Why Shawn Marion, Andrei Kirilenko, & Jermaine O’Neal Will Stay In Short-Term With Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz, & Indiana Pacers
October 02 07
Talk about a letdown. So far NBA training camps have been anti-climatic. After all, once October rolled around disgruntled stars were supposed to hold out, force trades, and pique fan interest with a new NBA landscape. But like last year’s trade deadline, I don’t see major moves happening. Things won’t change for a while. Here’s why:
1) Moving ’max’ salaries during the cap era is a difficult task. Phoenix GM Steve Kerr mentioned this during the summer, complaining that the Suns couldn’t acquire Kevin Garnett because of the financial implications. Acquiring Shawn Marion, Andrei Kirilenko, or Jermaine O’Neal’s big money contract is a huge undertaking. Teams need months, sometimes years, to figure out if they can afford a star.
2) After mortgaging their future to acquire that star, clubs must then deal with the opt-out risk. For example, Marion and O’Neal can both exercise a contractual clause and walk as unrestricted free agents. Sure, the player would be walking away from guaranteed money, but the risk for teams still exists.
3) Marion, Kirilenko, and O’Neal are paid like superstars, but they aren’t elite players. Not even close. These three, by themselves, aren’t enough to secure an NBA Title or even lead a team to the second round of the playoffs. So why would GMs take on the risk and potential headache?
These much-touted blockbuster trades won’t happen anytime soon. The Matrix, AK-47, and J.O. will only be moved when another team is desperate enough to assume some risk. Right now, it’s training camp, so all teams are optimistic and positive. Give it a few months.
When will Marion, Kirilenko, and O’Neal get traded? Get at us in the comment box below with your thoughts.
Click here to read and subscribe to Oly Sandor’s NBA Blog.
