even though 2017 is nearing its end, Isaiah Thomas still hasn't appeared in a single game for his new team, the Cleveland Cavaliers. Thomas' last NBA game was against the Cavaliers as he played on the Boston Celtics last season. However, Cleveland acquired him, Jae Crowder, and Ante Zizic in the Kyrie Irving trade, and while Crowder and Zizic have played for the team, Thomas is still injured and unable to play.
Dave McMenamin of ESPN reported that Isaiah Thomas is close to his return, but that he may not play for the Cleveland Cavaliers immediately. According to McMenamin, the Cavaliers are planning to have the point guard play with a G League team.
Cleveland Cavaliers' G League affiliate, the Canton Charge, would be Thomas' team for a brief period after he returns. According to ESPN's sources, the Cavaliers want Thomas to participate in a five-on-five scrimmage with the Charge before he plays for the NBA team. Thomas has yet to practice in a 5-on-5 full-court set up by the Cavs, partly because the league’s oldest team does not practice as often as other teams do. Giving Thomas a practice run with the Charge should also brighten the prospects of the Cavs giving a definite date for his return.
The Cavaliers are doing just fine without him, so they won't mind waiting for a few more weeks for him to return. The team is currently in the second place in the East with the fourth-best record in the entire NBA. As long as Thomas fully recovers before the playoffs, the Cavaliers will be in a great situation.
