10/7/2004 Insider

[Mainstreet]

I do not think they will trade JJ either...just my thoughts.
I think JJ is going to turn into an all star before a lot of you do, and it appears the suns think so to. There is not going to be any problem with his salary, just watch and see.

I've always liked JJ and defended that all he needs is time to develop. However, if JJ does develop into a star this season and he has not signed a contract within the next thirty days he becomes a RFA. That will may make it all the more difficult to keep him. I'm not sure if the Suns can afford too many "star" player salaries with the salary CAP. The Suns of course already have high salary players in Nash and Marion with Stoudemire coming up for an extension, I believe, next year.

So can the Suns (and I'm certainly not a CAP expert) afford four "star" salaries?

I hope JJ signs a reasonable extension (perhaps like Q's salary) before he becomes a RFA or I believe he will likely be moved in a trade this season out of salary CAP considerations and need for a center. I think a team, unless it has an unlimited bankroll, can only afford so many high salary players.

 

[elindholm]

So can the Suns (and I'm certainly not a CAP expert) afford four "star" salaries?

It depends on what you mean.

Do you mean, are they permitted to pay four "star" salaries? Under the current CBA, yes, because they can re-sign their own RFAs up to any amount, including max deals. That might change under the new CBA, but I doubt it.

Or do you mean, are they willing to pay four "star" salaries? That's up to the ownership, but chances are the answer is no.

 

[George O'Brien]

I suspect the Suns are going to pay JJ something around what Q got, which is above the mid cap but hardly in "max" territory. We can assume Amare will get whatever the "max" is under the new contract, giving them three "big" contracts and two mid level contracts. I would expect that they will be be able to pay another mid level for a solid center.

I haven't run the numbers, but I'm guessing the Suns will end up in the mid $60's with this scenerio. The tricky part will not be the top six players, but guys like Barbosa a few years from now. With Nash's age, they will need to have a strong backup PG but it may be hard to afford him if he gets really popular.

Last summer the Colangelos were prepared to pay $65 million for a team with some obviously weak and overpaid parts. Sarver has a lot more money and appares will to pay for up and coming stars rather than over the hill guys like Penny.

 

[elindholm]

Sarver has a lot more money and appares will to pay for up and coming stars rather than over the hill guys like Penny.

Unfortunately, Nash will be "over the hill" by the end of his contract, I think most of us would agree. In any case, he certainly can't be considered "up and coming." Hardaway, by comparison, wasn't "over the hill" at all when the Suns acquired him. He had a bad injury history, but that's not the same thing.

Most contracts look pretty good in their first year or two. It's only toward the end that you start thinking, "Why did they give this guy such a huge contract?"

 

[KingRex]

I realy hope Kmart gets beat on nightly by west conf 4s, and realizes that hes not all that tough. A good example was last year when they met up with Detroit in the playoffs with all of there big guys, all of a sudden he wasn't acting so tough or mouthing off. Something off interest I read that Thomas still wants some of K and that Thomas boxes every summer to stay in shape. We can only wish.

 

[George O'Brien]

Sarver has a lot more money and appares will to pay for up and coming stars rather than over the hill guys like Penny.

Unfortunately, Nash will be "over the hill" by the end of his contract, I think most of us would agree. In any case, he certainly can't be considered "up and coming." Hardaway, by comparison, wasn't "over the hill" at all when the Suns acquired him. He had a bad injury history, but that's not the same thing.

Most contracts look pretty good in their first year or two. It's only toward the end that you start thinking, "Why did they give this guy such a huge contract?"

Nash will be roughtly the age of Sam Cassell when the contract is up. Age is less important than health. When the Suns took Hardaway, they were taking a guy who had a history of injuries. This is why I could never see making a run at Camby even though when healthy he is an excellant player.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I do not think they will trade JJ either...just my thoughts.
I think JJ is going to turn into an all star before a lot of you do, and it appears the suns think so to.

how can you say that jj will turn into an all-star before me? you've never even seen me ball! nor have the suns for that matter!

 

[coloradosun]

Magloire wants to play for Toronto, he's Canadien...

Nash is Canadian as well. A lot of Canadians head to Arizona for the winter, if Magloire is a smart Canadian he should want to head to Phoenix.

I would also consider the possibility of moving Marion for Magloire but my guess is that Toronto may have more interest in a Baron Davis for Vince Carter deal. Getting a replacement for Davis would be more of a priority in dealing Magloire.