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Spurs Snag Thomas from Sonics

Trade aims at making San Antonio bigger inside

By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 21, 2008 4:13 AM CST

(Newser) – Shortly after the Suns and Lakers each made high-profile trades for big inside men, the San Antonio Spurs moved to follow suit, picking up veteran center Kurt Thomas from the Seattle SuperSonics. In return, the Spurs send under-utilized Francisco Elson and frequently injured Brent Barry, along with a 2009 first-round draft pick, reports the San Antonio Express-News.

The acquisition of Thomas drops San Antonio's payroll by $400,000, and brings the Dallas native back to his home state. "We feel this trade gives us an opportunity for roster balance in our tough match-ups,” explains the Spurs' GM, denying that the deal was made "necessarily" in response to the Pau Gasol and Shaquille O'Neal moves.

San Antonio Spurs center Francisco Elson, of the Netherlands, center, grabs a defensive rebound against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Monday, Jan. 14, 2008. Elson, along with Brent Barry, will be moving to the SuperSonics in exchange for Kurt Thomas....
San Antonio Spurs center Francisco Elson, of the Netherlands, center, grabs a defensive rebound against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Monday,...   (Associated Press)
Seattle SuperSonics Wally Szczerbiak, left, and Kurt Thomas, smile as they walk off the court at a timeout in the closing moments of an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings in Sacramento, Calif., Wednesday,  Feb. 6, 2008. The SuperSonics have traded the veteran Thomas to the Spurs in an...
Seattle SuperSonics Wally Szczerbiak, left, and Kurt Thomas, smile as they walk off the court at a timeout in the closing moments of an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings in Sacramento,...   (Associated Press)
Seattle SuperSonics' Kurt Thomas tries to grab a loose ball in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls, Monday, Feb. 4, 2008 in Seattle.  Thomas will be going to San Antonio as part of a trade that will send Brent Barry and Francisco Elson to...
Seattle SuperSonics' Kurt Thomas tries to grab a loose ball in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls, Monday, Feb. 4, 2008 in Seattle. Thomas will be going to San Antonio...   (Associated Press)
San Antonio Spurs guard Brent Barry reacts after scoring a 3-point shot against the Los Angeles Lakers during the third quarter of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2008. San Antonio hasn't had much use for the oft-injured Barry lately, prompting a trade with the SuperSonics....
San Antonio Spurs guard Brent Barry reacts after scoring a 3-point shot against the Los Angeles Lakers during the third quarter of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2008. San...   (Associated Press)
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