Kevin Garnett for Shawn Marion: The Perfect Scenario for the Wolves and the Suns
Nate JonesPosted May 20th 2007 2:35PM by Nate Jones
The Situation for the T-Wolves: Kevin Garnett is unhappy in Minnesota (He won't come out and say this in public, but he obviously is). He wants to play for a winner before his career is over, and Minnesota is not going to be winning any time soon. Minnesota is hesitant to trade Garnett, but Garnett holds an opt out clause after next season that would allow him to become a free agent and leave the Wolves. Therefore, Minnesota has no other choice but to trade Garnett before the start of next season to acquire something for him before they lose him for nothing. The ideal situation for T-Wolves would be trade Garnett for multiple picks, a young star, and/or cap space. With the demand for Kevin Garnett, finding someone to provide one or all of those scenarios shouldn't be too difficult.
The Situation for the Suns: After falling short of the NBA Finals for the third consecutive season, the Phoenix Suns obviously have to make some improvements. During the playoffs, it's almost necessary to have a low post offensive threat and a low post defensive stopper. Currently the Suns best low post offensive player is Boris Diaw and their best low post defender is Kurt Thomas. Amare is a beast, but he doesn't really have any moves on the post. He gets most of his points off of high screen and roll plays with Steve Nash and from offensive put backs. On the low post, he has a turn and face rocker step/first step move and a spin move toward the baseline and not much else. On defense, he's more of a help defender than a one on one defender. That's why it was Kurt Thomas and not Amare defending Tim Duncan for the majority of their series vs. the Spurs.
As well, the Suns have a player in Shawn Marion that can also opt out to become a free agent after next season. Marion is a great player, who has felt stifled by the Suns system. He's also a guy that makes $17 million per season and will be looking to extend long term for similar type dollars. With Phoenix already entering luxury tax hell, it's obvious that the Suns aren't anxious to hand Marion another long term deal. But with a player as sensational as Marion they have to make sure they get something for him before they lose him for nothing.
The Suns will also most likely have Atlanta's lottery pick in this year's draft, as well as two other first round picks(numbers 24 and 29). Packaging one or more of those picks and Marion could lead the Suns to the low post player they covet. They could try to trade up in the draft to go after a player like Kevin Durant or Greg Oden, but they need someone that is ready to come in and play now, not someone that is there for the future. As well, only Oden really fills their needs, and at this point I don't see any GM wanting to be the GM that traded him away.
Solution for Both Teams:
Minnesota Trades Kevin Garnett to Pheonix for Shawn Marion, James Jones, Atlanta's lottery pick and one or both of the Suns other first round picks (numbers 24 and 29). 
Pros for Minnesota: In this deal, Minnesota potentially gets all three things they would be looking to acquire in a deal for Garnett. They get an All-Star player (for at least a season) in Shawn Marion, as well as multiple first round picks in a draft that is on the level with the 84, 96, 99, and 03 draft classes. James Jones would be thrown in to make the trade work salary wise, but he's a free agent after next season, which opens up cap space. As well, they can use the first half of the season to see if Marion likes playing in Minnesota with their young squad. He has the desire to establish himself as a first option superstar, and playing in Minnesota would certainly give him the opportunity to show us what he has to offer. If Marion doesn't work out, they can still try and package him before the trade deadline for more picks and more cap space.
The worst case scenario is that Marion walks for nothing. Given that Garnett was likely to do that after the season anyway, I'd say they would be in a better position to absorb the blow of losing a star player for nothing after acquiring multiple first round picks from the Suns. Plus Marion leaving wouldn't actually be that bad because it would give them the cap space necessary to acquire one or more players via free agency.
If this trade went through the T-Wolves would potentially own the 4th, 7th, the 24th and/or 29th picks in this year's draft. For a team looking to rebuild, you can't ask for much more.
Pros for the Suns: For the Suns it gives them an immediate low post presence to combat Tim Duncan. Unlike Amare, KG can guard Tim Duncan one on one. As well, he has a solid low post game that is on par with Duncan's. A starting front line that included Garnett and Amare Stoudemire would be downright unstoppable.
On defense, KG (a perennial all-defensive team member) would defend the best post player while Amare (a good weakside shot blocker) could roam and block shots. On offense, the Suns would become even deadlier. They could not only run pick and rolls with Amare and Nash but also pick and rolls and pick and pops with Garnett and Nash. As well, they would have a low post presence that they could throw the ball into when all else is failing. Plus, Garnett is so versatile that he could easily fit into the Suns system on offense. I mean, what is there that Garnett can't do?
Financially it would not give the Suns relief over the next two seasons. However, it would allow them to go for broke and win the championship before Nash's career is up. In a winning situation Garnett would likely not opt out after next season, giving the Suns a two year window to win the championship. After those two years are up, the Suns would be in a position to re-evaluate their team and either attempt another championship run or let both Garnett and Nash go (The Suns hold an option on Nash after 08/09 season). Basically if their two year run did not work out, they could start over and build around Amare and Barbosa under a more favorable salary structure. And at least under this scenario they would not be paying Marion max type dollars for another 6 years and would also have a more realistic chance at the NBA championship.
Honestly, I see this as a win-win for both teams. The Suns get the ammo they need to combat Duncan and the Spurs, while the Wolves get the first round picks necessary to rebuild. As well, Garnett gets an opportunity to play for a championship, while Marion gets an opportunity to be the face of a franchise. What do you guys think?
*Obviously for this trade to work, Phoenix needs to be awarded Atlanta's top 3 protected pick. Tuesday's draft lottery could be a big day for Minnesota, Phoenix, and Atlanta.
