Kerr: Suns Are In On KG Talks
22nd June, 2007 - 6:25 pm
Arizona Republic -

Suns General Manager Steve Kerr acknowledged Friday that the Suns are talking about a trade for Minnesota 10-time All-Star Kevin Garnett but still termed a deal as "tough" to work out because of Garnett's contract and any big deal as a "long shot."

He also said no player is untradeable but that it would take "an awful lot" to pry away a 24-year-old All-NBA first team center such as Amaré Stoudemire, the object of Minnesota's interest in the Garnett talks.

"As far as KG specifically, it's tough because of the contract," Kerr said, calling Garnett's listing of the Suns as his hope for a trade destination flattering.

"We're listening to everything and we're trying to see what would be possible in that regard. The only way we would do it is if we could make our team better and do it in a financially viable way. So that's what we're exploring. We're exploring a lot of other stuff, too. That's what we do up there. We'll see where it takes us."

The major hang-ups in a Garnett trade are his contract and how Shawn Marion could be included. Garnett will make $22 million in each of the next two seasons and has an early-termination option next summer. Garnett also has a trade kicker that could add $3.3 million of salary to each year unless he chose to waive a portion of it.

Minnesota wants Stoudemire in return rather than Marion, making it necessary for a third team to be involved. Boston has interest in Marion but Marion's agent has squashed the idea of him landing with Danny Ainge, his first Suns coach. Marion also can opt out next summer but would be walking away from a 2008-09 salary of $17.8 million if he did so. Marion will make $16.4 million in the coming year, meaning other parts (as well as first-round picks likely) would have to be involved to make the salaries balance in a deal.

But having Garnett's interest become known raises the intrigue.

"Maybe because he's said, 'Hey, I want to be there,' maybe that part makes it a little more plausible," Kerr said. "Because if he's taking other teams out of the equation altogether, then it does narrow down the list. In that regard, maybe we'd have a better chance but again to get a guy like that, you have to give up an awful lot. We have to weigh whether we can even make it work out financially and whether it would make us better. We'll do all that research and see where it takes us."

Posted by islesfan:

Posted by Allanfan20:

I don't know why they'd want to move him. He's almost as important to that team as Nash is.

Maybe because they haven't been good enough as presently constructed and their window of opportunity to win a championship with Nash, is getting smaller by the day. I think Nash has about 3 years left at the level he's playing. Similarly, I think KG would have about 3 years at his current level. They need to go for it now.

It's not unlike when the Suns made the move for Barkley.