<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>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.</div> http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=Ao8i...o&type=lgns
I realize that KT is a good veteran, but that seems like a bit much to give up for him. Brent Barry was a pretty integral part of that bench and by losing him, they really only have one great deep threat, and that's Manu. Plus, losing a first round pick isn't too pleasant either. In all, I realize size is a nice commodity, but that just seems like too much to give up for a role player.
I cant stand the spurs so this one sided trade makes me smile. KT is not worth what they gave up... Maybe when he was still at the knicks, sure but not now. A rare slipup from RC.
IMO its a good move for both teams. Spurs are trying to win another championship or two before Duncan and Ginobili are too old. The west just got a lot bigger and teams won't be able to get by with one or two legit big men like they have in the past. Kurt Thomas is very underrated, hes as good of a post defender as there is in the league, very good rebounder, hits mid-range shots, does all the little things that San Antonio centers are expected to do. Duncan/KT/Oberto is looking pretty decent as their PF/C rotation and they'll be able to slug it out with the LAL, Phoenix, Utah, Houston frontlines.
My one question with this though is, did they really have to give up that much? Brent Barry has come up pretty big on multiple occasions this year for them (the main one that sticks out to me was him hitting back to back treys at the end of the 3rd against the Lakers, basically killing their rally), and that first round draft pick, while it may be low, could still end up being decent, especially with how good the scouts are for SA (note: Manu and Scola were each 2nd rounders). I think the move does make sense with how big the West is, I just think they gave up too much for a 35 year old role player.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Moo2K4 @ Feb 20 2008, 07:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>My one question with this though is, did they really have to give up that much? Brent Barry has come up pretty big on multiple occasions this year for them (the main one that sticks out to me was him hitting back to back treys at the end of the 3rd against the Lakers, basically killing their rally), and that first round draft pick, while it may be low, could still end up being decent, especially with how good the scouts are for SA (note: Manu and Scola were each 2nd rounders). I think the move does make sense with how big the West is, I just think they gave up too much for a 35 year old role player.</div> Brent Barry has been hurt all season long and Udoka has been playing well as of late. For Elson, he never really got into the flow of things after his injury as well. All expiring and the Spurs draft pick in 09 will be late anyways.
I think Kurt Thomas will be a great addition to the Spurs this year, but I'm surprised a first round pick with thrown in there. I like this for both teams. Seattle gets expiring contracts and a first round pick for a veteran big that won't help them do anything. San Antonio upgrades up front and gets an excellent complement to Duncan for the remainder of the year. I think this will help them a great deal if they match up with Phoenix in the playoffs.
Its a solid deal and its classic San Antonio Spurs: every other team in the West is overreacting and making irrational deals, but they go out and grab a solid, underrated defensive big. I don't think they gave up too much. Brent Barry's been made expendable this season and the Spurs usually use those late 1st rounders on foreign players that don't come over for 2-3 seasons. I still don't understand why the Suns traded Thomas away.
