Shawn Marion to Utah?

I think the Suns could be worried about Shawn Marion wanting a contract extension. That could become a distraction during the upcoming regular season and lead to an ugly divorce next summer.

I know Kirilenko’s stats were unimpressive last year, but imagine what he could do playing with Steve Nash. And he played back up point for Utah in the playoffs too.

I like your points Matt. I used to think Kirilenko was a phenomenal player and then he kind of dropped off last year. Maybe he can be the same guy again, who rebounded big time and blocked shots. I thought he could even shoot the three a bit?

I’m not sure what you mean by, “Sadly, the trade also works as a straight up deal so the reality of it sets in.” The salary numbers work, but that’s the only way that the trade makes sense straight-up. The Suns would have to get additional compensation, at least Milsap or a pick. Kirilenko’s contract is bad and he can’t stay healthy.

IF Kirilenko could return to his max contract form, a trade could make the Suns better, but it would put even more pressure on Hill.

I’d guess that the rumor is bogus, or maybe started by Kirilenko’s camp, since he is unhappy in Utah. D’Antoni loves Marion and wouldn’t agree to a trade unless it was a slamdunk for the Suns.

AK seems a bit redundant with Diaw’s roles, and this trade doesnt benefit the suns much.

Utah needs a point guard so we would HAVE to toss banks into any deal with them imo

Would have to be a little desperation on the Suns part to rid themselves of a bad locker room presence. Can’t be basketball ops pushing this deal. Kirilenko’s one of those guys that can make any team better if he’s not the focus, just like Marion, but what he saves them this year and next year (about $1.5 million) he will cost them in 2009 and 2010. Acquiring Kirilenko for Marion actually further handicaps this team with the salary cap.

This wouldn’t be such a big deal until you consider Marion — the Suns minutes leader — hasn’t played less than 79 games since his rookie year. The last 3 years Kirilenko has played 41, 69, and 70. Marion produces rebounds at the same rate when you give him more minutes. Kirilenko doesn’t. Kirilenko is a better defender, but that’s hard to quantify when compared to Marion because you’re still giving some athleticism at the 4 in the trade — without gaining any size. Kirilenko is a small 6-9.

I am sorry this is a bad deal without the Suns getting something else in return. I can’t believe some people. Have we not learned from the past? Trading for a big man who is not very fast and is maybe a notch above stiff is bad no matter how you look at it. Marion is an ALL-STAR. You don’t trade Marion just for AK.

Plus here is my other problem. People complained how Kurt slowed us down (which I didn’t agree). AK cannot run with this team. He is too slow IMO. If people thought Kurt was slow just wait until you see AK in this system. How quickly people forget that a ton of the Suns fast breaks had Marion finishing at the other end. You will not get that from AK, Diaw or Grant in the lineup. That means the Suns would have to stop running IMO.

Eric, I don’t know much about how trades totally work, I thought RealGM just matched the salaries under league trading rules, so if it said it could work, then it could work. Didn’t know we’d need more. How does it work exactly?

Hi Mike,

No, you’re right, RealGM just checks whether the trade was legal. But there are all sorts of variants that make more sense from a basketball standpoint. That’s why I was confused by your implication that RealGM’s “approval” somehow made the straight-up idea more legitimate. The straight-up deal is a non-starter, in my opinion.

SteelDog,

Kirilenko is injury-prone, but he runs just fine. He’s not a “big” at all, just a natural SF who can play PF in a pinch, same as Marion. When healthy, he’s actually one of the most athletic players in the league. I suspect you haven’t seen him play. I wouldn’t like a straight-up trade at all, but Kirilenko’s athleticism isn’t the problem.

So Marion says “no way” to a trade to Boston, but “ok” to a trade to Utah? That doesn’t seem right.

That said, I think it’s a terrible trade for the Suns.

So Marion says “no way” to a trade to Boston, but “ok” to a trade to Utah? That doesn’t seem right.

I think Utah makes the trade even if Marion won’t sign an extension. His contract comes up right when they need to extend Williams, so it’s much better timing than their current situation with Kirilenko.

No Eric I have seen AK play plenty. He is slow IMO. Every time I have seen him against the Suns he is one of the last guys back on Defense. He might be “quick” for a guy his size but not quick enough for the Suns IMO. Not in the system as it stands today. If your trying to tell me that AK will take Marion’s place as our fast break finisher then we must be watching 2 different players.

If we commit to changing our system, get more in return in the trade then I think I would feel better about such a trade.

It seems like KTAR jumped the gun here with something that happened awhile ago and nothing new has happened at all.

This is a deal, that might have been discussed, but old news. Sean Marion is in purple and orange this upcoming year. Marion plays his a** off for this organization and city. Robert Sarver made the comment about two months ago, that we will go for broke to win a championship. Sarver seems like the hypocrite in all this and needs to stop disrupting our team chemistry, by making players look over their shoulders. Marion would go to Utah but why would we want the same player in return?? Marion is a 4 time All Star and finished 3rd in Defensive Player of the Year voting. He is a workhorse who rarely demands attention. SUNS FANS, please let this season take place and we will see what Marion does with his contract option. My guess, so long Phoenix, he is going to a city who wants and appreciates his value.

The Jazz are unlikely to Trade Millsap… which means is getting Collins in the deal at $2 Million any better than signing a Free Agent at minimum?? The Suns would save about $2 Million this year but Kirilenko has a huge contract and is at times injury prone…

IMO Kirilenko could be a nice fit at the 4 and a Draft Pick would be niiice (but would the Suns even use the Pick??) and who would be the other player be if Banks was involved?? Perhaps Brewer (who’s talent I like) but he is very similar to Tucker and Strawberry… athletic defender at 6′7 with ball-handling skills but no outside shot.

Adding Kirilenko, Brewer, Tucker, and Strawberry could REALLY improve the defense and it’s not like Marion or Banks are perimeter shooters themselves though… but I’m not sure what to think, tempting.

Yech!

I think no one has looked at $arver in this whole discussion. He is only interested in saving bucks and he has already sold out the arena for this season so he can quit worrying about making money this year. If he will make money by dumping Marion, adiós Shawn. I am surprised he hasn’t dumped Amare yet. Any bets the Atlanta pick will be sold next summer?

guys!!:@ what the hell r we talking about!!? its shawn marion the key guy for our phoenixsuns offense for the 4th year in a row…without him no one can defend nowitzki or parker or boozer… and for whom? kiriklenko LOOOOOOL
u got to be joking, i wish if the suns trade him to utah….. then we’ll know what a badddddd deal this was:S
i’m not even from arizon, i’m from montreal canada and we have a lot of suns fans and especially marion’s fans!

[...] Gambodoro, also from KTAR, said these talks happened two weeks ago. This is strikingly like the Andrei Kirilenko rumors from a few weeks [...]

Kirilenko would probably be better off in Phoenix than in Utah. His numbers dropped because Williams, Boozer, and Okur were getting more points and AK got fewer touches.

Some of you guys need to stay off crack! Andrei Kirilenko can’t run ? That’s his style of game. That’s why he doesn’t like Sloans half court system.

Don’t you guys remember who the Jazz spanked last year? The Suns and Golden State, both running teams who thought they could run the Jazz off the court but, surprise, surprise !! Not only could the Jazz keep up with both teams but the Utah ran over both teams with their bigger players. Marion is a better perimeter defender and player but Kirilenko is a better interior defender and very good slasher. Andrei’s problem is he wants to play too much one on one and doesn’t realize that the Jazz didn’t make the playoffs when he was maintaining his career highs. He forgot all the fans groaning every time he jacked up a three.

Like Marion, Andrei thinks because he’s the Max player that he shouldn’t be in a supporting role. Plus with Paul Milsap turning out to be another 2nd Rd gem, Kirilenko has become expendable.