Glorious Chad Ford Rumor in his new mock...

[rsavaj]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2008 ... aft-080623

The other potential scenario for the Clippers is a trade. They've been talking to the Suns about a deal that would send Corey Maggette and No. 7 to Phoenix for Leandro Barbosa and No. 15.

Nash/Bayless
Bell/Strawberry
Maggette/Hill/Tucker
Amare/Diaw
Shaq/Skinner

[stood-amire]

Yes, rumor. And thats probably where it's gona end, altough it would be great if this deal would go trough but it just doesnt make sense for Clips, giving us highier pick not to talk about talent of mentioned players.

[eastsidecrossover]

Doesnt make sense to me. We are in the same division, and I really don't see how they would work together. I am not for sure I would want Maggette on this team. I also do not think the suns are going to give up the 15 pick either. they are trying to acuare another pick so they can get two rooks.

[NashtyNas]

^ or just move up if its such a big jump in position and gets us into the top 10, which this does.
But i have a question, how can we draft RUSH adn BAYLESS with only the 7th pick ? + Bayless isnt going to drop out of the top-4, we get westbrook instead of him and maggs @ the 3. i think that works. we could play Tucker @ the two or strawberry. i think thats perfect..

[rsavaj]

^ or just move up if its such a big jump in position and gets us into the top 10, which this does.
But i have a question, how can we draft RUSH adn BAYLESS with only the 7th pick ? + Bayless isnt going to drop out of the top-4, we get westbrook instead of him and maggs @ the 3. i think that works. we could play Tucker @ the two or strawberry. i think thats perfect..

lol good question; total brainfart on my part.

Fixed.

[enigmatics]

If only we were so lucky. Maggette is exactly the kind of player we have been lacking - a versatile SF who can take people off the dribble and get teams into foul trouble.

[amitg]

Yes, rumor. And thats probably where it's gona end, altough it would be great if this deal would go trough but it just doesnt make sense for Clips, giving us highier pick not to talk about talent of mentioned players.

isn't he opting out?
so it'll be a sign&trade, and you never get equal value in these...
barbosa is a decent player when utilized properly, and his contract is great.

of course it is a no brainer for the suns

they also wrote that memphis is looking to give the 5th pick to whoever willing to take cardinal's contract (2 years, 13 mil). we still have our trade exception, don't we?

but then again, our owner's name is sarver and not cuban/allen...

[rsavaj]

Man...if Sarver would just absorb Cardinal's contract it sounds like we could get the #5.

Trade Barbosa/15 for Maggette/7, use the TPE to get Cardinal+5(who would they want back?), draft Brook Lopez and Jerryd Bayless, or package 5+7 for a higher pick...

[eastsidecrossover]

Its a rumor, and I don't think it has much to it. If maggette can not get along with Brand, what makes you think he and Amare will?

NJ is also been mentioned as a rumor for Diaw and barbs for JR and the #10 pick.

[rsavaj]

Barbosa/Diaw for RJ+10...that wouldn't be horrible.

Draft Augustin with 10, Greene with 15, Calathes 48, re-sign Skinner

Nash/Augustin
Bell/Strawberry/Tucker
Jefferson/Hill
Amare/Greene/Calathes
Shaq/Skinner

How's RJ's defense?

[eastsidecrossover]

I was listening to insiders and I heard they like Augustin, but won't draft him. Reason is, they see him as a clone Nash. Now thats not bad, but I think they want a guy that plays D.

I also think if we do the RJ trade, I think we go Rush, or a big at 15.
RJ's D is not bad, but is not amazing.

[WTFsunsFTW]

This isnt as lopsided as you guys are seeing it.

Im assuming the way the clips are looking at it is theyre worried about maggette leaving, and instead of taking a risk with Eric Gordon in the draft, can get a proven shooting guard in barbosa (which they desperately need) and make room in the frontcourt for Thornton.

[ClipperDomination]

^ I agree. The trade does not seem that bad for us at all. Barbosa is exactly what the Clipps need, a proven combo guard who can play both guard positions on a daily basis and adds some range to our lack of shooters. The drop-off from the #7 to #15 pick in this year's draft isn't that big of a decline in talent. Getting a Rush, Chalmers, CDR, or even Augustin (if we are lucky) would be a big boost to help our backcourt woes. I'm for this trade.

What people also don't realize is that Corey is not a part of the team's future if he does sign a long term extension with the Clipps this year, which seems very likely that he will not. He and Dumbleavy have not gotten along while on the Clipps, and Barbosa would be a much more valuable piece for our future.

[nba_addict]

I like the 15/Barbosa for Magette/7 trade. Suns should do it through sign & trade. Suns also need to acquire 2 more shooters though and if that happens Diaw sounds good as gone due to contract situations. Arrgs! Diaw for Kapono, Humpries and 17th!

Nash / Westbrook (7th) / Strawberry
Bell / Kapono / Strawberry
Maggette / Hill / Kapono
Amare / Humpries
Shaq / Skinner / Jordan (17th)

[jlove_26]

I don't necessarily see this deal as being lopsided either. Though after this trade, the Suns would still need to look at dealing Diaw for another pick/player(s). Because after this trade, I'd go after Alexander. The Suns roster would look like this:

Nash/Strawberry
Bell/Hill/Tucker
Maggette/Diaw
Amare/#7 (Alexander)
Shaq/

That leaves the Suns a bit weak at back-up PG and back-up Center. If we don't trade Diaw, then we should re-sign Skinner and try to get Duhon to sign to back-up Nash.

Before some of you say anything about our 1-3 positions, realize that:
Strawberry can play 1-3
Bell, Hill, Tucker, Maggette can all play 2-3
Diaw can play 3-5
Amare can play 4-5
If we draft Alexander, he can play the 3-4
(Hill and Diaw can also play point-forward in pinches as well)

[NashtyNas]

^ duhon as backup center? i think not. sorry, i know it was a typo, just had to point it out. I wouldnt mind the Maggatte trade because i DO feel its one sided, unless there is a real chance he walks away which i dont believe there is. But as someone pointed out, they need a quick combo guard who works off the ball and can drive it, because Mobley is a chucker (mainly cause hes too old). Also, they feel Maggatte is expendable, mainly becauce of AT and his terrific play last season. If we could somehow make it a future first and throw in strawberry, im all for it. I REALLY want to keep the 15th in this draft.

[amitg]

Man...if Sarver would just absorb Cardinal's contract it sounds like we could get the #5.

Trade Barbosa/15 for Maggette/7, use the TPE to get Cardinal+5(who would they want back?), draft Brook Lopez and Jerryd Bayless, or package 5+7 for a higher pick...

rumors about blazers deal with memphis, 13th+lafretnz expiring contract for the 5th and cardinal's bad contract. they'll probably have no problem buying him out and earning that pick for nothing. (and they'll probably grab alexander before we have a chance, since it looks like they're high on him as well).

too bad our owner will never do such a deal.

[nashill]

If only we were so lucky. Maggette is exactly the kind of player we have been lacking - a versatile SF who can take people off the dribble and get teams into foul trouble.

exactly. this trade is perfect for the suns.

but dont forget also that suns need a versatile guard/small forward defender , so bring in ross too.

[Kobe_not_MJ]

It goes without saying that the Suns would have to draft a point guard with the 7th pick if this deal were made. I think this would be a good trade for both sides if the Suns take either Bayless or Westbrook or even DJ Augustin. The Suns were not able to play their uptempo game after the Shaq trade because they didn't have any athleticism on the wing without Marion. Hill and Bell are decent, but Maggette would be a great fit. Nash would bring out the best in him for sure.

[Go7enKs]

I'd do this trade in a millisecond...Maggete would be great in our team and with him and Hill we would have a great rotation in the SF spot. We even get a higher pick which can be used for a player ready to contribute.

Let's do it!