[D6Ri5u13]

SEATTLE (AP) -- The Seattle SuperSonics acquired veteran forward Kurt Thomas and the Phoenix Suns' first-round draft choices in 2008 and 2010 on Friday in exchange for a conditional second-round draft choice.


Seattle also used its $9 million trade exception with Phoenix to complete the deal. The Sonics gained the exception from Orlando earlier this month when they completed a sign-and-trade deal that sent Rashard Lewis to the Magic.

Thomas, who turns 35 in October, averaged a career-low 4.6 points per game in 67 games last season while averaging just 18 minutes. But he does provide the veteran presence Seattle was seeking to tutor Kevin Durant and Jeff Green, the second and fifth overall selections in last month's draft. The Sonics, who finished 31-51 last season, traded leading scorer Ray Allen to Boston last month. Then Lewis, their second-leading scorer, joined Orlando.


Seattle now holds five first-round picks over the next three drafts.
"The picks are huge for us," said new Sonics general manager Sam Presti, the league's youngest GM at 30.


Thomas comes at the price the rebuilding Sonics were seeking. He has one season left on a contract that will pay him $8.1 million next season.
The deal provides some salary cap relief for Phoenix, which had the NBA's fourth-highest payroll last season at $76.4 million.


Earlier this month, the Suns signed veteran Grant Hill to a contract that will pay him about $1.8 million for the 2007-08 season. They also traded forward James Jones and the draft rights to Spanish guard Rudy Fernandez, the 24th overall pick in the draft, to Portland for $3 million.
"We are doing everything we can to keep our core group together," said Suns general manager Steve Kerr. "Sometimes in doing so, you have difficult decisions to make."

[Roamsaffots]

Huh?

[Sheelldaw]

Huh?

Thats what I said...

WTF

[AttableBewNaw]

suns basically paid soncis to take thomas via draft picks

[MYMcvBgl]

suns basically paid soncis to take thomas via draft picks

Yes..why?


Not that he was amazing but he's their best interior defender. The only backup post player they have and only had one year left on his contract. I would SEMI understand if it was multiple years. But they are freeing up 9 mil in cap space this season with no one left to sign.

[soyclocky]

Yes..why?


Not that he was amazing but he's their best interior defender. The only backup post player they have and only had one year left on his contract. I would SEMI understand if it was multiple years. But they are freeing up 9 mil in cap space this season with no one left to sign.

you got me, i'm as confused as you..i didnt realize he only had one year left, he did a decent job on duncan in playoffs

[glazgoR@]

Yes..why?


Not that he was amazing but he's their best interior defender. The only backup post player they have and only had one year left on his contract. I would SEMI understand if it was multiple years. But they are freeing up 9 mil in cap space this season with no one left to sign.

Luxury tax.

[Frannypaync]

Luxury tax.

Luxury tax>>>Winning?


Guess so. Either way this is great move for every non suns fans. If I was a suns fan I would be pissed. 2 first rounders and their only inside depth just given up to avoid the luxury tax...idoits

[Jadldqys]

Did Kevin McHale suddenly become GM of the Suns?

[fujitsusi]

Yes..why?


Not that he was amazing but he's their best interior defender. The only backup post player they have and only had one year left on his contract. I would SEMI understand if it was multiple years. But they are freeing up 9 mil in cap space this season with no one left to sign.

re-sign marion.

[TeLMgNva]

Yes..why?


Not that he was amazing but he's their best interior defender. The only backup post player they have and only had one year left on his contract. I would SEMI understand if it was multiple years. But they are freeing up 9 mil in cap space this season with no one left to sign.

Maybe trying to make a package deal with Marion to get Garnett again?

[sobre]

Maybe trying to make a package deal with Marion to get Garnett again?

I have to imagine that the Wolves aren't going to make a trade with the Suns unless Amare is involved.

But even if Marion is the center-piece of the trade, I have to believe something like Barbosa and Bell would have to be involved as well. And then you just lost your x-factors on top of Marion, to get a player that plays much the same as Amare.

[Anymnillulky]

I have to imagine that the Wolves aren't going to make a trade with the Suns unless Amare is involved.

But even if Marion is the center-piece of the trade, I have to believe something like Barbosa and Bell would have to be involved as well. And then you just lost your x-factors on top of Marion, to get a player that plays much the same as Amare.

This maybe true, but with the way Phx. is just practically mortgaging(sp) their future away with trading two 1st rd. picks, I think they are trying to win right now.

Nash isn't getting any younger, nor is Kevin Garnett. However going into this year, you can argue that either one is the best player in the league.

IMO, both Nash and Garnett compliment each other very well and Nash knows how to get the most out of his teammates.

[rammossyAcron]

Maybe trying to make a package deal with Marion to get Garnett again?

they'd be better of keeping their picks then...

of course they ahve atlanta's unprotected 08 pick

[bp9QxekG]

Luxury tax>>>Winning?


Guess so. Either way this is great move for every non suns fans. If I was a suns fan I would be pissed. 2 first rounders and their only inside depth just given up to avoid the luxury tax...idoits

Ownership has been trying to get rid of someone to get under the luxury tax in Phx the entire offseason which is why Marion was talked about so much in trades. Trading the 2 firsts is a bit excessive IMO but them moving someone for lesser value to save money was not. Afterall, they did give away their 1st this year and gave away the Loul Deng 1st a few years ago so obviously they don't value their draft picks much.

[apatteopipt]

they don't value their draft picks much.

That's true. During this year's draft, I heard this was the fourth year in a row they had traded away a first round pick. And you wonder why they're not a deep team.