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Kurt Thomas may soon be headed to the Phoenix Suns

Kurt Thomas, who has collected more than 4,000 rebounds and seemingly an equal number of trade rumors in his seven-year Knicks' career, may actually be changing addresses.

The Knicks are considering a deal that would send Thomas, their sturdy power forward, to the Phoenix Suns for Quentin Richardson, a young shooting guard. The Knicks would also receive a conditional first-round draft pick from the Suns.

Officials from both teams confirmed the framework of the deal Thursday but did not want to be identified because the deal was not complete. The two players involved believe otherwise.

After the deal was reported by RealGM.com on Thursday, Richardson confirmed the details to the Arizona Republic. Richardson said he was told of the trade by his agent and by Suns General Manager Bryan Colangelo.

"It definitely is a shock, but I also understand it's a business decision," Richardson, who signed a six-year deal last July, told The Republic.

Thomas, an avid Web surfer, said that he learned of the deal from the RealGM.com report and that his agent had confirmed the talks.

"I just know there's a deal on the table," Thomas said by cell phone from Dallas, his hometown. "I can't comment on anything until it's official. And it's not official yet."

Asked if believed the deal would happen, Thomas said, "I think so."

Richardson, coincidentally, was in New York on Thursday for a photo shoot.

Neither Colangelo nor Isiah Thomas, president of the Knicks, was available for comment.

The trade would bolster the Knicks' backcourt and perimeter shooting, but at the expense of interior defense and rebounding. Kurt Thomas, who will be 33 next season, is their best post defender and help defender and their most savvy player. He averaged a career-high 10.4 rebounds a game last season, the fourth straight year he has led the team in that category.

In Richardson, the Knicks would get a much-needed athletic wing player who, at 25, has his best years ahead of him. Richardson averaged 14.9 points for the frenetic Suns last season and led the league in 3-pointers made (226) and attempted (631).

Although inconsistent -- his career field-goal percentage is just .406 - Richardson is regarded as a solid 3-point shooter (.358 last season).

He also is among the best rebounding guards in the league, averaging 6-plus in each of the last two seasons.
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