Marion to Utah?

[slinslin]

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...

No way..

Okur, Boozer and they will have to extend Williams soon.

 

[cly2tw]

Marion, Banks, Piakowski for AK, Brewer, Girecek sounds fair.

 

[Mainstreet]

I haven't read the whole discussion about Marion versus Kirilenko, however, I've always thought AK played bigger than his height. When healthy, I've seen AK dominate the Suns inside. He can be an especially good shot blocker. I would say in a pinch he could play all three frontline positions.

 

[F-Dog]

No way..

Okur, Boozer and they will have to extend Williams soon.

I don't know what the Jazz are planning to spend long-term, but if Marion ditches them next year, their 'big three' are still under contract, and they're looking at $35m on the books, which should be enough to start a FA at $12m.

 

[cly2tw]

No way..

Okur, Boozer and they will have to extend Williams soon.

If Marion opted out next year, they'd have the window to sign another FA to big money before extending Williams.

 

[Rab]

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

You're right. Thanks for the correction!

 

[slinslin]

If Marion opted out next year, they'd have the window to sign another FA to big money before extending Williams.

And the Jazz are not a team that will pay luxury tax, if they were to sign someone after Marion opts out and bolts them they would have to trade a big contract just when Williams extension kicks in.

 

[YouJustGotSUNSD]

From EVT
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/97059?source=rss&dest=STY-97059#

Suns, Jazz had brief talks involving Marion

Jerry Brown, Tribune

The Suns and Utah Jazz briefly discussed a multi-player trade with All-Stars Shawn Marion and Andrei Kirilenko as the centerpieces last month, but talks ended quickly and have not been revived.

A source close to the situation said talks between the Suns and Jazz consisted of “one brief phone call” in early August, and that the two teams haven’t spoken since.

It is not known which side initiated the talks, but both sides have reason to be interested.

Marion is already the Suns' highest-paid player – he will earn $16.44 million this season and has a player option at $17.18 million for the 2008-09 season. He is also seeking a contract extension and raise that would make it difficult for the Suns to keep their team together and stay under the league’s luxury tax threshold.

Marion, 29, can opt out of his contract at the end of the season and become a free agent if he thinks another team will pay as much or more for his services.

Kirilenko, 26, makes less money next season ($13.71 million) which would give the Suns a little wiggle room under the salary cap at present. But he is due more than $63 million over the next four seasons, topping out at $17.82 million for the 2010-11 season.

The Russian was a huge disappointment last season, averaging only 8.3 points and 4.7 rebounds. He started all 70 games he played in, but clashed with coach Jerry Sloan over his playing time and role as the Jazz had a great season behind stars Carlos Boozer, Deron Williams and Mehmet Okur. His poor play and huge salary have made him a target for Jazz fans and made for an uncomfortable situation -- shielded somewhat by Utah's run to the Western Conference finals.

In his career, Kirilenko has averaged 13 points and 6.2 rebounds, regularly ranking among the league leaders in blocks (2.5 a game) and steals (1.5).

The talks apparently involved other players, with both teams looking to fill backup needs. The Jazz are looking for help at backup point guard – the Suns have Marcus Banks to dangle – while the Suns need more size and rebounding up front – a spot someone like Paul Millsap or Jarron Collins could fill.

Meanwhile, the Suns have not heard any more news from former Chicago Bulls forward/center P.J. Brown, who may be waffling on his decision to retire, and don’t expect to have an answer before training camp begins Oct. 1. But before camp begins, the Suns will sign a big man to a non-guaranteed contract to fill their final roster spot. Michael Sweetney, Elton Brown, Vitaly Potapenko and former Sun Jake Tsakalidis are among those under consideration.

 

[Sunsman44]

So what's all this crazy Marion hype again? I thought it was all over and that this report was about something that happened a month ago?

Why are people trying to fuel more fire - esp. when the season is about to start.

Why would one report on a rumor that happened a month ago? It doesn't make any sense.

I doubt Marion is going anywhere. However, this is for sure his last season here.

 

[buttsR4rebounding]

This only makes sense if the Suns can throw in a couple 1st round draft choices to entice Utah to take Marion...

 

[az1965]

This will be a bad trade. I like Marion and believe he can do so many things.

 

[Mike Olbinski]

So what's all this crazy Marion hype again? I thought it was all over and that this report was about something that happened a month ago?

Why are people trying to fuel more fire - esp. when the season is about to start.

Why would one report on a rumor that happened a month ago? It doesn't make any sense.

I doubt Marion is going anywhere. However, this is for sure his last season here.

It's only because KTAR acted like it was breaking news this morning.

 

[just do it]

This only makes sense if the Suns can throw in a couple 1st round draft choices to entice Utah to take Marion...

yes, and the Suns will give them unprotected if the Jazz throw in some cash.

 

[jandaman]

This only makes sense if the Suns can throw in a couple 1st round draft choices to entice Utah to take Marion...

unless you're being sarcastic...

I dont think suns need to add anything else actually...


AK47 has been injured and has not blended as well as he should be with the "new" Jazz. For a player getting $13 Million....


I'll do Marion + Banks
for
Harpring/Giricek + pick + AK47.

just hoping AK doesnt get injured.... number 1 concern imo.

 

[fordronken]

unless you're being sarcastic...

I dont think suns need to add anything else actually...


AK47 has been injured and has not blended as well as he should be with the "new" Jazz. For a player getting $13 Million....


I'll do Marion + Banks
for
Harpring/Giricek + pick + AK47.

just hoping AK doesnt get injured.... number 1 concern imo.

If the Suns do this trade, I want Millsap. We need a back up big who could actually play. The Jazz also may have wanted Banks (they wanted a back up point). So Marion, Banks, Pike for Kirilenko, Giricek, Millsap. It also helps us save on some of the back end of Kirilenko's contract by dumping Banks. Plus it saves us 3 million dollars this season, plus the luxury tax, which means it saves 6 million dollars.

 

[fordronken]

More info from Paul Coro

http://www.azcentral.com/members/Blog/PaulCoro/6853

 

[Sunsman44]

If the Suns do this trade, I want Millsap. We need a back up big who could actually play. The Jazz also may have wanted Banks (they wanted a back up point). So Marion, Banks, Pike for Kirilenko, Giricek, Millsap. It also helps us save on some of the back end of Kirilenko's contract by dumping Banks. Plus it saves us 3 million dollars this season, plus the luxury tax, which means it saves 6 million dollars.

I am in favor of that deal. Perfect trade. Works salary wise.

It would give Phoenix a solid depth chart worthy of a championship in my opinion:

C Amare / Millsap
F Kirilenko / Diaw
F Hill / Tucker
G Bell / Giricek
G Nash / Barbosa

11th Strawberry
12th Marks
13th Ruffin

How does that roster look?

 

[YouJustGotSUNSD]

We arent getting millsap

 

[cly2tw]

Marion, Banks, Pike for AK, Giricek, and a pick. Let's just do it for salary cap's sake. Jazz gets their cap room later for Williams extension. We get immediate relief for this season by 4 mil plus 3 mil saving in LT.

Amare/AK/Hill/Bell/Nash with LB and Diaw as the 6th men can win it all as long as no serious injury happens. AK is a much better defender than Marion at both forward spots. And more importantly, he won't get shut down by tiny point guards in the playoffs.

 

[azirish]

Not that it matters very much, but AK is having a very good Eurobasket series. Russia is undefeated through 6 games

18.3 ppg
9.67 rpg (0.297 per minute)
30 of 59 for two
6 of 18 for three

Realistically, a trade of Marion for AK is tricky. AK makes less per year, but has two more years under contract. AK did not have a good year last season, but put up decent numbers the year before at 15.3 ppg, 8.0 rpg, and 3.19 blocks per game when Boozer was hurt.

Financially, there is no need for other players to be included. Marion is listed by Hoopshype at $16.4 million and AK at $13.7 for a difference of $2.7 million. This is differential of 19.37%.

Financially, it saves the Suns some money the next two years but locks them into being in the LT area for an extra two years.

From a basketball standpoint, it is hard to know. IMHO, AK is a better interior defender and probably not as good a rebounder. Neither is great in the half court, Marion's stats are somewhat effected by playing on the Suns. Neither is a good outside shooter.

My guess is that the Suns won't do it due to the length of AK's contract. But I think it is the kind of trade that has enough in it for each team that it is a real posibility.

 

[JoRain]

Only way i would trade Marion for AK is if Deron Williams would come in package. That's it.
Marion is soooo much better than Kirilenko - even in his attitude thingy

 

[YouJustGotSUNSD]

Jazz would have to realize AK has similar trade value to Diaw

05-06 was great for both of them, but trading them now is near futile because of how lackluster their performance was last season.

Thats the key to making leverage into adding a banks-millsap swap. Still seems unlikely.

Would like to get an unprotected 2010 somehow too...

 

[jandaman]

Its redundant since this trade seems to be just smoke screen.

But..

Marion + Banks + Piatkowski

for

Kirilenko + Giricek + Collins + 2010 Unprotected first



sounds fine too.
considering PJ opts for retirement.

 

[Mainstreet]

I'm not sure what is going on with Kirilenko and the Jazz, but AK is certainly not chopped liver. He would give the Suns an excellent inside presence whereas Marion tends to stray outside. As I've said before, he plays bigger than his size. Also AK can be very aggressive and does not mind mixing it up inside. He can also be a nice shot blocker.

I do not know why AK has fallen out of favor with the Jazz but if he is not injured he would add a new dimension to the Suns. Actually I think he would greatly strengthen the Suns front line because he brings more toughness the Suns need.

 

[azirish]

I do not know why AK has fallen out of favor with the Jazz but if he is not injured he would add a new dimension to the Suns. Actually I think he would greatly strengthen the Suns front line because he brings more toughness the Suns need.

AK has an SF body but a PF mindset. His greatest strength is as a shot blocker, but at SF that's not really utilized.

His greatest weakness is that he may be even worse as an outside shooter than Marion. I haven't checked, but I'd guess his 8.3 ppg is one of the lowest for a starting SF on a playoff team (only Bowen at 6.2 ppg is lower but Bowen's 38.4% for three makes him a bigger offensive threat). Also, Bowen makes $4.1 million while AK makes $13.7.

Big contracts bring big expectations. That's what makes Marion so unpopular with many Suns' fans and the same holds for AK and Jazz fans.