http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/extras/celtics_blog/2009/06/jefferson_on_mo.html Horrible deal for Minny if true. I suspect if it is true it could more likely be Jeff and the 6 for Amare and the 14.
That sure beats the Tyrus Thomas, Thabo Sefolosha, and Drew Gooden deal that they agreed to at the trade deadline, but then backed out of. I am going to call bullshit on this one though. Minnesota can get Amare for just Al Jefferson. I could see a Jefferson for Amare swap, but no way in hell is that 6th pick going with him.
Stupid trade for Minny if they include their pic. If I'm building a franchise, I'm taking Al over Amare, too.
I'd take Amare, because he's a far superior offensive talent. They're pretty much a wash defensively, and Jefferson's a better rebounder. Stephen Curry would be a good pick for Minnesota at six, regardless of what they do. Just dump the ball into the post, draw the double team, and open Curry open for wide open shots.
Disagree. They're similar as far as offensive production goes but I'd give Jefferson the edge as a guy who can create for himself. Jefferson turns the ball over a lot less too. Like you said, defense is shitty for both of them but Jefferson is the better rebounder. Jefferson's also two years younger. However, Amare is up for free agency next year AND people in Phoenix are saying he'll need another microfracture surgery. Al Jeff has his own injury issue with the torn ACL (I think that was it?) but hes 24 and young players usually aren't affected too much. For some reason I do tihnk Amare would be better at C alongside Love but thinking more logically, Al Jeff is the same height, heavier, and a better rebounder so perhaps not.
Yeah will Amare bother signing again with Minny? He can go almost wherever he wants and people will look for his services. He's a great offensive player but I can understand if someone thinks he doesn't create every shot for himself with Nash staying pretty healthy every season. Plus he's just as riddled with injuries and is a bit older. I think he's asked out of Phoenix too right? Seems like a short-term lateral move at best, that could be pretty risky.
Al Jefferson has a TS% of 53.4 in his time in Minnesota. Over the past 5 years, Amare Stoudemire has a TS% of 63.1. Amare did his averaging 23.2 PPG. Al Jefferson 21.8 PPG. It's not contest. Amare has a higher volume, on a much, much higher efficiency. Both Amare and Jefferson have had some injury concerns. Amare's are much worse. Another problem with Amare is that you will have to dole out a max extension for him, which will be far greater than the $12-13 million or whatever they have to pay Jefferson right now.
Amare gets assisted on 57% of his field goals and Al Jefferson only 48%. But being assisted has just as much to do with you as it does with your other players. For example, in 2006-2007, Luol Deng's best year, he was assisted on 61% of his baskets. The Bulls didn't really have any great creators, rather, Deng got a lot of his offense assisted beacause he created his own shot with off the ball movement. I think if you broke it down with Amare, you'd notice a similar thing.
Or maybe Minny has a pathetic point guard? I'd figure that factors into the equation, along with Jeff's age, contract, and rebounding.
Valid point but you can't disregard the fact that Amare is playing next to Nash, Shaq, formerly Marion, Joe Johnson, etc. and hes been playing for the most part on teams that run and therefore produce more possessions. Amare can create for himself, I've debated on his behalf on that issue before in the Warriors board, Al Jeff, however, is better at it IMO. Hes far and away the best player on his team, they don't even have one other guy who I would consider above average at their position. Hes constantly the focus of defenses and he doesn't have any notable playmakers getting him any shots yet he still shoots a really good percentage. Put Amare in Minny as the best player and the next best guy being Mike Miller/Ryan Gomes/Randy Foye or whoever the hell Minnesota is running out there and I really doubt he outproduces Jefferson. It would probably be similar production (Amare has a better jumper I believe so that helps his case). Also you can't disregard that Amare turns the ball over more despite the fact that he doesn't have to create as much as Al Jeff does. His percentages are better but its very much the product of great pick and roll play, quick offensive pace, and playing with really good players.
BTW as lopsided as this trade sounds to me I can't help but think Phoenix doesn't do it because they'd rather just have Amare expire and get that cap relief. Al Jeff comes at a reasonable salary but their owner just seems so cheap. Maybe they have a Shaq deal with Cleveland worked out which will get them a ton of expirings next year.
To be more specific though...lol I'm calling 100% BS on this one. There is no way Kahn is that stupid, god I hope he isn't. I'm guessing Phoenix tried it out by calling the Wolves, and it died before it even got started with a big no by the Wolves. That is if there's any validity at all to it. Amare is upset with the lack of winning in Phoenix, and if it continues, he'd probably leave once his contract expires. Kahn himself said we won't be a contender for a while still, so why would he ever do this considering the circumstances? It just doesn't make any sense at all to me.
He could do Al Jefferson for Amare, then begin trading away Kevin Love, the 6th pick, etc with some of those expiring contracts, and get in some allstar talent, ala pulling a Celtics when they brought in Ray Allen and KG.
This doesn't make sense Minnesota to consider. I'm not sure where these rumors are coming from, first the Kevin Love to Memphis and now Al Jefferson to Phoenix, but neither helps out Minnesota whatsoever. Amare is a huge risk to take on for a small market franchise heading into the final year on his deal. I agree he's a better player than Jefferson, but he comes with baggage and serious health concerns. Here's an update ...
Is there a reason why the Wolves would be shopping Jefferson, that I don't know about? I'd think they should feel lucky to have him as their franchise player, and do everything they can to keep him there. And I don't see any reason for a small-market or struggling team to trade for Amare at this point. Not with the way he's publicly courted teams like New York.
I believe the new GM is looking to make a big splashy move to attract the fans and media's attention. Amare is a big name and an 'exciting' player so that's a reason for this play. Looks like he's willing to overpay to garner the attention too.
That doesn't make much sense, or at least the first deal doesn't. I'm not necessarily saying Al is a better player than Amare, but if we were to try to pull of what Boston did, it's not worth it to trade Big Al, especially when I don't think Amare would return to Minnesota after his contract expired.
I read ESPN Insider, and it basically said that the Wolves completely deny it, and Kahn called Al immediately after reading those rumors to tell him nothing is going on revolving trading him. It says Marc Stein is calling the bullshit too.
