Suns/Bulls Trade Rumor out of Chicago

AsUdUdE · June 11th, 2007, 08:24 AM

From the Chicago Tribune:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/cs-070610smith,1,80733.column?coll=chi-sportstop-hed&ctrack=1&cset=true

When Kevin Garnett's name came up about a trade—wonder where?—the Bulls were mentioned as the most likely suitor because they have the pieces to make a deal.

It's the same situation with Kobe Bryant, though that misses the point because a deal for Bryant would gut the Bulls and leave them with as much talent as the Lakers. Of course, the Cavs have proved that one superstar and a bunch of pieces is enough to get to the Finals from the East.

Garnett has an option to become a free agent after next season, which would seem to make him almost untradeable—how much could a team afford to give up knowing Garnett could leave after one season? And how little could Minnesota afford to take for its last (only) true asset?

The place to look is Phoenix, which has a bulging payroll and some apparent chemistry issues. It's hard to believe new general manager Steve Kerr would be the guy to trade Amare Stoudemire. But I can see him trading Shawn Marion, perhaps to the Bulls. (More on Kerr later.)

It's no secret around Phoenix that Marion is unhappy with his situation and wouldn't mind going elsewhere. Because he is scheduled to make $16.4 million in 2007-08, and has two years remaining on his deal, moving him isn't that easy, especially because he seems to fit best playing with Steve Nash.

Marion is hardly the interior player you'd dish to for inside scoring. He's an energy, hustle player, and he does get his points. That would seem to make him a fit for the Suns—and the Bulls.

Marion would nicely complement the Bulls' defensive, active style of play. Pairing him with Ben Wallace might be the Bulls' best option because they seem unlikely to make a deal for any of the big-name interior players like Garnett, Jermaine O'Neal, Zach Randolph, Pau Gasol and Stoudemire.

The Suns are not about to give away Marion, who has averaged 18.6 points and 10 rebounds in his eight years in the league and is just 29. He's listed at 6 feet 7 inches, but with Wallace, Luol Deng and Tyrus Thomas in the rotation, the Bulls could field a formidable defensive frontcourt. And though Kirk Hinrich isn't quite Nash, the Bulls do push the ball, which would give Marion the open-court chances he has now with the Suns.

The key for Phoenix probably would be Ben Gordon. He's in an uneasy position with the Bulls with a contract extension on the horizon and questions about whether he should start. Imagine the openings he would have playing with Nash and Stoudemire. And Phoenix has always liked Andres Nocioni, who could play the forward positions Marion played, make a shot and provide toughness.

With Nocioni, Raja Bell and Kurt Thomas, that hardly would be a soft team. Nocioni is a restricted free agent and the Bulls likely would match any offer. Perhaps a sign-and-trade?

The Bulls appear to be leaning toward giving more backcourt time to the bigger Thabo Sefolosha. They could wind up with the kind of versatile lineup to switch on pick-and-rolls and take advantage of new perimeter defensive rules. And Marion, despite that awful looking shot, can make a three and pretty much make up for the loss of Gordon's scoring.

The Bulls could make that kind of deal—maybe they throw in Chris Duhon, a backup point the Suns need—without giving up their first-round pick (No. 9 overall). Then they'd be able to take a chance on a project center like Washington's Spencer Hawes, who worked out for them Friday.

It's likely the Suns will consider other possibilities—Boston's first-round pick already has been speculated.

slinslin · June 11th, 2007, 08:27 AM

Why would we want Ben Gordon... Pretty sure Nocioni is FA as well.

Oh and instead of giving up #9 they throw us their 3rd string PG? Nice.

So what does he think we would get for Marion? Ben Gordon, Chris Duhon and Andres Nocioni (who is a FA which means he couldn't be traded with the #9 pick at all)?

Totally made up.

Chaplin · June 11th, 2007, 08:28 AM

For a Marion for Nocioni/Duhon/Gordon trade to work, Nocioni would have to sign a contract worth 7mil per. Not sure that's a smart move on top of everything else.

AsUdUdE · June 11th, 2007, 08:35 AM

To me I a backcourt of Gordon and Barbosa would be intriging although I don't know how well it would fit..... but just for argumnts sake, I would do the following trade:

Suns Trade:
Shawn Marion
James Jones
#24
#29

Suns Recieve:
Ben Gordon
Andres Nocioni
#9

In this trade you would have to strongly consider starting Gordon... You could use the #9 pick on Noah (I think givin the trade he'd be a great fit for us) and If Bell can play the three (again i know thats a big if) then the suns could run with a rotation of

PG: Nash/Barbosa
SG: Gordon/Barbosa
SF: Bell/Nocioni
PF: Diaw/Noah
C: Amare/KT

I would like Diaw in the Starting lineup because with 4 scoring options, Diaw could be a great facilitator bring in Nocioni, Barbosa, Noah, and KT off the bench and that is a 9 deep rotation that is tough and could average 120 PPG next year

dodie53 · June 11th, 2007, 08:39 AM

barbosa and gordon together?

they could be co-sixth man of the year!
=)

SteelDog · June 11th, 2007, 08:46 AM

The only way some of this works is with sing and trades. There is no way the Suns can pull the trigger unless you have guys under contract. Ben Gordon is talented. I would love to have him on this team. Also, any time we can add toughness I am all for that too.

hcsilla · June 11th, 2007, 08:57 AM

Guys, the writer is Sam Smith.

Muggum · June 11th, 2007, 09:26 AM

Homer. No way that happens. We don't need Gordon. Undersized no-conscious SG? I didn't love it the first time when it was called Eddie House.

cly2tw · June 11th, 2007, 09:29 AM

Actually, Marion to Bulls doesn't make sense. They have very good forwards with Tyrus Thomas, Deng, Nochioni, and Thabo. Marion won't be of much improvement and costs a lot more. So, why?

AsUdUdE · June 11th, 2007, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muggum

Homer. No way that happens. We don't need Gordon. Undersized no-conscious SG? I didn't love it the first time when it was called Eddie House.

hey... Eddie House single handedly won about 8 games for us two year ago... and Gordon is about 10 times the player house is...

But.. I have to agree, I don't know how crazy I am to have Barbs AND Gordon on the same team.....

Rab · June 11th, 2007, 09:33 AM

Chicago trade rumors are usually garbage. This one is as well. No way I do this trade. Ben Gordon is a good player, but for a team that is already small in the backcourt, this would just add to the problem. Gordon starting at the 2, and then bringing in Barbosa while starting Bell at the 3? Uggh. I like the Boston proposal better than this one.

And please keep Noah away from the Suns. I think he's the most overrated piece of trash in this year's draft by far.

YouJustGotSUNSD · June 11th, 2007, 09:53 AM

Any trade bringing nocioni here makes my ears perk up. However this simply isnt feasible.

This writer is about as convincing as the espn message board posters.

As impressive as gordon is I think he would be wasted talent on this team.

This would however, give us the opportunity to have quite an impressive bench. With the money saved grab another 3 point forward like matt barnes

PG: Nash - Gordon
SG: Bell - Barbosa
F: Diaw - Nocioni - Barnes
C: Amare - KT

We would have the best 3 point shooting team in league history. We wouldnt have as much dominance in the post, but good lord we would have 45 points in 3balls every game.

I do see gordon and bell clashing, as gordon is too good to play backup pg and would challenge bell for the SG spot

By the way that is a horrible writer. He brings up Garnett just to drop his name. He has nothing significant to say about him, except a way to bring up marion so he can segway back to the bull and an impossible trade. How do you land a job at the tribune with that kind of content?

Makes me glad I have a degree in journalism. Couple years of experience under my belt and I can take this homer's job easily.

Rab · June 11th, 2007, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YouJustGotSUNSD

Any trade bringing nocioni here makes my ears perk up. However this simply isnt feasible.

This writer is about as convincing as the espn message board posters.

As impressive as gordon is I think he would be wasted talent on this team.

This would however, give us the opportunity to have quite an impressive bench. With the money saved grab another 3 point forward like matt barnes

PG: Nash - Gordon
SG: Bell - Barbosa
F: Diaw - Nocioni - Barnes
C: Amare - KT

We would have the best 3 point shooting team in league history. We wouldnt have as much dominance in the post, but good lord we would have 45 points in 3balls every game.

I do see gordon and bell clashing, as gordon is too good to play backup pg and would challenge bell for the SG spot

By the way that is a horrible writer. He brings up Garnett just to drop his name. He has nothing significant to say about him, except a way to bring up marion so he can segway back to the bull and an impossible trade. How do you land a job at the tribune with that kind of content?

Makes me glad I have a degree in journalism. Couple years of experience under my belt and I can take this homer's job easily.

I've never read a Bulls article that doesn't include the name of KG, or even Marion for that matter, even if the jist of the article has nothing to do with them. I hate Chicago sports writers. They drive me nuts.

SteelDog · June 11th, 2007, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YouJustGotSUNSD

Any trade bringing nocioni here makes my ears perk up. However this simply isnt feasible.

This writer is about as convincing as the espn message board posters.

As impressive as gordon is I think he would be wasted talent on this team.

This would however, give us the opportunity to have quite an impressive bench. With the money saved grab another 3 point forward like matt barnes

PG: Nash - Gordon
SG: Bell - Barbosa
F: Diaw - Nocioni - Barnes
C: Amare - KT

We would have the best 3 point shooting team in league history. We wouldnt have as much dominance in the post, but good lord we would have 45 points in 3balls every game.

I do see gordon and bell clashing, as gordon is too good to play backup pg and would challenge bell for the SG spot

I think this is the first time I have agreed with you.

Great points though, I would take that lineup in a heart beat.

The Commish · June 11th, 2007, 10:27 AM

Barbosa = Gordon.

No need have two of the same player on this squad. Furthermore if we do deal Marion I want a high draft pick in return. I'd much rather do the speculated deal with Boston rather than this.