On ESPN.com, John Hollinger has the top 10 worst off-season moves, at the top is the Suns signing of Marcus Banks. I was VERY curious as to how you can say that was a terrible move when the Suns have the 2nd best record in the league and Banks costs less than $4 million. Yet he makes some good points as to why it's a bad move (but the worst move? I dunno): <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">"The Suns signed Banks because they thought he could help them get more rest for Steve Nash and keep him fresh for the postseason, but because Banks hasn't been able to get the job done, Nash is averaging a career-high 36.0 minutes per game. They signed him instead of using their first-round pick to get a developing point guard because they wanted somebody who could provide immediate help. But Banks is out of the rotation and has slim prospects of returning anytime soon. And because the Suns gave Banks a five-year, $21 million deal rather than inking a younger player to a rookie contract, they're looking at some tricky financial sledding. When extensions for Boris Diaw and Leandro Barbosa kick in next year, the Suns will be way over the luxury tax threshold unless they can work out a trade for one of their big men (Diaw, Kurt Thomas, Amare Stoudemire or Shawn Marion). Thus, the signing of Banks may indirectly cost the Suns the services of a vastly superior player next season."</div> I agree they should've just drafted a point guard, Hollinger suggested Marcus Williams or Rajon Rondo, but I favored Sergio Rodriguez during the draft and even today his numbers have been good when Portland plays him. I've been wondering about next year's numbers myself, HoopsHype only recently put Diaw's new contract up and I was shocked to see it was worth $9 million per year, I thought it'd be similar to Barbosa's deal which is less than $6 million next year. Next year's payroll adds up to more than $76.5 million, then add in the possible #4 pick the Suns would get from Atlanta (Tyrus Thomas was 4th this year and makes $3.2 million) and we're looking at the $80 million range. Which would more than likely put the Suns above the tax threshold, I have a crazy feeling Sarver will do anything to avoid that tax (not only would be pay a dollar for every dollar over, he'd not get the bonus for being under). The most obvious contract to move would be Marion's $16.4 million, but I'm hoping we can do some magic and get rid of Kurt Thomas and Marcus Bank's contracts, which combine for $12 million next year. Hopefully they'd only have to give up their late 1st round picks (Cleveland's and their own) to accomplish this. That way they'd still have Nash, Marion, Amare, Bell, Diaw, Barbosa and an early lottery pick (Joakim Noah? Brandan Wright? Al Hortford?). I don't know how realistic that is though, last year the Suns had 2 late 1st round picks and only got rid of Brian Grant's $1.8 million contract and got some cash. So would a team really take Thomas' $8 million contract for a low 1st round pick? Not to mention the trade would have to be before the deadline and the other team would have to give the Suns a player with a decently large expiring contract to make the trade work. Would a team really give up cap space this summer for a low 1st round pick? So what'cha think? What can the Suns do? You think Marion is gone this summer?
<div class="quote_poster">scorbutic Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">but I favored Sergio Rodriguez during the draft and even today his numbers have been good when Portland plays him.</div> Good man, rodriguez would be well beyond a good fit for the suns. He excels in a fast break situation, he almost always does the right the thing, which is amazing because he has a flare kin to magic and pistol.
I actually feel bad for you guys because Banks really stepped up and played well for the wolves last year. Even with that though I didnt understand why the the Suns traded away their pick when there were some real quality PGs still available in the draft.
