http://www.suntimes.com/output/bulls/cst-spt-bull021.html The Bulls waived Tim Thomas on Wednesday, the final day the absent forward could sign with another team in time to be added to a playoff roster. It appeared Thomas was set to sign with the Phoenix Suns, who waived swingman Jim Jackson on Wednesday. The Bulls unofficially parted ways with Thomas on Nov. 28, when general manager John Paxson sent him home after he had played in only three games. Last week, Paxson indicated he would rather pay Thomas the $5.1 million balance of his $13.95 million salary than waive him if there was a risk Thomas would sign with an Eastern Conference team. Multiple New York and New Jersey newspapers, citing league sources, reported Wednesday that Paxson held firm to that stand throughout his negotiations with Thomas' agent, Arn Tellem. "I know that there are a lot of reports out of New Jersey,'' Paxson said, "[but] we've told them, 'Do whatever you want to do.' We agreed to a buyout number. Our only goal in this thing was to save us a little money, which we will be able to do. Then it's up to Tim what he wants to do after that. He can go anywhere. "I'm looking out for us, but we're not allowed to make any agreement like that. The only thing I can do is get the financial situation the way I want it. We all wish Tim well whatever he decides to do, whether he decides to play or not.'' Thomas, a New Jersey native, told the New York Daily News that the New Jersey Nets would be a good fit for him. The Nets wanted him to back up both Richard Jefferson and Jason Collins. "Not only am I from New Jersey, but it's a good team and a good organization,'' said Thomas, whom the Bulls acquired from the New York Knicks in October as part of the Eddy Curry trade. "But I've got to do what's best. I've got to put myself in the best situation.'' That appeared to be in Phoenix. Not only are the Suns more likely to make a deeper postseason run than the Nets, but Thomas also is likely to see more playing time in Phoenix now that Kurt Thomas might be out for the season with a stress fracture in his right foot. With Thomas' departure, the Bulls' roster is down to 13 players, two below the league limit. Paxson said they will consider signing another player to a 10-day contract. "We're tossing it around,'' he said. "If we sign someone to a 10-day, it will be more based on us trying to get a look at a player that we had some interest in before. Just getting him in our building to see him, know him, that type of thing.'' bhanley@suntimes.com
Watch him sign with Phoenix and suddenly start stroking threes and playing with a passion. God, I hate them.
I don't remember him ever being a real up and down the court type player...but then neither was Raja Bell.
I thought he would sign with either the Spurs or Suns. The rich get richer and the Rockets get to sign Jim Jackson.
20 frigging points, 7-13 fg, 5-8 3p -0- rb's !!!! of course if he had come here Gundy would have had to school him for a month in gundy boot camp before he played him and when he came out the other end he would have been a pile of .....
Dumby's treatment of new role players: Sign them Lecture them about defense for 2-4 weeks Play them one game Player might get injured for a few games Cut them because we have Ryan Bowen
Thomas is contributing in his 2nd game - 8 pts 7 rb's 1 block steal and assist with 5 min to go in the 4th.
TT is a moot point, there isn't much chance he would come here when Suns were calling, and he knew he would get minutes there.
