Cap room for Barbosa?

[TrentTuckerForever]

I thought this was interesting... Marc Stein was discussing possible salary cap moves for the Suns should they lose Stoudemire (which I think is more likely than not.) Stein speculated that, amongst other things, the Suns might look to move Leandro Barbosa to a team with cap space to open up enough room for them to sign Nowitzki:

Our initial research into teams with cap room that could accommodate the Suns -- such as Oklahoma City, Sacramento, Minnesota and Washington -- didn't turn up any volunteers.

The whole story is here: http://sports.espn.go.com/dallas/nba/co ... id=5237717

Question is, assuming this scenario plays out, are you interested from a Wolves' perspective? Remember, this would be later in the free agent process, assuming that Stoudemire left Phoenix and the Wolves didn't use their cap space elsewhere.

I think if there's another sweetner (such as a first rounder or Jared Dudley) the Wolves should consider it. Barbosa is undersized but can certainly score and play uptempo. Interesting down-the-road scenario, IMO.

[Esohny]

Mmm. He's got two years left including his player option at about 7.5 per. He's not a bad player on offense, at least he can hit the three...but his defense is terrible.

I think I'd need some serious sweetener (well beyond Dudley or a late first) to take him on.

[TrentTuckerForever]

I was almost thinking of him as a free agent acquisition - terms of production he might be more valuable than someone like Rudy Gay (who would be more expensive), and his contract isn't onerous as you say.

There's a lot of moves between now and then, but I think it's worth considering. Maybe you consummate the long-suggested Pistons/Jefferson trade as well, and start next season with:

Dudley/Aminu (#7)
Love/Prince
Cousins (#4)/Pekovic
Brewer/Barbosa
Flynn/Sessions

A shot at a franchise guy (Cousins), plus established veterans who can succeed in the triangle (Dudley, Prince, Barbosa) and long-term flexibility (Prince is expiring next year, Barbosa the year after.)

[shangrila]

Like most of the deals like this it's not bad if nothing else looks like it's going to happen. Maybe if they threw in Clark?

I personally wouldn't do it though. It's way too much salary for a guy that'd be better off player on a veteran team. Maybe if we do it then flip him for Delonte West and just cut that guy, that'd be alright. But keeping him does nothing for me.

[Darko Miliminutes]

I would be all for getting Barbosa over here. He's tenacious on D, and that conts for something. Very dynamic player with a lot to offer. Pho. is wasting him right now. He made Kobe his 8itch a couple playoffs ago.

[skorff26]

If he was an expiring then I'd do it, but with that 2011/2012 option I would have to pass since I want cap space in 2011.

[younggunsmn]

easy no. I would rather trade raw cap space for an expiring and a more valuable future first or 2.
giving raw cap space for barbosa, even with sweetener, would be getting taken to the cleaners.
Look what HOU got for a better contract than barbosa's. The equivalent of 3 1sts, one of which was a lottery pick. If Rambis won't play sessions and flynn together there is no way he'd play barbosa at the 2.

[shrink]

I might be willing to give up an unproductive expiring, but I wouldn't give up theraw cap space. Its too valuable a trade commodity. Even if we haven't dealt it for a big return to one of the free agent destinations, teams like NOH, IND, and PHI are all over the lux, and would welcome it near the deadline. I think Barbosa would improve the team, but I can't see him as part of our future, and that's where I'd like to apply that valuable asset.

[shangrila]

That's true and it's one of the reasons I could see a 16+Gomes for 11+Peterson happening with the Hornets on draft day.

[and1GS]

Barbosa has really regressed this past season. Unless you're getting him for very little I wouldn't recommend pursuing him. Although, a Sessions/Barbosa swap would work. I've heard T'Wolves fans aren't too high on Sessions after his average season, so that would at least shift the depth to SG.

[shangrila]

Where did you here that? I don't think anyone thinks he's a star but I wouldn't say they're down enough to just dump him like that. He did well backing up and he'd be fine doing it for another season until Rubio comes over.

[and1GS]

Trading him for Barbosa would be classified as dumping him?

[shangrila]

Well...yeah. Trading Sessions without another PG coming back leaves them with only Flynn at the position and Barbosa plays a position the team kind of does have filled with Brewer and Ellington and should add more to it, like George, Henry or whoever, to not really need him. Add on his salary and the fact that this team won't be competing and his Barbosa's value for this team drops like a brick.

[shrink]

I've heard T'Wolves fans aren't too high on Sessions after his average season, so that would at least shift the depth to SG.

I haven't heard that either. Kahn was committed to develop Flynn since he dropped a lottery pick on him, but Sessions was quicker to picking up the offense .. an offense that represses a PG's stats, I feel. The Wolves were so happy with Sessions that they made the unorthodox choice to only carry two PG's last season, to make sure Sessions got his chance. I also think I read a quote somewhere that this the two would compete for the starting PG job this season.

I don't think anyone has forgotten what Sessions did in MIL in a different offense.

[Darko Miliminutes]

Barbosa hasn't regressed. Gentry has just been picking Dudley over him more. Dudley has some great D. And Pho. needed that.

[Basti]

easy no. I would rather trade raw cap space for an expiring and a more valuable future first or 2.
giving raw cap space for barbosa, even with sweetener, would be getting taken to the cleaners.
Look what HOU got for a better contract than barbosa's. The equivalent of 3 1sts, one of which was a lottery pick. If Rambis won't play sessions and flynn together there is no way he'd play barbosa at the 2.

this!