HoopsHype.com Rumors

The second-best player in this draft class – or perhaps the best – is Kansas power forward Thomas Robinson. It seems strange, then, that the Charlotte Bobcats, who own the second pick in the draft, haven’t even reached out to Robinson’s camp. No phone call, no interview scheduled, no workout request. It starts to make sense, though, when you learn that the Bobcats are actively shopping the pick, and have no intention of drafting number two. According to several league sources, the Bobcats are looking for a star-caliber player and will only move the pick to a team willing to take on bad contracts like that of Tyrus Thomas or Gana Diop. HoopsWorld

Charlotte Bobcats, Draft, Trade, Tyrus Thomas, Thomas Robinson 

Bill Ingram: League source confirms #2 pick for sale, but Bobcats asking for the world and will look to include Diop or Tyrus Thomas.... Twitter

Charlotte Bobcats, Draft, Trade, Tyrus Thomas, DeSagana Diop 

Charlotte forward Tyrus Thomas was ejected from the Bobcats' game with the Wizards for throwing an elbow at Washington's James Singleton late in the first quarter on Monday night. Thomas was dribbling and Singleton was defending him when the Charlotte forward elbowed him with 3.6 seconds remaining in the quarter. He was immediately called for a flagrant 2 foul and ejected. Charlotte Observer

Charlotte Bobcats, Washington Wizards, Tyrus Thomas, James Singleton 

Asked if there are any remaining issues between him and Silas, Thomas said, “We’re great; we had a game since” the altercation. Beyond that, Thomas said, “We’re going to leave it at the statement Rod Higgins made.’’ Charlotte Observer

Charlotte Bobcats, Coaching, Paul Silas, Tyrus Thomas 

When asked pre-game Wednesday if he and Thomas are now on the same page, Silas said, “We always were.” Silas declined to answer any other questions concerning what happened between him and Thomas. According to the Yahoo story, Silas shoved Thomas toward his locker at the conclusion of a screaming match after Sunday’s loss. The Yahoo story says players intervened to separate the two. Charlotte Observer

Charlotte Bobcats, Coaching, Paul Silas, Tyrus Thomas 

Charlotte Bobcats coach Paul Silas shoved 6-foot-10 forward Tyrus Thomas after a postgame screaming match Sunday night, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. Several players intervened immediately and separated the coach and player, and no punches were thrown, sources said. Yahoo! Sports

Charlotte Bobcats, Paul Silas, Tyrus Thomas 

Silas, 68, had been incensed with Thomas chatting with some Boston Celtics players on the court, and lashed out at him in the losing locker room afterward. Eventually, Thomas snapped back at Silas, and the coach warned him to say no more or risk a suspension. Once Thomas stood up, Silas pushed him toward his locker stall, sources said. Yahoo! Sports

Charlotte Bobcats, Paul Silas, Tyrus Thomas 

Bobcats general manager Rod Higgins met with Silas and Thomas, and both have been fined, a source said. Yahoo! Sports

Charlotte Bobcats, Paul Silas, Tyrus Thomas 

“Silas hates losing to the Celtics, and Paul was even angrier that he thought [Thomas] was acting buddy-buddy with some of their guys,” one source said. “That’s what got it going. But Paul was yelling at him over his salary, over what they have left to pay him. But it started with him saying, hey, he could live with the losing, but you’re going to be buddy-buddy as they’re beating your ass too?” Yahoo! Sports

Charlotte Bobcats, Paul Silas, Tyrus Thomas 

Higgins and Cho didn't discuss who could be an amnesty candidate, but it's apparent shooting guard Matt Carroll, center Gana Diop or power forward Tyrus Thomas would be the options, based on their remaining salaries and performances this season. Using amnesty on Thomas would be the most extreme move, since they still owe him about $26 million guaranteed over the next three seasons. Charlotte Observer

Charlotte Bobcats, Trade, Tyrus Thomas, Matt Carroll 

Higgins was asked about Thomas' lack of production and whether the team now regrets signing him to a 5-year, $40 million contract. "This past summer, nobody (from the team) really saw him because of the lockout. So Tyrus comes back physically looking totally different. He's not playing the same and he's probably lost 15 pounds," which has impeded his effectiveness at power forward, Higgins said. "The regret part (concerning) the contract, you can go both ways on it. It could have been a mistake, but you also have to give him the benefit of the doubt. Can the guy, because of his youthfulness (he's 26), get back to where he was as a player when we invested in him?" Charlotte Observer

Charlotte Bobcats, Trade, Tyrus Thomas 

It's safe to say the NBA-worst Bobcats were expecting a little more from a veteran who's making $7.3 million this season and is scheduled to make an average of $8.7 million the next three seasons. "The frustrating part is we need him to play up to his level so he can help us win games," coach Paul Silas said. "What he makes (in salary) and that kind of stuff, I don't care about that. But I look at what he does out on the court and he's just not playing that well." Deseret News

Charlotte Bobcats, Paul Silas, Tyrus Thomas 

Teammate D.J. White simply believes Thomas is in a slump and will break out. "I don't think he's frustrated," White said. "I think he's working through it. He's in here early getting up shots. Even on the road he's staying after practice and working on his game. As basketball players we go through some things some time. You have to stay focused and believe in yourself and he's doing that right now." Deseret News

Charlotte Bobcats, Paul Silas, Tyrus Thomas, DJ White 

The Wizards have been working hard to move disappointing forward Andray Blatche, but a calf injury expected to sideline the favorite target of D.C. boobirds for three to five weeks won't make it any easier. Sources close to the situation say that the Wizards had been trying to engage Charlotte on a Blatche-for-Tyrus Thomas swap. ESPN.com

Charlotte Bobcats, Washington Wizards, Trade, Tyrus Thomas, Andray Blatche 

With forward Tyrus Thomas showing signs of leg fatigue, Charlotte Bobcats coach Paul Silas chose to sit him, with hopes he'll play Thursday in Atlanta - the first of three games in three nights for the Bobcats. Thomas missed the first six games of the season with a sprained ankle. His return coincided with Corey Maggette's hamstring strain, so Silas inserted Thomas into the lineup at small forward and played him heavy minutes - an average of 29 per night. Silas said Thomas wanted to play against the Houston Rockets, but Silas vetoed that idea. "His legs are hurting him and he's very tired," Silas said. "Possibly we played him too much, too soon." Charlotte Observer

Charlotte Bobcats, Paul Silas, Tyrus Thomas 

Charlotte Bobcats forward Tyrus Thomas doesn’t appreciate the cold-shoulder he feels from the national media this preseason. That has him extra fired up to play basketball. “My drive is because of the fact every other team is getting mentioned right now, whether it's their blockbuster trade or how good they’ll be,'' Thomas told the Observer Monday. "So I know we have to come in and work. My drive right now is to be mentioned. It just disgusts me when you watch ESPN, and out of the 30 teams you’re not mentioned. Charlotte Observer

Charlotte Bobcats, Tyrus Thomas 

Tyrus Thomas: about to unfollow every "basketball guru" i follow Twitter

Tyrus Thomas, Twitter 

Tyrus Thomas: I'd like to thank the city of Chicago, as well as my Chicago fans and supporters for 3.5 wonderful years an many lessons! #thanksChiTown Twitter

Chicago Bulls, Tyrus Thomas 

Do you live in Charlotte, and what are your impressions of the city? Tyrus Thomas: My wife and I have decided to make the Queen City home. We absolutely love it here. The people have been so friendly and genuine. How could we want to leave? Charlotte Observer

Charlotte Bobcats, Tyrus Thomas 

What have you been doing since the season ended? Tyrus Thomas: I've been continuing a little rehab on my knee and now I'm back working out. I've been really working on my mental approach to the game. I've done that by watching film, studying myself, and being more analytical, rather than spontaneous, in my everyday life. I must say though, the highlight of my summer has been my wedding! Charlotte Observer

Charlotte Bobcats, Tyrus Thomas, Injuries