New Orleans Pelicans are not signing Isaiah Thomas with the second ten-day contract at the moment, the source says

Isaiah Thomas’ ten-day contract with the New Orleans Pelicans has expired and the team has no immediate plans to sign him a second deal, a source told ESPN on Tuesday morning.

Thomas, however, could be in the Pelicans’ plans later.

New Orleans has two weeks before they need to add another player to the roster, either on a ten-day contract or for the rest of the season. For luxury tax reasons, the team could choose to wait two weeks before adding any player. Recent injuries to guards Josh Hart (UCL torn to right thumb) and Nickeil Alexander-Walker (high left ankle sprain) could force the Pelicans to end up in a different direction once they make that signing.

On Monday, New Orleans added James Nunnally, a 6-foot, 7-foot winger, on a two-way contract to help fill that gap.

Thomas played three games with New Orleans, averaging 7.7 points. He received an exciting standing ovation from fans when he checked out Monday’s win over the Sacramento Kings, his only home game with New Orleans he played.

“I’ve never met a veteran guy more grateful for the opportunity to play in the league during my entire stay in the league. He’s been amazing here,” Pelicans coach Stan Van Gundy said after the Monday match. “To see him come in, even for a few minutes, to make a shot, to get the gratitude of the fans, I hope you’ve heard him. Many times you don’t when you’re playing there. I hope you’ve heard I hope you have liked it, because it certainly deserved it.

“I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to train him even for a very short time.”

After the match, Thomas went on the court for about 25-30 minutes to raise additional shots before retiring to the locker room.

Isaiah Thomas, on the last day of his ten-day offer, received shots after the match. pic.twitter.com/kbDiO1VH1M

– Andrew Lopez (@_Andrew_Lopez) April 13, 2021

Pelicans striker Brandon Ingram called Thomas “the top professional.”

“He just came in and did his job whenever he got into the basketball game, but also on the bench,” Ingram said. “He was giving advice, talking to our younger boys, encouraging us no matter if he gets into the game or not. He’s also an important part of our team.”