Phoenix, Seattle Closing in on Deal?

[planaria]

http://www.draftexpress.com/viewarticle.php?a=1369

 

[sunsfn]

Multiple sources told DraftExpress today that the Phoenix Suns and Seattle Supersonics are working on a potential blockbuster trade. The Sonics have implied to numerous people over the past 48 hours that “something is going to go down,” white another source in Seattle told us that the Supersonics are “getting very close” to finalizing a trade.

While the exact details of the trade are still unknown, numerous names have been mentioned as key components. The main ones are Shawn Marion and Rashard Lewis, who would be exchanged along with the team’s first round draft choices (#10 for #27). Other pieces that are being discussed include Leandro Barbosa and Danny Fortson.

Seattle is interested in moving Rashard Lewis due to the fact that they believe he will opt out of his contract next summer and will end up losing him for nothing. With so many concerns about the future of the franchise in Seattle, the best way to put fans in the seats is certainly to start winning more games, which is the primary motive of this trade.

Phoenix’s motive is to avoid the luxury tax for next season, which they are dangerously close to, and still keep the team as competitive as they are now. The Suns still have to extend Boris Diaw for 5 years and anywhere from 45-55 million dollars, which would put them well above the luxury tax threshold. With Leandro Barbosa looking for a contract starting in the 7-8 million dollar range, and Steve Nash, Amare Stoudemire and Shawn Marion making max or near max dollars, keeping their core together past next season does not appear to be very likely. Instead, the Suns can save quite a bit of money in the long term by taking on Rashard Lewis’ more affordable deal and securing an immediate contributor (such as Rodney Carney or Ronnie Brewer) on a cheap 4 year rookie contract. Lewis makes over 5 million dollars less than Marion.

Danny Fortson would be used as filler to make the trade work under the cap. He is an ending contract next year and could either give the Suns more toughness, rebounding and depth, be used as trade bait, or bought out of his contract. That depends on whether or not he can resolve his differences with Jerry Colangelo, whom he sued for defamation in 2004 for calling him a “thug” in the media after breaking Zarko Cabarkapa’s wrist in a game between Dallas and Phoenix.
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Danny Fortson will never play in Phoenix!!!
If he is in this deal he will go alsewhere fast.

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

I knew that the Suns were talking about getting the #10 - but didn't know about Lewis and Marion being involved - I need to think about this one...

 

[nothin' but net]

Getting Fortson is clearly the motivation for this trade. With our injuries this year, one way to insure we are healthy is to get all of the thugs playing for us.

Just a thought.

 

[JS22]

LOL!!

Danny Fortson in a Suns uni. Oh, the irony.

That being said, this is one rumor that actually makes some sense.

Phoenix’s motive is to avoid the luxury tax for next season, which they are dangerously close to, and still keep the team as competitive as they are now. The Suns still have to extend Boris Diaw for 5 years and anywhere from 45-55 million dollars, which would put them well above the luxury tax threshold. With Leandro Barbosa looking for a contract starting in the 7-8 million dollar range, and Steve Nash, Amare Stoudemire and Shawn Marion making max or near max dollars, keeping their core together past next season does not appear to be very likely. Instead, the Suns can save quite a bit of money in the long term by taking on Rashard Lewis’ more affordable deal and securing an immediate contributor (such as Rodney Carney or Ronnie Brewer) on a cheap 4 year rookie contract. Lewis makes over 5 million dollars less than Marion.

 

[sunsfn]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Here is Lewis & Fortson salary for the next three years.[/FONT]​

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Rashard Lewis[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]$9,350,649 [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]$10,129,870 player option 2007/2008[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]$[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]10,909,091 [/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Danny Fortson[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]$6,909,091 - 2006/2007[/FONT]

I read somewhere that they offered Collison in a trade with someone.​

I would like to see the suns get Wilcox, but I think Seattle really likes him. It may include one of their young bigs. I would not mind Johan Petro.

 

[DevonCardsFan]

Per Real GM Trade Checker
Phoenix Trade Breakdown
Outgoing
#21 Pick
Shawn Marion
6-7 SF from UNLV
21.8 ppg, 11.8 rpg, 1.8 apg in 40.4 minutes
Leandro Barbosa
6-3 PG from Brazil (Foreign)
13.1 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.8 apg in 27.9 minutes
Incoming
#10 Pick
Danny Fortson
6-8 PF from Cincinnati
3.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 0.1 apg in 12.0 minutes
Rashard Lewis
6-10 SF from Alief Elsik (HS)
20.1 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 2.3 apg in 36.9 minutes
Change in team outlook: -11.0 ppg, -6.0 rpg, and -2.2 apg.


Seattle Trade Breakdown
Outgoing
#10 Pick
Danny Fortson
6-8 PF from Cincinnati
3.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 0.1 apg in 12.0 minutes
Rashard Lewis
6-10 SF from Alief Elsik (HS)
20.1 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 2.3 apg in 36.9 minutes
Incoming
#21 Pick
Shawn Marion
6-7 SF from UNLV
21.8 ppg, 11.8 rpg, 1.8 apg in 40.4 minutes
Leandro Barbosa
6-3 PG from Brazil (Foreign)
13.1 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.8 apg in 27.9 minutes
Change in team outlook: +11.0 ppg, +6.0 rpg, and +2.2 apg.



Successful Scenario
Due to Phoenix and Seattle being over the cap, the 25% trade rule is invoked. Phoenix and Seattle had to be no more than 125% plus $100,000 of the salary given out for the trade to be accepted, which did happen here. This trade satisfies the provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement

 

[DevonCardsFan]

It would be better with Ridinour

Phoenix Trade Breakdown
Outgoing
#21 Pick
Leandro Barbosa
6-3 PG from Brazil (Foreign)
13.1 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.8 apg in 27.9 minutes
Shawn Marion
6-7 SF from UNLV
21.8 ppg, 11.8 rpg, 1.8 apg in 40.4 minutes
Incoming
Rashard Lewis
6-10 SF from Alief Elsik (HS)
20.1 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 2.3 apg in 36.9 minutes
Luke Ridnour
6-2 PG from Oregon
11.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 7.0 apg in 33.3 minutes
#10 Pick
Change in team outlook: -3.3 ppg, -6.4 rpg, and +4.7 apg.


Seattle Trade Breakdown
Outgoing
Rashard Lewis
6-10 SF from Alief Elsik (HS)
20.1 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 2.3 apg in 36.9 minutes
Luke Ridnour
6-2 PG from Oregon
11.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 7.0 apg in 33.3 minutes
#10 Pick
Incoming
#21 Pick
Leandro Barbosa
6-3 PG from Brazil (Foreign)
13.1 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.8 apg in 27.9 minutes
Shawn Marion
6-7 SF from UNLV
21.8 ppg, 11.8 rpg, 1.8 apg in 40.4 minutes
Change in team outlook: +3.3 ppg, +6.4 rpg, and -4.7 apg.



Successful Scenario
Due to Phoenix and Seattle being over the cap, the 25% trade rule is invoked. Phoenix and Seattle had to be no more than 125% plus $100,000 of the salary given out for the trade to be accepted, which did happen here. This trade satisfies the provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

Don't get greedy

 

[Cheesebeef]

huh - Rashard Lewis and the number 10 pick for Marion basically? Helps us salary wise, should allow us to sign TT using the exemption and get Leo and Boris signed while also getting a lotto pick to bridge the gap from one era to another... interesting.

I think I pull the trigger.

 

[Cheesebeef]

that being said, if Sarver was willing to spend over the cap, I wouldn't want any deal with Marion, I'd just get everyone back, including TT and get them signed to extensions. However, seeing as that's most likely not the case, thise move and others like it makes sense to me... unfortunatley.

 

[Pemberly]

Ya it'd be great to free up room to resigh Leo, but he'd be traded so...

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

Lewis would thrive here. He is a much better 3 point shooter than Marion, and adds 3 inches to the SF spot. He would probably grab more than 5 boards here, I would guess closer to 8 or 9....

If we are going to move Marion, this is probably the very best deal (other than a Garnett one) where we don't lose any ground....

The part about Barbosa is what I want to know more on...

 

[Mainstreet]

Wouldn't Phoenix have concerns about Rashard Lewis opting out of his contract next summer as well?

 

[Covert Rain]

This is a stupid trade. If the Suns trade Marion for Lewis, we can forget about a shot at the title. If this team really is just trying to stay competative and stay under the cap it will be really hard to be a Sarver fan.

At least with Jerry you knew that winning came first. Sarver's motivation obviously is not winning a championship. Not to mention the fact that there is no way Lewis doesn't go for the money. So in basically guys we would be trading Marion for nothing. Getting a player for one year is not a good trade. Period.

 

[F-Dog]

Yeah, Barbosa is the part where this doesn't make sense. The Suns need to be adding guards, not subtracting them.


Other than that, this deal makes as much sense as any Marion trade I've seen, if Rashard Lewis is willing to give up his player option as part of the deal. Shard isn't ideal but he's a good fit, and the Suns save millions of dollars in the next few years, so they can keep building their depth.

If Shard is just a one-year rental, though, it's not worth it IMO.

 

[sunsfn]

Actually it is # 27 that the suns are trading, not # 21.

 

[HooverDam]

He would probably grab more than 5 boards here, I would guess closer to 8 or 9....
.

What makes you think that?

I don't think I could deal w/ Marion, 27, Barbosa for Lewis, Forston and 10. We need to keep LB, and Forston stinks and I don't want him on my team. If we could get Ridnour that would be fantastic, he could be groomed into a good Nash replacement, but I HIGHLY doubt Seattle would move him.

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

LB is the part I don't get, unless there is more coming our way. It would probably be one of their young bigs - I can't imagine Ridnour being involved.

The reason Lewis would board more here is because he wouldn't have the huge rebounding core he had in Seattle the past couple of years. Most people fail to recognize that most of Marion's rebounds are uncontested defensive boards. Those have to go to someone.

Hypothetically, even if Lewis were to opt out, then resign a max deal -- it would still save us money from Marion (especially if Barbs is gone). Marion will be at the peak money time of his max deak, where Lewis would be at the beginning. That would be about 3 million in savings just there....

 

[sunsfn]

I have to believe that if this deal is made, the suns have another deal to move Fortson. They will not just pay him and send him on his way!!! That would cost them 6.9 mil, not going to happen.

So either Fortson is going somewhere else, or they get someone else in the trade.

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

This is a stupid trade. If the Suns trade Marion for Lewis, we can forget about a shot at the title. If this team really is just trying to stay competative and stay under the cap it will be really hard to be a Sarver fan.

This part just isn't true. Like I said earlier, Lewis may even fit in better with the Suns. This is one deal that actually makes the team better (assuming the LB part gets equated).

 

[Mainstreet]

This Marion trade proposal sounds more logical than others I have heard. I really like Rashard Lewis, but I am concerned if there is not at least an agreement for him to waive his opt out next summer.

Also, is there anyway Phoenix could extend his contract in a trade and still save money?

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

Also, is there anyway Phoenix could extend his contract in a trade and still save money?

Like I said above, even if we were to max him out - we save money compared to Marion.

 

[F-Dog]

Like I said above, even if we were to max him out - we save money compared to Marion.

Yeah, but we've still got the uncertainty of having Shard become a UFA at the end of the year, and I can't imagine the Suns want to hand him a six-year extension if they can help it.

Anyway, Shard is opting out because he's not happy with his lack of publicity and not sure about the team's commitment to winning. If he's got a chance to go to Phx next season, I expect he'll be motivated to make the deal work.

 

[Phill11]

This is a stupid trade. If the Suns trade Marion for Lewis, we can forget about a shot at the title. If this team really is just trying to stay competative and stay under the cap it will be really hard to be a Sarver fan.

At least with Jerry you knew that winning came first. Sarver's motivation obviously is not winning a championship. Not to mention the fact that there is no way Lewis doesn't go for the money. So in basically guys we would be trading Marion for nothing. Getting a player for one year is not a good trade. Period.

Are you nuts? Sarver and this trade have little to do with each other. Sarver isn't nickle and diming like some people think.

This trade looks out for Phoenix's future. And my guess is the figure Rashard to either grow and flourish in this system or he'll opt out after a year.

Either though help us. We then keep LB, Diaw and then move up to the 10 spot (Sene? I sure hope so)