The Phoenix Suns sent F/C Kurt Thomas to Seattle on Friday. Thomas and the Suns 1st round draft picks in 2008 and 2010 were traded to Seattle for a future 2nd round pick, and an 8 million dollar trade exemption.
Phoenix will probably not use that trade exemption, however. They have been trying to get under the luxury tax threshold for weeks now, and their payroll was one of the main holdups in trying to acquire Kevin Garnett from the Minnesota Timberwolves. After this trade, they will most likely stand pat on their roster.
The trade will bring Phoenix's payroll down from 76 million dollars down to 68 million.
Seattle improves their frontcourt depth while gaining a valuable trading chip at this years trading deadline. Thomas's contract only has 1 year/8 million dollars remaining. They could try to move his contract to bring in a veteran if Kevin Durant and Jeff Green are enough to get them in the mix of things as far as a playoff spot is concerned. Picking up two first round draft picks can only be viewed as positives for the franchise as well.
Original Story:
http://www.nba.com/suns/news/thomas_trad....
Phoenix will probably not use that trade exemption, however. They have been trying to get under the luxury tax threshold for weeks now, and their payroll was one of the main holdups in trying to acquire Kevin Garnett from the Minnesota Timberwolves. After this trade, they will most likely stand pat on their roster.
The trade will bring Phoenix's payroll down from 76 million dollars down to 68 million.
Seattle improves their frontcourt depth while gaining a valuable trading chip at this years trading deadline. Thomas's contract only has 1 year/8 million dollars remaining. They could try to move his contract to bring in a veteran if Kevin Durant and Jeff Green are enough to get them in the mix of things as far as a playoff spot is concerned. Picking up two first round draft picks can only be viewed as positives for the franchise as well.
Original Story:
http://www.nba.com/suns/news/thomas_trad....
