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Fun, Fun, Fun with Tyrus Thomas and Al Harrington
SportingNews
Here’s a really deep question for you: Is it possible for a win/win to be a lose/lose? I’m writing, of course, of the Al Harrington-for-Tyrus Thomas swap discussed today by Yahoo!’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Nothing imminent, but "both sides would like to figure a way to do this":
The Bulls believe Harrington’s ability to score coupled with a $10.2 million expiring contract make this a worthy exchange. Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni has long been fond of Thomas, a 6-foot-9 forward whose nimbleness and athleticism makes him an intriguing fit for New York.
Thomas, 23, was the fourth pick in the 2006 NBA draft, and started to fulfill his promise with 10.9 points and 6.4 rebounds last season. Nevertheless, Chicago believes it has a worthy power forward successor on the cheap in rookie Taj Gibson, and jettisoning Thomas would also eliminate his approximate $13 million cap hold for the Bulls next summer.
Harrington might as well not even play in the NBA. The Knicks are headed nowhere, and he won’t be around to witness the dawning of the new age next season. He puts up numbers that mean nothing to no one, as MSG becomes like a trip to Golden State minus the weirdness and unpredictability. It’s the Disney-fication of up-tempo, edgy NBA ball, and just as meaningless.
Thomas, on the other hand, has slowly but surely gone from moody ball of potential to spacey youngster capable of producing when given the chance—and still finds himself deployed inconsistently. It isn’t the same as having his confidence shattered by Skiles, and yet hypocritically, a Bulls organization that allowed its head coach to tear down a lottery pick’s confidence hasn’t made a point of rehabbing it. Moot, I know, since he’s out with a broken arm. But if Taj Gibson is his replacement … cap stuff aside, that’s a slap in the face. Thomas and Derrick Rose should be an unstoppable aerial tandem.
So suppose Thomas goes to the Knicks, where there are no rules and unfortunately, no one to lob him the ball or break down the defense (outside of Larry Hughes). And Harrington lands on the Bulls, in a reprise of his early years on the Pacers, but as a vet. If Gibson is the PF of the future—never Harrington’s natural position, to be sure—and Luol Deng and John Salmons are still around at the SF slot, Baby Al (yeah, I said it) might be on a more real team. But to what effect? Cap relief this summer for Chicago, most likely.
As for Thomas to New York, sure, unleashing him in a setting where mistakes only matter so much and any kind of defense is a godsend would likely ignite TT’s career. Or would it? The Knicks are not only irrelevant, they’re meaningless. Thomas would have to take advantage of the wide-open setting to truly expand his game, not just do what we’ve always seen in spurts. Otherwise, he’s been cast out from a semi-legit team, but only now is getting the chance to prove he can do what would’ve really helped Chicago.
Thomas is restricted this coming summer, so maybe he’s playing to prove himself for a contract. Assuming, of course, he can convince teams that he’s finally matured and pieced together whatever pieces of his psyche Skiles dislodged. But this is 2010. In another year, this sojourn in Knick-dom might create the illusion of a breakout year. Instead, teams would be looking just to see him back on track, and then, what kind of money is left? With teams planning to sign whole all-star teams, what money is there for Tyrus Thomas?
Best case for Thomas: New York cashes in with free agents and still decides to retain him for cheap or at least pick up his qualifying offer. Worst case, he ends up on the Grizzlies. For Harrington, he should probably be looking to sign with a contender for nothing. That or sneak into the Hawks locker room and hope no one notices.
