No Spurs Deal -- They Trade For Kurt Thomas

by Tom Ziller on Feb 20, 2008 3:33 PM PST in Free Agency/Trades

Yahoo!'s Johnny Ludden (a longtime San Antonio Express-News beat writer) has the story:

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.

Back to Denver.

I should also mention there's talk on two different message boards from seemingly legit sources: One says Petrie told Artest this morning he won't trade him unless he gets knocked over by an offer and will try to resign him this summer, and the other says Phoenix is offering Atlanta's #1 and its trade exception for Artest.

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Well hell

Looks like we will have to see what kind of scratch Carmelo really has with the management in Denver.

Disclaimer: I am anti-Bibby.

by otis29 on Feb 20, 2008 3:36 PM PST reply actions

"Seemingly legit sources"

Come on now TZ, you know better than that.

by nbrans on Feb 20, 2008 3:44 PM PST reply actions

PHX?

As much as I want to see Ron go there's no way Steve Kerr is that insane. Or does he just have a fetish for media backlash?

And I guess I'm late to the party but I'm assuming the Poodle is no longer involved in any of this.

Oh, and what about Tyronne Lue? I thought he was the one the Suns wanted.

Muff rules. http://vegaskings.blogspot.com

by Muff209 on Feb 20, 2008 3:51 PM PST reply actions

interesting....

what would one's response be if you told them three years ago that in three years several contending teams in the nba would enter a bidding war for the services of ron artest?

Whether your dominating the playground, the last one to leave the gym, or your big time like Mike Bibby...

by CrownUs93 on Feb 20, 2008 4:20 PM PST reply actions

how can nuggets win as-is

With Artest they have a puncher's chance at a title before AI slows down. Otherwise I don't think anyone believes they will win, even Carmelo. Come on, Nuggets, make yourselves interesting again.

by thekangarooster on Feb 20, 2008 4:45 PM PST reply actions

What's That Old Expression

about the best trades being the ones that aren't made?

Disclaimer: This post may be a complete and utter waste of your valuable time.

by coolcatreportdotcom on Feb 20, 2008 4:55 PM PST reply actions

I would guess that

the Lakers would disagree with that.

How about this one? The best trades are the ones where you get more than you give. Deep huh?

TickTickTickTickTickTick

by LeaguePassAddict on Feb 20, 2008 5:19 PM PST up reply actions

I should have added

"sometimes" to that expression ...

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by coolcatreportdotcom on Feb 20, 2008 5:23 PM PST up reply actions

I'll tell you what

I'll take Gasol for Artest.

But I'd see anything like that on the table. Do you?

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by coolcatreportdotcom on Feb 20, 2008 5:25 PM PST up reply actions

I don't like Gasol

So no I wouldn't.

I am the stone that the builder refused I am the visual, the inspiration That made Lady Sing the Blues..I'm the spark that makes your idea bright...

by pookeyguru on Feb 20, 2008 5:32 PM PST up reply actions

First,

The salaries don't match.

And second, you're just being adversarial for the sake of being adversarial.

We all know you don't want to trade Artest. But at least admit that he's a tough guy to get value for because of his history. And at least admit that there might be some validity to other people's opinions.

I'm not your enemy here. We just disagree.

TickTickTickTickTickTick

by LeaguePassAddict on Feb 20, 2008 6:13 PM PST up reply actions

I don't know why

You think I think you are the "enemy." You're right: we just disagree. Nothing wrong with that.

But I'm not "being adversarial just to be adversarial." That may be your opinion, and you're entitled to it, naturally. But I often agree with other folks here and say so when that's the case.

I just brought up Gasol because you brought up the Lakers as someone who liked doing a trade. But that trade was a giveaway, so naturally they are delighted.

Present the Kings with a giveaway, and I'll be similarly excited.

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by coolcatreportdotcom on Feb 20, 2008 6:29 PM PST up reply actions

Why

does it have to be a one-sided trade for you to be happy? Getting any kind of value for Artest is going to be difficult because of the high-maintenance player he is.

He's going to walk at the end of the season. It's either trade now for value, or sign and trade in the off-season for value, or let him go.

Choose.

TickTickTickTickTickTick

by LeaguePassAddict on Feb 21, 2008 6:48 AM PST up reply actions

The Other Option

is to resign him. You need to add that to your either list.

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by coolcatreportdotcom on Feb 21, 2008 7:28 AM PST up reply actions

If that's what Phoenix's offer is go for it

That could be a valuable thing to have at next year's trade deadline. The exception will be for 7 million dollars, and allow for the Kings to trade for a player, or during the season, until the trade exception expires. Phoenix's 1st round pick this season, plus the trade exception sounds like a good deal to me.

I am the stone that the builder refused I am the visual, the inspiration That made Lady Sing the Blues..I'm the spark that makes your idea bright...

by pookeyguru on Feb 20, 2008 5:02 PM PST reply actions

especially if

the pick they're trading is the one they got from the Hawks.

"When the Going Gets Weird, the Weird Turn Pro." (Hunter S Thompson)

by Mucho Moss on Feb 20, 2008 5:39 PM PST up reply actions

Yup

It's the only pick that they have to trade.

They traded their 2008 & 2010 1st Round Picks to Seattle to take Kurt Thomas off their hands (and then Seattle flipped him for SA's 1st . . . now THAT'S what you can do when you have capspace!), and since teams cannot trade consecutive draft picks, so their next available tradeable draft pick is their 2012 pick, and I don't think anyone's interested in that at this point.

by smgmatt on Feb 20, 2008 5:46 PM PST up reply actions

And if Mike Bibby steps up like we know he can

You know decide he's the man, and get his 4-5 assists in the 1st quarter and then start chucking jumpers, the ATL #1 could be a lottery pick.

by Kfan in Korea on Feb 20, 2008 6:00 PM PST up reply actions

That makes me sick

The Sonics have three first round picks all because of Kurt fuckin Thomas?!

by vfettke on Feb 20, 2008 6:20 PM PST up reply actions

And stupid Orlando management

Seattle didn't have cap space. What they HAD was a trade exception that allowed them to take Kurt Thomas' salary in full. Of course with the 2 draft picks. (Just so folks know.)

I am the stone that the builder refused I am the visual, the inspiration That made Lady Sing the Blues..I'm the spark that makes your idea bright...

by pookeyguru on Feb 20, 2008 6:27 PM PST up reply actions

Thanks for clarifying

I forgot about the Rashard Lewis Trade Exception (which is why PHX even has a trade exception, duh), and for some reason I mistakenly thought it was cap space freed up from trading Ray Allen to Boston.

I can always count on you to keep everyone honest when it comes to salary talk, and as always I really appreciate it.

Either way, masterful use of cap space by the Sonics.

As for Artest, if Denver isn't trading Kleiza with their 1st Rounder, getting Atlanta's 1st Rounder sounds better to me than the one from Denver.

by smgmatt on Feb 20, 2008 6:43 PM PST up reply actions

I'd be shocked if Delonte West

and Kyle Lowery don't have new homes before tomorrow's trading deadline expires.

I am the stone that the builder refused I am the visual, the inspiration That made Lady Sing the Blues..I'm the spark that makes your idea bright...

by pookeyguru on Feb 20, 2008 6:55 PM PST up reply actions

Time for wild speculation...

How bad does Memphis want to get rid of Lowry? Is there any chance they'd swap him for Douby? It clears up their logjam at the 1, as well as the logjam at Sacramento's 2.

Just wishful thinking on my part, but the salaries match, and I haven't seen them getting much back in any of the rumors I've been reading. Would it be worth offering Douby and a 2nd Rounder to get insurance at the point? Would that even get it done?

by smgmatt on Feb 20, 2008 7:07 PM PST up reply actions

Interesting question

I won't answer it during the game. (Who says I can't be evasive?)

I am the stone that the builder refused I am the visual, the inspiration That made Lady Sing the Blues..I'm the spark that makes your idea bright...

by pookeyguru on Feb 20, 2008 7:26 PM PST up reply actions

what is the downside here?

I agree that Artest "should" be worth more than a trade exception and a pick, but apparently he isn't seeing as teams aren't offering anything more. So...what is the holdup? Petrie would be nuts to resign Artest this summer to a bloated long-term contract, and so most likely he will freely walk away. Therefore we either get a pick and a trade exception or nothing. To me, 2 first and 2 second round picks this year should go a long way in getting the Kings back on the right track and hopefully put us on Portland's heels as the next up and coming team.
Add to that the possibility of getting something, ANYTHING, for Tyronne Lue and I say its a good deal.
By the way, I live in China and don't get KHTK, any updates?

by Travis Mays Hayes on Feb 20, 2008 6:26 PM PST reply actions

Look on KHTK"s website

I think they're up running online now.

I am the stone that the builder refused I am the visual, the inspiration That made Lady Sing the Blues..I'm the spark that makes your idea bright...

by pookeyguru on Feb 20, 2008 6:29 PM PST up reply actions

Here is

the to KHTK's homepage right now.

I am the stone that the builder refused I am the visual, the inspiration That made Lady Sing the Blues..I'm the spark that makes your idea bright...

by pookeyguru on Feb 20, 2008 6:31 PM PST up reply actions

thanks

never thought I would actively try to listen to these idiots

by Travis Mays Hayes on Feb 20, 2008 6:36 PM PST reply actions

nevermind

oh i forgot, kings actually play games, gary gerald is alright by me

by Travis Mays Hayes on Feb 20, 2008 6:39 PM PST reply actions

Signing Artest

Geoff Petrie's been taking the crazy pills if he re-signs Artest this offseason. I've already threatened Petrie with a nut punch once this season.

Geoff - lemme make it real clear for you. Do something stupid, like trade for Eddy Curry and Jerome James, or resign Coocoo Bananas to a long term contract, and you get a nut punch from me. I'm quick, I've got long arms and I know where you stand at the game. I'm telling you for the last time - act like you know what you're doing, and don't test me.

by Carl on Feb 20, 2008 10:46 PM PST reply actions

Just to be clear

Just to be clear, I really don't want to have to turn Geoff's grapes into raisins, but what choice would he leave me by re-signing Captain Crazy Pants? I mean come ON, that's just ASKING for it.

by Carl on Feb 20, 2008 10:50 PM PST up reply actions

I'll gladly help you if that happens

and Petrie enters Washington state Carl.

I am the stone that the builder refused I am the visual, the inspiration That made Lady Sing the Blues..I'm the spark that makes your idea bright...

by pookeyguru on Feb 20, 2008 10:59 PM PST up reply actions

A much better idea

than threatening to jump of the Burg Dubai. bballblog, we hardly knew you.

SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Feb 20, 2008 11:03 PM PST up reply actions

Quick

Call security. We've got a crazy guy on the loose.

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by coolcatreportdotcom on Feb 20, 2008 11:04 PM PST up reply actions

According to News10

New Orleans just shipped B-Jax to Houston for Bonzi. Interesting.

SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Feb 20, 2008 11:32 PM PST reply actions

Umm

I don't see anything on ESPN. If they report anything else I'll surely write a diary about that. That's very interesting "NBA" news if nothing else.

I am the stone that the builder refused I am the visual, the inspiration That made Lady Sing the Blues..I'm the spark that makes your idea bright...

by pookeyguru on Feb 20, 2008 11:40 PM PST up reply actions

Yahoo Sports

has some speculation on a trade but they also had some other names involved. Basically their take was Bobby Jackson wasn't getting it done as Paul's backup and they were afraid Paul was going to burn out from playing too many minutes.

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by coolcatreportdotcom on Feb 20, 2008 11:47 PM PST up reply actions

artest to houston??

Could this be clearing the way for a bright and early trade offer of Aaron Brooks and a pick for Artest? Obviously there are some expiring contracts to throw in their but shipping out Bonzi to make room for Artest equates as does bringing in Bobby Jackson to soften the blow of losing Brooks. Am I wishing for too much?

by Travis Mays Hayes on Feb 21, 2008 1:59 AM PST up reply actions

I just wrote the same thing in my upcoming

diary Travis. I'm glad I'm not the only one who see's it.

I am the stone that the builder refused I am the visual, the inspiration That made Lady Sing the Blues..I'm the spark that makes your idea bright...

by pookeyguru on Feb 21, 2008 2:03 AM PST up reply actions

Here's what Houston Chron icle has

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/5557996.html

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by coolcatreportdotcom on Feb 20, 2008 11:50 PM PST reply actions

What is Houston doing?

Alston, Mike James, StevieF, Brooks... now they're adding freaking Bobby Jackson to the mix?!?!?!

W.T.F.

That's it. Fire their General Manager, he's an idiot. Betchya a bunch of Rocket fans wouldn't mind seeing Rudy Gay in Rocket red right now.

Now, this would all make sense if they end up shipping Brooks, James and Stevie out for a real 1 or 4. But this close to the deadline? wtf.

wtf? wtf! WTF?!?!?!

Mikki Moore in the skills challenge! - LPA

by iashwash on Feb 21, 2008 1:23 AM PST reply actions

so they got rid of James in the deal too.

Now I'm no longer confused.

Mikki Moore in the skills challenge! - LPA

by iashwash on Feb 21, 2008 1:26 AM PST up reply actions

Says alot about Nawlinz priorities

They really want shooting around Paul and Chandler.

I am the stone that the builder refused I am the visual, the inspiration That made Lady Sing the Blues..I'm the spark that makes your idea bright...

by pookeyguru on Feb 21, 2008 1:31 AM PST up reply actions

Also throwing away

youth to play well now. They realize their window is the next three years, with Peja, West, Chandler locked up for that time.

James is a nice addition, Bonzi is ????. If he plays well, he could do alot of damage on that team.

Mikki Moore in the skills challenge! - LPA

by iashwash on Feb 21, 2008 2:12 AM PST up reply actions

You only have a shot at a ring

for so long before that window closes. Maybe Jeff Bowers (Nawlinz GM) thought that a move that didn't put Nawlinz over the luxury tax was a move that would make them better this season. Either way I find the deal interesting, and I totally see why both side do this. This leads to a potential blockbuster with Houston for Sac (or at least I'm hoping anyway).

I am the stone that the builder refused I am the visual, the inspiration That made Lady Sing the Blues..I'm the spark that makes your idea bright...

by pookeyguru on Feb 21, 2008 2:17 AM PST up reply actions

Potential blockbuster?

Forebodings for the diary. My curiosit is piqued.

Mikki Moore in the skills challenge! - LPA

by iashwash on Feb 21, 2008 2:23 AM PST up reply actions

I've already written about this sorta

in the Artest options diary. I really shouldn't have written it so incomplete. Oh well.

I am the stone that the builder refused I am the visual, the inspiration That made Lady Sing the Blues..I'm the spark that makes your idea bright...

by pookeyguru on Feb 21, 2008 2:31 AM PST up reply actions

Incomplete?

Maybe, but who has time to read War and Peace in the morning?

TickTickTickTickTickTick

by LeaguePassAddict on Feb 21, 2008 6:53 AM PST up reply actions

I've just looked at the salaries

It seems that Houston's motivation is to pay less luxury tax too. This would cut their salaries down by 2 million perhaps taking them just UNDER the tax paying threshold. Interesting maneuver by both teams. I think Bower won this deal though.

I am the stone that the builder refused I am the visual, the inspiration That made Lady Sing the Blues..I'm the spark that makes your idea bright...

by pookeyguru on Feb 21, 2008 2:30 AM PST up reply actions

in the midst of all the blockbusters

this trade seems... quaint.

It can have an effect upon the standings, but I do not see it altering a crucial playoff series.

That being said, a few games can affect whether you face the Spurs or the Nuggets in the playoffs, so the standings themselves affect playoff victory.

It's an interesting experiment. If James can duplicate what he did in Toronto, and Bonzi does what he did to the Spurs in the playoffs, this could be more than a slight change in numbers.

Mikki Moore in the skills challenge! - LPA

by iashwash on Feb 21, 2008 3:37 AM PST up reply actions

Yeah well some trades are like that

I have feeling there is a few deals out there that will get done because Petrie will be working the phones all morning. Remember that he's dealing with teams in the Central Time Zone, and if they open for business at 8, he should be up, well now. If I was him I wouldn't sleep for another 10 hours. That would be the only way to put it.

I am the stone that the builder refused I am the visual, the inspiration That made Lady Sing the Blues..I'm the spark that makes your idea bright...

by pookeyguru on Feb 21, 2008 3:41 AM PST up reply actions

if fans are up analyzing trades at this hour

Petrie better be earning his paycheck right now.

Mikki Moore in the skills challenge! - LPA

by iashwash on Feb 21, 2008 3:46 AM PST up reply actions

All it proves is I'm psychotic and youre in NYC

I am the stone that the builder refused I am the visual, the inspiration That made Lady Sing the Blues..I'm the spark that makes your idea bright...

by pookeyguru on Feb 21, 2008 3:49 AM PST up reply actions

Maybe

Adelman wants to field a team made up entirely of point guards. Talk about small ball!

TickTickTickTickTickTick

by LeaguePassAddict on Feb 21, 2008 6:51 AM PST up reply actions

Btw

Here is the link to the Yahoo thing about the Bobby Jackson to the Rockets trade as "reported" by Adrian Wojnarowski.

I am the stone that the builder refused I am the visual, the inspiration That made Lady Sing the Blues..I'm the spark that makes your idea bright...

by pookeyguru on Feb 21, 2008 3:51 AM PST reply actions

Spurs "Deal" Was All BS

According to the San Antonio paper, "The Spurs say they never considered trading for Ron Artest this season, not even for a moment."

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/columnists/bharvey/stories/MYSA022108.01C.buckharvey.en.38c573b.h tml

Either Amick is just trying to act like he's in the know or Petrie is feeding him garbage to make it seem like a bidding war so the Nuggets will crumble.

I think for now the prudent course is to ignore the rumors and wait and see if something actually happens by noon. If something does happen, it probably won't be anything that's been discussed much if at all.

Disclaimer: This post may be a complete and utter waste of your valuable time.

by coolcatreportdotcom on Feb 21, 2008 7:37 AM PST reply actions