Kerr, not Kerrsed, Speaks: We can afford Amare

[Mr. Sun]

DP: A lot of your moves this season have turned out better than last season's moves. Like avoiding the temptation of trading Amar'e Stoudemire at the deadline.
SK: It worked out pretty well. The reason we had to engage in some of those discussions at the trade deadline was because of his contract situation. He could walk this summer and we would get nothing in return potentially. ... I'm glad we didn't do anything. We really kicked it into gear the last couple of months of the season.

DP: Was there ever a formal offer from the Cavs for Stoudemire?
SK: We had a lot of discussions, and that's about as far as I'll go.

DP: Was there a team you got close to trading him to?
SK: We didn't get close to trading him to anybody. We had discussions with probably four or five teams. Again, that's kind of the role that I have in this job -- to find out what's out there for any of our guys. Especially if it's going to make our future better. If there was something that would have put us in a great spot, then we might have done something. But in the end it was just a matter of let's see what this team can do because we're starting to play well, and we'll worry about the future later.

DP: Can you afford to keep Stoudemire?
SK: We can afford it. We've had one of the top five, six payrolls in the NBA for four years running. We'll spend money, that's not the question. We have to make sure we spend it the right way. Hopefully we can get something done with Amar'e. That's the plan.

DP: Nobody had you guys going to the Western Conference finals. When did you decide, "I'm going to stay with it, don't need to do anything at the trade deadline, I like where we're going."
SK: Well, I think the difference was right from the very beginning of the season, just watching our guys interact. Nine, 10 guys at a time going out to dinner on the road. We got out to a 14-3 start. You could just see it was 180 degrees from last year in terms of the camaraderie, and the togetherness. I think that's how you build something. When you really have guys that are committed to each other, that's when you know that you've got a chance to really have a good team. That was the case from the beginning of the year and I think that gave us the foundation. We didn't have the belief though. Early in the year I think we were kind of surprised at our own success coming off of last year. As the season went on that belief really came. By the end of the year our guys really thought they were going to win every game and that's where we are right now.

DP: Can the season be a disappointment from here on out?
SK: Definitely not. We've had such a great run. Nobody really expected us to do anything. We thought we'd be a playoff team, but beyond that we didn't really allow ourselves to think about anything else. We just wanted to get here and see what kind of run we could make. That doesn't mean we're satisfied with where we are, but every team's got different circumstances and different expectations and we've already exceeded ours, so we've got to just go play and have fun and enjoy it.

DP: Are the Lakers a better team this year than last year's title team?
SK: They're probably better defensively. They have not played as well offensively I don't think. I think championship experience gives you a deeper level of confidence as a team. So, either way, last year's team was great, this year's team is great. They're going to be tough.

DP: What's been the low point in Phoenix?
SK: Probably when Mike D'Antoni left. We had a really good thing going for many years here. I wanted to take things a step further and it just didn't work out.

DP: Can I lump the Suns in to the LeBron sweepstakes?
SK: If he'll take mid-level, we'll give it to him.

DP: What's mid-level?
SK: About 5 1/2 million. I think he'll take it. Don't you think?

DP: Where do you think he's going to go?
SK: I have no idea. I want him to stay in Cleveland. I think that's good for sports when you've got players you connect to over a long period of time, so I hope he stays.

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Like I been saying for 6 months: Amare isn't going anywhere.

[MaryvalesFinest]

I dunno this seems more like PR talk than anything. Management has been trying to trade him for a few years now and if they really wanted to re-sign him why didn't they already? They knew he has an opt out clause and if they felt he was really one of the elties in the league wouldn't they have done so already? Also remember this is the same Kerr that told Marion only guys like Duncan, Kobe, Wade, etc deserve the max. Can Amare really be put in that category?

[BurningHeart]

DP: Can the season be a disappointment from here on out?
SK: Definitely not. We've had such a great run. Nobody really expected us to do anything. We thought we'd be a playoff team, but beyond that we didn't really allow ourselves to think about anything else. We just wanted to get here and see what kind of run we could make. That doesn't mean we're satisfied with where we are, but every team's got different circumstances and different expectations and we've already exceeded ours, so we've got to just go play and have fun and enjoy it.




.....I don't like that. We better not get complacent. It'll be a disappointment. He should have said;

"We're in the Conference Finals, and we're playing our biggest rivals. You bet your ass it'd be a disappointment if we don't beat them and go to the Finals for a chance to win a ring. We're not gonna get soft now just because we're farther than expected. "

[Calvin Klein]

It's not a disappointment, but now that they're here, I doubt they'll get a better chance. Go for the kill.

[Mr. Sun]

I dunno this seems more like PR talk than anything. Management has been trying to trade him for a few years now and if they really wanted to re-sign him why didn't they already?

The "media" and "fans" has been trying to trade him All Kerr has done is "listen."

He hasn't been resigned yet because no serious negations have taken place yet. They'll go through a dozen proposals before both sides can come to an agreement. Look at how many proposals went back and forth in Kobes negotiations. Serious negotiations are set for after season.

[Qwigglez]

Suns are playing on borrowed money anyway. Lol.

[DBrimstone]

Suns made roughly 20 mil last year, in a non-playoff year. I can't image profit dropping much, if at all. Especially with a minimum of 7 home games plus league royalties for making it further into the playoffs

[lilfishi22]

Just because we can afford to pay him doesn't mean we will. I can afford to buy a million dollar home as well, I just have to borrow a ton of money and it won't exactly be a smart thing to do.

"We have to make sure we spend it the right way. Hopefully we can get something done with Amar'e."

Spending it the right way is an easy way out for our FO if they decide Amare is too expensive. Unless Kerr goes out and say "money is no object," this is far from a done deal. There was that other report about Sarver willing to commit $18m for 4 years to Amare, which seems like it could be as far as he would go. That's $72m but in the open market he could earn something close to $96m with teams who are willing to pay that much for his services.

Everybody thought Brand was a done deal with the Clippers and many thought Baron Davis signed with the Clippers to play with Brand. That just shows nothing in the NBA is a done deal until something is signed.

[Frank Lee]

He hasn't been resigned yet because no serious negations have taken place yet. They'll go through a dozen proposals before both sides can come to an agreement. Look at how many proposals went back and forth in Kobes negotiations. Serious negotiations are set for after season.

You think Kerr would say anything other than they can afford Amare ? Can you imagine.... 'yes, we are concerned about the situation with Stat, we think he may ask for more than we can afford to pay him' ..... Right. Man, you hear what you want to hear.

And no serious negotiations have taken place ??? What about Amare's proposal ? Had the front office accepted he'd be signed. Keep in mind, Stat had zero incentive to take less that what he asked for. Dont try to pretend that these contracts take weeks and weeks to iron out. Just ask Marcus Camby.

This is just more lip service to stroke fans like Mr Sun.

Stat will make this decision, not Sarver, not Kerr. And the outcome of this next series, or rather the over all competitiveness of it may have impact. This roster will change very little if Stat stays.... he knows that. The grass may actually be greener than just look it.

[lilfishi22]

You think Kerr would say anything other than they can afford Amare ? Can you imagine.... 'yes, we are concerned about the situation with Stat, we think he may ask for more than we can afford to pay him' ..... Right. Man, you hear what you want to hear.

Also on a bargaining position standpoint, if we were to do a S&T with Amare and teams know we can't afford to pay him in the first place, they won't be in a position to ask for much.

[DirtyDez]

If i'm Amare i follow Lebron somewhere. He can't run the pick N roll with Nash forever so join the King and run it with him. If Bosh goes to LA you can bet Lebron wants Amare in Chicago or wherever. Or maybe LBJ could come here = Mini-Dynasty!

[ma_falaa_50]

U know what Amare latest interview showed his lack of confidence in staying as a phx sun. Stop callin Lebaby- king james. he hasnt won a ring!! I hope he stays. i think he is playing for his teammates not the owner, I think his teammates and gentry will play an important role in Amare staying.

[MrVince]

I've always thought the Suns had the money I just didn't think he'd want to but now I'm kinda convinced that Amar'e will stay with us

[KJ7]

DP: Can the season be a disappointment from here on out?
SK: Definitely not. We've had such a great run. Nobody really expected us to do anything. We thought we'd be a playoff team, but beyond that we didn't really allow ourselves to think about anything else. We just wanted to get here and see what kind of run we could make. That doesn't mean we're satisfied with where we are, but every team's got different circumstances and different expectations and we've already exceeded ours, so we've got to just go play and have fun and enjoy it.




.....I don't like that. We better not get complacent. It'll be a disappointment. He should have said;

"We're in the Conference Finals, and we're playing our biggest rivals. You bet your ass it'd be a disappointment if we don't beat them and go to the Finals for a chance to win a ring. We're not gonna get soft now just because we're farther than expected. "

This is one of those questions where you play it like a politician. ie. you don't answer the question. I think the right thing to say is that you're always disappointed to lose a series and you'll be doing everything in your power to ensure that doesn't happen.

Of course afterwards you just come out and say that we exceeded expectations.