ESPN says the Suns are back in the hunt to land KG

[wegoingtothesuperbowl]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2917781


I want KG but I don't know about the one involving the Hawks.....

[kjbad]

The Hawks have the high draft picks necessary to make this happen...and you knew some eastern conference team would have to benefit from a proposed blockbuster like this.

[finally]

The way I see it is our time is running out with Nash. We need to win next year or the year after and KG gives us the best chance to do that.

Amare is a stud but Nash gives him an extra 4-6 points a night. Not to mention his knee.

KG gets his points with no help or other threat. Imagine how good he will be with the Suns.

I am for the Amare deal but I would rather give up Marion.

[kjbad]

http://www.pe.com/sports/basketball/breakout/stories/PE_Sports_Local_D_lakers_27.41c096e.html
Timberwolves reject Lakers' shot at Garnett

NO DEAL: Sources say LA's offer isn't enough, and Minnesota is talking trade with Phoenix.

12:42 AM PDT on Wednesday, June 27, 2007

By BRODERICK TURNER
The Press-Enterprise

There had been so much noise Monday about the Lakers trying to make a blockbuster trade, trying to pry Kevin Garnett away from the Minnesota Timberwolves and do all they could to appease disgruntled superstar Kobe Bryant.

But Tuesday was a quiet day for the Lakers, and the trade talks that stalled Monday night appear to have reached a dead end, sources said.

The Lakers had hoped to deal Lamar Odom, Andrew Bynum and perhaps Kwame Brown for Garnett, but league sources said that appears unlikely to happen.

The Lakers haven't given up hope for acquiring Garnett, the sources said, but ESPN reported that Phoenix also is trying to acquire the 10-time All-Star in a three-team deal with Boston.

Minnesota reportedly wants a young player, a player with an expiring contract and high draft picks to go along with its No. 7 selection in Thursday's draft.

The Lakers could offer the young player (Bynum) and the expiring contract (Brown, making $9.1 million in his final season), but they don't pick in the draft until No. 19.

The Lakers reportedly had tried to make it a four-team deal that included Boston and Indiana, but the Celtics backed out Monday. When the Lakers tried to deal straight up with Minnesota, the Wolves balked because they didn't like the package LA has to offer.

And so it appears the Lakers are back to Square 1 in their attempt to find help for Bryant, who went on a rampage last month, bashing the front office for not improving the team.

"We're working as hard as we can to try to get something done," General Manager Mitch Kupchak said by phone Tuesday. "It's tough to make a deal, but we're trying our best to improve our team."

The Lakers have restarted talks with Indiana about acquiring Jermaine O'Neal, the New York Daily News reported.

[Projekt]

I really don't want to give up Stat... Marion would be a much better player for us to give up. Plus, imagine KG and Stat on the floor together.

I would say if we have to, give them Marion, plus both of our lottery picks. That might sweeten the deal enough.

[PiercingCard77]

Timberwolves talking three-way Garnett deal

By Adrian Wojnarowski, Yahoo! Sports
June 27, 2007





NEW YORK – Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Garnett is close to going to the Phoenix Suns in a monumental three-way trade that would send Phoenix forward Amare Stoudemire to the Atlanta Hawks, league sources said Wednesday.

Atlanta would move the Nos. 3 and 11 picks in Thursday's draft, as well as Zaza Pachulia and Anthony Johnson, to Minnesota.

Minnesota owner Glen Taylor has delivered a mandate to his basketball executives to get a deal done, one league executive said.

Yahoo! Sports has learned that the trade would also save the Hawks from an emerging showdown between the front office and coaching staff over whom to draft with the third pick. The front office and coaching staff had settled on Florida power forward Al Horford, but a faction of the Atlanta Spirit ownership group, with business interests in China, is pushing them to take Yi Jianlian.

ADVERTISEMENT


The deal hinges on Atlanta general manager Billy Knight saying yes, as well as Hawks ownership, which is mired in lawsuits, being willing to increase payroll. It is believed that star Hawks guard Joe Johnson talked to his former Suns teammate on Wednesday and that the 24-year-old Stoudemire, a first-team All-NBA choice, told him that he'd welcome the trade.


Adrian Wojnarowski is the national NBA columnist for Yahoo! Sports. Send Adrian a question or comment for potential use in a future column or webcast.

[azbmxican]

The way I see it is our time is running out with Nash. We need to win next year or the year after and KG gives us the best chance to do that.

Amare is a stud but Nash gives him an extra 4-6 points a night. Not to mention his knee.

KG gets his points with no help or other threat. Imagine how good he will be with the Suns.

I am for the Amare deal but I would rather give up Marion.

bs, I will not want to part Amare for KG. There is no way we do that.

[Darth Llama]

I cannot for the life of be believe that the Suns would even consider a deal where they give up Amare to get KG.

Don't get me wrong, I love KG.. I think he's one of the best in the league. I rate him just under Amare. A deal that brngs in KG and sends Amare out is a downgrade. Granted it's a very slight downgrade, but it's a downgrade none the less.

The whole point of getting KG is to team him with Amare and establish a truly dominant front court. A deal that sends Amare out of Phoenix is absolutely insane.

The Phoenix Suns have totally lost it. They are so fixed on gettng KG, they have gone off the deep end. You're going to give up the best Center in the NBA bar none, a dynamic young player.. for what? For a dominant Power Forward with a contract that expires in a year?

What are they smoking?

[Arby Rick]

Honestly, I wouldnt trade Amare for anyone in the league. How could you? This is totally insane. When will we get a chance to get another player like him?

I dont believe the Suns could be that ignorant. If they make this trade, which I still cant believe they will, it will go down as the worst trade in the teams history, far surpassing the Rick Robey and DJ fiasco.

I will root for the Suns no matter what and if they win the title next year with KG I will be very pleased, but the fact that Amare will not be a Sun any longer is really disappointing. I mean, how great is he going to be? Hes already an untradable player IMO and hes not even reached his full potential yet.

I wont believe this move until I see it. Can this really happen?

KG is a great player, but hes 31 years old, has a lot of mileage on those legs and according to the beat writer in Minnesota is NOT the player he used to be. Hes still great, but on the downside. So, how do we trade the best young player in the league for him? To win one title maybe? Is it really worth it? We should win the title WITH Amare next year anyways!!! We would have won it this year had it not been for the whole suspension craziness!! Weve got the best team and the best young player.....WHY SCREW IT UP????

[Arby Rick]

Just read on my phone that the deal is cooling off. It looks like the Hawks are disfunctional and cant make it work internally. Thank goodness! This will be the best non-trade in Suns history. LEAVE THE TEAM ALONE. WE ALREADY HAVE THE BEST TEAM IN THE NBA!!!!!!

[Arby Rick]

Bruce Cooper of Channel 12 is reporting that the deal for Amare is not going to happen. Great, the alcohol (or worse) finally wore off the Suns brass and they have come to their senses!!!!

[PiercingCard77]

I think the trade would be good, first off, the Suns/Nash's window is about 3 years. KG and Amare are very comparable offenisvely, but defensivily, Amare can not hold the jock of KG. Amare was used and abused by Duncan!!

KG has another 4-5 soild years, and Amare? Well, he will need routine surgey again on that knee in 3-4 years...and who knows how the knee will hold up. Also, the coaching staff and team wasn't happy with him during the playoffs...from calling out the coaches, not keeping his mouth shut, and not showig up the the season ending meeting.

Is Amare great, yeah....but the Suns chances of a title improve greatly with KG.

I do not think the Suns brass is crazy for exploring this trade...it makes sense.

[kjbad]

What is the goal?

Is it to keep everybody here, or to win a title?

If Sarver came on TV right now and said that he knew we wouldn't win a title with our current line-up, but that he could make the right moves and get a title in this upcoming season, wouldn't Suns fans be OK with that?

Which would you rather have...
Shawn Marion or a title?
Amare Stoudemire or a title?
Steve Nash or a title?
Leandro Barbosa or a title?

Just like the commercial says, "Eyes on the Prize". Not on the roster. If making the moves will get us back to the NBA Finals, then let's make the moves.

[PiercingCard77]

What is the goal?

Is it to keep everybody here, or to win a title?

If Sarver came on TV right now and said that he knew we wouldn't win a title with our current line-up, but that he could make the right moves and get a title in this upcoming season, wouldn't Suns fans be OK with that?

Which would you rather have...
Shawn Marion or a title?
Amare Stoudemire or a title?
Steve Nash or a title?
Leandro Barbosa or a title?

Just like the commercial says, "Eyes on the Prize". Not on the roster. If making the moves will get us back to the NBA Finals, then let's make the moves.

Your dead-on KJ!!!

[Arby Rick]

Wow, guys, I have to respectfully TOTALLY disagree. Amare is a BETTER player than Garnett RIGHT NOW and hes only 24. KG is 31.

There is absolutely NO WAY the Suns will trade the best player in the league. NO WAY.

Steve Kerr knows this and so do most others. The Suns BEST chance to win the Championship is with the best player. That guy is Amare.

The proof......

The trade will never happen because the Suns dont want to trade a better young player for an older player that at this point in time is not as good......

[PiercingCard77]

Wow, guys, I have to respectfully TOTALLY disagree. Amare is a BETTER player than Garnett RIGHT NOW and hes only 24. KG is 31.

There is absolutely NO WAY the Suns will trade the best player in the league. NO WAY.

Steve Kerr knows this and so do most others. The Suns BEST chance to win the Championship is with the best player. That guy is Amare.

The proof......

The trade will never happen because the Suns dont want to trade a better young player for an older player that at this point in time is not as good......


Arby...Amare is no were near KG just yet, does he have the potential...Yes. Amare is by far one of the worst post-defenders in this league. Like I said, offensively...they're very compareable...but KG tips the scales "at this point time" with this rebounding and defense.

No matter what, Kurt Thomas will not be on this team when the season starts. So who is going to cover Duncan??? With no Kurt, Amare will foul out of every game when we play the Spurs.

[kjbad]

Wow, guys, I have to respectfully TOTALLY disagree. Amare is a BETTER player than Garnett RIGHT NOW and hes only 24. KG is 31.

There is absolutely NO WAY the Suns will trade the best player in the league. NO WAY.

Steve Kerr knows this and so do most others. The Suns BEST chance to win the Championship is with the best player. That guy is Amare.

The proof......

The trade will never happen because the Suns dont want to trade a better young player for an older player that at this point in time is not as good......

Arby, I hear your points, but Amare has had major knee problems in his past and he is in uncharted waters right now. Can he play another season or another 10 seasons on those knees, no one knows. His value has never been higher if you believe that he is closer to playing for one more healthy season vs. 10 more. If he were to suffer another knee injury next year, there goes PHX's title hopes AND their chances to get anything for Amare in the market.

I personally think PHX doctors know something the rest of the league does not - they helped Antonio McDyess get back to playing strong, and now Amare too. But the reality is that the Suns have a lot riding on the decision to deal Amare or not - it could be the start of a championship run or a setback for several more seasons.

[Arby Rick]

Arby...Amare is no were near KG just yet, does he have the potential...Yes. Amare is by far one of the worst post-defenders in this league. Like I said, offensively...they're very compareable...but KG tips the scales "at this point time" with this rebounding and defense.

No matter what, Kurt Thomas will not be on this team when the season starts. So who is going to cover Duncan??? With no Kurt, Amare will foul out of every game when we play the Spurs.

Couldnt disagree more. Amare was first team All NBA. If you gave every GM in the league a chance to add one player to their team Amare would probably top the list. The Suns were better than the Spurs last year and if not for a fluke, would be the NBA champions. You ask whos going to stop Duncan. Whos going to stop Amare?, he has lit up the Spurs. The Suns are the better team. They were last year. The best team doesnt always win.

If Garnett was better than Amare the Suns would trade Amare for Garnett. If they wanted to they would get it done. The truth is THE SUNS KNOW THAT TRADING AMARE FOR KG IS A BAD TRADE FOR PHOENIX. The trade will not happen. The Suns know better.....

[Arby Rick]

Arby, I hear your points, but Amare has had major knee problems in his past and he is in uncharted waters right now. Can he play another season or another 10 seasons on those knees, no one knows. His value has never been higher if you believe that he is closer to playing for one more healthy season vs. 10 more. If he were to suffer another knee injury next year, there goes PHX's title hopes AND their chances to get anything for Amare in the market.

I personally think PHX doctors know something the rest of the league does not - they helped Antonio McDyess get back to playing strong, and now Amare too. But the reality is that the Suns have a lot riding on the decision to deal Amare or not - it could be the start of a championship run or a setback for several more seasons.

I will say it over and over again. The Suns WILL NOT trade Amare. It will not happen. No way. They arent that stupid. Sure he had a major surgery, but I think he proved that he could come back. Will he need more surgery? Maybe, but he will probably come back from that too. The guy is a sponge. Hes a work out warrior. He is on a mission. He will not be denied. Thats the kind of guy we want on our team....

[HebrewHammer]

Couldnt disagree more. Amare was first team All NBA. If you gave every GM in the league a chance to add one player to their team Amare would probably top the list. The Suns were better than the Spurs last year and if not for a fluke, would be the NBA champions. You ask whos going to stop Duncan. Whos going to stop Amare?, he has lit up the Spurs. The Suns are the better team. They were last year. The best team doesnt always win.

If Garnett was better than Amare the Suns would trade Amare for Garnett. If they wanted to they would get it done. The truth is THE SUNS KNOW THAT TRADING AMARE FOR KG IS A BAD TRADE FOR PHOENIX. The trade will not happen. The Suns know better.....

Preach on Brother Arby.....In the infamous words of Nancy Reagan, Just Say No!!!!! Add someone like Grant Hill and a couple of Draft Picks, maybe even someone like PJ Brown, but keep the core together for at least one more run....

[PiercingCard77]

Couldnt disagree more. Amare was first team All NBA. If you gave every GM in the league a chance to add one player to their team Amare would probably top the list. The Suns were better than the Spurs last year and if not for a fluke, would be the NBA champions. You ask whos going to stop Duncan. Whos going to stop Amare?, he has lit up the Spurs. The Suns are the better team. They were last year. The best team doesnt always win.

If Garnett was better than Amare the Suns would trade Amare for Garnett. If they wanted to they would get it done. The truth is THE SUNS KNOW THAT TRADING AMARE FOR KG IS A BAD TRADE FOR PHOENIX. The trade will not happen. The Suns know better.....

When did Amare tear up the Spurs?? He spent most of his time on the bench in the playoff series. Actually, if the GMs voted correctly, Amare wouldn't have the 1st Team. Instead of them voting Duncan as a Center, they voted him as a Forward...which leaves the door open for Amare to make the 1st team. If the league were to vote Duncan in as a Center, Amare would have been unable to make the 1st Team as a Forward.

Amare's game in no where near as complete as Garnett's "at this point in time".

I look at what Garnett has done in Minny with no PG ever...and has never had a great cast of players around him.

Amare is great with Nash..but without Nash, his Stats (no pun intended) are cut in half.

Amare has the potential to be great, maybe the best in the league....but to do that, he needs to polish his defensive game and his mental game. Amare is not even in the top 5 in the league just yet...1.)Duncan 2.) Kobe 3.) Garnett 4.) Nash and 5.)Wade.

I would hate to trade Amare...but, in the short-term I believe that is what is best for the team. Nash's clock is ticking.

[kjbad]

If Garnett was better than Amare the Suns would trade Amare for Garnett. If they wanted to they would get it done. The truth is THE SUNS KNOW THAT TRADING AMARE FOR KG IS A BAD TRADE FOR PHOENIX. The trade will not happen. The Suns know better.....

The Suns cannot simply trade Amare for Garnett, Garnett's the highest paid player in the league and PHX already has luxury tax issues. But they can trade Amare to another team that gives them tax relief - like ATL, for instance. Joe Johnson will gladly play with Amare again, but that's not the issue, the $$$$ is.

PHX cannot afford Marion, Stoudemire, and Nash without incurring the luxury tax - and Garnett is the highest paid player in the league ($21M last season). Someone has to go, it's simple economics. No one's talking about Nash leaving, so it's Amare ($12.5M) or Marion ($15M). Enter ATL, who has the draft picks and friendly contracts that can make it happen - problem is, their ownership body is split and the one guy who is causing trouble is vetoing the deal.

It's all about the $$$...has nothing to do with the talent swap.

[Arby Rick]

When did Amare tear up the Spurs?? He spent most of his time on the bench in the playoff series. Actually, if the GMs voted correctly, Amare wouldn't have the 1st Team. Instead of them voting Duncan as a Center, they voted him as a Forward...which leaves the door open for Amare to make the 1st team. If the league were to vote Duncan in as a Center, Amare would have been unable to make the 1st Team as a Forward.

Amare's game in no where near as complete as Garnett's "at this point in time".

I look at what Garnett has done in Minny with no PG ever...and has never had a great cast of players around him.

Amare is great with Nash..but without Nash, his Stats (no pun intended) are cut in half.

Amare has the potential to be great, maybe the best in the league....but to do that, he needs to polish his defensive game and his mental game. Amare is not even in the top 5 in the league just yet...1.)Duncan 2.) Kobe 3.) Garnett 4.) Nash and 5.)Wade.

I would hate to trade Amare...but, in the short-term I believe that is what is best for the team. Nash's clock is ticking.

He averaged 26.4 pts and 10.6 rebounds against the Spurs in the playoffs this year and has torched them for 40+ pts in the past.

The GMs did vote correctly. Amare is one of the 5 best players in the NBA so he was named to the All NBA Team.

Amare may not be as complete as Garnett now, but hes 7 years younger! Hes only 24 and he is a more valuable player. Garnett is past his prime.

Amare would be nothing without Nash? I disagree with that 100%.

My top 5 players in the league in terms of who I would want on my team start with Amare. Like I said, I wouldnt trade him for anyone. Im not alone. I dont think the Suns would either.

Best for the Suns? It all starts with keeping STAT. We can go forward from there. Makes no sense to take a step back......

[Arby Rick]

KJ, there is no deal. The Suns are not going to trade Amare. They dont want to. His name hasnt even been mentioned seriously in any trades by the Suns management. This is all conjecture. Internet, media driven non sense.

[PiercingCard77]

He averaged 26.4 pts and 10.6 rebounds against the Spurs in the playoffs this year and has torched them for 40+ pts in the past.

The GMs did vote correctly. Amare is one of the 5 best players in the NBA so he was named to the All NBA Team.

Amare may not be as complete as Garnett now, but hes 7 years younger! Hes only 24 and he is a more valuable player. Garnett is past his prime.

Amare would be nothing without Nash? I disagree with that 100%.

My top 5 players in the league in terms of who I would want on my team start with Amare. Like I said, I wouldnt trade him for anyone. Im not alone. I dont think the Suns would either.

Best for the Suns? It all starts with keeping STAT. We can go forward from there. Makes no sense to take a step back......


Amare ended up on the first team because Duncan was voted in as foward, once again. If you refer to the numbers from the voting, Stat was sixth in voting...but because how voting takes place, Amare made the 1st team.

Please go look at Amare's numbers without Nash, they are half.....the numbers speak for themselves.

The stats for this past series do not tell the story. He spent a majority of his time on the bench in foul trouble. Stats are the most overrated way to look at a series or a players.

I like Amare....but in basketball sense 101....KG is better now, and would be better for the Suns.

Personally, I do not think the trade will happen.

This team after the draft will be worse off than this past year.....once Kurt is gome, we will have to rely on Amare to defend Dunce which will equate to losses.

I believe by the time Amare matures into his complete players, Nash's time will be up.

[PiercingCard77]

KJ, there is no deal. The Suns are not going to trade Amare. They dont want to. His name hasnt even been mentioned seriously in any trades by the Suns management. This is all conjecture. Internet, media driven non sense.

This trade was brought up....do you really think managment will come out and say, "Yeah, we are trying to trade Amare".

Joe Johnson, was cited as speaking to Amare yesterday about the trade.

[Arby Rick]

All I can say is this. If the Suns REALLY wanted to trade Amare for Garnett they could. They might have to get creative, get a 3rd team involved, but it could happen.

They dont want to because it would hurt the team.

Yes, Amare's stats did go down when Steve was out. Do you think Karl Malone's went down a bit when Stockton was out?

Like HH said, they need to add a few role players like Grant Hill, keep the team in tact and win it all next year. Something I can safely say that the Garnett lead T-Cups will never do........

[HebrewHammer]

Really disappointed in the Suns for selling the 24th pick with all that talent still on the board. Love them taking Tucker with #29, but is Sarver really this cheap....$3 mil for the 24th pick??? Come on now....

[azbmxican]

Really disappointed in the Suns for selling the 24th pick with all that talent still on the board. Love them taking Tucker with #29, but is Sarver really this cheap....$3 mil for the 24th pick??? Come on now....

maybe they are saving money so they can pay that luxury tax???:idea: Idk, but I'm not too found on the two picks.


Any chance we still land KG?

[fenikz]

i've determined there are only 2 people in the league that I would trade Amare straight up for

Kobe Bryant
&
Lebron James

[captjack]

Love them taking Tucker with #29

tucker was one of the three or four guys i had been looking at. he seems pretty solid.

we have never drafted a guy out of wisconsin that i liked before, hopefullly this badger will be better than that idiot in '95.

anybody remember what finley said on draft day as he put on his new suns cap? .........."get ready to win."

as for the second round, i like strawberry as well. he looks like a very good fit for us. he does everything well, ACC All D-Team, POTW a few times in the ACC.

it will be nice to have a couple of rooks taking up some minutes. hopefully.

[dillon1]

Really disappointed in the Suns for selling the 24th pick with all that talent still on the board. Love them taking Tucker with #29, but is Sarver really this cheap....$3 mil for the 24th pick??? Come on now....
Jones part of Portland deal

Paul Coro
The Arizona Republic
Jun. 29, 2007 10:56 AM
The Suns agreed Thursday night to a trade that will send swingman James Jones to Portland as part of the deal that had the Trail Blazers buying Phoenix's 24th pick for $3 million.

Portland is allowed to take a player without returning one because they acquired a trade exception in the Zach Randolph deal with the New York Knicks.

The deal, confirmed by two league sources, may not become official until next week because of pending physicals.

The move is another one to help reduce the Suns' luxury tax next year. Jones was slated to make $2.9 million this season and $3.15 million in the final year of his contract in 2008-09.

Jones, 26, played the past two seasons for the Suns in the role of long-distance shooter and sound defender. He played 18.1 minutes per game last season and averaged 6.4 points on 36.8 percent field-goal shooting, including 37.8 percent on three-pointers.