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In moves potentially meant only to drive the faithful among us insane, the Dallas Mavericks held a work out for Isaiah Thomas, Lance Stephenson, and Monta Ellis according to Shams Charania of the Athletic
Free agent guards Isaiah Thomas, Lance Stephenson and Monta Ellis worked out for the Dallas Mavericks today, sources tell me and @JonKrawczynski. Thomas appeared to be in great shape, sources say, as he works to make an NBA return.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 2, 2021
Perhaps this move inspires you, as the Mavericks are in need of secondary playmakers at the moment with only Jalen Brunson capable of performing those duties (Trey Burke does not count).
Though Lance Stephenson is just 30 years old, he last played in the NBA in the 2018-19 season. Monta Ellis, a former fan favorite here in Dallas, is 35 and hasn’t played for a NBA team since the 2016-17 season. Isaiah Thomas is 32 years old and played three games last year for the Pelicans, 40 games in 2019-20 for the Wizards, 12 games in 2018-19 with Denver, then a total of 32 games with Cleveland and the Lakers in 2016-17.
For those of you wondering, it’s 2021.
New Mavericks assistant coach Kristi Tolliver is among those who thinks Thomas deserves a shot.
Get this dude back in the Association. https://t.co/Q8RpGuQDRs
— Kristi Toliver (@KristiToliver) August 18, 2021
The recent show of love for Thomas comes after he scored 81 points in a Pro-Am game up in Seattle earlier in August. For those unclear, Pro-Am games are not NBA basketball.
Though workouts are often held as favors to agents and players, this one rankles in particular as neither of these three players are in the NBA for a reason. Two of the three have been out of the league for sometime and the third has repeated failed comeback attempts. It’s still probably just a favor all the same.
While we wish them well in their endeavors, any of the three ending up in a Maverick uniform makes little sense, no matter how badly Dallas needs another ball handler.