Spurs/Sonics Collusion

[HootieRules]

Pretty disgusting recap of the whole Brent Barry fiasco by Bill Simmons:

http://boards.espn.go.com/boards/mb/mb? ... id=general

In my post-trade deadline blog, I wondered why Otis Smith didn't trump San Antonio's offer for Kurt Thomas. Well, Florida Today reported Seattle demanded first rounders in 2008 and 2010 from Orlando, then settled for a 2008 first-rounder from San Antonio that will be a worse pick than the pick Orlando was offering. Um, how is that not collusion? Sam Presti worked for the Spurs; now he's giving them a discount price for Thomas? Throw in Brent Barry's curious decision to spurn Phoenix for the Spurs, as well as Steve Kerr's frustrated comments afterward, and this is like one of those shady incidents that happens in a fantasy league. I thought Sam Presti stopped working for the Spurs?

[pr0wler]

Pretty disgusting recap of the whole Brent Barry fiasco by Bill Simmons:

http://boards.espn.go.com/boards/mb/mb? ... id=general

In my post-trade deadline blog, I wondered why Otis Smith didn't trump San Antonio's offer for Kurt Thomas. Well, Florida Today reported Seattle demanded first rounders in 2008 and 2010 from Orlando, then settled for a 2008 first-rounder from San Antonio that will be a worse pick than the pick Orlando was offering. Um, how is that not collusion? Sam Presti worked for the Spurs; now he's giving them a discount price for Thomas? Throw in Brent Barry's curious decision to spurn Phoenix for the Spurs, as well as Steve Kerr's frustrated comments afterward, and this is like one of those shady incidents that happens in a fantasy league. I thought Sam Presti stopped working for the Spurs?

Seattle settled for a 2008 first round pick from the Spurs? That's news to me. And I heard the Magic were offering their 2008 pick to Seattle but the Sonics wanted one in 2009 - what's wrong with that? Do the Sonics really need THREE 1st round and FOUR 2nd round picks the upcoming draft? I'd rather spread them out a little...

[seanbig]

Hey...any GM that can get 3....three first round picks for KT is a genius

[CoachPop]

Maybe Presti colludedwith Thomas to see that the vet got a chance to go where he would most like to play? Ever thought of that?

So not only did Presti get what he wanted out of the deal, a 2009 first rounder, but he also managed to get some good karma going his way by treated a vet right and sending him to a place where he has a chance to get a ring. You can't underestimate the goodwill a move like that creates with players around the league. So in the future when the Sonics are out of rebuilding mode and want to take a dip in the free agent market, they'll be just that little bit more attractive to perspective signees, because they'll know that the FO will treat them right.

That's something all the conspiracy nuts who've chimed in on this topic seem to have universally overlooked.

[tuncaboylu]

A totally meaningless article built on a wrong information.

Spurs gave 2009 pick to Seattle for Kurt Thomas. 2009 draft will be very deep and aging San Antonio' draft pick may be inside first 25 next year.

By the way a first round pick for an expiring contract is a very nice move by Seattle. They were going to let Kurt go 2 months later without gaining anything. Now they've got a first round pick.

Moreover, Steve Kerr is a terrible GM. He said that if he was Priesti he would waive Danyoll Marshall instead of Brent Barry. What a foolish comment. Marshall has 1 more years contract left and he can be very useful as an expring contract next year. Why would a GM waives a 1.5 years left contract instead of an expiring contract? Totally foolish.

[movingaz]

The Suns dumping of Kurt Thomas for 2 picks is looking very foolish now for sure. As has all of the other selling of picks.

The Suns 08 Pick could be about 20 or lower now.

[garrick]

Maybe Presti colludedwith Thomas to see that the vet got a chance to go where he would most like to play? Ever thought of that?

So not only did Presti get what he wanted out of the deal, a 2009 first rounder, but he also managed to get some good karma going his way by treated a vet right and sending him to a place where he has a chance to get a ring. You can't underestimate the goodwill a move like that creates with players around the league. So in the future when the Sonics are out of rebuilding mode and want to take a dip in the free agent market, they'll be just that little bit more attractive to perspective signees, because they'll know that the FO will treat them right.

That's something all the conspiracy nuts who've chimed in on this topic seem to have universally overlooked.

This coming from someone who calls himself CoachPop?

Is sending Kurt to Orlando NOT treating a verteran player right? Last I checked the Magic were a pretty competitive team in the East.

[eastsidecrossover]

Yeah, gotta love the sterns homers.

There may be something fishy here, and I would not be surprised at all of the conections these guys have now. but is it as bad as the gasol trade? Hell no. but this is how the thing is going for us.

I personally think the suns have put themselfs in this place by bad reactions to salary cap issues and so forth. they could have kept KT, and used his expiring contract for something better. but no, they have to ship him and two picks just to get someone to take him off their hands. they have to ship a pick with JR to get his contract off their hands too.

these moves are looking worse and worse by the day.

[BlackMamba]

wow... i'm speachless...

[mckane]

Collusion or not, the kid running the sonics organization is an absolute genius.
We should trade Kerr for him.
Look at what he's done in two short years... he's brilliant.

[HootieRules]

Maybe Presti colludedwith Thomas to see that the vet got a chance to go where he would most like to play? Ever thought of that?

So not only did Presti get what he wanted out of the deal, a 2009 first rounder, but he also managed to get some good karma going his way by treated a vet right and sending him to a place where he has a chance to get a ring. You can't underestimate the goodwill a move like that creates with players around the league. So in the future when the Sonics are out of rebuilding mode and want to take a dip in the free agent market, they'll be just that little bit more attractive to perspective signees, because they'll know that the FO will treat them right.

That's something all the conspiracy nuts who've chimed in on this topic seem to have universally overlooked.

I'm sure Seattle fans will be happy knowing they got "good karma" instead of the best deal on the table. Good to know Presti is making nice with his former employer instead of looking out for his own team. This is assuming Seattle has any fans left after the way they have crapped on everyone up there. Karma and Seattle aren't exactly going together in the same sentence since Bennett got there.

Simmons said San Antonio gave up their '08, it was actually their '09. I'm sure Orlando would've given up their 2009 pick instead of their 2008. The problem is Seattle was demanding they send their 2008 AND 2010 pick. These are draft picks that are likely to be at least half a dozen slots apart. And Seattle also lost money doing the San Antonio deal instead of the Orlando deal.

If you don't find anything fishy about Seattle trading a player to the Spurs, then turning around and cutting a guy the Spurs wanted back, all while leaving the best deal on the table, then I don't know what to say.

[HootieRules]

A totally meaningless article built on a wrong information.

Spurs gave 2009 pick to Seattle for Kurt Thomas. 2009 draft will be very deep and aging San Antonio' draft pick may be inside first 25 next year.

By the way a first round pick for an expiring contract is a very nice move by Seattle. They were going to let Kurt go 2 months later without gaining anything. Now they've got a first round pick.

Moreover, Steve Kerr is a terrible GM. He said that if he was Priesti he would waive Danyoll Marshall instead of Brent Barry. What a foolish comment. Marshall has 1 more years contract left and he can be very useful as an expring contract next year. Why would a GM waives a 1.5 years left contract instead of an expiring contract? Totally foolish.

Built on wrong information? Clarify that one, oh wise one. Seattle was demanding 3 draft picks then settled on asking for the '08 and '10 from Orlando. They only demanded the '09 from San Antonio. You don't think Orlando would've been willing to give up their '09 instead of their '08 AND '10?

And you are completely taking Kerr's comments out of context. He was talking about waiving a player based on the basketball side of it. Obviously, Seattle isn't concerned with putting any kind of decent product on the floor right now so Kerr's point is basically moot.

[phxfanatbirth]

What does this really matter?

Oh look you caught the Spurs red-handed. What does that count for?

[tuncaboylu]

-= original quote snipped =-



Built on wrong information? Clarify that one, oh wise one. Seattle was demanding 3 draft picks then settled on asking for the '08 and '10 from Orlando. They only demanded the '09 from San Antonio. You don't think Orlando would've been willing to give up their '09 instead of their '08 AND '10?

I don't know Orlando would've been willing to give up their 2009 pick or not. They didn't gave up their 2008 and 2010 picks as you said, that's why we can't compare both.

Would they accept to give 2009 pick instead of 2008? Maybe yes. But maybe Seattle wanted to have Spurs' pick instead of Orlando in 2009. Orlando's draft pick may be lower than San Antonio next year. Their big man is improving year by year, and they're playing in weak East. Next year Orlando may have better record than San Antonio.

That'w why, Seatle GM doesn't deserve that blaming.

[Arles]

Any logical thinking person knew that Seattle have SA a sweetheart deal here. It's no surprise to see this and that's just the way it is. The whole point here regarding SA is that it shows that Pop should keep his mouth shut when criticizing deals by other teams (ie, the Gasol trade).

Because, you never know, two weeks later the shoe may be on the other foot and you are getting a trade that smells and probably wouldn't be approved by Pop's "trade board" either. Slightly hypocritical, don't you think?

[tuncaboylu]

Any logical thinking person knew that Seattle have SA a sweetheart deal here. It's no surprise to see this and that's just the way it is. The whole point here regarding SA is that it shows that Pop should keep his mouth shut when criticizing deals by other teams (ie, the Gasol trade).

Because, you never know, two weeks later the shoe may be on the other foot and you are getting a trade that smells and probably wouldn't be approved by Pop's "trade board" either. Slightly hypocritical, don't you think?

You are comparing absolutely different things. One team is trading one of the best big man in the league for rubbish players like Kwame.

The other tam is trading a first rounder for a big man(A big man who was traded by another contender with 2 first rounders for only cap relief) whose contract is expiring 3 months later.

How can you compare these trades? Don't be funny.

Sweetheart deal by Seattle? Didn't they get 8 million conract of Thomas from you? Do your 2 late first rounders cost 8 million?

[CoachPop]

-= original quote snipped =-



This coming from someone who calls himself CoachPop?

Is sending Kurt to Orlando NOT treating a verteran player right? Last I checked the Magic were a pretty competitive team in the East.

Come on, this is silly.

Giving a player a chance to compete for a championship>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Giving a player a chance to compete for a playoff series win.

-= original quote snipped =-



I'm sure Seattle fans will be happy knowing they got "good karma" instead of the best deal on the table. Good to know Presti is making nice with his former employer instead of looking out for his own team.

If you weigh it all out, it's very clear that sending Kurt to the Spurs was the best decision for the Sonics. Doing right by a classy vet outweighs getting a pick that may be a couple spots better.

And does it really need to be said that the only likely reaction a hypothetical Seattle fan could have (or check out their board and see this is how they're reacting), is: "We got three first round picks for our exception?! Sam Presti if the fooking man!"

Basically, what I'm saying is that sure, the fact that Presti came from the Spurs obviously didn't hurt, in making this trade happen. But to say that Presti took a worse deal, or hurt his club somehow in the process of dealing with SA is dumb.

[toucansma]

Why are Spurs Fans so cocky? They claim their team plays the right now by not being cocky, yet the fans are. I remember this with the Pats, as a Giants fan, and how they are eating crow now. At least if you are going to be cocky, don't pretend you are not. I can't wait till a team (doesn't even have to be the Suns), blows them out of the playoffs so they can remember what life was like before their recent success when they were a 50 win team year in and year out that got abused like a broken fiddle in the playoffs. Maybe they will then show a little respect for the NBA outside of the Spurs.

[tuncaboylu]

Why are Spurs Fans so cocky? They claim their team plays the right now by not being cocky, yet the fans are. I remember this with the Pats, as a Giants fan, and how they are eating crow now. At least if you are going to be cocky, don't pretend you are not. I can't wait till a team (doesn't even have to be the Suns), blows them out of the playoffs so they can remember what life was like before their recent success when they were a 50 win team year in and year out that got abused like a broken fiddle in the playoffs. Maybe they will then show a little respect for the NBA outside of the Spurs.

How did you label us being "cocky"? defending Kurt Thomas trade is causing to be cocky?

[toucansma]

Wasn't responding to CoachPop, was talking in general from earlier in this thread and your forum in general. However it is cocky to think that you deserve Kurt and Brent because you have won every championship and every game that has mattered in the whole existence of the NBA for the last 100 years.