Unrestricted free agent Malcolm Thomas will work out with the Knicks over the next two days in hopes of landing a guaranteed contract from the team, according to Shams Charania of RealGM.com. The Knicks have signed a handful of players to non-guaranteed deals this week, but Thomas' representatives "made it clear" their client isn't looking for just a training camp invite.
Thomas appeared in three games for the Spurs last season, and also signed a 10-day contract with the Rockets, though he didn't appear in any games for Houston. He saw his stock increase after a standout performance with the Bulls' summer league squad in July, and was reportedly drawing interest from the Clippers, Bulls, Hawks, and Bobcats.
According to Charania, Thomas has been weighing offers from NBA teams as well as clubs in Europe and China. It's not clear if any of the NBA offers he has received have included a partial or full guarantee — I would assume if that were the case, he would have accepted one by now, but perhaps the 6'9" forward would prefer to land with the Knicks.
New York's front office has "long been impressed" by Thomas, with this week's workouts allowing the 23-year-old the opportunity to audition for the team's coaching staff, says Charania.
If i’m the Clippers, I do a sign-and-trade with SanAntonio, using 1 of 3 TPE’s. The 2 year contract would guarantee Thomas $1M for year 1 with partially guaranteed year 2. This type of deal would keep the Clippers under the Luxury Tax, and give them a full year to see if Thomas can be Blake Griffin’s long term back up after Lamar Odom’s contract expires. The Clippers can offer as much as $1.3M without paying the Lux Tax; both the Knicks and the Bulls are already over the threshold and can only offer a minimum salary deal. The Hawks are slightyly under the Tax, but still have Ivan Johnson to resign, and the Bobcats are a mess.
The bulls plan is to wait a few weeks into the season and then then can offer thomas a contract. Right now they cant unless they trade someone like rip.
I’d love for the Knicks to sign this kid….. Great backup for Amare in my opinion.