If the Suns are committed to winning.

[Goldfield]

They will take advantage of this rare oppertunity to get a solid BIG in Dampier.

Say all you want about the contract year, Dampier is a good center. He is not a dominant guy but there is only 1 or 2 guys at the 5 that are. Dampier is head & shoulders above the rest of the average 5's in the NBA. He is BIG, he is nasty, & he is one of the best rebounders in the NBA.

Even more importantly Dampier fits this teams needs like a glove. Aguy who will be more of a factor than a weakness at the five, who will fight Amare for rebounds, block shots & get his share of offensive rebound/putbacks. Damier will be the best center the Suns have had in my memory.

I truely feel the Suns have a VERY VERY good situation at the 1-4 spots, everyone has their own strenths, they are all very skilled. Adding Dampier will IMHO instantly make this team a major contender.

Its time SUNS! It is time to stop being cautious and take a chance to get to the next level. All our young starters are in thier 3rd & 4th years, no longer rooks. Nash is damn close to the same player as KJ was for us.

This roster is set. Adding Dampier will put us over the top and be an instant favorite to win it all. Yes even better than the Spurs IMO.

Suns offer:
Lampe
Jacobsen
Vujanic(3 young prospects)
Eisley(a must to make the numbers work)
#1 pick(some might think its overpaying, but you have to do what it takes to get a good big & make a puch for a title)

I truely think the GS warriors would make this deal. If the Suns wanna win they must show committment to make a move to put this team over the top!

(B+)Dampier/Jake/Scott Williams
(A)Amare/Marion?/Vroman?
(A)Marion/JJ/Zarko
(B+)JJ/Q/Barbosa
(A)Nash/Barbosa/JJ

That team had rebounding, defence, shot blocking, depth, speed, shooting, scoring, everting!

- also, if the Suns landed Damp, I would LOVE to see them bring in Scott Williams to be the savy vet in the locker room to keep everyone on track!

 

[JS22]

i think....
it's time to give it up!


Why does everyone insist on giving up Lampe? He's 19 years old! He has the chance to become a star. At only 19 he is 6'11 275 and has the shooting stroke of a guard. Yet, everyone wants him gone. I dont see the logic here. To top that off you want to throw in a potential top 5 pick, and the #9 3pt shooter in the league? No thanks!

 

[Goldfield]

i think....
it's time to give it up!


Why does everyone insist on giving up Lampe? He's 19 years old! He has the chance to become a star. At only 19 he is 6'11 275 and has the shooting stroke of a guard. Yet, everyone wants him gone. I dont see the logic here. To top that off you want to throw in a potential top 5 pick, and the #9 3pt shooter in the league? No thanks!

I agree Lamp has alt of upside. but he is 19 and this team can make a run now. Lampe wont be ready for atleast another year or 2. Jacobsen is ok, but he isnt gunna get playing time now with Q in front of him.

A top five pick isnt gunna get you a player as good as Dampier at the 5 spot. Since thats the only need we have right now other than backup PF, it makes alot of sence to me.

Its been over 10 years since the Suns were contenders. You say "give up", I say stand up and take advantage of the state of the NBA right now.

The mighty Lakers have fallen, Dallas has lost Nash, The Kings are dame good but they have not improved and lost Divacs who was very important to that team. The Spurs are gunna be better but I think our team can beat them if we add Damps. I think the Pistons will be very tuff this year. But they are still beatable. The time is NOW, there are no Dominante teams right now and the Suns are primed to make a run if they can add a guy like Damp...

Trading backups & a pick for a startin g center who fills your biggest need is a great trade...

 

[Goldfield]

Dampier averaged 12/12/2 last year. Even if his production drops he will still be getting numbers like 8/10/2. He is still EXACTLY what we need.

Lets say the change of scenery & him being happy to be on a good team keeps his numbers where they are could you imagine a center putting up 12/12/2 with Amare going crazy next to him, not to mention the rest of the team!

I dont care if he gets only 2pts per game, his rebounding alone make s us alot better.

 

[George O'Brien]

1. I am totally opposed to trading Lampe. While I get impatient with his progress, I think there is a real chance he could be a very good player. While this is not a J. O'Neill for Dale Davis trade, it has the potential of being one we would look on with huge regret in just a couple of years.

2. While I like Lampe, I think the Warriors are going to focus on Biedrins as their developmental big man rather than picking up another.

3. I don't think the Warriors would accept Eisley under any condition. They have Fisher and Claxton. They have no need for another PG. Even throwing in extra stuff still makes this mostly an Eisley dump and it's not worth it to them.

 

[green machine]

See, I think a Center like Lampe is what the Suns need.

Someone who can pull the other big men away from the basket will allow Amare to dominate inside. A Center who can hit the jumper, but also play solid D and rebound is what this team needs.

I dont' want the Suns to lock themselves in with Dampier, simply because I think he just had a great year in his contract year. Is he solid? Yes. Is he worth the money? No.

Just because the Suns haven't had a great center in a while doesn't mean we should overpay for a decent one. The team doesn't need a star at the position, just someone to hold down the fort.

 

[Goldfield]

1. I am totally opposed to trading Lampe. While I get impatient with his progress, I think there is a real chance he could be a very good player. While this is not a J. O'Neill for Dale Davis trade, it has the potential of being one we would look on with huge regret in just a couple of years.

2. While I like Lampe, I think the Warriors are going to focus on Biedrins as their developmental big man rather than picking up another.

3. I don't think the Warriors would accept Eisley under any condition. They have Fisher and Claxton. They have no need for another PG. Even throwing in extra stuff still makes this mostly an Eisley dump and it's not worth it to them.

The #1 pick alone makes the Warriors think about the sign & trade.

Lampe could be pretty good I agree, but you have to sacrifice if you wanna contend. I dont wanna weight anymore this team is ready.

Lappe Jacobsen & Vujanic give GS alot of young prospects to sell the fans. Not to mention a top 5 pick! Eisley makes the numbers work, and he balances out the trade for the Suns, since that pick pluss the young guys are a good offer to a team that might just let Damp walk anyway...

 

[Goldfield]

See, I think a Center like Lampe is what the Suns need.

Someone who can pull the other big men away from the basket will allow Amare to dominate inside. A Center who can hit the jumper, but also play solid D and rebound is what this team needs.

I dont' want the Suns to lock themselves in with Dampier, simply because I think he just had a great year in his contract year. Is he solid? Yes. Is he worth the money? No.

Just because the Suns haven't had a great center in a while doesn't mean we should overpay for a decent one. The team doesn't need a star at the position, just someone to hold down the fort.

Nash is gunna open up the middle for Amare.

How can you expect to even win it ALL, if your happy with a vet min guy rather than a solid center who makes an impact?

We have been waiying for 10 years. Time to make a stand & get that damn center we need.

 

[green machine]

Nash is gunna open up the middle for Amare.

I dont' expect Nash to be drawing out other teams' big men and freeing up the lane for Amare. Really, I don't.

 

[Goldfield]

Suns add Nash/Q/Dampier in offseason & keep entire core together. That is the best offseason in the NBA by far! just do it!

 

[Goldfield]

I dont' expect Nash to be drawing out other teams' big men and freeing up the lane for Amare. Really, I don't.

you dont think it will make them hesitate to double Amare?

Amare is the ONLY inside guy we have. Dampier will improve that and alot more.

 

[green machine]

you dont think it will make them hesitate to double Amare?

I don't expect other teams' big men jumping out to guard Nash, no. I do think Nash will help free up things for JJ and Q, though. Nash will be an outside threat we haven't had since Chapman, so that will give Amare someone to kick the ball out to.

But if we had a C who could hit the J, then there would be alot less tall guys in the lane.

 

[Goldfield]

I don't expect other teams' big men jumping out to guard Nash, no. I do think Nash will help free up things for JJ and Q, though. Nash will be an outside threat we haven't had since Chapman, so that will give Amare someone to kick the ball out to.

But if we had a C who could hit the J, then there would be alot less tall guys in the lane.

If I was defending the Suns I would prefer a center going for a jumpshot over Amare taking it in anyday.

Suns dont need a scoring center.

Imagine how dominant our rebounding would be with Amare Matrix & Dampier. How many 2nd & 3rd shots would we get?

 

[hafey2]

This Suns team is very young, too young with or without Damp to realistically compete for a title. I think some here are trying to build a championship team in one off-season. That simply doesn't happen (except maybe for the recent Lakers team but even then it took several years). I think the Suns management is wisely not trying to do too much in one off-season. We are improved, but I think we will know much more about our young players after this season. And if they develop as we all hope, the Suns are armed will plenty of assets and the MLE to solidify the center position next off-season.

 

[PhxGametime]

Michael Olowokandi could be had for much cheaper? He might not be great but has always been a good rebounder/shotblocker as well. In the same years...

Olowokandi:
REBOUNDS - 7.9, 8.2, 6.4, 8.9, 9.1 - this year's numbers were down, I believe 5.7? but in limited minutes

Dampier:
REBOUNDS - 7.6, 6.4, 5.8, 5.3, 6.6 - this years numbers were up, in more minutes

Shot-blocking has been about even or at least close.

 

[pokerface]

I think its a total copout for the Suns to say "We dont need Dampier because no one can stop Shaq and Shaq is no longer in the west" like all there is to the league is Shaq?? There are NUMEROUS bigs in the west either at the C of PF positions and I say Amare can use a lot more help in the frontcourt than just Voskhul and the newbie Lampe.

As far who we should give up for Dampier I dont want to get caught up in that but I want to say that we have many different players, contracts, and other assets that can be considered in a fair deal. We can spare some of our goods without feeling it much and Dampier seems like he would be a good fit so I dont know what the Suns are waiting on...More Scott Williams?? Jeesh lets do better!

 

[devilalum]

I think its a total copout for the Suns to say "We dont need Dampier because no one can stop Shaq and Shaq is no longer in the west" like all there is to the league is Shaq?? There are NUMEROUS bigs in the west either at the C of PF positions and I say Amare can use a lot more help in the frontcourt than just Voskhul and the newbie Lampe.

As far who we should give up for Dampier I dont want to get caught up in that but I want to say that we have many different players, contracts, and other assets that can be considered in a fair deal. We can spare some of our goods without feeling it much and Dampier seems like he would be a good fit so I dont know what the Suns are waiting on...More Scott Williams?? Jeesh lets do better!

Name 3 centers in the west that Amare or Voskuhl aren't big enough to cover?

 

[Joe Mama]

If Dampier would sign a reasonable contract I wouldn't be opposed to giving up Lampe, CJ, and possibly a draft pick to get him. The key is that he would have to agree to a reasonable contract. I wouldn't want the Suns to give all that up and have to pay him a starting salary over $7 million.

If the Suns could get Eric Dampier and a decent backup power forward I honestly think they would be right up there with San Antonio, Minnesota, and Sacramento as long as they could stay healthy.

Is it true that Dampier has knee problems? I've read that his knees are really bad, and that is one of the reasons that nobody has rushed out to sign him to a big contract. They said that he was playing in pain all season just to get that big contract.

Joe Mama

 

[elindholm]

They said that he was playing in pain all season just to get that big contract.

You'd think it would have been easier for him to coast for two years, pick up his extra $17 million, and then play hard in a contract year.

The "contract year" talk about Dampier is completely overblown, in my opinion. Maybe he dreamed that someone was going to give him a new deal for $80 million. But even if he did, walking away from $17 million to test the market is more than just a contract ploy. It's a strong statement that he wants out.

 

[cepstrum]

They said that he was playing in pain all season just to get that big contract.

You'd think it would have been easier for him to coast for two years, pick up his extra $17 million, and then play hard in a contract year.

The "contract year" talk about Dampier is completely overblown, in my opinion. Maybe he dreamed that someone was going to give him a new deal for $80 million. But even if he did, walking away from $17 million to test the market is more than just a contract ploy. It's a strong statement that he wants out.

Well if he had taken the 17 mill, he wouldve been 32 by the time the contract ended and there would've been a much smaller chance that anyone would give him a crazy extension. I think he played it smart for himself even if he doesnt get the huge contract he was hoping for. I mean that's guaranteed money we're talking about. I dont really think it's a matter of him wanting out of GS. I honestly think he will go to whoever is offering more.

I think the contract year talk is definetly an issue. The question is how big of an issue. We wont know that until next year.

 

[Goldfield]

They said that he was playing in pain all season just to get that big contract.

You'd think it would have been easier for him to coast for two years, pick up his extra $17 million, and then play hard in a contract year.

The "contract year" talk about Dampier is completely overblown, in my opinion. Maybe he dreamed that someone was going to give him a new deal for $80 million. But even if he did, walking away from $17 million to test the market is more than just a contract ploy. It's a strong statement that he wants out.

Thank you.... EVERYONE in prosports is gunna go harder in a contract year.

 

[Goldfield]

Michael Olowokandi could be had for much cheaper? He might not be great but has always been a good rebounder/shotblocker as well. In the same years...

Olowokandi:
REBOUNDS - 7.9, 8.2, 6.4, 8.9, 9.1 - this year's numbers were down, I believe 5.7? but in limited minutes

Dampier:
REBOUNDS - 7.6, 6.4, 5.8, 5.3, 6.6 - this years numbers were up, in more minutes

Shot-blocking has been about even or at least close.

Compairing these two is a joke. Candyman is SOFT. Dampier is mean & nasty! I have seen him play alot & he does alot more than just looking at his numbers. Damp has a presence in the middle.

Not only does he fit our need, but you bring him in to let your teams future superstar(Amare) take his game to the next level with the pressure Damp takes off him & Marion...

 

[Goldfield]

If Dampier would sign a reasonable contract I wouldn't be opposed to giving up Lampe, CJ, and possibly a draft pick to get him. The key is that he would have to agree to a reasonable contract. I wouldn't want the Suns to give all that up and have to pay him a starting salary over $7 million.

If the Suns could get Eric Dampier and a decent backup power forward I honestly think they would be right up there with San Antonio, Minnesota, and Sacramento as long as they could stay healthy.

Is it true that Dampier has knee problems? I've read that his knees are really bad, and that is one of the reasons that nobody has rushed out to sign him to a big contract. They said that he was playing in pain all season just to get that big contract.

Joe Mama

Were talking about a good big man... They are all overpaid. Dampier is worth 7-8 mill easy. He is one of the better centers in the league.

We gunna be over the cap next year regardless, get him in here and lest go after a title!

 

[Goldfield]

This Suns team is very young, too young with or without Damp to realistically compete for a title. I think some here are trying to build a championship team in one off-season. That simply doesn't happen (except maybe for the recent Lakers team but even then it took several years). I think the Suns management is wisely not trying to do too much in one off-season. We are improved, but I think we will know much more about our young players after this season. And if they develop as we all hope, the Suns are armed will plenty of assets and the MLE to solidify the center position next off-season.

Adding Nash & Damp gives this team much more veteran experance in the starting lineup.

Do you think Marion is to young? Amare too young to be dominante? JJ might be a questionmark because of his age, but with him & Q rotating were fine there also...

Adding Nash, Damp, Q, & Scott Williams in one offseason, without losing ANY of your core players makes this team primed to contend IMO.

Nash & Williams bring much needed leadership, Damps fills thw hole at 5, Q improves our depth & bench scoring. Great offseason IMO.

 

[PhxGametime]

I would want Dampier myself - I had him and Stromile Swift as two Free Agents I wanted after Nash... I do like Richardson pickup though. I do think however that is overpaying - I wouldn't include Maciej Lampe in a deal. For the Marion proposals, I'd only trade Marion if Mickael Pietrus was included and that won't happen. Mike Dunleavy could be had and I'd think about it but losing Marion and adding Dunleavy on perimeter would hurt. I will be Suns fan regardless - I just happen to be a big Shawn Marion fan...

I don't have much time to think about it but a 3-way trade sending: Milos Vujanic to Charlotte; Charlotte Draft pick, Howard Eisley, Bulls Draft Pick, Suns 2nd Round Pick (Orlando) and Casey Jacobsen to Golden State; Erick Dampier to Phoenix

Suns get a center. Bobcats gets starting PG. Warriors get plenty of Draft picks more-so than players...