Amare on trading block...Petrie called in?

[Smills91]

But remember that star is how the opportunity was created, and without him it wouldn't have been there.

Of course (well, at least usually). That was actually part of my argument. You need somebody that can make a play and then make the right decision, and your whole team has to have the mental toughness to execute.

Offensively I'm not concerned one tincy bit for whoever the next long-termish PG is, defensively is where I have the questionability on how things are going to be. I don't want to see us get another crappy defensive point guard, rather that guy at least having smarts and being adequate playing defense.

I don't think I would take things that far. We definitely have a lot of guys on our team that could benefit from a high level offensive PG, and while it will be important to have an adequate PG defensively, I don't know that it should be our main priority. Bigs are by far the most important aspects of a championship-level team defense. You can get by without a great defensive PG.

I think Big man, PG, then swingman as most important defensive pieces to build with.

[pillwenney]

I think Big man, PG, then swingman as most important defensive pieces to build with.

Ehh, I mean obviously it depends, but generally speaking the bigs are not only the most important, they are by far the most important, so that's really the main place to look defensively, especially in this day and age.

From the wing spots, an ideal guy would be one that can guard all 3 positions. If I have a swingman that can guard PGs, that's really ideal. But if my only elite perimeter defender is a PG, and the other teams strength is at the swing spots, I'm kind of screwed, assuming that my PG is too small to guard swing players.

So like if I have a great defensive PG, but he's 6' 2", he's still going to struggle to have a great effect on many SGs and almost certainly SFs, whereas somebody like a Bruce Bowen in his prime could do as great a job on PGs as any PG, you know? It's especially damning if you're going against a team like say, Portland, and your PG is too small to effectively guard Brandon Roy. So what? You're using his great D on Steve Blake? But if you have a great wing defender (again, like a prime Bowen), you can put him on the PG and maybe move your PG on to the more offensively inept SG. It just gives you more versatility.

Or, another way of looking at it can be seen with how the Spurs guard teams. The main adjustment that lead to them beating NO last year was the decision to let Paul get his, and keep him from being able to make plays for others. A very similar thing has happened in the past when they've played Phoenix with Nash.

[KF10]

I just read that Biedrins on Golden State is Available. Hawes for Biedrins?

That would be really interesting. But I doubt the Warriors do it though. Unless, they are high on Hawes like us.

[bflewis]

I just read that Biedrins on Golden State is Available. Hawes for Biedrins?

That would be really interesting. But I doubt the Warriors do it though. Unless, they are high on Hawes like us.

It seems like every1 is after Amare and that may be the Pau Gasol of this year and start everything rolling because every1 wants amare and they r not gonna want 2 trade 4 miller when amare is available so hopefully amrae goes quick so miller and beno can leave!

[Draino]

How about Salmons, Thomas (exp.), Hawes, Houston's 1st for Stoudemire and Barnes

[darkadun]

No way Suns do that trade. As much as I like Hawes, If suns are willing and Amare signs a extenstion, kings should sign on immediatly.

[KF10]

Hmm, something interesting. More light on the Phoenix's desire from us (Well, not now but last week?):

And who might fit? Be careful here. Those Chris Webber (for aging Mitch Richmond) heists come along once a decade. The injury-prone Tracy McGrady isn't the answer, nor is Amare Stoudemire. Were the Phoenix Suns still inclined to trade their All-Star forward – and apparently they're not – they reportedly would want Thompson and the Kings' 2010 first-round draft choice, along with expiring contracts.

That's too much compensation and too great a risk for a player with a history of knee problems, who has issues in his locker room and who is regarded as a poor defender and underwhelming rebounder, his physical gifts notwithstanding. Of greatest concern, however, is the fact that Stoudemire seems intent on testing the free-agent market in 2010.

The Kings thus could be left without Stoudemire, without Thompson and without their 2010 first-round pick, a top-five pick (and potentially Blake Griffin).

http://www.sacbee.com/kings/story/1632878.html


So, the Suns wanted Thompson/2010 1st/Expirings for Amare?

It's interesting to ponder. Would we do it? Obviously, Petrie isn't incline about it. Viosin brought up several points to consider i.e. Amare bolting out, knee injuries and etc...

EDIT:

Really though, a 2010 draft pick? Is that a typo. Should it be 2009 if she is referring to Griffin?

[ICMTM]

My question is do you think Thompson in 4-6 years will be as good as Amare?

[Crimson King]

My question is do you think Thompson in 4-6 years will be as good as Amare?

I don't think so. But Thompson is better than nothing in a year and a half.

[SacTown Kings]

My question is do you think Thompson in 4-6 years will be as good as Amare?

Probably not but who cares, there is much more to the question than that. You also need to consider Amare bolting to after a year, you also have to consider who we could get with the #1 pick we are trading and how good that player would be, and you also need to consider who we could get with the cap space, bringing Amare in would negate any cap space we migh have.

So even if Thompson doesn't turn out to be as good as Amare there is no way Amare is more valuable than Thompson + #1pick + cap space/free agent (Marvin Williams?). Especially when you factor in the risk of Amare leaving. This is an easy "no go" for the Kings IMO.

[ICMTM]

Talented people like to be with talented people so:

1. Include an extension as a condition of trade (a la Keving Garnett)
2. Make the rest of the team cap friendly in '10.
3. With Amare and Kevin Martin on the team we are now FA friendly with some space to sign either one super or two budding stars!

4. I don't think Phoenix was buying what we were selling anyway so it's all a moot point, but don't sit here like bringing in a player that is WAY more talented than anyone we have would hurt us. Yes we are that bad!