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Kerr is a GM and he doesn't know CBA rules.
Waiving Marshall wasn't a possibility for Settle. they had to waive before trading with Cavs and Bulls.
http://www.ktar.com/sports/?nid=21&sid=749527
February 29th, 2008 @ 8:04pm
by James Schmehl/Sports 620 KTAR
Brent Barry took his time to consider his options.
The veteran free agent was a wanted man by many - including a few elite teams in the West and even a top-tier team in the East.
In the end, the 36-year-old sharpshooter opted to return to his roots and sign with San Antonio.
But is it possible Barry knew where he would wind up all along?
Barry cleared waivers Tuesday morning and signed with the Spurs on Thursday - a week after being traded from his former squad to Seattle, which in turn, released him Friday.
"I think maybe there was something behind the scenes there," Suns GM Steve Kerr told Sports 620 KTAR.
Seattle acquired veteran center Kurt Thomas in exchange for Barry, center Francisco Elson and a 2009 first-round draft pick. However, the SuperSonics opted to buy out Barry's $5.6 million contract and release him on Friday.
Barry would seem to be a likely candidate to be waived due to his expiring contract, but consider the alternatives.
"If I'm Seattle, I'm not going to let Barry go, I'm going to let Donyell Marshall go," Kerr said.
Marshall, 35, is set to earn $5.6 million this year and $5.9 million in 2008-09.
"When you get all of those guys in those two trades, Brent's a guy who is much more productive," Kerr said. "Donyell Marshall doesn't have much more left in the tank."
However, Kerr suggested potential ties between the SuperSonics and the Spurs, which could account for Barry's buyout.
"(Seattle GM) Sam Presti used to be in San Antonio as an assistant," Kerr said. "Who knows? I don't have any proof of that and I'm not about to look into that."
Presti and Seattle coach P.J. Carlesimo both worked under Spurs coach and former GM Gregg Popovich at one time in their career.
Carlesimo was an assistant coach under Popovich from 2002-07 and Presti was the Assistant General Manager under Popovich.
It's a move that isn't uncommon in the NBA. In fact, a similar scenario was almost staged less than a month ago after the Dallas Mavericks and New Jersey Nets made an alleged prearranged agreement.
The NBA investigated the possibility the Mavericks and Jerry Stackhouse violated league rules with a prearranged agreement for the forward to return to Dallas after reaching a contract buyout in New Jersey and sitting out the 30-day waiting period.
The NBA threatened to squash that potential trade - what's preventing NBA Commissioner David Stern and Co. from intervening now?
"That doesn't bother me - that's just the way business is done and that's part of it, everybody does stuff like that," Kerr said.
Despite the loophole, Suns fans can't say Kerr still didn't try to change Barry's decision.
During Barry's free agency period, Kerr altered his already hectic road schedule to meet with the Barry family.
After traveling to Manhattan, Kansas in a scouting trip on Monday, he traveled to San Antonio on Tuesday in an attempt to lure Barry to Phoenix. Following his meeting with Barry, Kerr departed to Nashville, Tennessee to scout the Tennessee and Vanderbilt men's basketball game.
Unfortunately for Kerr, Barry's decision was likely made weeks before he even chartered his plane.
"He's been there almost four years and he's grown very close with those guys," Kerr said. "It was just too difficult of a decision for him to cut the cord."
The Spurs and Suns offered Barry a veteran's minimum contract for the rest of the season and next season, but he chose San Antonio, his team since 2004 and his family's home.
The commissioner's office might not have enough evidence to intervene and apply punishment if wrongdoings took place, but perhaps Barry's poor acting skills could be the catalyst the commissioner's office needs to tweak policies.
However, even more unsettling to Suns fans is the acting job Barry might have put on during his free agency reign.
It wasn't until the Suns issued him a deadline that Barry, who hasn't played since Dec. 31 due to a calf strain, made his decision to return to the Spurs.
Phoenix, along with interested parties Boston, Dallas and Houston, tried to woo Barry during his short-lived free agency period, but the veteran guard opted to sign with the team that had traded him less than a week prior.
But had Kerr not given Barry a cut-off date, would Barry have waited on his decision?
The Spurs likely wouldn't mind - he can't rejoin the Spurs until March 21 - 30 days after their initial trade - and Barry could hold off a decision due to his calf injury that will likely sideline him for another two weeks.
So, was Barry, who was described as "more confused than he was four days ago," by his brother, Jon, even pulling a fast one past his family?
"I thought we were going to get him at one point," Kerr said. "Ultimately, I think it was too difficult for Brent to pack up his family and go. He's very comfortable in San Antonio and it's tough to leave teammates."
Kerr is a GM and he doesn't know CBA rules.
Waiving Marshall wasn't a possibility for Settle. they had to waive before trading with Cavs and Bulls.
Kerr is a GM and he doesn't know CBA rules.
Waiving Marshall wasn't a possibility for Settle. they had to waive before trading with Cavs and Bulls.
What an idiot.
The most important thing is that Kerr has become a whinny and he takes it anywhere he goes. Also, he said there has to be something going on in the background but I'm not about to look into it - but just by saying it you are opening the door for others to do.
Wow, I didn't think Kerr would go the Sarver D'Antoni route.
Wow.
Hey, if they want to waive Donyell Marshall too, I'll take him.
Donyell still does have something left in the tank, despite what Stevie says.
Not to mention that I'm sure Cleveland did NOT send the money along in the trade to buy out Marshall's contract. They couldn't. The cap on trade cash is $3M. The Spurs could, since Barry was only owed the remaining pro-rated portion of this year's salary.
Kerr comes off as a bitter little . What is it with our former guards that they turn into assholes when they leave here? First AJ, now Kerr? WTF? I guess Kerr is understandable, since he was only a transplant, cutting his teeth under the queen of all es, Phil Jackson.
CIA Barry
Kerr thinks this wasn't above board, yet also believed at one point that the Suns were going to get Barry? If it wasn't above board, how on Earth would he have ever thought he had a chance?
Kerr could have picked him up off of waivers ... anyone could have. So, tough .
Maybe its in the water down there.
Exactly, if hes gonna blame anyone, blame his cheap ass owner.Kerr could have picked him up off of waivers ... anyone could have. So, tough .
Thats right Holt haters, I called Sarver a cheap ass.
Kerr could have picked him up off of waivers ... anyone could have. So, tough .
yet another reason why SW rules!
Yup like Penny had right man?
the suns wanted barry on the cheap. they didn't want to use their trade exception.
when you give half an effort and you lose, you should just acknowledge that you gave half an effort.
Barry being waived has been said by Ludden way before the Cavs/Bulls trade.
To me, either is was an under the table agreement between spurs and Sonics or Presti wanted to be nice with Barry.
I'm sure it was said to Barry "When your waived, wed like you back" *wink wink*
Could there have been something? I'm sure, but to come out and whine about it because he chose another team over you is bush league and childish. I honestly though Steve Kerr was better than this.
Well no matter what
Barry could go somwhere else. Even if Pop knew Presti would let Barry go he also knew that Barry could go to another contender.
It was barry's decision no doubt about it (IMHO)
So I have no problems with that
Kerr could have picked him up off of waivers ... anyone could have. So, tough .
Is it the Phoenix mindset with D'Antoni and Sarver or what? Kerrneeds to get a grip. If this is business as usual then why all the complaining?
As for "Barry's poor acting skills could be the catalyst the commissioner's office needs to tweak policies" is really weak. They're. Frankly the Gasol "where did that come from" trade should be the one they are upset about. Anyway they have the Diesel now so everything should just fine. Right?
I'm not taking what Kerr said as a complaining.
he also said
"That doesn't bother me - that's just the way business is done and that's part of it, everybody does stuff like that," Kerr said.
"When you get all of those guys in those two trades, Brent's a guy who is much more productive," Kerr said. "Donyell Marshall doesn't have much more left in the tank."
Marshall goes for 30 and hits the game winner the next time he plays against the suns
C'mon Stevie, 2 things... you need to borrow Isaiah Thomas's GM's for dummies, and you need to not give other players bulletin board material.
I like ya Steve...always have, but after the Snaq trade and these quotes, I'm left shaking my head.
Why do players like Steve and Avery look like brainy MENSA types when in SA, and then soon as they leave, they become mindless?
Lack of Pop?
Pop is soooo underated !!
I'll probably settle for Kerr venting on this one. polandprzem -You're right about him mentioning that's its a business but I was kinda reading between the lines and going with my gut on this one. It sounded like at first he was upset and implying some type of colusion between Seattle and SA but seemingly backed off of that later. KTAR 360 then really jumped all over that. Kerr is probably just pissed that he didin't get the perimeter help the Suns needed.
That's what I was thinking, Everbody? He should expect a phone call from the league asking more questions, Because he had to make that statement.
This coming from someone who just traded for Shaq???? LMAOKerr said. "Donyell Marshall doesn't have much more left in the tank."
Yeah I forgot the irony there
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