Despite a disappointing 17-18 season in which he's struggled to fully come back from a hip injury, Isaiah Thomas believes he remains a central playing in the NBA as he approaches free agency.

“I'm not no sixth man,” Thomas declared in an interview with USA TODAY Sports this week. “And I won't be a sixth man (in the future). I just want everybody to know that, like clear as can be. I'm a two-time All-Star and a starter who has done things that a lot of people in this league haven't done (when) given that opportunity.

“But I got traded into a situation I can't control. There's nothing bad against (Lakers coach) Luke Walton. There's nothing bad against the Los Angeles Lakers. I'm taking advantage of the opportunity they've given me, and then (we’ll) end the season off strong. And that's all I can do. I'm not coming in here saying, 'Oh, I want this, or this is going to happen.' No, that's not me. I'm just going to come in here and be a professional, and when my name is called I'm going to be more than ready for any opportunity I'm given.”

Thomas is averaging 18.4 points and 5.8 assists since Feb. 23 while helping the Lakers win eight of their past 11 games.