Here are few interesting updates on Tim THomas and his chances of coming to the Spurs.
NorthJersey.com
The Star-Ledger
The New York Post
Chicago Sun-Times
Well, it seems like the Nets won't get him, despite the first article and Thomas' desire to join them. However, it also seems that the Suns have a good shot at him, and that is not a good thing. The Suns have made a living picking up players who have been somewhat disgruntled or stuted by coaching or team styles and helping them "suceed" by allowing them to willy-nilly throw up a hundred shots a night. I would love to see Thomas go to the Spurs.
Cleve, any idea what the different money options would be from both the Spurs and Suns?
NorthJersey.com
Quote:
Tim Thomas believes his settlement with the Bulls is hours away and said there's a "pretty good chance" he'll play with the Nets.
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The Bulls could give Thomas much less than the roughly $5 million left on his deal if he picks the Nets or 76ers, whereas he'll likely get most, if not all, of his money if he chooses the Spurs or Suns.
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"I'm taking into consideration the whole scenario," Thomas said. "Playing with a good friend [Vince Carter], with a great point guard like Jason [Kidd] and alongside RJ [Richard Jefferson] and being at home that's an opportunity nobody can give me.
The Star-Ledger
Quote:
The Nets' pursuit of Tim Thomas took a sharp turn for the worse Sunday night, when Chicago's buyout provisions expanded to include a demand that the forward find future employment outside of the Eastern Conference.
Bulls GM John Paxson told agent Arn Tellem that he is determined to give Thomas the money he has left on his $14 million contract and allow him to become a free agent, but only if Thomas subsequently signs with San Antonio or Phoenix.
The negotiation continued yesterday with no settlement. But Paxson has control of the discussion: If Thomas is not waived by Wednesday, the Paterson native won't be eligible for the playoffs regardless of what team he chooses to play for.
Entering the weekend, it was believed that Paxson didn't want Thomas to go to Philadelphia, because the Bulls are chasing the Sixers for the eighth seed in the East. But the Nets have been added to his list of undesirables because they still have two games against Chicago this season.
The Nets' only hope -- which a team official admits is slim -- is the fact that Tellem can be very persuasive. But with the deadline looming, it appears that Thomas will have to give up a large amount of the $5.1 million he is owed in exchange for his freedom of choice; and that he would just as soon take all his money and go to the Spurs or Suns, two teams that have a role for him and are much closer to a title than the Nets can be.
The New York Post
Quote:
The Nets can tell themselves Tim Thomas might not have gotten along with Jason Collins anyway.
The Nets' chances of landing Thomas have dimmed considerably. Several team sources sounded anything but optimistic about signing the 6-9 forward if he is bought out by Chicago. The buyout negotiations for about $5 million remaining on Thomas $13.975 contract continued yesterday and the Bulls are definitely set on having Thomas go West. Thomas must be bought out and waived by Wednesday or he would be ineligible for the playoffs.
"It's going to happen by Wednesday or not at all," Bulls GM John Paxson told reporters yesterday.
It seems the Suns, who have lost Kurt Thomas for up to two months, have joined the list of serious suitors. The Spurs also have interest. Paxson last week said he did not want Thomas going to a team the Bulls are chasing for a playoff spot, which all interpreted as the Sixers. But technically, they're also chasing the Nets.
Chicago Sun-Times
Quote:
[Thomas] likely would want to join an Eastern Conference team such as his native New Jersey Nets or the nearby Philadelphia 76ers.
Paxson, however, made it clear last week that he would not waive Thomas if he was going to land with a team ''that is a direct competitor'' of the Bulls. That would seem to rule out any Eastern Conference team.
The Western Conference teams with the most interest in Thomas appear to be the Phoenix Suns and San Antonio Spurs.
Well, it seems like the Nets won't get him, despite the first article and Thomas' desire to join them. However, it also seems that the Suns have a good shot at him, and that is not a good thing. The Suns have made a living picking up players who have been somewhat disgruntled or stuted by coaching or team styles and helping them "suceed" by allowing them to willy-nilly throw up a hundred shots a night. I would love to see Thomas go to the Spurs.
Cleve, any idea what the different money options would be from both the Spurs and Suns?
