Q-Rich traded for Kurt Thomas?

I actually think Q was slightly limited in the Phoenix offense. I believe Hubie was talking about it on the broadcasts in the playoffs- in college and with the Clippers, Richardson had a pretty devastating post game (he played the 4 at DePaul). He's got as powerful a body as any wingman not named Artest. In Phoenix's haste to run and gun, I think he fell in love with the 3 a little too much and stopped his post game.

I still don't know what in the world Phoenix wants with Kurt Thomas. He's not an impactive type defensive player, and because of some of his quickness limitations (and just overall athletic decline), unless Phoenix creates a culture of defense, he's hardly a game changer in my mind.

Bender says their contracts both run through 09. I'll take the guy who will be 25 during next season vs. the guy who will be 34 next season.

 

I'm surprised that Phoenix and Denver were not able to get together on a deal. They both have what the other needs. The Nuggets desperately need a shooting guard like Q and the Suns could use a big man like Nene, who would fit the Suns fast paced game much better than KT.

 

That's what I'm saying. It's not like they just added Ben Wallace. He's not a difference maker - we'll probably all forget he's even there by the middle of next year. Kurt Thomas is a nice player but for some reason I think this board has built him up for inexplicable reasons, along with the likes of Marko Jaric, Jiri Welsch, and Eric Snow, to name a few.

 

Seeing as how it looks like the Knicks get additional compensation, I think they got a great deal for a soon to be 33 year old PF. Long term, it defintely is better for the Knicks.

I still think it helps Phx short term, but if they use it as an excuse to not sign Hunter it does not help their depth or front court that much. I'll have to see their whole offseason (keep Hunter, draft, sign another vet swingman?) before seeing if I think they will be better or worse than last year.

In 2008 they now won't have to carry Q's salary but picking up Thomas.

With the new CBA there is no supertax and there is no cliff provision making it critical to be just under the lux tax. It also appears min value contracts are not going to penalize teams, so they can surround the big 4 with vet min players and possibly drafts picks w/o penalties.

The Suns also have a new owner and good community support (from a business rich area) as the hottest thing in town (E.G., very profitable).

Worst case scenario (the slim possibility league revenue is down and Suns revenue is way down) they would trade Marion during next season or next offseason for expiring contracts and picks.

I think you underestimate how much they rightly value Joe Johnson and overestimate the degree they are concerned about carrying 1 more close to the max deal for a young player of his caliber. Johnson is 2nd only to Amare in untouchable Suns.

 

The deal isn't done yet. Apparently a bad back that Richardson suffered through as a Clipper has caused a hold up in the trade.

Richardson, Thomas Deal On Hold

 

No, I do realize how much they value Joe Johnson. Agreed, he is their #2 untouchable next to Amare. He's not going anywhere.

But, as you state, the trade with the Knicks doesn't help their salary cost until 08-09 which is 3 years away. In fact, Thomas has a higher salary than Q for the next 3 seasons. I think the Suns lose in this trade because Thomas is an older and inferior player to Q, even though Q choked up during the playoffs. Q's best days are ahead of him and the Knicks will benefit. Zeke finally makes a good trade. Congrats to him.

I will be surprised if they carry 4 near-max contracts into next year. Even without the supertax, there must be a limit on how much they can spend. Depth is a need of theirs and 4 near-max contracts will hamstring them for years to come. My verdict: Marion is a goner this summer because of his contract.