Tyrus Thomas Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Wizards Aggressively Shopping Blatche

February 27th, 2012 at 1:27pm CST by Luke Adams

The Wizards have "aggressively" attempted to move Andray Blatche in advance of the trade deadline, multiple sources tell Michael Lee of the Washington Post. For his part, Blatche wouldn't mind a change of scenery, Lee hears from a person close to the 25-year-old.

Blatche averaged 15.3 PPG and 7.1 RPG over his previous two seasons with the Wizards, but has struggled this year, with his PER slipping from 17.2 in the last two seasons to 11.4 in 2011/12. While Blatche has shown some promise, the remaining money on his deal is an obstacle — after this season, he's still owed over $23MM for an additional three years. Besides his contract, Blatche's condition and character concerns rival teams, says Lee.

According to Lee, the Wizards discussed a deal that would have sent Blatche to Charlotte for Tyrus Thomas, but were turned down by the Bobcats. We heard a similar rumor from ESPN.com's Marc Stein in the first week of February. Stein noted that the Wizards were hoping to acquire Boris Diaw's expiring contract in a deal with Charlotte.

If the Wizards can't find a deal they like before March 15th or this summer, they could consider using their amnesty clause on the 6'11" forward.

Higgins: Bobcats Won’t Deviate From Rebuilding

February 26th, 2012 at 10:33am CST by Chuck Myron

In a wide-ranging interview with Charlotte Observer beat writer Rick Bonnell, Bobcats president of basketball operations Rod Higgins said he won't make any deal that would improve the woeful team for this season but sacrifice its chances for success long-term. (The full transcript of the interview is available here.)

"Panic doesn't exist for us," he said. "Once we made those trades [exchanging veterans Gerald Wallace and Stephen Jackson for packages that included draft picks], we have to see it through, the path we've taken: Get assets, create [cap] flexibility.

Some of the flexibility with the cap depends on the offers that restricted free agents D.J. Augustin and D.J. White receive from other teams this summer. Higgins said the team could be anywhere from $5MM to $21MM under the cap during the offseason, and told Bonnell the team would pursue a marquee free agent if any of them have mutual interest.

Higgins and GM Rich Cho said they're also listening to offers for what figures to be a high pick in the 2012 draft. If they keep the pick, they're looking for someone who "can help a team right away," Higgins said.

Though Higgins and Cho wouldn't discuss amnesty candidates, Bonnell figures Matt Carroll, DeSagana Diop and Tyrus Thomas might be considered. Thomas, the fourth overall pick in the 2006 draft, would raise the most eyebrows. He has about $26MM guaranteed on his contract the next three years. Higgins seems on the fence about whether the team regrets signing Thomas to a five-year, $40MM deal in 2010.

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/02/25/3046110/bobcats-higgins-no-panic-moves.html#storylink=cpy

Odds & Ends: Camby, Maggette, Irving, Future Draft Prospects

February 11th, 2012 at 7:22pm CST by Ryan Raroque

Amidst the clash between the worlds of Lin-sanity and the one who Shaq recently labeled the "Italian Pete Maravich" (Rubio is Spanish), here are a few notes from the rest of the basketball universe on an action-packed Saturday night in the NBA.

Trail Blazers center Marcus Camby suffered a right ankle injury during tonight's game against the Mavericks, as reported by Ben Golliver on BlazersEdge.com.
Corey Maggette returned to the Bobcats' starting lineup tonight, just one day after returning to action against the Bulls. He replaces Tyrus Thomas, who had been struggling to find a niche in Paul Silas' rotation after an 18 game stint as a starter.
Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving, who has been out indefinitely due to a concussion, began the process of reinstatement by riding an exercise bike today (according to Jason Lloyd of Ohio.com). While Tom Reed of The Plain Dealer reports that there are several steps to take before Irving can be cleared to play, there is hope that the rookie can return to action soon barring any setbacks.
Less than a month away from March Madness, there is a buzz surrounding a few heralded high school seniors who have yet to make a decision regarding which college program they will join next year. Adam Zagoria of SheridanHoops.com takes a closer look at a few players who could make waves in the NCAA next year and possibly headline the 2013 NBA draft.

Wizards Working To Move Blatche

February 3rd, 2012 at 7:08pm CST by Alex Lee

The Wizards are actively looking to move power forward Andray Blatche, according to Marc Stein in his Weekend Dime. Washington has attempted to initiate a Blatche for Tyrus Thomas swap with the Bobcats. Stein adds that ideally, the Wizards would get Boris Diaw and his expiring deal in return, but Charlotte is unlikely to take on Blatche's salary without sending Thomas and his similar sized deal to Washington.

After averaging 16.8 PPG and 8.3 RPG in 2011, Blatche has been a disappointment in 2012, averaging only 10.3 PPG and 7.1 RPG while shooting a paltry 38% from the field. Blatche has three years, and nearly $23MM remaining on a contact extension he signed in September of 2010.