Cavaliers 'hopeful' Thomas will return to action by January

New Cleveland Cavaliers guard Isaiah Thomas could be back on the hardwood sooner than many expected.

The 28-year-old All-Star has resumed on-court activities, and the Cavaliers announced during their media day Monday that they're "hopeful" he'll return to action by January.

His status will be updated again once the 2017-18 season officially gets underway.

The Cavaliers were previously reluctant to put a timetable on Thomas' progress as he works his way back from a much-publicized hip injury, although the goal has always been for him to play as soon as possible.

He's had three weeks to rehab with his new squad after being acquired in a blockbuster deal that sent Kyrie Irving to the Boston Celtics. Thomas has begun working with weights, running in the pool and on a weightless treadmill, doing hip stretches, and shooting stationary shots, according to Cleveland.com's Joe Vardon.

The severity of the injury nearly put the kibosh on the trade, with Cleveland ultimately holding out for more assets - coming in the form of an extra draft pick - to complete it.

While he's sidelined, Derrick Rose and Jose Calderon will handle point guard duties for the reigning Eastern Conference champions.

Thomas was named to the All-NBA second team last season as a member of the 53-29 Celtics, averaging 28.9 points on 46.3 percent shooting from the field and nearly 38 percent from 3-point range, along with 5.9 assists and 2.7 rebounds per game.