Garrett Temple Rumors

Thomas, the Bulls’ first-round acquisition in 2006, has known Temple since they were three years old. Along with Glen Davis, the three natives of Baton Rouge, La. grew up playing bitty basketball together — “We won three titles in a row from (ages) nine to 11,” Thomas said — and teamed up to lead LSU’s surprising run to the 2006 NCAA Final Four. “We’ve been playing together our whole lives,” Thomas said.

Tyrus Thomas: “Unlike a lot of the guys in the NBA, including myself, he actually has family and the foundation where he’s not the savior for the family. He understands a lot more than we did. He always was more advanced just in the sense of rationale and logic as opposed to guys like me and Glen who grew up in survive mode and we’d sometimes be irrational. So I was just so happy for him because I knew he’d be able to handle it and enjoy it the right way, as opposed to some guys who have to try to figure out ways to change the trajectory of their family. His family did well for him and by him. He’s always been a well-rounded guy.”