Isaiah Thomas will always have a special connection with the Boston Celtics after he enjoyed the best year of his career with them two years ago. 

But after he was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers last summer, his career has quickly gone downhill. 

Thomas will be going into the new season featuring for his third team since that incredible campaign with the Celtics in 2016-17. 

After ending the previous season with a brief spell with the Los Angeles Lakers, he'll now be suiting up for the Denver Nuggets as he signed a one-year deal with them in free agency.

The point guard had a shortage of offers this summer before the Nuggets came calling and he admits that he decided to take matters into his own hands. 

Going back

In an interview with ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, IT revealed that he reached out to Celtics general manager Danny Ainge and asked about the possibility of returning. 

He said they spoke for up to 20 minutes and he told Ainge: "If the opportunity is there, I would just like to let you know that I'd love to come back."

According to Woj, Ainge told him he was open to the idea but they needed to work out a deal to re-sign Marcus Smart first. 

But before they could continue the conversation and potentially come to an agreement, Thomas agreed to a contract with Denver. 

"S---, I'd have gone back," Thomas said. "I don't hold grudges."

The two-time All-Star blossomed into one of the league's best guards in Boston, especially after his career year where he averaged 28.9 points per game and led the team to the number one spot in the east. 

But the veteran played through a hip injury in the playoffs as the Celtics reached the conference finals and eventually broke down in Game 2 of that series with the Cavs. 

That decision to play cost him an opportunity to earn a max contract this summer as he had to accept a veteran minimum deal at $2 million instead. 

"If I didn't play in the playoffs, I'd be OK," Thomas said. "I'd be getting paid. I'd be who I am - who I was.

"But you couldn't tell me in that moment in time - with everything I was going through - that, OK, I should just sit out. I don't think Boston went about it the right way, as well."

Having lost his sister to a tragic car accident just before the first round of those playoffs, Isaiah admits that he needed basketball to get his mind off it. 

It's been a rollercoaster two years for Thomas but he'll hopefully have an opportunity to get his career back on track in the Mile High City next season. 

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