Suns wanted Hassell

[Griffin]

From theleafchronicle.com:

The Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers and Phoenix Suns all actively pursued the three-year NBA veteran until the last minute, but the Trail Blazers' offer was too good to pass up.

Full story: http://www.theleafchronicle.com/news/stories/20040726/localsports/917733.html

The Suns offer must have depended on what the Clippers do with Richardson, whereas the Clippers could have matched Q and still have money to sign Hassell. If the Suns are pursuing other players, what does this mean to our chances of getting Dampier if Clippers match?

 

[NJYAJ09]

I dont think the suns went after hassell too hard... what if we gave him an offer sheet and both him AND Q matched... we'd be f'ed.

 

[Joe Mama]

I dont think the suns went after hassell too hard... what if we gave him an offer sheet and both him AND Q matched... we'd be f'ed.

they probably or after him the same way they were after Greg Ostertag. That is they told him he would make him a good offer IF the Clippers match Richardson's offer. I'm certain that it is not possible to offer the same money to both players.

Joe Mama

 

[scoutmasterdave]

You can't have offer sheets out to two players that would occupy the same cap space.

 

[George O'Brien]

You can't have offer sheets out to two players that would occupy the same cap space.

I don't think the Suns were seriously in the hunt for Hassell even if he had not already signed. The case for Q is that he can back up both SG and SF with instant offense off the bench. Hassell is pretty much a SG only and not much of an offensive threat. Great defender, but it is hard to see how you use him at the same time as Marion.

 

[F-Dog]

Hassell would have filled a need for the Suns--they could really use a defensive specialist on the wing. I don't see any problem with Hassell fitting in with Marion or anybody else.


That said, I'm fine with the Suns losing out on him instead of beating the Blazers' offer sheet. For that money, I'm perfectly ambivalent over the prospect of Hassell in a Suns uniform.

 

[George O'Brien]

Hassell would have filled a need for the Suns--they could really use a defensive specialist on the wing. I don't see any problem with Hassell fitting in with Marion or anybody else.

That said, I'm fine with the Suns losing out on him instead of beating the Blazers' offer sheet. For that money, I'm perfectly ambivalent over the prospect of Hassell in a Suns uniform.

Obviously the money matters a lot. However, I think the problem of having the right combination of players on the floor is not something to ignore. The primary criticism of Marion is that he is not a primary offensive threat. It seems to me the SG needs to be able to play that role or the Suns offense will bog down.

One of the main attractions to signing Q is that he could play with either JJ or Shawn without losing much on offense. He's not yet a really good defender, but Q can rebound and could put up Marion type numbers on the boards if he sees a lot of minutes at SF.

Hassell would be a nice addition, but would not bring as much to the table.