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HANG TIME HEADQUARTERS -- It appears we have our first true shocker of the day.

Tyrus Thomas to the Bobcats?

TNT analyst David Aldridge: "The Charlotte Bobcats bolstered their front line significantly just before Thursday's 3 p.m. deadline by acquiring forward Tyrus Thomas from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for guards Flip Murray and Acie Law and a first-round draft pick. The Bobcats beat out both Denver and San Antonio, who had both had significant interest in Thomas. A source says the Nuggets were trying to use guard Renaldo Balkman as part of a package that would ultimately land Thomas, but were unsuccessful.

The Bulls and Bobcats had talked a few weeks ago, but the discussions petered out. But Charlotte, making a playoff push in the east and trying to make the postseason for the first time in franchise history, started the talks back up this week and got the deal done.

Thomas can play either power forward or center for Charlotte. If he plays more power forward, that would allow All-Star Gerald Wallace to move down to his natural small forward position. Either way, Thomas will improve the Bobcats' defense. Charlotte is third in the league in fewest points allowed, but only 12th in rebound differential. Law and Murray are both on expiring deals that will not impact Chicago's ability to go after a max-level free agent this summer.

Yahoo! Sports first reported the Bobcats-Bulls discussions.

Meanwhile, a source close to Knicks All-Star forward David Lee says there is no way Lee would approve a trade to Sacramento as part of a deal for Tracy McGrady, whom the Kings acquired late Wednesday night in a seven-player trade with Houston. Because Lee signed a one-year deal last summer with the Knicks, he has the right to veto any trade this season. The Kings have expressed interest in including Lee in a trade with New York for McGrady, though the Knicks are looking to use elements of the same package they had been offering Houston for McGrady in trade discussions: guard Larry Hughes, forwards Jared Jeffries and rookie Jordan Hill and draft picks. It's not known if New York would offer pieces of that package or all of it for McGrady.

A source early Thursday morning close to the negotiations said there was a "decent" chance the Kings re-route McGrady to New York.