Boris Diaw and Leandro Barbosa are most likely changing zip codes this offseason.
No doubt you already heard about the rumors of Boris Diaw heading over to Toronto for TJ Ford and the No. 17 pick in the draft, or the trade that might send the Brazilian Blur to Portland for Martell Webster and the No. 13 pick in the draft.
Both of these trades seem very possible but I have taken the liberty of "modifying" these trades to better benefit both teams—and more importantly, to benefit the Suns.
Let's analyze the trade that would bring the Suns TJ Ford from the Raptors, shall we? The Suns have been looking for the heir to Steve Nash since Nash first rejoined the Suns in the 2004-05 season. TJ Ford's game is similar to that of the two-time MVP, and he has a "pass-first mentality."
However, Ford lacks a consistent jumper—and, like Nash, he has a bad back. Last season, Ford suffered a devastating blow from Al Horford of the Atlanta Hawks, and was sidelined for several months.
- B/R Ticket Guide
Is Ford worth obtaining, knowing he has a bad back? It's a dice roll. However, the last time Phoenix gambled on an injury-prone player, the player won two MVP trophies. Although I am personally for this trade as I've been watching Ford since his Milwaukee debut, I can't say the Suns would be willing to dish out Diaw so easily.
Here's my modified trade: Boris Diaw and Raja Bell for TJ Ford, Jason Kapono, and the No. 17 pick in the draft.
This trade would benefit both teams. The Suns get a consistent three-point shooter in Kapono, and the Raptors get a defensive-minded shooting guard in Bell—not to mention the versatility of Diaw. This trade would also reunite TJ Ford with head coach Terry Porter, who he played under in Milwaukee.
Now it's time to analyze the potential trade between the Phoenix Suns and Portland Trailblazers. The Suns would get Martell Webster and No. 13 pick for Leandro Barbosa.
Is this a fair trade? Quite possibly—however the Phoenix Suns should try and push their luck and pry Channing Frye from the Blazers, too. Frye won't get much playing time with Greg Oden coming back from injury, which is why the Suns should push for him.
Here's the new trade: Leandro Barbosa, No. 17 pick in the draft, No. 15 pick in the draft for Martell Webster, Channing Frye and the #13 pick in the draft.This trade solves a problem for the Suns by giving them a backup power forward, and gives Phoenix a deeper bench. The Blazers get lightning-quick Barbosa, and now have two picks in the upcoming draft.
However, I see the Blazers packaging those two picks along with Raef LaFrentz and Travis Outlaw for the possibility of Richard Jefferson.
The trades would leave Phoenix altering their image—and more importantly, give them a roster built towards the future as well as today. Hopefully, both deals are accepted and the Suns can then look towards free agency. Is Michael Finley available?
comments (25) write a comment »
write a new comment
5 months ago
Your thoughts?
from 5 months ago
i think they should get t-mac or richard jefferson for barbosa and diaw. Imagin this lineup
PG Steve nash
SG Raja Bell
SF Tracy Mcgrady
PF Amare Stoudamire
C Shaq
Thats a Pretty Good Team, Even though They dont have a bench, they can still get Finley and Kurt Thomes or trade for Channing Frye.
from 5 months ago
As much fun as it would be to acquire T-Mac, he has never been a proven winner. He's never got his team past the first round of the playoffs, I understand last year Yao was injured but he's been to the playoffs several times. Jefferson would be a nice addition, but then it comes down to our bench which we wouldn't have if we grabbed either of these players.
I guarantee Kurt Thomas is staying in San Antonio, he fits in perfectly with that ball club.
The Suns would need alot of free agents coming in.
Can't wait to see what the Suns do in the draft, I hope they have something prepared.
5 months ago
Portland has too many players under contract which is part of the motivation for the trade of the pick, particularly since they probably won't get the point they want from that position. To make the trade work they would have to include another player from salary standpoint, though who that would be is up in the air.
From Portland's standpoint it is a curious trade, though I am hearing that rumor pretty strongly. Roy plays shooting guard, incoming (anticipated to be) superstud Rudy Fernandez plays shooting guard, and it is my understanding that is Barbosa's best position...so it does nothing to alleviate their small forward and/or point guard issues unless they turn Barbosa and...something...over to cover one of those holes.
I also am unsure how it helps the Suns. Actually, either of those trades. Giving up arguably their best defender in Bell seems curious.
Oh, and giving up Outlaw would be a HUGE mistake for Portland. I keep hearing it from lots of Blazer fans...that I don't understand at all. Don't do it, Pritchard!
from 5 months ago
The Portland trade was a bit odd in my opinion too. I don't see how the trade benefits them but I wanted to make things interesting and modify it a bit.
Bell has been slowing down. He has been the most inconsistent Suns player last year and he can't create his own shot. His defense is overrated and it showed in the first round of the playoffs when he was guarding Manu. Manu would constantly drive right pass Bell, it was getting so bad you could nearly predict what Manu would do everytime down the court. The Suns have been desperately trying to acquire a backup point guard for Nash for the past several years. Phoenix made their first mistake when they traded Rajan Rondo for cash. The next mistake occurred several weeks later when the Suns signed free agent Marcus Banks to a 5 year 24 million dollar contract. The trade for Ford makes sense in my opinion. Especially if the Suns can acquire a more consistent shooter in Kapono.
And the Outlaw trade for Jefferson you been hearing alot? I thought I made it up haha. Anyways I think the reason they would consider that trade is because of ego's clashing. For example, Oden, Roy, Aldridge, Outlaw, I don't think they can all coexist on the same team without butting heads, and trying to one up each other. That's just my opinion though, I think Outlaw is a tremendous athlete, but he won't be able to grow to his full potential with so much young talent on that team.
from 5 months ago
Phoenix is still very old. they need to get young players. LAKERS WILL AGAIN FINISH ON TOP!!
from 5 months ago
They might be very old but once the old player retire (Nash, Shaq, Hill) the Suns will have players to fill their absence (Ford, Frye, Webster)
5 months ago
Outlaw-Jefferson rumors have been all over the Nets board I post on for over a year now. I don' know just how much truth it's based in, but I've definitely heard it before.
from 5 months ago
Hmmm it'll be interesting to see what happens with R-Jefferson. I can't wait for the draft!!
5 months ago
it just doesnt make sense to give up Barbosa to me? but what do i know? Bringing Frye to Phoenix would be nice though, he is a former Arizona Wildcat, and wouldn't mind playing 110 miles away from their up in Phoenix...
5 months ago
It would be nice to have Frye back in Phoenix. He went to St. Mary High School which is in downtown Phoenix. He came to my church group once last summer called M.A.D House. I'm just a fan of his personally I guess. Barbosa has been struggling all last season. He starting settling with three-pointers and mid range jumpshots when his bread and butter is running the court and getting open looks from Nash. He started to fall back and didn't take the ball to the basket as frequently as before.
He did however state he is working on his defense and building muscle over the offseason so he might not get traded after all. Although I would still like to have Frye on the Suns team.
5 months ago
It would be nicer to trade with New York and keep Jerfyd Bayless in Phoenix
5 months ago
Bayless is projected to be the fourth overall pick and the Knicks have the sixth pick in the draft.
5 months ago
I've heard several people throughout the year suggest that the Suns move Barbosa and for the life of me I cannot understand why. I think he is as fast as they come in the NBA and having played behind Nash for a couple of seasons has made him a very good ball player. True his game is not polished yet but why would they want to get rid of him for T.J. Ford. I would much rather have Barbosa on my squad. I think Barbosa has a much bigger upside than Ford who I believe has shown everything in his arsenal and will not get significantly better. Also Barbosa won't break the bank on their salary cap anytime soon. I don't get it. For that matter Diaw's versatility is very good for his price tage as well. I think Kerr is off to a horrific start at GM. He needs to slow down a bit and stop trying to reinvent the team, they just need a key veteran acquisition the way the Spurs plugged in Finley, Barry, Glenn Robinson, Horry....etc.
from 5 months ago
Boris Diaw is definitely not worth his contract. He is getting paid 9 mil a year to average 9 points, 4 boards, and 4 assist, that is definitely not playing up to his contract, especially because he is averaging 29 minutes a game. Ford on the other hand has a contract worth 8.25 mil and is averaging 12 points, 6 assist, and 2 boards, and thats in 24 minutes per game.
Barbosa definitely has a nice contract but if we could add some height and a wing player (Channing Frye, Martell Webster) for LB I'll take the trade.
Adding another vet wouldn't do much. The Suns already have a very old starting five (Nash 34, Bell 31, Hill 35, Amare 25, Shaq 35) we don't need another old guy coming off the bench. But that is just my opinion.
5 months ago
Roy is the undisputed leader of the Blazers. Oden and Aldridge are both younger and don't have the "superstar" mentality. Oden and Aldridge are very complimentary players that mask their known weaknesses (interior toughness for Aldridge and mid-range shooting for Oden) and should combine to form a long, disruptive, formidable defensive presence. They are incredibly talented role players that can step up and carry the team if Roy happens to have an off night. Outlaw knows his role and enjoys it. If you've ever read a character piece on him, he is the shyest, team first guy in the locker room. Even though he is 6 foot 9 and has a vertical leap over forty inches, he consistently declined to participate in a campaign for his candidacy for the slam dunk challenge on all-star weekend. Egos are not a problem...This core is in it to win it, together.
5 months ago
TJ Ford has a "pass-first mentality"? Really? As a Raptor fan I'd say quite the opposite.
5 months ago
according to me, suns will make huge mstake if they trade diaw or barbosa.
diaw can comfortbly play on hills position and barbosa is excellent shooter.
no webster or kapono are better solutions. suns have 15 th pick from draft and its good position to cover some of their weak positions. i would rather wanted to see m.williams from nets instead of all of these players you are talking about. and if they decide to trade barbosa they better take outlaw in exchange.
from 5 months ago
The current Suns roster has been intact for several years now and haven't accomplished anything. Nash isn't getting any younger and all those years of high minutes are starting to take a toll. Believe me, I'd like to build around Diaw and Barbosa but they just aren't getting the job done, and if trading them gives us a deeper bench and a few younger guys as well I'm all in for it. Barbosa for Outlaw would be nicer, however I don't see the Blazers giving up Outlaw for LB.
5 months ago
I dont like these proposed trades because :
first TJ Ford does not have a pass-first mentality as a point guard? He reminds me of Stephon Marbury on the court. Watch his game. I saw another toronto fan comment the same way.
Second, the whole reason he wants out of Tornonto is that he does not want to share minutes with another guard. He wants to be the starting guard. It was an issue with him and Jose Calderon sharing minutes. They both wanted to be the main guard. Toronto chose calderon so ford is out.
Do you think he will be happy sharing minutes here with Nash? no way.
Third, he is way to much of a liability with his health problems and contract. Bad deal for suns
Portland trade.
I like the idea of the 13th pick but I think its too much to give up to only receive webster.
They need to trade up to a higher pick and get Russell Westbrook for a point guard to learn under nash for a year or two.
Then use the 15th pick to grab a young center to start learning from Shaq. Keeps them competitive and they start the rebuild process with young talent. I say give up diaw and barbosa if you can make that work.
What do you think brandon?
from 5 months ago
TJ Ford has a very good passing ability. In my opinion he can pass with the best of them, and if he came to Phoenix where we would have guys to actually pass to then I say bring him here. I know he has a bad back but the Suns have the best training staff in the league, they brought back McDyess's career when he came here briefly after the Marbury trade, he even stated in an article that the Suns have a great staff. Nash's back has always been a concern and if he stayed with Dallas I guarantee his back would have given out by the start of last year. I believe our staff will heal Ford's back.
Ford can also drive to the basket and finish his layups. He's extremely quick and one thing I noticed in the playoffs is the Suns do not have guys who drive to the basket, only Nash, Hill, and Diaw when he decides not to be lazy. Ford will not get heavy minutes here in Phoenix next season, but the season after I believe he will start if this trade happened.
The original trade is bogus IMO. That's why I modified it. I wouldn't wanna just trade away Diaw for Ford because we lose alot of height on the team, but giving up Bell for a more consistent shooter in Kapono would even out the trade more.
Again I didn't like the original trade for the Portland deal either. Barbosa has way too much talent to only get Webster and a first round pick. But to get Channing Frye, a power forward off the bench would make the deal solid for the Suns. Channing Frye can learn under Shaq and Amare this year, and once Shaq is gone Frye will start along Amare.
The reason I liked these trades is because it'll address our problem of "what happens when Nash is gone?" or "what happens when Shaq is gone?"
In three years or so if the Suns made these deals we'd have a core roster consisting of Ford, Strawberry, Webster, Frye, and Amare, with a bench of Kapono, and whoever the Suns draft this year (hopefully Brandon Rush). A whole starting five to work with, and some bench.
If we kept the same roster and did not make any trades we'd have only Barbosa, Strawberry, Diaw, and Amare. Barbosa doesn't work well with Amare, as well as Diaw.
I'm just thinking about the Suns future as well as what can help the Suns today.
5 months ago
what about trading or offloading shack oneill?
that would release a lot of space to get another (and younger) player
from 5 months ago
Give me a team that wants him and I'd be happy to trade him (that is if I was GM of the Suns.) No one wants his huge contract. He mind have trade value once his contract is expiring.
5 months ago
maybe they can release him
from 5 months ago
Why would you release him? He still makes some contributions to the team, and releasing him doesn't release his heavy contract from our salary cap so it wouldn't make sense to release him. Plus when he does have only year left on his contract expect the Suns to either trade him or no resign him over that offseason.
write a new comment