Isaiah Thomas is coming back to Boston—but this time, he's trading his sneakers for a clipboard. The beloved former Celtics guard has been hired as a pro and college scout for the franchise, as reported by Celtics writer Adam Himmelsbach. It's not the on-court return fans might have dreamed of, but it's the next best thing for a player who left an indelible mark on the city.

Before Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown became the faces of the Celtics, Thomas was the name that electrified TD Garden. Though his playing tenure in Boston was brief—just 179 games—his impact was anything but. He became a folk hero, playing with a heart and hustle that made him feel like a lifelong Celtic. During his stint, he earned two All-Star nods and delivered a 2016-17 season for the ages, finishing fifth in MVP voting with averages of 28.9 points and 5.9 assists per game.

Whenever Thomas returned to Boston as a visitor, the fans showered him with the love and appreciation he earned during his prime. Now, he's back in the fold, working behind the scenes to help shape the next generation of Celtics talent. It's a fitting reunion for a player who gave everything to the green and white—and a reminder that in Boston, some legacies never fade.