ESPN.com (Chris Sheridan) reports: Sources have told ESPN.com that the Hornets and Houston Rockets were in serious discussions Wednesday night on a multi-player deal that would send Mike James and Bonzi Wells to New Orleans for Bobby Jackson and one or two other players.
Rumor: Suns want Quinton Ross
The East Valley Tribune (Jerry Brown) reports: With only second-round picks (or perhaps cash, or both) the Suns are trying to pry 6-foot-6 guard Quinton Ross away from the Los Angeles Clippers. Ross makes only $824,000 this year and will be a free agent at the end of the season. He is a strong defender and rebounder who started against Phoenix in the Western Conference Quarterfinals two years ago. His offensive capability is limited, but the Suns won’t be asking him to score.
Suns want wing
The Arizona Republic (Paul Coro) reports: Phoenix could know by the end of the night whether they can work out a deal for a player like the Los Angeles Clippers’ Quinton Ross, Denver’s Yakhouba Diawara or Seattle’s Mickael Gelabale. Golden State’s Mickael Pietrus is also an outside possibility but he would come at a costlier price tag with a salary this season of about $3.5 million, which would be prorated for the season’s remainder but would also add to the Suns’ luxury tax hit. Phoenix is seeking a wing player who is a versatile, strong defender and Ross fits that bill at a great price.
Suns may want Brent Barry from Sonics
The East Valley Tribune (Scott Bordow) reports: The Suns may not be done wheeling and dealing. A team source said that Phoenix would like to find a way to acquire veteran sharpshooter Brent Barry, who was traded Wednesday from the San Antonio Spurs to the Seattle SuperSonics. For Barry to become a Sun, the Sonics would have to buy out his contract, the source said.
Ron Artest may stay
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.
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.