Seattle looking for salary cap relief and making Thomas available

[MoSpur]

trade barry + elson for him.

then when barry is dumped, he can resign with us

ala Jerry Stackhouse and the Dallas Mavericks. Oops

[Steve-O-Matic]

What this article fails to mention is that Thomas' contract itself is an expiring contract, so simply trading expiring contracts back to Seattle in return isn't going to get the deal done. The Sonics are going to require at least a 1st round pick (if not more), and all things being equal, they would be least likely to accept the Spurs' offer if they get the same offer from another team since the Spurs would be expected to have a lower pick in the round(s) than their trade compe ion.

[MoSpur]

I think they're more likely to trade Thomas to a contender.

[Solid D]

This just in...Spurs sponsor H.E.B. Grocery Co. has nixed the proposed trade including Brent Barry.

[FromWayDowntown]

The Sonics brass is quite aware of what the Spurs' guys can or can't do. Thomas would seem to be a perfect fit with this Spurs team, but Presti & Co aren't likely to do the Spurs any real favors without getting something of value in return, which I would think would mean someone in the farm system at least.

[ChumpDumper]

The more I read about it, the more I think Thomas is not going to be traded and will be bought out and allowed to choose the team he wants to play for. In that case, we'll be in compe ion with the Mavs and who knows who else.

[ApolloCreed]

The more I read about it, the more I think Thomas is not going to be traded and will be bought out and allowed to choose the team he wants to play for. In that case, we'll be in compe ion with the Mavs and who knows who else.

Probably Phoenix.

[ChumpDumper]

Probably Phoenix.

Nah, they have Shaq. I'm not sure Thomas would want to go back to the team that traded him for nothing.

[Spurminator]

As I see it, we're the le contender that could offer Kurt Thomas the most minutes. It would be a win-win for him and for the Spurs.

[ChumpDumper]

Yeah, we have the advantage of repeatedly knocking his teams out of the playoffs -- so there's probably a respect factor there.

He is from Dallas, though.

[tav1]

The more I read about it, the more I think Thomas is not going to be traded and will be bought out and allowed to choose the team he wants to play for. In that case, we'll be in compe ion with the Mavs and who knows who else.

I hadn't considered a Thomas buy out, but that would be an absolute dream scenario for the Spurs. I think they'd be the front runners to land Kurt Thomas and might still be able to deal Barry and/or Elson. You've single handedly ruined my concentration for the day--I'll be in fantasy GM mode until night fall.

[SenorSpur]

I would pursue Diop before Thomas

Me too. Thomas is a superb defender and has a very accomplished offensive game. Meanwhile, Diop is a superb post defender in his own right. Plus he has the size and shotblocking ability that the Spurs will need to matchup against the "suddenly-taller" teams like the Suns and Fakers.

[Holt's Cat]

Diop could be a very useful reserve for the next 3 to 5 years.

[MoSpur]

I doubt a buyout will happen, because Seattle would like to get something for him. They don't need to trade him though. Its not like they're in playoff contention.

[ChumpDumper]

Well sure, but the question is whether the Nets want to keep Diop? He could be a nice complement to a healthy Krstic going into the future.

[ChumpDumper]

I doubt a buyout will happen, because Seattle would like to get something for him. They don't need to trade him though. Its not like they're in playoff contention.

So they want to get something for him, but don't need to trade him?

I'm sure they would like to get something for him, but the question is what do other teams want to give up to rent him for a couple of months?

[ludda]

I remember reading an article from a Seattle newspaper that indicated that if the Mavs got Kidd they would be actively pursuing KT.

[ChumpDumper]

Now if Seattle was willing to take back salary I would think the sky would be the limit for potential trades, but they aren't. They are already overloaded with crappy young players they don't really know what to do with, so I don't know what taking on more players is actually going to to for them.

The best thing about a Thomas trade for us is that we could have a reasonable expectation that they would buyout a guy like Barry and let him come back to the Spurs for the playoffs.

[MoSpur]

So they want to get something for him, but don't need to trade him?

I'm sure they would like to get something for him, but the question is what do other teams want to give up to rent him for a couple of months?

What I'm saying is that Seattle would more than likely like to trade him to get picks for the future. I doubt that they simply buy him out. However, its not unrealistic because its not like Seattle is playing for the playoffs.

[AFBlue]

The more I read about it, the more I think Thomas is not going to be traded and will be bought out and allowed to choose the team he wants to play for. In that case, we'll be in compe ion with the Mavs and who knows who else.

Agree with Chump, unless the Spurs throw in a sweetner. If the Spurs were to offer Mahinmi, a Presti pick, in exchange for Thomas and say Gelabale or Petro I think the Spurs could get it done.

[T Park]

If Thomas goes to the Mavericks, then its time to panic.

[Manu_Ginobili]

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/basket...29_sonx19.html

Thomas' future uncertain now
Center might be moved with Swift role likely to grow
By GARY WASHBURN
P-I REPORTER

Sonics coach P.J. Carlesimo refused to say what the fate of veteran center Kurt Thomas is now that it has been decided that Robert Swift will receive increased playing time.

Carlesimo tabled those potential lineup changes Monday for later in the week, perhaps following Friday's home game with the Portland Trail Blazers, but one thing that's been established is Swift will become part of the rotation, likely cutting into Thomas' playing time.

Thomas, 35, is in the final months of a contract that pays him $8 million. He has produced beyond expectations for Seattle and could help a playoff-contending club. And at All-Star Weekend in New Orleans, there appeared to be interest in Thomas by a few teams, including the Orlando Magic, which is in need of a power forward.

The Magic has three expiring contracts that would fit well with Thomas' $8 million salary. The salaries of guards Carlos Arroyo ($4 million) and Keyon Dooling ($3.6 million) and forward Pat Garrity ($3.8 million) could fit into a two-player package to acquire Thomas and still allow the Sonics the same salary cap relief in the summer.

Thomas said he has enjoyed his time in Seattle.

"It's been great here. My teammates have been outstanding. The coaches have been great here," he said. "The organization has been great, the fans. The city is beautiful up here. So I have really enjoyed myself."

The question is whether the Sonics would want Thomas to play a reduced role for the final 31 games or will they move him to a contender out of gra ude for his hard work and mentorship with the team's younger players.

Carlesimo said last week the Sonics want to take a long look at their big men -- Swift and Johan Petro -- and he won't use a five-man rotation at center and power forward. The two players in that mix who won't lose playing time are Chris Wilcox and Nick Collison, meaning Thomas is almost certain to spend more time on the bench.

"It's going to be more dramatic with the (big men) because we haven't had a chance to look at those guys," Carlesimo said. "I haven't figured out (what happens to Thomas) and more importantly I haven't talked to Kurt or Robert about it, or Johan. We're not going to juggle five guys, I will tell you that. It will be lesser guys. That's part of what we haven't figured out."

So with a five-man rotation out of the question and Swift and Petro still young and unproven, and Wilcox and Collison being mainstays, it appears Thomas is out and perhaps could be moved by Thursday's trade deadline.

TAKE THOMAS FOR ELSON!

[td4mvp21]

DO IT SPURS!!!! I really hope the Spurs are at least talking to Presti about this, Thomas would be great for us. And if they buy him out, we should definitely sign him. I just want a good defensive big man beside Duncan.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Spurs West needs to hook the mother franchise up.

[50 cent]

I would hate for Dallas to get Kurt Thomas.

damn, that would suck.