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Knicks Rumors: Lance Thomas Would Take Hometown Discount

By Maxwell Ogden

Dec 18, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New York Knicks forward Lance Thomas (42) signs autographs for young fans prior to a game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New York Knicks forward Lance Thomas (42) signs autographs for young fans prior to a game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Lance Thomas reportedly wants to re-sign with the New York Knicks. The Brooklyn native may even take a hometown discount.

The New York Knicks have three free agents whom Phil Jackson is considering re-signing. Those three players are restricted free agent Langston Galloway, and unrestricted free agents Lance Thomas and Derrick Williams.

According to Marc Berman of The New York Post, Thomas is willing to go the extra financial mile in order to New York.

For those unfamiliar, Thomas has spent the past two-and-a-half seasons with the Knicks, was born in Brooklyn, and went to high school in New Jersey.

Per Berman’s full report, Thomas has already turned down more lucrative offers from other teams in favor of potentially staying with the Knicks.

"While defensive forward Lance Thomas has been courted by five clubs, even turning down an offer from the Clippers, his chances of remaining a Knick still are “better than 50-50,” according to an NBA source familiar with the matter.“He still wants to stay,” the source said. “He likes the moves they’ve done.”Thomas’ reps met with Knicks general manager Steve Mills here Sunday to debrief him on his free-agent courtings…The Timberwolves, Spurs, Clippers, Thunder and Pelicans are interested, and Thomas has received at least two offers that would slightly top what the Knicks can do."

Thomas was one of the few bright spots from the 2015-16 squad, which makes this development one worth monitoring.

Thomas, 28, finished the 2015-16 season with averages of 8.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 0.7 3-point field goal made per game. He did so on an efficient slash line of .442/.404/.857.

If only one determination can be made, it’s that Thomas is the type of player who proves that all-encompassing stats like PER often miss the mark.

Williams’ athleticism makes him a stylistic fit under head coach Jeff Hornacek. Thus, it’s easy to see why many believe he should be brought back, as he’s built to have a breakout season in Hornacek’s up-tempo offense.

Though Thomas may not come close to rivaling Williams’ explosiveness, he’s the very definition of a glue guy.

The Knicks had a net rating—points scored per 100 possessions minus points allowed per 100 possessions—of -0.1 with Thomas on the court in 2015-16. For perspective, that was the best net rating of any Knicks player who was active for at least 40 games.

Yes, better than Arron Afflalo, Carmelo Anthony, Robin Lopez, and Kristaps Porzingis—amongst players who were active for at least 40 games, it was the best mark on the team.

By comparison, the Knicks’ net rating plummeted to a -4.2 when Thomas wasn’t on the court. That’s a significant difference of 4.1 points per 100 possessions—the difference between almost winning and clearly losing.

The good news for the Knicks is that one of the most valuable players on the roster is reportedly willing to take a hometown discount. The bad news is that New York isn’t the only interested party.

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Phil Jackson may need to act hastily if his goal is to re-sign Thomas.

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