No Trades Until Camp Expected

Nothing gets more response from fans than trade discussions. Much of June was spent talking about trading for Kevin Garnett (KG) with every possible option explored. In the end it never happened because the Timberwolves wanted more than the Suns were willing to give up.

Recent reports are that the Suns kept Amare Stoudeimre informed about the discussions and the he definitely was NOT being offered in the deal. There is nothing firm, but it looks like the Suns offered Shawn Marion, Kurt Thomas, Marcus Banks and the Atlanta pick for KG either straight up or in a three way trade. This offer is undoubtedly still on the table, but it seems clear that the Wolves want something different. As much as the Suns would like to get KG, it is unlikely they will sweeten the deal short of giving up a future first round pick.

In theory anybody could be traded, but it seems unlikely that there will be any deals until training camp or later.

BANKS: In two games Banks first scored 42 points and in the second shot 7 of 8 from the field (officially a scrimmage). He had a minor injury and was held out for the next couple of games. When asked about him, both Weber and D'Antoni talked about how talented he is. Weber also talked about the transition to the Suns system. At this point they just don't know if Banks is the guy they thought they were signing or if this was just a flash in the pan. But if he has made real progress, it would not make sense to trade him until his value is more obvious to the rest of the league. Two games won't do it, but training camp might.Of course if he has made HUGE progress they might want to hang onto him. None of the other deep bench players are proven offensive threats and the Suns do need some actual depth beyond the main eight. But if the last several months are an indication, it would be hard to trade him unless he shows some serious progress.

KURT THOMAS: There have been rumors that the Sonics are interested in Kurt Thomas (KT) and due to having a trade exception (TE) could actually take him without the Suns having to take back a contract. This deal could get the Suns out of the luxury tax.

However, this would make the already small Suns absolutely tiny. KT did a credible job against Duncan in the playoffs when no one else did. It is possible the Suns would feel free to sign a free agent if KT was off the books, but only PJ Brown is even close to being good enough and there is not much evidence that he’d come to Phoenix even if KT was traded.

PIKE: Eric Piatkowski has only a veteran minimum contract so he could get traded to a team needing a three point shooting specialist. This is feasible only if the Suns decide they need another inside banger and are not prepared to carry more than 13 guys.

So other than unloading Pike, I am doubtful there would be any deals before training camp that would make a lot of sense. First, the Suns don't really know what they've got in the rookies. Second, a lot of good pickups when teams decide that somebody is redundant right before the start of the season.For the Suns, it is hard to make mega deals anyway.

The two most popular guys to trade are Marion whose big contract, and ability to opt out next summer, make him hard to move for value. And Diaw who is subject to the base year contract situation which kills most deals. (Contracts have to match up, but players in the first year of their contract count for 100% of their salary on the team that gets the player but only 50% on the trading team).

At this point I think the Suns are convinced their starting eight has a real chance of winning a championship. Therefore I would not expect them to do anything dramatic until well after the season started at the earliest.