Around the league - Shaq to Phoenix for Marion & Banks

[turk3d]

If it works, great for them. The good thing out of this is getting rid of Marcus Banks contract long term from Phoenix's perspective.

Hey, Nellie can do his hack-a-shaq attack. This will stop the Suns from running....

Dre actually might be able to play Shaq better than he played Amare. He's way quicker and Shaq can't jump very high anymore and there's no way Shaq will be able to keep up with him on the offensive end. Marion used to kill us. I think that it may be a bad move for the Suns overall in that it will not translate into a championship for them and if not, then what's the point? Big mistake imo, although maybe it's enough to take out the Fakers in the playoffs. Maybe that's the point. Shaq + Amare > Bynum + Gasol? hmm. The more I think about it, the more I'm beginning to believe that this move is designed to potentially stop the Lakers. If so, this may be good for the rest of us.

[Left*My*Heart]

Marion has been on the block for at least two seasons and the rumor is that Marion and Amare have been very disruptive to the teams chemistry. One or both had to go or there was a fear that the same playoff failure would be the result.

Marc Stein is reporting that the trade may pacify Amare, who is unhappy playing out of position and will be able to slide over to PF.

It appears that the Suns did panic and decided they needed to move on. It wasn't Cap motivated and they are taking a huge risk that Shaq can still get it done.

[Chris Porter's Hair]

I can only conclude that Marion's desire to get out of Phoenix, as much as it seems crazy to me, was much more pronounced than I believed.

Great move for Miami. Puts then back into the mode of being a legit rebuiding team. I don't see this playing out well for Phoenix. People flipping out and saying we need to make a move to counter Shaq to Phoenix are missing that we already did. If Phoenix went out and got a big man to let them play half court, they gave up Marion and a ton of cash to do so, and got one that is hurt a ton. We did the same thing, but gave up nothing and got one that is hurt a lot. At his best, yeah, I'd expect Shaq to be better than Webber at his best. I just don't think you're going to get his best very often. Certainly not often enough to make you happily give up Matrix.

Interesting times...

[kevin44]

As a Warrior fan all I can say is thank you to the Suns, if this deal goes through. It makes the Suns much worse which is good for the rest of the west.

[GSWhoopfan]

i dont get it? Marion was a huge part of their success. watching their games you just see Nash, Amare...but at the end of the day its Nash, Amare, and Marion. He does all the little things that helps team win. Hes a high quality player.

Marion is much better than the Shaq right now. Ill take better defense, length,a jump shot threat, high FT%, and speed over size. Marion does so much more than Shaq can do in that system.

Shaq is still the diesel and when hes given deep positioning hes still unstoppable. Shaq isnt garbage, hes still a legit downlow presence. Sounds like a playoff hindsight move.

Who steps in for Marion? If they are relying on Diaw...thats a good sign for the West.

[turk3d]

It's to counterbalance the Lakers. Shaq is much better equipped to match up with Bynum and Amare can play Gasol. Much more problematic for them if it's Amare and Marion trying to matchup against Bynum and Gasol and Odom. Diaw matches up well against Odom. The problem they're going to have I think will be with the rest of the Conference. They feel that with Shaq they have a better chance to overtake LA than they would with Marion. This is a bit of desperation on their part but this they feel is their best shot. I think this ups the ante for both teams and LA or Phoenix may not be finished yet making moves. That $hitty Memphis deal; ($hitty for everyone other than LA) seems to have upset the applecart in the Western Conference and the widespread repercussions may not be over.

I take back my original statement. We may have to do something ourselves depending on what else transpire. Let's wait and see how things go.

[Mylie10]

Well i'm hoping Mullin is burning the lines trying to get Foyle back. No one on the team can handle Shaq like Adonal.

Really I think Webber will be guarding Shaq and Beans on Amare.

We don't have to make a drastic move and mortgage our future by trading any of the youngins.

We have the Trade exception and my top three guys are still there to nab.

Cassell
Artest
KThomas

any one of those 3 makes a difference and puts us up a notch.

I wouldn't touch Wright, Beans, Monta, or even Belli right now. They'll be a good core in a couple years.

Wright will play a ton next year even if Nellie's in town. We will have to play the young guys more based on the contracts we'll have to dole out.

Plus the braces come off.

[marciulionis13]

screw it, lets go even smaller. Memphis can't wait to give up Mike Miller, GET HIM, and give him the green light.

[GSWhoopfan]

It's to counterbalance the Lakers. Shaq is much better equipped to match up with Bynum and Amare can play Gasol. Much more problematic for them if it's Amare and Marion trying to matchup against Bynum and Gasol and Odom. Diaw matches up well against Odom. The problem they're going to have I think will be with the rest of the Conference. They feel that with Shaq they have a better chance to overtake LA than they would with Marion. This is a bit of desperation on their part but this they feel is their best shot. I think this ups the ante for both teams and LA or Phoenix may not be finished yet making moves. That $hitty Memphis deal; ($hitty for everyone other than LA) seems to have upset the applecart in the Western Conference and the widespread repercussions may not be over.

I take back my original statement. We may have to do something ourselves depending on what else transpire. Let's wait and see how things go.

Diaw doesnt matchup well with Odom...period.

PHX is going to lose out on soooooooo many loose ball possessions. Marion is a hustle player and probably the most athletic player in the league.

[turk3d]

If I were going to do anything, it would be to try and pry Marion from Miami using the TPE and possibly our 1st.

I'd do Harrington + Pietrus + OBee + Bellinelli for Marion (works on trade checker) and then sweeten it by trading our TPE for either Davis or Jwill.

I'd not try and sign Marion to a new deal so that there is the possibility he walks and I'd make the 1st conditional only if Marion stays and if not, it gets swapped for a 2. This way there's still the possibility we can sign the guys we need. I might even throw in Bukie as well.

Baron/CJ/Ellis
Ellis/Bukie or Davis/Jackson
Jackson/Barnes/Davis
Marion/Webber/Croshere/Wright
Biedrins/Webber/Perovic/Croshere/Webber

Still have quite a bit of depth. Maybe we substitute Barnes for Belli if that suites Miami.

I might be tempted to do thi8s.

[warriortone]

I am really worried the Warriors are going to get in on the knee jerk reaction game. I am terrified that Mully wants to get Nellie a championship and mortgaging the future will be the way he does it. If B Wright, Andris or Monta is dealt in a bonehead deal...

[Sid the Squid]

Marion was a royal pain in the azz....suns players/coaches probably partied till the break of day.

[FNQ]

This was a great deal for the Suns... their halfcourt set has a ton more credibility now... you cannot leave Shaq one on one, still, and the Suns are full of pure shooters - Nash, Barbosa, Raja... Hill inside 20 feet...

After a few weeks of confusion, the new upper echelon in the West:

Lakers - Suns

Playoff locks:

Spurs - Hornets - Mavs - Jazz

Fighting for a shot:

Rockets - Warriors - Nuggets - Blazers

[killacalijatt]

I really think its a make or break for the SUns.

Who better then Nash to set Shaq up. Once Shaqs 2 feet from the basket its over and Nash can get him the ball there.

I personally think it might actually work thats if they go to a half court set.
Shaq and Amare I dont know about that, both play in the post so that might cause some problems. But other then that they can cause havoc down low.

Please dont trade Bwright hes got so much potential not to mention athletisisam. I personally think hes ready now Run and Gun fits him perfectly.
I was willing to trade Beans for Gasol or Smoove.
Now that Gasol is gone, Id only pull the trigger on a Smoove for Beans trade. I also think that POB is gonna be better then Beans. Better shot blocker better offence of game. Just needs minutes. Id trade Beans and keep POB and build a young group around POB BWright Smoove BelliNelly Ellis

[NuWarriors]

there's a bigger impact on the Warriors:

Marion has become available.

PHX would never have let us have him, but MIA doesn't give a crap. Marion can't be re-dealt this year unless it's 1 for 1; the only guy who can match salaries is Baron, and that isn't happening. The only time to get him, then, is this offseason.

Simple plan:

TPE for Mike Miller, NOW. Use Miller for the playoff run.

In the summer sign and trade Monta Ellis (Starting salary of $8M) and Mickael Pietrus (starting salary of $4M) with Mike Miller to MIA for Shawn Marion. BYC reduces Ellis to $4M and Pietrus to $2M, putting our total package value at $15M, easily fitting with Marion's $17M final year.

I am fairly certain Miami accepts a return of Ellis/Pietrus/Miller; they then draft Beasley or Greene or whatever PF/C, roll out this lineup:

Ellis
Wade
Petey
Haslem
draft pick

Bench: Miller, Wright, Cook, Blount

Meanwhile, I could live with:

Baron
Azubuike
Jack
Marion
Biedrins

Bench: CJ, Belinelli, Al, Barnes, Kosta, picks, vets

Shut up Ballboy.

[Sid the Squid]

SHOULD BE LAW ON THE WARRIORS BOARD

Any warriors fans or fans from other teams, will be banned for life if they bring up BW, AB15 or Mississippi8 trades.

[turk3d]

-= original quote snipped =-



Diaw doesnt matchup well with Odom...period.

PHX is going to lose out on soooooooo many loose ball possessions. Marion is a hustle player and probably the most athletic player in the league.

He'd do a heckuva lot better with Shaq and Amare backing him up. Could wind up with Amare (or even Hill) on him at times.

[Chris Porter's Hair]

[KR4]

SHOULD BE LAW ON THE WARRIORS BOARD

Any warriors fans or fans from other teams, will be banned for life if they bring up BW, AB15 or Mississippi8 trades.

Agreed

[OptionZero]

If I were going to do anything, it would be to try and pry Marion from Miami using the TPE and possibly our 1st.

I'd do Harrington + Pietrus + OBee + Bellinelli for Marion (works on trade checker) and then sweeten it by trading our TPE for either Davis or Jwill.

I'd not try and sign Marion to a new deal so that there is the possibility he walks and I'd make the 1st conditional only if Marion stays and if not, it gets swapped for a 2. This way there's still the possibility we can sign the guys we need. I might even throw in Bukie as well.

Baron/CJ/Ellis
Ellis/Bukie or Davis/Jackson
Jackson/Barnes/Davis
Marion/Webber/Croshere/Wright
Biedrins/Webber/Perovic/Croshere/Webber

Still have quite a bit of depth. Maybe we substitute Barnes for Belli if that suites Miami.

I might be tempted to do thi8s.

Marion cannot be dealt again a certain time period in a package deal; that time period does not expire until after the deadline.

He can only be dealt in a straight up swap for another single player, which will not happen.

In the offseason, the TPE will expire; J-Wil and Davis will be free agents. There cannot be "pot sweetening" as you suggest.

Harrington does not have sufficient value to garner an All-star forward in return; this offseason POB and Pietrus will be FA's, so they couldn't be packaged with Harrington anyways. Even if they could, they'd hardly be sufficient additions to make the Heat think about spinning Marion to us.

You may like Ellis and Biedrins, but to think we could bring in significant talent without sending out either is folly. If you believe in them, then you must believe in our team as a whole and be content with the roster as it stands, more or less. If you want change, you must pay the price.