Thomas returns as Bulls send Hughes to Knicks

What is the opposite of triumphant return?

Whatever it is, Tim Thomas is about to do the exactly that. He's headed back to the Bulls along with rarely used center Jerome James as Larry Hughes heads to New York.

There may be another minor player involved in the deal, but the trade should be official soon. One unconfirmed report had the Knicks also sending Anthony Roberson to the Bulls.

Thomas, of course, had a brief, but memorable stint with the Bulls early in the 2005-06 season. Thrown into the trade that sent Eddy Curry to the Knicks, Thomas got hurt in preseason, played in three games when he got healthy, complained that he wasn't getting enough run, then was told to go home and stay home. Thomas has complained often about how he was mistreated by ex-Bulls coach Scott Skiles and given no explanation for why he was let go.

But the reason was obvious: The Bulls thought Thomas was a slacker and didn't want him bringing down the mood of team. Maybe if the guy had waited two weeks before griping about his playing time, things would have been different. Thomas was also remembered for telling everyone how unselfish he'd been throughout his career, giving up shots to Glenn Robinson and Allen Iverson. Then he took a shot every time he touched the ball.

Anyway, that's what the NBA has become, shuffling bad contracts around. Jerome James has played four games for the Knicks the past two seasons, seems to always be injured and doesn't figure to be a factor for the Bulls. Thomas is averaging 9.6 points in 36 games for the Knicks. He was traded from the Clippers in the Zach Randolph deal earlier this season.

Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro said he has a good relationship with Thomas and expects him to play a role on the Bulls. They were teammates in Milwaukee for two seasons from 1998-2000 and Thomas spent the end of the 2005-06 season in Phoenix - after he was released by the Bulls - while Del Negro worked with the Suns.

"I played with Tim a couple years (in Milwaukee)," Del Negro said following Thursday's short practice at the Berto Center. "I enjoyed playing with him, I didn't have any problem with him. I expect him to be professional and do his job. He has the ability and skill level to help us in certain situations. I think it's a positive move for us."

Financially, this deal is pretty much a wash for both teams. Hughes was set to make $13.6 million next season, while James is due $6.6 million and Thomas $6.5 million next year. All three contracts expire in 2010, so the Bulls are setting themselves up for having enough cap room to make a run at Chris Bosh or someone else in free agency next year.

Hughes helped the Bulls early this season, but hasn't played since Jan. 12, the day Kirk Hinrich returned from a thumb injury. The Bulls committed to finding Hughes a new home because they felt he kept a reasonably good attitude during the past month or so.