New York Newsday (Ken Berger) reports: So much for the Spurs’ interest in Ron Artest, which created some buzz this afternoon but fizzled with the Thomas deal. Artest had been rumored to be going to San Antonio for Elson and Barry. No dice. Other than that, a person close to Artest says things are quiet. Clearly, though, he has to get out of Sacramento and the Kings have to get him out of there.
Month: February 2008
Sonics trade Kurt Thomas to Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs announced today that they have obtained Kurt Thomas from the Seattle SuperSonics in exchange for Francisco Elson, Brent Barry and the team’s 2009 first round draft pick.
“Kurt Thomas is a tough, physical player who can defend, score and rebound,” said Spurs General Manager RC Buford. “We feel he will be a great addition to our roster and will add depth to our frontcourt.”
“We feel very good about the trade that brings us the Spurs 2009 first round draft pick, Francisco Elson and Brent Barry,” said Sonics General Manager Sam Presti. “In particular, looking at the first round pick, in combination with our other future picks, we have great flexibility to add to our core or acquire another impact player in the future. At the same time, Kurt is a tremendous person and player, and I appreciate his contributions this season and wish him success.”
The 6-9, 235-pound Thomas has appeared in 789 regular season games in his 13-year NBA career. He has career averages of 9.9 points and 7.5 rebounds in 27.6 minutes per contest. He has also seen action in 60 playoff games, averaging 6.6 points and 5.6 rebounds in 21.2 minutes in postseason action.
Thomas, who is 35-years-old, was acquired by the Sonics from the Suns on 7/20/07. During the 2007-08 season he is averaging 7.5 points and 8.8 rebounds in 25.2 minutes while shooting .513 (139-271) from the field. He earned 39 starts in 42 games with Seattle.
A Dallas native, Thomas was selected by the Miami Heat in the first round of the 1995 NBA Draft, with the 10th overall pick. During his NBA career he has played for Miami, Dallas, New York, Phoenix and Seattle. For five straight seasons with the Knicks – from ’00-01 to ’04-05 – Thomas averaged over 10 points per game. He averaged a career-best 14.0 points – along with 7.9 rebounds – in 81 games in 2002-03. During the 2004-05 season he averaged a double-double, with 11.5 points and 10.4 rebounds, in 80 games.
During the 1994-95 season, as a senior at Texas Christian University, Thomas led the nation in both scoring (28.9 ppg) and rebounding (14.6 rpg).
Heat may stand pat
The Palm Beach Post (Chris Perkins) reports: Heat coach Pat Riley said his team “probably” won’t have any roster changes when the NBA trading deadline passes at 3 p.m. Thursday.
No pressure for Hornets to deal
The New Orleans Times Picayune reports: “We would make a move if we feel it could benefit our team,” Hornets Coach Byron Scott said Tuesday. “We’re not going to do it because of what Dallas has done, and Phoenix and Los Angeles. We’re not going to mess up our chemistry just because of other teams and what they’ve done to make their teams, in their minds, better. We think we’ve got a pretty good basketball team. Would we have liked to make a move? Yeah. But if it doesn’t happen, it’s not the end of the world.”
Suns signing, trade possibilities
The Arizona Republic (Paul Coro) reports: Nothing has changed in the past two weeks as far as the free agents Phoenix is targeting for its 13th man vacancy. Linton Johnson and Bobby Jones still top the list. The Suns are holding off because they have the time to do so, given that the 13th spot does not have to be filled until Friday, and because they are still exploring trades through Thursday’s deadline. Denver’s Yakhouba Diawara and Seattle’s Mickael Gelabele are among the names being mentioned.
Spurs may want Kurt Thomas
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer (Gary Washburn) reports: Former 76ers general manager Billy King of NBATV is reporting the Sonics and Spurs are working out a deal for Kurt Thomas. The Sonics likely would take back former favorite Brent Barry and perhaps Francisco Elson, another impending free agent.
Antoine Walker, Gerald Green want trade
The St. Paul Pioneer Press (Rick Alonzo) reports: The NBA trade deadline passes at 3 p.m. ET Thursday. It remains to be seen whether Antoine Walker and Gerald Green will still be on the Wolves’ roster. Both have expressed frustration with their lack of playing time, to the extent that they want to be traded. “He would love to be traded,” Walker’s agent, Mark Bartelstein, said today. “He likes everything about the Wolves, the guys, the coaches. But they’re rebuilding, and he’s in the prime of his career here and wants to play. We understand there’s a divergence in the directions of where he’s going and where the Wolves are going.”
Mike Miller, Kyle Lowry available
The Memphis Flyer (Chris Herrington) reports: We’re about 24 hours from tomorrow’s trade deadline and the odds look pretty good that the Grizzlies could make at least one more deal, with Mike Miller and Kyle Lowry the most likely players to be dealt. People I’ve talked to who are connected with the team tend to think a deal is a 50-50 proposition at this point, but also say that there’s very little tangible information floating around the team offices.
Caron Butler interview on being hurt
Here’s what Caron Butler said to local media today:
Caron Butler on his state of mind after missing his sixth straight game with a left hip flexor strain: “I’ve just been thinking about yesterday’s game, and thinking about the games coming up on Friday and Saturday, and I’m just trying to remain optimistic about getting out there. I just have to see how I feel. It’s a day-to-day thing, and hopefully I’ll feel physically up to it.”
Caron Butler on what it will take for him to return from this injury: “I need to feel good in practice. Pain free. I’m not going to go through a situation in which I step back on the court and the same thing occurs like it did in Philadelphia (on February 5th). Then I will be of no use to the team. I want to come back at 100% so that we can make a push.”
Caron Butler on watching his teammates in his absence: “I just want to get back out there on the court. Yesterday was a game that I felt we could have got, but we fell a little short. The guys really worked their tails off, but something was missing. I felt that if I was out there, we probably would have gotten over the hump. But that’s all speculation, and I still tip my hat off to the guys for working so hard. I’m just frustrated. I want to be out there more than anybody.”
Caron Butler on what he can offer from the sideline: “I’m trying to stay in everyone’s ear as much as possible, but it is different coming from the sideline. That’s why the coaches always emphasize the point that they need a voice on the court. They can be the voice off the court on the sidelines, but you need a voice on the court. Right now, I can’t do that. I can give encouraging words, but it hurts not to be out there.”
Devin Harris out 1-2 more weeks
The AP reports: The New Jersey Nets will probably have to wait at least two weeks before they can begin to gauge how well they made out in Tuesday’s eight-player deal with Dallas. Point guard Devin Harris, who will take Jason Kidd’s place in the Nets’ lineup, said Wednesday the ankle injury that has kept him out for the last three weeks will sideline him for up to two weeks more.