I agree Solace. The guy is the toughest man in the league and does everything for the Suns and is absolutely selfless. Why they would do such a dumb thing, is beyond me. Why don't Isiah just go after him?

but only if they are healthy again.... if they aint.. (amare proly will never be the same) marion is way better than lewis and fortson combined... they better draft a beast at 10 to make that trade not lopsided... i dont know... Marion is a monster... seattle is a big man away from being really good now

Word on the Street: Phoenix, Seattle Closing in on Deal? (Update:9:11)

Jonathan Givony - President
June 24, 2006

Multiple sources told DraftExpress today that the Phoenix Suns and Seattle Supersonics are working on a potential blockbuster trade. The Sonics have implied to numerous people over the past 48 hours that “something is going to go down,” white another source in Seattle told us that the Supersonics are “getting very close” to finalizing a trade.

While the exact details of the trade are still unknown, numerous names have been mentioned as key components. The main ones are Shawn Marion and Rashard Lewis, who would be exchanged along with the team’s first round draft choices (#10 for #27). Other pieces that are being discussed include Leandro Barbosa and Danny Fortson.

Seattle is interested in moving Rashard Lewis due to the fact that they believe he will opt out of his contract next summer and will end up losing him for nothing. With so many concerns about the future of the franchise in Seattle, the best way to put fans in the seats is certainly to start winning more games, which is the primary motive of this trade.

Phoenix’s motive is to avoid the luxury tax for next season, which they are dangerously close to, and still keep the team as competitive as they are now. The Suns still have to extend Boris Diaw for 5 years and anywhere from 45-55 million dollars, which would put them well above the luxury tax threshold. With Leandro Barbosa looking for a contract starting in the 7-8 million dollar range, and Steve Nash, Amare Stoudemire and Shawn Marion making max or near max dollars, keeping their core together past next season does not appear to be very likely. Instead, the Suns can save quite a bit of money in the long term by taking on Rashard Lewis’ more affordable deal and securing an immediate contributor (such as Rodney Carney or Ronnie Brewer) on a cheap 4 year rookie contract. Lewis makes over 5 million dollars less than Marion.

Danny Fortson would be used as filler to make the trade work under the cap. He is an ending contract next year and could either give the Suns more toughness, rebounding and depth, be used as trade bait, or bought out of his contract. That depends on whether or not he can resolve his differences with Jerry Colangelo, whom he sued for defamation in 2004 for calling him a “thug” in the media after breaking Zarko Cabarkapa’s wrist in a game between Dallas and Phoenix.

you guys had the same knee-jerk reaction about the Joe Johnson trade.

they still have Amare and Diaw and sounds like they are picking up Rashad and the 10

if it goes down both sides will likely prosper from this.

only loser in this: Tim.

why pay him if you have Rashad?

[Edited by - McK1 on 06-24-2006 10:24 PM]

Marion is one of the top 10 players in the league and is always top 3-5 in fantasy. He doesn't get enough credit for what he does. I'd trade any three players on our roster for him.

Personally, I didn't have any major reaction to them losing Joe Johnson, so I don't know who the "you guys" you're referring to is.

Lewis's soft defense and 4 rbs per game aren't gonna come close to making up for Marion's presence. Nor is Amare for 3 games per season.

it doesn't say which side is proposing what so you never know