D'Antoni Not Allowed To Interview With Toronto?

[Mainstreet]

Per an East Valley Tribune article by Jerry Brown dated May 6, 2008 I caught this interesting remark:

Interestingly, sources also tell the Tribune that while D'Antoni was given permission from the Suns to interview with the Knicks and Bulls, he wasn't extended the same courtesy when it came to former Phoenix GM Bryan Colangelo and the Toronto Raptors.

Money again would have played a key role. Sam Mitchell is the coach in Toronto, and while there have been rumors about his possible departure, he still has two years and $8 million left on his contract with the Raptors.

See Link: http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/115669

Sorry if it's a repeat. However, it does tell me something about Sarver burning bridges.

 

[mojorizen7]

"The Horror....the horror."

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[da_suns_fan]

Yep, Im sure Sarver and co. read the Bill Simmons article. The last thing he wants to see is Mike D and Bryan Colangelo make it to the finals without him.

 

[Mainstreet]

Yep, Im sure Sarver and co. read the Bill Simmons article. The last thing he wants to see is Mike D and Bryan Colangelo make it to the finals without him.

If I weren't a Suns fan first, I would delight in seeing this happen. I think they were an excellent combo. But, alas, I am hoping to see the Suns pull out of this quandary.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

why don't they just ask for compensation for him talking to Toronto?

 

[Rab]

why don't they just ask for compensation for him talking to Toronto?

Because getting DA to resign and move on without having to pay him is and always will be good enough for Sarver.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Because getting DA to resign and move on without having to pay him is and always will be good enough for Sarver.

If that were the only thing stopping him, he would let Mike talk to Toronto. There is something else holding him back.

 

[Rab]

If that were the only thing stopping him, he would let Mike talk to Toronto. There is something else holding him back.

I'm sure it's just the fact that Sarver is afraid they might be a success together in Toronto, and he'd have to hear about it. Who knows?

 

[Covert Rain]

There were rumors of clear rift between Brian and Sarver. Especially, when it came to making decisions about the team. All indications are that despite what was said in the media, the split was not on good terms.

I think this was a Sarver decision saying "screw you".

 

[Treesquid PhD]

Because getting DA to resign and move on without having to pay him is and always will be good enough for Sarver.

I don't know if that's right, this seems more along the lines of being personal. Of course I do think your statement is accurate in general, the compensation for the Suns is going to be salary relief and they don't want to limit another team taking him by asking for additional compensation.

 

[Rab]

There were rumors of clear rift between Brian and Sarver. Especially, when it came to making decisions about the team. All indications are that despite what was said in the media, the split was not on good terms.

I think this was a Sarver decision saying "screw you".

Very much so. It was not a good split. In fact, I do remember reading there was some strong bitterness from BC about the way it was handled.

 

[Rab]

I don't know if that's right, this seems more along the lines of being personal. Of course I do think your statement is accurate in general, the compensation for the Suns is going to be salary relief and they don't want to limit another team taking him by asking for additional compensation.

Yeah, my response was more of a general stab at Sarver ie the Kurt Thomas and James Jones trades where we pretty much only received cap relief.

I agree there is some personal issues standing in the way here.

 

[Covert Rain]

I don't know if that's right, this seems more along the lines of being personal. Of course I do think your statement is accurate in general, the compensation for the Suns is going to be salary relief and they don't want to limit another team taking him by asking for additional compensation.

To me this points to the Suns wanting to get rid of D'Antoni versus keeping him. If the team really was dead set on keeping Mike, they would demand compensation. The Fact that they are not tells me they don't want to put up any roadblocks to let the guy go. They just don't want to be on the hook for his salary.

 

[Rab]

You're right. They want him gone, but only if they can his salary off the books. If not, he'll be back next season because Sarver WILL NOT eat 8+ million and pay another coach.

 

[Treesquid PhD]

To me this points to the Suns wanting to get rid of D'Antoni versus keeping him. If the team really was dead set on keeping Mike, they would demand compensation. The Fact that they are not tells me they don't want to put up any roadblocks to let the guy go. They just don't want to be on the hook for his salary.

Pretty much, the worst thing at this point would be for D'Antoni to come back next season.

However, I am still waiting for Kerr to make a basketball move that is in the Suns favor, moves avoiding the cap, AKA "Keeping the core", "Maintaining flexability" do not count in my eyes.

 

[SirStefan32]

Because getting DA to resign and move on without having to pay him is and always will be good enough for Sarver.

I am no fan of Sarver, but this is just getting to the point of insanity.
Everybody know Sarver owes D'Antoni $8.5 Mil.
Everyone knows D'Antoni is not coming back to coach the Suns.
Why in the hell would anybody give you compensation?

 

[Covert Rain]

I am no fan of Sarver, but this is just getting to the point of insanity.
Everybody know Sarver owes D'Antoni $8.5 Mil.
Everyone knows D'Antoni is not coming back to coach the Suns.
Why in the hell would anybody give you compensation?

I think people are saying that because it's happened before. However, in those cases I think teams had a buyout clause with those coaches. So, if you went to that team and said you pay out his buy out clause and we let him walk...then basically the team doesn't shell out any money.

It sounds like the only way that Sarver doesn't have to play his salary is if the coach gets an offer from another team and decides to walk. I have not heard of a buyout clause in his contract. Anybody?

I don't think any team would have an incentive to pony up any extra cash for D'Antoni knowing that's all it will take to get him is make an offer. Then again, if they believe the Suns would say "no" and hold D'Antoni to his contract then I could see it happening. However, does anybody think the Suns would do that? That's why I agree there is no way you get anything extra from any team.

 

[da_suns_fan]

Im not a fan of D'Antoni, but I'd really like to see him end up in Toronto and do well just because it would make $arver look so bad.

 

[Treesquid PhD]

I think people are saying that because it's happened before. However, in those cases I think teams had a buyout clause with those coaches. So, if you went to that team and said you pay out his buy out clause and we let him walk...then basically the team doesn't shell out any money.

It sounds like the only way that Sarver doesn't have to play his salary is if the coach gets an offer from another team and decides to walk. I have not heard of a buyout clause in his contract. Anybody?

I don't think any team would have an incentive to pony up any extra cash for D'Antoni knowing that's all it will take to get him is make an offer. Then again, if they believe the Suns would say "no" and hold D'Antoni to his contract then I could see it happening. However, does anybody think the Suns would do that? That's why I agree there is no way you get anything extra from any team.

Depends, I would think that if the Suns can deny him talking to Toronto then they could essentailly negotiate exclusive barganing rights with some team, of course that leaves the chance that the new team won't cover all his contract, which is what this is really about.

Let's face it this team comes off as desperate to dump for cash and it could hurt them in deals for the next several years, why would some team give the Suns a good deal when they have been giving away players and picks for a few million bucks? I know that sounds funny, but 2 or 3 million here or there in the NBA is chump change for some individuals let alone a $400 million franchise.

I would also be willing to bet there are teams that would turn this situation into gold because they would be willing to take a risk, look at how Seattle got a two rounders for Thomas this last season and then they turned it into another first round pick, I really think the fact that Phoenix has been just laying down like newbie in prison has destroyed any expectations from the fans, it's called negotiations!and the Suns don't do it to play it safe and preserve 3 or 4 million. The only thing the Suns seem to be trying really hard at, is making D'Antoni look like he doesn't want to be here.

I guess the last thing I would want is to be owned by a banker considering the dire straights their industry is at the moment, but whatevere, hope is stronger than logic here, I think because people want to believe in the Suns aqnd want to believe in and a title, it clouds the obvious.