The Bulls and Tim Thomas are going their separate ways. Exactly how this breakup will shake out remains to be seen. What is certain at this point, however, is Tim Thomas will not suit up again this season for the Bulls.

The Tim Thomas Era was certainly short-lived, but ah, what a ride! I laughed, I cried, I sneezed. And now, here we are, left to pick up the pieces and wonder what went wrong.

Of course, the Chicago Bulls-Tim Thomas marriage never figured to be a very good match, what with Thomas's career reputation as a talented underachiever seemingly allergic to hard work and the clearly meritocratic doctrine of the Paxson-Skiles regime. Said GM John Paxson of the situation: "There's this perceived thing that because he's a highly paid player, he should be playing. It's never been about that with us."

For now, Thomas will reamin on the Bulls' roster, but not as an active member of the team. Paxson will explore trade options, though Thomas's nearly $14 million salary this season makes any trade a tricky proposition.

Dealt to the Bulls along with Michael Sweetney as part of the Eddy Curry deal, Thomas publicly voiced his dissatisfaction over playing time prior to the start of the Bulls' recent road trip. Slotted at the bottom of the forward rotation behind Sweetney, Luol Deng, Andres Nocioni, Othella Harrington, and Darius Songaila, Thomas was never likely to see significant minutes with the Bulls, who only took him on in order to push the Eddy Curry deal through.

Until a potential deal is made, it appears Thomas will stay with his family in New York.