The Dallas Mavericks have recovered from losing out on DeAndre Jordan about as well as could be expected so far. They made the low-risk move of acquiring Zaza Pachulia in a trade to be one of their centers and they are now currently looking for a backup.
It was reported earlier in the week that they were interested in JaVale McGee, but that interest ended up being exploratory. Now they are reportedly interested in Tyrus Thomas according to Pro Basketball Reporter David Pick.
Thomas burst onto the scene in his freshman season at LSU averaging 12.3 points, 9.2 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per game and left after one season in Baton Rouge, La. He was then selected by the Portland Trail Blazers with the fourth overall pick before being traded to the Chicago Bulls and has been a huge bust in his NBA career.
Thomas has played parts of eight seasons in the NBA, the last of which was last season when he signed a 10-day contract with the Memphis Grizzlies. Thomas only played seven minutes over two games during that contract and the Grizzlies opted not to bring him back for a second 10-day contract.
Before getting that 10-day contract with the Grizzlies Thomas was playing in the D-League for the Iowa Energy and returned there after the contract ended. Thomas had signed a five-year deal worth $40 million with the Charlotte Bobcats in 2010 but was waived via the amnesty clause in 2013, which means he still was paid the money but it didn't count against the team's salary cap.
Thomas spent nearly two years out of basketball before attempting to make a comeback in 2015 with the Energy, yet coming into this next season he is still only going to be 29 years old. Out of college Thomas was considered a ridiculous athlete who could, at the very least, rebound, block shots and run the floor, but for some reason it hasn't worked out for him. Thomas' average PER in the NBA is a 14.8, which is barely below average, but for the number four overall pick in the draft is a huge disappointment.
Aside from the Mavericks, Thomas is drawing interest from European teams, too. It would certainly be interesting to see how Thomas performs if he gets a second chance in the NBA, especially now that he has no expectations attached to him.
