It's a shame to see a team so close sell all of its draft picks and downgrade talent. It looks like they save around 4 million if they get it done. They go from almost getting KG to getting a sixth man. It's as if Kerr was told make us better or make us worse and save me cash but don't put us back on the floor with this same team.
Utah Jazz: Suns' Marion for Kirilenko?
Trade talk involves A.K., Marion
By Ross Siler
The Salt Lake Tribune
Article Last Updated: 09/12/2007 02:41:43 AM MDT
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.
A source told the East Valley Tribune the talk consisted of "one brief phone call" last month but the teams have not spoken since. The news nevertheless was enough to cause a minor stir with the Jazz set to report to training camp in less than three weeks.
Kevin O'Connor, the Jazz's senior vice president of basketball operations, declined to comment on the trade talk. "Do we expect him to be with this team? The answer is yes,'' O'Connor said of Kirilenko.
After a career-worst season, Kirilenko has been Russia's leading man at this month's European championships in Spain. Kirilenko has averaged 18.3 points and 9.7 rebounds with Russia 5-1 entering the tournament's quarterfinals.
"He's playing well and we're happy that he's playing well,'' O'Connor said. "He's shot the ball well. The other night he took eight shots and had 21 points [against Spain]. That's pretty productive."
Marion has been on the market for years, a source close to the Jazz said, and was part of the Kevin Garnett trade talks earlier this summer. The Suns are caught in such a luxury-tax crunch, they have sold first-round picks in back-to-back drafts.
They would stand to save nearly $5.5 million - $2.7 million as the difference between the two players' salaries and an equal amount in luxury-tax savings. Marion is under contract for the next two seasons at $16.4 million and $17.2 million.
There is the consideration Marion can opt out of his contract after the 2007-08 season. At the same time, Marion is eligible for a contract extension, which could be the difference maker in any potential trade.
Both Kirilenko and Marion are the highest paid players on their respective teams. The Jazz and Suns also are leading Western Conference contenders, which factors into any possible deal.
That Kirilenko's name is mentioned in connection with Marion's has to be considered a coup for the Jazz. Kirilenko was the Jazz's sixth-leading scorer last season; Marion averaged 17.5 points, 9.8 rebounds and was among the league leaders in steals and blocks.
Both are among the league's most dynamic forwards, though Kirilenko is three years younger at 26. Kirilenko could play power forward on the small-ball Suns, with plenty of shots to go around on a team that averaged 110.2 points a game.
Marion could move back to his preferred position at small forward, which would save him from having to guard big men. Much as he fights for top billing in Phoenix, though, Marion would find himself in the same situation with Carlos Boozer and Deron Williams in Utah.
The Jazz's relationship with Kirilenko still needs some repairing after Kirilenko voiced his frustration to a Russian newspaper earlier this summer, and coach Jerry Sloan and owner Larry Miller fired back in response. Kirilenko's agent, Marc Fleisher, did not return messages Tuesday.
Also
The Jazz have quietly started negotiating with Sloan on a contract extension. Sloan, who will return for his 20th season, is in the final year of his current deal.
Utah Jazz: Suns' Marion for Kirilenko?
Trade talk involves A.K., Marion
By Ross Siler
The Salt Lake Tribune
Article Last Updated: 09/12/2007 02:41:43 AM MDT
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.
A source told the East Valley Tribune the talk consisted of "one brief phone call" last month but the teams have not spoken since. The news nevertheless was enough to cause a minor stir with the Jazz set to report to training camp in less than three weeks.
Kevin O'Connor, the Jazz's senior vice president of basketball operations, declined to comment on the trade talk. "Do we expect him to be with this team? The answer is yes,'' O'Connor said of Kirilenko.
After a career-worst season, Kirilenko has been Russia's leading man at this month's European championships in Spain. Kirilenko has averaged 18.3 points and 9.7 rebounds with Russia 5-1 entering the tournament's quarterfinals.
"He's playing well and we're happy that he's playing well,'' O'Connor said. "He's shot the ball well. The other night he took eight shots and had 21 points [against Spain]. That's pretty productive."
Marion has been on the market for years, a source close to the Jazz said, and was part of the Kevin Garnett trade talks earlier this summer. The Suns are caught in such a luxury-tax crunch, they have sold first-round picks in back-to-back drafts.
They would stand to save nearly $5.5 million - $2.7 million as the difference between the two players' salaries and an equal amount in luxury-tax savings. Marion is under contract for the next two seasons at $16.4 million and $17.2 million.
There is the consideration Marion can opt out of his contract after the 2007-08 season. At the same time, Marion is eligible for a contract extension, which could be the difference maker in any potential trade.
Both Kirilenko and Marion are the highest paid players on their respective teams. The Jazz and Suns also are leading Western Conference contenders, which factors into any possible deal.
That Kirilenko's name is mentioned in connection with Marion's has to be considered a coup for the Jazz. Kirilenko was the Jazz's sixth-leading scorer last season; Marion averaged 17.5 points, 9.8 rebounds and was among the league leaders in steals and blocks.
Both are among the league's most dynamic forwards, though Kirilenko is three years younger at 26. Kirilenko could play power forward on the small-ball Suns, with plenty of shots to go around on a team that averaged 110.2 points a game.
Marion could move back to his preferred position at small forward, which would save him from having to guard big men. Much as he fights for top billing in Phoenix, though, Marion would find himself in the same situation with Carlos Boozer and Deron Williams in Utah.
The Jazz's relationship with Kirilenko still needs some repairing after Kirilenko voiced his frustration to a Russian newspaper earlier this summer, and coach Jerry Sloan and owner Larry Miller fired back in response. Kirilenko's agent, Marc Fleisher, did not return messages Tuesday.
Also
The Jazz have quietly started negotiating with Sloan on a contract extension. Sloan, who will return for his 20th season, is in the final year of his current deal.
