The Charlotte Bobcats used their amnesty clause on Tyrus Thomas to make room for free agent Al Jefferson and now that he is on the market, the New York Knicks have shown interest in signing the former top pick as the Bobcats look at sign and trades for star Gerald Henderson.
According to the New York Daily News, Thomas is a target for the Knicks after he was released by the Bobcats and now the team will wait for him to clear waivers. Thomas was a former top pick that was a disappointment and while he has shot blocking and rebounding abilities, his offensive game needs some serious work and general manager Glen Grunwald may try to get him for the veteran minimum.
The Knicks were reportedly looking at Elton Brand and Kenyon Martin and now that Thomas is available, they may try to get him instead. At 6-9 he is very athletic and over the past two seasons he has averaged 5.6 points and 4.8 rebounds per game and if he gets into the right situation, those numbers could improve. Thomas needs some work and playing alongside Tyson Chandler could give him some new life and the Knicks would like it if they can get him in with an affordable contract after signing JR Smith and Pablo Prigioni.
Thomas is a seven year veteran and while he hasn't done too much to warrant a big contract or anything, he could be a solid option to add depth on the bench for the Knicks. The Bobcats have signed Al Jefferson officially after agreeing to a contract with him in free agency and with that they have started to look at sign and trade deals for Gerald Henderson, who is a restricted free agent that the team had hoped to come back. He has a $4,531,459 qualifying offer on the table and Yahoo is reporting that the Bobcats have a few teams in mind that they are talking to about him.
Henderson has been a reliable three point shooter and last season he averaged 15.5 points and over three rebounds per game and could be a solid pickup for someone who needs some offense. Henderson was drafted four years ago and while the Bobcats would like to keep him, they now have to bring in Jefferson's contract and they know that Kemba Walker will be up in a few years as well. The Bobcats have won just 28 games over the past two seasons and while Jefferson knows it will be hard, he thinks the team can turn things around.
The Knicks won over 50 games and the division for the first time in years last season and management is trying to reload and add as much talent to the roster as they can for Carmelo Anthony. The Knicks have a short window to try and win a title and after playing so well at times last season, adding someone like Thomas is not a risky move and should add some solid depth to the bench where it is sorely needed.