CubanMustGo
06-21-2007, 03:46 PM
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/chris_mannix/06/21/marion/index.html
The hottest name on the trading block is on the West Coast but isn't a Los Angeles resident.
He is a long-armed forward who can score from everywhere and defend multiple positions, but doesn't play in the Midwest.
I'm talking about Shawn Marion.
Why? For starters, there is little chance Lakers owner Jerry Buss will unload a player in Kobe Bryant who a) sells ticket at home (L.A. averaged 18,985 fans per game last season, the seventh-highest average in the league) and on the road (18,825 per game, third best), b) sells apparel (Bryant's No. 24 jersey was the league's top seller in 2006-07 and the main reason Lakers jerseys were the NBA's best seller) and c) is the only player in the league who can win a game by himself. Not unless Buss gets equal value in return. And that's not possible.
Nor is it likely that Kevin Garnett will find a new home before the start of next season. The only trade that makes sense for Minnesota is the reported deal that would send Garnett to Boston for a package of Al Jefferson, Gerald Green, Sebastian Telfair, Theo Ratliff and the fifth overall pick.
Of course this makes sense for the Timberwolves. In exchange for the 31-year-old KG, Minnesota would get a future All-Star power forward (Jefferson), a high flyer with enormous potential (Green) and much-needed payroll flexibility (couple Garnett's salary with Ratliff's expiring $11.7 million contract and you create plenty of wiggle room).
Minnesota also would have the pick from Boston as well as its own No. 7 selection in a draft many have predicted will be the deepest in years. Suppose the Timberwolves could land Ohio State point guard Mike Conley (who could step in and play right away) and Florida swingman Corey Brewer (who is the most NBA-ready player in the draft). Then they could use their second-round pick on a big man or peddle Ricky Davis for some frontcourt help.
Now, I'm not privy to what Danny Ainge is thinking on this one, but I would venture to say he would have to be certifiable to pull the trigger. Yes, acquiring Garnett would appease the Boston faithful, which hasn't seen a banner raised since 1986. But it would be a debilitating blow in the long term, as Garnett, who entered the league in 1995, has a lot of miles on his tires. And Ainge's "build with youth" plan wouldn't mean much since, well, he would no longer have any.
Which brings us back to Marion. While the Matrix has been one of the most statistically productive players in the league over the last five years, it has become clear that Phoenix is looking to make a change. Word of chemistry issues in the Suns' locker room has filtered through the league since Phoenix's second-round ouster. If you discount seldom-used Jalen Rose (one general manager called him "the worst locker room lawyer in the league"), those problems can only be attributed to Marion and Amaré Stoudemire.
Given Stoudemire's age (24 to Marion's 29) and scoring average (20.4 to 17.5) and the fact that he plays a premium position (center), dealing him is probably less palatable to the Suns than trading Marion, who hasn't exactly embraced the role of third banana behind Stoudemire and Steve Nash.
So where does Marion end up? The Lakers make the most sense. In return for Marion, Phoenix could pry away 19-year-old center Andrew Bynum, whom several scouts have told me is a star in the making. The Suns would also pick up Lamar Odom, who could take over the ball-handling responsibilities when Nash is out of the game, which would free Leandro Barbosa to continue to play off the ball where he is most effective.
Though the move wouldn't do anything to help Phoenix avoid the luxury tax (Odom is owed $27.3 million over the next two seasons), the feeling in Phoenix is that winning while Nash is still playing at an MVP level takes precedence over any salary-cap issues.
Such a deal would also free the Suns to shift Stoudemire to his more natural power forward position. Stoudemire would embrace the move, and Bynum's confidence would grow exponentially once he realizes he can score 10 points per game just hanging out around the rim in Nash's line of sight. Odom could shift to back to small forward, giving Phoenix one of the most intimidating front lines in the conference. For insurance, the Suns could go out and sign Grant Hill, who wouldn't command more than the mid-level exception and is starved to play for a contending team.
There are other options, however. Ainge coached Marion briefly in 1999, and Boston has the young talent (Green, Kendrick Perkins), a big expiring contract (Ratliff) and the coveted fifth pick, which the Suns would almost assuredly use on Joakim Noah or Yi Jianlian, two bigs who love to run the floor.
Chicago's collection of young talent (as well as its ninth overall pick) would also be appealing to Phoenix. Minnesota is more of a longshot, though it should be noted that the Phoenix coaching staff is infatuated with Garnett and the possibility of him controlling the backboards and finishing fast breaks for the next two or three years.
Perhaps the biggest hitch when it comes to dealing Marion is his contract. Marion can opt out after next season, when he is scheduled to make $16.4 million. According to a league source, Marion will likely insist on a max or near max extension from any team that trades for him. That means his new team would likely have to pay Marion in excess of $17 million per season for five more years. Now, Marion is a quality player, but there are some around the league who believe Marion has benefited from the "Steve Nash Effect," which is to say Marion's stock (and statistics) will fall once he leaves Phoenix.
Still, Marion remains the most likely big name to be traded in the days leading up to the draft.
The hottest name on the trading block is on the West Coast but isn't a Los Angeles resident.
He is a long-armed forward who can score from everywhere and defend multiple positions, but doesn't play in the Midwest.
I'm talking about Shawn Marion.
Why? For starters, there is little chance Lakers owner Jerry Buss will unload a player in Kobe Bryant who a) sells ticket at home (L.A. averaged 18,985 fans per game last season, the seventh-highest average in the league) and on the road (18,825 per game, third best), b) sells apparel (Bryant's No. 24 jersey was the league's top seller in 2006-07 and the main reason Lakers jerseys were the NBA's best seller) and c) is the only player in the league who can win a game by himself. Not unless Buss gets equal value in return. And that's not possible.
Nor is it likely that Kevin Garnett will find a new home before the start of next season. The only trade that makes sense for Minnesota is the reported deal that would send Garnett to Boston for a package of Al Jefferson, Gerald Green, Sebastian Telfair, Theo Ratliff and the fifth overall pick.
Of course this makes sense for the Timberwolves. In exchange for the 31-year-old KG, Minnesota would get a future All-Star power forward (Jefferson), a high flyer with enormous potential (Green) and much-needed payroll flexibility (couple Garnett's salary with Ratliff's expiring $11.7 million contract and you create plenty of wiggle room).
Minnesota also would have the pick from Boston as well as its own No. 7 selection in a draft many have predicted will be the deepest in years. Suppose the Timberwolves could land Ohio State point guard Mike Conley (who could step in and play right away) and Florida swingman Corey Brewer (who is the most NBA-ready player in the draft). Then they could use their second-round pick on a big man or peddle Ricky Davis for some frontcourt help.
Now, I'm not privy to what Danny Ainge is thinking on this one, but I would venture to say he would have to be certifiable to pull the trigger. Yes, acquiring Garnett would appease the Boston faithful, which hasn't seen a banner raised since 1986. But it would be a debilitating blow in the long term, as Garnett, who entered the league in 1995, has a lot of miles on his tires. And Ainge's "build with youth" plan wouldn't mean much since, well, he would no longer have any.
Which brings us back to Marion. While the Matrix has been one of the most statistically productive players in the league over the last five years, it has become clear that Phoenix is looking to make a change. Word of chemistry issues in the Suns' locker room has filtered through the league since Phoenix's second-round ouster. If you discount seldom-used Jalen Rose (one general manager called him "the worst locker room lawyer in the league"), those problems can only be attributed to Marion and Amaré Stoudemire.
Given Stoudemire's age (24 to Marion's 29) and scoring average (20.4 to 17.5) and the fact that he plays a premium position (center), dealing him is probably less palatable to the Suns than trading Marion, who hasn't exactly embraced the role of third banana behind Stoudemire and Steve Nash.
So where does Marion end up? The Lakers make the most sense. In return for Marion, Phoenix could pry away 19-year-old center Andrew Bynum, whom several scouts have told me is a star in the making. The Suns would also pick up Lamar Odom, who could take over the ball-handling responsibilities when Nash is out of the game, which would free Leandro Barbosa to continue to play off the ball where he is most effective.
Though the move wouldn't do anything to help Phoenix avoid the luxury tax (Odom is owed $27.3 million over the next two seasons), the feeling in Phoenix is that winning while Nash is still playing at an MVP level takes precedence over any salary-cap issues.
Such a deal would also free the Suns to shift Stoudemire to his more natural power forward position. Stoudemire would embrace the move, and Bynum's confidence would grow exponentially once he realizes he can score 10 points per game just hanging out around the rim in Nash's line of sight. Odom could shift to back to small forward, giving Phoenix one of the most intimidating front lines in the conference. For insurance, the Suns could go out and sign Grant Hill, who wouldn't command more than the mid-level exception and is starved to play for a contending team.
There are other options, however. Ainge coached Marion briefly in 1999, and Boston has the young talent (Green, Kendrick Perkins), a big expiring contract (Ratliff) and the coveted fifth pick, which the Suns would almost assuredly use on Joakim Noah or Yi Jianlian, two bigs who love to run the floor.
Chicago's collection of young talent (as well as its ninth overall pick) would also be appealing to Phoenix. Minnesota is more of a longshot, though it should be noted that the Phoenix coaching staff is infatuated with Garnett and the possibility of him controlling the backboards and finishing fast breaks for the next two or three years.
Perhaps the biggest hitch when it comes to dealing Marion is his contract. Marion can opt out after next season, when he is scheduled to make $16.4 million. According to a league source, Marion will likely insist on a max or near max extension from any team that trades for him. That means his new team would likely have to pay Marion in excess of $17 million per season for five more years. Now, Marion is a quality player, but there are some around the league who believe Marion has benefited from the "Steve Nash Effect," which is to say Marion's stock (and statistics) will fall once he leaves Phoenix.
Still, Marion remains the most likely big name to be traded in the days leading up to the draft.