Ryan Greyslak's NBA Basketball fan blog

In a blockbuster deal for the Cleveland Cavaliers they have acquired future hall of fame center Shaquille O’Neal from the Phoenix Suns. The Suns have agreed to send Shaq to the Cavaliers for Ben Wallace ($14 million dollar expiring contract, potential buyout), Sasha Pavlovich ($4,950,000 non guaranteed expiring contract), the Cavs second round pick, and $500,000.

Shaquille O’Neal played about a season and a half with the Suns and completely re-vitalized his career. He put up his best numbers in years and stayed healthier than he has been able to the few previous seasons due to the magical medical staff of the Suns. However this only looked good from the outside. He sat most double header games out except for one last season and constantly in interviews referred to his touches and what he could do for the team if they work the offense through him. 

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According to Paul Coro of the AZ Republic

 The Suns have completed a trade for Shaquille O'Neal to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Ben Wallace, Sasha Pavlovich, a second round pick, and $500,000

 So in the first step of the rebuilding process, the Suns have traded Shaq away for financial reasons instead of making the team better. If this is any indication as to the decisons the Suns will make this offseason, I'm very worried as a Suns fan.

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According to Adrian Wojnarowki of Yahoo Sports; Shaq to cleveland is back on

 The on and off again supposed rumored deal that would land Shaquille O'Neal with the Cleveland Cavaliers is back on again. The supposed deal would send the Suns Ben Wallace (possible buy out or retiring) and expiring contact of Sash Pavlovic.

I know that the Suns are interrested in making some major moves but how does this really benefit the team? Unless there is a free agent that they are heavily interrested in acquirring with the expiring money it might make more sense to allow Shaq to expire next year in the big free agent market.

Luckily it is rumored that this deal will only go through if another team get's involved. The Suns are rumored to not want to give Shaq up for nothing.

Continue reading "Is Shaq really headed to Cleveland Cavaliers this time..."

The Phoenix Suns have been known for their draft day blunders throughout the last few years. Some picks the team have given up are Rudy Fernandez of the Portland Trailblazers, Rajon Rondo of the Championship winning Boston Celtics, Luol Deng of the Bull or Andre Iguodala who was also available with Deng’s pick, and Marcin Gortat just to name a few. They are known for trading their draft picks for cash which has led the franchise to where it is today. The previous coach and General Manager Mike D’Antoni had no interest in playing rookies or draft picks and this has ultimately hurt the franchise in the long run without ever rewarding them with a championship. They are now stuck with one foot in and one foot out of the rebuilding door with virtually little young talent to build off and only large contract trade assets.

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Yesterday was a disappointing day for Suns fans as we all learned that the San Antonio Spurs acquired Richardson Jefferson in garbage for a good player deal with the Milwaukee Bucks. Milwaukee received Bruce Bowen, Kurt Thomas, and Fabricio Aberto. This was strictly a financial deal for the Bucks but Spurs were the team to benefit. Richard Jefferson is a versatile small forward that will be a great third scoring option. That trade made the Spurs that much better as they did not have to give up Duncan, Parker, or Ginobili. How did they pull that off?  

The Suns rumors have started to simmer down and it is becoming more likely that they will just stay the way they are and pick at 14, but there is a new rumor this morning of a deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Now before you get to excited, it involves trading the Suns 14th pick in this years draft to the Thunder in exchange for the 25th overall pick and the Suns unprotected draft pick in next years draft that they gave away for nothing in a deal with Kurt Thomas. I don't think this is going to excite any fans for this year. But it could mean the Suns are looking more towards a rebuilding process and want to secure that draft pick next season. If that is the only deal done by draft day it does not look very promising for the Phoenix Suns heading into the season with the same team.  

Continue reading "Phoenix Suns rumors heat up as draft day nears ... Spurs get Richard Jefferson?"

Amare Stoudemire had a difficult year with eye injuries. During training camp he suffered an inadvertent elbow from teammate Boris Diaw that partially tore the iris in his right eye. This injury forced him to miss most of training camp and he started the season wearing protective eyewear. It was obvious from the beginning that Amare was uncomfortable in the goggles and frequently put them up on his head while shooting free throws and in between plays.

After a few weeks he ditched the protective eyewear and wore nothing. February 18 against the Los Angeles Clippers he was poked in that same right eye and partially tore his retina this time. This ended his season and he has just been cleared this week to resume exercise again which is great news for him and the Phoenix Suns.

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The Phoenix Suns worked out Earl Clark of Louisville over the weekend and were extremely impressed with his workout. Earl Clark is listed at 6’10” about 230lbs. He is a match up nightmare for any defense due to his size and athleticism. He is extremely quick for his size which allows him to play great on ball defense. The Suns are looking to add defensive toughness to their roster and Clark would fit that mold. His height combined with foot speed has allowed him to stay in front of even the fastest guards in tryouts like Brandon Jennings. His height and 33” vertical leap make him a strong shot blocker.  

Continue reading "Earl Clark expected to be selected no later than the Phoenix Suns at 14"

The Phoenix Suns have invited several possible draft prospects to come in for workouts today including Earl Clark of Louisville, Austin Daye of Gonzaga, and Brandon Jennings of Italy. Clark and Daye are very athletic forward / small forward type players that can create major defensive problems for teams. Brandon Jennings plays the point guard position.

Brandon Jennings was made famous for his decision to skip college basketball and play professionally in Italy for one year. If this works out for him we could see a new trend with some younger players skipping college and going to Europe for a few million dollars before entering the NBA draft. The initial mock drafts had Jennings being drafted in the top ten. Lately he has slipped further down the draft board and could possibly be available with the 14th pick for the Phoenix Suns. The reason many are speculating that he has begun to fall in the mock drafts is because of his choice to not play college basketball. Playing a year of college basketball would have given him the showcase to show all of his skills and help him secure himself as a lower draft pick. When he played in Italy he struggled in limited playing time and never was able to show what he could do. This decision could inevitably impact which number he is drafted at next week.

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Steve Kerr flew to New York yesterday to meet with Steve Nash and his agent to further contract extension negotiations. The team has made it clear they want Nash to end his career in Phoenix. Steve Nash is still holding out on the Suns to wait and see what they decide to do with their roster in the offseason.

What this all boils down to is Nash only wants to play for what he considers a "Championship contending team". If the Suns keep the same team around and do not start trading for younger talent and beginning the rebuilding process Nash wants to be a part of that team. He still feels they can compete as constructed.

 After what happend last season I think it is safe to say the Phoenix Suns are no longer a championship contending team. If the Suns start the much needed and fan supported rebuilding process we could see Nash out the door by no later then the trade line and possibly even this summer. Not only is he a great experienced addtion to any team he also has an expiring contract.

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Suns GM Steve Kerr will presumably meet with Steve Nash in New York on Thursday to discuss the point guard's future with the team.
Kerr will meet with Nash and agent Bill Duffy to discuss an extension and the franchise's plans for the future. "It's more about letting each other know how we feel," Kerr said. "I can give him some ideas (of a plan), but there's no telling what can happen." Nash is entering the final year of his contract and is eligible for a two-year extension, but wants to see what the Suns do this summer before agreeing to anything. Jun. 18 - 12:48 am et
Source: Arizona Republic

 Steve Kerr met with Nash and his agent today in New York to discuss the ridiculous thought of a raise and contract extension for Steve Nash. Hopefully for the Suns, Nash will continue to hold out and force the team to trade him. No news back yet as to the outcome of the meeting.

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