[Arizona Republic] Suns may not match Johnson offer

Wow, this would be huge. I'd knock the Suns down to the 6 7 or 8 seed without Joe. Nash Jackson Marion Amare Kurt...and Bell off the bench? Not very scary in the backcourt at all.

Joe was so undercredited for what he gave their offense with his shooting, slashing, finishing, passing, ability to back up Nash for a few (i.e. keep Barbosa on the bench for a few). His role was only going to grow regardless of what happened--esp. with Q gone, too. If he runs, he'll screw his own development and Nash's.

Funny how guys that finally broke through after years of waiting (Hughes and JJ) are leaving the systems and the PG's that helped them do it. I'm expecting 1--or both--to take a big hit in production because of it.

 

I don't think so, I think Larry Hughes will be fine in Cleveland. It wasn't that the system made him, Washington's system wasn't that good. It just took some time for Larry Hughes to mature into a good player. I actually expect Hughes to start blossoming into a superstar. A system doesn't make you an all-around player like Hughes was.

 

I bet Phoenix wished they hadnt traded Quentin Richardson now.

 

I was thinking the same thing.

 

As great an offseason as Phoenix had last offseason, trading Quentin Richardson and not matching the contract for Joe Johnson would be disastrous. They lose Johnson and get nothing in return. So they could possibly lose Quentin Richardson and Joe Johnson and only have Kurt Thomas to show for it. Those are the kind of moves the get GMs fired. Phoenix will be kicking themselves in a couple of years.

 

Sarver should roll the dice and match. He matches and they play not up to par the 1st half of the season, dump Marion for expiring contracts/draft picks. It's like saying "you know, we thought we could win it all with these four guys, but it's not enough" and "start over" by building around Nash, Johnson, and Amare.

Why would they even consider trading Marion? Well Nash is basically a Sun for life after this past year's performance. Amare...well he's not going anywhere. And if they commit to Johnson, who plays both guard positions, it doesn't leave much room to keep Marion.

C'mon Sarver: time to grow some balls (although I DO hope that they don't match so that they can go down as just a one-hit wonder)

 

u know what? as sad as it may sound, Zeke would make a dumbass move in which he trades Q back to the Suns for like.... nothing....

 

There are a number of mistakes the Suns front office has made, spanning all the way back to last summer, which could end up really biting them in the butt this summer

Not signing JJ to a cheap extension last summer when they had the chance
Turning down the deal that would have sent Marion/JJ to Orlando for Mcgrady
Trading the #7 pick to the Bulls last year for their #21 pick this year. They could really use Luol Deng or Ben Gordon right now if they lose JJ.
Trading Q for Kurt Thomas, before they resigned JJ

If they end up losing JJ, they’ll really be kicking themselves for all those lost opportunities.

 

I have to bring this up again even though the offseason isn't over: The Suns cannot afford 4 max players on their team. I think they could look to trade Shawn Marion during the 7 day period they have to match JJ's offer sheet. If they trade Marion, it will be for inferior players with shorter term contracts. For example, SI.COM mentions Tim Thomas has 1yr/$14MM left on his contract and the Knicks may be interested in Marion. That would be perfect for the Suns and would wipe 3yrs/$48.5MM off their payroll, and the Knicks would get another good player, albeit another PF.

I've said all along it's probably a choice between JJ and Marion. The Suns can't afford to keep both. If the Knicks are willing, it's a no brainer for the Phoenix because JJ is more valuable than Marion.

 

Here is another idea: Would we be interested in overpaying Marion for 4 years if they took Spoon & Howard, Spoon & Wesley or Howard & Wesley off our hands? Probably not, but it's just a thought.

 

Man, everyone's talking about how the Suns screwed up... But if your Joe Johnson, even with all that cash, wouldn't it absolutely suck to have to go play for the Hawks, when you expected Phoenix to bring you back? Serves him right I guess.

 

I can't possibly see how the Suns could manage 4 potential max contracts, especially when Johnson's and Stoudamire's will be just starting and Nash is only in his 1st year.

The Suns jumped the gun too fast if you ask me. They were too confident w/ JJ and traded Q. If you lose JJ and Q in one offseason w/o getting anything better than Kurt Thomas, Colangelo is gonna have a lot of explaining to do.

 

Exactly. If you do not want to sign JJ to a long term max extension, then that decision should have made at the beginning of the offseason. You knew he was gonna get max dollars, so the suns knew how much they would have to pony up to keep him. It's something that they had all season to think about. By trading Q. Richardson, it would have appeared they made the decision to keep JJ and give him max dollars. Now if they don't match, they do not have a starting calibur 2 guard on their roster.

 

Wow. If JJ walks, things will have turned south so quickly!

Imagine if Nash's back goes out, and they're left with:

Barbosa
Bell or LLE signing
Marion
Thomas
Stoudemire

That isn't even a 30-win team.

 

Of course we would. To me, Marion is one of the most underrated players in the league! If Joe Johnson is worth max money (I don't think he is), then so is Marion.

 

If they let Johnson walk, then they can pick up Finley.

 

They already used their full MLE on Raja Bell, so Finley would have to accept the minimum (not likely). Another boneheaded move by the Suns. If they hadn't wasted so much money on a mediocre player like Bell, they probably would have no problem matching JJ's offer.

 

If they were so worried about payroll why did they sign Raja Bell to his deal?

 

I hope Phoenix doesnt resign JJ. But if I were Phoenix I would resign him because I think he is VERY important to that team. I would then look to move Marion at a later date. Perhaps move him out of conference to NY for Tim Thomas' expiring contract plus a 1st round pick and/or a young player (Ariza?).

Clearly Phoenix can't pay 4 max deals and they do need a bench. Phoenix has to decide NOW whether they want to keep JJ or Marion. JJ to me is more valuable because he is younger and more versitle.