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New York Knicks Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations and General Manager Glen Grunwald announced today that the team has waived forward/center Kurt Thomas.
According to multiple reports, the team is expected to sign center Solomon Jones.
“Kurt’s contributions to the Knicks have been immeasurable,” Grunwald said. “From the first day of training camp, to his last game against the Utah Jazz, Kurt has been a key contributor to our team. The team’s success this season has been driven by veteran leadership on and off the court – it is something that cannot be quantified or read in a box score.
“Once it became clear that he would not be able to return this season, and due to a rash of injuries to our big men, we felt that it was important for us to free-up a spot on our roster. We thank Kurt for all that he has done. I have the utmost respect for Kurt as a player and as a man.”
The 6-9, 245-pound 18-year NBA veteran averaged 2.5 points, 2.3 rebounds and 10.1 minutes in 39 games, including a six-point, three-rebound performance at Utah on Mar. 18 that sparked the beginning of a 13-game winning streak, despite being hampered by a foot injury. On Mar. 19, an MRI on Thomas’ right foot revealed an acute stress reaction surrounding a chronic stress fracture in his navicular bone. He spent the next 12 games on the Inactive List.
Thomas currently ranks ninth on the franchise’s all-time rebounding list with 4,272 caroms and 15th in games played with 569 appearances.
