Shaq to Suns close?!- Miami Herald, Rotoworld

[IggyTheBEaST]

According to this article we were in discussions with the Suns involving Dalembert. Daly & filler for Marion would have been sweet.

League sources said the Suns also had conversations about the Charlotte Bobcats' Emeka Okafor and the Philadelphia 76ers' Samuel Dalembert in recent days, but that Miami initiated the trade talks involving O'Neal.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=A ... &type=lgns

What do you think they were offering? Im sure they were aware that daly for marion wouldnt have worked.

[carltong23]

I think the reason that Kerr decided to risk this deal is because Shaq's contract is over in 2010. So is Nash's, Raja Bell's, and Stoudamire has an opt out clause in 2010. Kerr is probably thinking that even if they dont win a championship with Shaq and Nash, hes going to make a play for Lebron James in 2010 because the Suns should be way under the cap if they play their cards right. Could you imagine this lineup:

Barbosa
SG (Atlanta's 08 pick)
James
Diaw
Stoudamire

or

Barbosa
SG (Atlanta's 08 pick)
James
Stoudamire
C

Theyd probably have to trade either Barbosa and/or Diaw to have enough $ to sign James, but they have 3 years to make enough space.

[The Guilty Party]

Dalembert and Evans for Marion works in the trade checker and makes a helluva lot more sense for BOTH teams than the Shaq deal.

The great thing (sort of) is that we're still more than 2 weeks away from the trade deadline and already we've seen Gasol, Shaq, and Marion change teams. Combine that with the fact that we have trade rumors about Jason Kidd, Tracy McGrady, and others flying around and so we could see a couple more eyebrow raisers.

Isn't it amazing what cap space will get you these days in the NBA? In the past 9 months we've seen the following deals in which cap space was the major issue.

-Jason Richardson was traded for the #8 pick (never plays) and cap space so that the Warriors could have room to re-sign Ellis and Biedrins

- Gasol was traded for cap space and 2 late first round picks that will probably be around #23 or higher.

- Shaq is supposedly being moved for Marion the contract and not Marion the player. Reports are that the Heat will let him opt-out and walk.

- Kurt Thomas was traded with 2 first round picks for a 2nd pick and cap space.

I have no idea what we can/will do with our room this summer but I think that we should have some interesting options.

[The Guilty Party]

Carltong... Atlanta's '08 pick is shaping up to be around #16 and so I don't know that they will get a starter out that. Also, I've read reports where Phoenix will most likely sell that pick anyway.

As for LeBron... it's way too early for teams to be preparing for the summer of 2010. There's nothing that says LeBron will actually leave Cleveland and if he does, that he will go to Phoenix. I seem to recall Orlando planning something like this for Tim Duncan but he ended up turning down the chance to move to Orlando and stayed with the Spurs.

[tk76]

Does this mean Miami will have capspace and be a player in the FA markey this summer? If so, I would think Miami would be a more desirable location both as a place to live and given they have Wade.

[carltong23]

Carltong... Atlanta's '08 pick is shaping up to be around #16 and so I don't know that they will get a starter out that. Also, I've read reports where Phoenix will most likely sell that pick anyway.

As for LeBron... it's way too early for teams to be preparing for the summer of 2010. There's nothing that says LeBron will actually leave Cleveland and if he does, that he will go to Phoenix. I seem to recall Orlando planning something like this for Tim Duncan but he ended up turning down the chance to move to Orlando and stayed with the Spurs.

I dont see how its too early. In fact Cleveland, Miami, San Antontio and several other teams seem to be avoiding paying role-players past 2010 because they know that several players(James, Wade, Bosh,) can opt out that year. Why else would a team like Pheonix be trading and selling away first round draft picks? Why else would they not be preparing for when Nash retires or his contract runs out while also ruining their depth? Why else would they trade for a 35 year old slow center who's breaking down? For 1/2 year of championship contention? Its actually the only thing that makes sense from the Suns perspective.

[IggyTheBEaST]

Dalembert and Evans for Marion? Im sure Ed laughed Steve off the Phone.

Daly can actually help us in the future, Marion wont, he will just make us good enough to land carney 2.0

[The Sixer Fixer]

Dalembert and Evans for Marion? Im sure Ed laughed Steve off the Phone.

Daly can actually help us in the future, Marion wont, he will just make us good enough to land carney 2.0

If Marion opted out after this year, that would 17 mil more in cap space. I think that would help our future. Plus if he doesn't, he comes off the cap next year and combine his 18 mil salary next year with Miller 10+ and you have close to 28 mil in cap room, that's not bad for a team that's trying to rebuild.

Not saying I would do it, but it's not like it would really set us back that much either.

[blazehound]

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If Marion opted out after this year, that would 17 mil more in cap space. I think that would help our future. Plus if he doesn't, he comes off the cap next year and combine his 18 mil salary next year with Miller 10+ and you have close to 28 mil in cap room, that's not bad for a team that's trying to rebuild.

Not saying I would do it, but it's not like it would really set us back that much either.

All that would do is create another hole we'd have to make up for in free agency. We'd have to find a power forward and a new center.

[The Sixer Fixer]

Yea, but you can be more selective with who you bring in. Plus we dump Evans deal in the process. I'd take my chances in FA. If Marion doesn't opt out he has a 18 mil expiring salary that is extreemly trade friendly. We have seen what those can bring in via trade in recent years.

[howiezbt]

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If Marion opted out after this year, that would 17 mil more in cap space. I think that would help our future. Plus if he doesn't, he comes off the cap next year and combine his 18 mil salary next year with Miller 10+ and you have close to 28 mil in cap room, that's not bad for a team that's trying to rebuild.

Not saying I would do it, but it's not like it would really set us back that much either.

won't find a center better than Sam with the same combination of youth and decent contract. Might as well keep him.

[The Guilty Party]

Well... I a little stunned now that the deal is official. In order for Marion to opt-out, he would have to believe he could get a long-term deal from someone and be paid significant money for it. If Miami is already putting it out there that they will let him walk, then Marion's only options will be the Sixers or the Grizz and I doubt that either will...

A) make him a priority this off-season
and more importantly...
B) have the money to sign him to deal he's looking for.

Because of this, I don't think Marion will opt-out. If he doesn't opt-out, this doesn't help Miami for this summer. If he does, it looks like they will have close to $20MIL in cap space which could put them in the running for Elton Brand or Emeka Okafor or Josh Smith. I doubt Riles would go after Arenas since he already has Wade.

[underpressure]

Marion would be an idiot if he opts out. He would not earn more money at an other team and beside that he is pretty much the second option what he always desired to be. For some reason Miami is also a nice place to play for (I do not really understand it but whatever...).

Oh, and the Sixers do not really need Marion.

[The Guilty Party]

By the way... I see that there's a thread about the Spurs being the next team to make a deal but I think the Nuggets are the team to keep an eye on. They have an ageing Iverson and Camby, an owner that doesn't seem to mind paying money, and a decent amount of trade assets.

I don't think they'll go for Kidd but I could easily see Denver following through on those rumors for Artest.

Iverson
Artest
Anthony
Martin/Nene
Camby

Not bad.

[IggyTheBEaST]

Confimed, physical passed

[IggyTheBEaST]

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All that would do is create another hole we'd have to make up for in free agency. We'd have to find a power forward and a new center.

exactly

[The Guilty Party]

The only people I want to see traded for expirings are Evans and Green. Moving Evans should put us close enough to offer a max type contract for Okafor. If Dalembert or Miller or Iguodala or anyone else gets moved, I think it should be in a deal where we acquire players that will be here.

Didn't Stefanski come out and say that he was happy with our cap space and that any trades from this point forward would be for players we want to keep??

[Dedicated_76ers_fan]

In any case, this proves one thing:'

Saddening for Sixers fans, but Phoenix's front office is not as dumb as one would think. Clearing cap space, and avoiding the lux tax are two different things. This proves Stoudemiere was never available from the start.

[panacea]

Looking forward to a Suns/Lakers matchup in the playoffs.

[Sixerscan]

Saddening for Sixers fans, but Phoenix's front office is not as dumb as one would think.

Disagree. Kerr looks like an idiot right now.