Knicks Rumors: Kurt Thomas, oldest NBA player, to play center

The New York Knicks may be making a run at a familiar face and the oldest player in the NBA - free agent center Kurt Thomas.

According to the NY Daily News, Knicks team sources have indicated that they will try to sign Thomas, who played for the Knicks for seven seasons ending in 2005.

Thomas officially became the NBA's oldest player when Shaquille O'Neal retired earlier this month.

The 38-year old Thomas played for the Chicago Bulls last year on a one year contract for $1.3 million to backup starting center Joakim Noah.

The Knicks need a center with only Ronny Turiaf signed next year.

However, the Knicks are unwilling to go after a better player that would need a longer contract, since the team has reportedly instituted a one-year contract rule in order to vie for the free agent class of 2012.

Among the free agents that may be available in 2012 are Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard, New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul, and New Jersey Nets point guard Deron Williams.

The Knicks could use any of those players to complement their stars Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire, and form a Big 3 rivaling the Miami Heat.

In the mean time, Thomas may be the perfect fit, since he would go for a one year deal and would be a serviceable backup to Turiaf, despite his age.

Thomas averaged 4.1 points, 5.8 rebounds in 22.7 minutes a game for the Bulls last season, who lost to the Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Everyone knows how I feel about the Knicks, Thomas told The Daily.

I have a lot of friends there. We'll see what happens. It's too early to say right now, especially since there might be a lockout. But I'm keeping myself ready because I want to keep playing.

Besides Thomas, the Knicks are reportedly interested in Charlotte Bobcats big man Kwame Brown.

Other big men that the Knicks might be interested include Tony Battle, Joel Pryzbilla, Aaron Gray, and even Theo Ratliff.

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