What am I missing here? How does dealing Richardson for Thomas help them have a better chance of re-signing Johnson. The problem they had was that they couldn't afford to give Johnson a large salary along with those of Nash, Marion and Amare's (this summer). So now you trade Richardson for a guy that makes similar money and who's deal expires at the same time? How does that help your financial situation? If you couldn't afford to pay Johnson before, you still won't be able to afford to pay him. Sure, they would get rid of first round pick's guarenteed money with this deal, but you can ditch the first round pick easily without giving up Richardson
Actually Phoenix is getting the future 1st round pick. And I don't see how this frees up money to sign him either. They both make about the same amount of money. I guess it's more like they freed up playing time and solidfied JJ's role.
Actually, I like this trade by Isaiah. They get a young Quentin Richardson who might do well next to Marbury. They've already got like 3 or 4 other PFs in Malik Rose, Mo Taylor, and Michael Sweetney. Penny and Houston are probably just about done. So...you're now looking at a team with decent depth but virtually no chemistry. Their probably have a starting lineup of Crawford, Marbury, Quentin, Tim Thomas, and Rose.
It wasn't that big a contract, just a little over the max MLE with a team option on the last year. I'd say he did as well as expected, but not better and certainly played poorly late in the playoffs. I'd be interested in is +/- for Q, I expect it is worse with Joe Johnson or Jim Jackson, again Q didn't shoot that efficiently, particular when you consider the open looks and number of shots he got. The only thing you could fault Phx was not trying to get Joe Johnson at Q's contract last year, but with the move they did they got to evaluate Joe Johnson and Q for a year, and it is obvious which one they should keep. Still, they will get a #1 pick from a future non-playoff to at best marginal playoff team and a solid all around 4/5 who brings them toughness and rebounding in Kurt Thomas. The Q deal didn't hurt them, IMO it got them to get some better fitting pieces in return. Don't you think Phx had enough of McDyess. Besides, McDyess is better in some respects but is far more risky (injury wise) to count on as a starter. Det already had a loaded front line and could take that chance a lot easier. I think you are correct the Q and Joe Johnson thing is not so tied financially. The Suns are going to keep JoeJ and Amare period (they have the lowest payroll of playoff teams, they can pay a max for Amare and close to it for JOhnson). The question is the best pieces around them + Nash/Marion. I think it is more of an issue of making the best team with the pieces. Joe Johnson is clearly a lot better than Q, Q may not be any better as a starter than Jim Jackson as a starter. Phx is thinking in this move they can solidify their rebounding and interior defense for the next couple of years for a largely extranous piece (Q) and get a 1st round pick to even it out long term. They can spend say 2 mil a year for an adequate back-up to Jim Jackson for next year, or draft or spend next years MLE for a their next SF. The Suns will get a protected 1st round pick from the Knicks. KT AND 1st for Q. I think it is fairly balanced long and short term. It isn't about money, it was about using a tradable piece (Q) to address more compelling short term and long term needs.
It's on ESPN.com now by our favorite crappy reporter - Chad Ford: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2093093 The Phoenix Suns and New York Knicks are in serious talks about a trade that would send Quentin Richardson and a conditional future first-round pick to the Knicks for Kurt Thomas two league sources said. However, both sources claim that the trade hasn't been completed. The trade, if it is consummated, would be a good one for both teams. Thomas can provide the Suns more toughness in the paint. He also can play center, allowing the Suns to move Amare Stoudemire back to his natural position at the four. The deal would also clear some cap space, long term, for the Suns, who must re-sign Joe Johnson this summer. The Knicks have a log jam at the four and have been trying to move Thomas for a month. Richardson will be a good fit in the Knicks offense. He'd give Stephon Marbury a good shooter to kick it to on penetration. He'd also give the Knicks a swing man who can post up and rebound.
Translation: RealGM and Google's cache of RealGM has confirmed this. Translation: Watch me add a twist to show I'm on top of it. I think RealGM has been a copycat of anything remotely NBA-on-the-Internet successful for years, but if accurate, they deserve props for the story. Ford used to blast anyone who didn't credit things he wrote, insisting in his articles that you "must credit NBATalk for this report". Not giving credit to RealGM for his story is a little hypocritical.
It is entirely possible, however, that Ford and the guy (can't remember his name, Chris something) from Real GM are taking dictation from the same agent trying to squeeze the trade through, and got the same "scoop" in different phone calls. Q's agent wants him and Brandy and his on-court gestures out of the Sun Belt and onto a bigger stage.
Note: both Realgm (http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_a...n_richardson_dealt_to_knicks_for_kurt_thomas/) and the Arizona Republic (below) make it sound it is pretty much a done deal, and it is a conditional 1st round pick from NY to Phx. Suns trade 'Q' to Knicks Paul Coro The Arizona Republic Jun. 23, 2005 09:30 AM The Suns have agreed to a trade that sends swingman Quentin Richardson to the New York Knicks for power forward Kurt Thomas and a conditional future first-round draft choice, two sources involved in the talks confirmed Thursday morning. Richardson happened to be in New York this morning for an apparel photo shoot when he got the news from his agent and Suns president and general manager Bryan Colangelo. That was news to Richardson, who said he thought he was part of "the core" Phoenix talked about keeping together after the season. "It definitely is a shock but I also understand it's a business decision," said Richardson, who signed a six-year contract last summer with Phoenix. "It's something that comes along with being a NBA player. I've gotta roll with it." advertisement Richardson said Colangelo told him that the deal was made to help make financial space with the contract extension of Amaré Stoudemire and re-signing of Joe Johnson forthcoming this summer. Richardson had five years and $37.7 million left on his contract. Thomas will be paid about $14 million over the next two seasons and has a player option for $8.1 million for 2007-2008. Thomas, 32 and a 10-year veteran, averaged 11.5 points and 10.4 rebounds for the Knicks last season. He fits the Suns offseason goals for acquiring a player who can help on the boards and with low-post defense. Thomas is a better quality player than what Phoenix could have garnered in a free agent post player. He also has a solid mid-range shot that will still allow Stoudemire space to operate in the paint and can be used in the pick-and-roll game with Steve Nash. Richardson changed his game to focus on three-point shooting last season and hit a club-record, league-leading 226 threes. He went scoreless in his final game as a Sun when Phoenix was eliminated by San Antonio in the conference finals. He said the way his season finished, with a cold shooting spell and a difficult matchup on Manu Ginobili, may have played a factor in Phoenix's decision to trade him. "It'll give me an opportunity to play more of my game," said Richardson, whose post-up game may fit better in New York. Richardson and his fiancé, Brandy, were building a home in the Valley that was nearly completed. "It's not something I wanted but it's something I accept," Richardson said of the trade. "I'm not trying to be angry or spiteful. They're trying to better the team and I can't be mad at that. When we're not playing the Suns, I'm still going to be a Suns fan." Colangelo, who also got Knicks president Isiah Thomas to take Stephon Marbury's and Penny Hardaway's hefty contracts a year and a half ago, could not be reached for comment. BTW I have to give Q grades AAA plus for handling the trade this way in the press.
It is looking more and more like the Knicks are looking to draft a "big" and also let Allan Houston go (waived) if this rumour holds true. Isaiah knows that the clock is fast counting down on him and he is looking to make noticeable changes to the team that could not manage to beat out Philly and NJ to the final 2 playoffs spots. If this trade goes down, I expect more changes to come - at least they will have to move Crawford or Starbury.
Channing Frye is the rumor about the Knicks draft. Supposedly he is refusing to work out for teams ahead of NY (I'll have to search to document that but hey, it's just a rumor) Does this end our dreamcasting for Joe Johnson? Can the Suns now afford to keep him?
Who dreamcasted JJ? If he does not re-up in the desert there are several teams (reportedly) poised to offer big bucks to sign him. Good trade for both teams, tho no huge deal.
I'm assuming this means that Joe Johnson has verbally agreed (off the record of course) to resign with the Suns this summer. It would be a risky move if they were to lose both Johnson and Q in the same offseason. Plus one of the reasons they got Q was to act as an insurance policy in case Johnson bolted this year. Basketball-wise, I think this is a great trade for the Suns. As someone mentioned before, Q is really nothing more than a decent role player and his production can easily be replaced by Jim Jackson, who gives you better defense at the same time. Good big men are very hard to find and the Suns managed to snag one without giving up any of their key players.
Great trade for Phoenix - it allows Marion to move back to small forward, and I think it will actually help their run-and-gun style. KT might not fill the lanes as well as Q, but his rebounding will help open up fast breaks for their other horses. Besides, Q was badly outplayed by Joe Johnson and Jim Jackson in the playoffs - so he it isn't a big loss. Notice that Phoenix gets MUCH older - Nash, Jackson and Thomas are all in their thirties. Decent trade for New York. They desperately needed another 2-guard, because Houston is likely to be waived, and Jamaal Crawford is too small to start at shooting guard. Now it's certain that they're going to draft Frye.
I think Richardson is overrated but he won't be easily replaced by Jim Jackson. Jim Jackson can't get to the hole like Q and he's old.
Since I don't like the Suns..I'm glad they lost Q. Rich..he was horrible in playoffs. I don't know what they'er gonna do with Kurt THomas..but yeah they have options. A first round draft pick is good for them. I hope they don't get too good.
