KTAR Reporting: Steve Kerr Not Returning as GM.

[SunsTzu]

I'm not even certain Sarver owns half the team. There are 15 partners in Suns Legacy Group, one of which is Steve Kerr. If Sarver were hurting that much, I'm certain Jenny Craig, Steven Hilton, or any number of others could bail him out and help him divest his interest in the team.

Heard he controlled little over 30% when the team was purchased not sure if it's accurate.

As far as GM salaries. The league average is 1.5mil per but interestingly some guys take less than market value to run the team. Sam Presti was the lowest paid GM when he signed with the Sonics shunning more lucrative deals because he wanted total control. Pat Riley is currently the lowest paid, but again has complete control of the team.

 

[Treesquid PhD]

I have not had time to read the zillion posts done on this topic. so my thoughts are probably repeating other posts.

1. SARVER WANTED KERR TO TAKE A SALARY CUT: I don't know what he was making nor what Sarver asked. But if what I'm hearing, Kerr was just insulted and decided to go to go to TNT because of Sarver.

2. IT IS NOT CLEAR THIS HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH STAT: Maybe it does, but it not clear that Kerr and Sarver disagree on Stat or even if they do, which is wants to keep Amare and which doesn't.

3. TRADE NEGOTIATIONS WILL BE LIMITED FOR A WHILE: Sarver has not proven he knows anything about making trades and even less about sign and trade deals. His decision to hire Kerr after D'Antoni proved to be a disaster as a GM suggests he knows this.

4. GRIFFIN LIKELY TO RUN THE SUNS DRAFT: The draft is generallly a "collective" activity for the Suns. The strategy is likely to continue whatever ranking they currently have, so Griffin may have only a limited voice in this.

5. THE FREE AGENTS SEARCH MAY BE VERY LIMITED. As much as guys like Morrow or Tolliver might be good pickups for the Suns, not having a GM may mean the opportunity will be lost.

Sarver has always been really really defensive about his cheap label. If anything I almost expect the opposite....Sarver will want to make a splash. I don't think he will have any delusions of grander that he can run a draft. If he does then we are fcked

 

[Tyler]

Sarver has always been really really defensive about his cheap label. If anything I almost expect the opposite....Sarver will want to make a splash. I don't think he will have any delusions of grander that he can run a draft. If he does then we are fcked

A splash by putting a for sale sign in the concrete infront of USAC>

 

[Irish]

A splash by putting a for sale sign in the concrete infront of USAC>

We can hope.

 

[HooverDam]

Not even close to the same thing, but I'm sure you understand that.

No its not different at all. I'm very knowledgeable about NBA history, read dozens of books on the subject, watched hours and hours of film on it, and I can say that if the Suns won that coin flip they would've had a very strong shot at winning a title.

Winning championships is the only measure of success in sports. Sorry, but that's the reality. Nobody remembers the losers.

I don't think anyone ever forgot the 76 or 93 Suns, I dont think anyone will forget the Nash era Suns either. So this point is flatly incorrect.

That's because what I said is true.

Haha, what a great retort. "Well Im not smart enough or elequent enough to explain why Im right and I know Im wrong, so Ill just demand Im right"

Cutting payroll means getting rid of salary for nothing. The guys making big money at that point were KT, Nash, Amare, and Marion. Guys like Raja and Marcus Banks (not tradeable) were also making decent cash. Who else did you suppose he get rid of in the offseason to cut salary?

Damn you're the master of missing the point. He traded away 2 picks and KT for nothing. The 2 picks is the problem I have, not trading away KT necessarily. Very few other GMs (Kevin McHale, Isiah Thomas maybe) would've gotten bent over as badly as Kerr did in that deal.

They never thought that. Cleveland traded for Shaq to appease Lebron. After flaming out in Miami and Phoenix nobody in the NBA GM or owner wanted him especially at his salary.

Im glad you're a mind reader and know exactly what the Cavs front office was thinking. Of course every article at the time of the trade contradicts what you're saying, but lets not let get facts in the way.

Sorry, it's pretty tough to argue with D'Antoni defenders. It's so blatantly obvious he's a fraud, don't know what to tell you.

"D'Antoni is a bad coach. Why? I say so" great reasoning!

Just get over yourself and your blind UofA love for the guy. He was a C- or C GM during his tenure and anyone being objective would agree. He started doing better ,made a few good moves, but you don't hold him accountable for anything. You live in this bizarre world in which Robert Sarver is responsible for everything bad and Kerr is responsible for the good it seems. Of course D'Antoni was the GM (a bad one) too but somehow his bad decisions were his fault. Anytime Kerr makes a mistake, he was forced to.

You can't have it both ways. Sarver stinks, I dont think anyone will disagree, but Kerr made some horrifically bad moves while he was GM. He did very little to help set this team up for the post Nash future and made the team less strong during his tenure. Why any of that should be lauded is a mystery to any thinking person.

 

[Gaddabout]

I hope your wrong Matt.

About what?

 

[Tyler]

About what?

Alot of people hating the Suns forever.

 

[PDXChris]

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=162477175546


HAHAHA

...and so it begins.

 

[chickenhead]

I have no idea what's going on behind the scenes, but in a way this just looks like Kerr being smart to me. His stock has literally never been higher as a GM than it is RIGHT NOW. His earlier miscues--for which most think Sarver shares responsibility--have been recitifed. His later moves are given credit for taking the team to the conference finals.

If he knows that Amare will walk without a sign-and-trade or other adequate replacement, then he knows Phoenix will likely not return to the conference finals. If he thinks Sarver's financial concerns will limit his abilities as GM, then he knows his stock will go down. Even if it's leading up to a sale that will make a lot of us fans happy, it still makes his stock go down in the near-term, and being that he's Sarver's guy, guarantees him no job security with the new regime.

If there is another GM job that he wants--or he simply knows that he will want another GM job--this might be the best move at the best time he can possibly make. It doesn't matter whether he intends to announce, spend all histime with family, or anything else. Doing nothing at all might be smarter than being dragged down from the peak he just reached.

 

[Mainstreet]

After reading the azcentral article today written by Paul Coro dated June 16th, 2010 there is every indication Kerr's departure was all about the money. IMO, the quotes below substantiate it. Kerr returns to television only because Sarver would not pay the money. The last quote below particularly settles it. I wouldn't be surprised if Kerr bypassed television altogether if he got a better GM offer. Wouldn't that kick mud in the Suns face.

Kerr and Suns Managing Partner Robert Sarver negotiated through Monday. Kerr was offered a one-year contract to stay at his current salary or a three-year deal that would repeat his previous one except for adding a third-year bonus. That meant Kerr's first-year salary would be a cut of about 10 percent from last season, when his salary ranked in the upper one-third of West GMs.

It sounds like Kerr wants to stay but money is the issue.

"It (money) was a small part of it," Sarver said. "I'm not sure it was a part of it at all."

Are you sure Mr. Sarver.

Kerr will keep a Suns ownership stake and hopes to return to the NBA as a GM or coach. He became part of the Suns after his University of Arizona coach, Lute Olson, introduced him to Sarver in 2004.

This says a lot.

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/2010/06/16/20100616phoenix-suns-kerr-ON.html

 

[SunsTzu]

Curious as to why he'd keep ownership stake if he wants another shot as GM or coach. He'll be forced to sell if he goes to another team anyway.

 

[Mainstreet]

Curious as to why he'd keep ownership stake if he wants another shot as GM or coach. He'll be forced to sell if he goes to another team anyway.

Kerr could always sell his ownership in the Suns if he so desired. I think what Kerr was saying, in so many words, he would take another GM position with the right team and he was not all about television. I think something like this could even occur this offseason. In so many ways this reminds me of the BC situation... that Sarver was not willing to pay a good GM their due.

I thought I would never be an advocate for Steve Kerr, but he has proven to be a good GM long term.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

It won't be Griffin. He's leaving as well. All I can say right now.

whoa. okay, now i'm concerned. are the rats all jumping ship b/c they know it's going down? we have the new sterling. great.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

If everything I heard today happens, by July a lot of you will disown the Suns forever.

oh man. i have a love/hate relationship with your cryptic notes.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Yeah, does seem like there are some people walking both sides of the fence.

If some of these reports are true it sounds like the Suns are finally throwing in the towel and doing the full rebuild. It would be nice to have a quality GM if that is the case.

if that's what they're doing they better trade nash and hill for some usable pieces/draft picks. i expect to still get quality return on nash and maybe a late first for hill. firesale is unacceptable unless sarver is selling to a deep pockets purchaser (please god!).

 

[joshstmarie]

whoa. okay, now i'm concerned. are the rats all jumping ship b/c they know it's going down? we have the new sterling. great.

Griff has been rumored to be leaving for quite a while now.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

oh, wow, I didn't even think of the possibility of them moving the team to San Diego... but there ain't NO WAY that's happening. we would have heard grumblings about this for a while.

although, maybe he starts pining for a new stadium... that would be the first tell-tale sign.

like I said, I can't wait to see what happens next.

yeah, moving the team never dawned on me . . . and it could be something that would make me hate the suns forever. i think even chap may agree with that. hellooooo clippers! or maybe thunder!

 

[Chaplin]

yeah, moving the team never dawned on me . . . and it could be something that would make me hate the suns forever. i think even chap may agree with that. hellooooo clippers! or maybe thunder!

The team moving out of Phoenix would be the ultimate nightmare. I can't even comprehend what that would be like.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

The team moving out of Phoenix would be the ultimate nightmare. I can't even comprehend what that would be like.

so maybe you'll back off on the "i'll always be a suns fan no matter what" comment? looks like someone on the board came up with a scenario where we all might hate the suns forever afterall. yeesh. this is so drastic i can't really give it legitimate thought.

 

[joshstmarie]

Don't you think you guys are overreacting....alot? Teams don't just pack up an leave after winning an average of 50ish games a year. The last teams I can remember moving were Seattle and Vancouver who were terrible for an extended amount of time. Seattle also left because of arena implications but sarver just dumped a huge amount of money into giving "AWA" a facelift. I highly doubt moving the team is in the plans.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Don't you think you guys are overreacting....alot? Teams don't just pack up an leave after winning an average of 50ish games a year. The last teams I can remember moving were Seattle and Vancouver who were terrible for an extended amount of time. Seattle also left because of arena implications but sarver just dumped a huge amount of money into giving "AWA" a facelift. I highly doubt moving the team is in the plans.

agreed.

however, just for fun, can you imagine how much MORE Phoenix would hate David Stern if he let that happen? Dude would probably become more hated in Phoenix than Hitler in Israel!

 

[Irish]

if that's what they're doing they better trade nash and hill for some usable pieces/draft picks. i expect to still get quality return on nash and maybe a late first for hill. firesale is unacceptable unless sarver is selling to a deep pockets purchaser (please god!).

Why does anyone think they can get high pick/picks for Hill . He plays on one year deals. Why trade for him if he's just going to return to the Suns the next year... or retirel.

Nash has two years on his contract:

2010-11 $10.3 million
2011-12 $11.7 million

Thats kind of high for a role player.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Why does anyone think they can get high pick/picks for Hill . He plays on one year deals. Why trade for him if he's just going to return to the Suns the next year... or retirel.

Nash has two years on his contract:

2010-11 $10.3 million
2011-12 $11.7 million

Thats kind of high for a role player.

one of the rare times I agree with George. We can't get squat for Hill... and is it even for sure that Hill has re-upped with us yet? I wouldn't be surprised if he changed his mind.

As to Nash, he's still got value and I can think of a couple teams that could use him (Cleveland if LeBron stays, NY if Lebron goes there, Toronto who's probably dying for ANYTHING to draw fans... maybe more.) Hell, even though the Blazers made a bone-head move picking up Andre Miller, I STILL think putting Nash on that team in the back-court with Roy would make them near unbeatable. Nash could easily run the pick and roll with Aldridge, and Portland's bevy of big-men can cover for Nash's defensive liabilities. Plus, they actually have some nice young talent who we could take back. Same could probably be said for the Magic. You substitute out Jamir Nelson (who I think is incredibly over-rated and can't run an offense to save his life) and throw Nash on that team and they're title bound.

Hell, throw Nash on that Hawks team with a re-signed JJ and they'd be pretty good too.

 

[mojorizen7]

IMO Hill is joined at the hip with Nash in terms of his future here. Nash goes...Hill leaves,Nash stays....Hill stays.

My opinion is that Sarver is going to dumb down and sell. If so,i'll finally get my wish as far as blowing up the Nash/Amare core but unfortunately i'd hoped Kerr would be on hand to take us thru that due to his understanding of what it takes.

If the team moves(God forbid) im not sure where my loyalties would go.
It was different when the Rams left LA,they moved in order to survive as a franchise and my loyalties went with them..... $arvers Suns aren't backed into that corner.

Don't want to think about that scenario.

edit; As for Nash, i don't think there's any doubt he goes to Canada or somewhere in the vicinity. IMO Nash isn't going to go chasing a title like so many other older vets have.

 

[Gaddabout]

oh man. i have a love/hate relationship with your cryptic notes.

I totally understand. I'm dying to roll out what I've heard. It's one of the downsides of working in the media but not having my own official outlet -- I hear what others won't report, and it's tantalizing. I suppose I put what I did just so others will feel as crappy as I do. Misery loves company.

Just to clarify so we don't have a run on suicides:

- Moving the team isn't an issue. Not right now anyway. That's in the back of the minds of anyone who knows anything about this ownership. They're almost entirely all in San Diego. But they have a decent arena deal in a moderately new arena and a fan base that's still relatively committed. They're not stupid. These are people that understand the relationship between that and stability. And I seriously doubt the NBA would let them unless the arena became an unbearable burden, and even then I seriously doubt the NBA wants to put another team in San Diego. They already own that market with the Lakers and the Clippers. They don't need a team in that market to own it, and it's failed before. Neither do I think they want to lose the No. 12 TV market. (San Diego is No. 31, I think).

- The big problem right now is front office morale. The family that Colangelo built is long gone. Money is beyond tight. Budgets are shrinking. Management style is unbearable.

- Based on what I've been told, I'm just expecting massive churn in basketball ops. There's no way to really predict how that will impact the team, the players, or the coaching staff, but it's done nothing to instill confidence in anyone that this is a franchise going the right direction. If you're not under contract for more than a year and you work for the Suns, you've spent a lot of time on your resume the past month.