Should the Suns Trade White Now?

[George O'Brien]

I have generally been supportive of Jahidi White. I love his toughness, his killer picks, and his ability to defend really strong opponents. I would prefer to keep him and even re-sign him in 2005 to a more reasonable contract.

However, if the Suns are serious about free agency this summer, it would make sense to move him now. The Jazz in particular are hurting for inside help now and they have plenty of cap room. If the Suns wait until summer, the Jazz would probably require at least a draft pick to take him.

It is possible that the Bobcats would take him this summer, but that is not a sure thing. If he has to go, the time to move him is now.
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Obvously this is relevant to the Kobe chase. It is extremely unlikely that the Suns would be able to get rid of Eisley cheaply, so moving White is the only way to be in the ball park.

I will admit I have concerns about having only Voskuhl, Lampe, and and unnamed draft pick at center. Maybe Williams would come back for another year.

 

[Chaplin]

Easier said than done.

 

[F-Dog]

I think that Jahidi has a history in Utah. The Jazz seem more enamored with Gugliotta, anyway.

IMO, the only point to trading White now (aside from money) is that it helps the Suns tank the rest of the season--as it stands, they're still too good to wind up with one of the really juicy picks.

After the season, White's contract will be in its last year, making him look downright attractive to a number of teams. I don't think the Suns will have trouble moving him a la Keon Clark at that point, if that's what they need to do.

 

[Chaplin]

I don't know if losing Jahidi's 14.7 mpg would be exactly "tanking" the season though...

 

[F-Dog]

Originally posted by Chaplin
I don't know if losing Jahidi's 14.7 mpg would be exactly "tanking" the season though...

If they really wanted to tank, the Suns could trade Joe Johnson, but White is the most valuable player the Suns could trade without hurting themselves two years from now.

I think he'll be the difference in at least a couple more games before the end of the season. Who knows, maybe that will be meaningful in the final analysis.

 

[Chaplin]

Originally posted by F-Dog
If they really wanted to tank, the Suns could trade Joe Johnson, but White is the most valuable player the Suns could trade without hurting themselves two years from now.

I think he'll be the difference in at least a couple more games before the end of the season. Who knows, maybe that will be meaningful in the final analysis.

Ok, I'll concede that--you may be right.