If you were wondering why it was such a big deal last Wednesday that the Sonics were able to send Rashard Lewis to Orlando in a sign-and-trade deal instead of having Lewis simply sign with the Magic as a free agent, you got your answer today.
Using the trade exception that sign-and-trade provided, the Sonics acquired Kurt Thomas and unprotected first-round picks in 2008 and 2010 from the Phoenix Suns, who coveted the exception to help them out because of their situation relative to the NBA's luxury tax.
For the last couple of years, there has been plenty of talk about the Sonics adding a veteran post player to their core of young centers. That would not only give them a mentor but also help relieve some of the pressure on them to contribute every night.
Thomas fits that role perfectly as a guy with 12 years of NBA experience who has spent the last two years playing with the championship-contending Suns. Thomas can still play, as he demonstrated battling Tim Duncan in the postseason when Phoenix took on San Antonio, and is an excellent post defender.
This is another deal that brings in a player who will help the Sonics build their culture of defense, toughness and professionalism.
Down the road, the two first-round picks should come in very handy for the Sonics. Along with their own three first-round picks the next three years, they now have five first-round selections in that span with which to add to their young core of players.
I just got off the phone on Sam Presti and will be working on an article that goes into a little more detail on this later this afternoon.
Friday, July 20, 2007
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3 comments:
I am a Celtics fan. And I know your team has added some great potential with Durant and Green. However, I think Delonte West, guard from the Celtics, is going to make a bigger impact. The guy can shoot the lights out, plays magnificent defense, jumps on loose balls, and has a good attitude. Keep an eye on Delonte, because I think he will be your PG/SG of the future.
The plan if it is to heavily rely on all the draft picks would make it even more a 5 year plan.
If the plan is to shorter than that will need to be consolidation and maybe some of the draft picks get traded.
A lot of the current guys may be gone within 2 years, hopefully each additional step is building the plan. There are what 13-14 players on roster now and 5 first rounders in next 3 years. There are only 10 significant roles on a team for those 18-19 guys to fill, though some could be held in development/deep bench.
What Presti does with West is a curiousity. Could go several different ways. I guess dependent on what PJ does with / gets out of him. But how much does Presti guide that?
Will be watching that dynamic.
Ive seen delonte west play. but Durant is their franchise. Him and green are the franchise of the team. Delonte will be a good player on that team. but Durant and green will be dominating that tean
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