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
Spurs Snag Thomas from Sonics
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...   (Associated Press)

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. (More NBA stories.)

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