FEBRUARY 17: The Pacers have officially waived Thompson, according to a team press release.
FEBRUARY 16: The Pacers will waive veteran center Tristan Thompson, tweets Shams Charania of The Athletic. Thompson intends to sign with the Bulls once he clears waivers, Charania adds.
Indiana coach Rick Carlisle confirmed the upcoming move, which will be made on Thursday, in a session with the media after tonight’s game (video link from Alex Golden).
“We thanked him for what he has brought over the last six or seven days,” Carlisle said. “He brought a high level of professionalism and he’s done a really good job.”
The 30-year-old Thompson was acquired last week in a six-player trade with the Kings. He appeared in four games for the Pacers, including tonight when he posted 17 points and six rebounds in 21 minutes.
Thompson is making $9.72MM this season and the Pacers will keep that cap hit on their books once he clears waivers — if a buyout is involved, that charge will be lowered slightly.
The Bulls have a full roster, so another move will be necessary before Thompson can be added. Indiana’s roster is also full, so one opening will be available once he is released.
Chicago was among the teams mentioned as a potential landing spot for Thompson amid speculation over a possible buyout during the past week. The Lakers were also rumored to be interested.
I mean, it’s gotta be either Matt Thomas or Alfonzo McKinnie that gets cut right?
Gotta be mickinnie, cant remember the last time he was actually in a game
Nice, now announce Dragic to the Bulls.
Thompson for McKinnie and dragic for Matt Thomas. I can jive with that
Thompson for McKinnie and dragic for Matt Thomas. I can jive with that
Thompson for McKinnie and dragic for Matt Thomas. I can jive with that
Thompson for Thomas and Dragic for McKinnie. I can jive with that
I think Dragic has higher aspirations
No. They don’t need Dragic. Plus once Lonzo and Caruso come back he’s gonna start crying again and go home cuz he doesn’t get playing time.
How can a team already have plans to sign someone, when that person is still on another team? Is that allowed or are the Bulls just tampering…again?
Helps to read bro, it says Thompson intends to sign with the Bulls
You’re not understanding my question. How can the Bulls and Tristan agree to a potential signing while he is still under contract with the Pacers? This means the Bulls clearly have had talked to him about going there while he was still on the Pacers. Maybe the they are allowed to give Tristan permission to talk to other teams before he is bought out? Idk, that is what I was wondering.
Because Tristan hasn’t even been waived yet. I get that teams will hear about the buyout and express interest, but I didn’t know they could contact Tristan before he is even released. Anyways, I digress.
What don’t you understand?? He played tonight, and was told he’s being waived.. He intendeds on joining the bulls… the pacers couch told the media he was being cut and joining the bulls lol
@jrl
What don’t YOU understand? Dude eas just curious how/ when teams are allowed to talk to guys technically still under contract? He hasn’t been released yet but he’s obviously had conversations with at least 1 team about signing him. My guess is the Pacers gave his agent orbison to make calls but it’s a question.
If that was the case, why would they play him tonight? His first comment was are the bulls just tampering again.. nobody is going to claim him cause of his contract so once he clears waivers, he can sign with any team he wants, which is obviously the bulls.. go watch Rick Carlisle postgame comments, he said it
Lol headline of the article “who plans to join bulls” you think nba players are unsure which teams are interested in them?
Read my reply above
The player have plans not the Bulls. Thompson can read the news like you, learn which teams are interested in him and have a preferred team.
And if the Bulls were tampering what about all the other teams that are interested in bought out players before the buy out occurs??
When a veteran like Thompson is cut/bought out after the trade deadline, his current team often lets his agent talk to other teams before he’s officially waived so that he knows he’ll have a landing spot lined up.
Sort of permissible tampering, since his current team has no problem with it and every team does it at some point or another.
Agreed Luke. As you state, if it’s the agent doing the searching and talking it’s not really the “team” tampering.
LOL
Reading is indeed a skill. Where does it say anywhere in this article that THE BULLS TALKED TO THOMPSON? Must be a bunch of nursery school dropouts.
I mean, the Bulls have quite obviously talked to Thompson’s agent, if not Thompson himself. No agent is going to leak news that his client intends to sign with a team without running that idea past that team!
Why is that obvious? Where does it say that? You’re the one making that assertion. Where’s your proof?
The Bulls didn’t read Shams’ tweet that says “Thompson will sign a new deal with the Chicago Bulls after he clears waivers” and think, “Wow, this is the first we’re hearing of this, but I guess we’ll make it work.” They reached an agreement before he was officially waived by the Pacers.
As I said elsewhere in the thread, it’s not tampering — a team that acquires a veteran it doesn’t really want will often let his agent talk to other teams to see if there’s a better situation for him (ie. when Kemba Walker lined up a deal with the Knicks before technically finalizing his buyout with the Thunder in the offseason).
all the teams reportedly interested in Thompson could have talked to his agent.
the problem is that the “are the Bulls just tampering…again?” is ill-intentioned and the initial poster cares only about the Bulls, probably has 90s ptsd
Its tampering, but hes not good enough for the league to care.
the league didn’t bother to care for harden who’s better..
All it says is Thompson is interested in the Bulls and wants to sign there. Nowhere have I read that
the Bulls are even interested in him. You people are making crap up to suit your own agenda.
I have no doubt that after the trade the Pacers told Thompson they would like for him to play until the All-Star break, due to them having multiple bigs on the injury list, at which time they would waive him. I’m also sure they gave his agent permission to talk to teams so they could structure a buyout.
Let me guess the NBA is rigged
@unclemike What agenda are you upset about? There only ‘agenda’ is to report on NBA Transaction news. Why does that bother you? Is there some deeper conspiracy working here? Do tell.
Mike hit the nail on the head. Stop crying
Agents. They can talk to teams, but not the players. Duh
Can this guy play defense?
Yes,but not great defender.
Nice Thompson can definitely help them with their rebounding issues, both offensively and defensively.
I’m not entirely sure what their second unit will be, but right now he’s certainly better than at least four of the guys they’ve been trotting out there in the 4/5 spot.
When they’re healthy, having Ball, LaVine, Derozan, Williams, and Vucevic followed by Dosunmu, White, Caruso, Green, and Thompson with DJJ and TBJ also available will really make for some solid rotations with a good mixture of offensive and defensive players..
I thought the Bulks could get as high as the #5 seed coming into the season, but they’re proving to be as dangerous as anyone. With all their injuries, they’ve actually been able to build up some solid depth, so when everyone comes back they should be 12 deep and gunning to make a real run in the East!!
I’m not sold. IMO They’re the most likely team to get upset in the playoffs.
That just your O though, and they are clearly proving to be a legit team. Plus us Bulls fans are playing with house money, we wanted to make the playoffs, it’s been a while, were currently ranked 1st in the East. The great expectations y’all are putting on us are not there, we will see whatever team you support in the playoffs.
Thompson makes sense for the Lakers. Obviously played with LeBron and would help fill the void at centre.
The only issue is the Lakers suck and it’s a hard sell for a player chasing a ring after being waived.
Bulls make sense tho. Very unlikely but I wonder if we see double big line ups with Tristan and Vuce on the court together. Both aren’t slow 7 footers that can’t switch. They have struggled to fill PF all season and Tony Bradley is still a decent centre on the roster too
You hit the nail. Nobody is signing with Lakers unless no playoff team wants them. Thompson signed for a ring. All waived players want a ring and you can’t blame them.
Nice pick up, if we can get another buy out player to replace every non factor player in our roster and remain healthy we can have a deep playoff run
Gives them what Vucevic doesn’t. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the two of them in big lineups together considering Vucevic never plays anywhere near the basket.
This is a guy who can physically help the Bulls, But what about mentally? We all know he’s not the most stable person in the world. This is a good move if he doesn’t disrupt the chemistry. He’ll help against the teams who play a big front line against the Bulls, which they have struggled against. Plus, expect the birth rate to go up in the Chicago area.
Wow. So he has a lot of seed to spread? Thanks for that useful basketball information. Taking ‘rumors’ aspect more seriously than the ‘hoops’ aspect.
Just glad there aren’t any Kardashians or Jenners in Chicago. Hey where is Caitlyn? Maybe He/She should watch their back. Dude must have a rubber allergy, and an unlimited supply of receptacle’s. He better hope he can hoop until he’s 70 to support all his “Seedlings”.
The obvious cut is going to be Matt Thomas. McKinnie was given a two year deal so he’s signed through next year. With Lavine supposedly coming back he’s the obvious choice.
Mcinnie’s salary in nto guaranteed for next year, ideally both should be replaced by better players from the buyout scene
Malcolm Hill?
He’s on a two way. He’s not really on the roster anyway.
Good call. Didn’t check that out prior.
Celtics should bring him back. They gave away the 30th overall pick in the 2020 draft to Memphis so that they’ll have room for for a player like him. Who needs stupid ‘ol Desmond Bane anywho.
That would be a great pickup. Another big who plays D and reb. Solid vet for a playoff run. Plus Williams should be back. That’s good depth for playoffs. Very nice .
This is just like when you have to go to the movies with your brother and his date so as revenge you drink a big milkshake just before. Then once in the theatre you let go of some truly beefy toots — I’m talking cloudy with a chance of meatballs in your shorts. The theater has to give out coupons because the movie is shut down. That’s what this reminds me of.
Wat?