Lue believes he will sign with Suns

[Mainstreet]

Didn't they also unload AC Green's contract in that trade?

Yes. In another trade AC Green was traded to the Mavericks in the Jason Kidd trade to Phoenix. I just can't remember all the other parts. Finley sounds like a familiar name

Green was traded two months into the 1996–97 season to the Dallas Mavericks in the deal that brought Jason Kidd to Phoenix.

Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A.C._Green

It seems in so many ways the Suns and Mavericks have been in the same orbital path for a long time... even if they do not like it.

 

[Irish]

I have no idea what is going on with Lue. One curious story is that a number of years ago Shaq lent/gave him some money.

It struck me that I know of no rule that says a player can't give another player money. If Shaq was really interested in getting another ring, he might find it worth his while to hire his own PG.

 

[devilalum]

Yes. In another trade AC Green was traded to the Mavericks in the Jason Kidd trade to Phoenix. I just can't remember all the other parts. Finley sounds like a familiar name



Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A.C._Green

It seems in so many ways the Suns and Mavericks have been in the same orbital path for a long time... even if they do not like it.

Xmas Eve

 

[devilalum]

You must be registered for see images

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[Irish]

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/basketball/heat/sfl-0714miamiheat,0,1917039.story

Tyronn Lue departs without Miami Heat offer

By Ira Winderman | South Florida Sun-Sentinel 2:52 PM EDT, July 14, 2008 MIAMI - The courtship of Tyronn Lue proved fleeting for the Heat, with the free-agent point guard bypassing a scheduled physical with the team.

Lue, who had been scheduled for the 5:30 a.m. physical today to answer questions about a calf problem that limited him last season, backed out of the plans shortly after attending the Zo's Summer Groove charity game Sunday.

Heat General Manager Randy Pfund said the Heat had no plans to issue an offer to Lue, 31, and indicated the team would wait until later in the offseason to possibly utilize its $1.9 million lower-level exception, its lone remaining salary-cap chip.

"We're kind of in a wait mode," Pfund said.

At today's formal introduction of free-agent forward James Jones, whose signing ate up most of the team's offseason salary-cap exception space, Pfund said the Heat now would "watch what happens here for a little while" before making another personnel move.

Lue said Sunday he had narrowed his free-agent choice to the Heat, Boston Celtics and Phoenix Suns. At the time, Lue said the decision would be difficult because of his friendship with Boston's Kevin Garnett and Phoenix's Shaquille O'Neal, his former Los Angeles Lakers championship teammate.

Lue had previously been seen as leaning toward the Suns.

The 6-foot guard split last season between the Hawks, Kings and Mavericks, although the calf injury kept him from suiting up for Sacramento. The 10-year veteran has also played for the Wizards, Magic and Rockets.

My guess is that the Heat initially mininformed Lue's agent about using the LLE. Once it became clear that the Heat were not willing to make a committment, at that point they pulled out of the workout. He's recovering from a an injury, so why risk looking bad if there is nothing at stake.

 

[YouJustGotSUNSD]

We already have been discussing that Irish, Miami Hearld article on the last page...

 

[Irish]

We already have been discussing that Irish, Miami Hearld article on the last page...

I may have missed it, since it was the bottom item on the last page. In any case, this is a different article.

 

[Mainstreet]

This makes me feel more hopeful about Lue coming to the Suns. There's nothing quite like getting rejected (at least temporarily) to get the juices flowing.

 

[elindholm]

In other words:

Now that Lue knows his injury hasn't healed enough for him to pass a physical, he'll go ahead and join the Suns.

 

[SirStefan32]

In other words:

Now that Lue knows his injury hasn't healed enough for him to pass a physical, he'll go ahead and join the Suns.

Exactly.

 

[Kolo]

Now that Lue knows his injury hasn't healed enough for him to pass a physical, he'll go ahead and join the Suns.

or he never intended to sign with Miami, and he spread misinformation trying to get the Suns to offer more than the minimum.

 

[scXfreakX]

Well whatever the case, this is all helping the case for Lue coming to the Suns. Make it happen!

 

[Irish]

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/2008/07/14/20080714suns0715.html

Lue update


It appeared that the Suns had new competition for free-agent point guard Tyronn Lue's services when he told Miami reporters Sunday that he expected the Heat to make an offer after a Monday physical.

The Heat made it known they were not making an offer, and Lue changed plans, leaving Miami without taking a physical. Now the Suns appear to be good shape with Lue. He is scheduled to meet with Suns officials in Las Vegas this week.

Last week, Lue said, "I think we're going to get it done in Phoenix."
The main competition for Lue remains Boston, which also is believed to be offering a one-year veteran minimum deal worth $1.26 million. Suns center Shaquille O'Neal has called Lue, his friend and former teammate, to make a recruiting pitch, but Lue also is longtime friends with Boston star Kevin Garnett. Lue stays at Garnett's Malibu home each summer for workouts.
The Suns made Lue their top free-agency target. They have a payroll limitation to offer only a minimum deal.

 

[Proteus]

Ugh...not good enough even for the Heat yet the Suns want him.

It seems to me that if the Suns add Lue that'll put Strawberry and Tucker down to the 10th/11th spot. I thought the Suns wanted to give them a lot more playing time this season and that doesn't seem like it'll actually happen with such a low spot in the rotation.

 

[Irish]

The Suns really want a veteran behind Nash. Neither Strawberry nor Dragic qualify.

The Heat are hoping they can get Dooling for the LLE. Dooling hopes to get a much better offer, but may not have any choice. The Heat are not going to sign Lue if they continue to hope to get Dooling.

Does this mean Lue is not worth having? Some of this relates to team needs. Lue is fast and is comfortable in an up tempo game. He's not a big half court guy like Dooling nor an old style PG for the Magic's game (team that added Anthony Johnson).

In any case, getting concerned that a VET MIN guy is not an outstanding prospect is simply unrealistic. Lue is role player and a stop gap until Strawberry and/or Dragic develop.

 

[Mainstreet]

I'm just worried if the Suns can get Lue signed.

 

[Irish]

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/120908

Suns struggling to find a backup point guard


Jerry Brown, Tribune

The Suns knew they faced an uphill battle when it came to luring free agents with nothing more than veteran's minimum contracts.

And the climb continues, especially when it comes to finding a capable backup to Steve Nash at point guard.
First, Chris Duhon was quickly snapped up by the New York Knicks. Then Anthony Johnson signed a two-year deal with Orlando Tuesday for the biennial exception of $1.9 million a year, something the Suns can't match.

That leaves Tyronn Lue as the last name on Phoenix's original wish list. Lue is still keeping in close contact with the Suns, and the team remains optimistic that something will get done. But the Boston Celtics and at least one other team are still talking to him as well.

Lue also took a look at Miami, which has its biennial exception to offer, over the weekend, but he didn't show up for a scheduled physical on Monday.

The Miami Herald reported that the Heat - who have ex-Sun Marcus Banks and rookie Mario Chalmers at the point, have decided to shop elsewhere. Lue's flirtation could have been an attempt to see if Phoenix was willing come up a bit from the $1,262,000 veteran's minimum deal, but the Suns are holding firm out of necessity, citing further hits from the luxury tax that the NBA charges teams with high payrolls.

Even if Lue signs with the Suns, they might not be done shopping for a point guard if rookie Goran Dragic doesn't reach the NBA next season. One player of interest is former Clipper Shaun Livingston, on the comeback trail after missing the last 17 months following a horrific left knee injury.

One of the league's bright up-and-coming point guards, Livingston crumpled on a drive to the basket, and he injured nearly every part of his left knee (torn anterior cruciate ligament, posterior cruciate ligament and lateral meniscus, a sprained medial cruciate ligament and a dislocated patella tendon).

Livingston hasn't played since. Still only 22, he was cleared to resume basketball activities just last month. But he wasn't able to show his progress in the Vegas Summer League and hasn't worked out for teams.

The Suns also have D.J. Strawberry, who is gaining confidence at the point guard spot and looked good in a 22-point Summer League effort against the Houston Rockets on Monday.

"He showed much more leadership and a firm grasp of what we were trying to accomplish offensively," Suns vice president of basketball operations David Griffin said. "From a point guard perspective, he's made some real strides in the offseason."

BONUS SHOTS: Strawberry injured his tailbone in the 100-97 loss to Houston and played only two minutes in the first of two scrimmages Tuesday before calling it a day. His availability for the next Summer League game, Thursday against San Antonio, is undetermined. Alando Tucker was also limited on Tuesday after suffering a calf strain against Houston. ...

Reports of interest in former Magic guard Keyon Dooling are unfounded. The Orlando Sentinel reported that Dooling, who made $3.6 million last season, was insulted when he was offered the same two-year, $3.8 million deal that Johnson took

I'm not sure what they expect from Livingston. "injured nearly every part of his left knee (torn anterior cruciate ligament, posterior cruciate ligament and lateral meniscus, a sprained medial cruciate ligament and a dislocated patella tendon)."

 

[Mainstreet]

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/120908



I'm not sure what they expect from Livingston. "injured nearly every part of his left knee (torn anterior cruciate ligament, posterior cruciate ligament and lateral meniscus, a sprained medial cruciate ligament and a dislocated patella tendon)."

You are too critical George. He has another leg. Patch up the injured leg and he will be just fine.

Seriously, maybe the Suns medical staff believe his injured leg can still improve significantly. If signed, I think the Suns would probably want to continue medical treatment and rehab, then see what they have. Shaun could still be a nice PG if he he could just recover say 75% or more of his past athletic ability. I like his height which would help a diminished physical capacity.

 

[Chaplin]

Hey, if New York does what's expected and buys out Stephon Marbury, how about him for a backup to Steve Nash? LOL

 

[Mainstreet]

Hey, if New York does what's expected and buys out Stephon Marbury, how about him for a backup to Steve Nash? LOL

Why not. He gave a full effort when he played for Phoenix and he is undoubtedly better than Lue and some others.

 

[Irish]

It is hard to imagine the Suns taking Marbury. Right now it looks like the Celtics is his most likely destination if he's released.

My feeling about Stephon is that he's too much like Iverson, only less willing to play off the ball. He's main strength was on isolation plays, often with a pick assist. He couldn't run a classic pick and roll or pick and pop; nor could he execute the ally oop pass. He's a career 32.6% three point shooter, but still takes a lot of three point shots.

It did not take D'Antoni much time to determine that Marbury wouldn't or couldn't push the ball. He might do OK with the slower paced Celtics, but he'd have to make some major changes if was to be useful to the Suns. I'd be very leary of taking on his baggage.

 

[Mainstreet]

It is hard to imagine the Suns taking Marbury. Right now it looks like the Celtics is his most likely destination if he's released.

My feeling about Stephon is that he's too much like Iverson, only less willing to play off the ball. He's main strength was on isolation plays, often with a pick assist. He couldn't run a classic pick and roll or pick and pop; nor could he execute the ally oop pass. He's a career 32.6% three point shooter, but still takes a lot of three point shots.

It did not take D'Antoni much time to determine that Marbury wouldn't or couldn't push the ball. He might do OK with the slower paced Celtics, but he'd have to make some major changes if was to be useful to the Suns. I'd be very leary of taking on his baggage.

I'm just talking about a backup PG here... not a starter.

 

[YouJustGotSUNSD]

Marbury would rather play in Italy than be a backup in the NBA.

I'd take 3 artests over one marbury to be honest.

 

[95pro]

Marbury would rather play in Italy than be a backup in the NBA.

I'd take 3 artests over one marbury to be honest.

im with you on that.

 

[Mainstreet]

Marbury would rather play in Italy than be a backup in the NBA.

I'd take 3 artests over one marbury to be honest.

Who wouldn't. However, the problem is the Suns do not have a backup PG for Nash... their primary off season goal. IMO, Nash is not going to make it through the season without a lot more rest. If Nash breaks down... well might as well start rebuilding now.