Thomas Reportedly Set to Jump Raptors for NBC

TORONTO — Isiah Thomas might be in his last days as general manager-part owner of the Toronto Raptors.

The Toronto Star reported today that Thomas could leave as early as this week for a job with NBC television.

Four sources who weren’t identified told the Star that Thomas is weighing a lucrative offer from the network that includes on-air basketball analysis and his own show on CNBC, the network’s cable station.

The offer carries a $2 million annual salary, according to one source.

“Essentially, everyone in his life has told him he should leave,” a source close to the team told the Star. “I think there’s a good chance he will. Everyone in his family and his advisors have told him to leave, especially for economic reasons.”

Said a business source: “It’s 99% done. It should be done by the end of the week.”

David Stern, the NBA commissioner, and Russ Granik, Stern’s second-in-command, are aware of the offer, the source said.

“Right now it’s merely speculation and unnamed sources,” a Raptors spokesman said this morning, adding Thomas would be at tonight’s home game against Boston and would address the story then.

Generally considered one of the NBA’s most innovative general managers, the 36-year-old Thomas has the highest profile of anyone in the Raptors’ organization. Losing him would be seen as a blow to the young team’s credibility, not only in Toronto but throughout the NBA.

The former Detroit Pistons great was rebuffed in an attempt to obtain majority control of the team in August, and speculation began almost immediately on how long he would stay.

An NBC spokesperson said Monday night he had no knowledge that Thomas would be joining the network. An NBA spokesperson said neither Stern nor Granik has spoken to Thomas in more than a week.

Thomas, who earns $900,000 in Canadian dollars on his general manager’s contract and also owns 9% of the team, was said to be in Miami and unavailable for comment. He is known for his brinksmanship bargaining, although it’s unclear whether he’s attempting to pressure majority owner Allan Slaight by talking to NBC.

In at least three instances, Thomas has been unable to trade for players or sign free agents because Slaight nixed the deals.

The Raptors had a deal worked out with Philadelphia to obtain swingman Jerry Stackhouse and forward Clarence Weatherspoon, but Slaight said no, sources said.