OFFICIAL NBA TRADE DEADLINE THREAD UPDATE:SHAQ TO CAVS? McCANTS TO SAC/CHANDLER RETURNED TO SENDER

[heat23]

Originally Posted by Bigmike23

As Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver reaches out to other NBA owners and proposes his own trade deals for Amare Stoudemire, he could be undermining his franchise's chance to get the best possible package for the All-Star forward, league sources said.

NBA executives say that Sarver has contacted team owners - including those of the Sacramento Kings and Memphis Grizzlies - in an attempt to broker a deal for Stoudemire. While the Suns' basketball executives are discussing one possible package with teams, Sarver has, at times, appeared to be pursuing his own agenda.

Some teams believe this is a circumstance they can exploit, and suggest that Suns GM Steve Kerr and David Griffin, the franchise's VP of basketball operations, have

"It makes [the owner] look too motivated," said one Western Conference GM who was aware of Sarver's calls. "It makes them look desperate."

As an Eastern Conference GM wondered: "What in the world are two owners going to come up with that the GMs haven't already discussed?

"This is how bad deals happen."

"As managing partner of the Suns, no difference from any CEO responsible for any company, you have responsibility for the ultimate results of an organization," Sarver said by phone Wednesday morning. "And as such, when it comes to major decisions - basketball or business - I will become heavily involved just as I have been the last five years."

Kerr and Griffin are engaged in discussions with multiple teams for Stoudemire, with Chicago, Golden State, Portland, Sacramento and Memphis and others seriously pursuing him. For the Suns to get the best possible package for Stoudemire, they need Stoudemire's suitors to believe that they're willing to let the trade deadline pass on Feb. 19 without moving him.

Mostly, Phoenix needs to avoid looking desperate. Yet Sarver - who has a reputation for being impulsive and overzealous - has left teams dubious of believing Kerr's bluff that he doesn't have to trade Stoudemire.

For the Suns to bring back a package for Stoudemire which makes more basketball than financial sense, sources say, they'll have to move the contracts of Shaquille O'Neal or Leandro Barbosa.

So far, rival GMs insist there's no market for O'Neal - that the balance of the $20 million owed him this season and the $20 million he'll earn next season make him untradeable.

One Western Conference GM compared interest in O'Neal with "the GOP's interest in the current stimulus package. None."

Most Stoudemire suitors believe the Bulls have the chance to offer the best package, which could include the expiring contract of Drew Gooden, rapidly emerging forward Tyrus Thomas, Joakim Noah and possibly a draft pick. Bulls GM John Paxson recently had his assistant, director of player personnel Gar Forman, return to Chicago from the college scouting trail to pore over trade possibilities with him. The Bulls are clearly determined to land Stoudemire.

As for the Suns, they're still at the center of the league's deadline discussions because they have the biggest stars on the market. A year ago, the O'Neal-Shawn Marion trade was born out of Miami Heat owner Micky Arison's conversations with Sarver. It was the Suns owner who brought the possibility of the trade to Kerr and ex-Suns coach Mike D'Antoni.

Some owners do include themselves in trade talks. Dallas' Mark Cuban regularly does, but works closely with Mavericks GM Donnie Nelson. League sources believe Sarver has struggled with the idea that the Suns' best deal for Stoudemire won't come until they're up against the Feb. 19 deadline. Teams are doubting his patience in the process. Opponents think he wants a trade done soon, and that could have dramatic consequences for a franchise that can't afford to bungle this deal.

Mr. Arison is on the phone w/sarver and is telling him Haslem will be an all-star w/the suns. Done Deal! I wish

 

[kiddin like jason]

O.J., Rudy and Amar'e (and potentially Warrick if he isn't involved in the deal).

 

[ValarMorghulis]

how does memphis have money to spend? or is it basically a rental?

 

[mjvc]

I wish Atlanta could get Amare. Nobody we could really trade for. JJ Bib and STAT would be a sweet team!!

 

[N41D]

Originally Posted by BangDak

^let's just "pretend" you're right on that. does that you mean you add your future point guard to "even" out the deal?

Pretend I'm right about what? You think LaMarcus Aldridge is better than Amare? You think he ever will be?

OK.

And I'm not as big a Jerryd Bayless fan as a lot of people on here... I don't know that'd I'd for sure jump at the deal... But I don'tthink if the deal went down as rumored it would be the heavy Phoenix lean some of yall are making it out to be...

 

[10508 cardo jr ln]

Originally Posted by mjvc

I wish Atlanta could get Amare. Nobody we could really trade for. JJ Bib Josh Al and STAT would be a sweet team!!

 

[i nasmatic i]

Originally Posted by cleansneaksonly21

how does memphis have money to spend? or is it basically a rental?

Outside of a few players being overpaid (Darko, Buckner and Jaric), the rest of Memphis' roster is comprised of players on rookie or minimumcontracts.

 

[CP1708]

Even the owner is desperate to get Amary outta there Stat.

He's got 35 year olds all over the gym and he wants to trade the 26 year old?

Why might that be?

Dude seems to see what none of ya'll see.

 

[kiddin like jason]

We get it.

 

[burns1923]

"As managing partner of the Suns, no difference from any CEO responsible for any company, you have responsibility for the ultimate results of an organization," Sarver said by phone Wednesday morning. "And as such, when it comes to major decisions - basketball or business - I will become heavily involved just as I have been the last five years."
Hmm... o rly, Sarver?

http://sportsfiendchronicles.com/?p=149http://sportsfiendchronicles.com/?p=149
[h2][/h2]

[h2]Suns Management, Not Amar'e, Needs To Go[/h2]
10 February 2009 | Yale Schalk

In recent days, talk of an Amar'e Stoudemire trade has intensified, spurring league-wide 'what-ifs' and fan base 'why nows'. Though there is an air of shock that a starting forward for the West in this year's All-Star game is being shopped, there is also a feeling that this is what the Suns do - switch out talent when things go awry. But recent history suggests that Suns management, not players, is the problem.

The era of Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver dawned in summer 2004 - and has seemingly not looked up since. The team has been in a general downturn since the promising 62-win team in 2005 came up short due to Joe Johnson's playoff-ending injury, and now there is chatter of an impending Stoudemire trade, a potential move that threatens to continue the Suns' unrest.

However, before this latest talk, the Suns built a track record of releasing talent rather than corralling it - leaving fans frustrated and team chemistry repeatedly disrupted. The list of personnel, players, and draft picks jettisoned since Sarver's inception reads like a casualty roll:

Bryan Colangelo, who was responsible for drafting star forwards Shawn Marion and Amar'e Stoudemire, acquiring guard Leandro Barbosa, and wooing guard Steve Nash back to the Valley of the Sun, resigned as Suns GM on February 27, 2006. The notion prevails that Colangelo, whose father Jerry sold the team to Sarver, was not exactly compatible with Sarver's measured approach. Colangelo is currently GM of the Toronto Raptors.

Forward Luol Deng, drafted #7 overall by the Suns in 2004, was traded to Chicago on draft night for a future conditional first round draft pick, the draft rights to Jackson Vroman, and cash.

Guard Nate Robinson, drafted #21 overall by the Suns in 2005, was traded to New York, along with guard Quentin Richardson (who had only played 1 season in Phoenix after signing a 6-year, $45 million contract) on draft night. This trade netted the Suns Kurt Thomas, who would eventually also be traded.

Guard/Forward Joe Johnson, a rising young star whose ability to play the wing and point guard helped anchor the Suns' offense from 2002 to 2005, was traded to Atlanta in a sign-and-trade on August 19, 2005 for forward Boris Diaw and two conditional draft picks. Sarver allegedly was reluctant to offer the kind of money Johnson felt was fair - it was reported that the sides were only $5 million apart at one point - so Johnson, feeling disrespected, informed Sarver that he would rather play elsewhere.

Guard Rajon Rondo, drafted #21 overall by the Suns in 2006, was traded to Boston on draft night for a 2007 first round draft pick and cash. He started at point guard for the 2008 champions. (Sorry, Suns fans. Had to make note of it.)

Guard Rudy Fernandez, drafted #24 overall by the Suns in 2007, was traded, along with three-point specialist James Jones, to Portland on draft night for cash.

Forward Kurt Thomas, arguably Phoenix's only low-post defensive presence since center Mark West in the early '90s, was traded, along with the Suns' 2008 and 2010 first round draft picks, to Seattle on July 20, 2007 for a conditional second round draft pick and an $8 million trade exception.

Forward Shawn Marion, a Sun since being drafted by the team ninth overall in 1999, was traded with guard Marcus Banks to Miami on February 6, 2008 for Shaquille O'Neal. The Shaq trade brought temporary excitement but was not enough to overcome an efficient Spurs team in the 2008 playoffs. For what it's worth, trade talk has also included O'Neal of late.

Suns coach Mike D'Antoni, who guided the Suns to four consecutive seasons of at least 50 wins from 2004 to 2008, sought employment elsewhere after rookie GM Steve Kerr reportedly petitioned D'Antoni to modify his coaching principles. In early May 2008, D'Antoni was told he was free to speak to other teams regarding coaching offers, and on May 10 accepted New York's 4-year, $24 million deal to become head coach. While D'Antoni's run-and-gun style earned the Suns a reputation as an offensive juggernaut (some say at the expense of - or in place of - defense), the team could not consistently advance into later playoff rounds.

Guard Raja Bell, forward Boris Diaw, and guard Sean Singletary were traded to Charlotte on December 10, 2008 for guard Jason Richardson, forward Jared Dudley, and a 2010 second round draft pick. While the Suns added a valuable scorer in Richardson, it is debatable whether Bell's departure was because of poor play or because of Porter's coaching style. It is worth noting surfaced reports that Bell had been defiant of Porter.

Last summer, the Suns hired Terry Porter to replace Mike D'Antoni. So far, it hasn't worked out. There is clearly a chasm between the team's talent level and their overall record, an apathetic 28-22 as of February 10. A team boasting of Steve Nash, Shaquille O'Neal, Grant Hill, Amar'e Stoudemire, Jason Richardson, Leandro Barbosa, and Matt Barnes hardly lacks talent or firepower. O'Neal will be joining Stoudemire on this year's West All-Star team in Phoenix - a testament to Shaq's perseverance (he'll be 37 on March 6). But if there's a chasm between the Suns' roster and record, there's a gulf between Porter and the team, and the season is barely at mid-point. There are reports that Shaq and Matt Barnes have ignored Porter in the huddle, and that both players have demanded to be subbed into games, and have refused to be subbed out. Steve Nash has called this season "the toughest year of my career. By far." Stoudemire, amidst rumors that he and Porter don't mesh and that he could be traded, responded to the press on February 6, saying: "I know for sure, wherever I go, we're going to definitely be playoff contenders. I bring a lot to the table."

If Amar'e Stoudemire soon becomes the latest former Sun, his trade would mark yet another departing talent from the Valley, yet another break in team continuity, yet another reshuffling of the roster. Since 2004, Suns fans have watched player after player, person after person, permanently exit Phoenix, and have little to show for it with even less sense to be made of it.

Should more answers be sought after a Stoudemire trade, fans might be wise to seek out Robert Sarver to provide them. While the exact degree to which Sarver induced the transactions of his team over the last 5 years is unknown, it is widely known that he has kept an eagle eye on payroll during this time, and with so little success resulting from so many trades and severances, the common observer might wonder if those moves were money-motivated, and if the decision-makers-that-be are fit to be making them.

The Suns front office has seen more talent exit than enter over the past few years. The last five years and Phoenix's far-too-frequent ups and downs share two common denominators: Robert Sarver, and those who do what Robert Sarver directs them to do. Perhaps the shake-up the organization perpetually seeks should be having management, not the players, be the ones to go.

 

[johnnyredstorm]

Has Amare's name always been spelt Amar'e?

 

[bangdak]

Originally Posted by Nowitness41Dirk

Originally Posted by BangDak

^let's just "pretend" you're right on that. does that you mean you add your future point guard to "even" out the deal?

Pretend I'm right about what? You think LaMarcus Aldridge is better than Amare? You think he ever will be?

OK.

And I'm not as big a Jerryd Bayless fan as a lot of people on here... I don't know that'd I'd for sure jump at the deal... But I don't think if the deal went down as rumored it would be the heavy Phoenix lean some of yall are making it out to be...

He may not, but he'll still be a dominant player for years to come. and that article above me, smh at the front office destroying the franchise, piece bypiece.

 

[N41D]

LaMarcus Aldridge? Dominant?

Good, solid player... Sure... Dominant, All-Star power forward? Not hardly...

 

[Retroballer]

Originally Posted by heat23

BREAKING NEWS!!!

The Miami Heat have acquired Trace McGrady in a blockbuster trade for a Lays variety pack left by Shaq in his former locker that now belongs to Jamaal Maglore.

Asked about the trade and on now having McGrady as a teammate, Dwyane Wade said "Who?".

I'm pissed off, Riles said those were part of my signing bonus added Maglore

 

[franchise3]

Originally Posted by Nowitness41Dirk

Originally Posted by BangDak

^let's just "pretend" you're right on that. does that you mean you add your future point guard to "even" out the deal?

Pretend I'm right about what? You think LaMarcus Aldridge is better than Amare? You think he ever will be?

OK.

And I'm not as big a Jerryd Bayless fan as a lot of people on here... I don't know that'd I'd for sure jump at the deal... But I don't think if the deal went down as rumored it would be the heavy Phoenix lean some of yall are making it out to be...

Think about it objectively.

When talking about trading Amare, what names come up? Marion? Nets package with Yi? Tyrus Thomas package with the Bulls? to the etc.

Suns get a big expiring contract in Raef, a proven big man in LA, and an heir apparent to Steve Nash.

Is LA better than Amare? Maybe not ...yet, but, I'd much rather take LA over every other big man associated in a possible Amare deal (that's beendiscussed so far), minus Bosh. By trading Amare, the Suns clearly get the better end of the deal.

Amare is a beast no doubt, but when you put Amare on the Blazers, does your outlook of that team change THAT much? Does Amare make the Blazers THAT muchbetter than they currently are? I think you'd be hardpressed to say, definitively, yes.

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

^^^
There you have it ladies and gentlemen.

Sure
Amare > Aldrige.......................now.

But I still see Aldrige as a more valuable commodity given he's still relatively younger and has two knees that have not been surgically repaired.

 

[kgdakid21]

Originally Posted by Seymore CAKE

Once again the bulls fade into obscurity when it comes to making a big move

QFT

Pax doesn't pull the trigger. Plain and Simple

 

[6demonbag]

Paxsons become the "do-nothing" version of isiah

 

[arstyle27]

Lay off of Paxson. The way Tyrus is playing, I don't want to really want to trade him along with 3 other players. Someone mentioned it earlier, theGrizzlies gave away Gasol for scraps, and here are the Suns wanting half the team and a 1st round pick.....helllll no.

Gooden, Thomas, top ten protected pick.....done

 

[respect21]

Amare is a beast when motivated, but he is also a giant primadonna.

If the Suns decide to trade him, I'd love to see them get a few players who are actually willing to play defense.

 

[6demonbag]

Originally Posted by arstyle27

Lay off of Paxson. The way Tyrus is playing, I don't want to really want to trade him along with 3 other players. Someone mentioned it earlier, the Grizzlies gave away Gasol for scraps, and here are the Suns wanting half the team and a 1st round pick.....helllll no.

Gooden, Thomas, top ten protected pick.....done

Ill lay off paxson when us bulls fans: 1) Are not having pipe dreams about what lottery pick we are going to get, or what team we can trade up a few spots to2) Scrapping and praying for an 8th seed in the playoffs 3) CAN GET RID OF LARRY HUGHES 4) Can Rejoice in Management returning this franchise into arespectable ball club 5) When Paxson Most important of all DO HIS JOB as a NBA GM....(And sorry he gets no props for Drafting Pooh, Isiah coulda donethat...maybe) Untill then he will continue to wear the flame suit I as a lifetime bulls fan have tailored his ignorant self for

 

[enlightened thought]

damn...people actually think aldridge is better than amare? you can tell by watching aldridge play that he lacks that certain competitive edge that stat has. he's missing that certain intensity that makes him a dominant player. maybe i don't like the fact that for a player his size, he keeps on shootingmidrange shots. he's a great talent to have on a team, but will he ever have the same impact that amare has, i'm gonna say no. with that said,however, if i were the blazers, i wouldn't trade aldridge AND bayless AND raef's expiring contract. i think a third team should be involved.

 

[curtiscarter23]

[h1]Portland Backs Off Amare,Looking For Elite Point Guard?[/h1]

The trade talks between thePhoenix Suns and Portland Trail Blazers about Amar'e Stoudemire have fallen apart, CBSSports.com has learned.

The deal Portland was discussing with Phoenix involved LaMarcus Aldridge, Jerryd Bayless, and Raef LaFrentz's $12.7 million expiring contract."That deal is dead," the person familiar with the talks said. One reason could be that Portland is really looking to acquire an elite point guard,according to an NBA team executive.

 

[thegggame]

daniel gibson, anderson varejao and sasha pavlovic for amare.

 

[MIKE LOWERY]

Come on Paxson!




Grow a pair and get in there!!!!!!!!!!!!








If all else fails I'd still love to see Shaq finally get to Dallas. Unlikely but whatev.