Spurs acquire Thomas from Sonics for Barry, Elson

[clooneyschick04]

By Johnny Ludden

The San Antonio Spurs have reached agreement with the SuperSonics that will bring them center Kurt Thomas in exchange for guard Brent Barry, center Francisco Elson and a 2009 first-round draft pick, league sources said Wednesday.

The teams are in the process of finalizing the deal with league officials.

By acquiring Thomas, the Spurs get some needed size to help them counter Phoenix’s Shaquille O’Neal and Houston’s Yao Ming. They also are expected to drop under the luxury-tax threshold, possibly saving them about $2 million. In exchange, San Antonio will send the Sonics a portion of the savings.

While Barry has been sidelined with a calf injury, Ime Udoka has taken his place in the rotation and proven to be a dependable contributor with his defense and 3-point shooting. Elson’s inconsistency limited his role with the Spurs this season.

The Sonics, who also considered an offer from the Orlando Magic for Thomas, have now generated three first-round draft picks from Rashard Lewis’ sign-and-trade deal last summer.



http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_yl...yhoo&type=lgns

[Kermit]

yes.

[Mister Sinister]

Fo reals!?

[ATRAIN]

wow now we have an enforcer again!!

[Man In Black]

Ha...Orlando they said. Thanks Sam!!!

[ancestron]

is this for real???

[SenorSpur]

Good choice. Much needed size to counter the Gasols, Bynums and O'Neals of the West.

Maybe they'll go after Diop in the offseason.

Also, Duncan is no longer a PF.

[ChumpDumper]

That's pretty good. Now we can hope that we're Stackhousing Barry and he'll use the 30 days to heal up.

[Kori Ellis]

Good deal.

[timvp]

Hmmmmm ....

And a first rounder?

I'm not sure how much I love this move at the moment.

[td4mvp21]

I'm about to piss my ing pants

[thispego]

sweet

[hater]

It's true.

Thomas was great in Suns vs. Spurs series.

[Spurminator]

That's pretty good. Now we can hope that we're Stackhousing Barry and he'll use the 30 days to heal up.

[Que Gee]

This is not official. I'll let you guys know if I hear something for real.

[Bruno]

A first round pick for Kurt Thomas.

Bad trade.

[SA Gunslinger]

Mixed emotions. Hate to see Barry go but we needed another big.

[Kori Ellis]

This is not official. I'll let you guys know if I hear something for real.

Thanks. Ludden doesn't usually print crap. So I'm guessing it's very close.

[BigVee]

I really liked what Barry brought to the team, but this is a very good trade for the Spurs.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

That's pretty good. Now we can hope that we're Stackhousing Barry and he'll use the 30 days to heal up.

That was my thought (hope) when I saw this.

Barry can be a vital cog in certain situations depending on matchups.

I'm glad we got Thomas, but I think Barry was a bigger contributor than people gave him credit for.

The reality is that we needed help at center with the Suns and Lakers getting bigger and the Rockets playing so well.

Probably a good move.

[DespЏrado]

SWEET! We got the piece we need...I am really confident in the tweaks we have made. Stoudamire Udoka and Thomas are all underrated acquisitions that have filled our most pressing needs. I love these guys!

[Oink Oink]

back to seattle for barry

[Que Gee]

Thanks. Ludden doesn't usually print crap. So I'm guessing it's very close.

I agree, but I'd like to see a link instead of the article.

[yavozerb]

The move to give up a 1st rd pick for a 1 year contract, 35 year old, average NBA big man kind of sucks..Oh well, at least the spurs held onto Ian and Tiago

[dallaskd]

That is a really good deal for SA.