Shawn Marion & Phoenix Suns Past Point Of No Return, Trade To L.A. Lakers For Lamar Odom Or Utah Jazz’s Andrei Kirilenko Not Likely

September 26 07

Yesterday, Shawn Marion requested a trade in an interview with the Arizona Republic:

"I’m tired of hearing my name in trades," Marion said by phone from his Chicago home Tuesday night. "I love my fans in Phoenix but I think it’s time for me to move on."

The Sporting News reports that the Suns have been trying to fulfill his request:

Shawn Marion, L.A. Laker? If he has his way, that will happen. According to a league source, the Lakers and Suns have been in discussions about a deal — a blockbuster deal — that would send the four-time All-Star to Los Angeles to play alongside Kobe Bryant. The Suns would get forward Lamar Odom and perhaps some salary-cap filler in return. The main obstacle appears to be Lakers owner Jerry Buss, who needs to OK the deal. Asked to handicap the likelihood of the deal going through, the source said, "50-50."

My Quick Take: Yesterday, I posted on there being issues between Marion and the Suns. Today, those issues escalated into an insurmountable problem because Marion has publicly requested a trade. Yes, The Matrix and Phoenix have hit a point of no return. There’s no turning back for either side.

The tension between Marion and the Suns has been well documented. Marion feels the Suns take him for granted and doesn’t like being the team’s third star behind Amare Stoudemire and Steve Nash. Phoenix’s coaching staff and front office believes the forward doesn’t work hard enough to improve his game.

This is not exactly breaking news. Everyone around the NBA knew the two sides had their differences. After another summer of being shopped around the league, Marion has decided to ask for a change of scenery.

Again, this development isn’t surprising. The pogo stick forward has been struggling with his role for some time. And Phoenix wants to get cheaper and reduce payroll. Something had to give.

I’m not sure about a trade to the Lakers for Lamar Odom. Marion is friends with Kobe Bryant. And Odom is the type of pass-first, creative player that Phoenix likes. But teams, let alone rivals, rarely trade within the same conference. And Odom’s game overlaps with Phoenix forward Boris Diaw.

I can’t see a straight Marion for Andrei Kirilenko trade happening, either. Marion isn’t happy being the third star in Phoenix, so he won’t like sharing shots in Utah. And Marion would certainly clash with Jazz coach Jerry Sloan.

Where do you see Marion ending up? Get at us in the comment box below with your thoughts.

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11 Comments: Shawn Marion & Phoenix Suns Past Point Of No Return, Trade To (...)

Posted by
twiss
on 10.1.2007

just al little drama to hype the nba and forget the refs gambling .

Posted by
lakerz4lyfe
on 09.28.2007

if lakers get marion spurs,phoneix suns,and dalls will be slotterd by kobe!!secpillay kobe beacuse he averages like 10000 a game! .

Posted by
lakerz4lyfe
on 09.28.2007

if lakers get marion they will be good it will be bynum,kwame,marion,kobe,derek fisher.shaq wants marion hes jealous if he goes to lakers he knows if marion goes to lakers he will get scared of them beacuse marion is good so as kobe shaq and dwade suck they can score kobe 81! .

Posted by
markakaheist
on 09.28.2007

marion to nj for rj baby .

Posted by
john
on 09.27.2007

let’s make the trade. .

Posted by
Dr. Afrotistic
on 09.26.2007

ey ey !!! ya its possible dis is wat i think is gonna happen AK47 2 finish , Shaw MARION in L.A. lakers and Utah will end up getting Lamar Odom ..... i think daz da blockbuster trade if it happenz .

Posted by

on 09.26.2007

i don’t see a workable trade anywhere in the nba...the laker trade makes no sense for either team...marion won’t go to the jazz, nj doesn’t have the assets, washington doesn’t have the salaries.... marion will back down from this one when he sees how bleak his future might be. .

Posted by
winga
on 09.26.2007

hEY!! where has the Lakers ended up the past few years with the inconsistant Odom?? Marion would be a big time defensive upgrade and he also Rebounds. Bryant and Marion would be an awesome defensive duo. Plus Marion is a ’pickin up the trash’ scorer as he mostly stocks his points by alley oops, or putbacks. He could be a different type of a Rodman type that Phil had with the Bulls(laugh out loud). Come on Mitch, pull yourself together and make a gamble on this. .

Posted by
lakerjunkie
on 09.26.2007

Marion would be great on the lakers, they need someone who isnt injured all the time and plays with high intensity. Odom is a great player but lacks the energy needed for the lakers. The suns will speed him up and the lakers really could use an aggressive athelete like Marion. .

Posted by
Tom
on 09.26.2007

As a Laker fan I am getting way too prematurely excited about all this.I think in this situation you can’t underestimate Shawn though, he’s said he can learn the triangle offense and although he’s not a conventional big-man he can still clean the gla-------and block a whole lot of shots.More importantly, however, from a Lakers stand point. If Jerry Buss doesn’t take this opportunity I think there’s going to be a lot of unhappy fans and a very possible Kobe vs Buss, Round 2. .

Posted by
b4hoops.blogspot.com
on 09.26.2007

I am going to write about this on my blog as well, but trading Odom for Marion makes no sense for the Lakers. Marion thrives in a fast-break offense, and the Lakers have not run since Magic left the court. Odom is a much better fit in the triangle. .

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	About Oly Sandor
Daily take on NBA Oly Sandor is an NBA analyst and sports journalist based out of Vancouver, Canada.After years of the free-lance game, Oly Sandor is bringing his unique brand of NBA analysis exclusively to (...) More

Shawn Marion & Phoenix Suns Past Point Of No Return, Trade To L.A. Lakers For Lamar Odom Or Utah Jazz’s Andrei Kirilenko Not Likely

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