Ainge to Phoenix?

[Irish]

Doesn't it make sense for the Suns to make a run at Celtics general manager Danny Ainge? His family was living happily in Phoenix before his 2003 move to Boston, and Ainge has done everything the Celtics could ask while winning a 17th championship and reaching the Finals twice in three years.
With GM Steve Kerr and his lead assistant, David Griffin, announcing this week their decision to leave Phoenix, owner Robert Sarver will be looking for a new administration. People in the league expect Ainge to be at the top of his list now that the Celtics' season is done. Ainge played for the Suns and then coached them for three seasons through 1999, and he would provide the franchise with a successful link to its traditions of winning with up-tempo play. Ainge is one of the top GMs in the league, with a longstanding record of finding talent in the draft, as well as showing no fear in making big trades. He remains under contract with Boston, so if Sarver is interested, he will have to go through the Celtics' ownership group led by Wyc Grousbeck.


Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/20...tdown.lakers.celtics/index.html#ixzz0rLalhIZW

I have no opinion on this, but it is interesting.

 

[Tyler]

I woulpd take Ainge at the drop of a hat. Im not a big fan of his kids tho.

 

[slinslin]

One can only dream... not going to happen...

 

[Sunburn]

Why would Ainge leave Boston? Why would Sarver let one GM go over money issues to bring in another who would command more?

 

[cardsfanmd]

no chance

 

[Yuma]

Not going to happen.

 

[mojorizen7]

no chance

Not going to happen.

This and that.

I would obviously be all in favor of it but....we'll get a scrub 1st time GM with an entry level paycheck, but hey, Kerr learned on the fly so maybe its not a bad thing.

So many question marks this summer.

 

[binkar]

I woulpd take Ainge at the drop of a hat. Im not a big fan of his kids tho.

Why is that?

 

[TheHopToad]

The guy who wrote that obviously doesn't know Sarver very well. Ainge is too experienced and successful to be considered for the Suns.

They will give some young novice a chance for minimum pay.

 

[mjb21aztd]

would like for it to happen, but it would probally not I bet ainge would bring in players that could rebound and play defense though .

 

[az jam]

Why on earth would Ainge leave Boston to work for Sarver???

 

[Irish]

Why on earth would Ainge leave Boston to work for Sarver???

Stranger things have happened. IMHO Boston has a narrower window that Phoenix.

Pierce born 77 (player option this year, last contract next)
Allen born 75 (expiring contract)
Garnett born 76 (two more years)
Wallace born '74 (two more years)

They have some remaining "stars" in Rondo and Perkins, but Tony Allen and Glen Davis are still just role players. (Davis had a good finals and Tony Allen was awful).

Last year the Celtics had a salary structure of $87 million. With Ray Allen leaving, they will still be at $63 million.

So I think it unlikely that Danny would change, but I don't think it is impossible.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Well as the article indicated, Ainge and his family lived (and grew up) in Phoenix, which is also much closer to SLC. Not to mention there is a good chance Rivers is gone and the team is imploded in Boston. So there is that.

But as has been indicated multiple times in this thread, why would a penny pinching lout like Sarver spend MORE money, even if it meant the team would be better off? Who knows - Maybe he figures the money saved on Amare walking is best served going to the new GM.

Nah. Probably all going into his pocket. Scum bag.

 

[Tyler]

Why is that?

Issues from the past.

 

[Ben Dover]

I could see it happening

 

[Gaddabout]

There is no respectable GM who will want to work for Sarver. If Kerr can't co-exist in your front office, no way a hot head like Ainge will go near it. And Sarver's reputation around the NBA is one of an owner who really wants to be the de facto GM. He's too involved in the daily operations. That's a HUGE liability as they go out and try to find a new GM.

 

[Covert Rain]

I too would love to see DA back here and in the GM spot. I just don't think Sarver would pay him the money #1. Second, Danny is in a good place in Boston. I don't see much motivation to leaving that franchise and coming to one where the FO morale is in question.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

There is no respectable GM who will want to work for Sarver. If Kerr can't co-exist in your front office, no way a hot head like Ainge will go near it. And Sarver's reputation around the NBA is one of an owner who really wants to be the de facto GM. He's too involved in the daily operations. That's a HUGE liability as they go out and try to find a new GM.

Fan freaking tastic.

 

[Sunburn]

I too would love to see DA back here and in the GM spot. I just don't think Sarver would pay him the money #1. Second, Danny is in a good place in Boston. I don't see much motivation to leaving that franchise and coming to one where the FO morale is in question.

No to DA as GM. Not even for free. Does anyone have confidence in Mr. "I hate draft picks and defense" to put him in charge of our FO again?

 

[SunsFanVegas]

No to DA as GM. Not even for free. Does anyone have confidence in Mr. "I hate draft picks and defense" to put him in charge of our FO again?

I'm pretty sure the "DA" in this scenario is Danny Ainge...not D'Antoni

 

[Covert Rain]

No to DA as GM. Not even for free. Does anyone have confidence in Mr. "I hate draft picks and defense" to put him in charge of our FO again?

I'm pretty sure the "DA" in this scenario is Danny Ainge...not D'Antoni

You are correct sir. I would have said MD if I was referring to Mr. No Defense. . DA = Danny Ainge.

 

[Superbone]

Issues from the past.

Such as?

 

[Yuma]

Yeah, I am thinking we won't get a top notch GM either. No one will want to work for an owner who won't step up when it counts.

 

[mojorizen7]

Yeah, I am thinking we won't get a top notch GM either. No one will want to work for an owner who won't step up when it counts.

Agree. I also think that one of the other reasons Sarver will deliberately hire a low-profile first-time GM is because there will be some unpopular player-personnel decisions ahead in the coming year...and the backlash can be more easily diverted to the "new face" in the SUNS front office(who will talk about having his own direction of taking the team), rather than Mr Foam Finger himself, who can play the "hands off the basketball decisions" card towards the fanbase....especially since that has been one of his critics biggest complaints of the way he runs a franchise.

Public perception and timely deception apply here IMO....as well as a smart business decision.

 

[Mainstreet]

Agree. I also think that one of the other reasons Sarver will deliberately hire a low-profile first-time GM is because there will be some unpopular player-personnel decisions ahead in the coming year...and the backlash can be more easily diverted to the "new face" in the SUNS front office(who will talk about having his own direction of taking the team), rather than Mr Foam Finger himself, who can play the "hands off the basketball decisions" card towards the fanbase....especially since that has been one of his critics biggest complaints of the way he runs a franchise.

Public perception and timely deception apply here IMO....as well as a smart business decision.

Yuma and your point are well taken. However, I think all but the most naive Suns fans will have their eye on Sarver in this shell game with multiple GMs. Also the Suns got lucky when they hired Gentry as HC after the misfire with Porter. It's like the Suns are gambling on cheap talent and hoping for the best.