Isaiah Thomas is returning to the NBA after 14 months, signing a 10-day contract with the New Orleans Pelicans.

"I was always going to get back no matter what," Thomas told reporters on Tuesday morning. "I think with me and the mindset, if you ever have doubt, you shouldn't be doing anything that you're doing.

"Obviously I'm human and some days it was hard to get up than others and continue to work without seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. But I have the utmost faith and the utmost confidence in myself. Things have never been easy for me, why would they start now?"

Thomas underwent a hip resurfacing procedure last May to help alleviate pain in his hip and he's starting to feel like his old self now.

"I'm 102%. I'm more than good," Thomas said. "This is the best I ever felt since before I got injured. It's not even a question no more. Every day I wake up with a smile on my face because honestly I never thought I would feel this good again and feel back to normal. Physically I'm ready. Mentally I'm ready. And I'm just happy to really be here."