The Cavaliers introduced the newest members of their roster at a press conference in Cleveland today, and when the team opened up the floor for questions, the topic of discussion quickly turned to Isaiah Thomas‘ injured right hip. However, Cavs general manager Koby Altman shot down that line of questioning, declining to discuss specifics and suggesting that there’s no set timetable for Thomas’ return, writes Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today.
“Our responsibility is to get him back to 100% and that’s our goal,” Altman said. “Our performance team has mapped out a great plan, a multi-faceted plan to really attack this thing, and Isiah is deeply committed to that.”
Recent reports have suggested that Thomas is unlikely to be ready to start the regular season, and while Altman didn’t confirm as much, he strongly hinted at it, saying today that his new point guard will be back on the court “at some point” this season. Head coach Tyronn Lue also noted that he didn’t expect to have Thomas to start the year.
Altman indicated that the Cavaliers’ medical staff has an extensive plan for Thomas’ rehabilitation and recovery, but said that plan will be “non-surgical,” per Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com. During the week last month when the deal involving Thomas and Kyrie Irving still appeared to be in flux, there were reports that Cavs doctors may have been questioning the Celtics’ decision to forgo surgery, but it seems Cleveland will take the same approach with Thomas’ recovery.
If Thomas is out to start the 2017/18 season, as expected, newly-added free agents Derrick Rose and Jose Calderon figure to handle most of the point guard minutes, with LeBron James and others also taking on ball-handling duties.