(CBS) When the NBA sorts out its labor strife and opens up free agency, the Chicago Bulls may have some competition if they want to re-sign veteran forward Kurt Thomas.

According to a report by the New York Daily News, the Knicks will pursue Thomas, the league’s oldest player, in free agency.

Thomas started 37 games for the Bulls while the team dealt with injuries to Joakim Noah and Carlos Boozer. He averaged 4.1 points and 5.8 rebounds per game in the regular season.

Thomas played with the Knicks from 1999-2005.

“Everyone knows how I feel about the Knicks,” Thomas told the newspaper. “I have a lot of friends there. We’ll see what happens. It’s too early to say right now, especially since there might be a lockout. But I’m keeping myself ready because I want to keep playing.”‘