Suns vs Mavs - Debut of the orange sleeved jerseys

[Mainstreet]

The Caron Butler trade was a cost cutting move as I view it to help the Suns financially. It certainly helped the Suns waiver of Beasley and his contract more palatable. Certainly Butler would have helped the Suns more than Smith and Kravstov but the Suns were not thinking playoffs back then.

The Suns’ trade of Caron Butler to Milwaukee for point guard Ish Smith, center Slava Kravstov and $5.65million of salary-cap space might not have been to offset the upcoming salary-eating waiver of Michael Beasley but it sure was not to create small forward time for Beasley.

Even if the Butler deal is independent of the Beasley situation, it is clear as a backboard that Beasley will be waived in the near future.

Beasley is not mentioned in the Suns’ plans. He was a bust of a three-year, $18 million contract signing when there was no free agency competition for his services. In one year, he was an underperforming player, even based on previous disappointing seasons. He was self-destructive off the court, including a recent marijuana possession arrest, despite special attention (former General Manager Lance Blanks’ friendly coddling and a staff traveling mentor dedicated to Beasley) and extra investment (the team’s financial effort to rehabilitate him).

See Paul Coro article at azcentral dated 8-30-13 for more.

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/sun...milwaukee-bucks-ish-smith-slava-kravtsov.html

 

[Hoop Head]

I forgot about the Butler trade relieving the bottom line in order to cut Beasley. I know that Green came from the Scola trade but I think he would be best as a backup or an Eddie House type player where you put him in for 2-3 shots and see if he is on and if he is not then yank him for the duration. Butler would have allowed that to happen. I don't see anything worthwhile with Krastov and Ish is doing ok now that he has had a bit more playing time with Bledsoe out. I think with the added roster spot though, provided we still cut Beasley without the Green trade we could/would have found someone just as good as Ish elsewhere.

 

[Hoop Head]

Just wanted to add that I was at the game last night and those new orange sleeve jerseys are terrible. It didn't even look like a real NBA team playing. Add in the lack of defense on both sides and it actually looked like a group of guys playing a pick up game. I saw highlights of the game later and on TV they actually looked a little better than in person.