Isaiah Thomas says he signed with the Washington Wizards because they told him they were going to give him an opportunity to play.

After falling out of the Denver Nuggets' playing rotation last season, Thomas was looking to sign with a team which would let him play his game. Since the Wizards are going to be without All-Star point guard John Wall for the entire season, Washington and Thomas had mutual interest in getting a deal done.

“I chose the Wizards because they looked me in the eye and told me they would give me an opportunity and I can’t thank them enough,” Thomas said, via Hoops Rumors. “I know who I am, I’m one of the best basketball players in the world. It doesn’t affect me. I approach the game the same way. But, I mean, I am happy to be starting.”

Thomas started for the Wizards on Monday against the Detroit Pistons. He finished with nine points, two rebounds and six assists in 24 minutes, as Washington defeated Detroit by 16 points.

Overall on the season, Thomas is averaging 14.5 points, 2.8 rebounds and 7.0 assists. The lefty is shooting 43.1 percent from the field, 36.0 percent from beyond the arc and a perfect 100 percent from the free-throw line.