Isaiah Thomas acknowledged getting back to the NBA remains his primary goal. In the meantime, Thomas will settle for leading Team USA to victories in 2023 FIBA World Cup Qualifying.

Thomas scored 21 points, including a game-clinching three-pointer with 13.3 seconds left as Team USA won their opening qualifier. That shot gave the USA a 93-88 lead over Cuba. The United States erased a seven-point deficit in the fourth quarter to get the win.

Following the game, Thomas said he's open to playing overseas, if he can't land a deal in the NBA.

“For me, personally, the ultimate goal is to get back in the NBA,” Thomas said. “But I just love playing the game of basketball. So, obviously, at some point, if the NBA isn’t an option I’ve got to look at options overseas. But I’m in love with the game. No matter where I’m playing, I have no pride whatsoever. I love competing and I love playing against the best players in the world.”

Former NBA player Alexis Ajinca has retired from playing professional basketball. Ajinca last played in the NBA for the New Orleans Pelicans in the 2016-17 season.

Overall, Ajinca played seven season in the NBA. In addition to the Pelicans, he also played for the Charlotte Bobcats, Toronto Raptors and Dallas Mavericks. In 293 NBA appearances, Ajinca averaged 5.3 points, 3.9 rebounds per game.

In addition to the NBA, Ajinca enjoyed a long career his native France. He played for four different clubs in France. Ajinca was also part of the French National Team on both the senior and youth levels.

Marc Gasol has announced he will play for Girona this season.

Gasol is the owner and president of Girona, which he founded in 2014.

Gasol, 36, will wait until the end of the season before deciding whether to retire.

Gasol spent last season with the Los Angeles Lakers.

After being waived by the Memphis Grizzlies before the start of the 2021-22 NBA season, Marc Gasol returned to Spain to contemplate his basketball future. After deciding he still wants to play, Gasol has decided to return to playing for Girona Basket in Spain.

Gasol will practice the team for the next couple of weeks and is targeting playing in a game in early-December. When he does suit up, it's expected Gasol will remain with Girona for the remainder of the season.

Girona Basket is part of the LEB Oro league, which is the second division of professional basketball in Spain. Gasol is the owner and president of Girona. It had been previously rumored that the center would return to play for Barcelona in Spain's top division.

During the 2022 preseason, the NBA will play two games in the United Arab Emirates. These will be the league's first scheduled games outside of the United States since the Milwaukee Bucks and Charlotte Hornets played in Paris, France in January of 2020.

Both games will take place in Abu Dhabi. The participating teams and venues will be announced at a later.

"Hosting NBA and NBA 2K League games and events in Abu Dhabi builds on our commitment to growing basketball around the world," NBA deputy commissioner and chief operating officer Mark Tatum said. "Through this partnership, we will bring the authentic NBA experience to fans in the UAE and support basketball development in the region by providing more opportunities for young boys and girls to learn and play the game."

NBA teams have previously played in the Middle East. Four different teams have played games in Tel Aviv, Israel against Israeli clubs.

Golden State Warriors 2020 second-round pick Justinian Jessup will again play in Australia during the 2021-22 season. Jessup spent last season with the Illawarra Hawks, after being drafted by the Warriors.

Jessup played in 2021 Las Vegas Summer League for Golden State. He started all five games and averaged 12.4 points per game on 42.9% shooting from behind the arc.

Jessup was drafted with the 51st pick after being a four-year starter for Boise State. He was then sent to Australia as a draft-and-stash player. The 6-foot-6 wing started 38 games for Illawarra. He averaged 13.3 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game as a rookie in the NBL.