NBA fans have mixed opinions on Los Angeles Lakers point guard Isaiah Thomas, but you can't deny the effort and commitment he gave to the Boston Celtics when he was trying to help go as far as possible in the playoffs this time last year.He was going through a lot during his time with the Celtics in 2017 as well, as not only was he playing in hopes of receiving a huge payday, but he was also playing through the emotional pain of losing his sister, and the physical pain of a hip injury.He was playing through so much adversity by the Eastern Conference Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers, his hip injury got the better of him two games into the series, and this ended up being his last game for the Celtics, as he was traded to the Cavs during the summer.Since then though, Thomas has been unable to return to his previous form. In the 15 games he played during the 2017 playoffs, he averaged 23.3 points and 6.7 assists per game. Across the 2017-18 season, though with the Cavs and Lakers, his averages have been down, he has averaged 15.2 points and 4.8 assists per game.Many people have pinpointed his hip injury and how much time it took for him to recover as the reason why the point guard has never been able to regain the form he had during his time with the Celtics.Thomas was asked by Tania Ganguli of the L.A. Times whether he regretted playing through adversity in last year's playoffs, to which he said he didn't, as he was going through something "way bigger than basketball" and "basketball was the only thing that could numb that at that point in time".

The Lakers point guard has been out of action since he was ruled out for the rest of the season at the end of March due to undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right hip. He's likely played his last game for the Lakers since he will be a free agent once the season ends, but there is a chance they re-sign him.

If Thomas becomes a free agent later this summer though, he'll be hoping to finally receive his big payday, but unfortunately, due to his recent troubles because of his ongoing hip problems, he's likely to play out next season on a one-year 'prove it' deal in order to try and get that big payday.

Listen HERE to the first episode of the new GiveMeSport NBA podcast, featuring former Cleveland Cavaliers General Manager David Griffin.

Enjoy, and please subscribe for all future episodes.