http://realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/64511/20100206/kurt_thomas_an_option_for_contenders/ if thats the best avialable, id do it for a 2nd rounder
I like Kurt Thomas, and I would have been all over this trade before the season started. However, his production is way down this year, and he's even older than Juwan Howard - and less productive, and his salary is 3.5 - 4x as much as Juwan's. The sticking point is we aren't far enough under the cap to simply give Milwaukie a 2nd round pick in exchange for Thomas. We'd have to include a player making at least $2,448,277 to make this trade work. I's be happy to give up Blake, but I doubt Milwaukee would want him (been there, done that, didn't work last time). So, do you want to give up Martell Webster, Travis Outlaw or any two of Rudy Fernandez, Jerryd Bayless and Nicolas Batum to rent Thomas (a less productive version of Juwan Howard) for 30 games? Unless Milwaukee starts including other pieces and this trade grows into something more substantial than Kurt Thoma for a 2nd round pick, I don't see this happening and I don't want any part of it. Nothing against Thomas, I'm just not willing to give up anything of value to rent him for 30 games. BNM
Why are they willing to part with Thomas? Probably because with Gadzuric and Elson they have enough mediocre depth at the center spot backing up a healthy Bogut... dude barely plays. here's the Buck's stats for the last 10 games What do they want back? As much as the market will bear of course. If he's the main talent/value going out, the most the Blazers should offer the Bucks is Blake and some future picks... maybe a swap of Portland's 2010 #1 and their #2 (which figures to be a high one). The pick(s) would be the motivation for them as they aren't making the playoffs regardless. Any of the other Blazer players you mention would have me requiring more coming from their end. How about Martell or Outlaw and a swap of 2010 1sts Delfino has been playing pretty well at SG for them lately and taken that at least off of their critical positional needs. Jennings and Bogut cover the 1 & 5. They could use some more talent at forward as they have a big bunch of meh there. I wonder if they'd have interest in Freeland and/or Claver... or Cunningham for that matter? STOMP
Whose contract isn't guaranteed? (hint: his name rhymes with Smatty). But it doesn't matter because we'd be opening a roster spot with either Travis or Blake leaving, one of which whose contract would be required to make the salaries match.
Not worth it. Juwan Howard basically gives us everything Kurt Thomas would give us - but Howard is already here, and we can see he fits. Better to pass on this, and see if a better deal comes along closer to the trade deadline. If not, fine. This isn't really a deal worth doing.
It's not an issue of whether Thomas brings something different than Howard, he just would bring more of it. At his age, Howard can't be relied upon to play heavy minutes the rest of the season. That said, if this happens, I would think it would probably be some sort of a 3 team trade that would involve more pieces. As it is, I don't think we'd be getting enough to part with any major pieces and I don't think the Bucks would be too interested in just Blake and picks. Then again...stranger things have happened.
The ONLY plus I see to getting Thomas is that MAYBE some people would shut the hell up about KPee making a trade. Go Blazers
LOL. You really think this will sate people who think KP needs to make a deal? This falls a lot closer into the 'shuffling deck chairs on a sinking ship' category of trades, than anything that would be a franchise defining move.
Four years ago he would have been a great addition. If we have to give up anymore more than a future second rounder I hope KP hangs up.
Took the words right out of my mouth. I'd rather wait until Outlaw comes back and let him gobble up minutes at the 4. Between Lamarcus, Howard, Pendy, Outlaw, and maybe Dante there ought to be enough bodies to make it through the season. If not, go get somebody out of the D-League again. Curt Thomas does nothing for me at 37 years old.
We won't be able to 'just go get somebody' out of the d-league without cutting somebody ... personally I don't think Patty is all that valuable, but I somehow get the feeling KP and Paul Allen aren't going to just jettison him to add a D-league scrub.
I hear what you're saying, but I'm not sure Kurt Thomas is worth trading away any kind of value. It that means keeping Howard's minutes to 30-32 per game, and playing Aldridge and Pendergraph at center, when Howard sits, then I'd say, "do that." It's not ideal, but it's better than cashing in better talent to fill a short-term issue.
The only consideration should be "is player X going to be with us next year?" If the answer to that question is "no", or "probably not," then this is a deal the Blazers could make without feeling too much pain. The only remaining question then is, would the Bucks take back Blake (whom they traded before) or would they be interested in a still shelved Travis?
