I went to this site : http://www.sports.yahoo.com/nba and it said that he just needs to pass a physical and then he'll be a Phoenix Sun..


How the mighty have fallen. And once again, RICKY DAVIS and MARK BLOUNT work their \"Magic\" on yet another Francise(Victim).

Let's first say that I am quite surprised to find this topic in the \"T-Wolves Forum\" instead in the \"NBA Jam Forum\"...maybe one of the Mods care to move it ?

Anyways, the sources available at SI.com and ESPN.com both appear to be sure that nothing has been decided - at least not officially - yet. As I read it, it is highly probable that this deal

Shaq - Marion, Banks

will happen, but there is still chance that it migh fall through as the Suns have still to finally sign the deal. And although many signs and sources seem to point towards this trade (see the linked articles above), it is still denied by the parties.


I will add some more thoughts once I have pondered this issue more, but...on the first instance, this is a real \"WHAT???-moment\" for me. Ok, the Suns haven't been as dominant as the years before and their chemistry has always been said to be a concern, especially now with the enigmatic Marion asking for a trade prior to the season who will also be able to opt out of his contract after the season (as far as I know). I do also understand that the arrival of Pau Gasol in LA, which has had Phoenix on the brink of elimination in the Playoffs two years ago, might also give them the scare, just after they have traded...no, given away away their lonely post defender in Kurt Thomas just to avoid the luxury tax. And I also see that their championship window is closing fast, and, and, and...

...but Shaq???? In PHOENIX???? Maybe Nash still is one of the best - if not the best PGs in the game, but how do you involve someone into the game who is either sitting injured on the sidelines or - best case - still struggling to cross the halfcourt after your team has launched it's first trey, collected the rebound, hit a near to trey and now tries to get back on defence? Nowadays, Shaq can't run the floor, can't play the pick-and-roll, he has no real midrange game and worst of all, he does not play intimidating defence anymore and because of his lacking quickness, he spends most time sitting with foul trouble, even if healthy. So can anyone with some basketball wisdom explain to me why to make that trade?

And lets not forget, that they are still leading the whole western conference and are on pace to win near to 60 games (like the last two years) with a schedule that has already most road games behind them. And Marion, think of him whatever you like, just is the perfect player type for Phoenix. They might be other ones who might fight as good or near as good as while adding a new dimension, but Shaq add's nothing while accomplishing a near to impossible thing: NOT fitting in PHX!

And didn't Phoenix almost deliberately destroyed their franchise's future just to stay under the tax (handing out draft picks to other teams so that they would take on their contracts?). And now taking on this behemoth that is Shaq's contract which was to tie down the Heat for years to come (two years after this one left, if I'm right)? For what? Destroying the own franchise's destiny FOREVER? No draft picks left, Nash not getting younger either and a once-dominating-center who will be playing less than 30 games total in the final two years of his contract?

May I call this just plain stupid? Get Kirilenko from the Jazz or whomever might fit your system if you feel the need to trade Marion, but this will be ugly.

My only consolation is that the Heat might free cap space with that move, but if they believe that Marion will do them any good on their team if they trade to keep him and I heard he does demand an extension if traded and his contract still runs two years on HIS option...they will be surprised how much of his more-or-less praised all around game he owes to Nash's brilliance and that he isn't exactly an easy type. With Davis, Blount and Marion on the roster, Pat Riley will have his hands full, for sure. And if that will be enough to keep Wayde on this team once his contract runs out, playing with those dimwits of whom none has any sort of healthy self-evaluation?

EDIT:

Figured out that there is already commentary on this:

ESPN's John Hollinger is basically exactly my opinion, olnly more elaborated

SI's Jack McCallum at least sees some possibility that this might work out for PHX

2nd EDIT:

Having checked the online versions of Germany's big sportspapers and they seem to see this possible trade as a good decision for Phoenix. But to be honest...German sportspapers don't focus on basketball and usually don't have any understanding of it and especially the NBA and so do their readers (except for the very few German B-Ball-only magazines).

3rd EDIT:

Jalen Rose on ESPN thinks this might work for both teams. He thinks the Suns can and will use the Diesel (only) for the few times when they face opposing big men who need to be taken and defended seriously and / or when the game slows down in the playoffs anyways, so Shaq's lack of speed won't hurt them or their system, while the Heat will get an All-Star caliber player for years to come if they are able to resign him...

...uhm...Jalen? You sure about that? I liked you pretty much as a player, but as an analyst, you suck! I might be awfully mistaken, but as I stated above: Shaq isn't defending anyone anymore because he is just too slow and can't jump over a curbstone if his life depended on it. And if the Suns let any other team force them into a consistant halfcourts game, they are toast, Shaq or no Shaq! And for the Heat getting an All-Star player...we'll see about that, we'll see about that.

I don't think this really has much to do with Ricky Davis and/or Blount, but yeah, the mighty have fallen. It's all about $$$, which is sad.

Secondly, I am completely with Sanyarin on this on. I cannot understand WHY Phoenix would do this?!?!? I understand that Marion has \"demanded\" a trade earlier this off-season, or wants an extension... but is he that much of a cancer that they basically give him away? I don't think so.

How is Shaq going to physically play for the Suns? Can he even keep up? Will he make it across half court ever? I think he'll try hard and all that, but I don't think he has much left in the tank. So many questions, so few answers.

If this happens, it will be really interesting to see Marion's stats without Nash around. I expect a decent drop.

Not that it was on me to correct the highly admired CW, especially since he has ennobled me with his consent, but I like to point out, that...

...Memphis gave Pau Gasol away (more or less), Phoenix is committing suicide. They won't be able to rebuild this franchise before the next decade and it's not even that this seems like the move the Heat made that bought them at least one Championship. THIS version of Shaq 2008 buys you nothing, it only costs your identity and your future!

...I can't imagine, even if Marion had to go because he was disrupting chemistry (anyone who has a proof of that) and threattens to walk away for nothing, isn't there at least a decent player you could get for him that actually fits your system? Or some draft picks since you gave all of your own away? Or just a sixpack of gatorade that will play more minutes than Shaq and does not bind your salary cap for eternity.

And all that after they paid others to take on Kurt Thomas, who was - although a similar greybeard - faaar cheaper, a still more capable defender and I bet much less demanding of playing time, shots or publicity as Shaq surely will be.

I can oly hope this is one of the huuugest hoaxes I have ever heard...

This is really weird. I agree with you San, I can't figure out why the Suns would do this. Maybe Shaq has more in the tank than we all think, and since Miami has been playing so bad he's just been saving it, knowing they are looking to trade him? Maybe Marion was being a real pain behind the scenes, and he HAD to get dealt? I am just trying to reach for reasons... The Suns seems like one of the WORST destinations for Shaq to succeed in. I am baffled. And based on what I know about their contracts, it goes against everything Phx has been doing in the last few years (cutting costs even if it means giving up an essential cog like Kurt Thomas or 1st round draft picks). THIS is Steve Kerr's first big move as a GM? Baffling...

Sanyarin wrote:
Awwww... thanks Sanyarin.

The only positive I see from this is that Phoenix also gets rid of Marcus Banks. However there's no way in the world it's worth GIVING away Marion as well.

Also, HOW can they not get a player for Marion that is a better fit than Shaq? Like you and Bonk, I'm baffled by this.

I still can't believe they gave away Kurt Thomas, their best interior post defender. They did it ONLY because they were going to have to pay an extra $8M (his salary for this year) in luxury tax payments. AND they gave up two #1 picks to boot. Their owner is running the team into the ground.

I would be really, really pissed off if I was a Suns fan. It almost makes the Wolves future look decent in comparison...

BWAnd that sure is something to say!

I don't know that there's anyone that thinks this is a good move for Phoenix. Unless they know something about Shaq no one else knows or that Marion and Stoudamire are ready to go fist-a-cuffs daily, this is a bonehead move.

Even with Phoenix's obsession with staying under the cap, this move doesn't make sense.

Marion is signed this year for 16.4 and has a player option that I assume he will exercise for next season at approx 17.2.

Banks' contract does suck, $4 a year through 2010/2011.

Shap is owed $60 through 2009/2010. Unless he's retiring, then his numbers come off the books. However, hasn't he already said he's not retiring?

So, Phoenix, whose owner won't go over the lusury, is taking on $60 guaranteed to a player that is a shell of his former self just to shed a $4 mil. contract that only runs one extra year to Shaq's?

For Miami, this makes total sense. The only players they will have signed past this season are:

Wade - Through 2009/2010 with a player option

Banks - Assuming the deal goes through - 2010/2011

Blount - 2009/2010

Haslem - 2009/2010

Cook - 2008/2009 with team options after.

Miami is setting itself up for free agent acquisitions to help d-Wade.

Phoenix is shutting the door that's already starting to close.

This is the mastermind himself, Kevin McHale, at work. He saw the wolves record versus the rest of the bad teams in the league slipping and has orchestrated this whole thing using a pitch perfect Mike D'Antoni impression that he spent the entire offseason developing.

The more I think about this... the more I think that it CANNOT be true in any way, shape, or form. It's just such a horrible horrible horrible horrible trade for the Suns in all facets. Talent, Salary, Years, Strategy... they lose it all.

Old Logo
Jalen Rose does !

What a stupid trade.... Marion is a far better player than Shaq is.

Shaq is old, has a huge contract, is constantly injured and won't fit in PHX's fast-paced system.

Phoenix is another team that I follow, especially in the playoffs. This deal will destroy their team if it's true.

How can they be so stupid?

The Daddy really is confused as well. I'm going to a Suns board to read about their thoughts. I'll be back.

daddyfatsax wrote:

Awesome, let us know. Thanks.

Sanyarin wrote:
Jalen just doesn't want to take heat from Shaq when they go out on the town.