FOMW
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<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Petey @ Apr 10 2008, 10:04 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>FOMW: I don't think the Suns would give up Raja for RJ straight up, let alone as a fill in. One of the rare underpaid players in the league (compared to league standards).
-Petey</div>
Obviously one of the major "assets" the Nets are trading to the Suns in this scenario is the absorption of a late 30s player earning $40M over the next two years that many feel does not fit the Phoenix system (it remains to be seen whether he is a net gain or loss vis-a-vis a Marion-type small forward). It's hard to quantify the value of that absorption when Shaq's salary immediately cripples the financial freedom of any team acquiring him, especially when you factor in Nash's age and the urgency Phoenix surely must feel to perfect their roster NOW, not three seasons from now. That's why I think this is a reasonable deal for both sides, or at least one that should not induce laughter or bug eyes from either side.
Diop offers a decent replacement for the big, physical body and defensive paint and rebounding presence that Phoenix wanted when they traded for Shaq. Like Shaq, his primary tangible value to Phoenix would be to free Stoudamire to play the majority of minutes at the 4. Of course Diop offers much less offensive finesse than Shaq and the intangibles aren't comparable. But then he's only 26 and costs a quarter of what O'Neal does. Jefferson gives them arguably an even better replacement for Marion on the offensive end of the floor, certainly one who is equally adept at running/finishing fast breaks and moving without the ball. And in the deal proposed the Suns still net almost a negative $5M on their payroll, freeing them to use their full MLE to acquire a replacement for Bell without any (additional) luxury tax considerations. There may not be a lot of guys around who could give them what they lose in Bell for the same money, but attractive teams like Phoenix always land those high value, glue guys. Maybe it would be a James Jones, maybe someone else, but they'd lure someone valuable.
So, even though I might disagree on whether they would do RJ for Raja straight up (salaries aside, of course), when you factor in all the elements of the deal, I think it's something they'd have to consider.
-Petey</div>
Obviously one of the major "assets" the Nets are trading to the Suns in this scenario is the absorption of a late 30s player earning $40M over the next two years that many feel does not fit the Phoenix system (it remains to be seen whether he is a net gain or loss vis-a-vis a Marion-type small forward). It's hard to quantify the value of that absorption when Shaq's salary immediately cripples the financial freedom of any team acquiring him, especially when you factor in Nash's age and the urgency Phoenix surely must feel to perfect their roster NOW, not three seasons from now. That's why I think this is a reasonable deal for both sides, or at least one that should not induce laughter or bug eyes from either side.
Diop offers a decent replacement for the big, physical body and defensive paint and rebounding presence that Phoenix wanted when they traded for Shaq. Like Shaq, his primary tangible value to Phoenix would be to free Stoudamire to play the majority of minutes at the 4. Of course Diop offers much less offensive finesse than Shaq and the intangibles aren't comparable. But then he's only 26 and costs a quarter of what O'Neal does. Jefferson gives them arguably an even better replacement for Marion on the offensive end of the floor, certainly one who is equally adept at running/finishing fast breaks and moving without the ball. And in the deal proposed the Suns still net almost a negative $5M on their payroll, freeing them to use their full MLE to acquire a replacement for Bell without any (additional) luxury tax considerations. There may not be a lot of guys around who could give them what they lose in Bell for the same money, but attractive teams like Phoenix always land those high value, glue guys. Maybe it would be a James Jones, maybe someone else, but they'd lure someone valuable.
So, even though I might disagree on whether they would do RJ for Raja straight up (salaries aside, of course), when you factor in all the elements of the deal, I think it's something they'd have to consider.