And you thought Davidson was bad... - Detroit Pistons Fan Community

NotoriousCPC · #1 (**permalink**) 07-20-2007, 05:07 PM

Sonics deal $8M trade exemption, 2nd rounder to Suns for Thomas and two future No. 1 picks

Quote:

SEATTLE -- The stockpiling Seattle SuperSonics acquired veteran forward Kurt Thomas and the Phoenix Suns' first-round draft choices in 2008 and 2010 on Friday in exchange for a conditional second-round draft choice in 2009.
Seattle also used its $8 million trade exception with Phoenix to complete the deal. The Sonics gained the exception from Orlando earlier this month when they completed a sign-and-trade deal that sent Rashard Lewis to the Magic.
New Sonics general manager Sam Presti, the league's youngest GM at age 30, has turned Lewis' imminent departure for nothing as an unrestricted free agent into an unexpected windfall. While losing their second-leading scorer to the Magic, Seattle has gained two more first round draft choices and the veteran leader they were seeking to tutor Kevin Durant and Jeff Green, the second and fifth overall selections in last month's draft.
The Sonics, who finished 31-51 last season, traded leading scorer Ray Allen to Boston last month. Then Lewis joined Orlando.
Seattle now holds five first-round picks over the next three drafts.
"The picks are huge for us," Presti said in a telephone interview Friday morning.
Thomas, who turns 35 in October, averaged a career-low 4.6 points per game in 67 games last season while averaging just 18 minutes. The former member of the Miami Heat, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks and Suns has averaged 10.1 points and 7.4 rebounds per game during his 12-year career.
"Kurt really represents the identity we are trying to develop. He's a tough, hard-nosed and defensive-minded player, and a true professional," Presti said. "He's a veteran presence to enhance the locker room."
Thomas comes at the price the rebuilding Sonics were seeking. He has one season left on a contract that will pay him $8.1 million next season.
The deal provides some salary cap relief for Phoenix, which had the NBA's fourth-highest payroll last season at $76.4 million. Before Friday's trade the Suns figured to be about $10 million over the luxury tax limit next season, meaning they are unlikely to use the trade exception they just acquired from Seattle before it expires in 12 months.
Earlier this month, the Suns signed veteran Grant Hill to a contract that will pay him about $1.8 million for the 2007-08 season. They also traded forward James Jones and the draft rights to Spanish guard Rudy Fernandez, the 24th overall pick in the draft, to Portland for $3 million.
"We are doing everything we can to keep our core group together. Sometimes in doing so, you have difficult decisions to make," said Suns general manager Steve Kerr.
"We feel good going forward having our core group of players under contract for several years, including the recent addition of free agent Grant Hill. The bottom line is there are tough decisions to make, but we have flexibility and our core together. We really like the group of players weve assembled and feel we can make a legitimate run for an NBA championship next season."
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

buddahfan · #2 (**permalink**) 07-20-2007, 08:13 PM

What makes you think that?

He owns two of the best basketball teams in America.

How many winning and successful professional basketball franchises do you own?

Have a nice evening.

coynejeremy · #3 (**permalink**) 07-20-2007, 08:20 PM

This thread should be called "And you thought Isiah Thomas was bad..."

Do you think this was a bone-headed move by Steve Kerr? Do you think this was necessary or at least justifiable? And what do the trade exceptions mean for Phoenix? How do they work?

mikhail1973 · #4 (**permalink**) 07-20-2007, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coynejeremy

This thread should be called "And you thought Isiah Thomas was bad..."

Do you think this was a bone-headed move by Steve Kerr? Do you think this was necessary or at least justifiable? And what do the trade exceptions mean for Phoenix? How do they work?

They got rid of $8 mil worth of salaries to get closer to the cap. They were more than $10 mil over the cap, that's why the move. Purely financial reasons.

roscoe36 · #5 (**permalink**) 07-20-2007, 09:28 PM

Thomas was a spare part.

Mid-to-late first rounders can be bought for around $2 million each.

This is a good deal for both teams.

If we joke about the Knicks payroll and applaud Joe for managing the Pistons so well, you have to respect that Kerr is "trimming the fat" now to protect the owner's interest.

NotoriousCPC · #6 (**permalink**) 07-20-2007, 10:18 PM

Maybe I should have been less glib but I was referring to the reluctance of the owner to go over the luxury tax threshold which is what this move was about as well as the last couple of years when they have sold the rights to first round picks.

People give Davidson a lot of grief for some sort of perception fo being "cheap" or not being willing to spend past the threshold to get closer to a championship. Sarver has spent years pissing away valuable assets (especially for a team with a notoriously thin bench) and their window is only open as long as Nash's back and legs allow.

Thomas may have been a spare part to the Suns, but they have played their best defense when he has been healthy and an $8 million expiring contract sure could fetch some useful bench players. Not only did they get nothing in return, but they also gave away more first rounders.

I understand Kerr's pressure to get under the cap, but it seems like it is self defeating to give away first round picks and turn around and overpay for guys like Marcus Banks and Boris Diaw.

PS: I personally have no problem with the Pistons staying under the tax, I was just poking fun at the long-standing meme in Detroit circles.

TaShawn · #7 (**permalink**) 07-20-2007, 11:31 PM

Here is what I don't understand about the "Davidson is cheap" theory. He has donated over $130 Million to charity.

This is why I subscribe to "the owners are acting in collusion" theory. They know that if they go over the tax threshold, then others will do it and all it will do is inflate the price of the players. In the end, it would drive up the cost of labor and all teams would be relatively the same.

KGREG · #8 (**permalink**) 07-21-2007, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TaShawn

Here is what I don't understand about the "Davidson is cheap" theory. He has donated over $130 Million to charity.

This is why I subscribe to "the owners are acting in collusion" theory. They know that if they go over the tax threshold, then others will do it and all it will do is inflate the price of the players. In the end, it would drive up the cost of labor and all teams would be relatively the same.

TaShawn normally I think you be in some straight crazy uNoWhat, but that right there was some insightful stuff. I never looked at it like that.

16 Mile · #9 (**permalink**) 07-21-2007, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TaShawn

Here is what I don't understand about the "Davidson is cheap" theory. He has donated over $130 Million to charity.

This is why I subscribe to "the owners are acting in collusion" theory. They know that if they go over the tax threshold, then others will do it and all it will do is inflate the price of the players. In the end, it would drive up the cost of labor and all teams would be relatively the same.

When you have that much money, it's not the amount you give away, but who you give it to.

Davidson will reluctantly pay the players, but it has to drive him crazy to pay a luxury tax that goes back to the other owners. No way a successful businessman like him, can stomach giving money to his competitors.

**max** · #10 (**permalink**) 07-21-2007, 01:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 16 Mile

When you have that much money, it's not the amount you give away, but who you give it to.

Davidson will reluctantly pay the players, but it has to drive him crazy to pay a luxury tax that goes back to the other owners. No way a successful businessman like him, can stomach giving money to his competitors.

Thats probably the whole thing there. Plus those old Billionairs don't mind spending their money as long as they are getting something. Paying tax is throwing money away to him.

I think he would be willing to spend a little if it came down to losing an important player and he actually did end up spending some back in 04.

65 mil is what you have to work with to stay under. Thats an avg of 5mil for the 1st 12 players and 5 more to keep 3 projects around. One would think that would be enough. Just have to avoid those KG/Shaq type contracts if you can.

Whats going to happen when Davidson is no longer with us? Will his family sell the team, take over it. I have no idea.