Spurs interested in Bulls' Thomas?

[HarlemHeat37]

What about as is?

I really don't know about that..I don't have the access that RC and Pop have..it would pretty much depend on how confident they are that Splitter is going to join the Spurs next year..

[TD 21]

For the record, I only want Salmons if he comes with Tyrus Thomas..I'm just pointing out the positives of Salmons..I don't think he's a special player or anything..getting the 2 of them in a trade is definitely a good trade IMO..

I don't think any trade really makes a difference, I'm just saying I would like to have Thomas on this team if we make a trade..

I would be just as happy if the FO made no major trades and just let Mahinmi and Hairston in the rotation..this team isn't going anywhere this season anyways, you might as well see if you have some players in those 2..

I agree.

Yay or nay?

RMJ, Finley, Bonner, Mahinmi and Splitter for Salmons and Thomas.

Splitter makes me think long and hard about that one. Especially since Thomas may be a rental and Salmons wouldn't be a huge improvement over someone like RMJ.

Not a chance. Why would you throw in Splitter when the Bulls would jump at the chance to dump those two contracts (they're desperate for more cap space to chase Wade, Bosh, Johnson, even Lee)? No need to. Now, if you take Splitter out of it, then yeah, for sure.

What were you thinking attempting to make a basketball trade? This is the NBA.

[ElNono]

You might talk me into RMJ, Finley, Bonner, Mahinmi for Thomas and Pargo...

I'd still like to have a shot at Bell somehow, but maybe it can be worked out.

[timvp]

Not a chance. Why would you throw in Splitter when the Bulls would jump at the chance to dump those two contracts (they're desperate for more cap space to chase Wade, Bosh, Johnson, even Lee)?

Thomas is an expiring and isn't void of value. No way the Bulls just salary dump him for nothing when his salary is coming off the books anyways.

[MI21]

Yay or nay?

RMJ, Finley, Bonner, Mahinmi and Splitter for Salmons and Thomas.

Splitter makes me think long and hard about that one. Especially since Thomas may be a rental and Salmons wouldn't be a huge improvement over someone like RMJ.

Finley and Bonner, no brainer.

Mahinmi I really like but if Pop isn't going to play him, adios.

Splitter, I don't know to much about him really. I still say yay though, because I think Thomas could turn out to be a very valuable player.

[Parker2112]

Yay or nay?

RMJ, Finley, Bonner, Mahinmi and Splitter for Salmons and Thomas.

Splitter makes me think long and hard about that one. Especially since Thomas may be a rental and Salmons wouldn't be a huge improvement over someone like RMJ.

Nay. Splitter is the bridge, along with Parker and Hill (and hopefully others) to the other side of the TD era. The guy has great defensive and offensive potential in the NBA. Big men don't just fall out of trees. Just ask 3/4s of the teams in the league.

I still wonder if Splitter's impending arrival means the Spurs won't move on a starter quality big this season.

[TJastal]

Yay or nay?

RMJ, Finley, Bonner, Mahinmi and Splitter for Salmons and Thomas.

Splitter makes me think long and hard about that one. Especially since Thomas may be a rental and Salmons wouldn't be a huge improvement over someone like RMJ.

I would do this in a HEARTBEAT. There is no guarantee about Splitter coming next year and I think Thomas is more what the spurs need (an athletic shot blocker next to Duncan) rather than another euro stiff who's going to flounder trying to adjust to the nba. It might take Splitter YEARS to adjust his game and become an effective player. Do the spurs have that much time to waste? No.

[SenorSpur]

Salmons is a better defender by a wide margin..he's an above average defender, while Jefferson is just a flat-out bad defender..he's on the same tier as Mason and Finley from a perimeter defense standpoint IMO..

This is true. One game doesn't make a player's career, but I actually watched him tonight versus the Pacers. Being a good offensive player, I must say that I was slightly impressed with his on-the-ball defense and the way he moves his feet - which is more than I can say for RJ.

[SenorSpur]

Yay or nay?

RMJ, Finley, Bonner, Mahinmi and Splitter for Salmons and Thomas.

Splitter makes me think long and hard about that one. Especially since Thomas may be a rental and Salmons wouldn't be a huge improvement over someone like RMJ.

I would do it, but I would want to keep at least one of the current bigs (Ian or Splitter). After all, Ratliff is likely gone after this year and Dice has been a disappointment thus far, plus he's of advanced age.

[TD 21]

Thomas is an expiring and isn't void of value. No way the Bulls just salary dump him for nothing when his salary is coming off the books anyways.

Thomas has a qualifying offer for over $6 million this off season. The Bulls want cap space, but they don't want to have to tell their fans that for the second straight year they let a asset (Gordon) get away without getting anything in return. On top of that, apparently there's limited interest in Thomas at the moment, so unless he's packaged in some major deal that lands the Bulls Stoudemire (and they're not rumored to be in that sweepstakes) or someone of that ilk, he's being dealt for expiring contracts. As far as I've heard, they don't even care about getting an asset back like a Splitter or a 1st round pick, so the Spurs could probably get away with Bonner, Mason and throw in Mahinmi for Thomas and Pargo.

This is why I keep saying that it's a no-brainer to get an athlete and a raw talent of Thomas' caliber for nothing of significance. This is a rare opportunity and the Spurs need to capitalize on it.

[TJastal]

I would do it, but I would want to keep at least one of the current bigs (Ian or Splitter). After all, Ratliff is likely gone after this year and Dice has been a disappointment thus far, plus he's of advanced age.

We'll still have all of next year's draft picks to refill stock with. Dice is signed for another year (possibly 2 more) and we'll have Blair and Thomas.

I think your panicking for no reason.

[HarlemHeat37]

TD21 is correct..

According to the Chicago Tribune, sources say the Bulls are looking for expiring contracts more than anything in exchange for Thomas-Salmons..

[TJastal]

td21 is correct..

According to the chicago tribune, sources say the bulls are just looking for expiring contracts in exchange for thomas-salmons..

do it pop!

[HarlemHeat37]

btw, Tyrus Thomas' jerseys are on sale on the NBA.com Bulls website..he's the only player that has merchandise on sale..they put them on sale yesterday..

it's pretty much a 100% that he's going to get traded, it's just a matter of where..

[Parker2112]

I would do this in a HEARTBEAT. There is no guarantee about Splitter coming next year and I think Thomas is more what the spurs need (an athletic shot blocker next to Duncan) rather than another euro stiff who's going to flounder trying to adjust to the nba. It might take Splitter YEARS to adjust his game and become an effective player. Do the spurs have that much time to waste? No.

I think the front office has made it more than clear that they believe he'll be here. Also, I've seen him smother Amare with my own two eyes, he's no stiff. He will be able to protect the rim. I think his offense will develop similar to Gasol. I think He will be fine.

[TD 21]

btw, Tyrus Thomas' jerseys are on sale on the NBA.com Bulls website..he's the only player that has merchandise on sale..they put them on sale yesterday..

it's pretty much a 100% that he's going to get traded, it's just a matter of where..

It's one of those trades (Thomas to the Spurs) that makes too much sense not to happen.

I'm half expecting/half hoping for some out of the blue breaking news article from Wojarnowski or Ludden, led: Spurs acquire Thomas in five player swap. At this point, 8 and a 1/2 days to go, we won't have to wait much longer.

[Blackjack]

I still have faith in this team, believe it or not. I think the biggest problem we have is our inconsistent lineups and specially going small all the time. I think if we're trading for Camby or Thomas, then the FO is basically admitting that small ball is out and we're going back to protecting the paint (among other things). Sure, plenty of other things have to align too. Tony has to get back up to speed and Manu needs to find his shooting touch. But as long as Duncan's knees don't look as shot as last season, I think we have a fighter's chance.

Fair enough. We disagree on the outlook but given yours, Ratliff seeing extended minutes makes sense.

I don't disagree with your logic or how things need to align, it's just not my logic and there's more in my view that needs to align; this team lacks more than the tangible.

This team just isn't comprised of the championship glue and mettle needed in a supporting cast, and there's just no way anyone can convince me that you can win at the highest level when RJ's a $14M player. (I don't begrudge him the pay, it just negatively effects whom you have backing him up; RJ's game doesn't translate to the last five-minutes, so to speak, on a championship-level team, imo.)

Starting to build now for next year is an admission of complete failure and I don't see this FO pulling the plug on this roster this early. If anything, just as a sign of respect to Duncan.

Well, in the case of Thomas-Salmons, it's really killing two birds with one stone. Yeah, sure, it gives you a look-see and the potential to build a little something on the court for next year, but it also addresses legitimate needs this year.

Thomas and Blair would give you some quality versatility on the bench (or in whatever capacity they're used to compliment Tim and 'Dyess) and, in the case of Tyrus, he gives you the ability to pair Tim with a shotblocker regardless of lineup; Thomas would allow Pop to still play 'big', even while guarding small (Tim wouldn't be left with RJ, Fin, Bogans or Mason as often... hopefully)

The Spurs aren't going to find a stopper at this point, but they'd be served well to find a more well-rounded player. Bogans ain't going to cut it; Mason, even if he can, doesn't seem is going to be allowed to; and a 6-2 Hill can't be your primary and sole defender on the wing. (I purposely left out RJ and Fin. Why is Hairston still in the D-League? I digress ...)

Basically, Salmons provides better RJ insurance than anything they've got and, unlike how I've lived most of my life, that's the type of insurance I wouldn't neglect to purchase.

So I think they make the team better in the very short-term and the shorter term (as in next year), but I definitely think it's a move justifiable with the needs of today; I've yet to really see a better option discussed...

[TJastal]

I think the front office has made it more than clear that they believe he'll be here. Also, I've seen him smother Amare with my own two eyes, he's no stiff. He will be able to protect the rim. I think his offense will develop similar to Gasol. I think He will be fine.

The guy will be a typical stiff in this league.. I think Aaron Gray and Sean Marks will have better and more distinguishable careers and that's even IF he decides to actually come to the nba.

[HarlemHeat37]

It looks like the 4 teams that are rumored to have the most interest in Thomas are San Antonio, Denver, Orlando and Boston..rumors are rumors though, that's it..

[Blackjack]

Splitter's solid, he's just not the second coming or All-Star-type player that some believe him to be. He's easily a number three big and I'd venture to say he'll be a very solid number 2 once he acclimates.

I don't see him translating as well as Gasol, though.

[itzsoweezee]

Thomas sucks. Ask any Bulls fan. There's a reason they want to get rid of him.

What a sad state of affairs that Tyrus freaking Thomas is the Spurs' savior.

I can't believe the Spurs (ie, popovich) have given up on Mahinmi without even giving him a shot. It makes me sick to my stomach. Just like how they completely screwed up the Scola situation.

The morons in the front office have no idea what they're doing anymore if they trade for a guy bordering on re ation like Tyrus Thomas. McDyess and Jefferson have a hard time figuring out the Spurs' "system". You think a mental midget like Thomas will have even close to a clue about what to do? And you're going to give up a polished big man like Splitter for this guy?

[HarlemHeat37]

Actually, most Bulls fans say he has tons of talent but he's just an idiot and it just isn't going to work out for him in Chitown..this is obviously true..he's still young though, he still has the same potential he's always had..he needs guidance..going to a team with Tim Duncan, Antonio McDyess and Theo Ratliff is a perfect situation for him..a top 10 all-time player, a guy that had the same physical attributes before his injury and Ratliff, a guy that made a career for himself as an athletic shot blocker..if he can't get his together on this team, then he has no hope for a successful NBA career..

I'm looking more for next year..if he plays well this season, the Spurs would have his rights and keep him for longer, which is why I want to acquire him..this year is over..

If he doesn't get it and continues to be an idiot, then nothing happens..we lose our expiring contracts that we weren't going to use anyways..what's the harm in it?..

I completely agree that giving up Splitter would be stupid, but I don't see why we shouldn't do it for expirings..

[TJastal]

In the games I've watched, Splitter does not play above the rim at all, he lacks the size and shotblocking to be a significant interior roadblock on defense and most of his offensive game is stunted by the same thing. The positive thing about him is that he is fairly nimble and mobile out on the perimeter but then again so is Tyrus Thomas, and with Thomas you get a guy who can really protect the rim.

Splitter's game is nowwhere even close to Gasol's .. as an interior defender, shotblocker, or post player. In fact Splitter does not possess any post moves, he makes his living in the pick and roll and beating small defenders with weak layups. That would get swatted into the 4th row in the nba on most nights.

All of which is not going to translate to the NBA level.

Biedrins would own the out of this guy as a comparable "white stiff" type player, and Biedrins isn't even that great.

[TJastal]

I almost hope it comes out next week that the spurs couldn't get this trade through because Pop wouldn't throw in Splitter.

Then, when Splitter comes in next year and is way above his head, I'm going to have a field day laughing at all of you.

[itzsoweezee]

In the games I've watched, Splitter does not play above the rim at all, he lacks the size and shotblocking to be a significant interior roadblock on defense and most of his offensive game is stunted by the same thing. The positive thing about him is that he is fairly nimble and mobile out on the perimeter but then again so is Tyrus Thomas, and with Thomas you get a guy who can really protect the rim.

Splitter's game is nowwhere even close to Gasol's .. as an interior defender, shotblocker, or post player. In fact Splitter does not possess any post moves, he makes his living in the pick and roll and beating small defenders with weak layups. That would get swatted into the 4th row in the nba on most nights.

All of which is not going to translate to the NBA level.

Biedrins would own the out of this guy as a comparable "white stiff" type player, and Biedrins isn't even that great.

Tyrus Thomas is better than Splitter? Wow. Some of the I read on here absolutely amazes me. Tyrus Thomas defends the rim? What games have you been watching?

He's a terrible basketball player. He might get to start for a terrible team, if he's lucky. He's already been supplanted by a rookie; the Bulls didn't even think about extending him.

Get it through your heads: Tyrus Thomas SUCKS.