Sonics trades Thomas to Spurs

Published 11:33 pm Wednesday, February 20, 2008

The Seattle SuperSonics lost a steadying influence in the locker room and a physical presence in the paint, but gained another valuable draft pick to help in the team’s ongoing rebuilding process.

Sonics general manager Sam Presti confirmed Wednesday the team agreed to trade veteran center Kurt Thomas to the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for guard Brent Barry, center Francisco Elson and, most importantly, a 2009 first-round draft pick.

The Spurs gets some help inside defensively by picking up Thomas, 35, who is considered one of the best post defenders in the league.

With Phoenix recently picking up Shaquille O’Neal and the Los Angeles Lakers trading for Pau Gasol, the Spurs now have more size to match up with those teams should they meet in the playoffs, along with Houston’s Yao Ming and other Western Conference foes.

For the Sonics, the move allows them to play young big guys Johan Petro and Robert Swift as they continue to rebuild the team around rookie cornerstones Kevin Durant and Jeff Green.

Seattle now has two first-round picks in each of the next three drafts, and 13 picks overall, providing flexibility in making future deals to add to the Sonics in the future.

“Kurt’s production and his performance really helped us,” Presti said.

“He was an important part of our growth defensively. It’s important that our group continues to grow and get better on that end of the floor.

“We always look to try and make decisions that will help us now, or in the future. We feel like the addition of the first round pick gives added flexibility in future trade discussions, or to add a player to our core.”

Thomas, a 13-year veteran, is in the final year of his contract, which paid him $8.1 million this season. Thomas averaged 7.5 points and 8.8 rebounds a contest, and started 39 games for Seattle.

The Sonics probably would have lost Thomas at the end of the season, as he will be an unrestricted free agent and is looking to go to a playoff contender.

“Kurt Thomas is a tough, physical player who can defend, score and rebound,” Spurs general manager R.C. Buford said in a statement. “We feel he will be a great addition to our roster and will add depth to our frontcourt.”

Barry is an ex-Sonic who played five seasons previously in Seattle (1999-2004) and was a solid contributor for the Spurs. Barry has been out since Jan. 25 with a calf strain.

In four seasons with San Antonio, Barry, 36, averaged 7.3 points a contest. This season. he’s averaging 7.3 points in 18.7 minutes a game. During his NBA career, the 13-year veteran has played for the Clippers, the Heat, the Bulls, the Sonics and the Spurs.

A 7-footer in his fifth NBA season, Elson, 32, was a seldom-used center for the Spurs. He appeared in 41 games for San Antonio, averaging 3.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 13 minutes a contest.

Both Barry and Elson’s contracts expire at the end of this season. Barry makes $5.5 million and Elson $3 million.

Seattle also reportedly considered an offer from the Orlando Magic for Thomas.

Seattle picked up Thomas during the offseason last year by using its $9 million trade exception, secured in a sign-and-trade deal with Orlando for Rashard Lewis. The exception helped lure Thomas from Phoenix, along with first round picks in 2008 and 2010. Seattle now has picked up three first-round picks out of the Lewis deal.

With the trade deadline at noon today, the Sonics could make another deal.

Seattle has 15 players signed, the maximum allowed by the NBA, and will have a hard time finding Barry and Elson playing time in an already cluttered rotation.