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For the first time in three years, there appears to be more-than-casual trade talk involving Shawn Marion. That said, Marion appears likely to stay. The same cannot be said about Kurt Thomas, who appears to be the focus of the Suns’ attempt to shave payroll.
“I don’t think Shawn is going anywhere,” coach Mike D’Antoni said.
“I hope he doesn’t; there’s no desire on our part. But the names that are floated are the guys who are good. Everybody calls about Shawn because he’s great.
“Realistically, I don’t think so.
“I think we’ll try to keep the team together and compete one more time for the NBA championship.
“Without Shawn, that’s hard to do.”
D’Antoni seemed to agree with the idea that trading Marion, particularly for a draft pick, would send a message the Suns are “giving up” their title hopes.
“Unless that guy is an All-Star immediately … there’s definitely a hole there,” D’Antoni replied.
D’Antoni didn’t reply to questions about Thomas, who is slated to make about $8 million in the final year of his deal.
The Suns could end up $9 million or so over the luxury-tax threshold if they don’t make a deal.
D’Antoni, asked if the Suns would be forced to trade Marion if they can’t deal Thomas because they are under a directive to lower their payroll, replied, “That’s not true.
“We want to get the payroll down some but we’re not going to jeopardize our chances to win the championship.”
The Suns also have been trying to deal backup guard Marcus Banks since February’s trade deadline.
But a deal is unlikely, league sources said, unless the Suns are willing to give up multiple first-round draft picks. Banks is owed about $17.2 million over the next four seasons.
A BETTER BORIS?
Boris Diaw, who had a disappointing season, “realizes he has to pick it up a notch,” D’Antoni said.
The player and coach recently had an extended talk, and Diaw vowed to work hard in the offseason and be ready to go at training camp.
Diaw’s conditioning at the start of last training camp wasn’t the best, then he suffered a back problem.
“We need to use him better, too. It’s a little bit him, a little bit us.”
GUARDS AUDITION
The Suns took a look at candidates for their draft slots at Nos. 24 and 29 on Tuesday.
Among those working out were former Oregon star Aaron Brooks, who said, “I think I showed great speed and that I can shoot the ball.”
The Suns’ racehorse approach is a “great system for me,” Brooks said. “It would be a great fit.”
The 6-foot, 160-pound guard — who averaged 17.7 points and 4.3 assists — is enthused that small ball is in vogue in the league.
“I think it’s good the NBA has kind of shifted to a smaller man’s game. It becomes a quicker game. That kind of suits the way I play.
“It’s good for small guards.”
Other players working out were Bobby Brown, a 6-1 guard from Cal State Fullerton; Russell Carter, a 6-4 guard from Notre Dame; and Dustin Salisbery, a 6-5 guard from Temple.
Brown averaged 20.2 points and 5.1 assists for Fullerton as a senior.
“I’ve played for four years so I think I’m more seasoned than other players entering the draft,” he said.
so i guess those are good news
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D’Antoni didn’t reply to questions about Thomas, who is slated to make about $8 million in the final year of his deal.
The Suns could end up $9 million or so over the luxury-tax threshold if they don’t make a deal.
After giving an impassioned defense of Marion, silence suggests they are thinking of moving KT.
However, I think it extremely unlikely. Chicago is probably the only playoff team that could use KT and the Bulls can't help the Suns with cap space. In any case, the Suns have no one who can play KT's role. IMHO, Horford was the only guy in the draft who might have and it seemed likely they wouldn't get him even if the lobbery had gone better.
IMO the only way the Suns can avoid or lessen the LT is to trade a quality player (Marion or KT) or add picks and trade dead weight (like Banks). But even if the Suns trade Banks it won't get the job done with the LT.
Perhaps the Suns should just bite the bullet this coming season and let KT's contract expire and perhaps Marion will choose his player option next season. I must admit that trading Marion is the easiest option now and the Suns get something in return. I guess I'm just saying the Suns can't have their cake and eat it too unless the Suns are willing to pay the LT.
__________________ If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop digging. -Will Rogers
I think reworking KT's contract (opt out in exchage for more years) is the only way to get immediate cap relief. My feeling is that cutting to $4 million per year for four years would work for KT.
I'm not sure KT will have any value in four years, but if he stays in condition he shouldn't slow down that much. He's evolving into a role player, but one that has value in very specific situations and is hard for the Suns to find.
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