Source: Memphis CA I'm shocked they'd turn a deal down for Amare. I remember Jerry West wanted to draft Amare, but settled Drew Gooden because his staff never arranged a workout for West to watch Amare. This was Memphis second chance at landing a franchise caliber big man and they say no? If Memphis settles on Beasley over Amare I'd be pissed as a Memphis fan.
I'm not pissed at all. Gay, Warrick, and Conley just for Amare? It's not worth it, but Mike Hiesley said negotiations will continue.
Just curious, where did you hear it was those 3? I'd still pull the trigger if I'm Phoenix. Rudy Gay would be a tough piece to lose, but you're getting an All-Star power forward to pair with OJ Mayo. Mike Conley Jr. hasn't worked out for Memphis and with Mayo handling the ball majority of the time he's expendable. Plus they still have Kyle Lowry and this upcoming draft is point guard deep if they want to try again. I wonder if they regret not doing the Milwaukee deal for Sessions? He's been tearing it up since being inserted in the starting lineup. Hakim Warrick is another draft pick who never worked out for Memphis. He's a tweener with a low ceiling. Marc Gasol is the perfect center to pair with Amare.
It was actually in the bottom line of ESPN yesterday, and Hiesley said he will continue to negotiate. Conley has been playing extremely well ever since Hollins was hired so he is still not a bust. If it was Gay and Warrick for Amare I would do it in a heart beat, but the way Conley has been playing as of late I don't want the team to make a mistake and trade him. Remember, Conley came in as a "project" player too. He still has a lot of potential.
Source: Memphis Commercial Appeal I agree with this writer's views on the deal. The only reason I wouldn't do this deal if I'm Memphis is the chance Amare bolts after his current contract is up. According to this article the 1st round pick isn't mentioned and I don't think Memphis would need to include it to get the deal done. If anything maybe they offer a conditional lottery protected pick. The Grizzlies would have a nucleus to build around with Mayo-Amare-Gasol and whomever they draft this year. In addition they have Lowry & Arthur & Milic. All the Grizzlies would need to add is a couple of outside shooters and they'd be a well balanced team.
The way Conley has been playing it's too soon to give up on him. If we added Lowry instead of Conley I would do it in a heart beat.
Holding onto Conley instead of getting an All-Star big man? Come on man, seriously? Mayo + Amare is a great core to build around.
Shape has said this many times, and I agree. Most teams probably have a huge fear that they give up great young talent and Amare could no re-sign and go somewhere else. So, in this case, Memphies loses Gay, Warrick and Conley and could still possibly lose Amare. That makes them even worse than they are now.
I agree 100%. But how else will they get Amare? He would be the #1 guy in Memphis (which is what he wants?). And they could offer him a boatload of money and the possibilities Mayo and Amare could have. From a basketball standpoint it is a no brainer. Gay is good but he plays one of the easiest positions in the league to fill.
Amare and OJ would be amazing, but we already lead the league in points given up in the paint I think. Amare's defense is garbage. Conley and Gay both have a very high ceiling. I would give up Gay, Lowry, and Warrick for Amare any day, but Conley is going to be a great PG in a few years. Plus, if this happens I want Amare to have a press conference, an interview, or something where he publicly says I will resign with Memphis in 2010. If he just bolts out in 2010 this will be a waste.
I'm starting to have mixed feelings about what I said. We can always draft a pass first PG like Brandon Jennings in the draft. I actually think Jennings will be better then Conley, especially now after spending a year in Europe.
As much as I love Johnny Flynn as a college point guard I don't think he has all the tools right now to be a good NBA PG. He needs another year in college before he can be lottery pick material. His court vision is not NBA ready yet and neither is is decision making. He'll be a good player once he goes to the NBA, but I think it would be a mistake to go his Sophomore year. The only PG in this draft class I think could help us is Brandon Jennings. A pass first point guard with professional experience from playing in Europe. Obviously the most intriguing PG prospect for next year is Ricky Rubio. Ricky Rubio would be a dream because of his court vision, he is pass first, and best of all he is a great defender. One of the best in Europe in fact.
Conley is a small, Amar'e is a big. You always make that trade. Conley has the potential to be a good PG. It is so easy to find PG's with Conley's potential.
With Phoenix's new coach, it looks less likely like Amare will be traded. Gentry is fighting to keep Amare from what I've heard reported on NBATV.
Well it would be smart to keep Amare anyway. Trading him right now right before he reaches his prime is stupid as hell.
