Thomas has missed the last 23 games due to a broken left arm.
"We have missed his activity,'' Del Negro said. "So any activity he can bring, athleticism out there [will help]. If we can package that up a little bit, as he gets a little more comfortable he will find a way to harness that energy and I will help him through the process."
Thomas averaged 8.3 points and 5.3 rebounds in the first four games, starting three of the contests. He had season highs of 13 points and eight rebounds in the first four games. The Bulls' bench has been very short in Thomas' absence, and the Bulls have had several games in which Del Negro used only two reserves extensively.
"We've got another body, so that is a positive,'' Del Negro said. "He can get in the open court, play some three, some four. I've got a little game plan to get some minutes for him, bring him in for Taj [Gibson] in the first quarter. I don't want to overdo it, but I want to see how he fits in."
Del Negro said Thomas has had only one contact practice once he was cleared to work out fully after repairing his arm. The injury occurred during a weight-lifting session at the team's practice facility in early November.
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