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Kurt Thomas is the NBA's oldest player and he might just hold the title of slowest and most vertically challenged, too. Yet, he's precisely what the Knicks need. According to a team source, the Knicks intend to make a run at reacquiring Thomas this summer, or whenever the expected NBA lockout ends. The veteran power forward is a free agent who spent last season with the Chicago Bulls and has made it clear that he wants to play at least one more season. New York Daily News

Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, Free Agency, Kurt Thomas 

"Everyone knows how I feel about the Knicks," said Thomas, who averaged 4.1 points and 5.8 rebounds in 22.7 minutes per game last season. "I have a lot of friends there. We'll see what happens. It's too early to say right now, especially since there might be a lockout. But I'm keeping myself ready because I want to keep playing." New York Daily News

Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, Free Agency, Kurt Thomas 

There are other free-agent centers who could be had for one-year deals that will pique the Knicks' interest -- Tony Battie, ex-Knick veteran Kurt Thomas, who filled in solidly in spots with the Bulls, Joel Pryzbilla, Aaron Gray and ancient Theo Ratliff. New York Post

New York Knicks, Kurt Thomas, Aaron Gray, Tony Battie, Theo Ratliff, Joel Przybilla 

A source close to the situation told 1500 ESPN former Toronto Raptors head coach and current New Jersey Nets assistant Sam Mitchell would jump at the opening, although he'd be a long shot to get the job. ESPN.com

Minnesota Timberwolves, Coaching, Sam Mitchell, Kurt Thomas 

Ronnie Brewer laughed when pregame locker room talk shifted to Celtics forward Glen Davis' takedown of Kurt Thomas, who drew a technical foul Thursday for standing over and taunting Davis. "Somebody showed me a YouTube clip of Kurt and all it was all fights," Brewer said. "You don't want to mess with that guy." Thomas' 16-year run dates to a different era, when fights didn't always result in lengthy suspensions or hefty fines. "I feel I'm old school, so I definitely like when you're able to bang bodies," Thomas said. Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, Kurt Thomas, Ronnie Brewer 

Given how invaluable Kurt Thomas has been in his versatility to seamlessly plug into the lineup when injuries have occurred, do you see the Bulls re-signing him next year to fill a similar role? Tom Miller, Palatine Thomas first would have to decide to play. I've asked him about this and he said once he got to 10 years, he took his playing future summer by summer. He obviously still can play, but there's no guarantee he will. Then, I'd guess he'd be in a similar position as Brad Miller. The Bulls would've certainly re-signed Miller last summer (and thus, Thomas wouldn't have been here) if it had been for the right price. Instead, Houston made a surprisingly high offer and Miller jumped. If Thomas decided to play and the price was right, I could see it happening. Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, Kurt Thomas 

The question was about the relative lack of pounding his body has sustained throughout his 16-year NBA career and whether he thought perhaps that contributed to his longevity. "I definitely take a lot of pounding," the Bulls forward said. "I really sacrifice my body out there doing a lot of the banging, the fighting for position, taking charges, so there's pounding." "I meant, um, vertical pounding," I asked as diplomatically as possible. "From jumping? High?" Fortunately, Thomas, who's 6-foot-9, is not sensitive when it comes to his vertical challenges. Or any others. He laughed. "I've never been a high jumper, it's never been a big part of my game," he said. "It's something I wish I would've had, but all told, I haven't needed it to contribute. And as far as my playing longer because of it, I can agree with that." ESPN.com

Chicago Bulls, Kurt Thomas 

(Kurt) Thomas said five or six teams reached out to him. But his familiarity with Tom Thibodeau from their shared Knicks days swayed him to the Bulls. And don't worry too much about his career-spanning motivation. He knows he's no longer a starter when Noah returns. Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, Kurt Thomas 

Kurt Thomas reverted to his career-spanning motivation shortly after signing his one-year, free-agent deal with the Bulls on July 26 for his 16th NBA season. "I come in every year expecting to start," Thomas said. So, apparently, Thomas forgot Joakim Noah was on the roster? "Oh, I knew he was," Thomas said. "But that's what my mindset is. That's how I go into my offseason. I have to consider myself a starter." Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, Kurt Thomas, Joakim Noah 

During a 24-5 run, the Bulls scored on 11 of 13 possessions and Rose scored or assisted on nine of them. That included a 3-pointer to start the spurt and a gorgeous, stop-and-go move that led to a wicked reverse layup past two Cavaliers to end it. In all, Rose scored 12 of his 28 points and had five of his 11 assists in the period. Rose left the locker room without saying much, but his teammates marveled for him. "Just amazing to be on the floor with him," said veteran Kurt Thomas, not known for hyperbole. "He's getting better and better each year. I think playing on the USA team this summer took his game to a new level. He's definitely right there at the top (for point guards). He's playing unbelievable." Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, Kurt Thomas, Derrick Rose 

Chicago Bulls forward Kurt Thomas will start again on Saturday afternoon against the New York Knicks and coach Tom Thibodeau hinted that Thomas could stay in the lineup for the foreseeable future. Thomas was inserted into the starting lineup on Tuesday in a win over the Philadelphia 76ers as Taj Gibson missed the game due to a concussion. Gibson was cleared to play Wednesday night in the Bulls' win over the Washington Wizards, but only played 31 seconds. Thibodeau said after the game that he chose not to play Gibson much because he had missed several days of practice. "As of right now [Thomas will continue to start]," Thibodeau said before Friday morning's practice. "But that's subject to change depending upon who we're playing against. I like the size and strength of Kurt and I think it's a good combination with Carlos [Boozer]." ESPN.com

Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, Kurt Thomas 

Kurt Thomas, whose signing was officially announced by the Bulls on Monday, said the two-time scoring champion would be a good fit in Chicago. "If he has taken the time to really let his body heal, that's the key," Thomas said Monday on "The Afternoon Saloon" on ESPN 1000. "The problem with me early in my career when I was injured, I was rushing back. I think he's been able to really rest his body and let his body heal. He has enough talent. He's shown it over the years, and I'm pretty sure he has enough left in the tank to help us." ESPN.com

The Bulls have another piece in place toward their final 12-man roster, and it's a piece that can deliver a big hit and protect franchise star Derrick Rose. Fifteen-year NBA veteran forward/center and enforcer Kurt Thomas has agreed to a one-year contract with the Bulls, according to a source in a report by the Associated Press. While the deal has not been finalized, according to AP's source, several other media outlets also have reported that Thomas was headed to Chicago to accept an offer reportedly worth just above the NBA minimum for veteran players, which is set at $1.35 million. Sam Smith, a veteran writer for Bulls.com, was the first to report the signing. Arlington Heights Daily Herald

The Chicago Bulls have agreed to terms with free-agent big man Kurt Thomas, according to a source with knowledge of the deal. Thomas, a 15-year veteran, averaged three points and four rebounds last season for the Milwaukee Bucks. He will back up Joakim Noah, essentially replacing Brad Miller's role on the roster. Thomas will undoubtedly serve as a mentor for Noah, as Miller did, and will help rookie center Omer Asik adjust to the NBA. ESPN.com

The Bulls will probably still like to add a veteran big man. Among the free agents still on the market are Shaquille O'Neal, Kurt Thomas, Theo Ratliff, Francisco Elson, Tony Battie, Jarron Collins, Rasho Nesterovic and Fabricio Oberto. They also need to add depth at guard and have talked about veteran long-range shooter Eddie House. Arlington Heights Daily Herald

Suns looking for backup centers-Kurt Thomas, Fabricio Oberto, Rasha Nesterovic, Mark Blount & Dwayne Jones if Toronto releases on the list Twitter

Phoenix Suns, Free Agency, Kurt Thomas 

The Nuggets are interested in free-agent center Brad Miller. Other frontcourt players who might get a look include shot-blocking center Theo Ratliff, veteran Kurt Thomas, former Nugget Francisco Elson and Golden State center Anthony Tolliver, who finished last season with averages of 15.9 points and 8.9 rebounds in his final 16 games. Louis Amundson, the 6-foot-9 forward from Phoenix who played at Boulder and Monarch high schools, is not likely to sign with Denver, a NBA source said Monday. Denver Post

Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns, Free Agency, Brad Miller, Kurt Thomas, Anthony Tolliver, Louis Amundson 

The Hawks haven’t offered Shaq a contract yet. There’s still the open question of what kind of role he’s willing to accept on his new team. The Hawks also are said to be looking at Brad Miller, Ilgauskas, Kurt Thomas, Kwame Brown and Anthony Tolliver. Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta Hawks, Free Agency, Shaquille O'Neal, Brad Miller, Kurt Thomas, Anthony Tolliver, Kwame Brown 

Frank Isola: Party like it's 1999. Knicks reached out to Kurt Thomas, Daily News has learned. Kurt and Marcus Camby only active players from '99 Knicks Twitter

New York Knicks, Free Agency, Kurt Thomas 

The Suns plan to fill roster holes with draft picks and minimum-salary free agents, including perhaps former Suns forward Kurt Thomas. Interest in Louis Amundson has put him out of Phoenix's price range. Arizona Republic

Phoenix Suns, Free Agency, Kurt Thomas, Louis Amundson