Dear Mr. Sarver:

[wilecoyotesupergenius]

Dear Mr. Sarver:
You have no choice...you HAVE to re-sign JJ...for the following reasons:

1. Amare Stoudemire. Letting JJ go to Atlanta (for nothing mind you) may put the seed of doubt in Amare's head about the team's long term committment to winning a championship. We don't need a concerned Amare pondering potential offers from the Lakers next year (when they have cap space). Yes, I know that the Suns can offer one more year...plus 10% raises versus 8.5%...but Amare could easily make up that money with national endorsement money he would certainly receive in the nation's second largest TV market. While we are on the topic...don't even think of trying to penny pinch with regard to Amare...offer him the absolute maximum...for the full six years...at 12:01 when the moratorium ends...(and it wouldn't hurt to wine & dine him, wash his car, and clean his house as well...whatever it takes...don't be embarassed to do some SERIOUS ass kissing). It would still be a bargain when compared to the money being paid to players far less talented.

2. Make a major effort to sign Finley if he is released (send a "posse" to woo him...Nash, Amare, and company). With the current roster, there won't be much playing time for Fin to start...but with the extra talent, additional trades can be done later to fine tune the roster (perhaps trading one of the surplus wings for a backup PG or big).

3. Most fans understand and accept a team's financial limitations...it's simply not financially prudent to have 4 max/near-max deals on the roster. If you really have to, you can always trade JJ later (after December 15th)...if and only if Amare has signed the extension. You could always trade him for an expiring contract...or to a team under the cap for a reasonable contract, draft picks...or some combination...(that way at least you get something for JJ). I love JJ's game and would hate to see him go...but would hate to see him go for nothing even more.

 

[George O'Brien]

I agree.

I'm not really worried about Amare getting the bug to go to LA, but anything less that total commitment to winning a championship would be a horrible message at this point. A couple of years from now the Suns will have to make some moves, but they have to give it their best shot now.

Since 1985-86, the only franchises to win the championship have been LA, Detroit, Chicago, Houston, and San Antonio. Five teams in 20 years. Include Philadelphia (82-83) and Larry Bird Boston teams and it is just 7 since LA's big run starting in 1979-80.

In no other American professional sport is it so hard for a different team to win a championship. For Suns fans, there was one brief shot at glory over a decade ago, but they came up short. To finally get a another chance is very exciting. It is an opportunity that may never come this way again.

 

[wilecoyotesupergenius]

I agree.

I'm not really worried about Amare getting the bug to go to LA, but anything less that total commitment to winning a championship would be a horrible message at this point. A couple of years from now the Suns will have to make some moves, but they have to give it their best shot now.

Since 1985-86, the only franchises to win the championship have been LA, Detroit, Chicago, Houston, and San Antonio. Five teams in 20 years. Include Philadelphia (82-83) and Larry Bird Boston teams and it is just 7 since LA's big run starting in 1979-80.

In no other American professional sport is it so hard for a different team to win a championship. For Suns fans, there was one brief shot at glory over a decade ago, but they came up short. To finally get a another chance is very exciting. It is an opportunity that may never come this way again.

Well said. The Suns need to bite the bullet and try and win it all now (while we still have Nash in his prime). Ownership shouldn't worry too much about going over-budget a little if they are this close (although Dallas and NY's salaries are over the top). The real money to be made in owning an NBA franchise is not the annual profits made from operations...it's the increase in franchise values over a relatively short time that make owners money. NBA franchises are appreciating over 15% per year (Forbes valued the Suns at $282 million in 2003...7th highest in the NBA). It was valued at $360 mil in 2004...over 26% increase in one year...Sarver bought the team for approx $400 mil...it should be worth over $800 mil in 5 years...if money is what he is after, he can sell the team then (and make a tidy profit)...AFTER we've won a title.

 

[sunsfn]

Last year Amare said he had JJ's back when it came for him to re-sign. Sarver is a fool if he does not sign JJ. The absolute worst thing he could do is let him go without a trade. I do not think he is that stupid, but if he decides to do the trade deal, he will not get back what JJ is worth because he would be forced into the trade.

If Sarver does not sign JJ, Amare has to think that maybe this team will never get to be a championship team with Sarver as owner. He then could decide to take the one year tender and be on his way. Why not? think of what he can make in money if he went to L.A. They would go out of their way to sign other players and win a ton of championships with him.

Amare has had to think about this already...........!

 

[coloradosun]

I agree.

I'm not really worried about Amare getting the bug to go to LA, but anything less that total commitment to winning a championship would be a horrible message at this point. A couple of years from now the Suns will have to make some moves, but they have to give it their best shot now.

Since 1985-86, the only franchises to win the championship have been LA, Detroit, Chicago, Houston, and San Antonio. Five teams in 20 years. Include Philadelphia (82-83) and Larry Bird Boston teams and it is just 7 since LA's big run starting in 1979-80.

In no other American professional sport is it so hard for a different team to win a championship. For Suns fans, there was one brief shot at glory over a decade ago, but they came up short. To finally get a another chance is very exciting. It is an opportunity that may never come this way again.

5 teams in 20 years, that is sobering.

I hope that the Colangelos forward the message to Sarver that there are no guarantees that progressing to the conference finals will get you to the NBA finals in subsequent years. The experience of the Barkley days has to have some impact on decisions, th only consulation is that JJ has never stated to the media that he wants out of Phoenix.