How much did the Suns actually save?

[Griffin]

I don't know if anyone pointed this out already, but the Suns could have waited until the trade deadline to deal KT. LT is counted only after the trade deadline. They could have possibly gotten a better deal (a team might be looking for short-term help due to injury). It would also give us a better perspective as to what kind of an impact losing KT will have. I think the same deal the Suns made would certainly still be on the table at that time. But by trading him now, the Suns pocket the entire 16 million (8 million contract + 8 million LT), whereas if they had waited, they would have already paid KT about 3-4 million in salary for total savings of around 12-13 million.

But let's also consider the value of those two picks the Suns traded today. We know the going rate for first round draft picks is 3 million. So in essence, the Suns actually only saved 10 million today, since they could have just as well sold those picks in the future.

 

[Mainstreet]

Isn't it wonderful to know that to be an NBA fan today, one must be an accountant first.

 

[Goldfield]

But now we have "Flexability"

 

[newfan101]

Isn't it wonderful to know that to be an NBA fan today, one must be an accountant first.

Actually, you must be a fan of accounting. Today's trade inspired me to update my quicken today. Yeah Team!!!

 

[devilalum]

Nash has a team option for 09-10 that the the Suns will NOT pick up. Marion will be gone. You're looking at a core of LB, Diaw and Amare who may or may not need another surgery by this point.

Write it down the 2010 pick they just gave to the Sonics WILL be a lottery pick.

 

[MastersofCombat]

I thought we did all that draft day crap to get under the cap? what happen to that? Now we had to shave another 8 million - 9million ?

 

[Sunsman44]

Isn't it wonderful to know that to be an NBA fan today, one must be an accountant first.

Fantastic point. Perhaps that's why many people don't pay attention to pro sports anymore and hence why ratings are down.

I was speaking to an old school 65-years old about the NBA and he said essentially the same things: It's all about money. The passion is not there. I don't pay attention to that crap...

So true...

 

[Joe Mama]

I thought we did all that draft day crap to get under the cap? what happen to that? Now we had to shave another 8 million - 9million ?

I'm not sure if I'm getting these numbers correct, but I think most people expected the luxury tax line to come in at around $72 million. The $67 million luxury tax line announcement gave them the excuse... I mean in order to be "financially responsible" and maintain "flexibility", they decided they could not afford that extra $5 million in luxury tax they did not expect.

So here we go. This is what the Phoenix Suns have saved in the last month followed by what they've given up to save that money. These figures are for this year only. Assuming there's a luxury tax next year and Shawn Marion does not opt out this summer they'll be in the same predicament next summer. However these numbers are only for this year.

SAVINGS:
+ $3 million - Portland paid for the #24
+ $5.8 million - James Jones salary + luxury tax
+ $1.8 million - salary for #24 draft pick + luxury tax
+ $16 million - Kurt Thomas salary + luxury tax
- $3.6 million - Grant Hill salary + luxury tax
- $1 million - vet. min. salary + luxury tax (replaced KT)
- $0.8 million - strawberry salary + luxury tax (replaced #24)

$20.2 million this season

TALENT/ASSET LOST:
1) Rudy Fernandez - I'm sure this is who they would have taken
2) #26 pick or worse in 2008 draft - assuming no disasters next season
3) unprotected 2010 draft pick - this one's a little scary since there is a lot that could happen between now and then.
4) James Jones - decent rotation player. Above average team defender and somewhat streaky three-point shooter.
5) Kurt Thomas - easily the biggest loss unless the 2010 season is a complete disaster. San Antonio would have swept the Phoenix Suns quite easily without him. He is an important regular-season player and a critical playoff player.

TALENT/ASSET GAINED:
1) Grant Hill - assuming he stays healthy is a big improvement over James Jones
2) $2.8 million trade exception - from the James Jones trade
3) $8 million trade exception - from the Kurt Thomas trade
4) flexibility - yes, that's something to get excited about

I still believe the Phoenix Suns have another move up their sleeve, whether it's this summer or during the season. I'll admit though that for right now it looks like they've screwed things up.

Joe Mama

 

[newfan101]

4) flexibility - yes, that's something to get excited about

Ugh. Can we stop with the "flexibility," please? Flexibility implies that we now have options that didn't exist before, and intent to use those options (i.e.: the trade exception). Write this down: We are not going to add ANYONE with the trade exception. Period. We will add another minimum wage free agent, and that's it. This trade was entirely about getting under the luxury tax. There was no flexibility attained. NONE. In fact, you could argue that by giving away two 1st's, we've made ourselves LESS flexible by losing bargaining chips in another possible deal. I wish Kerr would just tell it like it is: This trade was about shedding salary and making my boss happy. PERIOD.

 

[Gaddabout]

Rudy Fernandez - I'm sure this is who they would have taken

If that's who the Suns were drafting, it shouldn't be considered a loss in personnel. Fernandez had already agreed to terms with his European team more than a week before the draft. The earliest he will play for any NBA team is 2010/11.

If the Suns really wanted him, they could have kept the pick and not paid a dime out the next three years. I can tell you with great assurance the one player the Suns had their heart set on was Marco Belinelli. If you believe the rumors, they had KT, all of this year's picks, and next year's team pick on the table to move up high enough to get him.

 

[SactownSunsFan]

Nash has a team option for 09-10 that the the Suns will NOT pick up. Marion will be gone. You're looking at a core of LB, Diaw and Amare who may or may not need another surgery by this point.

Write it down the 2010 pick they just gave to the Sonics WILL be a lottery pick.

It could be a lottery pick, but there's no way in hell of knowing that for sure. In 1997 (IIRC), the GM's were given a poll as to who they thought would be the 2000 NBA champions. The overwhelming majority chose the Minnesota Timberwolves. We all know how that went.

The bottom line- the future isn't written in stone. Keep some semblance of faith.

 

[Ollie]

If that's who the Suns were drafting, it shouldn't be considered a loss in personnel. Fernandez had already agreed to terms with his European team more than a week before the draft. The earliest he will play for any NBA team is 2010/11.

Not exactly, Fernandez agreed to an extension 'til 2010/11 but he made his NBA buyout affordable and degressive and he will join the league in two years or so.