A note on KT

[Gaddabout]

Was talking to my Suns friend in the marketing department, and he said his upperlings were laughing at the Gambo rumor about the Suns trading KT. First and foremost, the Suns are short on bigs. Second, KT is a big lockerroom glue guy, and made an impact even while in rehab. Players look up to him. The Suns apparently value KT much more than some of us on this board.

The Suns have received phone calls, but apparently not actively shopping KT. Would take something of "great magnitude" for a trade, because KT is currently considered a core player to next year's roster.

 

[Divide Et Impera]

Good. I can't stand all the "Trade KT" talk. I mean, if something big came along, sure, I'd trade him, but he is very much valued on this team....

 

[SunsTzu]

Good news. I still can't believe how some undervalue him while overvalue guys like TT. If the Suns could get a poor mans KT to fill out the roster I'll be very happy.

 

[devilalum]

The fact that the Suns had the number 2 defense in the league when KT was healthy and went in the toilet after he went down might factor into this assessment as well.

 

[Gaddabout]

The fact that the Suns had the number 2 defense in the league when KT was healthy and went in the toilet after he went down might factor into this assessment as well.

Actually, I don't think D'Antoni places as much importance on that as some of us do here, but KT is the Suns lone defensive low-post presence. He is vital to the Suns matchups with the Spurs, especially with Duncan returning to center.

 

[haverford]

That's a relief to hear. Nasty One won't be too happy to hear this though....

 

[Chaplin]

Love it, love it, love it. He takes a lot of unfair criticism on this board.

 

[JS22]

I'm happy that they are keeping the team together, for once. (Aside from House and TT.)

 

[Goldfield]

Good news. I still can't believe how some undervalue him while overvalue guys like TT. If the Suns could get a poor mans KT to fill out the roster I'll be very happy.

Some people over value scoring over EVERYTHING else IMO.

That and its hard to remember how good KT was when he was out for so long...

 

[devilalum]

Actually, I don't think D'Antoni places as much importance on that as some of us do here, but KT is the Suns lone defensive low-post presence. He is vital to the Suns matchups with the Spurs, especially with Duncan returning to center.

That may be true but I think D'Antoni still likes winning better than losing.

Check out the Suns winning % last year with KT vs. without.

 

[Joe Mama]

Even though I really didn't believe most of the Kurt Thomas trade talk I'm glad to hear this.

Joe

 

[F-Dog]

Did your friend also mention that Sarver is willing to pay $8m in luxury tax next season?

 

[JWF]

good stuff. I think moving KT would be a mistake...seeing how he is the only solid low post defender we have, atleast the only one with enough size(diaw).

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Did your friend also mention that Sarver is willing to pay $8m in luxury tax next season?

It has been well reported that Sarver is willing to pay the tax.

 

[F-Dog]

It has been well reported that Sarver is willing to pay the tax.

He said he was willing to pay the tax this year. I believe the Suns won't pay $1m in tax this year, even if they use their entire trade exception.

$8m over the tax line next year would put Sarver in Mark Cuban territory, or rather, the territory Cuban is working like crazy to get out of right now.

 

[cly2tw]

Did your friend also mention that Sarver is willing to pay $8m in luxury tax next season?

No. Because Marion will be gone by then.

 

[Nasser22]

Good. I can't stand all the "Trade KT" talk. I mean, if something big came along, sure, I'd trade him, but he is very much valued on this team....

I agree with you and everyone else who said something like that. Those rumors really annoyed me. I can't believe how some undervalue him.

 

[arthurracoon]

I dont want to trade KT unless we get something REAL good for him.

how about KG for KT......






(yes, I know the salaries wouldnt match anyway)

 

[George O'Brien]

I know that local sports guys like Gambo and Ash seem to be pushing for a KT trade, but I haven't seen a "real rumor" about KT being traded (as opposed to just a sports writer with nothing better to do).

The only way trading KT makes sense is for another center. I know the Suns had some luck with small ball, but the refs HATE small ball in the playoffs and let the power teams get away with a lot more grabbing and holding.

 

[Covert Rain]

I know the Suns had some luck with small ball, but the refs HATE small ball in the playoffs and let the power teams get away with a lot more grabbing and holding.

I don't think that is true anymore. They called these playoffs much different then in the past. I think there was actually less grabbing and holding this year then ever. I think it has to do with the fact that the NBA likes the Suns style of play.

I mean compare this year to the years when team like the Knicks were always there. There was so much holding and grabbing that playoff games seem like they took a year to get through.

 

[Gaddabout]

Did your friend also mention that Sarver is willing to pay $8m in luxury tax next season?

Nope. It's the marketing department, man. There's, like, a handful of people, and the true gospel only occasionally makes it their way. What's worse, he seems to have less understanding of the lux tax than I do! The overriding agenda here is there is a concerted effort to not do something stupid before putting the team they pieced together last year on the floor. Marketing for next year's team is nearly in place, with large chunks of the 06-07 media guide being proofed for the printers. They are not expecting any major late changes.

FWIW, we both speculated a mid-season trade after D'Antoni sees how the pieces fit (or don't fit) together.