The Perpetual NBA Thread

**chain** · September 26th, 2007 11:48 PM

Originally Posted by Eismann

The Rockets have welcomed back a resurrected Bonzi Wells to possibly (finally) emerge as their new No. 3 scoring option. Wells is eager to stick around after thriving under Adelman in Sacramento and, like Francis, will be playing at a bargain-basement price, taking all the risk out of the second chance he'll get now in Houston after never meshing with Jeff Van Gundy.

The Rockets have also addressed a real need at power forward with the surprise acquisition of Argentina's Luis Scola, capitalizing on the unusual circumstances that made Scola available and believing that the toughness, smoothness and energy he offered in Las Vegas during the recent Olympic qualifying tournament can trump concerns that he's too undersized to succeed inside in the NBA.

*ahem* hehehe sana magkatotoo na 'to.

**empy** · September 27th, 2007 06:59 AM

Matrix to the Lakers might not be so bad for him, the team, or for fantasy owners. he would be the clear #2 scorer (in PHX they don't run any set plays for him, and he's #4 behind Amare, Nash and even Barbosa when he's on the floor - sariling sikap usually ang pts niya by getting orebs and running the break), and Kobe occupies so much attention that he'll get more outside looks (i believe he is a more reliable outside shooter than Odom). plus, he'll be the defensive anchor so he'll get his usual steals, rebs and blocks.

i guess it all remains to be seen. bottom line - he's more talented than Odom and more durable. the Lakers would steal him for that price.

**theveed** · September 27th, 2007 08:26 AM

Suns' Shawn Marion says he wants to be traded
September 26, 2007

PHOENIX (AP) -- Phoenix Suns forward Shawn Marion, the team's highest-paid player and a four-time All-Star, says he wants to be traded after eight years with the club.
Marion said he decided to ask to leave because the team considered trading him over the summer and won't talk about a contract extension.

Marion told The Arizona Republic late Tuesday that he had informed the team of his desires and has struggled with the decision

"I'm tired of hearing my name in trades," Marion said by phone from his Chicago home. "I love my fans in Phoenix, but I think it's time for me to move on."
Marion has two years left on his contract, which will net him $16.4 million for this season and $17.8 million in 2008-2009.

Suns general manager Steve Kerr declined to comment.

Marion said the Suns' decision not to enter contract-extension talks is only part of the reason he wants to leave. He also said the team's consideration of a three-way trade that would have sent him to the Boston Celtics in a deal landing the Minnesota Timberwolves' Kevin Garnett in Phoenix was a factor. Garnett has since been traded to the Celtics.

"I feel they tried to force my hand to Boston with the Garnett stuff," the 29-year-old said.

"I haven't done anything wrong. I leave it on the floor night in and night out," Marion said. "Sometimes it's just time to move on."
Marion said he would report as required for training camp Monday if he is still with the team. Besides Boris Diaw, who is expected to report Wednesday, the rest of the team is already in Phoenix for voluntary workouts.

"I'll do what I've got to do," he said. "I'm a professional. I'm not bitter. I love the fans, but I've got to take care of me."

**theveed** · September 27th, 2007 08:26 AM

Wolves willing to deal

Wednesday, Sep 26, 2007 5:58 pm EDT

The Minnesota Timberwolves, their roster bloated from this summer's blockbuster trade of Kevin Garnett, would like to make another deal before the season starts.

But with many other teams worried about the luxury tax, the Timberwolves are likely to start training camp this weekend with 16 players on their roster . Eight players are returning from last season, plus two draft picks and veteran forward Juwan Howard, who came in a trade with the Houston Rockets.

Source: ESPN.com

**theveed** · September 27th, 2007 01:02 PM

Geezus!!!

Gilbert Arenas says he's nearly fully recovered from his knee surgery and that he is a candidate to win the MVP award this season.

"If we can get to 50-55 wins, I'm a heavy (MVP) candidate," he said. "I'm going to do what I do." Arenas is easily worth a first-round pick and will likely go in the Top 5 in your fantasy draft. An argument can be made for him going No. 1 overall, but it's probably a choice of personal preference.

**baiskee** · September 27th, 2007 01:41 PM

anak ng tipaklong...di pa nga nagsisimula eh eh.

talaga tong si agent 0 oh...

baka mayari na naman yang tuhod mo.

**ssaloon** · September 27th, 2007 01:42 PM

Talk about counting your chicks before they hatch...

**empy** · September 27th, 2007 02:18 PM

Originally Posted by theveed

Arenas is easily worth a first-round pick and will likely go in the Top 5 in your fantasy draft. An argument can be made for him going No. 1 overall, but it's probably a choice of personal preference.

hmmm....pede

**tsupermario** · September 27th, 2007 08:39 PM

Suns say Marion deal unlikely

Paul Coro
The Arizona Republic
Sept. 26, 2007 11:35 PM
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."

Nash last spoke to Marion in July, when Marion was frustrated about the June trade talk with the Boston Celtics and Minnesota Timberwolves that involved him.

"If he comes back, he's got a bunch of guys who want him to be a part of this and will work to make him a part of it again," Nash said. "We have one goal. So when we get together, the one goal will be the focus and not what's happened and what is said in the papers."