SAN ANTONIO (TICKER) —Kurt Thomas was dealt to the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night, becoming the latest big man to head to a Western Conference contender via trade.
The Spurs acquired Thomas from the Seattle SuperSonics for guard Brent Barry, center Francisco Elson and a 2009 first-round pick.
The 6-foot-9 Thomas, in his 13th NBA season, gives the defending NBA champions much-needed size to complement Tim Duncan. In 42 games with the SuperSonics, the former Texas Christian star averaged 7.5 points and 8.8 rebounds.
Yahoo! Sports reported earlier Wednesday that San Antonio dropped under the luxury-tax threshold after the deal, possibly saving it about $2 million. In exchange, the report said the Spurs will send the SuperSonics a portion of the savings.
“Kurt Thomas is a tough, physical player who can defend, score and rebound,” said Spurs general manager R.C. Buford, who negotiated the deal with his former assistant, Sonics GM Sam Presti. “We feel he will be a great addition to our roster and will add depth to our frontcourt.”
“I think the landscape of the West has put a premium on interior defense,” Buford said. “Now with the trades of recent days, that’s only improved.”
Presti seemed happy about his dealings with his former club.
“We feel very good about the trade that brings us the Spurs’ 2009 first-round draft pick, Francisco Elson and Brent Barry,” he said. “In particular, looking at the first-round pick, in combination with our other future picks, we have great flexibility to add to our core or acquire another impact player in the future.
“At the same time, Kurt is a tremendous person and player, and I appreciate his contributions this season and wish him success.”
Basically... my opinion is that Kurt Thomas is a p.i.m.p. First, he went to TCU... meaning he is already cool. Second, I don't know if anyone remembers last year's Western conference semis... Spurs vs. Suns. After Amare and maybe Nash in that series Kurt was the Suns MVP for sure. He basically shut down Tim Duncan and I don't ever remember him missing a 8-14 foot jump shoot.
The Spurs needed this move. I hate to see Brent Barry go, but with the potential Western conference playoff match-ups of Spurs-Suns, or Lakers we need another great defensive low-post presence. And the 7.5 point average doesn't hurt either. Now that we got Timmy and Kurt to match-up with Shaq/Amare and Gasol/Bynum, we are looking to make another deep playoff run for sure. I mean, when considering the Mavs, after trading Diop, how are than going to match-up with these front court tandems of the West.
I'll end in saying this about the playoffs in the West... that have already started.
Also... hope to see the Supersonics cut Brent "Burnt" Barry and him resign with the Spurs in 30 days, chuuuch!
3 comments:
Others should also be afraid of Spurs. Especially after tonights 44 magnificent points from the MANu himself.
http://mundoalbiceleste.blogspot.com/2008/02/nba-news-its-super-manu-ginobili.html
If you're talking about game 5 with Diaw and Nash out, you must be on some serious drugs, man. Thomas owned Tim Duncan? What? Duncan almost had a triple double in game 5, and the rest of the series he continuously had double doubles
I agree with you about these. Well someday Ill create a blog to compete you! lolz.
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