We’ve broken down the salary cap implications, whether Vince Carter can replace Jason Richardson and what Marcin Gortat and Mickael Pietrus bring to the table, but here are six more questions surrounding Saturday’s blockbuster deal with the Orlando Magic. 1.  What does this mean for Steve Nash? In the immediate aftermath of the trade, speculation [...]

[Read more →]

PHOENIX — When you analyze Saturday’s blockbuster trade with the Orlando Magic, the Phoenix Suns clearly need Vince Carter (when healthy) to become their leading scorer and Marcin Gortat to solidify their interior defense and rebounding efforts. Where Mickael Pietrus fits in isn’t so certain, and that has nothing to do with his skill set. [...]

[Read more →]

PHOENIX — It’s been a rough couple of years (and weeks) for Vince Carter. The 33-year-old has fallen from superstardom in a matter of seasons, and is having his worst year as a pro, averaging only 15.1 points per game. And now 48 hours before what was supposed to mark a new beginning for Carter in [...]

[Read more →]

When the Phoenix Suns acquired Marcin Gortat via trade with the Orlando Magic on Saturday, they gained a bona-fide big man to help shoulder the load alongside Robin Lopez. As with many moves in the NBA, the addition also meant there was a need for subtraction. The Suns made that subtraction Tuesday, announcing the release [...]

[Read more →]

Wages of Wins author David Berri analyzed the Suns-Magic trade through the prism of Wins Produced, concluding that the Suns improve to an expected playoff team level based on Marcin Gortat taking minutes at the center position that have been played very poorly this season, particularly by Earl Barron (released today). Other conclusions from the [...]

[Read more →]

PHOENIX — For the fourth straight season Marcin Gortat sat and watched. He sat and watched Dwight Howard play after his brief six-minute bursts that ended no matter how productive he was because it was time for Superman to return to the floor. He then went home and sat and watched other young centers like [...]

[Read more →]