When Is The Tyrus Thomas Trade Going To Catch Up To Us?

[OchoNueve]

During the 2009-2010 season, the Bobcats traded for Tyrus Thomas. At the time, I was very excited thinking that we got an athletic shot blocking presence that hadn't quite reached his NBA potential, but thus far, he has proved to be the same frustrating player (with flashes of ability) that he was when Chicago unloaded him on us.

What has been forgotten in the 2 years since the trade is what exactly the Bulls will receive in return for him when the time comes. I say that because at some point in the next 5 drafts, we will be giving the Bulls a first round draft pick in exchange for the services of Mr. Thomas.

The stipulations of the trade are as follows:

Bulls receives:

2012 - first-round pick (lottery-protected), if not then

2013 - first-round pick (top-12 protected), if not then

2014 - first-round pick (top-10 protected), if not then

2015 - first round pick (top-8 protected), if not then

2016 - first round pick (unprotected)

My take: We are in the lottery this year, we are safe for 2012. As bad as we were this year, I think it's safe to assume we will be a bottom 12 team once again next year allowing us to keep our pick for 2013. I understand that this is not a certainty, but it is rare for a small market team to make the jump from last place to the playoff race in one offseason. I believe (hopefully Bee-lieve) 2014 will be the year that we pay the piper for Tyrus Thomas. Assuming the plan we have set in motion to clear cap space and draft young potential all-stars will begin to payoff and we are inching into the playoffs by 2014. With the young potential core we have now (Kemba, Biyombo, Mullens, Henderson) and the addition of our 2012 top 4 pick coupled with a 2013 top-10 next year, we should be competitive. We will have also cleared a ton of cap space and while I know we won't get the high profile guys that are available we should be in a position to compliment our team with some serviceable free agents.

How do you see this playing out for your future Charlotte Hornets?

[MadHatter]

With the young potential core we have now (Kemba, Biyombo, Mullens, Henderson) and the addition of our 2012 top 4 pick coupled with a 2013 top-10 next year, we should be competitive.

That is if we draft well in 2012 and 2013....which has not exactly been our strong suit.

[thatlookseasy]

The bulls may get the pick in 2014, I'm pretty sure they will have it by 2015. The bobcats will probably have a top 5 pick next year, so by the 13/14 season the team will have 2 top picks and a bunch of cap space to build around. I would guess they pick right around the 8-12 range in 2014, and if they get a top ten pick I would hope the team would be good enough the next year to lose the 2015 pick

[Kramerica]

That is if we draft well in 2012 and 2013....which has not exactly been our strong suit.

This. The way things are going right now, the Bulls will be waiting another 4 years for that pick. If Cho & Co. can get things pointed in the right direction, and I'm still holding out hope that they will, we could be giving it up in 2014 at the earliest IMO.

[Chaos]

Here is my diabolical scheme:

Trade entitles the Bulls to a first-round pick of the "Bobcats". Change team name to Hornets. Bulls get no draft pick. Winning.

[Kakarot]

If things go according to plan, then I'd say 2014. Two top 5 picks, this year and next, as well as some good money to pursuit some big name free agents...we should be go to go by 2014

[OchoNueve]

Here is my diabolical scheme:

Trade entitles the Bulls to a first-round pick of the "Bobcats". Change team name to Hornets. Bulls get no draft pick. Winning.

That would be a great loophole.