OT-Spurs acquire Kurt Thomas

[europa]

Don't get me wrong, I really like Kurt Thomas, but they gave up two expirings and a first round pick for the 35 year old? I know their pick wouldn't be high, but they're great drafters.

That's true but the Spurs are about winning championships. Waiting 3-4 years for a late first who may never pan out to contribute compared to getting proven production now from Thomas is an easy call in my opinion. They needed to address their depth up front given the moves the Lakers and Suns have made and this trade allows them to do that. Thomas is still a very good frontcourt defender (he was easily the best defender Phoenix had against Duncan in the playoffs last season) and now they can match up with Duncan and Thomas in the frontcourt in crunch time in the playoffs.

I think the Spurs would have been even scarier (if that's possible) with Artest, but this is a solid deal for them. Even though they're the defending champs and (in my opinion) being under-rated again they had to do something in light of the moves made by the Lakers, Suns and Mavs.

Now it's Utah's turn. Do the Jazz make a deal or do they blink?

[monitor33]

maybe even the spurs were not ready to baby sit.

[paulpressey25]

Interestingly enough, what does this say about our "assets"?

The West is in a nuclear arms race and none of our guys are ever mentioned in any of these rumors....

i.e. we have no good players or tough smart veterans that anyone wants......

[rilamann]

Interestingly enough, what does this say about our "assets"?

The West is in a nuclear arms race and none of our guys are ever mentioned in any of these rumors....

i.e. we have no good players or tough smart veterans that anyone wants......

The Jazz are are up now so maybe we can send Mo back to Utah.

[europa]

-= original quote snipped =-



The Jazz are are up now so maybe we can send Mo back to Utah.

Mo/Simmons to Utah for Kirilenko and Morris Almond.

How long will it take for the Jazz to hang up on me?

[paulpressey25]

I'd rather send them Redd for Brewer/Milsap.....

But that's not happening on Utah's part.....

On what WC playoff team do Mo, Redd, CV, or Simmons fit? The answer...None.

[MikeIsGood]

Europa, that's true and certainly the mentality in San Antonio, but honestly I really don't think this puts them over the top. I know they are the inherent favorites, but I think they've fallen behind at this point. It will be really hard to judge them until the playoffs, though, because they certainly could kick it into another gear. I should reserve judgment.

All I know is that they are phenomenal drafters. Duncan is aging, but still a high all-star caliber player (isn't that sick?). Manu and Parker still have quite the future there. I think a pick would help them stay competitive if they did their drafting right.

With that said, I just realized after re-reading the deal that it's a 2009 pick, not 2008. That changes my opinion of it quite a bit. I have a feeling the Spurs pick up a gem this year. Quite a few potential sleepers in this draft, IMO.

[Johnny Newman]

I'd rather send them Redd for Brewer/Milsap.....

But that's not happening on Utah's part.....

On what WC playoff team do Mo, Redd, CV, or Simmons fit? The answer...None.

I'd even settle for Redd for AK47. Then cv,Simmons Gadz for Randolph. Got with triple towers then Yi off the bench. Then find a suitor for Mo then we in business.

[europa]

I'd rather send them Redd for Brewer/Milsap.....

But that's not happening on Utah's part.....

On what WC playoff team do Mo, Redd, CV, or Simmons fit? The answer...None.

I think Redd would be a great fit in Utah but so far none of the contenders (or even playoff contenders like Atlanta) have traded for SGs. The focus has been on frontcourt players who are proven players and/or good defenders (Villanueva is neither) and PGs with proven playoff production (which Mo lacks).

And Mike, I see your point and I agree this isn't a "Wow" trade for the Spurs. But I think they had to do something and they had to address the frontcourt given the moves made by the Lakers and Suns. Thomas isn't a great player, but he's a Spurs-esque player in my opinion. He's smart, he plays hard and he's still a good defender. I think he'll fit in rather well.

[MikeIsGood]

He will definitely give them more front-court depth. And, like I said, it's nice for them they have their 2008 pick still.

[europa]

Bill Walton and Stephen A. Smith both agree with me that this is a good trade for the Spurs. Despite that, I'm not going to alter my opinion.

Although maybe I should.

[NeedsMoreCheese]

Europa, that's true and certainly the mentality in San Antonio, but honestly I really don't think this puts them over the top. I know they are the inherent favorites, but I think they've fallen behind at this point. It will be really hard to judge them until the playoffs, though, because they certainly could kick it into another gear. I should reserve judgment.

All I know is that they are phenomenal drafters. Duncan is aging, but still a high all-star caliber player (isn't that sick?). Manu and Parker still have quite the future there. I think a pick would help them stay competitive if they did their drafting right.

With that said, I just realized after re-reading the deal that it's a 2009 pick, not 2008. That changes my opinion of it quite a bit. I have a feeling the Spurs pick up a gem this year. Quite a few potential sleepers in this draft, IMO.

So the 31 year old Duncan is aging, but the 30 year old Manu has a bright future?
(Yeah i suppose technically Duncan will be 32 for three months while Manu is still 30, but neither is all that young. Going into next season at 32 and 31 respectively).

[MikeIsGood]

Duncan's production has decreased in favor of Parker and Manu in the backcourt. Doesn't mean Duncan is bad, I think he's incredible, but he's shown signs of possible deference and not taking as heavy of a load during the regular season. That certainly can be a good thing if they turn it up in the playoffs. Manu, on the other hand, is having the best year of his career. That was the main point.

That said, I thought that Manu was Redd's age, and didn't check first. While he has gotten better and better as he has gotten older, he plays with lots of energy and it's tough to tell how that will translate in the coming years. I hope he keeps it up. I, for one, like watching the Spurs, even if I'm sick of them winning the Championship.

[MajorDad]

the jazz were the first team to make a move sending a first rounder for korver. how soon we forget. memory Pills for everybody!

the next team to blink is not the jazz, but rather the nuggets. the nuggets want a pg. can you say charlie? Charlie might be a good fit in denver.

the cavs were going to make a move, but after looking around at the east, they said, why bother? it's in the bag.

[Sigra]

Great trade for Spurs. Perfect franchise

[Profound23]

I would love to see Artest end up in SA.

Defensively, Kurt THomas/Duncan/Artest/Bowen/Parker would be ridiculous. They would definitely shut down the Lakers/Houston/New Orleans.....etc. The Suns vs the Spurs would be fun to watch, all that offense vs all that defense.