From the very-plugged-in Marc Stein at ESPN:

Sources close to the situation say that the Wizards had been trying to engage Charlotte on a Blatche-for-Tyrus Thomas swap.

The Wizards would naturally prefer Boris Diaw and his expiring contract -- with the bonus of knowing that Diaw's passing eye could only give the wild Wiz a much-needed boost to their basketball IQ -- but the ever-thrifty Bobcats aren't about to take on the remaining three years (worth nearly $23 million) on Blatche's contract if Thomas' similarly hefty deal isn't headed the other way.

Thomas signed a five-year, $40 million deal the same summer Blatche got his new contract. Following this year, he'll have three years and just over $26 million left on his deal. Basically, he's slightly more expensive than Blatche.

Is Thomas worth acquiring? It's an interesting question. Most know him as the 2006 draft-day disappointment that the Bulls acquired for budding superstar LaMarcus Aldridge, but prior to this year, Thomas had actually started to develop. He had his best year as a pro last season, putting 10 points and 5.5 rebounds per game in 21 minutes to go along with an 18.2 PER, a 53.6% TS% and good defense. Problem is, he's regressed big-time this year. His per-game averages have sunk to 7.4 points and 5 rebounds, and his PER is way down at 10.3. All this is despite playing six more minutes per game because the Bobcats stink. Essentially, we're talking about two teams looking to deal away talented, but inconsistent players.

I think there's some reason to believe that Thomas' struggles this year are a bit flukey given the sample. However, I also think the Wizards have to ask themselves if doing this is better than just waiting until the summer and using the one-time amnesty clause on Blatche. The clause can only be used on players who were under contract with their respective teams during the old CBA, so they wouldn't be able to acquire Thomas, figure out if he'll turn it around and use the clause on him if he doesn't. Otherwise, it's down to Blatche and ... well ... nobody, really, because Rashard Lewis can be bought out for $10 million of his $23 million salary next year.

Is acquiring Thomas better than losing the ability to use the amnesty clause? That's the question we all should be asking.

(HT to Jake for getting this up first).

In Mike Lee's piece on the end of the lockout, there is a brief mention that besides re-signing Nick Young, the Wizards priority this offseason will be to obtain a veteran PG to play the role of John Wall's caddy. Now, it goes without saying that any player who signs with Washington will expect to receive extremely limited minutes at the PG position and will be signing on to provide Wall six minutes of rest a night and have someone to scrimmage against. Of course, there is also the possibility that the Wizards sign someone who is a combo guard and can split time between PG and SG. With Crawford, (maybe) Jeffers and (maybe) Young at the SG position, this too seems highly unlikely. But lets take a look at the possible candidates. First a list of the FA's available this year and then a list of likely amnesty candidates"

Free Agents

Carlos Arroyo

Delonte West

JJ Barea

T.J Ford

Shannon Brown

Mike Bibby

Earl Boykins

Sebastian Telfair

Marcus Banks

Antonio Daniels

Aaron Brooks (restricted)

Pooh Jeter

Marcus Thornton (restricted)

Earl Watson

Chris Quinn

Not exactly a murderer's row there. Marcus Thornton and Aaron Brooks are obviously non-starters as they play large roles on their respective teams. I think we can safely remove the veterans who have too much tread on their tires such as AD or Arroyo. I also think that we can remove guys that break the offense as Flip Saunders will most likely want to pursue someone who can run his sets. So I think Banks, Telfair and our old friend Earl Boykins are also unlikely to be coming to DC. Out of this group, the most likely guys are Pooh Jeter and Chris Quinn, neither of whom bring much to the table, but also don't take much away.

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Anyone as cynical as me may have noticed some of the bizarre rumors we've heard coming out of the Collective Bargaining sessions and, if you are like me, you may have drawn some weird conclusions. 

We all know the issues backwards and forwards by now. The Owners and their front man David Stern have been harping on the same talking points from day one. By now, anyone that follows basketball can recite them in their sleep:

• "22 of 30 teams losing money"
• "The League lost $300 Million last year"
• "Small market teams are at a disadvantage"
• "System changes are needed to improve League competitiveness"
• yada, yada, yada.
  

Even the players seem to have been resigned from day one that there were going to be major give backs during the negotiations; conceeding a roll back from 57% of BRI to 52.5% of BRI without much of a fight. The union leaders seem willing to bend on certain "system changes" - as long as they don't severely cripple player movement. The end of the Lockout will not be determined by anything the Players or Union accomplish. The end will happen when the Owners think they have squeezed enough out of the Players. Once the Owners think they've gotten everything they want... and even a little more; then Basketball can resume. 

Now that the Owners have the Union on the run and have extracted enough money to offset their claimed "losses", they are in the process of making changes to the "system" to ensure future competitiveness of the League. You know, the changes that are critical for small market teams like Minnesota, Milwaukee and Charlotte to compete on even terms with L.A., Chicago and New York.

After the break, we'll discuss those "necessary system changes" that the Owners want to implement.

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Ted Leonsis went on 106.7 The Fan today and had some nice things to say about Ernie Grunfeld and Flip Saunders, making it seem like both might be back next season.  In an interview with the Sports Junkies, Leonsis said he was "thrilled" with Grunfeld and "very happy" with Saunders.  Audio is here, and a brief transcript is here, via the master transcriber, Dan Steinberg.

You guys know me long enough, I am pretty loyal. I believe we're in it together. And as long as we are on the same page, I think that there's harmony in the organization. And right now, Ernie certainly is executing what we want to do. And I'm thrilled with that. I said we want to tear the team down and be young and have upside and have cap space. Check.

I'm very happy with Flip, because he is teaching in an environment of we want you to compete, we want you to play hard, we want you to bring it, because the line between success and failure in pro sports is really small. And effort and teamwork and camaraderie and heart and grit are important. And we'll tolerate youthful mistakes, but we want people to really want to be here and play here and like playing for one another and being respectful to the fans, and I'm seeing that. I'm really seeing that.

A word of caution, though: don't make too much of this when thinking about both men's futures.  Leonsis was asked a question and he answered while being very careful to say he doesn't discuss the job status of his employees directly.  It's certainly a good sign for Grunfeld and Saunders, but to do anything other than offer both men their support would have been very out of line. 

From the press dispatch:

Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has waived forward Al Thornton after coming to an agreement on a contract buyout. 

 "The additions of Rashard Lewis and Mo Evans combined with Josh Howard’s  return from injury gave us a logjam at the small forward spot," said Grunfeld.  "Coming to terms on a contract buyout with Al was mutually beneficial, as it allows us to clear space in the rotation and allows him the chance to pursue an opportunity with another team." 

 Thornton was originally acquired from the L.A. Clippers in a three-team, six-player deal on February 17, 2010.  He appeared 49 games for the Wizards this season, averaging 8.0 points and 3.2 rebounds.

I liked Al as an interview but he was pretty much a square peg in a round hole all season. He didn't have enough of a jumpshot to make sense in Flip's system and basically his performance crashed after the abdominal injury.

UPDATE: Thornton will head to the Golden State Warriors in 48 hours once he clears waivers, according to Marc Stein of ESPN.  Michael Lee reports that Thornton was unhappy in D.C.

Discuss all the rumors here, and also follow SBNation.com for the latest.  Here's what's gone down so far:

• Carmelo Anthony to the Knicks
• Deron Williams to the Nets
• Troy Murphy to Golden State for Brandan Wright and Dan Gadzuric, with Murphy to be bought out.
• Carl Landry to the Hornets for Marcus Thornton and cash.
• James Johnson to the Raptors for the first-round pick Toronto got from Miami this summer.
• The Hinrich trade
• Baron Davis and an unprotected 2011 first-round pick to the Cavaliers for Mo Williams and Jamario Moon. 
• Gerald Wallace was headed to Portland, but that deal is off the table.

It looks like Kirk Hinrich is indeed on his way out the door.  The Wizards' guard has been in trade rumors all season, and now it looks like he's heading to the Atlanta Hawks. 

Michael Lee says that it's Jordan Crawford, not Jamal Crawford, that is coming back to the Wizards.

Kirk Hinrich not playing tonight. #wizards in talks with ATL (for Jordan Crawford), but no deal yet. Could happen soon, according to source ... 

A lot of players would obviously have to be involved because of salaries, but I heard Jordan, not Jamal Crawford. #wizards

Meanwhile, David Aldridge of NBA.com has the specific trade.

Wiz trading Hinrich/Hilton Armstrong 2 ATL 4 Jordan Crawford, Bibby, Mo Evans, first    

If this is the Hawks' pick this year, it will likely be in the early- to mid-20s.  The Wizards only save about $500,000 next season, as Bibby and Crawford combine to make about $7.5 million in 2012, whereas Hinrich makes $8 million.

My first reaction is that I don't really like this trade, though the first-round pick is kind of nice. 

Michael Lee has a post on Wizards insider indicating the Wizards will probably be quiet as the NBA Trade Deadline approaches.  It's an approach I've advocated here before, and none of the rumors I've heard involving the Wizards' players (Josh Howard to Boston, Kirk Hinrich to Atlanta) have changed my mind.  But there is something new in there that is a bit concerning to me.  

According to Lee, the Wizards have moved Andray Blatche off the market.

And, if any players get moved, it will unlikely be members of the young core -- John Wall, Nick Young, JaVale McGee, Andray Blatche, Trevor Booker and Kevin Seraphin. While two Western Conference executives said in late December that the Wizards were open to moving Blatche, the Wizards have informed others in recent weeks that they intend to keep him.    

I don't like the way that sounds. 

UPDATE: Lee clarifies, says he's not "off" the market. For what it's worth.

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