OT: Shaq trade agreed to; physical pending

[Krapinsky]

According to ESPN reports: Marion + Banks for Shaq.

It's a gamble for Phoenix, but it could pay off big time. If you look at Phoenix's record it's become evident that they can't compete against teams that pound it inside. They've lost to the Lakers and T-Wolves each twice, among others. The Lakers adding Gasol made the situation worse.

Personally, I hope this deal goes through. Hopefully it gives Miami the 11th pick next year and has them drafting after us this year.

[mudyez]

I like it...marion was their best parker-defender...shaq cant defend the pick and roll and the gamespeed will take a hit for the suns...not that I bothered about the suns but now I just love to meet them in the playoffs....as for miami: what better supportingduo than marion+haslem can wade dream of?...add a high draftpick and they are back on their way to contention!

OT: Plz take a look at the link in my sig...there are only 1 slot open in the 08-fanatsy-draft (starting after the Allstargame) and it would be a pity if you miss it!

[twolves4]

According to ESPN reports: Marion + Banks for Shaq.

It's a gamble for Phoenix, but it could pay off big time. If you look at Phoenix's record it's become evident that they can't compete against teams that pound it inside. They've lost to the Lakers and T-Wolves each twice, among others. The Lakers adding Gasol made the situation worse.

Personally, I hope this deal goes through. Hopefully it gives Miami the 11th pick next year and has them drafting after us this year.

its not as big of a gamble for phoenix as it is for the heat..marion's deal is up after this season, with a player option for next year..they may have just traded shaq for essentially a contract..marion wont help them get to the playoffs, and they wont have any chance on earth of contending next year..marion will get pissed off that wade gets all the attention, and want to leave

[twolves4]

I like it...marion was their best parker-defender...shaq cant defend the pick and roll and the gamespeed will take a hit for the suns...not that I bothered about the suns but now I just love to meet them in the playoffs....as for miami: what better supportingduo than marion+haslem can wade dream of?...add a high draftpick and they are back on their way to contention!

OT: Plz take a look at the link in my sig...there are only 1 slot open in the 08-fanatsy-draft (starting after the Allstargame) and it would be a pity if you miss it!

suns couldnt win in the playoffs with run & gun basketball, so now they turn into a half court team, which could make them better suited for playoff basketball

as for this deal being good for the heat, why? marion wanted out of phoenix because he wasnt the marquee player on the roster..he wants to be the #1 guy somewhere, and now hes in another situation where hes just a complement to a bigger star..this is only a good deal for miami if they were expecting marion to be an expiring contract either this year or next..this year, theyre still the leagues worst team, and next season regardless of a high pick, theyve still lost zo, wade will miss time with an injury, and the ricky davis factor that puts any he plays on in perpetual losing mode

[Worm Guts]

The Heat were lucky to get an expiring contract for Shaq. He was mediocre center earning 20 million dollars a year for 3 years(?) on a team that was going nowhere. It was a great trade for the Heat.

[casey]

The Heat were lucky to get an expiring contract for Shaq. He was mediocre center earning 20 million dollars a year for 3 years(?) on a team that was going nowhere. It was a great trade for the Heat.

Agreed

[karch34]

It is a good trade for the Heat as there weren't many teams out there that had the contracts to trade for Shaq and still not kill their core. Marion could be a good fit with Wade or he could opt out and they save money.

I think it's a good trade for Phoenix too. Even though he's not what he used to be, Shaq allows Amare to move to PF and that front line is better than the Lakers, Dallas, and San Antonio which is the main concern for Phoenix. They're in win now mode and can actually play in half court now.

[shrink]

After ten minutes of run and gun, PHO will be playing 4-on-5.

[deeney0]

I think it's going to end up much better for the Suns than the consensus seems to think.

[big3_8_19_21]

why?

[TheProdigy]

It's a great trade for Phoenix if Shaq can stay healthy. It will be interesting to see how teams plan on stopping Shaq AND Amare in the paint. It would seem foolish to double either of them when Steve Nash and Raja Bell are open for three pointers.

Now my main concern is what this trade does for Miami. Does it make them good enough to leapfrog us in the standings when the season is over? If they end up using their cap space in the offseason and getting Elton Brand, drafting Derrick Rose, OJ Mayo, or Michael Beasley to put along side Dwyane Wade... Maybe we should expect Miami's pick to be in the 20's next year?

[deeney0]

Phoenix isn't getting the Shaq that has played for the Heat this year. Next to Amare, surrounded by three point shooters, Shaq can still be a force. The Suns will slow down a bit, be more methodical, and match up better now with the rest of the West than they did before. Who do you double? Shaq or Amare? Or neither?

[funkatron101]

I won't be surprised if this turns out to be a complete bust for the Suns.

In the right system, Shaq can still put up good numbers. But A. This isn't the right system, and B. I don't think he can stay healthy.

If they were going to lose Marion anyway, then not a huge deal. But if they are expecting big things from Big Diesel, then I think they will be disappointed.

[Worm Guts]

I think Phoenix is hoping for interior defense more than anything. I don't know if Shaq can provide that anymore, I kinda doubt it.

[Wingman]

Insane. I can't picture Shaq in that system. Heat just got much better. Pheonix got worse. I always thought that PHO ownership was really cheap, then they take on the worst contract in the NBA. I guess its worth it if they win the championship, but I don't see it.

[deeney0]

Phoenix will adjust their system - probably for the better consider Nash turns 34 tomorrow. Conserve those knees as long as possible.

[shrink]

I don't get Sarver giving up two picks and a useful Kurt Thomas (on an expiring deal!) to save $16 mil, and then grabbing Shaq's $20 mil extravaganza.

Roses are red
Violets are blue
I'm schizophrenic
and so am I

[deeney0]

I don't get Sarver giving up two picks and a useful Kurt Thomas (on an expiring deal!) to save $16 mil, and then grabbing Shaq's $20 mil extravaganza.

-= original quote snipped =-

Because Shaq >> Kurt Thomas?

People are acting like just because he's not the Shaq of old means he's not good. He's still scoring efficiently while drawing double teams. He still grabs offensive rebounds.

[shrink]

BTW, if we were willing to deal Ryan Gomes, with Shawn Marion's departure, I bet he'd look really really good to Phoenix right now.

Productive, cheap, and an unguaranteed contract for next season?

That's should be the trifecta.

I'd start by offering Gerald Green for Piatkowski and the ATL pick
Gomes for their tinier TPE (jones)
DJ Strawberry for our tiny TPE (hassell)

Moving the ATL pick also moves future guaranteed salary.

[deeney0]

I don't think they'll move Strawberry, but the rest looks plausible from their end. But. Not. From. Ours. Gomes is a keeper.