Lakers News: Isaiah Thomas will undergo season-ending hip surgery

After meeting with doctors in New York this past weekend, Los Angeles Lakers guard Isaiah Thomas has decided to undergo arthroscopic surgery to his right hip tomorrow on Thursday, per reports. While there is no timetable for this return at this time, Thomas is expected to miss the remainder of the regular season.

Per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowksi, the procedure is expected to be “minimally invasive,” but is still expected to have an “extended rehabilitation process.” Thomas opted to not have surgery on his hip last year and missed eight months, including the first three months of the NBA regular season.

We will provide updates as they become available.

In 17 games with the Lakers, Thomas averaged 15.6 points, 2.1 rebounds and 5 assists per game while seeing 26.8 minutes per contest off the bench. Thomas started only one game for Los Angeles this season.

Thomas will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, where his market is likely to be suppressed in light of recent developments. Earlier this month, Thomas said that he has kept his mind open about a return to the Lakers, even in a reserve role.

“I like it here, I like the situation I’m in, the system, coaching staff,” Thomas said via Tania Ganguli of the Los Angeles Times. “Organization’s been great to me. If things work out I would love to be here. You just never know. With free agency you’ve got to keep your options open. I have no complaints since I’ve stepped foot and put a Laker uniform on.”

But Thomas’ future with the Lakers largely hinges on whether or not the front office executes their plan of signing two max-level free agents like LeBron James and Paul George. Free agency starts July 1.