Friday, December 4th, 2009 at 10:00 am  |  69 responses

Bulls, Knicks Exploring Tyrus Thomas Trade?

by Marcel Mutoni / @marcel_mutoni

The Tyrus Thomas era may soon come to an end in Chi-Town. And what an era it’s been!

The Bulls and Knicks, according to reports, are in talks about a trade package that would include Al Harrington and the rotting corpse of one Jerome James. Yes, James is apparently still considered an NBA player.

Yahoo! reports:

For starters, multiple league executives believe the Chicago Bulls’ shopping of forward Tyrus Thomas could result with him moving sooner than later. As Thomas has rehabbed a broken forearm, the Bulls have had discussions with several teams, but perhaps none as serious as the ongoing dialogue general manager Gar Forman has had with New York Knicks president Donnie Walsh.

Several sources believe the Bulls are agreeable to a package of Thomas and Jerome James for Knicks forward Al Harrington. Thus far, Walsh has resisted parting with Harrington, but discussions are still active and the teams have explored different combinations in recent days that would ultimately deliver Thomas to the Knicks. “Nothing is imminent, but both sides would like to figure out a way to do this,” one league executive briefed on the talks said.

Basketball-wise, the über-athletic Thomas would certainly be an interesting option in a Mike D’Antoni offense. Too bad the Knicks aren’t even remotely equipped to run such an offense. Oh well.

This isn’t really about basketball, though. Should the deal be consummated, it would work out wonderfully for the bean counters on both sides. Thomas becomes a restricted free agent next summer, and New York would have the option of giving him a qualifying offer (approximately $6.2 mil) or cutting him loose and allowing Tyrus to become an unrestricted free agent.

Jerome James is in the last year of his deal, and Al Harrington also becomes an unrestricted free agent next summer.

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  • http://alan.george@gmail.com Breeze

    jumper*

  • http://idunkonthem.blogspot.com/ albie1kenobi

    again I ask, what is the appeal to the superstar free agents to sign with the knicks?

  • http://yahoo brandonmeza

    this is a great deal for both sides. Tyrus Thomas has not yet reached his potential and in Dantoni’s offense he would flurish. In Chicago theres already too many SF for him to even play. and for the bulls harrington would be an great addition for the rest of the season even if he decides to leave after the end of the season. He’ll help them become a playoff team and possibly advance past the first round.

  • Teddy-the-Bear

    Al Harrington with 27 points tonight upsetting the ATLANTA HAWKS. Why do the Knicks treat their best player like garbage? F*cking stupid@ss management, if they trade him now they’ll be even dumber than we thought.

  • I am the walrus

    I’m gonna buy a Jerome James throwback if he comes back to the team. Allen Iverson back to Philly, who cares? Jerome in NYC is what all the hype is gonna be about if this trade goes through…

  • http://slamonline.com Jacob J

    The only reason the knicks are willing to make this trade is that Tyrus Thomas and Jerome James have expiring contracts and they want to spend as much money as they can to get LeBron. They have like 10 expiring contacts.

  • http://slamonline.com Jacob J

    The only reason the knicks are willing to make this trade is that Tyrus Thomas and Jerome James have expiring contracts and they want to spend as much money as they can to get LeBron. They have like 10 expiring contracts.

  • http://slamonline.com Krishan

    Jacob J, al harrington also has an expiring contract. So the only reason the knicks are willing to make this trade is to annoy fans. Which is working.

  • Shem

    This would really help the bulls. They definetly need Al’s scoring and ive watched many bulls games.. Taj Gibson looks better then tyrus thomas! He plays better d, he’s developping a little mid range jumper and is just as athletic + he actually plays games. TRADE TYRUS

  • Teddy-the-Bear

    Also, WHY IS AL HARRINGTON COMING OFF THE BENCH BEHIND DANILO GALLINARI?!?!?!?!?!?! ITS NOT LIKE DANILO CAN’T DEVELOP OFF THE BENCH FOR A FREAKIN SEASON. AND THE KNICKS CLEARLY PLAY BETTER WHEN THEIR BEST PLAYER (AL HARRINGTON) STARTS. F*CKIN’ KNICKS MANAGEMENT AND STAFF SUCK @SS.

  • O

    my homie still has the Knicks emblem as his AIM icon. Same it’s been since the inception of AIM icons. When will he learn? SMH.

  • King Jones

    U guys r stupid CHICAGO OFFERED THEM THIS Copeyed rite from the page Thus Far,Walsh has resisted parting with Harrington WOW a 13yr old could figure that out
    AL is coming off the bench because they need bench points

  • Teddy-the-Bear

    Jones, there’s a person named Nate Robinson who can score, but is currently on lockdown from Mike D’Antoni.
    And Danilo Gallinari can’t score off the bench?
    We all know Mike D’Antoni barely even USES a second line-up/rotation either, so don’t give me that “they need bench points” cr@p. Al Harrington is the best player on the team right now, and he plays better starting and with more minuts. So obviously he should start.
    And the article states “both sides would like to figure out a way to do this.” Yes, the Knicks have terrible management.

  • Teddy-the-Bear

    Thanks for playing, though.

  • Knicked Off

    I’ll rip the Knicks as fast as the next guy, but I think they get a pass here — they know they can re-sign Tyrus (if they decide they even want to) for much less $ than Al (who is probably not in their plans either way for next season)… In other words, they take a flyer on TT, who still has upside, is VERY athletic and in theory, might fit into D’Antoni’s “system” down the road. Wins and losses for this year mean nothing to this team, since they don’t have a first round pick — in my mind, it’s all about setting up a roster and rotation for next year… I like Al, I like his energy and watching him pour it in coming off the bench, but I can’t say I thought he’d be back next year anyway…

  • dial up

    why would wins and losses mean nothing? I think new yawkers will be pised if it ends up being #1.

  • ben hunter

    good trade 4 both teams in my opinion

  • Knicked Off

    @dial up — the trade of that pick was made by He Who Shall Not Be Named, not Donnie Walsh — what’s done is done. This team is all about next year. We’ve already given the organization a pass on this year. My only complaint is that Toney Douglas and Jordan Hill aren’t getting enough run — let’s see what they got while the team’s playing with house money — most of us want them play more, not less. Unless the Knicks are going to try to move Hill as a “blank slate lottery pick”, he shouldn’t be getting ANY DNPs…

  • King Jones

    @Teddy The Bear Yes i Know who Nate is
    Harrigton is a better scorer than Galliniri
    They need Al to score because Nate is on lockdown
    Listen they WOULD LIKE to figure out a way to get Tyrus
    Key Words WOULD LIKE

    Thanks for trying

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