Mar 19, 2011; Tucson, AZ, USA; San Diego State Aztecs forward Malcolm Thomas (4) celebrates with fans after the Aztecs won a game against the Temple Owls in double overtime in the third round of the 2011 NCAA men

I’ve got to give props to Queen City Hoops’ Spencer Percy on this one; I found out that the Charlotte Bobcats and Malcolm Thomas were interested in each other from his twitter account.

I had no idea who he was, so I googled him.

Right away I was pretty happy. He’s a 6’9 forward. He can play power forward. The Bobcats need more power forwards.

He’s also young. He can be had for a reasonably cheap contract. Also, he was a pretty damn good player in the D League.

With the Los Angeles Defenders, the D League squad he saw the most time with, Thomas scored 14 points, grabbed 11.5 rebounds, two blocks and had 1.5 assists in 32.3 minutes per game.

In the playoffs, Thomas elevated his game and dropped 18 points, grabbed 16.7 rebounds and had 2.4 assists in 34 minutes a game (he played all the way through the finals, so it’s not like these numbers are just from one series where his team was terrible).

There’s really no reason not to give this guy a shot. He’s clearly improved since his college days where he scored 11.4 points, grabbed eight rebounds and had two blocks in 30.4 minutes per game during his last season at San Diego State.

Thomas even saw a little time with the San Antonio Spurs last season.

Charlotte has already started a youth movement, they might as well see if they’ve got a diamond in the rough with Thomas.

March 24, 2012; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Florida Gators guard Kenny Boynton (left) sits in the locker room as guard Bradley Beal (23) answers questions from the media after the game in the finals of the west region of the 2012 NCAA men

Depending on who you follow on twitter, the Charlotte Bobcats and Cleveland Cavs are either hours away from swapping first round draft picks, or unlikely to make a deal anytime soon.

These two tweets were sent a few hours apart from each other:

Bobcats & Cavaliers now re-engaged in talks for the 2nd overall pick. Sources tell me that deal is all but likely to be completed. #NBADraft

— Legion Sports (@MySportsLegion) June 27, 2012

As of last evening, #Cavaliers had not spoken to the #Bobcats in days about any potential deals.

— Tom Withers (@twithersAP) June 27, 2012

I’m not sure what to believe.

My best guess is that this trade will happen, but not the way everyone thinks it will:

I think Cleveland is going to force Charlotte’s hand and make the Bobcats draft Beal Thursday night, then trade picks four and 24 to the Bobcats for him.

If the Cavs won’t give up any of their second round picks or any of their players in addition #2 and #24, Spencer Percy has a perfect sweetener that the Bobcats would have to pull the trigger on:

and hopefully Tyrus Thomas is included in this deal as well. Sooo, it’s #Bobcats giving #2 & Tyrus for #4, 24….I guess

— Spencer Percy (@QCsportscrave) June 27, 2012