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Phoenix Trade Info
The Herald reports that the Celts may use
Palacio/RBrown's roster spot on Omar Cook, who had 90
assists in a five-game span playing for Fayetteville of
the NBDL. They also think Portland may be looking at "get
off of" McLeod and McCarty, as cap moves. I wonder what
they are offering.
Rodney Rogers is 30 years old and a free agent this
summer. He was 6th man of the year in Y2K, shooting .439
from 3-point land. He's listed at a solid 255 pounds, and
has missed just one game for the Suns in three seasons.
This year he is averaging 12.6 points in just 25.1
minutes per game (4.8 boards). His FG% inside the arc is
501. He is .350 on treys with roughly 3 attempts per
game. Whether you like the Celts offense or not, he seems
like a good fit and the key player in the trade. I don't
know how Wallace plans to re-sign him though. He sounds
like a solid citizen BTW.
Tony Delk is what Forte hopes to be someday (he'll
probably be another guy that gets traded). He had a 53
point game last season versus the Kings, shooting a
ridiculous 20-27. He was voted captain of the Suns team.
He's a 28-year-old former McDonald's All American and a
NCAA Final Four MVP, as well as MVP of the Midwest
regional. He's a streak shooter (.408), without a great
career 3-point touch (.319 career). But he seems pretty
fearless and clutch. Presumably, he could be something of
a "microwave" off the bench. This obviously will have an
effect on Strickland (and Forte).
Below is Phoenix GM Bryan Colangelo and coach Frank
Williams' take on the trade:
"as we now maintain Bostons pick in this coming draft,
as well as adding a good young talent in the 10th pick of
last years draft, a lottery selection, Joe Johnson, we
feel that we have further added to the core of youth that
we began with last year. The trade last year, Jason Kidd
for Stephon Marbury, brought us down four years in age.
We talked about a core of (Shawn) Marion and Marbury
moving forward, and now you can add Joe Johnson to that
list of names, and possibly two more selections from this
years draft."
"But moving forward, it does free up some flexibility for
us because Tonys contract went out for a period of years
beyond next season."
"The bottom line is, we were facing a future (luxury) tax
problem. Not so much in this immediate summer, but in the
following year, when you plug in a contract extension for
Shawn Marion, we were basically unable to do anything
going forward with Rodney that wouldve gone beyond one
year. That doesnt make a lot of sense for Rodney Rogers
to stay in Phoenix on a one-year deal when hes got
opportunities, Im sure, this summer to move on and do
something on a longer-term basis. So when we looked at
this, we basically felt that if Rodney was not moved
before the trade deadline, we were effectively going to
lose him for nothing at the end of the summer.
Effectively, we viewed this accordingly as Tony Delk was
being traded for two first round picks, one lottery
selection (Joe Johnson) and one later future first round
pick that, again, is coming from Boston this year."
"We kind of see Joe as a two (guard) more than a three.
In fact, I think in last years draft rating, he was
ranked as the number two two guard. But he is capable of
playing both positions and Shawn is capable of playing
both positions. But we see them side-by-side out there on
the court, filling the lanes. Again, were getting
another athlete with some length. Hes listed at 6-8, but
I believe hes 6-7 by all accounts. But hes long and
hes got skills."
QUESTION: Frank, what was the reaction of some of the
other guys?
FRANK JOHNSON: Disappointment. Theyve lost two guys
that we all have a lot of respect for. You know, Tony was
voted captain and when youre voted captain by your
peers, that says something about you. It hurt for them,
as well. They were both friends to a lot of the guys on
the team and they had certainly formed a bond with
certain guys on the team. So its tough when you know
someone is hurting from that, when someone is moving on
and are no longer a part of your family.
QUESTION: Frank, how much do you know about Joe Johnson?
FRANK JOHNSON: I saw him earlier when we played Boston
there. I am familiar with some of the things he can do. I
talked with Dick Van and he filled me on what he did when
he was in college, the type of player he is. I know he is
capable of making basketball plays. You know, we often
talk about, can a guy dribble, pass and shoot, and he
fits the bill there. I know he has lost some confidence
in what hes been able to do. But I think they saw him
earlier in the year as a player being touted as Rookie of
the Year. He has fallen off. Its my job to get him back
to that level, to playing with a lot of confidence, to
playing where hes enjoying himself and to where he can
contribute to this ball club.
QUESTION: Frank, what was the reaction from Tony and
Rodney?
FRANK JOHNSON: They were certainly disappointed, very
disappointed that this happened. I told them that they
were going to a situation where they have a chance at
being one of the top teams in the East, in terms of a
playoff spot. Even saying that, its still tough to be
traded at this point. You know, Rodney really didnt say
much. Neither did Tony. And when we got to the hotel, I
asked if they had talked to anyone from Boston and they
had not. They were just trying to make their plans right
now, but they were certainly disappointed theyre leaving
Phoenix. Theyve always felt that this was a great
organization, a class organization and they wanted to be
a part of that. One thing Rodney said, he loves the area.
He said regardless of what situation hell be in next
year, hes going to live in Phoenix. He has certainly
enjoyed the area.
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