Suns/Knicks trade

[Its_asdf]

When does Thomas's contract expire?

I think his contract expires in 2007-2008. Well at least it doesn't last as long as Richardson's and I think Kurt can still be a servicable player for the time being. I think this trade is ok for the Suns, Kurt Thomas beefs up the Sun's interior defence and adds an 11-10 guy. Although Quentin Richardson is a lot younger and is also a pretty good rebounder for his size, KT is probably a better fit for the Suns. Like Colin said, I really liked it when Q was in LA where he worked his post up game a lot more and settled for threes later, not the other way around.

Another thing I think Kurt Thomas brings is leadership and playoff experience, which is something a young team like Phoenix needs, and he probably won't put on a disappearing act for the Suns like Q did either.

[maes]

Q-Rich shoots 3's at .358 while he was in the SF position.
This year Marion shot the 3 at .334 but in the PF position, back a few years ago when he was in the SF slot Marion shot at .387, and his best year was .393. I tend to agree w/ the Suns that Marion can do everything Q-Rich can in the SF slot and more.

But Kurt Thomas in the Suns PF slot? There's no way he's going to be starting...i'm guessing they're picking him up in the same capacity as Bo Outlaw. They must be picking up another major player.

And New York gives up what little inside presence they have? Who's Q-Rich going to replace, Tim Thomas or Crawford? No way he's going to replace Jamal...but then why spend $14M on Tim Thomas? Move him to PF? I don't see him guarding Duncan, KG, Dirk...

My first impression...bad both ways...but can turn out well for the Suns assuming they land a key big man.

[Fenix]

My guess is that that promise to Diougu is true. But that still slows their game. Perhaps Warrick? Will they have any cap room left after they resign JJ and Amare (although his new contract will start with 2006/07 season)?

[Indy]

My guess is that that promise to Diougu is true. But that still slows their game. Perhaps Warrick? Will they have any cap room left after they resign JJ and Amare (although his new contract will start with 2006/07 season)?

Warrick will definitley not be there. He will be picked by Minny or New Jersey for sure. I say Diogu is a strong possibility.

[Bang]

So...the Knicks have 15 long term max contracts or something? -_-;;

[Indy]

I smell something else in this trade.

I think Isiah Thomas has his eye on Zydrunas Illgauskas. I think he thinks they might be able to get him for the MLE. Before you jump on me and say that's ridiculous, his family lives there, and apparently he has already told scources he wants to play in New York.

Either that or Thomas is planning on drafting Frye, and then I will laugh at the Knicks forever.
Like this

[Amphatoast]

Suns... Kurt Thomas is not bad. He is slower yes, but he can take some pressure off Amare in the middle. He is a fearless kind of guy who can hit open jump shots. They will both play C/PF pending who they playing.. Kurt can go on shaq so amare don't get in foul trouble.
Q. Rich.. well, didn't know why the knicks added him with crawford, penny, houston, but if houston is gone like it says then its good. He can play SF too so Tim the bum Thomas can go to the bench.
Its good in a sense it reduces the amount of PF the knicks have ( hopefully they don't draft anther!) but it doesn't fill the needs at C.

I think Marion can do what Q. Rich did this year or better.. remember he was playing PF, a position played by KG, Duncan, Dirk, and other tall mofo.. kind of takes it out of you dealing with them plus he had to rebound a lot. Since he doesn't have to deal with all that he can get his 3pt percent back up to 40% maybe

[Indy]

Amphatoast, this move means Houston and Penny are gone for sure.

[Riot]

I wouldn't be surprised if Thomas is shipped out too...

[Indy]

I wouldn't be surprised if Thomas is shipped out too...

You mean Tim? I agree.

[-BHZMAFIA-]

IMO the Suns may get the better end of this deal. Q-Rich just jacks up 3's all the time, and I would take inside presence over outside shooting anyday. The Suns know they have enough shooters on the team, so grabbing Thomas is key.

[Riot]

Knicks will have a lot of fun with the Quentin's lockdown defense.

[Colin]

Kurt Thomas is a bit of a banger and a seasoned vet who can help the Suns out a lot... The thing is, with him in te lineup, forget all those crazy running and gunning throughout the game... Kurt can't run to save his life, much less to contribute in an up-tempo game... But he should free up some space for Amare on offense while helping getting the big load of his shoulders on defense.
...
So, all in all, it seems like a good deal for both sides, with th eonly questionmark being how will Phoenix's running game be implemented...

Not all four players need to be able to run to succeed on the break. San Antonio ran the break well against the Suns and I don't consider Duncan or Nazy to be good runners. Kurt can rebound and outlet and let the other four guys get down there in a second. He can be the trail and catch and shoot at 17. We ran that kind of play on my team this year. We had a big guy who played a similar game to Kurt and he would rebound and outlet. Then if we couldn't get all the way to the rim he would be at the free-throw line by then.

Not only can Kurt be good enough to keep the game moving, but, if they need to run more they can just run small ball and put Jim Jackson in there. I already mentioned that.

And yes, I think Marion can give what's needed at SF. Granted he won't have 7/9 games, but he also won't have 2/9 games.

On another note, the ESPN article reports that the Suns will be trading the first round pick to the Knicks. Not the other way around.
ESPN Story

The Phoenix Suns and New York Knicks are in serious talks about a trade that would send Quentin Richardson and a conditional future first-round pick to the Knicks for Kurt Thomas two league sources said.

However, both sources claim that the trade hasn't been completed.

[Amphatoast]

Amphatoast, this move means Houston and Penny are gone for sure.

Yep.
Penny is in his final year so his trade value is up.
Same for Tim Thomas.
Expect both to be traded sometime during the season if not the offseason. Guess its time for the knicks to rebuild a little and see what happens.

[[L3]1101]

wow imgaine that. Houson + Penny + T.Thomas 's salary gone at the same time. That's like an entire team's salary cap.

[Riot]

Kurt Thomas is a bit of a banger and a seasoned vet who can help the Suns out a lot... The thing is, with him in te lineup, forget all those crazy running and gunning throughout the game... Kurt can't run to save his life, much less to contribute in an up-tempo game... But he should free up some space for Amare on offense while helping getting the big load of his shoulders on defense.
...
So, all in all, it seems like a good deal for both sides, with th eonly questionmark being how will Phoenix's running game be implemented...

Not all four players need to be able to run to succeed on the break. San Antonio ran the break well against the Suns and I don't consider Duncan or Nazy to be good runners. Kurt can rebound and outlet and let the other four guys get down there in a second. He can be the trail and catch and shoot at 17. We ran that kind of play on my team this year. We had a big guy who played a similar game to Kurt and he would rebound and outlet. Then if we couldn't get all the way to the rim he would be at the free-throw line by then.

Not only can Kurt be good enough to keep the game moving, but, if they need to run more they can just run small ball and put Jim Jackson in there. I already mentioned that.

And yes, I think Marion can give what's needed at SF. Granted he won't have 7/9 games, but he also won't have 2/9 games.

On another note, the ESPN article reports that teh Suns will be trading the first round pick to the Knicks. Not the other way around.
ESPN Story

The Phoenix Suns and New York Knicks are in serious talks about a trade that would send Quentin Richardson and a conditional future first-round pick to the Knicks for Kurt Thomas two league sources said.

However, both sources claim that the trade hasn't been completed.

That article is messed up. The headline says the Suns get the future first but the article says the Knicks get it. Even ESPN is confused.

[cklitsie]

We'll just see how this all works out.
Everybody is hating on the Knicks so I don't really pay any attention to most opinions, I don't care about the haters.
I like Q-Rich and I think he'll post up more with the Knicks, just like he did with the Clippers. With the Suns, they wanted him to stay outside so there was more room for Amare and Marion to operate.

Can the Knicks release Allan Houston, then sign him to the smallest contract possible? Just asking because maybe he'll be turn to the second coming of Grant Hill just after the Knicks release him...

btw. I think in some way the Suns really got the better of this trade, no more Brandy in their arena.

[Doobie]

As a knicks fan i have no idea what to think of this . I always thought Kurt was the heart of the Knicks. Very Underated player in my eyes.Ill miss him but what can i do , im not the Knicks GM. Anyways , i think the Knicks should ship out Timmy , Hardaway , and waive houston . Draft Frye if they can , hope he becomes solid, and trade away timmy or penny for a big man . I also see a plus in gettin Q Rich. Since Marbury is an excellent penetrating PG , I think that they are trying to surround him with shooters. Not a bad Idea. My view on Next Year's lineup so far.
PG-Marbury
SG-Crawford
SF-Richardson
PF-Sweetney ( finally !!!!!)
C-Frye or other Random Center.

[Jona]

That's a pretty decent lineup IMHO.

[AlwaysWhat,NeverWhy]

PG-Marbury
SG-Crawford
SF-Richardson
PF-Sweetney ( finally !!!!!)
C-Frye or other Random Center.

Yes , decent lineup ... but who is going to anchor the defense? The need a lock-down defender along with a shot blocker, FAST!

[Riot]

Just like the Knicks this year, it looks great on paper but the chemistry and the defense is lacking.

[air gordon]

pretty much agree w/amphatoast, riot, colin, and others.. good post guys

coomac.. kurt thomas isn't old and broken down


ariza can be that wing defender..

[Impose]

Few weeks ago PHX outlined "Amare's new role as point-center" meaning they wanna use him for more high post pick-n-rolls and obviously they needed a guy setting screens and posting up in the paint while that was happening, so Kurt makes perfect sense. Marion will still grab 10rpg from SF and Amare will have more roaming freedom, the move is good for PHX pending they re-sign Joe Johnson.


From what ive seen Isiah Thomas tends to trade in bunches, he'll have a trade or 2 left to balance this out, if they dont get Frye in the draft i bet the pick will be traded.

[TheFranchiseKing]

It's done.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/b ... index.html

[Andrew]

I wouldn't have expected that one. Decent trade on both sides, though Phoenix are the ones who are really addressing a need.