BREAKING NEWS: Jason Richardson Traded to Phoenix
J-RichGoodness gracious this came out of nowhere. Word is that the Suns, who have been hurting for an offensive spark, sent Boris Diaw, Raja Bell, and Sean Singletary to Charlotte in exchange for Jason Richardson, Jared Dudley and a 2010 2nd round pick.
“He’s athletic and gives us a really potent offensive player,” Suns General Manager Steve Kerr said. “He’s also an excellent defensive players and he’s in his prime. He’s a very high-character guy and well-regarded around the league for his professionalism.”
We’ll hit you with complete analysis as to how this move impacts both rosters and everyone’s fantasy value. But on face value, it’s a really good move for Phoenix, who needed to shake things up. Up to this point this season, the Suns doesn’t have a guard outside of Steve Nash who is putting up 12 points per game. Add in that Amare hasn’t had a problem vocalizing his frustration, and it’s easy to see where this could have ended.
From Charlotte’s perspective, they didn’t make this move because of Diaw’s and Bell’s contracts. Diaw is under salary through 2011-12 (player option) and Bell will be around until ‘09-10.
Come back later for a full breakdown.
Source: AZ Central
December 10th, 2008 at 6:33 pm
gift of gab says:
left field.
December 10th, 2008 at 6:33 pm
gift of gab says:
wtf?!
December 10th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
TD says:
CRAZY!!! But does this make the suns contenders???
December 10th, 2008 at 6:37 pm
Promoman says:
So ends the snowball’s chance in hell odds of the Suns’ defensive capability. Raja Bell became the Suns’ glue the instant Shawn Marion was traded. The Suns are screwed, but at least J Rich has been recused.
December 10th, 2008 at 6:37 pm
damned says:
A+ for phoenix!
December 10th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
d says:
wow….they’re already complaining about touches around Phoenix and now this? I mean, I like Richardson’s game, but he’s never had a problem pulling the trigger. Guess we’ll see how this plays.
December 10th, 2008 at 6:41 pm
ian says:
wow, thats a top 10 scorer and a pretty good defender in j rich
and from what iv heard about dudley hes really smart and a good prospect
great deal for phoenix
but for charlotte? wtf?
gona b hard to c bell and boris go though, it really will
IH
December 10th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
Blue says:
ha…tonight’s game is gonna be a blowout!!!
seriously where the hell did this come from? i thought wallace was the bobcat that was going to get traded. WTF?
December 10th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
Rafa23 says:
sure isiah is a consultant for the knicks and not the bobcats?
what is mj thinking? one good role player and one lazy overpaid guy. it doesn’t make them better but it cant be for salary cap space. damn mj
December 10th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
Jau28 says:
Dammit I wanted JRich on the raptors! Fuck Phoenix HAS to win now.
Nash/JRich/GHill or MBarnes/Amare/Shaq is one of the best starting 5 in the league fo sho. I’d say they’re top 5 for sure with the LAKERS, ROCKETS, CELTICS, CAVALIERS, and HORNETS.
December 10th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
Coop says:
Have to echo the other guys’ sentiments; I really don’t get this at ALL from Charlotte’s perspective, and I’m a guy who can usually see reason in most things. The only thing I can think of is that this is a set-up for another move, a part of a larger plan. If not, it’s just silly.
Having said that, we all know who the ‘Cats’ GM is, and he’s a ball-crushingly woeful manager. So…
December 10th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
rudderband man says:
Get to work Fantasy Doctor! Have fun with this one.
December 10th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
walk says:
I think its pretty safe to say you dont want one of the 90’s bulls to run your team. Kerr, MJ, and Pax have not exactly been impressive.
Phx is turning into a mess. I am exited to see how well Diaw and Larry Brown get along.
December 10th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
Gerard says:
Raja Bell has noticeably depreciated in the last year.
Dudley sucks. Horrible player. Only in the east (and on Charlotte) could anybody think that he’s good.
December 10th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
Brown says:
Since when is J-Rich an “excellent defensive player”? This trade doesn’t look good for either team to me.
December 10th, 2008 at 6:58 pm
northern lights says:
i guess that means J-Rich won’t be coming to Toronto… damn colangelo, u still pullin’ strings for the suns? This is exactly the type of guy Toronto needed
December 10th, 2008 at 6:58 pm
fallinup (What Would Charles Oakley Do?) says:
So much for Kerr’s defensive philosophy change. The owner must’ve been in his ear about how old Nash is now. At first glance, I like JRich on this squad. I would have liked it better if D’Antoni were still around. Even more if they wouldn’t have given away their best perimeter defender to do it…maybe they like Barnes to be that man now.
Guess we’ll see.
December 10th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
rell says:
OK MJ what was you thinking. 1st you are struggling scoring so you trade away your top scorer and only got back 2 role players. Then you trade for a player who can’t rebound and have motivation issue in Diaw to play for a coach like Larry Brown. What is the purpose of getting Singletary since you already have Augestin and Felton. I guess Felton is going to get traded now. Also MJ why is you giving up a 2nd draft pick to the Suns. It seems like the Sun should give you a 1st round pick with this trade.
December 10th, 2008 at 7:02 pm
jmg says:
they just lost their best defender and they were a terrible defensive team to begin with. they gain another athlete that needs the ball, great for JRICH. steve kerr has no idea what he is doing and he better have something else up his sleeve.
the bobcats are just clueless, so i guess Phx comes up on this trade but it doesnt make them any more of a contender
December 10th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
TD says:
You think MJ lost a bet (golf, poker?) and Kerr got to choose any player he wanted from charlotte plus a draft pick for whatever he wanted to give up?
December 10th, 2008 at 7:05 pm
Drink the Haterade (KB24 Chip 09) says:
MJ may have been the G.O.A.T in his playing days, but HE SUCKS!!!!!!!! as a GM
December 10th, 2008 at 7:05 pm
P_Dizzle says:
So with Phoenix now having J-Rich and Barnes on the roster, are they trying to recreate the Golden State team from 2 years ago?
Get ready to hear Amare and Shaq complaining a lot more about not getting any touches.
Who the hell is going to guard Kobe now?
Dumb as hell trade!
December 10th, 2008 at 7:08 pm
fallinup (What Would Charles Oakley Do?) says:
Raja’s 5 mil falls off in 2010. JRich was owed 14 mil through 2011. Right now, they save 5 mil by 2010 and I wouldn’t doubt it if they drop Diaw’s 9 mil this offseason or the next. Thats the only feasable reason why I think the Cats did this trade.
December 10th, 2008 at 7:10 pm
Heckler says:
I’ve been saying on this board for 3 months that a team should pick up Jason Richardson. I just thought it would have been Dallas instead of Phoenix.
But this is a good deal for Phoenix which was getting old real quick. God awful trade for Charlotte.
Next thing for the Suns to do is start Lopez and move Shaq to the bench. He slows down the 1st unit too much. They’d be better off letting Shaq play with Leo and Grant in the 2nd unit
December 10th, 2008 at 7:12 pm
Hoop Soup says:
Makes you wonder if the Bobcats want to lose? They are horrible and just got far worse! Suns just got a lot better out west.
December 10th, 2008 at 7:19 pm
Heckler says:
GM for one team is Michael Jordan. GM for the other is Steve Kerr. Think back to McHale and Ainge shaking hands last off season for Kevin Garnett
Hmmmm. Is this the new mode of nba player movement deals and trades?
Good Ole Boys Ex Teammate Club?
Something fishy is going on…..
December 10th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
baron von faulk says:
Wowwww, not sure what to think here.
Phoenix has got to improve from the perimeter at least.
Charlotte, well they must be hard up for a defensive-minded 2 or something.
Diaw will probably start right away at PF, which was a glaring need. Maybe a change of scenery will work wonders for the guy?
Guessing Felton is next, LB likes Augustin although Ray has been killing lately
December 10th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
Drink the Haterade (KB24 Chip 09) says:
Now the Lakers should trade LO and Vlad for Raja and Crash
December 10th, 2008 at 7:28 pm
the scola says:
suns just robbed the bobcats…but not sure thats exactly what PHO town needed.
December 10th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
Buffalo Brave says:
Well phoenix gave up 2 after thoughts to get a pretty potent scorer outside which they didnt have so that’s good. Hopefully they all buy in and can get some chemistry or watch out.
Far as charlotte is concerned, i kind of like them getting the 2 vets it gives them more quality depth. And losing richardson free’s up a TON of minutes.
I would still be surprised if they didnt trade wallace though.
Definately a shocker.
December 10th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
Luigi says:
okay this trade makes very little sense to me…but
i feel so bad for Sean Singletary…
hes benn trade about 345436347835 times…obviously exaggerating but hes benn traded ajillion times since hes been drafted. and hes only played one year
December 10th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
GEE...Nothing like the crib says:
The Suns just became ill.
Now that is even more pressure on Terry Porter. I would have to say dude would have to get squad to the finals. If he doesn’t …and I know reaching the finals is good. With a squad like that though…dude might be fired if he don’t reach finals. Conference at least.
Wow that is crazy. Nash, Shaq, Amare and Jason. The big 4 if you will.
Ouch!
December 10th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
LakeShow84 says:
Wow anyone get the feeling Great ol Stevie Kerr is grasping at straws??
LOLOLOLOLOL
I think Jrich is too streaky for this team.. Shaq is streaky nowadays, Amare is streaky in everything except PPG.. The only consistent person on this team is Nash and he doesnt even like the system because it hinders what he is best at.. This team is headed nowhere fast..
Shouldve traded Shaq for a HAPPY-TO-PLAY-HIS-ROLE Center who can move up and down SWIFTLY and throw good outlet passes.. thats the real busness right there..
December 10th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
johnny says:
it will be kinda boss to have Raja and Gerald defending the wings together.
But, yea, Phoenix makes a great move.
If Charlotte woulda just gone for an expiring and picks, I woulda been impressed with MJ, but no.
December 10th, 2008 at 7:43 pm
kobeef says:
This is a horrible trade for the ‘Cats. They only drop $5,000,000 in 2010/11 so they didn’t dump salary and I can’t see how they got any better.
MJ is possibly the worst GM of the past decade. Isiah was brutal but at least he could spot talent.
December 10th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
George W Kush Sr says:
Bell was depreciating a lil but he’ll be better in Charlotte as the second defender after Wallace. I can sorta see why they like him, but he’s a 6th man/1st guard off bench at most.
Diaw? with Larry Brown? WTF? Why not go for Barnes, who’s still fighting for a big contract so you know Larry’s going to see effort?
MJ should change his name or something, I hate thinking about him in #23 jersey flying around the court when he’s actually in a suit fucking up shop.
December 10th, 2008 at 7:48 pm
Taj says:
Wow…. At least they still keep Barbosa…They shoulda traded coached too!
Salaries wouldn’t match tho!!! LOL..
December 10th, 2008 at 7:56 pm
Big V says:
Good trade for Phoenix. Gives them some punch in the scoring department at the expense of some defense which they never play anyway.
Good trade for Larry Brown, probably a bad trade for the Bobbies….
December 10th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
Jah says:
LEFT. FIELD.
PG - Steve Nash
SG - Jason Richardson
SF - Grant Hill/Matt Barnes
PF - Amare Stoudemire
C - Shaquille O’Neal
I like it.
December 10th, 2008 at 8:41 pm
The OC says:
Everybody is talking like the Bobcats were going to the finals w/ J-Rich, c’mon his salary doubles D. Wade’s….chew on that one
December 10th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
that's whats up says:
Jared Dudley is going to make them relevant
December 10th, 2008 at 9:08 pm
fallinup (What Would Charles Oakley Do?) says:
@ Jah
That’s a line up that would be pretty sick in the playoffs.
December 10th, 2008 at 9:08 pm
junior says:
bobcats great trade for the future
they do lose an explosive socrer but they add quality players
and depth and also clear some cap overall
b+
phoenix get another scorer but lose diaw
who was CRUCIAL in the playoffs last year
and raja bell who was their glue
id give it a C
offense gets better, defense gets worse.
charlotte gets the better of the trade.
December 10th, 2008 at 9:10 pm
junior says:
whose going to play lock down D for phoenix now
after losing both bell and marion?
December 10th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
JCARR says:
JCARR APPROVES THE DEAL AS A LOYAL SUNS FAN!!!
December 10th, 2008 at 10:28 pm
Jeffrey says:
WHY???????????????
This made Charlotte worse!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 10th, 2008 at 10:51 pm
Knickhopeful says:
So the Sun’s roster has room for one more. ESPN reports its likely to be a point guard
Wouldn’t it be fitting if D’Antoni and Walsh wrapped up Marbury and gave it to the Suns as Christmas present?
The Big 5! (just kidding)
December 10th, 2008 at 11:00 pm
Richard Wellner says:
The Suns have imploded, or Big Banged, so Amare for D. Lee???
December 10th, 2008 at 11:48 pm
wanabballer says:
j rich is going to fit nicely with nash. he can create his own shot and is young and athletic.
for the bobcats all i can think they are doing is trying to get solid experienced players instead of players trying to be create something out of nothing
i think good trade for both teams
December 10th, 2008 at 11:49 pm
LakeShow84 says:
Best trade of the day was Antonio Daniels going to New Orleans..
In my opinion that makes New Orleans considerably better.. They get a real player to back up Paul and can play the 2 if needed and isnt so bad defensively..
December 10th, 2008 at 11:58 pm
johnsacrimoni says:
I don’t think MJ had anything to do with this trade. He can’t be bothered away from the golf course to do actual work.
December 11th, 2008 at 1:40 am
doc says:
J Rich aint no savior fellas.Just a jacking ass 2 guard who does nothing else.Nothing but a name.
December 11th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Kosta says:
Yuhoo! More fire-power for the Suns!
http://www.squidoo.com/JasonRichardson