NBA: Spurs trade for veteran Thomas
Web Posted: 02/20/2008 09:18 PM CST
Mike Monroe
San Antonio Express-News
MINNEAPOLIS — In a move necessitated by the ongoing beef-up of front lines in the Western Conference, the Spurs on Wednesday added some beef of their own.
The Spurs sent injured guard Brent Barry, little-used center Francisco Elson and their first-round draft pick in 2009 to the Seattle SuperSonics for Kurt Thomas, a 6-foot-9, 235-pound veteran of 13 NBA seasons who gave them some matchup problems last spring during their Western Conference semifinal series against the Phoenix Suns.
Thomas averaged 7.5 points and 8.8 rebounds in 42 games for the Sonics this season.
In the past few weeks both the Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns, two of the Spurs' prime rivals for Western Conference supremacy, got bigger and more talented up front. The Lakers traded for 7-footer Pau Gasol and the Suns gave up All-Star power forward Shawn Marion to get former MVP center Shaquille O'Neal.
Spurs general manager R.C. Buford said trading for Thomas was not so much a response to those two deals as a recognition that the Western Conference has been more physical all season.
“This is strictly a deal where we had an opportunity to add some physicality and presence,” Buford said. “When you look at the matchups we have to face in the West, with (Utah's Carlos) Boozer and (Houston's) Yao Ming and Pau Gasol and (New Orleans') David West and Tyson Chandler, and Denver, with a very physical lineup, hopefully, this addresses a need.
“I wouldn't say this is necessarily because of those two (Gasol and O'Neal) deals, but the West has become very strong inside. We feel this trade gives us an opportunity for roster balance in our tough matchups.”
The fact Barry has suffered two separate injuries to his left calf this season and missed 23 games factored into his inclusion in the deal.
“We've missed Brent throughout the year, and it's disappointing,” Buford said. “But that's the nature of trades. To get a good player, you normally have to compensate with a good player.”
Before he tore the plantaris muscle in his left calf on Dec. 26, Barry had been enjoying a productive season. He resumed playing on Jan. 17, but suffered a second injury in the left calf, to a different muscle, just a week later, in a game in Miami.
Barry very nearly was traded two seasons ago on trade deadline day, the trade falling through because details could not be finalized in time to submit them to the league's lawyers before the deadline passed.
This time, the deal took place roughly 24 hours before today's 4 p.m. (CDT) deadline.
Elson, in his second season with the Spurs, had fallen out of Gregg Popovich's regular playing rotation over the past few weeks. He had played only 22 minutes in the past six games. He played only 48 minutes in the nine games of the rodeo road trip.
Thomas was available because the Sonics, who have the second-worst record in the West, want to use the remainder of the season to look at younger big men, mostly 22-year-old 7-footer Robert Swift.
Thomas is in the final year of a contract that pays him $8.1 million this season. The fact the contracts of both Barry, at $5.54 million, and Elson, at $3 million, also are in their final seasons made the deal palatable to the Sonics.
Further, the deal drops the Spurs' player payroll by roughly $400,000 and assures they won't exceed the NBA's luxury tax threshold.
Thomas, a Dallas native who played college basketball at Texas Christian, was the 10th pick of the 1995 draft, by the Miami Heat. He played for the Heat, Mavericks, Knicks and Suns before being traded to the Sonics last summer.
It was not known if Thomas would report to the Spurs in Minneapolis, where they are to play the Timberwolves on Thursday night at Target Center.
LINK: http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b....117e2fba.html
That's what makes me wonder if the Spurs will bring anyone else in (or back).Thomas is in the final year of a contract that pays him $8.1 million this season. The fact the contracts of both Barry, at $5.54 million, and Elson, at $3 million, also are in their final seasons made the deal palatable to the Sonics.
Further, the deal drops the Spurs' player payroll by roughly $400,000 and assures they won't exceed the NBA's luxury tax threshold.
An updated version of the article has shown up. I have highlighted the new/changed parts are in Bold.
Updated version Link: http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...n.3c24fe6.html
NBA: Spurs acquire Thomas
Web Posted: 02/21/2008 12:03 AM CST
Mike Monroe
San Antonio Express-News
MINNEAPOLIS — In a move necessitated by the ongoing beef-up of front lines in the Western Conference, the Spurs on Wednesday added some beef of their own.
The Spurs sent injured guard Brent Barry, little-used center Francisco Elson and their 2009 first-round draft pick to the Seattle SuperSonics for Kurt Thomas. The a 6-foot-9, 235-pound veteran of 13 NBA seasons gave them some matchup problems last spring during their Western Conference semifinal series against the Phoenix Suns.
Thomas averaged 7.5 points and 8.8 rebounds in 42 games for the SuperSonics this season.
In the past few weeks both the Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns, two of the Spurs' prime rivals for Western Conference supremacy, got bigger and more talented up front. The Lakers traded for 7-footer Pau Gasol and the Suns gave up All-Star power forward Shawn Marion to get former MVP center Shaquille O'Neal.
Spurs general manager R.C. Buford said trading for Thomas was not so much a response to those two deals as a recognition that the Western Conference has been more physical.
"This is strictly a deal where we had an opportunity to add some physicality and presence," Buford said. "When you look at the matchups we have to face in the West, with (Utah's Carlos) Boozer and (Houston's) Yao Ming and Pau Gasol and (New Orleans') David West and Tyson Chandler, and Denver, with a very physical lineup, hopefully, this addresses a need.
"I wouldn't say this is necessarily because of those two (Gasol and O'Neal) deals, but the West has become very strong inside. We feel this trade gives us an opportunity for roster balance in our tough matchups."
The fact Barry has suffered two separate injuries to his left calf this season and missed 23 games factored heavily into his inclusion in the deal. One of the most popular players in the locker room, and in the community, Buford said Barry will be missed.
"Brent's been a big part of our family, as has (his wife) Erin and their family," he said. "Anytime you make a trade where someone has been that big a part, it's impactful. That's never easy."
Would the Spurs have dealt a healthy Barry?
"If the world was flat, would you fly around it?" Buford said. "Brent was playing really well early in the year. There's been a 25-game period where we've missed him throughout. Had he continued to play well, would we have probably considered different cir stances? Maybe so. But I don't know how you could say."
Buford thinks Thomas can adapt relatively easy to the Spurs' systems.
"I don't think he's going to have to take a lot of rookie seasoning," Buford said. "As has been the case with many people and most people who have joined our program, this is something you don't adapt to overnight. It will take him a while to get comfortable in our system. But the things he can do are pretty simplistic and very transferable."
Elson, in his second season with the Spurs, had fallen out of Gregg Popovich's regular playing rotation over the past few weeks. He had played only 22 minutes in the past six games. He played only 48 minutes in the nine games of the rodeo road trip.
Thomas was available because the Sonics, who have the second-worst record in the West, want to use the remainder of the season to look at younger big men, mostly Robert Swift, a 22-year-old 7-footer.
Thomas is in the final year of a contract that pays him $8.1 million this season. The fact the contracts of both Barry, at $5.54 million, and Elson, at $3 million, also are in their final seasons made the deal palatable to the Sonics.
Further, the deal drops the team payroll by nearly $500,000 and Spurs won't exceed the NBA's luxury tax threshold.
Thomas, a Dallas native who played at TCU, was the 10th pick of the 1995 draft, by the Miami Heat. He played for the Heat, Mavericks, Knicks and Suns before being traded to the Sonics last summer.
SPURS LAND INSIDE HELP
Coming to the Spurs: Kurt Thomas. Thomas, a power forward/ center who's in his 13th season, gives the Spurs an experienced big man known for his defense and rebounding (averaging 8.8 boards per game in Seattle).
Going to the Sonics: Brent Barry, Francisco Elson and a 2009 first-round pick. Barry, the Spurs' top 3-point shooter, hasn't played since Jan. 24 because of injury. Elson has seen his playing time cut this season.
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The Spurs had a roster built to go against small ball. The pendulum had swung back to where small ball is no longer predominant alignment in the Western Conference. Instead of waiting until the offseason to address it, the Spurs went out and balanced their bigman rotation.
I can see the logic behind their move. I don't love the move but it's understandable.
He was averaging 8.8 rebounds =O
If he fits in quick, this move could be killer. Its KT, okay, but still.
It definitely helps us more against the Lakers than it does against the Suns...getting Barry back will help us against the Suns. Then we can small ball the crap out of the Suns for a change.
He won't average anything close to that with the Spurs.
Tim Duncan is a of a rebounder...he doesn't leave many for other guys to get.
Of course, and he won't get enough minutes either, now that we're more versatile at the center position. But, he's only playing 25mpg in Seattle, and still snaring nearly 9 - impressive I'd say considering his age. I wonder what his per 48 minute average would be.
I'm thinking he averages 12-15mpg here, so we'll see.
We didn't need Barry to beat the Suns three weeks ago. We could have used more than the 1 of 5 he scored from three point range on Dec. 17 against Phoenix (Loss). We could have used more from him when he scored 2-4 (4 pts) and 0-1 from three point range on Dec. 5 against Dallas (Win by 2 pts).
Some people are seriously overestimating his value. He is a good option to have. But he isn't a necessary option. And given the weakness of the front court prior, it's a good trade.
Last edited by some_user86; 02-21-2008 at 04:34 AM.
The move prevents the spurs from losing their defensive flexibility. Without THOMAS in the line-up the defense would be compelled to double team inside. With him in the line up, we can choose to defend man to man if we want without giving up too much inside.
Talk about cherry picking... how many minutes did he play in those games?
Barry has played well against the Suns in the playoffs, and that's where it matters.
Barry was a very nice system player with his ballhandling, shot, and savvy. With the type of offense the Spurs run having a player like Barry can really make the offense sing. He was glue in the swingman rotation, keeping it together and strong. Don't get me wrong, he was a role player, but a useful one. It will be nice to bring him back if he's made available.
this is a good move. we needed someone who could bang bodies inside the paint, and kt has shown that he's not afraid of contact. we need him more than barry and elson. now, i'm not that concerned with any other teams- we can match them up. bring it on! kt is also a descent perimeter shooter, he's definitely an asset.
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