The only leverage Phoenix might have is that there are at least 5-6 teams bidding each other up to get Amare. If KP really wanted Amare he might have to give up LMA, Bayless and Rlec to outbid everyone. I wouldn't bite and just pass but we will see what KP does.
Wheels just said on The Game that he thinks KP is bluffing and letting the Amare rumors roll to up the cost for other teams and help KP get the player/deal he really wants.
he's likely to opt out in 2010 and become an UFA. there is no way in hell we would trade aldridge/bayless for him under those circumstances, so it's not worth worrying about.
Here is an Yahoo quote/article that supports this line of thinking; http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_y...?slug=aw-sunstrades021109&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
I wouldn't call it a rumor, more like Wheels' idle speculation about a player that KP has liked. It would be VERY interesting if the Blazers and Grizzlies did swing a deal, sort of proving that business is business.
It's hard to get any deal that isn't a complete roster overhaul to work with Memphis. Here's the closest I've come up with that doesn't seem like an absolute steal. http://games.espn.go.com/nba/featur...5~387&teams=29~29~29~29~22~22~22~22&te=&cash=
I wouldn't say "zero". The leverage they DO have is whatever other offers are out there for Amare. Basically, by pitting one team against another they can drive up his value.
Maybe, but Gay is a future All-Star SF on a good team, and Memphis brings in players who will be available in FA within a few seasons.
Just a few things to think about with Stoudemire. While exciting to watch in many facets, the things I remember the most are mental mistakes in the conference finals. Getting suspended in the series against the Spurs for one. Committing stupid fouls and keeping himself on the bench in other games. That is the part that makes me have reservations more than anything else, even his knees.
Well, leave Raef out of the equation. Ike and Channing are both expiring contracts and add up to about 6 million This is similar to what you put up but takes Raef out of the equation. http://games.espn.go.com/nba/featur...5~387&teams=29~29~29~29~29~22~22~22&te=&cash=
no, he's an over-hyped inefficient volume shooter who so far has played almost no defense and demonstrated zero leadership ability. there's no indication he will ever be an all-star type player. i'd rather have tyrus thomas.
Meh. I'm just throwing stuff out there, but I think your criticism of Gay is a bit harsh. He's a 19 point/16 shot player offensively. To compare LMA is an 18 point/15 shot player offensively with what should be a more efficient offensive game based on size/position. Gay also only averages one rebound less than LMA for whatever that is worth. I only use LMA as an example because of the similarities in offensive effinciency. I'm not wild about Rudy Gay, but I've always liked his game and his potential.
The benefit of Raef's deal to Memphis is that insurance picks up 80% of the rest of contract due to his injury. It's a much more attractive contract for financially struggling teams such as the Grizz.
Sure, there's that. But if they're really committed to getting some cap relief from Jaric's deal and assuming they aren't keen on giving Rudy Gay a fat extension over the summer (looks like Mayo might be the new face of the franchise?) they at least get back some cheap young talent to surround OJ with. I don't claim to have any sense of what Heisley/Wallace are really after considering some of the head scratching moves they've made in the past year or so.
