The Phoenix Suns solidified their frontline by acquiring 10-year NBA veteran Kurt Thomas from the New York Knicks today in exchange for swingman Quentin Richardson and the draft rights to Nate Robinson, the 21st pick in the 2005 NBA Draft. The Knicks also traded to Phoenix the draft rights to guard/forward Dijon Thompson, the 54th pick.

Last season Thomas averaged 11.5 points, a career-high 10.4 rebounds (T-6th in the NBA), 2.0 assists and shot .471 from the floor in 35.7 minutes. He joined Suns All-Stars Steve Nash and Shawn Marion as one of only nine NBA players who averaged a double-double (and qualified among the league leaders). The 6-9, 235-pound forward/center was tied for third in the NBA with 661 total defensive rebounds, trailing only Minnesota?s Kevin Garnett and Marion, and his 32 double-doubles ranked 12th in the league.

Thomas, originally selected by the Miami Heat with the 10th pick in the 1995 NBA Draft, owns career averages of 10.8 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 627 games (463 starts) with three teams (Miami, Dallas, New York). He averaged double figures in points in each of the last five seasons, including a career-high 14.0 scoring average in 2002-03, and has ranked in the top 20 in rebounding in each of the last four seasons. The 32-year-old has improved with age, averaging 12.2 points and 8.5 rebounds in 400 games over the last five seasons after averaging 8.2 points and 6.0 rebounds in 227 games in his first five seasons.

A member of the Knicks? 1999 Eastern Conference Championship team, Thomas averaged 13.7 points and 11.3 rebounds on .479 shooting over his last two postseasons in nine games (2001, 2004) and averaged 6.5 points and 5.8 rebounds in 48 career playoff games with Miami and New York.