A different angle on the KT trade

by DrStrom on Jul 21, 2007 2:57 AM MDT

I play fantasy football, so I often check a few of the sites online for information...most of which often have basketball intel.

rotoworld.com offered this:

Phoenix saves $8.1 million by dumping Thomas, who had one year left on his deal. Seattle now holds five first-round picks over the next three drafts. Thomas is probably done as a fantasy contributor, and the Sonics could opt to buy out the final year of his contract if he doesn't fit well with their youngsters

That's an intriguing scenario. What if this deal had the ol' "wink and a smile" in it, where:

The trade takes effect
Sonics buy out Thomas' contract and KT signs with the Suns for the vet minimum
Suns use part or all of the 8.9 million trade exception for a PF/C, possibly a sign-and-trade.

Under that scenario, the Suns give up 2 future first rounders (likely high 20s) for most of KT'S
salary AND position themselves to acquire another post player.

Thus, essentially, they'd keep KT at a fraction of the cost, and grab another pretty good big guy...and that sounds like a bitchin' idea for a team ready to win the title.

Capologist rosewood, does this work?

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Comments

You're a genius!

DrStrom, I just joined this site but I think you're a genius.

by baller on Jul 21, 2007 8:46 AM MDT reply actions

the ole "wink and smile"

but why go through the hassle...couldn't they of just restructured his contract?

by USMCGUNZ on Jul 21, 2007 11:26 AM MDT reply actions

This way

KT gets his money. Seattle buys him out of his current contract - they can't just release him. The player's union won't let players restructure their contracts for less money. KT still gets paid and the Suns only pay him a small bit of the total he gets if he comes back and signs for the veteran's minimum.

by baller on Jul 21, 2007 11:31 AM MDT up reply actions

Wow

Nice analysis. Lets all cross our fingers and hope that someone in the FO is as intelligent as Dr. Strom.

by ASUmike on Jul 21, 2007 12:44 PM MDT reply actions

Nice idea, however..

I'm pretty sure you can't do that anymore under the new CBA. One of our CBA experts can probably verify that one way or the other (if not, I'll look it up tomorrow), but I think there's now a rule that prevents a team from reacquiring a player who's dealt in a trade then waived.

But... That doesn't mean this deal wasn't made with eyes already on how they were going to replace KT, (and maybe even one of the draft picks?). I'm still waiting to see who they target for that final roster spot before making a final judgment.

by TexSUN on Jul 21, 2007 10:12 PM MDT reply actions

Also...

I'm not sure if there's any distinction between "waived" and "bought out" under this scenario. Rosewood or srp: Can you fill us in?

by TexSUN on Jul 21, 2007 10:14 PM MDT up reply actions

Didn't

Steve Francis just get bought out in a similar fashion?

by AZSEAfan @ Bright Side Of The Sun on Jul 22, 2007 12:34 AM MDT up reply actions

Ok, here it is...

From Larry Coon's NBA Salary Cap FAQ:

Players who are traded and then waived by their new team cannot be re-signed by their original team for 30 days (during the season) or 20 days (in the offseason) following the trade.

So this makes it sound like KT could be re-signed by the Suns, but he'd have to wait a few weeks first. Interesting possibility.

I was looking for the actual text in the CBA, but haven't found it yet. I'm giving up as it is now 2am here. Here's a link if anyone else wants to give it a try.

by TexSUN on Jul 22, 2007 1:13 AM MDT up reply actions

Another brilliant year for the Sun's FO?

Does anyone think Kerr or $arver is that smart? Diaw and Banks are two losers that caused all of this. Package them together and ship them to San Antonio. Who was the genius who came up with those contracts?

by OneSunsFan on Jul 23, 2007 11:57 AM MDT reply actions

Diaw's contract is excusable

only because he was a great player in 2005-06. 13.3 PPG at 53% shooting along with over 6 assists and 6 boards a game. He was rewarded for that season and the prospect that as a young player, he would only get better...not worse.

Banks' contract was very foolish and impossible to defend.

by AZSEAfan @ Bright Side Of The Sun on Jul 23, 2007 2:27 PM MDT up reply actions