Kurt Thomas- In Charlotte

[MattD]

On Friday I flew up to Boston and while sitting at my gate as my flight continued to get delayed more and more, Kurt Thomas walked by. He was with his small child and his wife. Now, I didnt think much of it at the time, as Charlotte is a big connection airport, but then I realized he is a FA. He also would fit in well as a PF. Could he be a target? Could he have been in Charlotte about basketball or for some other reason? Interesting stuff.

I seem to have a weird ability to find NBA players at the airport, this flight Kurt Thomas, previous one from SFO to CLT Jrich sat a few rows in front of me.

[GoBobs]

we should have gotten him last year when the suns gave up two first round picks so someone would take his salary and then the spurs gave up a first round pick late in the season to aquire him. I hope we are looking at this guy for a coaching spot given his age.

[dnbman]

we should have gotten him last year when the suns gave up two first round picks so someone would take his salary and then the spurs gave up a first round pick late in the season to aquire him. I hope we are looking at this guy for a coaching spot given his age.

I've mentioned that before, but I don't think we could have done it and the JRich trade. Spectre keeps correcting me on this, so I'll defer to him.

[Muttley]

On Friday I flew up to Boston and while sitting at my gate as my flight continued to get delayed more and more, Kurt Thomas walked by. He was with his small child and his wife. Now, I didnt think much of it at the time, as Charlotte is a big connection airport, but then I realized he is a FA. He also would fit in well as a PF. Could he be a target? Could he have been in Charlotte about basketball or for some other reason? Interesting stuff.

I seem to have a weird ability to find NBA players at the airport, this flight Kurt Thomas, previous one from SFO to CLT Jrich sat a few rows in front of me.

Wow, that's some incredible luck Matt.
So, Kurt's 35 and was averaging 8.8 reb per game when he was with the sonics last year while putting up 7.5 points (these numbers dropped significantly when he went to San Antonio). You'd think we could, and would want us to do better. I think we could get that from someone already on the roster, but who knows.

[spectre]

I've mentioned that before, but I don't think we could have done it and the JRich trade. Spectre keeps correcting me on this, so I'll defer to him.

Nah man, you have it right. I think KT was making near 10 million give or take last year and the Suns wanted no one back (remember he was already an expiring). That'd have been near 20 million all coming back our way and we didn't have the space.

Great catch Matt! I didn't think we'd have a shot at KT (I mean seriously...Bobcats or Spurs...Bobcats or Spurs), but maybe SA will only offer the vet minimum whereas we'll dip into our MLE? I did think he was in ring chasing mode tho.

Getting KT would be awesome and solve some major problems. If it's at all possible we should do it.

Nice to have some good news!

[MattD]

he is a vicious defender too, which could help a lot and has a nice little mid range, but age is definitely a factor with him. He made something like 8.8 mill last year, but I could see him fitting in very nicely, especially to be a starter but play less minutes then emeka did, allowing others to get rotation behind him without actually starting.

Granted, he could have just been getting on another plane to somewhere else.

He seems/is really tall in person though, towered over his little kid, it was funny.

[Dunk]

I mentioned his name a couple days back. It might make sense for us-- at the right price. Play him 15 minutes a game but also serve as a mentor to Jamareo and Ajinca. Tough D, grab some boards, back up Mek and Nazr. Plus, he's a veteran, very coachable, would provide some leadership. It's a stop-gap while our younger guys develop for another year and is a good contingency. Assuming no trades go down and we bring in a name (which is seeming more unlikely as the draft moves behind us).

[spectre]

I could be mistaken, but when the Suns dealt him I'm pretty sure their fans were upset because he was their main guy to play Duncan. No doubt he's losing a step (heh, maybe as we speak!), but even so he'd probably be the best bet we have to guard those type of guys considering who we have now.

[chabber]

Man seriously he would be a great pick up. I was pissed when the Suns traded him because your right he was the only one who could guard Duncan. It eventually forced that Shaq trade and then he bit them in the ass when he got traded to the Spurs.

He does everything we need. Rotates well, is tough, has a money jumper, rebounds and imo is a better post defender than Mek is. I'd sign him in a milisecond if he'd come here. I just figured he wouldn't like most of you. I think he is trying for a ring.

[swetooth9]

not an nba player, but i once rode a plane (first class) with Tom Brady two seats up from me :)

anyway, I think we would all like kurt thomas at the right price, but i'm sure he wants a ring so he will go to a contender

what exactly is the mid-level exception anyway? how much $$$ is it?

[GoBobs]

mid level excption is like a little over 5 mil i think. we could have fit his number under the cap no problem last year. remember it was for the Nzar trade so we had plenty of cap room plus we still had oak for cheap last year.

trust me the guy is to old now, not worth a roster spot

[WarioVsMooChicken]

I still say that we should get pur next player from training camp or the D-League.

[chabber]

Nothing Kurt Thomas does much like PJ Brown requires much athletism. They just know how to play great post/position defense and can knock down open looks. As long as either one of them can run down the court and not get too tired for 15-20 mpg they will both be valuable at old age. PJ is 38 already and look how well he's still playing for the Celtics.

[Muttley]

Nothing Kurt Thomas does much like PJ Brown requires much athletism. They just know how to play great post/position defense and can knock down open looks. As long as either one of them can run down the court and not get too tired for 15-20 mpg they will both be valuable at old age. PJ is 38 already and look how well he's still playing for the Celtics.

Alright, ya convinced me. If Thomas can play for us like PJ played for the Celtics (minus 3 years of wear and tear ~ 10 more mpg?) then we should at least try for him.

[fatlever]

kurt is a solid player and a better teammate. he's also a smart bball mind, as nellie once used kurt as an assistant coach w/ the mavs many years ago.

however, kurt wont really address our biggest need at pf/c and that is having someone to chase quicker pfs. kurts is a great defender in the post, but at 35 he's not really going to be an upgrade to okafor away from the basket.

but i'd take him over hollins anyday, regardless.