July 22, 2008
Jeff McDonald: Thomas back in the fold
The Spurs took care of what might have been their No. 1 priority this offseason Tuesday, re-signing forward-center Kurt Thomas.
Terms of the deal are not yet known.
Thomas, acquired from Seattle in a trade in February, became an integral part of the Spurs' run to the Western Conference Finals last season. He averaged 4.5 points and 4.9 rebounds in 28 games as a part-time starter after after arriving in San Antonio.
Thomas, 35, became a focus of the Spurs' offseason after Tiago Splitter, the Spurs' top draft choice in 2007, opted to remain in Spain for the foreseeable future. With the free-agent market on big men thin, the Spurs needed Thomas to return.
On Tuesday, the Spurs got their wish.
Thomas' re-signing, meanwhile, probably marks the end of the Robert Horry era in San Antonio. Unless he attracts interest elsewhere, it's likely to mean the end of a distinguished 16-year career for Horry, during which he earned seven NBA championship rings and established himself as one of the top role players in league history.
