Chicago Bulls trade Larry Hughes to Knicks for three players
The Bulls finally found a home for
Larry Hughes.
Amusingly enough, it took bringing back formerly banished Bull
Tim Thomas to do so.
Multiple league sources confirmed that the Bulls traded Hughes to
the Knicks for Thomas, seldom-used big man Jerome James and Anthony Roberson, pending league approval.
The Bulls first acquired Thomas in the emotional Eddy Curry trade in October 2005. Shortly thereafter, management sent Thomas home for his poor practice habits. They eventually waived Thomas in March 2006.
"I played with Tim for a couple years and had him in Phoenix. I didn't have any problem with him. I enjoyed playing with him," Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro said. "That was a long time ago. I'll sit down and talk to Tim, tell him what I expect from him, what his role is. I expect him to be professional and go do his job. He has the ability to help us."
Thomas and James both have one season remaining on their contracts, assuming James exercises his player option of $6.6 million. Given that he rarely plays, that would seem to be a formality.
Hughes' deal for next season is $13.65 million. Thomas is scheduled to make $6.4 million.