Suns trade Robin Lopez to Hornets; recieve 1st rd pick, Johnson in 3 team trade

[Mainstreet]

If Brad Miller can still play he might be a player coming to the Suns in the proposed trade. Also the Suns might be able to waive him. I'm not aware of his contract status.

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/8...nix-suns-new-orleans-hornets-discussing-trade

 

[Evil Ash]

According to ESPN, we'd be getting Brad Miller in return. Maybe we talk him out of retirement

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/8...nix-suns-new-orleans-hornets-discussing-trade

In the deal, the Phoenix Suns would send Robin Lopez and Hakim Warrick to New Orleans, and the Suns would get Wesley Johnson and a future first-round pick from Minnesota. The source said New Orleans would trade Brad Miller to the Suns. It's unclear what Minnesota would get from the deal.

New Orleans and Phoenix discussed a similar four-team trade last week, with Boston and Houston replacing Minnesota, but the Suns pulled out as the deal fell apart. That's when the Timberwolves entered the picture.

My guess is ESPN has this wrong but who knows at this point or its that the trade will be done in 2 seperate transactions for CBA reasons. Hard to tell anymore

 

[Arizona's Finest]

I'm less enthusiastic about this trade than most. I realize that most have given up on Lopez, but he's surely a better prospect than Johnson, who has gotten major minutes in his first two years and still can't shoot better than 40% from the field. A 22-year-old 7-footer is, almost by definition, a better prospect than a 25-year-old 6' 7" guy, especially if neither has yet shown anything to get excited about yet. I'm reminded of when the Suns gave DerMarr Johnson a look several years ago, after he had been a high draft pick (#6 by Atlanta in 2000) and hadn't gotten anywhere after a few years in the league.

So really it's Lopez for whatever the pick turns out to be, and Warrick for Johnson. Warrick for Johnson is a win for the Suns, probably, but we can say only "probably" because in fact Warrick has been the better player so far in their NBA careers -- and furthermore, if the Suns pick up Johnson's fourth-year option, which seems only logical, then the trade is a wash financially.

Is Lopez for a pick a good deal? Well it depends on the pick, of course, but generally one should not expect to get a better prospect than Lopez in the second half of the first round. We all know about the occasional success story, but that does not change the fact that the hit rate for late picks is quite low.

In four or five years, it's fairly likely that this trade will end up being that the Suns gave Lopez away for nothing. That could end up biting them.

Having Lopez next year could be difference in 2-3 wins. No thanks. We are officially a Gortat injury away from likely having # 1 pick now and I'm all for it. Why on earth would you want ANY cap money tied to a stiff like Lopez who doesn't fit the future Suns model, especially with what he will likely get contract wise? You dont pay decent money for a backup Center as a bottom feeder team. Thats a luxury playoff or contender teams have. AND we get another first rounder back?

Sign me up. Blanks and Babby are off to a good start on the Post Nash era.

 

[Mainstreet]

According to ESPN, we'd be getting Brad Miller in return. Maybe we talk him out of retirement

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/8...nix-suns-new-orleans-hornets-discussing-trade

My guess is ESPN has this wrong but who knows at this point or its that the trade will be done in 2 seperate transactions for CBA reasons. Hard to tell anymore

Chuckle.

We are really in sync, posting in the same thought in the same minute.

 

[SunsTzu]

I'm less enthusiastic about this trade than most. I realize that most have given up on Lopez, but he's surely a better prospect than Johnson, who has gotten major minutes in his first two years and still can't shoot better than 40% from the field. A 22-year-old 7-footer is, almost by definition, a better prospect than a 25-year-old 6' 7" guy, especially if neither has yet shown anything to get excited about yet. I'm reminded of when the Suns gave DerMarr Johnson a look several years ago, after he had been a high draft pick (#6 by Atlanta in 2000) and hadn't gotten anywhere after a few years in the league.

So really it's Lopez for whatever the pick turns out to be, and Warrick for Johnson. Warrick for Johnson is a win for the Suns, probably, but we can say only "probably" because in fact Warrick has been the better player so far in their NBA careers -- and furthermore, if the Suns pick up Johnson's fourth-year option, which seems only logical, then the trade is a wash financially.

Is Lopez for a pick a good deal? Well it depends on the pick, of course, but generally one should not expect to get a better prospect than Lopez in the second half of the first round. We all know about the occasional success story, but that does not change the fact that the hit rate for late picks is quite low.

In four or five years, it's fairly likely that this trade will end up being that the Suns gave Lopez away for nothing. That could end up biting them.

At what price would you want to bring Lopez back? This move is likely being pursued because the Suns don't want to pay his asking price and if they just have him sign a QO their options become far more limited.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Having Lopez next year could be difference in 2-3 wins. No thanks. We are officially a Gortat injury away from likely having # 1 pick now and I'm all for it. Why on earth would you want ANY cap money tied to a stiff like Lopez who doesn't fit the future Suns model, especially with what he will likely get contract wise? You dont pay decent money for a backup Center as a bottom feeder team. Thats a luxury playoff or contender teams have. AND we get another first rounder back?

Sign me up. Blanks and Babby are off to a good start on the Post Nash era.

You're making too much sense these days. Paying a ton of money to Lopez is not a smart move, and to get another low risk/potentially high reward player on a one year deal, and a future first from Minnesota, while also getting rid of Warrick is great all around.

Very happy if it's the final trade.

 

[Joe Mama]

Having Lopez next year could be difference in 2-3 wins. No thanks. We are officially a Gortat injury away from likely having # 1 pick now and I'm all for it. Why on earth would you want ANY cap money tied to a stiff like Lopez who doesn't fit the future Suns model, especially with what he will likely get contract wise? You dont pay decent money for a backup Center as a bottom feeder team. Thats a luxury playoff or contender teams have. AND we get another first rounder back?

Sign me up. Blanks and Babby are off to a good start on the Post Nash era.

agreed. I wouldn't mind Lopez as a backup at like $4 million, especially if we were actually a contending team. I actually think if he could just stay healthy he would be pretty decent given the dearth of centers around the league. However there is no way THIS team should invest anything north of $4-5 million per season on Robert Lopez.

I really would like to see what his contract looks like, but dumping Warrick and picking up a first-round draft pick from the Timberwolves sounds good to be in. If this goes down we'll see what it looks like. Perhaps the devil is in the details.

Joe

 

[Phrazbit]

I'm less enthusiastic about this trade than most. I realize that most have given up on Lopez, but he's surely a better prospect than Johnson, who has gotten major minutes in his first two years and still can't shoot better than 40% from the field. A 22-year-old 7-footer is, almost by definition, a better prospect than a 25-year-old 6' 7" guy, especially if neither has yet shown anything to get excited about yet. I'm reminded of when the Suns gave DerMarr Johnson a look several years ago, after he had been a high draft pick (#6 by Atlanta in 2000) and hadn't gotten anywhere after a few years in the league.

So really it's Lopez for whatever the pick turns out to be, and Warrick for Johnson. Warrick for Johnson is a win for the Suns, probably, but we can say only "probably" because in fact Warrick has been the better player so far in their NBA careers -- and furthermore, if the Suns pick up Johnson's fourth-year option, which seems only logical, then the trade is a wash financially.

Is Lopez for a pick a good deal? Well it depends on the pick, of course, but generally one should not expect to get a better prospect than Lopez in the second half of the first round. We all know about the occasional success story, but that does not change the fact that the hit rate for late picks is quite low.

In four or five years, it's fairly likely that this trade will end up being that the Suns gave Lopez away for nothing. That could end up biting them.

Hmm... maybe if New Orleans signs him to a rather small contract. But if he is signing for 5-6-7 million a year for the next 3 years then I think its a no brainer to get something out of him.

 

[Evil Ash]

Chuckle.

We are really in sync, posting in the same thought in the same minute.

LOL, great minds...

 

[Folster]

agreed. I wouldn't mind Lopez as a backup at like $4 million, especially if we were actually a contending team. I actually think if he could just stay healthy he would be pretty decent given the dearth of centers around the league. However there is no way THIS team should invest anything north of $4-5 million per season on Robert Lopez.

I really would like to see what his contract looks like, but dumping Warrick and picking up a first-round draft pick from the Timberwolves sounds good to be in. If this goes down we'll see what it looks like. Perhaps the devil is in the details.

Joe

Robert Lopez? Do they have an even lesser brother we can sign? You'd think his name would be Casey or Kelly, not Robert.

 

[Cheesebeef]

agreed. I wouldn't mind Lopez as a backup at like $4 million, especially if we were actually a contending team. I actually think if he could just stay healthy he would be pretty decent given the dearth of centers around the league. However there is no way THIS team should invest anything north of $4-5 million per season on Robert Lopez.

I really would like to see what his contract looks like, but dumping Warrick and picking up a first-round draft pick from the Timberwolves sounds good to be in. If this goes down we'll see what it looks like. Perhaps the devil is in the details.

Joe

agreed with all of the above.

 

[95pro]

i wouldn't call lopez a prospect any more, i think everyone knows what he brings to the table

 

[elindholm]

Why on earth would you want ANY cap money tied to a stiff like Lopez who doesn't fit the future Suns model

What's the "future Suns model"? How can we have any idea what their future model is when no one on the current roster will still be with the team by the time they are contenders again?

Hmm... maybe if New Orleans signs him to a rather small contract. But if he is signing for 5-6-7 million a year for the next 3 years then I think its a no brainer to get something out of him.

I agree that if another team is really giving Loepz that kind of money, then the Suns are better off letting him go. I know there are rumors that Lopez was "asking for" ballpark $7 million per year, but if he ends up getting much more than half of that, I'll be greatly surprised.

 

[AsUdUdE]

please please let this be true!!!!

 

[JCSunsfan]

this is the point where you just gather the best assets you can and then eventually you come up with a future model based upon what you are able to obtain.

 

[Gaddabout]

What's the "future Suns model"? How can we have any idea what their future model is when no one on the current roster will still be with the team by the time they are contenders again?

Thank you. I see that concept tossed around, but I'm still waiting for someone to point me to what the vision for this team is beyond scrambling for scraps.

 

[cly2tw]

Are the Suns finally wiping out almost all the bad deals associated with letting Amare go in 2010? Aside from overpaying Frye by 2mil a year, they've rid themselves Childress, Warrick and Turkoglu at a cost probably over 60 mil., which would have paid Amare's last 3 years of his current deal.

Wait, there is something positive out of it too. Robin Lopez would be asking 10 a year deal if Amare stayed, because then he'd been kept on his course of improvement to become a dominant defensive center which he showed signs for late in 2010 season.

 

[SirStefan32]

Well yet another crazy idea. If this trade goes down and we have a new need for a backup big man - what about signing Greg Oden to a 1 year deal?

I think Frye and Scola become backup Centers. I'd also like to see Siler back.

 

[taz02]

Right now it's about picks, flexibility and young talented players with "potential". The final course will be decided a high pic or blockbuster trade.

You don't really know where you are headed until you land a superstar, then adjust accordingly.

 

[Folster]

I think Frye and Scola become backup Centers. I'd also like to see Siler back.

Siler is horrible and doesn't belong in the NBA. I'd rather take a flyer on a guy like Hassan Whiteside, Daniel Orton, or some summer league center from another team who showed some promise.

There were a couple centers in the draft this year that looked pretty solid in summer league play like Miles Plumlee and Kyle O'Quinn. Heck, Zeller might not have been a bad choice at #13 instead of Marshall. I wonder if the Suns would have selected Zeller over Marshall had they known Dragic was returning.

 

[sunsfan88]

I wonder what's the hold up

 

[Evil Ash]

I wonder what's the hold up

Probably finding a way to make it work under the CBA. Brad Miller's contract makes things complicated

 

[carey]

Robin Lopez would be asking 10 a year deal if Amare stayed, because then he'd been kept on his course of improvement to become a dominant defensive center which he showed signs for late in 2010 season.

Whut?

 

[elindholm]

Siler is horrible and doesn't belong in the NBA. I'd rather take a flyer on a guy like Hassan Whiteside, Daniel Orton, or some summer league center from another team who showed some promise.

Hilton Armstrong is still bouncing around. I saw him in a summer league game a few days ago, but I can't remember which team he was on.

http://www.nba.com/playerfile/hilton_armstrong/career_stats.html

 

[Phrazbit]

I wonder what's the hold up

Probably finding a way to make it work under the CBA. Brad Miller's contract makes things complicated

Or Minnesota is making sure they have a deal with AK first. They'd look pretty stupid if they do a salary dump then whiff on their man.