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Kerr says Suns are in talks for Garnett
Paul Coro
The Arizona Republic
Jun. 22, 2007 02:01 PM
Suns General Manager Steve Kerr acknowledged Friday that the Suns are talking about a trade for Minnesota 10-time All-Star Kevin Garnett but still termed a deal as "tough" to work out because of Garnett's contract and any big deal as a "long shot."
He also said no player is untradable but that it would take "an awful lot" to pry away a 24-year-old All-NBA first team center such as Amaré Stoudemire, the object of Minnesota's interest in the Garnett talks.
"As far as KG specifically, it's tough because of the contract," Kerr said, calling Garnett's listing of the Suns as his hope for a trade destination flattering.
"We're listening to everything and we're trying to see what would be possible in that regard. The only way we would do it is if we could make our team better and do it in a financially viable way. So that's what we're exploring. We're exploring a lot of other stuff, too. That's what we do up there. We'll see where it takes us."
The major hang-ups in a Garnett trade are his contract and how Shawn Marion could be included. Garnett will make $22 million in each of the next two seasons and has an early-termination option next summer. Garnett also has a trade kicker that could add $3.3 million of salary to each year unless he chose to waive a portion of it.
Minnesota wants Stoudemire in return rather than Marion, making it necessary for a third team to be involved. Boston has interest in Marion but Marion's agent has squashed the idea of him landing with Danny Ainge, his first Suns coach. Marion also can opt out next summer but would be walking away from a 2008-09 salary of $17.8 million if he did so. Marion will make $16.4 million in the coming year, meaning other parts (as well as first-round picks likely) would have to be involved to make the salaries balance in a deal.
But having Garnett's interest become known raises the intrigue.
"Maybe because he's said, 'Hey, I want to be there,' maybe that part makes it a little more plausible," Kerr said. "Because if he's taking other teams out of the equation altogether, then it does narrow down the list. In that regard, maybe we'd have a better chance but again to get a guy like that, you have to give up an awful lot. We have to weigh whether we can even make it work out financially and whether it would make us better. We'll do all that research and see where it takes us."
Kerr said he has talked to eight to 10 teams about trade scenarios but that it takes the "perfect storm" to pull one off because of all the involved parties and their changing opinions.
Asked if Stoudemire is untradable, Kerr said, "Nobody's untradable. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar got traded. I tell all the guys and I've tried to visit with all the guys, as many as I could and have been able to on the phone, I can't ever promise someone that they're never going to be traded. That would be ridiculous. With that said, it would take an awful lot for that to happen. We love the guy. He's wise beyond his years. I think he's starting to understand the way the NBA works and he's accepting of that."
If Phoenix pulled off the deal, it could put Stoudemire and Garnett side by side for an imposing front line. It would also be an imposing front on the payroll with Stoudemire to make $63 million over the next four seasons.
"As soon as I looked at the financial part, I gagged and choked a little bit," Kerr said.
Did he mention that to Suns Managing Partner Robert Sarver?
"I didn't tell him," Kerr joked. "I told him, 'It's going to work great. Perfectly. We'll be way under the cap, Robert. Don't worry about it.' I'll send him the bill later."
Kerr says Suns are in talks for Garnett
Paul Coro
The Arizona Republic
Jun. 22, 2007 02:01 PM
Suns General Manager Steve Kerr acknowledged Friday that the Suns are talking about a trade for Minnesota 10-time All-Star Kevin Garnett but still termed a deal as "tough" to work out because of Garnett's contract and any big deal as a "long shot."
He also said no player is untradable but that it would take "an awful lot" to pry away a 24-year-old All-NBA first team center such as Amaré Stoudemire, the object of Minnesota's interest in the Garnett talks.
"As far as KG specifically, it's tough because of the contract," Kerr said, calling Garnett's listing of the Suns as his hope for a trade destination flattering.
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"We're listening to everything and we're trying to see what would be possible in that regard. The only way we would do it is if we could make our team better and do it in a financially viable way. So that's what we're exploring. We're exploring a lot of other stuff, too. That's what we do up there. We'll see where it takes us."
The major hang-ups in a Garnett trade are his contract and how Shawn Marion could be included. Garnett will make $22 million in each of the next two seasons and has an early-termination option next summer. Garnett also has a trade kicker that could add $3.3 million of salary to each year unless he chose to waive a portion of it.
Minnesota wants Stoudemire in return rather than Marion, making it necessary for a third team to be involved. Boston has interest in Marion but Marion's agent has squashed the idea of him landing with Danny Ainge, his first Suns coach. Marion also can opt out next summer but would be walking away from a 2008-09 salary of $17.8 million if he did so. Marion will make $16.4 million in the coming year, meaning other parts (as well as first-round picks likely) would have to be involved to make the salaries balance in a deal.
But having Garnett's interest become known raises the intrigue.
"Maybe because he's said, 'Hey, I want to be there,' maybe that part makes it a little more plausible," Kerr said. "Because if he's taking other teams out of the equation altogether, then it does narrow down the list. In that regard, maybe we'd have a better chance but again to get a guy like that, you have to give up an awful lot. We have to weigh whether we can even make it work out financially and whether it would make us better. We'll do all that research and see where it takes us."
Kerr said he has talked to eight to 10 teams about trade scenarios but that it takes the "perfect storm" to pull one off because of all the involved parties and their changing opinions.
Asked if Stoudemire is untradable, Kerr said, "Nobody's untradable. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar got traded. I tell all the guys and I've tried to visit with all the guys, as many as I could and have been able to on the phone, I can't ever promise someone that they're never going to be traded. That would be ridiculous. With that said, it would take an awful lot for that to happen. We love the guy. He's wise beyond his years. I think he's starting to understand the way the NBA works and he's accepting of that."
If Phoenix pulled off the deal, it could put Stoudemire and Garnett side by side for an imposing front line. It would also be an imposing front on the payroll with Stoudemire to make $63 million over the next four seasons.
"As soon as I looked at the financial part, I gagged and choked a little bit," Kerr said.
Did he mention that to Suns Managing Partner Robert Sarver?
"I didn't tell him," Kerr joked. "I told him, 'It's going to work great. Perfectly. We'll be way under the cap, Robert. Don't worry about it.' I'll send him the bill later."
