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Well that sheds new light.
Thomas eyes return to Spurs
By Jeff McDonald
Express-News Staff Writer
Kurt Thomas spent four months in San Antonio last season, just long enough to determine he'd like to come back for a second tour of duty with the Spurs.
Thomas also has been around the business of the NBA long enough to know he'd be best served to look around a bit before committing to that desire in writing.
Though it remains his preference to return to San Antonio next season, Thomas — an unrestricted free agent — said Monday he plans to investigate other opportunities before signing a new contract.
“Hopefully, things work out that way,” Thomas said of the possibility of re-signing with the Spurs. “That's the great thing about being a free agent. I get to weigh my options and decide what's best for me and my family.”
Lost amid the hubbub of the Spurs' week-long recruitment of free-agent swingman Corey Maggette has been their low-key courtship of Thomas, who played an integral role in the team's run to the Western Conference finals last season.
The Spurs have long held interest in re-signing the veteran forward, a desire that only became intensified when former first-round pick Tiago Splitter opted to remain in Spain.
Acquired from Seattle in a trade last February, Thomas started 17 games at center for the Spurs, providing much-needed spurts of rebounding and interior defense. He averaged 6.3 points and 7.2 rebounds split between the Spurs and SuperSonics.
Thomas is one of a handful of free agents the Spurs have discussed retaining, a list that also includes guards Brent Barry and Michael Finley.
What other options might be available to Thomas this summer are uncertain. There would seem to be a niche market, at best, for the 35-year-old forward.
Miami and the Los Angeles Lakers have expressed interest in Thomas, though the Spurs could offer more money than either of those teams. In all likelihood, the Lakers would partake in the hunt for Thomas only if their bid to retain Ronny Turiaf falls short.
Wherever Thomas lands, he almost certainly will have to take less than the $8 million he earned last season.
Thomas declined to discuss specifics of his negotiations with the Spurs, other than to say he didn't know if the two sides would reach an agreement before the league's moratorium on free-agent signings is lifted Wednesday.
“That's been between the Spurs and my agent,” Thomas said.
Thomas' agent, Jerry Hicks, could not be reached Monday.
Meanwhile, all remained quiet on the Maggette front.
The biggest piece of the Spurs' free-agent puzzle this offseason, Maggette has been pondering interest from a horde of salivating suitors since opting out of his contract with the Los Angeles Clippers last week.
The Spurs, owning a $5.8 million mid-level exception with Maggette's name on it, are considered the favorites to land him.
However, Maggette has received similar overtures from Boston, Utah, Orlando, Detroit, Cleveland and New Orleans. Maggette also could draw interest from Philadelphia and Golden State, two teams with salary cap space to outbid the Spurs.
The rest of the Spurs' free-agent picture should begin to clarify once Maggette makes his decision.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...n.41a2404.html
Well that sheds new light.
It looks like the Spurs are going to let the market set Thomas' price.
if by the grace of God we can get
Maggette
re-sign Barry
re-sign Thomas
ill go ape crazy
fascinating article
Thomas re-signing for two years for between $8M and $12M makes a lot of sense for both sides. It doesn't hurt the Spurs in terms of their lux tax standing. At the very least, having his short contract on the books gives the Spurs ammunition in trades. The Spurs right now lack trade-friendly contracts even if they wanted to make a deal.
Yeah the most interesting thing I took out of it was it had no mention of Horry. Then again, that's probably due to laziness.
Not to mention that Maggette won't be able to begin making a decision until Brand makes his decision.
Spurs could set themselves up to trade into the Summer of LeBron. Some combination of Oberto ($3.5 mil), Bonner ($3.2 mil), and Thomas ($4-5 mil) would allow them to help another team clear some cap room to chase LeBron, Wade, Bosh, Anthony, and whoever else before the Feb. 2010 trade deadline.
AMEN...championship is assured
35 years old
Bonner doesn't count as a trade-friendly contract?
watever they do, do not resign finley and horry
sweet!
Thomas for $8 mill or $12 mill ??? Wow... who would want to trade for 36 year old big man even if the trading team want to slash the cap to enter LBJ sweepstakes. He's not worth that kindda money.... i heard CM paid $7 mill last season. But I guess Thomas is worth more than Magette
oden 50
8-12 mil over two years. thats 4-6 mil per season. math ftw...Thomas for $8 mill or $12 mill ??? Wow... who would want to trade for 36 year old big man even if the trading team want to slash the cap to enter LBJ sweepstakes. He's not worth that kindda money.... i heard CM paid $7 mill last season. But I guess Thomas is worth more than Magette
^^ Quick work on the editing job there.
Was just about to point that out.
yeah. i should post my own "epic fail" pic right now.^^ Quick work on the editing job there.
Was just about to point that out.
Someone gave Brian Cardinal forty million dollars. Ditto for Adonal Foyle. Bigmen with marginal talent tend to be well paid in the NBA. Thomas for 2 years, $10 mil or so is FMV.Thomas for $8 mill or $12 mill ??? Wow... who would want to trade for 36 year old big man even if the trading team want to slash the cap to enter LBJ sweepstakes. He's not worth that kindda money.... i heard CM paid $7 mill last season. But I guess Thomas is worth more than Magette
My bad..i should said that Thomas was paid more than $8 mill last season compare to Magette $7 mill...sorry i should add it on the post.
The point is i just dont get it if he got paid alot this time since normally at that age most player got vet minimum. But i can be wrong. As of Brian Cardinal case, i got no idea....
A team like the Knicks might be a prime candidate for a cap clearing move ahead of the summer of 2010. James will be eligible for a contract starting at up to 30% of the cap for the 2010-11 season. The Knicks may have about $47.1 mil as their cap figure heading into that summer. Depending on where the cap falls for 2010-11 they may be ready to make a move.
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