Look for Tim Thomas to go West after his buyout from Chicago, the Newark Star-Ledger is reporting, after 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.
Although no agreement has been reached between Thomas and the Bulls, the latter have the upper hand with the March 1 deadline just around the corner. Players who are not waived before Wednesday are not eligable for the playoffs.
So once again it comes down to money for Tim Thomas. Does he take a lower buyout in exchange for full freedom in choosing a new team this season, or does he take all the money and become a Spur or Sun?
Via Newark Star-Ledger
Chicago Bulls, San Antonio Spurs, Phoenix Suns, New Jersey Nets
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Bulls head coach Scott Skiles has tried to put an end to the notion that he has his favorites on the Bulls, most notibly guard Kirk Hinrich, according to a report in the Chicago Tribune. The denial comes just two days after a published report portrayed a chilly disconnection between Ben Gordon and Skiles.
Gordon disputed the claims last week, and Skiles said the depiction is "totally false."
"Anybody that has seen us practice or has been around me for any length of time knows I don't have any pets," Skiles said.
"I'm in many ways harder on Kirk than anyone else. Sometimes your best player, if he can take it, there's nothing wrong with staying on top of him. We feel we give Ben an awful lot of leeway."
There is a belief Skiles cannot get along with a star player because he is too stubborn to bend here and there. That could come to the forefront this summer when the Bulls pursue an established scorer. Paxson said he doesn't foresee a problem.
"If it is, maybe it's the type of guy we don't want," he said.
Whomever they get will not receive special treatment, Skiles said. "It's just my philosophy."
Via Chicago Tribune
Chicago Bulls
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There were some last-minute overtures for free agent Al Harrington, including a call from the Chicago Bulls, believed to be one of the teams targeting a player sure to be one of the most coveted free agents on the market this summer.
And the New York Knicks have stayed in touch with Hawks general manager Billy Knight throughout the season in their pursuit of Harrington.
"Don't they say you can't believe everything you read?" Harrington said and then laughed. "The smart thing to do sometimes is to sit back and really evaluate a situation first and then make a move."
Harrington's agent, Andy Miller, said they would let the "smoke clear" from the trade deadline before discussing his client's options for the summer.
Via Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Atlanta Hawks, Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks
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Bulls Feb 2006 Archive
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Chicago Tribune | Feb 24, 2006
The Bulls' trade deadline morning and afternoon saw minor conversations that avoided discussions around their 'core,' namely Ben Gordon, who had been the subject of trade rumors.
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USAToday.com | Feb 23, 2006
"My only issue is I don't want Tim to go to a direct competitor with us — someone we're chasing, whatever," said Bulls GM John Paxson.
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North Jersey | Feb 23, 2006
Tim Thomas has expressed interest in joining New Jersey, San Antonio, Miami or Philadelphia should the Chicago Bulls not be able to trade his expiring contract today and a buyout is reached, but Thomas has made it clear to North Jersey that a buyout will not come cheap.
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Express-News | Feb 22, 2006
Gregg Popovich had a good relationship with Latrell Sprewell when both were in Golden State.
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Chicago Tribune | Feb 22, 2006
With the league's trade deadline looming at 2 p.
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AP | Feb 21, 2006
Ben Gordon has been the subject of trade rumors for several months and on Tuesday he made it clear that he'd prefer to remain in Chicago.
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Mercury News | Feb 19, 2006
During the summer, Nazr Mohammed turned down a four-year extension from the Spurs worth in the $25 million range, it is unlikely he'll get the same offer again and could go to Chicago.
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Sun-Sentinel | Feb 19, 2006
Should the Bulls be unable to unload Tim Thomas' expiring contract by the deadline, Chicago is expected to begin buyout talks to leave the forward eligible for another team's playoff roster by the March 1 cutoff.
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Sun Times | Feb 17, 2006
Forward James Thomas' second 10-day contract expired Thursday, and the Bulls chose not to sign him for the rest of the season, the team's only option under league rules.
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Sun Times | Feb 17, 2006
Bulls general manager John Paxson said he's been talking to many teams about trade scenarios with the NBA trade deadline six days away.
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The Star | Feb 17, 2006
It used to a rite of summer, a week or so at the Moody Bible College deep in the middle of Chicago, where the league held its annual pre-draft camp.
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Indy Star | Feb 17, 2006
SI has Jermaine O'Neal potentially going to Chicago this summer for Kirk Hinrich and the Knicks' unprotected lottery pick, which was received in the Eddy Curry trade.
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Northwest Herald | Feb 16, 2006
John Paxson would like to add a proven low-post scorer, which the Bulls have lacked since dealing Eddy Curry to New York before the season.
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ESPN | Feb 14, 2006
The Chicago Bulls have had no luck in their efforts to move Tim Thomas and his expiring contract of nearly $14 million.
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Daily Herald | Feb 13, 2006
Tyson Chandler’s trip home to Southern California had unexpected consequences.
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Sun-Times | Feb 12, 2006
One trade rumor that has been out there for more than a week is the Bulls sending guard Chris Duhon to the Cleveland Cavaliers for power forward Drew Gooden.
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New York Daily News | Feb 12, 2006
Tim Thomas claims that the Nets have talked to his agent, and he has no problem playing with Jason Collins should the Bulls buy him out.
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Chicago Tribune | Feb 9, 2006
Forward Kenyon Martin, who didn't play last night against the Bulls because of a sore knee, reportedly is being shopped for a trade.
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Plain Dealer | Feb 8, 2006
Cavaliers power forward Drew Gooden shrugs off speculation he'll be playing elsewhere before the NBA's trading deadline.
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Chicago Tribune | Feb 7, 2006
The first indication that Chris Duhon would not play Monday came during the team's morning shootaround.
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Deseret News | Feb 7, 2006
The Jazz beat Chicago on Monday night without rookie backup point guard Deron Williams, who sprained his left ankle during pre-game warmups.
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Press Release | Feb 6, 2006
The Chicago Bulls announced today it has re-signed forward James Thomas to a second 10-day contract.
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Daily Herald | Feb 6, 2006
The Bulls and Cavaliers have had trade discussions about 6-foot-10 power forward Drew Gooden, according to a league source.
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Chicago Sun-Times | Feb 4, 2006
It looks as if Antonio Davis will be available soon, which means it's possible he may yet return to the Bulls.
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Daily Herald | Feb 3, 2006
Even though he didn’t play for five straight games, power forward Michael Sweetney can still fill a necessary role for the Bulls.
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New York Post | Feb 2, 2006
The Nets' search for size could bring them back to a summer re-run of sorts: Robert "Tractor" Traylor.
