<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Suns forward Shawn Marion said he would show up Monday, the team's mandatory reporting day, if his trade request is not met. The Suns anticipate that no trade will be made and Marion will be smiling for photos Monday. The predictions around the NBA are similar to ones inside US Airways Center. A sampling of executives and agents said it is unlikely that the Suns would move Marion before Monday. After Monday, it appears the Suns could stop exploring trade possibilities. Marion, 29, went public Tuesday night with his trade request, which he made weeks ago to Suns management after another summer in which the team considered dealing him. He also is unhappy that the team seems unwilling to extend his contract, which has two years remaining. "It's sad to hear he wants to go," Suns guard Steve Nash said after an informal workout Wednesday in which every Suns player except Marion and Brian Skinner was present. Skinner is expected to arrive and sign his contract Sunday. "We're very close to winning a championship," Nash said. "We want everyone on board. All his teammates love him. We want him to be a part of this for sure, and we feel like he's a big part of it. It's frustrating to hear he's unhappy, because we want him to be happy." The known trade possibilities involve Marion, a four-time All-Star, going to the Los Angeles Lakers for forward Lamar Odom and possibly forward Brian Cook or to the Utah Jazz for forward Andrei Kirilenko. The drawbacks for the Suns would be Kirilenko's poor 2006-07 season and his remaining contract ($63 million owed over the next four years) and Odom's unhealthy, inconsistent history. The upside is the versatility of both players, who are younger and taller than Marion. League insiders did not believe that Marion's trade request hurt the chance to move him. Two insiders said it might prompt more offers. A trade involving stars with high salaries and teams above the luxury-tax threshold rarely is executed. For the Suns, it would require a deal that would not sacrifice their championship window, while Nash is in MVP form. With Marion back, the Suns would be deemed a contender as long as the damage to team chemistry, a point of emphasis for new General Manager Steve Kerr, is minimized. "It's a distraction if you let it be a distraction," Suns guard Raja Bell said shortly after coach Mike D'Antoni said, "Once we start playing basketball, it won't be a distraction." One NBA executive did not believe that Marion's issues would be resolved, but Marion has played well with a chip on his shoulder. If Marion believes he might opt out of his contract before the 2008-09 season, he would have to perform to establish his market value. Marion is scheduled to make $17.8 million that season. One agent said he considered Marion's value to be $10 million per year if he remains the No. 3 option, after Nash and center Amaré Stoudemire, with the Suns. Others say he could receive a deal starting at $15 million a season elsewhere. Only 11 NBA players will make more than Marion's $16.4 million salary in 2007-08, but he has produced three consecutive All-Star seasons. "If Shawn comes back, I don't think we'll miss a beat," said Bell, who spoke with Marion on Tuesday. " . . . That (trade talk) has got to be frustrating, year in and year out, to hear your name thrown around in trade rumors. But on the other side of that, it could be flattering."</div></p> Source: AZCentral</p> I'm hoping this is just a negotiating tactic by Phoenix to up the ante on Marion and buy more time for a better offer to develop. Often times we see organizations deny a player is being traded, and the next day he's gone. Cross your fingers this is just a smokescreen.</p>
First Baron, then Boozer, then Garnett, then McGrady, then Artest, then Kidd, then Garnett again, then O'neal then Marion.Who's next!!??</p>
If it is a smokescreen, I find it hard to believe the Suns would do a deal with the Lakers. It would probably have to bewithUtah forAK.</p>
I really wouldn't be that disappointed if the trade doesn't go through. I've been kind of mixed with this whole trade to begin with, although I would still love to see it go through.</p>
If Suns do keep him they better be committed to him. He's going to be pissed if they keep him and later during the season they want to use him as trade bait.
The Suns need Odom. He's a better rebounder and ball-handler than Marion, and with Nash just getting older, they can't rely on Barbosa (who rarely passes) or Banks (who is a ghost in that lineup).</p> The Lakers need Marion. He's a better defender and second scoring option than Odom, and with Kobe unsatisfied, the Lakers can't rely on Bynum and Walton to take them to the playoffs when Kobe bolts.</p> Something's gotta give.</p>
