CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Bobcats have come to terms with forward Tyrus Thomas on a five-year, $40 million deal, ensuring the restricted free agent will stay in Charlotte.
Agent Brian Elfus told The Associated Press on Friday that the deal came together after Thomas received interest from other teams. The New Jersey Nets had presented Thomas with an offer sheet.
The Bobcats acquired Thomas in a trade deadline deal with Chicago in February. He averaged 10.1 points and 6.1 rebounds in 25 regular-season games with Charlotte and became the shot-blocker the team had been missing.
The Bobcats made a one-year, $6.2 million qualifying offer to Thomas last month to make him a restricted free agent. The Bobcats had made keeping Thomas an offseason priority.
