Please don't talk to me like I'm an idiot. I understand that $9 million is larger than $7 million.
However, Phoenix is not going to dump Barbosa -- a legitimate player -- for Scal and Tony, in my opinion. They're pretty much solved their luxury tax issues for this season, to the point where they're not in a bind to shed salary.
However, they're also not in a hurry to *add* salary, because they're right about at the luxury tax threshold. Why, then, would they put themselves in a poorer financial situation when faced with the choice between 1) letting Grant Hill walk (meaning there is no further financial commitment) and 2) trading for Tony and/or Scal (at least a $2.5 million commitment)? It makes no sense.
I never meant to call you an idiot or imply anything like that, stop being so sensitive. I think you are stating an opinion and I was responding with one of my own. The fact that we disagree over how Phoenix is cutting cost doesnt make me wrong or you right. I am merely giving an example of how I think they can cut salary and still field a team. Not much of a team I admit, but they are clearly trying to save dollars at every corner possible. They will have to add players to do that and cheap ones that will fill out the roster for a single year would seem to be somewhat attractive.
As to the 7 and 9 million numbers G_W, I did clearly see what Barbosa was making but was referring to a possible combination of contracts to equal those amounts. The reason I feel like Barbosa is feasable under that proposed scenario is because of the length of obligation they would be shedding by dumping his contract.
What contract would they be adding to add up to 9 million? You didn't mention that. You only mentioned Hill and Barbosa, and the Suns' obligation to Hill is zero dollars and zero cents.
And if they add that contract, then there is only a net gain of one player on their roster, and that would be JR. They could do better signing a FA for a league subsidized minimum contract.
Perhaps there is a sensible combination of players (though I doubt it), but the earlier post wasn't it.
