Isaiah Thomas has once again flirted with a move to Australia, declaring the NBL “looks crackin” as the two-time NBA All-Star eyes a season playing overseas.
And this time, there could be an obvious landing spot.
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With the NBL27 season rapidly approaching and most rosters across the league essentially locked in following the NBL Blitz, the Perth Wildcats remain in the market for a point guard to complete a roster featuring Kristian Doolittle, Jo Lual-Acuil Jr and Dylan Windler.
Thomas, meanwhile, has made no secret of his desire to play.
“NBL looks crackin too,” the 37-year-old posted on X.
It is far from the first time Thomas has expressed interest in the NBL, but his latest comments quickly reignited the prospect of the former Boston Celtics superstar finally making his way Down Under.
NBL commentator Felix Von Hofe would welcome the move, but stressed Thomas would be entering a league where winning, rather than reputation, comes first.
“I’d love to see him here, he’s a genuine superstar,” Von Hofe told Foxsports.com.au.
“But this isn’t a gimmick league. If he can help a team win in a position they need, which I think he would, go for it!
“I’d also want to see him out here because every time we see a player with a heap of NBA experience, it only further validates the talent of our top stars like Kendric Davis and Bryce Cotton.
“The NBA is the best league in the world, but our top talent can compete at the right time and place.”
Pete Hooley also believes a player with Thomas’ profile would only add to the momentum surrounding what shapes as one of the NBL’s biggest seasons yet.
“Any high profile talent like him is only going to raise the level of the league,” Hooley told Foxsports.com.au.
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“I think he’s been very active in recent years about following the NBL from afar and whether that was with a serious intent to play or just enjoying as a fan, both are great for the growth of the competition.
“We are staring down the barrel of one of the most exciting and competitive point guard groups in history, so why wouldn’t you want to see him line up against those guys every night.”
The obvious question is whether any club has the roster space, and appetite, to make it happen.
Perth shapes as one of the most intriguing possibilities.
The Wildcats are yet to lock in their point guard for NBL27 as they continue searching for a long-term answer to the enormous hole left by five-time MVP Bryce Cotton, who departed the club before last season.
Perth attempted to reshape its backcourt in the first season without Cotton but never truly replaced the superstar guard’s production and influence, leaving the position as a major focus again heading into NBL27.
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The Wildcats were linked with Australian great Patty Mills earlier in the off-season and more recently with Gary Browne, although no deal has been confirmed.
Whether Thomas becomes another name in the mix remains to be seen, and there is no suggestion at this stage that Perth has pursued the two-time NBA All-Star.
But with the Wildcats still searching for their point guard and Thomas openly campaigning for an opportunity overseas, there is an obvious fit worth pondering.
“I want to hoop overseas for a year!!! I want that experience! And to cook them boys over that water,” Thomas posted.
After some questioned whether the former NBA star could still produce at the level that once made him one of basketball’s most devastating scorers, Thomas fired back.
“It’s funny when people be like you can’t still cook like you use too,” he wrote.
“Like why can’t I???
“I don’t even want to play like that anymore though lol.
“If I played again I’d just be a PG and make plays lead the league in ast type sh*t and let yall see how easy it is.”
Thomas’ NBA peak was spectacular, with the 175cm guard earning two All-Star selections and finishing fifth in MVP voting in 2016-17 after averaging 28.9 points per game for Boston.
Now 37, Thomas would arrive in Australia at a vastly different stage of his career, but his profile would represent another major coup for a league increasingly capable of attracting established NBA names.
Montrezl Harrell and JaVale McGee have made the move to the NBL in recent seasons, while veteran NBA forward Jae Crowder was heavily linked with a move to Australia during the off-season.
Thomas would add another enormous name to that list.
There remains a significant difference between declaring an interest in the NBL and actually signing a contract, particularly given Thomas has expressed interest in the league before.