Sonics (Conveniently) Waive Brent Barry

When the Sonics acquired Brent Barry from the Spurs in the Kurt Thomas trade, it was obvious that the only reason they wanted him was because of his expiring contract. Today, that point was hammered home when it was announced that the Sonics waived Barry before he even had a chance to suit up.

There's talk than the Suns and Warriors might be interested in him, but he could always just return to San Antonio -- and in hindsight, it's only natural to wonder if that was the plan all along. From Buck Harvey of the San Antonio Express-News:

[The] Spurs should want him back, and maybe this is a Jerry Stackhouse arrangement. The Seattle general manager who traded for and then waived Barry, Sam Presti, once worked for R.C. Buford.

Why this would be more likely to pass an NBA inspection: Unlike Stackhouse, who blabbed about how he would return to Dallas, thus scuttling his deal, Barry would be too smart for that.

Of course, for Barry to return to the Spurs he'd have to sit out for 30 days, during which time he'll be courted by other contenders hoping to change his mind with bribes of more playing time. Considering the NBA threatened to squash the Stackhouse trade because of a similar arrangement, it'll be interesting to see how the commissioner's office would react to Barry's return. Maybe there's not enough evidence for David Stern to actually levy punishment or block the move, but it might be a loophole he'll want to considering tightening up this summer.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

2-22-2008 @ 1:35PM

Stephanie Stradley said...

FYI. The Rockets GM was on 1560 am Houston this morning, and said that they had more free agent money available for this year due to their recent trades.

The host of the show mentioned Barry, (but to avoid tampering), asked if Morey would be interested in a smart, experienced 3 points shooting player who could spread the floor. He said certainly, that would be exactly the kind of player he would want, though the Rockets do not have the midlevel any more and may not be in a position to offer the most money.

2-22-2008 @ 1:41PM

grapevinesooner said...

Well if he returns to San Antonio, then the Spurs, and especially Pop, should be called to the carpet on this. Especially after all the bluster from Pop after the Pao Gasol trade.

2-22-2008 @ 1:48PM

August West said...

The Spurs shouldn't be called on this because ITS COMMON EFFING PRACTICE! What's insane is that somehow admitting it is collusion. Stern should be pimp-slapped for the hypocrisy he showed in the Stackhouse fiasco.

I'm 100% fine with this because NBA teams are allowed to buy-out contracts, and restricting a free-agent's right to choose his employer in flat-out fascist.

2-22-2008 @ 1:57PM

Toine said...

Anyone who is upset at the impending situation of Barry rejoining the Spurs needs to look at it closely. He's on waivers. Anyone can claim him right now. If L.A. or Phoenix picks him up (which sizing up their salary cap seems like a horrible idea for both) he has to play for them. After the 48 hour period, he can sign with whichever team he wants. If he chooses to come back to the Spurs, so be it. The Stackhouse fiasco was due to Stack opening his fat mouth and causing Stern to think that the teams had colluded. While there probably is warranted speculation that the Sonics and Spurs had done the same thing because their management is close, Barry has kept his mouth shut. And comparing this to the Gasol trade is hilarious. Pop, and every other coach in the West had a right to be upset at that blatant give away.

2-22-2008 @ 2:21PM

Martin said...

Wonder if Popovich wants a committee looking at this trade, or if he believes that his desired committee should only look at trades involving the Lakers? http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2008/02/09/popovich-dislikes-the-memphis-strategy/#comments
The salary cap was intended to protect the owners, especially of small market teams. But since the owners are willing to violate the spirit of the rules, the NBA should do away with the salary cap, keep the luxury tax (perhaps increasing the tax rate), and distribute the money from the tax back to the teams with the lowest revenues. Every year, the team with the worst record in the NBA should be relegated to the D league and the D league team with the best record should advance into the NBA to make sure that teams, and their owners, have an incentive to be competitive.

2-22-2008 @ 3:16PM

ap said...

Why do people comment about Pop's remarks about the Memphis/Laker trade, when they know absolutley nothing about the context in which it was said. I watched heard the interview and Pop, very notoriously know for joking with the media and being a smart a$$, AND HE WASN'T SERIOUS!!! Secondly if I'm not mistaken, Stackhouse's contract would have been bought out which is different than being waived. When your contract is bought out, you are not placed on the waiver wire, you automatically become a free agent able to negotiated with any team. When you are waived, there is a 48hour period where you are on waivers and any team can claim you. If the Spurs and Sonics had an agreement to allow Barry to return, that would have been a big chance they would be taking by waiving Barry. That is the difference between that trade and the Mavs/Nets trade(which failed). There is no way the Mavs would have done the deal if there was a chance Stackhouse would have been claimed.

2-22-2008 @ 3:00PM

nickstoli said...

Let's see, if the NBA knew two players took steriods, David Stern would only punish the one who admitted it. Hope you learn the lesson kids: don't be stupid and tell the truth, keep yer trap shut.