RealGM - With the Suns set to sign both Amare Stoudemire and Joe Johnson to long-term contracts, general manager Bryan Colangelo may be forced to move Shawn Marion. Marion will average more than $15 million per season over the final four seasons of his contract, which expires after the 2008-2009 campaign. After coming off a career season, where he became one of the league's leading rebounders, Marion's value is at an all-time high, which might make Colangelo pull the trigger on a deal, which would bring in a player like Samuel Dalembert or Carlos Boozer to give the Suns an improved interior presence. [READ] I know this is a pipe dream but what would it take to get him here and is it possible?
I know Marion is a great player, but I'm not even exactly sure why we'd want him. He's a small forward. I know he played power forward for the Suns, but we don't exactly play the same style of ball they play. We'd have to move T-Mac to shooting guard, and I don't think the Rockets want to do that. By the way, I think the Suns are crazy. I'd much rather have Marion than Joe Johnson if I were them.
They need to move Marion to save some money, but they are talking about trading him for Boozer? They might as well keep him, Marion is just as good as a rebounder and is a much better fit for them.
Sure, after the year they had.. I dont see why they wouldnt trade one of thier best players to a rival team for junk... oh and "$3.50"
Marion excels in the open court style of play. That style of play plays itself out in earlier p/o rounds. So, 15mil/year for the 2nd round? Who are you anyway, Mark Cuban?
Well, it's a more interesting question that it seems at first. Marion's big problem is he didn't show up in the playoffs - not the first time. Great player otherwise. IF he played the way he did in the regular season, they wouldn't need an "improved interior presence" - they have Amare. Anyway. Suns need money to pay Amare and Joe Johnson. They also need talent. So, how do they get a combination of expiring contracts and talent? I'd think the answer would be expiring contract + young talent on rookie contract or draft pick. Portland could offer NVE + pick - that kind of thing - not that Portland is really a good fit. I don't see them trading just for another high-priced forward like Odom or Boozer - that doesn't free up enough money. It frees 4-5 mil, but you'd think they should need more room than that: Colangelo isn't a lux tax cash machine. Phoenix maybe should try to dump Q along with Marion and replace them both with cheaper role playing talent. That'd free more money. Hmmm..., a team like the Clippers would be an interesting trade partner - not that that will happen, but they have cap room and some talent.
Lets see now... McGrady -- 14.4M(last years salary..it will increase) Marion -- 15M and Yao will probably get in the neighborhood of 11M(estimated on old CBA) total team salary last year was near 57M you do the math. we aint the Knicks or the MAvs...we will not pay way over the cap there is a reason why you cant have 3 max players on one team...you then have to find at least 9 other players in the remaining amount of cap space you have.
I think they are trying to trade Marion to save some money and so that they can get a center. Amare keeps insisting he play PF so this move is going to happen sooner or later.
I think the biggest question this year is how many Shawn Marion shots would it take for me to throw up. The guy makes his shots but he has one of the worst looking shots I've ever seen. Am I the only one who laughs when I see this guy shoot?
If the Suns are thinking they have enough talents that they can do it again without Marion next season, then they are making a huge mistake. Marion was the unsung hero this season, and they will not have the same kind of success without him.
Marion was also the reason they stunk versus San Antonio. When it came to sac up when the stakes rose, he was no where to be found. I'd trade him if I were the Suns and I got a solid offer. Build around Amare, Johnson and Nash (while he is there). By then hopefully Barbosa, Johnson or another point would be brought in.
Because of what? He didn't score enough? They didn't lost to Spurs because of their offense, they lost because they don't play any defense and Spurs did. Marion does the little things which made Suns a such success this season. He rebounds, play defense, out run his defender and get those easy points on the break, he is also a big part of the 3-pointer attacks by the Suns. There are only few players in this league that has all these skills packaged in one. Marion fits perfectly with Suns' playing style, and Suns will regret big time if they trade him away.
The thing about Shawn Marion is, yes, he's one hell of a talent. But I've always wondered if he's the odd man out because no way in hell will Phoenix pay out, essentially, four max contracts (Steve Nash started at, what?, $13 mil, Marion started at $10+ mil, Joe Johnson will get a near-max deal, Amare Stoudemire's contract is a no-brainer). The Suns will certainly look to even out their roster, getting a PF or C and some contracts that will expire soon. Probably the Suns will be calling the same teams the Lakers have been calling: "We'll give you Lamar Odom/Shawn Marion in exchange for..."
Since the Suns cannot afford 4 max contracts, should they let Joe Johnson get away for nothing or trade Marion for something? I think Joe Johnson is more essential to their team than Marion because Amare will be playing the PF next year. Whoever starts at center for them will knock someone out of the starting lineup. Marion is as good as gone from the Suns. He makes too much money. The Suns won't regret the move because they have no choice. Last season was their magic carpet ride. Next season they will not be as good unless they pay 4 max contracts and perhaps trade or slide Quentin Richardson out of the starting lineup.
