East Valley Tribune: Suns searching for big man

[George O'Brien]

East Valley Tribune: Suns searching for big man

By Mike Tulumello, Tribune
They won't exactly be candidates for the Hall of Fame or even the All-Star ballot. But there are still big men available in the NBA, players the Suns will be considering in the upcoming weeks.

According to a league source, those players include Joel Przybilla, a restricted free agent who played for Atlanta last season; Steven Hunter, an unrestricted free agent who played for Orlando; plus ex-Suns Scott Williams and Corie Blount.

The Suns are short at center, with only Jake Voskuhl on board so far for next season.

IT'S CLIPPERS' CALL

Kobe Bryant's decision to stick with the Lakers has a bearing on the Suns' chances of grabbing Quentin Richardson in the free-agent market.

Had Bryant bolted to the Clippers, the Clippers almost certainly would have declined to match the Suns' six-year offer of about $45 million for Richardson. Even with Bryant deciding to stay with the Lakers, the Clippers could decline to match the offer.

Offering no prediction was Suns president Bryan Colangelo, who said the situation "is no different now than it was before. This decision is entirely in the hands of the Clippers. Hopefully, Quentin Richardson joins the Suns."

If the Clippers match the offer, the Suns would have more money — about $5.8 million — to presumably go after mid-tier big men, perhaps a player such as Greg Ostertag.

The Clippers have two weeks to make up their mind.

MAKE AN EXCEPTION

There has been confusion among some Suns watchers on what types of exceptions are available to the team.

Because Phoenix has been under the salary cap, the mid-level exception (of about $5 million) and the old "million-dollar exception" (actually about $1.6 million) aren't available to them now. They will be available next summer.

The Suns can sign players to the veteran's minimum, contracts that range up to $1 million for a season

 

[coloradosun]

George

I just want to add some rationale to my theory about Theo.

I am just trying to connect some dots, it is not that I am trying to pull a trade between us and Portland out of thin air.

1)It was posted on this board months ago that Phoenix had tried to acquire Theo and SAR from Atlanta last year but the Hawks had plans for Rasheed. The history of the Suns is that they target somebody they go after him. Reacquiring Nash was proof of that, they never gave Kobe's threat to leave that seriously and had targeted Nash all along. Theo is a perfect fit in the lineup and I think Bryan and Jerry know it.

2)Early in the draft, rumors the Suns were reported to give a guarantee to Martynas to pick him, my guess is that they were picking him for Portland. Once he removed his name from the list the Suns traded their pick to Chicago for another possible lottery pick. After the draft the Suns were "disappointed" that they could have had Iguodala. Why would they trade out when they could have had this player. Cap space? Maybe. My thought is that Portland would love to have this guy but they thought he still needed some seasoning and convinced Sabonis to keep him over in Europe. The Suns still wanting to get a deal done with Portland did the Chicago deal just to prove they were commited to acquiring Theo and still being able to put the Blazers in the lottery. The Sabonis/Martynas connection is strong and the Sabonis/Portland connection is still strong, he is a favorite in Portland. Martynas playing in Portland and Sabonis coaching in Portland makes a lot of sense. The Chicago pick does not guarentee them the postion necessary to get him but it is a commodity that can be moved to get where you want, reference what Charlotte did to get Okafor.

3)Why did the Suns out of the blue sign Q and why would Q want to sign with the Suns, there were a lot of questions of why they would. Q would not automaticly be a starter in Phoenix with JJ at the 2, why would he sign there. Miles and Q were inseparatable in the offseason visiting teams together. After Q agreed to terms with Phoenix, Miles has been off the radar, why? As we have seen this summer, the agent is usually out there bidding up the player by throwing out the names of teams that are considering making offers. Q may have signed with Phoenix because they could have a deal in place with Portland for Miles and Theo. That may be why Q sayes he wants to get things started in Phoenix and telling the LAClips to let him move on.

4) Portland is basicly rebuilding they have 5 UnFA's next summer (Ratliff, SAR, Davis, Stepania and Stoudamire) and 2 RFA's (Miles and Randolph), that's 7 of their 11. Of the UnFA's, 4 of the 5 will probably not be on the roster next year, Ratliff being the obvious one that they would consider keeping, if they can. They need to add some players to their probable core, Anderson and Randolph. If they make the deal for SAR for Kittles and Aaron Williams, that's another expiring contract, why consider doing that. The other players that they have under contract next year are Qytel Woods, Travis Outlaw, Ruben Patterson and Dan Dickau, and now a high school phenom and two Russians from their draft, not a lot of depth.

Portland has got to makes some moves and it is widely known that the reputation of the players up there are hurting the team and the fans, the Blazers are the only professional game in town. Why wouldn't they consider taking the squeaky clean reputation of Marion instead of hanging on to Miles and adding a long term contract that now looks reasonable after this summers bidding war. Why not move Ratliff, who is not a guarentee to resign after this summers bidding war, and put yourself closer to getting the Sabonis portege by trading for a possible top 10 pick (Chicago) next year and say Voskuhl, so they can draft the kid next year (we don't need a lottery pick next year unless we are still in need of a center). Also grabbing a player like Vujanic now, buy him out of his contract in Europe and throw him into the fire, if he can't cut it you've got Stoudamire to cover for a year. Telfair won't be ready for at least three or 4 years but in the meantime you can groom Vujanic. Vujanic and Martynas might work out well together with Anderson, Marion and Randolph.

Portland has finally missed the playoffs for the first time in 15 years, I think the fans will accept any of these moves at this time and it makes sense to do it now before your under the gun next summer.

This is the concoction for my theory of

Marion
Voskuhl
Vujanic
Chicago Pick

for

Ratliff
Miles

I know this is long winded, but it is why I am "talking myself blue" (your quote) into trading for Ratliff.

Thank you for your time.

 

[Dave64]

Raliff wouyld be perfect for this team. He is a FA next summer, so it may be better to hold onto our cap room if Q stays in LA and go after Ratliff next summer. Nash, JJ, Marion, Amare, and Ratliff. That is a pretty nasty starting 5. We may just have to wait another year to see it. The three young guns would be more mature if we add Ratliff next summer. Dave

 

[coloradosun]

Raliff wouyld be perfect for this team. He is a FA next summer, so it may be better to hold onto our cap room if Q stays in LA and go after Ratliff next summer. Nash, JJ, Marion, Amare, and Ratliff. That is a pretty nasty starting 5. We may just have to wait another year to see it. The three young guns would be more mature if we add Ratliff next summer. Dave

I would agree with this if we do not retain Q, Marion is off the table then.

 

[hcsilla]

POR does have a huge logjam at SF. They won't deal Ratliff for another SF.

However I can imagine a resigned Miles, Davis, 1st rounder for Marion- type of swap.

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

POR does have a huge logjam at SF. They won't deal Ratliff for another SF.

However I can imagine a resigned Miles, Davis, 1st rounder for Marion- type of swap.

I suggested a Miles S&T + Davis for Marion a couple days ago. Not a lot of talk about it, most people just seemed blah on the idea. (I guess I kind of feel the same way, but it is much more realistic than aquiring Ratliff).

 

[hcsilla]

I suggested a Miles S&T + Davis for Marion a couple days ago.

Great minds think alike...

 

[George O'Brien]

I suggested a Miles S&T + Davis for Marion a couple days ago. Not a lot of talk about it, most people just seemed blah on the idea. (I guess I kind of feel the same way, but it is much more realistic than aquiring Ratliff).

I would have to think about it. I'm not convinced that Miles has become more than a flash in the pan considering his disasterous time in Cleveland. I know he played pretty well with Portland, but not "great".

Realistically, this is a salary dump. We've had worse proposals, but since Davis is only a short term solution, it is still mostly a salary dump.

 

[Gaddabout]

I would have to think about it. I'm not convinced that Miles has become more than a flash in the pan considering his disasterous time in Cleveland. I know he played pretty well with Portland, but not "great".

Realistically, this is a salary dump. We've had worse proposals, but since Davis is only a short term solution, it is still mostly a salary dump.

Miles isn't much more than an excuse to make ESPN highlights, but at $5.5 mil, that's pretty cheap rent for a guy that at least legitimately belongs in the Suns rotation of players. He can't shoot, but he's a respectable defender at four positions and certainly can run the floor and finish.

The Suns would be his fifth team in four years. If he did wind up Phoenix, my guess is he'd be looking for a sixth next summer ... unless he found a good niche here. Pretty hard to do for kids from East St. Louis.

 

[slinslin]

Miles is a very good defender and only 23 years old I think.

He is also a better ball handler and passer than Marion. He needs to get on a team that will use his ability to run the floor and he will break out.

The Suns would be his 4th team. Clippers->Cavs->Blazers->Suns

 

[Gaddabout]

The Suns would be his 4th team. Clippers->Cavs->Blazers->Suns

Sorry. Miscounted.

I like the fact that, at 6-9, you can trust him to guard most players on the perimeter.

 

[coloradosun]

I suggested a Miles S&T + Davis for Marion a couple days ago. Not a lot of talk about it, most people just seemed blah on the idea. (I guess I kind of feel the same way, but it is much more realistic than aquiring Ratliff).

I don't think the Suns would do the deal for Davis but they would do it for Ratliff. Everyone here thinks that Ratliff is untradeable, I don't. He's only been in Portland for 1/3 of a season there is no loyalty there. Portland did the trade with Atlanta as a move to get rid of Wallace more so than a trade for Ratliff and SAR.

Here is one thought I had about SAR, there are about 4 teams in real need of a PF, Cleveland, NJ, LAL, and GS

If GS signed and traded Dampier for SAR, salaries would be close. Turn around and trade Ratliff and Miles for Marion etc. Portland needs to add some long term contracts. SAR has Bay connections having gone to Cal, could help with attendance.

 

[elindholm]

If GS signed and traded Dampier for SAR, salaries would be close. Turn around and trade Ratliff and Miles for Marion etc.

Hmm....

Except for the fact that the Warriors don't have much need for Abdur-Rahim, this is an intriguing idea.

 

[coloradosun]

If GS signed and traded Dampier for SAR, salaries would be close. Turn around and trade Ratliff and Miles for Marion etc.

Hmm....

Except for the fact that the Warriors don't have much need for Abdur-Rahim, this is an intriguing idea.

No need for a scoring PF? Cliff Robinson is their starting PF.

 

[elindholm]

No need for a scoring PF? Cliff Robinson is their starting PF.

No, Troy Murphy is. Murphy just happened to be hurt almost all of last season, and then they brought him back slowly over the last month or so. Assuming he's full strength next year, he'll start and be just fine.

 

[coloradosun]

No need for a scoring PF? Cliff Robinson is their starting PF.

No, Troy Murphy is. Murphy just happened to be hurt almost all of last season, and then they brought him back slowly over the last month or so. Assuming he's full strength next year, he'll start and be just fine.

I did overlook him for some reason I guess I see him as a 3 but he is 6'11". Still I would rather have SAR instead of Troy. Chris Mullin is pulling the strings there who knows what he prefers.

 

[NJYAJ09]

SAR > Troy

 

[coloradosun]

I don't think the Suns would do the deal for Davis but they would do it for Ratliff. Everyone here thinks that Ratliff is untradeable, I don't. He's only been in Portland for 1/3 of a season there is no loyalty there. Portland did the trade with Atlanta as a move to get rid of Wallace more so than a trade for Ratliff and SAR.

Here is one thought I had about SAR, there are about 4 teams in real need of a PF, Cleveland, NJ, LAL, and GS

If GS signed and traded Dampier for SAR, salaries would be close. Turn around and trade Ratliff and Miles for Marion etc. Portland needs to add some long term contracts. SAR has Bay connections having gone to Cal, could help with attendance.

Alright here's an adendem

Dampier and Troy Murphy for SAR.

Dampier 10M
Murphy 2M

for

SAR 13M

then the

Ratliff/Miles for Marion/Voskuhl/Vujianic/Chicago Pick

 

[elindholm]

The Suns' problem isn't only that their big men aren't good enough. It's that they don't have enough of them. Any trade in which the Suns have to give up Voskuhl doesn't address the fundamental problem. Sure, Ratliff is an upgrade (when healthy), but who is his backup? And if it's Stoudemire, who are the other PFs?

The Suns won't really help themselves unless they acquire a center while keeping Voskuhl. I know it will be difficult, but that's the task.

Replace Voskuhl with Cabarkapa and you have something, as far as Phoenix is concerned. I don't like Miles, but who knows?

 

[JCSunsfan]

Joe Przybilla looks like a decent pickup to me. He's not top tier by any means, but he is young enough to have alot of upside.

His strengths are rebounding (6.5) and shotblocking (1.0) in 20 minutes per game. His career blocks # per 48 is 4.4.

7-1, 255. If we have to just pick someone up, this guy will add depth, and maybe could be a potential starter.

 

[Joe Mama]

Eric is right. The Phoenix Suns need an improvement in quality and numbers in the frontcourt. They currently have Cabarkapa, Lampe, Amare Stoudemire, and Little Jake. That is just bad. Cabarkapa and Lampe are both nice on offense, but defensively they are quite weak. I'm watching Lampe right now in the summer league game. If he is playing big minutes at Center we had better hope the Suns are scoring 110 points per game. And let's not forget that Jake Voskuhl's "stick 'em up" defense isn't that great.

Without some improvement upfront the Phoenix Suns as they are presently constituted will still be an exciting team to watch. They will probably win a bunch of games, but they are going to have to outscore people. This team is going to stop anyone. However they will have a couple of guys (Amare Stoudemire and Shawn Marion) who are upset because they are spending too much time guarding much bigger players.

Let me just also say that I've been more impressed with Holman than Vroman for most of these first three summer league games. That's not to say that either one of them is going to give any substantial help in the frontcourt on the NBA team.

Joe Mama

 

[elindholm]

Let me just also say that I've been more impressed with Holman than Vroman for most of these first three summer league games.

How do Wright and Johnson look tonight?

 

[Joe Mama]

Let me just also say that I've been more impressed with Holman than Vroman for most of these first three summer league games.

How do Wright and Johnson look tonight?

neither of them really did much to distinguish themselves. I'll continue the analysis in the thread on the summer league games.

As much as I would like the Suns to get Richardson, I don't think I would be disappointed if they missed on him and got Divac for $12-13 million for two years. I just don't see Eric Dampier as a realistic option. Even if he would accept what the Suns have to offer I'm not sure they would be willing to give him the number of years he wants. I've also heard several times that they weren't all that impressed with his one break out here after being such a mediocre player for most of his career.

Joe Mama

 

[cly2tw]

I like these trade scenarios with Portland. It makes sense to have Q and Miles on the same team. For a young player like Miles, a great amount of comfort zone would be very conducive to their development. With Nash on board and DA an easy going coach, that was probably one major reason that Q wanted to commit to the Suns so early.

So, I guess either Ratliff and Miles for Marion, Lampe (or Jake), vujanic, Bull's #1, or Davis and Miles (+ some fillers like Woods who was supposedly good friend with Amare) for Marion, Eisley, vujanic, Bull's #1, if indedd Miles signs for about 5.5mil starting. Actually, Eisley makes sense as a transition from Stoudamire to Telfar for one year. If they already get Marion, Anderson and Randolph committed, they shouldn't have much if any cap room left next year anyway and shouldn't mind Eisley's contract as much.

Also, I really don't think Jake should be the deal breaker here. So I guess we get to keep him if we want it much.

Ratliff/Amare/JJ/Q/Nash
Jake/Vroman/Zarko/Miles/CJ/Barbosa

add Scott Williams and say Stacy Augman for min. we will rock.

 

[F-Dog]

I'll say this again--Theo Ratliff isn't going anywhere.


It's like a Portland fan saying, "we need a PG. How about if we get the Suns to trade Steve Nash to us? We'll give them Darius Miles and a few of our young players..."