The monster 4-team deal that would have brought KG to LA has apparently fallen through, and reports are that Phoenix is still very much in the running for KG. There are two deals on the table that might bring the Big Ticket to the Suns. The first deal is one that we've been hearing about for a while, where KG goes to Phoenix, Marion goes to Boston, and a package of picks, young players, and expiring contracts goes to Minnesota. The two big hitches in this trade are that Marion doesn't want to go to Boston, and that Boston is refusing to part with Al Jefferson unless they're the team that is getting KG.
The other trade being discussed right now is a 3 team trade featuring Atlanta instead of Boston. The big news with this one is that it would involve the Suns parting with Amare Stoudamire, who has previously been untouchable in trade talks.The trade would probably look something like this.
Phoenix gets Kevin Garnett Atlanta gets Stoudamire Minnesota gets Kurt Thomas, Lorenzen Wright, Anthony Johnson, Josh Childress and Atlanta's #3 and #11 picks.
I can't exactly work out the salaries because Stoudamire's BYC throws things all out of whack, but that's the bare bones of the deal. KG, Stoudamire, expiring contracts, and Atlanta's 2 picks. Now, the funniest thing about this is that Atlanta would again be devoid of a point guard, which would be high comedy. Honestly, I really like this deal for everybody, and the more I look at it the more I love it. Obviously Phoenix would love to keep Amare and pair he and KG together, but I think they've got to pull the trigger on this. Not only would they have a starting 5 of Nash, Bell, Marion, Diaw, and KG, but they also would still have 2 first-rounders to work with in order to trade up and grab someone else. Imagine if they could trade up and grab a guy like Julian Wright in the late lottery, or Jason Smith a little later. If they did that and picked up a guy like Matt Barnes or even Grant Hill with their mid-level, this team would be downright scary. Check out this lineup.
Starters - Nash, Bell, Marion, Diaw, KG Bench - Leandro Barbosa, James Jones, Jason Smith, Grant Hill
Tell me you wouldn't be predicting that team to win the title next year. Scary thought? They could dangle Atlanta's unprotected pick next year to get another lottery pick this year. Yi? Noah? Thornton? Depending on who bites on it, they could get one of those guys also. If I'm Phoenix, I pull the trigger on this one.
Garnett is one of the best defenders and rebounders in recent memory. He's a much, MUCH better defender than Amare is, and he averaged nearly 3 board more than Amare last year, despite his team not being near as uptempo as Phoenix is. He's a more versatile offensive player and he's less foul-prone. People keep forgetting just how good KG is because the Wolves have been so bad recently, but this is a guy who is one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history, and top 5 at his position. Don't always equate size to rebounding and defense, the only area where the Suns don't improve here is in the age category.
If Phoenix did this then they really do believe Steve Nash's window is closing. And the Hawks would just continue to prove they are a complete disaster. Two first round picks? The Hawks should hold out and force Phoenix to give up one of their picks instead.
Selling the farm for Amare isn't worth it so the Hawks would get royally ####. And the Suns would get better but I still wouldn't put them in the top slot in the West.
Minnesota is holding all the cards here. They should keep exploring deals as long as they can and get the most picks, expiring contracts, and good-young players as possible.
Last edited by rusirious13 on June 27th at 7:49 AM.
pumpdude - Here's why the Suns need to make this trade.
1) Nash doesn't have that much more in the tank. He's putting up Hall of Fame numbers right now, but that can't last too much longer. I figure Phoenix has 2 more years of great play from him. Make no mistake, this team is built around Nash. Once he starts to deteriorate, or if he goes elsewhere after his contract runs out, this team isn't going anywhere for a few years, Amare or not.
2) KG and Nash both desperately want to play together and desperately want a championship. When you have the opportunity to put 2 of the top 10 guys in the league together like that, you do it. They will be playing completely out of their minds for the next two years to win a ring.
3) KG is a perfect fit in the system. As good as Amare is, he doesn't hold a candle to KG as far as passing goes. Between Nash, Diaw, and KG, the team with the best ball movement in the NBA would be getting even better.
4) Amare is coming off major knee surgery and has played his entire career benefiting from the Steve Nash Effect. You've got to part with him if you have the chance to add KG.
5) The Suns have made it clear with the moves they've been trying to make this offseason that getting under the luxury tax is secondary to winning a championship.
kz - I still wouldn't want him running my team :P. This is a good deal though, if he pulled this off it would bring his good deals total up to...um...1
I don't think this is a terrible idea for Atlanta...
Last edited by xphoenix87 on June 27th at 8:15 AM.
...As funny as I think it is that they would again be without a point guard, I think Amare is the type of player that makes that excusable. They could then shop around Zaza Pachulia and Tyronn Lue's expiring contract to find some point guard help (Jason Terry, maybe?). How bout a lineup of Terry, Johnson, M. Williams, J. Smith, and Amare. That's a playoff team in the east, easily.
Hoff - yeah, but he also carries a good bit of risk too. Potential knee problems, the fact that playing with Nash is a huge help. He's no doubt a great player, but how much is that going to matter in a few years when Nash is breaking down and the team starts imploding? Phoenix's window is closing, and I think they're much better off taking a shot or two at the championship than to bide their time while Nash gets older.
x..Amare is so much better in his carreer at this point than KG was. KG avg'd more rebounds than Amare because there isn't anybody else on the Wolves to get one. First and only high school draftee to win Rookie of the Year, 2 time Allstar, 1ST team All NBA. Come on..
KG would be great to have but NEVER at the expense of Amare.
Trading Amare at this point is not even worth discussing. It addresses nothing as far as the Suns deficiencies are concerned, which are upgrading the backup point guard position and more depth.
pumpdude - gee, isn't arguing without actual facts fun?
KG through the first 4 years of his career
16.2 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 1.8 BPG, 1.4 SPG, 3.3 APG
Stoudemire through the first 4 years (I'm giving him a pass on the injury)
19.9 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 1.4 BPG, .9 SPG, 1.2 APG
Better? Yeah, probably. "so much better"? Not really. Lets remember, Stoudemire scored 26 PPG in his breakout season in a lineup of Nash, Johnson, Marion, and Quentin Richarson. KG's third season included star teammates like Stephon Marbury, Tom Gugliotta, Sam Mitchell and Cherokee Parks.
"First and only high school draftee to win Rookie of the Year"
Lebron, anyone?
This is all a moot point though, because the real argument is the merits of having KG now vs the merits of having Amare for the future. There is no doubt that KG is a significant upgrade for the next few years. I don't think anyone is going to argue KG's defensive supremacy, he's clearly a head above Amare. He's not only a better rebounder, but he's a much better rebounder. He had a higher rebound rate (%missed shots the player rebounds) and averaged 3 more boards on a team that played a lot less possessions than the Suns (Phoenix was 3rd in pace factor, Minnesota was 17th).
The point is this. Phoenix has a rapidly closing window to win a championship. Garnett gives them a significantly higher chance to win that championship. They aren't going to beat the Spurs without someone who can match up with Duncan defensively. KG can do that, Amare can't.
The Lakers are now said to be going after a Jermaine O'Neal, who'll be easier to obtain since Indiana actually wants Odom and Bynum in return. No one else seems to want Odom and Bynum. I'm hoping no one of value goes to the Lakers, but O'Neal seems to be only a shell of his former self, so that would work.
x..my bad on the LeBron thingy. Guess I carried my statment too far. But there in lies my reason for NOT writing my own blog. Too many people spout off stats to make their point when I don't feel stats make up the true value of anything. There are many other factors that determine value of anything. Giving up the future for what is percieved an automatic "sure" thing carries no guarntee. Business wise, trading Amare, makes no sense at all. The Suns franchise (as is) is one of the most successful in the NBA. There has been some unfortunate circumstances that have prevented them from accomplishing their goal. So before my "mad cow" kicks in again, I'll just say this, in MY opinion, trading Amare....stupid idea.
I agree, statistics don't tell the whole story. I think that applies more to KG than to anyone. He's a leader, a class act, and one of the fiercest competitors in all of sports. Does the trade guarantee them a championship? Of course not. However, they aren't going to have a better chance at winning a title over the next few years than they are if they make this trade.
The fact is, once Nash starts slipping, this team isn't going to be a contender, whether they have Amare or not. They are built around Nash, and it's going to take a lot of work to produce a championship-caliber team after he's gone. That's why it makes sense to take the chance and make a run at it now. That "unfortunate circumstance" that has kept them from the finals is called the San Antonio Spurs, and they're not going to beat this Spurs team without making a move for someone who plays interior defense.
xphoenix, you definitely know what ur talkin about. I am the biggest KG fan ever. (and I will argue that with anyone willing) Phoenix has a bright future with Amare but As long as Tim Duncan reigns phoneix will only be good, not great. Also, Nash isnt getting any younger and once hes gone, Amares stock will go down too. Nash has made Amare what he is today. A Garnett/Nash combo is much needed!
