jlove

Everyone that knows NBA Basketball knows that Atlanta IS NOT going to make the playoffs this year (with all BIAS ASIDE for Atlanta fans). I got to thinking about how they can get better this year AND get their 08 Pick back from the Suns. Plus it helps the Suns with depth and salary.

Marion
Atl 08 Pick
Rights to DJ Strawberry
Rights to Vujanic

for

Josh Smith
Lorenzen Wright
Speedy Claxton
and one of the following Marvin Williams/Pachulia/Childress

Pluses for Atlanta:
Get better (overall) with Marion over Smith
Get that coveted 08 pick back
Get a steal from the 07 draft in Strawberry to back-up Law and JJ
Get a solid starting PG in Vujanic if he decides to come over

Pluses for Phoenix:
Get a a great up and comer in Smith to replace Marion
Get another big to battle with Duncan in Wright
Get a better back-up for Nash in Speedy
Get another Big/Wing in whoever.

We'd save a little over $1 mil this year, then next summer we get another $12 mil with only Claxton left on the books. There is a team option on Williams for $5.6 mil next year. Smith would be a near max contract to resign next summer or right after the trade.

Hell, the Suns could even do Marion, Atl 08 pick, Tucker and Strawberry
for Smith, Wright, Claxton and Marvin Williams

fordronken

I don't even know that Atanta would trade Marion for Smith straight up.

Divide Et Impera

You are probably right. It would have to be like Marion/ATL#1 for Smith and their worst contract....

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Mainstreet

I thought the Suns already had a worse version of Speedy Claxton (Marcus Banks).

IMO, this would be a horrible trade for the Suns. I'd rather let Marion finish his contract with the Suns than do this trade. I'm just not that interested in those players mentioned and especially giving up a possible lotto pick as well.

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fordronken

I think Josh Smith would be a great power forward on this team. If he could develop a jump shot, look out.

azirish

Atlanta would have no interest in Marion's contract.

Mainstreet

NBA.com lists him as a G/F. So maybe he is a PF in Phoenix.

I know he is 6'9" and weighs 235. He is also a good scorer/rebounder. Although he may be more athletic, I can't help but think of Ced Ceballos.

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azirish

Josh Smith is much bigger. Ced was listed at 6'6" 190 pounds. He was a decent rebounder for his size, but was not much as a defender if memory serves.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/...cebalce01.html

Smith pretty much has to play inside. He is a terrible outside shooter. Not only for three at 25%, but is almost as bad from mid range. He's an OK rebounder, but at 0.234 per minute is not exceptional.

elindholm

It's good that you were able to analyze this without letting any fan bias creep in.

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fordronken

I've said it before, but Atlanta has no shot. It's not a knock on their team, but on how many teams there are in the east that are just a notch ahead.

azirish

I was wondering how Vujanic has been doing since his injuries. The results do not look very good.

http://www.euroleague.net/competitio...asoncode=E2006