Blazers sign veteran C Kurt Thomas
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The Portland Trail Blazers have signed 16-year NBA veteran center Kurt Thomas.
Terms of the deal were not announced.
At 39, Thomas is the NBA's oldest active player.
He played last season with Chicago, averaging 4.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 52 games, including 37 starts. For his career, Thomas has averaged 8.6 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists.
Drafted by Miami with the 10th overall pick in the 1995 NBA draft out of Texas Christian, the Dallas native has also played with the Mavericks, New York, Phoenix, Seattle, San Antonio and Milwaukee.
News Release From the Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers have agreed to terms with forward/center Kurt Thomas. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Thomas, 39, holds career averages of 8.6 points (48.6 FG%), 6.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 16 seasons with Miami, Dallas, New York, Phoenix, Seattle, San Antonio, Milwaukee and Chicago.
"We're excited to be adding the experience, toughness and veteran leadership that Kurt will provide for our team," said Acting General Manager Chad Buchanan. "We've long respected Kurt and expect him to make a strong contribution to our organization."
The Dallas native started 37 of 52 games with Chicago last season, posting averages of 4.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.1 assists.
Selected by Miami with the 10th overall pick in the 1995 NBA Draft, Thomas (6-9, 230) became just the third player in NCAA history to lead the nation in scoring (28.9 ppg) and rebounding (14.6 rpg) his senior 1994-95 season at Texas Christian.