Slight Seattle SuperSonics Edge
Seattle moved veteran Kurt Thomas to San Antonio for two expiring veterans and a protected first, converting a short-term player into additional draft capital during the rebuild.
San Antonio Spurs Received
- Player Kurt Thomas
Sonics Received
- Player Brent Barry
- Player Francisco Elson
- Draft Pick first round pick (protected top 15 in 2009, top 10 in 2009, top 5 in 2011, top 3 in 2012, unprotected in 2013) (2009 #25-Rodrigue Beaubois)
Sonics
Trade Analysis
By February 2008, Seattle’s priority was accumulating future assets rather than maximizing the current roster. Moving Kurt Thomas to San Antonio brought back Brent Barry, Francisco Elson and a protected first-round pick that ultimately landed at No. 25. The veteran contracts were not the point of the transaction; the first-round asset was. Thomas helped a contender immediately, so San Antonio received useful win-now value, but Seattle turned an older center into another first during an intentional rebuild. The protection reduced the pick’s ceiling and prevents an elite grade, yet the asset conversion was favorable enough to support a clear Seattle win and an A- evaluation.