Turning J-Rich into Gold
So Amare's gone, and as of right now, all we have to show for it is the return of Channing Frye and the addition of Hakim Warrick. Not much to write home about.
The silver lining in this dark cloud of looming mediocrity seems to come in the form of one man: Jason Richardson, and his magical expiring contract. If the Suns can turn this assest into a true star player, the future might become just a little bit clearer and rosier. But who? Who will be the Suns' salvation?
The Good:
- Josh Smith, Power Forward, Atlanta Hawks: This is my dream scenario, and so leads off my list. Cruising the internet at far too late an hour, I saw a very generic, unspecific rumour on HoopsHype that the Hawks might be interested in unloading Josh Smith, in order to slide Horford over to the PF slot, and more importantly, to clear some money after giving JJ that mammoth contract. And so I propose:
Jason Richardson and Earl Clark to the Atlanta Hawks for Josh Smith. J-Rich clears money for the Hawks, and Earl Clark provides ATL with another lengthy headcase to fit in for J-Smoove. As for the Suns, Earl Clark's best-case scenario is Josh Smith, isn't it? At 25, Smith slides right into the PF slot, providing shot blocking and a midrange game next to Lopez, and should be around for a while. Plus, the though of Nash throwing Smith alley-oops makes me dizzy.
The Bad (And most likely)
- Monte Ellis, Shooting Guard, Golden State Warriors: Well, the guy can put up points. Plus, a Nash/Dragic - Ellis backcourt might be the quickest in league history. Of course, Nash and Ellis on the same court would be a defensive nightmare. Weirdly enough, I think this one has possibilities - Ellis is only 25, and if Dragic turns into the defensive guard we all hope he will be, Dragic/Ellis could be a killer combo down the road. Perhaps
- Andre Igoudala, Small Forward/Shooting Guard, Philly 76ers: Andre had his best statistical year last year, going for 17, 6 and 6. I think that about says it - Iggy has maxed out as a player, and when your max is 17, 6 and 6, your team isnt going anywhere. Maybe he would get up to 20 points a game playing in the Suns system, with Nash feeding him the ball - but is that even any better than J-Rich? Even for a UA fan, color me skeptical. The only way this trade makes sense is if it's straight up:
- Al Jefferson, Power Foward/Center, Minnesota Timberwolves: I know a lot of people have been crapping on this idea recently, but only 2 years ago Al was the best young big in the league, a modern day McHale. His injury history is overblown - certainly not any worse than Amare's - and he very young, and has room to grow. I'm not saying this is perfect, and I may even get lynched for saying it, but:
- David Lee, Power Forward, New York Knickerbockers (really still their name?): I know there is still a slight possibility of getting him in a sign and trade for STAT (ideal) and I've also heard Barbs mentioned (this works too). Since my whole theme is J-Rich's expiring contract, tho, I'm throwing him in there.
The Ugly: Stephen Jackson, Trevor Ariza, Gilbert Arenas, Jeff Green, Luol Deng. Thug, Under-talented, Overpaid, role player and overpaid. Ech.
The Impossible: Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul. It's not happening, and you know it.
So what say you? I think the Suns need a star out of J-Rich's contract, and there are a few out there. My hope is that we stay patient and grab a true star at the deadline and don't, in the words of Tobias Funke, shoot our wad on what was supposed to be a dry run.
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josh smith
I like. But that’s under the assumption that we sign him to a long-term contract (or is he still under one? I’m not sure). I think they would be willing to get a prospect in earl clark, though only if their cap situation was really bad. It seems unlikely they’d want to clear him from their roster. If I was atlanta, I wouldn’t do that trade.
Al = overpaid / defensive liability
ellis = overpaid / defensive liability
Coulda drafted Josh Smith
We had the #7 pick in the 2004 draft, I was fired up about drafting Josh Smith at the time. But the Suns traded #7 pick to the Bulls for a second-round pick (#31), a future first-rounder and $3 million in cash on the draft day. Talk about dissapointment! I flipped out.
Oh we could have had Luol Deng, Andre Iguodala, Andris Biedriņš, Al Jefferson, JR Smith, Jameer Nelson, or Kevin Martin as well.
right, but that money was saved to spend on veterans that summer
QRich and some guy named Steve Nash. Sarver spent a boatload that year, his first as owner.
The Suns were coming off 29-53 season with Amare, JJ and LB and a bunch of other kids. Bryan Colangelo and Jerry C (who was still chairman) wanted vets.
I think it worked out pretty well that season. Wouldn’t you say?
Twitter: @dahking
Too late to change the stupid twitter name. Did it as a joke to my teenager, but now I'm hooked on the news-feed aspect of twitter.
Q was a bit overpaid though. He should have only been making about 5 mil like Channing now instead of the 8 mil contract he got.
I can see why he wanted 8 mil though; he was coming off of a season where averaged 17+ppg, but it was with the Clippers.
right
Twitter: @dahking
Too late to change the stupid twitter name. Did it as a joke to my teenager, but now I'm hooked on the news-feed aspect of twitter.
JRich is already a superstar. Keep him - at least til the trade deadline.
We have other methods to get players without giving up our leading scorer and leading prospect.
Auntie Em: Hate you, hate Kansas, taking the dog.
Dorothy
by haremoor on Jul 6, 2010 7:57 AM MST reply actions 1 recs
Yes! That’s exactly what I say. Why don’t we all value Jason Richardson as more than trade bait?
by 8472species on Jul 6, 2010 10:21 AM MST up reply actions
Yes the Suns have a great opportunity with JRich expiring
along with Grant Hill.
Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, Josh Smith, and the list will grow. Also, if the Suns end up with the TPE from Amare/Warrick deals for net 13 mill, plus get some relief from LB trade, thats TWO max slots available (one via trade, one via cap space next yr).
Factor in the expiring CBA and sure-to-be-panicing owners who didn’t already clear cap space and the Suns will be the ones in the drivers’ seat.
THAT’s the rebuilding we can do. The new GM will key to all this.
Twitter: @dahking
Too late to change the stupid twitter name. Did it as a joke to my teenager, but now I'm hooked on the news-feed aspect of twitter.
Bring him back
If he’s avg’ing 20/6 or thereabouts, I say give him an extension. Every team needs at least 2 players who can go off for 40 on any given night. We used to have 2 in STAT and JRich, so why would we reduce that to 0?
Hell, maybe he’ll realize that less money over more years is better (see Richard Jefferson), or he may just wait to hit free agency with Carmelo.
Until the Suns start struggling, I’m keeping the team intact as best as I can if I’m playing owner.
Keep J-Rich but instead of Josh Smith
Let’s find a way to grab Al Horford. If the Hawks don’t give him an extension and just give a qualifying offer, maybe we could give him an offer the Hawks can’t match. Hawks just gave Johnson a max deal and Josh Smith is already has a huge contract. I doubt they could keep their trio while still trying to keep Crawford for them.
Timon: Hakuna Matata! What a wonderful phrase
Pumbaa: Hakuna Matata! Ain't no passing craze
Timon: It means no worries for the rest of your days
Timon: It's our problem-free philosophy
Both: Hakuna Matata!
The Lion King (1994)
But the Suns already have a good big man named Robin Lopez. If he’s not better than Al Horford, he probably soon will be.
by 8472species on Jul 6, 2010 10:22 AM MST up reply actions
Horford's a natural 4 that is playing 5 so as not to play Josh Smith at 3.
I’d rather get Horford and be our replacement for Amare. He might not be the 20 ppg scorer Amare is but he’s still young and has a better post defense than Lee.
Timon: Hakuna Matata! What a wonderful phrase
Pumbaa: Hakuna Matata! Ain't no passing craze
Timon: It means no worries for the rest of your days
Timon: It's our problem-free philosophy
Both: Hakuna Matata!
The Lion King (1994)
Horford looks to be a
budding star. Do you think Atlanta will trade him?
No, they won't trade Horford.
They will put Shaq at center, and move Horford to PF, his natural position. Horford was drafted #3, right behind Brandon Roy. I’d love to get him, but they won’t give him up.
BTW, Josh Smith is a natural PF, too.
Auntie Em: Hate you, hate Kansas, taking the dog.
Dorothy
Josh Smith has spent the majority of his playing time at Small forward...
"The art of war is simple enough. Find out where your enemy is. Get at him as soon as you can and slap the crap out of him before he figures out you are there...."
- me into a mental stupor after forgetting the rest of Ulysses S. Grant's speech....
Marvin Williams is their small forward
Their current roster:
Bibby
Johnson
Williams
Smith
Horford
Timon: Hakuna Matata! What a wonderful phrase
Pumbaa: Hakuna Matata! Ain't no passing craze
Timon: It means no worries for the rest of your days
Timon: It's our problem-free philosophy
Both: Hakuna Matata!
The Lion King (1994)
Brandon Roy was in the 2006 draft class and Horford's in 2007
Maybe you meant to say Durant.
Timon: Hakuna Matata! What a wonderful phrase
Pumbaa: Hakuna Matata! Ain't no passing craze
Timon: It means no worries for the rest of your days
Timon: It's our problem-free philosophy
Both: Hakuna Matata!
The Lion King (1994)
You're right.
The memory is the second thing to go.
Auntie Em: Hate you, hate Kansas, taking the dog.
Dorothy
I hope Horford bitches about playing position or anything that would result in him being traded
Or being released by the Hawks.
Timon: Hakuna Matata! What a wonderful phrase
Pumbaa: Hakuna Matata! Ain't no passing craze
Timon: It means no worries for the rest of your days
Timon: It's our problem-free philosophy
Both: Hakuna Matata!
The Lion King (1994)
I don't really want Andre, I think we could do better.
"I don't lift weights because they are heavy, and I don't run because it makes me tired." - Charles Barkley
TURRIBLE!
i think that was more Kerr than Sarver
its the GMs job to find a quality trading partner/assets
Kerr was really good at assessing talent, and was able to draft/sign well because he knew who would fit. His only problem was getting good value in a trade situation (except the Jrich-Duds/Bell-Diaw trade)
formerly on BSotS as dking97
PREDICTION: Suns will trade J-Rich for Amare in 2011
After starting 1-29 (one win vs Suns), the Knicks will start shopping Amare. Since they only care about expiring contracts they won’t be able to resist the expiring contract of J-Rich and the 1 1/2 seasons of Barbosa’s contract. The Knicks will throw in a piece to make the $ match and sell their fans that 2011 is THE off season when Melo comes to NY to start a legacy. Sarver will save about 10 mil. by not paying for the 1st half of the season and Amare will admit that going to a run and gun team w/o a PG was pretty dumb idea that his homies talked him into for the sake of throwing after parties. Upon completing rehab for microfractured ego from small fish/big pond syndrome Amare will return from the ashes as Phoenix rises to the Playoffs.
I forgot to mention the part about how the Knicks own Ricky Rubio...
even though they didn’t draft him because everybody wants to play for the Knicks and all this posturing about signing Lebron was just a ploy to convince the Twolves to feel sorry for NYK and trade Rubio for a luxury box in MSG.
by oLLiE Boombayay on Jul 7, 2010 12:01 AM MST up reply actions

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