Why Would Phoenix Suns Trade Shawn Marion To Utah Jazz For Andrei Kirilenko?
September 12 07
Writers in Utah and Phoenix recently reported that the Jazz and Suns discussed swapping Andrei Kirilenko for Shawn Marion:
Ross Siler of The Salt Lake Tribune:
Owed $63.1 million on his contract through the 2010-11 season, coming off an underwhelming year in which he averaged 8.3 points and 4.7 rebounds, Andrei Kirilenko’s trade value apparently couldn’t be higher.
Of course, that’s the product of radio and newspaper reports out of Arizona on Tuesday that the Jazz and Phoenix Suns had cursory trade talks in August involving Kirilenko and four-time All-Star forward Shawn Marion.
Paul Coro of The Arizona Republic:
The Suns and Utah Jazz tossed around the idea of a trade sending Shawn Marion to Utah f or Andrei Kirilenko last month but did not move past the stage of talks and the discussion of swapping versatile forwards has been tabled for weeks.
My Quick Take: And the award for NBA player involved in the most trade rumors goes to Shawn Marion, Phoenix Suns. The Matrix’s name always pops-up in trade talks because he earns sixteen million dollars per season.
This summer, Marion was rumored to be in two trade proposals for Kevin Garnett-one to Boston in a three-way deal and one to Minnesota. And now to Utah ... for Andrei Kirilenko ... straight-up?
Are the Suns also getting back draft picks? How about cap relief? Perhaps, a John Deere hat from Utah coach Jerry Sloan?
This rumor makes no sense for Phoenix. None. Marion is better than Kirilenko, and even though he’s the Suns’ most expensive player, he’s cheaper than the overpaid Russian. So Phoenix would be getting worse and adding salary at the same time.
I have two thoughts on this situation. First, fair or not, Marion has earned the reputation as a malcontent. But is team chemistry so dysfunctional that Phoenix believes they’re better off simply dumping Marion for Kirilenko?
Second, The East Valley Tribune broke this story by citing an unnamed source. The Suns could be intentionally leaking information to reporters, so that Marion feels under-appreciated and then exercises his opt-out clause next summer. Then the team would be losing his salary without having to take back a big ticket contract. Of course, they would also be losing his 18 points and 10 rebounds per game without getting anything back, either.
The malcontent and opt-out theories are far-fetched. I’m just trying to understand the Suns’ rationale for even considering this move. Marion, because of his fine play and good-nature, also has allies within the Phoenix organization. Look for him to stay in Arizona and help his team try to win a different award in 2007-08-the NBA Title.
Would you trade Marion for Kirilenko? Get at us in the comment box below with your thoughts.
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