Consider this scenario: FIU has a first-round prospect, and the Knicks want to pick him. The New Jersey Nets and Toronto Raptors, both Atlantic Division foes, are interested in the same player and, of course, want to talk to that young man's coach, who happens to be Thomas, who happens to work for the Knicks, who happen to be hoping the Nets (picking at No. 5) and the Raptors (picking at No. 6) don't select this player before he can be grabbed by the Knicks (picking at No. 7).
Does Thomas give the Nets and Raptors a less-than-ringing endorsement in an attempt to move them off the kid, even if a slide in the draft would cost that kid a truckload of money? Does Thomas ask his assistants and acquaintances in the college game to deliver the same bogus scouting report to inquiring minds?
FIU has produced Raja Bell and Carlos Arroyo, but no, it's not exactly Kentucky or North Carolina, a truth that makes little or no difference. Thomas will be afforded greater access to opposing Division I players than any fellow NBA executive. He can talk to them when others can't. Before these players declare for the draft, Thomas can praise them in news conferences when others aren't even allowed to speak their names.
"There are a thousand ways a college head coach working for an NBA team can try to manipulate the draft," said one well-placed NBA source. "He can advise certain players to enter early, advise others not to enter early, and it can all be tied to the interests of the NBA team paying that coach. I can't see how this would hold up."
