Sam Smith of Bulls.com (and formerly of the Chicago Tribune) talked about the possibility of the Suns trading Steve Nash to the Raptors in his Bulls blog on Monday.
Smith has been around the NBA for a long time and assuredly has well-connected sources, but this one seems peculiar. The deal looks like this: The Suns trade Nash, Leandro Barbosa and Robin Lopez for Jose Calderon, Andrea Bargnani, Anthony Parker, Jason Kapono and possibly Jamario Moon as cap filler.
The trade itself doesn’t seem too lopsided, but it would mean the Suns are giving up on a championship run just as things are coming together. Phoenix is 8-3 since the Jason Richardson trade, including buzzer-beating losses to the Spurs and Pacers, and a barnburner in Portland. Giving up Nash would end this era and put Phoenix into rebuilding mode. That’s something the Suns’ brass doesn’t want to do yet, especially considering how well Shaq is playing.
There are bound to be rumors galore floating around, especially as the trading deadline approaches, but this is one I wouldn’t give much credence. Phoenix has to let this roster jell, and Steve Kerr knows that. But if the Suns suffer another first-round exit in the playoffs, next year is when things will get very interesting.
Sometimes a team has to decide if they can win a championship with what they have. If they feel they can’t then no matter how popular a player is at the tail end of his career is and by trading him it can improve the teams’s future, it should be done. Players such as Hakeem Olajuwon have been traded at the end of their career. So was Charles Barkley and Wilt Chamberlain. That’s the situation with Nash. He still has most of his offensive skills, but unfortunately he can’t guard a mailbox. Jose Claderon is as good a free throw shooter as Nash, but not quite the creator Nash is. He is a 50% overall shooter and at 6′4″ a much better defender and more physical. He is a true young up and coming point guard. Bargnani is playing the best ball of his career and can play all 3 front line positions although slightly soft. He’s a good shooter at 7 feet talll. Parker’s a solid defensive larger shooting guard whose 4.6 million deal comes off the books this summer and could be used to resign Matt Barnes. The problem with the deal, if made, has the Suns still stuck with the same problem, no back-up point guard. So the beat goes on. The deal has some merit for both teams. It would be up to Kerr to decide the true chances of the Suns getting to the finals. That’s if Toronto and Brian Colangelo would even talk deal with PHX. Colangelo and Suns owner Robert Sarver are not best of buddies.
F-in Sam Smith….I swear!
I will shoot myself if the Raptors do this deal!
This deal makes the Raptors slightly better in the short term and incredibly worse in the long run. It makes no sense on the Raptors side. Also, no way Colangelo trades Bargs at this point.
Why would Toronto make this deal? It doesn’t make them any better! They will still lack a solid 2 and 3. Barbosa is a undersized 2!!!! Lets not forget Bargnani and Calderon. They are both in their early 20″s and have a lot of room for growth still. Nash would be a great addition but not if you give up half the team!!! This deal makes no sense and is likely the work of someone trying to save their job!
this story was first reported on December 6th on raptorstalk.com
http://www.raptorstalk.com/2008/12/06/why-stop-with-triano-when-you-could-get-nash-and-have-a-reunion/
This is a clear example of a challenged IQ. While GM`s have made bad moves before, it will be a sad day in Toronto if Colangelo bites at this sorry excuse of a trade.
Nash has …. what, 2 or 3 years left. Calderon is just beginning his ascent to a top-level PG. And Bargnani being tossed in — now that`s a laugh. Wouldn`t trade him straight up for anyone in that list. Has Smith ever watched more than just highlights, and the occasional Toronto game. He’s an idiot — that’s about as simplistic as one can put it.
Nash is the suns best piont guard. steve Kerr wants a championship. If Suns lose nash the suns will never make the playoffs or to have a chance to win a chapionship.
Don’t Do it raptors, your invisionally impaired 2 report a loss trade deal. exclude andrea Bargnani. then replace him with a 1st overall pick.
Well this doesnt change anything for suns atleast this season because . They are not going to win a championship with this kind of playing . I dont think they will even make to the playoffs….
Never happen!! There’s no way Colangelo would do this deal. Calderon and Bargnani are untouchable. AP’s contract is up and Kapono has been pricey for what he’s done, so they could conceivably be on the block and Monn…whatever. No way they trade Calderon for a PG a decade older, one that will likely retire when his contract ends after next season. Barbosa is a talent but not enough of a talent to pull both Bargnani and Calderon away from the Raps. Unless the Suns are willing to part with there #1 picks for the next decade, you won’t see this happen.