Shawn Marion: "I Want Out"

As first reported by AZ Central here, The Phoenix Suns' Shawn Marion has asked to be traded. Following a tradition started this spring by Kobe Bryant, then followed by Jermaine O'Neal and most recently Andrei Kirilenko, Marion joins a growing list of NBA superstars who are unhappy in their current situation and are looking for a trade.

Citing the constant trade rumors that have been circulating around him all year, Marion said it was time to move on. Marion's name has come up in all kinds of trade rumors, including a deal involving Kevin Garnett that was supposedly nixed by Marion because he didn't want to play in Boston. Most recently, last week when Kirilenko said he didn't want to play for the Jazz anymore, Marion was the first player of any team mentioned as a possible trade.

In his phone interview with the AZ Republic, Marion claimed he was most interested in being traded to the Lakers to join his good friend Kobe Bryant. According to Marion, Bryant would welcome the move, which might make him happy with the front office in LA and more comfortable playing there this year and into the future. However, you have to think the Suns would be hard-pressed to trade Marion to the Lakers, a team in their own division.

Another factor in this whole fiasco is Marion's current salary. He is currently the Suns' highest paid player with two years left on his deal, at around $16.4 million this year and $17.8 million next year. He has reportedly been seeking a three year, $60 million extension, which the Suns' seem unwilling to give him. The Sun's new owner, Robert Sarver, appears very unwilling to go over the Salary Cap, which is exactly what Marion's deal likely would do.

So what now? Marion's stated desire to be trade to the Lakers would involve the Suns getting back Lamar Odom, and possibly one other player. Personally, I'm not a huge fan of Odom. He has absolutely torched the Suns in some of their games, but is coming off shoulder surgery and remains inconsistent at best. Then again, Steve Nash has a habit of getting the most out of players since he has arrived in Phoenix, and Odom has the size, skill, and versatility to be a very good player, especially at the 4 where the Suns would need him.

The other option currently thrown out there is for AK47, Kirilenko. Kirilenko is an intriguing prospect. He plays best at the 4, can run and block shots, plays great defense, and is good at scoring close to the basket. He could be a nice compliment to Amare' down in the trenches. He was an All-Star a few years ago, but has been unhappy with the Jazz and head coach Jerry Sloan for the last two years. Kirilenko could be a great fit here in Phoenix, but again it would mean trading Marion within the Suns' own division. I'm also not sure Marion would accept being traded to the Jazz, though they are an up and coming team.

One trade possibility I haven't heard yet? How about Jermaine O'Neal? Am I missing something here? O'Neal wants out of Indiana, and a front line of him and Amare' would be formidable, at the least. I don't know, again, how much Marion would like to be traded to Indiana, but I think it's a trade possibility to at least explore if you are the Suns. You have a perennial All-Star looking to get out, you should try to get a perennial All-Star in return. The last thing I want to see happen is the Suns get $.25 Cents on the Dollar for Marion, much like they did in trading away Kurt Thomas (albeit that was a salary dump more than anything).

To Marion's credit, he went out of the way to say he loved the fans and his teammates here, and also said if he was not traded he would show up for the team's training camp. Marion has done nothing wrong here in Phoenix, other than being the highest paid player on a team filled with highly-paid players. There is no denying he has been in trade rumors all year long, and after a while that would take it's toll on anyone.

Last thing: Personally, I want Marion back for another year. He brings an intangible aspect to a great team, something that can't be duplicated or replicated. He scores his points without having plays drawn up for him, which is very hard to do. He runs the floor well and has the quickest hops of any player I've ever seen, leading to many rebounds and tip-ins. Marion is a great player, and an integral part of a championship-caliber Suns team. He would be a hard player to replace.

More on Trades

The trade rumors/hopes just keep rolling in! From all over the internet, here's some of the better ones i've heard so far:

1) Via TrueHoop: Three way trade between MN, LA, and PHX
MN gets: Andrew Bynum, Luke Walton, Kwame Brown, Marcus Banks, and the ATL pick next year.
LA gets: James Jones, Shawn Marion, and Marko Jaric.
PHX gets: KG, and Vlad Radmanovic.

I am ok with this trade. The Suns still get KG, don't give up too much, and also get a shooter in Vlad Rad.

2) Via myself, at ESPN's Trade Machine: Three team trade between MN, BOS, and PHX
MN gets: Gerald Green, Al Jefferson, Marcus Banks, and Wally Szczerbiak.
BOS gets: Shawn Marion and James Jones.
PHX gets: KG.

I like this trade as well, though it would take convincing Marion to go to Boston, which i don't think will happen.

3) Also via myself at ESPN's Trade Machine:
MN gets: Marion and Banks, The rights to ATL's pick next year, and one of our first rounders this year.
PHX gets: KG

I still think this is the way to go...