Phil Jackson calls NBA trading “a sweepstakes”

February 20th, 2008, 5:43 pm · 1 Comment · posted by KEVIN DING, OCREGISTER.COM

PHOENIX — Although this is the most highly anticipated game of this NBA regular season, the pregame period was hijacked by yet another trade in this wild stretch of deals: San Antonio bulked up with a move for veteran center Kurt Thomas after the acquisitions of the Lakers (Pau Gasol), Suns (Shaquille O’Neal) and Mavericks (Jason Kidd).

“A sweepstakes is what it’s like,” Lakers coach Phil Jackson said.

Lamar Odom’s reaction to the Spurs’ move: “Wow. That’s big for them.”

Thomas is an outstanding defender, strong and clever, and he can hit the mid-range jumper with consistency. In all likelihood, either Gasol or O’Neal, if not both, will have to deal with Thomas’ tough tactics in the playoffs.

Jackson brought up how Seattle is coached by San Antonio’s former lead assistant, P.J. Carlesimo. The SuperSonics traded Thomas to the Spurs.

“No doubt about the fact that P.J. would send him on over to San Antonio without any hesitation,” Jackson said, not even remembering how Sonics GM Sam Presti also used to work with Gregg Popovich in San Antonio until this season.

What needs to be pointed out with any mention of Thomas, though, is how screwed up Phoenix has been about its budget. Before trading Shawn Marion for a big man in O’Neal, they gave solid big man Thomas away to Seattle to save money. This was Phoenix’s trade in July: Thomas and first-round picks in 2008 and ‘10 for a second-round pick. Nuts.

By the way, in case you missed my ranking of the pre-Thomas trades in the NBA, Gasol-to-the-Lakers ranks No. 1.

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