NBA Offseason Thread

[Precious Roy 0]

Bonner would actually be a good fit with San Antonio. He's a scrappy hustler and very good spot up shooter, that's all the Spurs need from a backup 4.

[Conspiracy_Victim 0]

A lot of rumors about the Rockets moving around during the draft.

 

Brandon Roy claims the Rockets are trying to move up into the top 5 or 6 to get him. Also a rumor that the Rockets will trade Juwan Howard and the #8 pick to Portland for #4, Darius Miles, and more. Apparently the Rockets turned down Miles and the 31st and 32nd picks so they're back at the drawing board. That report indicated the Rockets would take Tyrus Thomas. Finally, ESPN Insider is reporting the Hornets might trade JR Smith and the #12 and 15 picks for the 8 and Stromile Swift. So, in summary, the Rockets might move up, down, or stay in the same place.

 

Man I love draft time for the NBA and NFL. It's like a bunch of wannabe 007s trying to misinform everyone else.

[Cuban Linx 0]

Portland in trade rumors to get a guy recently caught shoplifting, i guess they've given up on the whole 'cleaning up the teams image' thing.

[2GOLD 0]

Portland in trade rumors to get a guy recently caught shoplifting, i guess they've given up on the whole 'cleaning up the teams image' thing.

 

It was only shoplifting.

Baby steps man, from drug use down to shoplifting. It's progress.

[Brett Favre 0]

The rumored trade right now is Shawn Marion, Leandro Barbosa, and the 27th pick for Rashard Lewis, Danny Fortson, and the 10th pick. Basically, it seems like Barbosa wants his new contract to start at 7 or 8 mill, and the Suns want to save up money to sign Boris Diaw. They trade Marion, whos making max to make some room, and take back Lewis who'll fill in for now, Fortson, who is an expiring, and take a rookie player who'll be paid rookie money for 4 years (looks to be Rodney Carney or Ronnie Brewer). The Sonics meanwhile get the best player in the trade, and Barbosa who I guess will be the backup SG, with Ridnour and Watson already taking care of the PG duties, and also get a draft pick. I guess its a decent trade for both teams.

[Just John 0]

I think that would be a bad trade for Phoenix. They shouldn't be giving up Marion. It's no secret the Suns are bad on D, but at least they can stick Marion (who in all fairness is a great defender) on an opponent's big frontline threat to ease the pain. Not to mention he averaged a double-double last year, contributing about 22 points and 12 rebounds a game.

[Brett Favre 0]

I guess its pretty much a choice between Diaw and Marion. And they prefer Diaw if this trade goes through.

[Just John 0]

The thing is, if Phoenix wants to move to the next level, they need to keep them both. Otherwise, they're in the same spot they were this year (one good starter away from championship).

 

Now, for Seattle, they should be going after this pretty seriously. Marion + Allen = Wins.

[Guest]

Phoenix really screws themselves in this, I personally think it makes them weaker. While I like Rashard Lewis, this puts a ton of pressure on Amare to perform when he comes back. A big man like Dirk will probably tear them apart each time they play.

 

It puts the Sonics as an obvious division winner and one that could get to the 2nd round. This trade could seriously save basketball in Seattle if they could hang onto Marion. I really don't know why they're going to deal Marion, and even if they do, why deal him in the conference?

[Gert T 0]

I'm all about a mock draft, but we'd have to get that shit in gear quickly.

[Edwin MacPhisto 0]

Marion is just not the right guy to lose. I see how that trade is good in that it gets them a very good player in Lewis and clears something like $13 million in cap room after the 2006-2007 season...but Marion's just too good right now. I'm rarely fond of trades like that.

[Ripper 0]

Like I have said, Marion just does too much to be traded. I mean, when he is having bad offensive games, like last year against the Spurs in the WCF and everyone said he was playing like crap. He was till averaging 12 rebounds, 2 steals and 2.5 blocks per game. A guy like Rashad Lewis, while a good player, isn't half the rebounder or defensive player that Marion is.

 

Basically what I am saying is that if they throw Ray Allen in that trade then maybe but the Sonics would have to be freakin retarded to do that.

[Precious Roy 0]

On the surface that would be a bad deal for Phoenix, but I understand the mindset. Clear money to reup Diaw, add Lewis who'd be a perfect fit for their system, and get the #10 pick which with the parity in this year's draft could end up netting you a very good player.

 

However, I think it would be foolish to trade Marion for anything less than another Marion, and losing Barbosa would hurt a lot, so there's no way I'd make the deal. Maybe if Phoenix was getting Watson or Wilkens back to offset the loss of Barbosa. But I doubt it will happen.

[naiwf 0]

I told you guys Phoenix wouldn't be as good next year. They can't pay Nash, Diaw, Marion, Barbosa AND Amare and everyone of those guys will be overpaid based on their offensive stats in the system. The only franchise guy in that mix is Amare, and Phoenix needs to guess which of the others they want to keep because there's no guarantee that Diaw can do what he did this year with Marion and Barbosa possibly gone and Amare clogging the middle.

 

The Sonics would be raping Phoenix in that move, but the Suns don't really have a choice. Them's the breaks when you let guys run, run, run and fill up a statsheet.

[alfdogg 0]

How many times do people in the orginizations have to say JO/Marion/Gordon aren't getting traded before people accept it. I mean, there's nothing wrong with speculating, but geez.

 

As far as the mock draft goes, I never watch college basketball except for the tournament, but I'd be willing to give it a shot. I'd just have to go by ESPN's info. I'm assuming we'd all choose our favorite team and we'd just pick for those teams?

[Precious Roy 0]

I call Knicks

[alfdogg 0]

If we end up doing it, I got Indy, obv.

[alfdogg 0]

btw, this is the greatest headline ever.

 

http://www.insidehoops.com/

[Edwin MacPhisto 0]

Losing Barbosa would be all right, and I expect that to happen sooner rather than later. He's a fantastic guy off the bench, but guys like James Jones and Eddie House can do what he's doing well enough.

 

Hold onto Marion. He's going to be valuable as trade bait no matter when the team decides to cut him loose, and this is a team that, with Amare back, is going to be good enough to contend for the title right away.

[Lt. Al Giardello 0]

How many times do people in the orginizations have to say JO/Marion/Gordon aren't getting traded before people accept it. I mean, there's nothing wrong with speculating, but geez.

 

As far as the mock draft goes, I never watch college basketball except for the tournament, but I'd be willing to give it a shot. I'd just have to go by ESPN's info. I'm assuming we'd all choose our favorite team and we'd just pick for those teams?

 

I can see JO not getting traded. But I can see Marion and Gordon getting traded because Marion isn't worth the money he's getting, and the Suns can't afford him, Amare, Nash, Diaw all having large contracts.

 

I can see Gordon getting trade simply because he will problay want more money when his contract is up, and the Bulls problay wont pay him the money he is expecting. So they don't want to give him up for nothing.

[Gert T 0]

Let's get a little draft talk going, the Bobcats pick fascinates me.

 

Gay, Morrison or Roy.

 

I love Brandon Roy and think he'll be ROTY wherever he goes, but I can't deny the great talent Gay has and that Morrison will be a good pro. Who do you take at #3, assuming all three will still be there?

[Just John 0]

As a Rockets fan, I must comment on the link Alfdogg posted:

 

The Rockets would have to be dumb as shit to make that move. Absolutely retarded idea. Head's one of the few guys under 50 and actually has some promise. He can play off the bench or could evolve into the starting PG, which is something they desperately need. You would trade that to move up two spots in a weak draft? Essentially you give up a young guy with potential at a crucial position for the team and a draft pick for another draft pick, likely resulting in a player of similar quality. And it can't be a money issue, becuase Head's making rookie money. Unless they're gonna get AI or something, this is probably the worst Rockets trade proposal I've heard since that one guy here suggested they give up T-Mac for Lamar Odom and some Orlando scrub.

[Gert T 0]

So you want nobody besides Houston to get Head?

 

I'd want the Jazz if we did a mock draft, I probably would pick better than they have the last 5 years.

[Precious Roy 0]

Losing Barbosa would be all right, and I expect that to happen sooner rather than later. He's a fantastic guy off the bench, but guys like James Jones and Eddie House can do what he's doing well enough.

 

I don't know, Barbosa really came into his own this year and was pretty dope in the playoffs, especially against LA. Jones and House are nice, but Barbosa is so much better and he's just scratching the surface. He's got the talent to be a real star in the league, the only thing that's holding him back is his 'tweener' status. If he's really going to ask for a massive contract cut him lose, but the Suns shouldn't just give him away.

[alfdogg 0]

There's no way we'll get a mock draft done in two days, though.

[Conspiracy_Victim 0]

As a Rockets fan, I must comment on the link Alfdogg posted:

 

The Rockets would have to be dumb as shit to make that move. Absolutely retarded idea. Head's one of the few guys under 50 and actually has some promise. He can play off the bench or could evolve into the starting PG, which is something they desperately need. You would trade that to move up two spots in a weak draft? Essentially you give up a young guy with potential at a crucial position for the team and a draft pick for another draft pick, likely resulting in a player of similar quality. And it can't be a money issue, becuase Head's making rookie money. Unless they're gonna get AI or something, this is probably the worst Rockets trade proposal I've heard since that one guy here suggested they give up T-Mac for Lamar Odom and some Orlando scrub.

 

Well, draftexpress is reporting here that the Rockets are going to do a draft day deal that, assuming the draft falls the right way, would draft Shelden Williams at 8 and ship him and Head to the Hawks, who would have drafted Roy at the #5 spot. Considering the earlier mention of the Rockets trying to get Roy (according to Roy), Arm Tellum getting Roy to skip his Bobcats workout, and a widely reported rumor that the Hawks wanted Williams but not at 5, this could be legit.

 

Of course, this could all get blown up easily. Charlotte could take Roy at 3 and Minnesota could take Williams at 6 (although personally I'd think that a PF would be the last thing they need unless Garnett gets moved somehow) are serious possibilities.

 

I'm a big fan of Head (but then again, who isn't?) but I'm doubtful that he'll develop into a pure PG, and the Rockets don't need a small SG/combo guard (Wesley fills that need). But Roy would give the Rockets an immediate third option on offense, a good (but not great) perimeter defender, and someone who could spell McGrady when needed. If possible, I say you do it.

[Just John 0]

If they get Roy, it would be forgiveable, but still a gamble. With the Rockets age issues, I don't see how trading two young players for one does much for the team. We can't rely on more old guys carrying this team. Especially when the old guys are pretty much utility players to begin with.

[Ripper 0]

I told you guys Phoenix wouldn't be as good next year. They can't pay Nash, Diaw, Marion, Barbosa AND Amare and everyone of those guys will be overpaid based on their offensive stats in the system. The only franchise guy in that mix is Amare, and Phoenix needs to guess which of the others they want to keep because there's no guarantee that Diaw can do what he did this year with Marion and Barbosa possibly gone and Amare clogging the middle.

 

The Sonics would be raping Phoenix in that move, but the Suns don't really have a choice. Them's the breaks when you let guys run, run, run and fill up a statsheet.

 

 

If you were to say that the basketball was square right about now it wouldn't suprise me. Because the things you pretend are even remotely true when it comes to basketball are laughable.

 

First of all, Marion signed that deal 4 freakin years ago. There was no D'antoni, no Nash, no stoudimire. Second, how in the hell does the running game change the fact that Marion is pulling down nearly 12 boards, two steals and two blocks a game. The guy is in the top 10 of three stat catagories....THAT is why the guy isn't over paid.

 

Yes, they want to avoid the luxury tax, but what alot of these articles forget to mention is that Kurt Thomas is making a boat load of money and will be off the books when they have to pay Barbosa and Diaw. At most they will be over the luxury tax for one year. Plus they will be adding two guys at rookie salaries this year giving them the ability to cut James Jones or another player loose.

 

All you are reading are a bunch of people making wild speculations. You don't break up a championship caliber teams core when you are within grasp of a NBA championship, which is why you have heard everyone in phoenix say over and over, no they are not going to trade one of the best rebounders, and defensive players in the league for a over paid skinney kid with bad hands and no offensive game whatsoever who averages less blocks and rebounds than Marion(Chandler), or a guy that averages about a point more than Shawn while shooting at a much lower percentange and can't guard anyone (Lewis)

 

If the suns do break the team up, it won't be this year. Barbosa and Diaw are both still playing their rookie deals next year. If they don't resign them this offseason, they still got another season of them and the SUns are very confident that they will be there for the championship next year. No reason to change that belief now.

[naiwf 0]

If you were to say that the basketball was square right about now it wouldn't suprise me. Because the things you pretend are even remotely true when it comes to basketball are laughable.

 

First of all, Marion signed that deal 4 freakin years ago. There was no D'antoni, no Nash, no stoudimire. Second, how in the hell does the running game change the fact that Marion is pulling down nearly 12 boards, two steals and two blocks a game. The guy is in the top 10 of three stat catagories....THAT is why the guy isn't over paid.

 

Yes, they want to avoid the luxury tax, but what alot of these articles forget to mention is that Kurt Thomas is making a boat load of money and will be off the books when they have to pay Barbosa and Diaw. At most they will be over the luxury tax for one year. Plus they will be adding two guys at rookie salaries this year giving them the ability to cut James Jones or another player loose.

 

All you are reading are a bunch of people making wild speculations. You don't break up a championship caliber teams core when you are within grasp of a NBA championship, which is why you have heard everyone in phoenix say over and over, no they are not going to trade one of the best rebounders, and defensive players in the league for a over paid skinney kid with bad hands and no offensive game whatsoever who averages less blocks and rebounds than Marion(Chandler), or a guy that averages about a point more than Shawn while shooting at a much lower percentange and can't guard anyone (Lewis)

 

If the suns do break the team up, it won't be this year. Barbosa and Diaw are both still playing their rookie deals next year. If they don't resign them this offseason, they still got another season of them and the SUns are very confident that they will be there for the championship next year. No reason to change that belief now.

 

Your reading comprehension is pisspoor as usual. The only reason Phoenix would trade Marion, Diaw or Barbosa is because they're all going to want huge money on their NEXT deals. Hence the "and everyone of those guys will be overpaid based on their offensive stats in the system." comment. Will be refers to the future, not the present. The Suns can't pay all of the guys that are UNDERPAID now, but will be OVERPAID on their next contract. They aren't the Knicks when it comes to spending millions upon millions of dollars over the cap, and they're not going to be able to keep everyone. When you're in that situation you need to get rid of guys a year early as opposed to a year too late. Marion's already bitching about a lack of respect, and that's only going to be magnified when Amare takes back the # 2 Sun spot.

[Ripper 0]

If Diaw signs for 10 mil a year and Barbosa for 8 they are still going to be under the cap. Both guys would have to ask for some big ass deals to come to the level of putting the suns over the cap. Kurt Thomas and James Jones are going to easy compensate for that. Unless you are thinking they are going to trade Marion so they can hold on to Kurt fucking Thomas and James Jones.