Thomas Considers NBC Job

General Manager Isiah Thomas could be leaving the Toronto Raptors for NBC-TV.

Thomas, who also owns about 9% of the Raptors, said at a news conference Tuesday in Toronto that he has held discussions with NBC.

“I was offered a job, I didn’t go looking for one,” said Thomas, reportedly irked at having proposed trades nixed by team owner Allan Slaight. “An opportunity came along and we’re talking about it.”

Thomas, who did not say when he might make a decision, was offered $2 million annually by NBC, according to the Toronto Star. Thomas earns $900,000 (Canadian) a year with the Raptors, low by NBA standards.

Thomas tried to buy majority control of the club from Slaight after last season, but a deal couldn’t be worked out. Thomas said at the time he was committed to staying with the Raptors.

Thomas gave no details about the NBC job, although the Star said it includes on-air NBA analysis and his own show on cable network CNBC.

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Former Dallas Maverick forward Roy Tarpley was arrested and charged with domestic violence for allegedly burning his girlfriend’s stomach with a clothes iron, the latest legal problem for a player whose NBA career ended because of drugs.

Tarpley, 32, also faces several outstanding warrants, a Dallas sheriff’s department spokesman said.

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Houston Rocket forward Charles Barkley will miss at least three games and possibly more because of a strained left groin suffered in Sunday’s loss at Phoenix. Team physicians said Barkley also may have a hernia that could be lingering from a collision with Dallas center Shawn Bradley last season.