The Knicks have officially waived Kurt Thomas and added center Solomon Jones on Friday afternoon
The 6-foot-10 Jones averaged 15.8 points and 10.4 rebounds this season in China. He last played in the NBA with the New Orleans Hornets and Los Angeles Clippers in 2011-12.
Jones holds career averages of 3.1 points, on 47-percent shooting, and 2.4 rebounds over 11.1 minutes in 268 career games (11 starts) with Atlanta, Indiana, L.A. Clippers and New Orleans.
During the 2012-13 season, Jones played for Liaoning of the Chinese Basketball Association and last played in the NBA during 2011-12, averaging 3.2 points and 2.8 rebounds over 13.9 minutes in 21 games (one start) with the L.A. Clippers and New Orleans.
The Knicks had initially expressed interest in James Singleton, but that deal reportedly fell through.
“Kurt’s contributions to the Knicks have been immeasurable,” Knicks GM Glen Grunwald said. “From the first day of training camp, to his last game against the Utah Jazz, Kurt has been a key contributor to our team. The team’s success this season has been driven by veteran leadership on and off the court – it is something that cannot be quantified or read in a box score.
“Once it became clear that he would not be able to return this season, and due to a rash of injuries to our big men, we felt that it was important for us to free-up a spot on our roster. We thank Kurt for all that he has done. I have the utmost respect for Kurt as a player and as a man.”
Thomas is an 18-year NBA veteran who averaged 2.5 points, 2.3 rebounds and 10.1 minutes in 39 games, including a six-point, three-rebound performance at Utah on Mar. 18 that sparked the beginning of a 13-game winning streak, despite being hampered by a foot injury.
On Mar. 19, an MRI on Thomas’ right foot revealed an acute stress reaction surrounding a chronic stress fracture in his navicular bone. He spent the next 12 games on the Inactive List.
Thomas, 40, currently ranks ninth on the franchise’s all-time rebounding list with 4,272 caroms and 15th in games played with 569 appearances.
