Marion to Utah?

[Ollie]

Those numbers are plenty realistic, except maybe the assists. He averaged 16/8/3/3/2 in 03-04, which was his last healthy season, and adding a couple more rebounds per game would be easy given the Suns' pace. (Kirilenko also played alongside Malone that year.)

It's the "if he stays reasonably healthy" part that is the big question mark.

Especially since "reasonably healthy" means playing 30 to 35 mns per game for 70 to 75 games, something that happened only once in his 6 years career.

 

[Goldfield]

Wow I am scared of Marion in the playoffs.

lmao

 

[Griffin]

This thread should be in the main board, as it is an official rumor.

I don't like it for a number of reasons:

• Heath: 41, 69, 70 vs. 80, 81, 81 games played the last three seasons. With our depth issues, at least Marion is someone we can count on to play pretty much every game.
• AK47 seems pretty fragile emotionally.
• Marion fits a lot better in our system than Andrei.
• Playoff games played: 26 vs. 65
• Rebounds: 6.2 vs. 10.0 career avg. One of the worst rebounding teams in the league should not be trading its best rebounder for a guy who can't rebound.

If a trade like this goes down, again I will say that it's mostly due to purported internal friction between Marion and whoever (Amare?). But we would take a big step back with this move.

 

[JS22]

I’m not sure what you mean by, “Sadly, the trade also works as a straight up deal so the reality of it sets in.” The salary numbers work, but that’s the only way that the trade makes sense straight-up. The Suns would have to get additional compensation, at least Milsap or a pick. Kirilenko’s contract is bad and he can’t stay healthy.

IF Kirilenko could return to his max contract form, a trade could make the Suns better, but it would put even more pressure on Hill.

I’d guess that the rumor is bogus, or maybe started by Kirilenko’s camp, since he is unhappy in Utah. D’Antoni loves Marion and wouldn’t agree to a trade unless it was a slamdunk for the Suns.

Rumors like this are usually bogus. But I find it odd that KTAR is reporting it nearly being finalized. So there's obviously something to it.

 

[Chaplin]

Guys, AzCentral is reporting that this was discussed a month ago. There's nothing impending and nothing that is happening right now. This is just a report that it was talked about several weeks ago, not that something is happening soon.

 

[Gaddabout]

Kirilenko is a good fit as an undersized 4 and a liability at 3. It's why the Jazz would consider him expendable.

His problems offensively is most of his offense comes from a weak back-to-the-basket game. He should have a better face-up game because he's quicker than most of the 4's he plays against, but he's inconsistent.

 

[fordronken]

In our system, he could average 16pts/10rbds/5asts/3blks/2stls if he stays reasonably healthy.

If he averaged that, this trade would be a huge steal. Those are remarkable numbers.

 

[Griffin]

Guys, AzCentral is reporting that this was discussed a month ago. There's nothing impending and nothing that is happening right now. This is just a report that it was talked about several weeks ago, not that something is happening soon.

Yeah, just read that too. That's good, imo. I hope they do not try to resurrect this trade proposal. Especially since it doesn't really help from financial standpoint either. So I wonder why they even talked about it in the first place? I would guess Utah initiated the proposal.

 

[fordronken]

Giricek is awful, so the only reason to do that would be the opportunity to dump Banks. Banks could potentially work out under Sloan, so I guess it's not an impossibility.

Well, it's basically a Marion for Kirilekno/Millsap trade, but in which we can save more money down the line.

 

[YouJustGotSUNSD]

It's being discussed on Utah radio as well, as per Realgm and ESPN boards.

 

[YouJustGotSUNSD]

Realistically, Utah wont give up Milsap. Theyll throw Collins and a pick in before milsap.

 

[elindholm]

There is no such thing as an "official rumor." The very concept of "rumor" denies accountability.

The speculation is interesting, but I'd be amazed if this goes anywhere. As I said before, it's probably wishful thinking from Kirilenko's camp.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Here are some Jazz fan comments:

An absolute no-brainer for Utah, even with Marion's opt-out. It gives Utah a true chance at a championship.

For Phoenix, AK must be attractive for his prior success at PF. Phoenix lost Kurt Thomas and have Diaw and Alando Tucker to play the 3.

Marion was top 20 in defensive rebounds and blocks--yes, blocks--per 48. He was fifth in overall blocks.

Marion's efficiency per 48 last season was just shy of AK's career high EP48 in 2004-05.

I'll believe it when I see it.

Give Phoenix whatever they want--the New York pick, Ronnie Price , Collins , whatever.

maybe it's Giricek and Kirilenko for Marion?

I do like how Marion seems to play ALL season without injury

Yes. Because, unlike AK, he can connect on a trei once in a while.

I thought the same thing last year. AK will return. However, the simple fact is AK has declined for 4 years now when he should just now be peaking.

There is no guarentee Marion would opt out after the year beyond that. Marion > AK. And if not, the Jazz gain a little money back if Marion opts out. You almost have to do it. AK has done his job, but if Phoenix is willing, then you simply do it.

Didn't really make this clear in my first post, but I would do this trade. Even if Marion doesn't work out here, having more financial flexibility down the road sounds good. But I think Phoenix would want to package in Marcus Banks and his contract. Ultimately I think it would look something like this -

Phoenix trades Marion, Banks
Utah trades AK, Gira, 1st round pick and maybe Brewer

That being said I would still be very surprised if Phoenix were willing to do this.

Wow....

Kirilenko is so despised by the Jazz fans they would be willing to just rent Marion for a year to be out of his contract.

Sign me up Steve Kerr!

 

[elindholm]

Interesting that none of the Jazz fans are ponying up Millsap. They must be very high on him.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Interesting that none of the Jazz fans are ponying up Millsap. They must be very high on him.

I'm very high on him.

 

[Rab]

There is no way the Suns are getting Milsap in this deal. He proved to be too valuable of a big off the bench for them last year, and Jerry Sloan loves him. Collins maybe. My cousin is a Jazz fan, and he said he would LOVE this trade as well.

Personally, I don't like the deal, and I think there is better out there if they are looking to deal Marion. AK is injured too often, and we might have the "all most likely to be injured" team in the league. I do like how he plays, and I think he kind of got lost in the shuffle with Boozer, Williams, and Okur playing great ball together, but he's just as fragile as Marion.

There would have to be another driving force to get this deal done. Either Marion REALLY wants out, or Sarver REALLY wants to shed this payroll even more. Both are valid reasons for getting something done.

 

[Rab]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Uy6JMCdFSM

might want to mute it though...


Euro highlights

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFL1RRRow_E
who sings this song?

I believe it's Outkast. I'd have to pop in Madden 04 again to know for sure because it was on that game.

 

[Black Jesus]

i would take Jason Hart, A-K, and Brewer for Marion and Banks.

 

[YouJustGotSUNSD]

With no sign of any obvious violation, the ESPN message board thread about ak/marion got removed...

You must be registered for see images

 

[cly2tw]

Marion only struggled against Spurs, but with Okur and Boozer there... and we ever matched up against Jazz.. do you put Kirilenko on Marion?... then who covers Boozer and Okur?.. Amare, Boris?.. Hill?... Okur already kills us every time he plays us, Boozer too... then you add in Marion... with our pace and with Willams there... Marion would THRIVE against us.

Again, with the exception of Spurs, Marion has put up impressive numbers, close to his regular season numbers against everyone else. Lakers, well, Odom literally took him inside a lot and he struggled a bit. But with Okur, Boozer there, they would guard the interior while Marion will be the pesky roaming defender... he'd do well against us, thats very likely.

We definitely will put Nash on Marion. Then, Raja can work on Williams. We win big. Case closed.

 

[F-Dog]

The trade that made sense at the beginning of the summer was Kirilenko/Harpring for Marion/Banks. Now that the Jazz have signed Ronnie Price and Jason Hart, there's no upside for them in taking Banks.


If the Suns don't want to re-sign Marion, Kirilenko is the closest thing to him. Both players are best at PF, so the Jazz won't see as much benefit as their fans think--the Suns would be selling high and and buying low, so to speak.

The benefit of Kirilenko is his maturity, which is off the charts--he'd immediately and significantly improve with D'Antoni's less-structured sets. The downside to getting AK is injuries, obviously.



Really, AK plus a pick might be enough for the Suns. They'd lose nearly $3m from their salary sheet this year (hello, P.J. Brown) and would be gaining the younger player with the longer contract.

If Marion leaves Utah, they'll have the cap space for another big free agent, but if he leaves the Suns, they'd have to try to replace him with the MLE...

 

[slinslin]

^^ I could see Marion trying to post up Nash.

 

[elindholm]

If the only way to get Brown is clearing $3 million in tax-free salary for him, then you have to do Marion for Kirilenko and Brown.

 

[elindholm]

^^ I could see Marion trying to post up Nash.

Yeah, and fumbling the ball out of bounds 1/3 of the time, and bricking his layup attempts off the short iron another 1/3 of the time. Bring it on.

 

[slinslin]

I believe it's Outkast. I'd have to pop in Madden 04 again to know for sure because it was on that game.

Yeah it was Madden Soundtrack but not Outkast its Bubba Sparxxx - Back in the Mud.