Bob Kemp on KDUS was all but pushing the Jones trade, although he agreed with a caller that Gooden would not be a good pickup.
Bob Kemp actually admitted something I've suspected which is that he is not a fan of NBA basketball. He "follows it" because it is his job, but that's it.
This comment explains a lot. He simply doesn't care enough to get his facts correct. Everyone makes mistakes, but his were clearly from not actually watching the games or paying attention if they were on.
1. Claimed Shawn Marion Will Return to Play SF When Amare Comes Back: Shawn has been playing SF all season, with Boris at PF. Lately James Jones has been used at PF when Boris or KT is out, since he is better defending inside guys than he does outside guys. If Bob Kemp had actually watched the games, he might have picked on that.
2. Said The Suns Have To Trade Jones To Clear Cap Space To Sign Diaw and Barbosa. Maybe someday, but the most the Suns can do is sign these two to extensions next season, which won't go into effect the following season.
Why deal now? It sounded like he thinks there is some big man with an expiring contract would could be acquired using JJax's expiring contract along with Jones. The two combine for roughly $5 million. Who does he have in mind? He said he was going to say who he thought would be worth getting, but somehow neglected to mention names (as far as I could tell)
I looked through the list of guys with expiring contracts and no one jumps out. I guess Ely would fit at $2.4 million or Tony Battie at $5 million (using Jones and JJax). I'm not sure either are a fit for the Suns style of play.
This last point is something Bob Kemp does not seem to get. He cannot understand why the Suns don't use a conventional lineup.