With two games remaining the Lakers called in a reinforcement, a gray-haired developmental league veteran who has waited a long time for a chance to play in the NBA.
He played four years at American University but was not taken in the NBA draft in 2007. He was, however, chosen in the seventh round of the developmental league draft by the Utah Flash and became the Flash's all-time leading scorer before the team suspended operations in 2011.
Thomas will be a free agent this summer. He initially suffered the hip injury in March 2017 while playing for the Boston Celtics but opted not to have surgery.