Notebook | Thomas says O'Neal trade can work for Suns

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- The blockbuster trade that sent Shaquille O'Neal to the Phoenix Suns has been panned by pundits who believe the aging center lacks the speed to keep up with his new teammates. But Sonics center Kurt Thomas thinks the deal can work.

Thomas, who played the past two seasons in Phoenix, would admittedly have difficulty beating O'Neal in a foot race. He said that if he can play within the Suns' fast break run-n-gun system called "Seven Seconds or Less," then O'Neal will have no problems.

"I definitely think that he's going to be fine," Thomas said. "You still go to double-team him. He requires a double-team especially if he's got shooters around him that he has now. I don't believe he had the shooters this season in Miami that he had before. But now he's got Steve Nash, [Leandro] Barbosa, Raja Bell and Grant [Hill]. He's got guys that can really shoot the ball."

Thomas said the greater concern with O'Neal isn't his age -- he turns 36 next month -- but rather his history of injuries. The 7-foot-1, 325-pound center has missed 13 games because of left hip and quadriceps injuries.

"I don't think he's too slow," Thomas said. "I've never played with Shaq. I've only played against him, but I think he'll be fine. Of course he's not 23 or 25. He's 35 now. I think he'll be fine in that system, and I think [coach Mike] D'Antoni will adjust the system to fit him when he needs to.

"And in the playoffs, you don't run as much. The game slows down. It's not as much run and gun. Each possession becomes so important."

O'Neal, who hasn't played since Jan. 21, passed a physical Wednesday in Phoenix and could make his Suns debut Friday against the visiting Sonics.

Coach P.J. Carlesimo said he's uncertain if it's a benefit that the Sonics might catch O'Neal after he has had just one practice with Phoenix.

"Sometimes the first game people don't even try and run stuff or anything like that," Carlesimo said. "Guys just go out and play, and sometimes that's more dangerous."

More trade talk

Thomas never felt a rift between Stoudemire and Shawn Marion, who was dealt to Miami. The players reportedly had a rift, which may have led to the trade that also sent guard Marcus Banks to Miami.

"Everyone in that locker room really got along with each other," Thomas said. "I definitely don't see that as a factor as to why they wanted to make a trade."

Marion had been linked to several trade rumors over the past several years.

"I think he's happy," Thomas said. "His name has been out there so much. And finally it's done. He's going to a legendary coach in Pat Riley. Yeah, they're struggling this year, but who knows what might happen in this offseason going into next year with how that team can change. I think it's a good situation for him."

Note

• Jeff Green (ankle) started after a two-game absence.

SEATTLE
min		fgm-a	ftm-a	or-t	a	pf	pts
Green	19:27	2-5	1-2	1-2	2	1	5
Wilcox	25:04	7-11	1-2	1-10	1	2	15
KuThomas	26:33	5-7	3-4	0-8	1	4	13
Watson	32:28	9-12	2-2	0-10	10	2	23
Durant	38:05	6-12	4-6	0-3	5	1	17
Szczerbiak	28:33	3-10	0-0	1-7	2	0	7
Collison	30:59	4-10	5-6	2-6	2	2	13
Ridnour	15:32	0-4	1-1	1-3	4	1	1
West	9:55	1-1	0-0	0-1	0	0	2
Petro	13:24	3-4	3-3	1-4	0	4	9
Totals		40-76	20-26	7-54	27	17	105

Percentages: FG .526, FT .769. Three-point goals: 5-10, .500 (Watson 3-4, Durant 1-2, Szczerbiak 1-2, Ridnour 0-2). Team rebounds: 6. Team turnovers: 18 (20 PTS). Blocked shots: 7 (Ku.Thomas 3, Green, Ridnour, Watson, Wilcox). Turnovers: 18 (Watson 4, Green 3, Szczerbiak 3, Collison 2, Wilcox 2, Durant, Petro, Ku.Thomas, West). Steals: 4 (Watson 2, Durant, Ku.Thomas). Technical fouls: Defensive three second, 4:57 second.

SACRAMENTO
min		fgm-a	ftm-a	or-t	a	pf	pts
Salmons	37:36	5-14	1-1	2-4	3	2	11
Artest	40:01	9-22	1-4	1-3	4	2	20
Moore	34:23	4-9	2-3	5-9	2	4	10
Bibby	29:29	4-15	2-2	2-5	3	2	10
Martin	30:12	1-10	2-2	1-6	1	0	5
Garcia	23:04	4-9	0-0	1-3	0	2	11
Douby	17:10	3-9	0-0	0-3	1	0	8
Hawes	17:05	4-8	2-2	0-6	0	4	10
Williams	8:53	2-2	2-4	1-2	0	0	6
Jones	2:07	0-0	1-2	1-1	0	0	1
Totals		36-98	13-20	14-42	14	16	92

Percentages: FG .367, FT .650. Three-point goals: 7-22, .318 (Garcia 3-6, Douby 2-2, Artest 1-3, Martin 1-3, Hawes 0-1, Salmons 0-2, Bibby 0-5). Team rebounds: 9. Team turnovers: 11 (7 PTS). Blocked shots: 2 (Garcia 2). Turnovers: 11 (Artest 4, Bibby 2, Douby 2, Hawes, Moore, Salmons). Steals: 10 (Artest 3, Bibby 2, Salmons 2, Garcia, Jones, Moore). Technical fouls: Moore, 6:47 second.

Seattle	25	23	33	24 -- 105
Sacramento	29	20	24	19 -- 92

Attendance: 13,136 (17,317). Time: 2:09. Officials: Jack Nies, Courtney Kirkland, Matt Boland.