NBA Rumors Round-Up
NBA Rumors: Grizzlies, Lakers Look at Tyrus Thomas
Updated6 hours ago on April 20, 2024
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Grizzlies worked out free agent Tyrus Thomas, according to sources. Memphis has an open roster spot and have been looking at free agents. In addition to Tyrus Thomas, they also worked out Kenyon Martin.
After working out for the Grizzlies today, sources say that Tyrus Thomas’ next workout is with the Los Angeles Lakers.
As I reported yesterday on Twitter, the Memphis Grizzlies and Los Angeles Lakers are the first two teams who have expressed interest in unrestricted free agent Tyrus Thomas as he looks to make his NBA comeback. Thomas worked out for Memphis on Friday, and is heading to L.A. for his next workout.
Memphis has an open roster spot and has recently been working out a number of free agents. Los Angeles was recently granted a disabled player exception due to Julius Randle being out for the year, and they have also been looking at several available players.
Thomas hasn’t played in the NBA since being amnestied by Charlotte in July of 2013. Thomas has played seven years in the NBA, averaging 7.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.3 throughout the course of his career. Thomas’ best season was in 2008-09 with the Chicago Bulls, when he averaged 10.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.9 blocks and 1.2 steals.
The 28-year-old underwent surgery to remove a cyst in his back early in 2014, which sidelined him for awhile. However, he’s healthy now and has been doing two-a-days in San Antonio to get in game shape and prepare for his NBA comeback.
Doc Rivers said a friend mentioned “MWP” and he replied, “Who?’ Told it was Metta World Peace, Rivers said, “I guess that’s the new rumor.”
Doc Rivers didn’t seem interested in World Peace given reax to rumor. “That’s as much as I know about it, let me put it that way,” he said.
This rumor was actually started by Metta World Peace’s brother, Daniel Artest, on his Twitter account. Earlier this week, Daniel tweeted: “Clippers are interested in my brother. That’s all.”
Remember, Metta World Peace is currently playing in China for the Sichuan Blue Whales, which means he won’t be available to sign with an NBA team until his overseas commitment ends.
However, the Chinese Basketball Association season ends in February, so that leaves plenty of time for World Peace to return to the NBA and sign with a team like the Clippers.
But judging by Rivers’ response to the rumor, it doesn’t sounds like anything is imminent. This could just be Rivers playing his cards close to his chest, but we won’t know for sure until World Peace’s stint in China comes to an end.
World Peace is 35 years old and has played 15 seasons in the NBA. He has averaged 13.8 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.8 steals over the course of his career. For an in-depth list of the remaining free agents who aren’t overseas, click here.
Plan with Nick Young (thumb): practice Sat., shootaround Sun., Mon. travel day, shootaround Tues. If all goes well, could play Tues. night.
[Nick Young] told me on Wed. he was targeting a Tuesday return, and the team confirmed he’s on track if all continues to go well.Nick Young has been sidelined with a right thumb injury and has yet to play in a regular season game this year.
However, it sounds like he’s planning to return on Tuesday night, when the Lakers will be in Atlanta to take on the Hawks.
Young will help the Lakers, giving them another weapon on the offensive end. After all, he was one of the better reserve scorers in the NBA last season, putting up 17.9 points per game in Kobe Bryant’s absence while shooting 43.5 percent from the field.
Young isn’t the most efficient player, but he should make the Lakers a bit more exciting and provide a spark off of the bench. The Lakers likely won’t win many games this season, but at least they’ll be more entertaining with Swaggy P in the lineup.
L.A. is currently 1-8, which is the worst record in the Western Conference and second-worst record in the NBA behind only the Philadelphia 76ers.
