The NBA is discussing possible avenues that can help teams when they are short on players due to COVID-19 incidents. While the league is talking about adding an 18th roster spot for the rest of the season, Isaiah Thomas seems to be upset by the limitations of the added roster spot.
It should be open to ALL! Tryna erase the vet presence smh https://t.co/3ZtWjCYalw
— Isaiah Thomas (@isaiahthomas) January 28, 2021
Marc Stein of the New York Times reported that the NBA would prefer to have the 18th roster spot serve as another two-way contract. Therefore, only rookies to third-year players would have an opportunity to receive the 18th roster spot in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Contrary to what the league wants, the players union wants the extra roster spot to be available to all free agents, including veterans like Isaiah Thomas. Thomas has been itching to get back in the NBA after bouncing around to multiple teams in recent seasons.
Article Continues BelowMost recently, Thomas spent nearly half of the 2019-2020 season with the Washington Wizards. In his 40 games with the Wizards, Thomas compiled 12.2 points and 3.7 assists per game while shooting a career-high 41.3 percent from three-point range.
Some teams — more than others — have felt the lasting effects of COVID-19 this season as they've had to postpone games due to contact tracing and positive tests. The NBA requires that at least eight players be healthy enough to play before postponing a game.
The idea of adding an 18th roster spot is to give teams a way to prevent more postponements from happening if they experience positive tests. Despite the idea making sense, Isaiah Thomas and other veterans would like the extra roster spot to have no restrictions placed on them.