Shawn Marion is grumbling again. Only this time, he’s officially requesting a trade.
Marion is fed up with another summer of the Suns considering to trade him. Marion is irked that the team is not willing to talk about a contract extension. After eight years in Phoenix, Marion wants to leave the Suns and has let the team know in recent weeks.
“I’m tired of hearing my name in trades,” Marion said by phone from his Chicago home Tuesday night. “I love my fans in Phoenix but I think it’s time for me to move on.”
It was apparent that over the last few years, Marion has been increasingly frustrated with the (perceived) lack of attention he gets playing in Phoenix along Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire. Earlier this year, almost a year after Nash won his second MVP award, Marion vented some frustration to ESPN’s Chris Palmer.
“Steve is the MVP of the league,” says Marion, “but I’ve had people tell me I am the MVP of the team.”
“I want the recognition,” says Marion, who got fewer votes for February’s All-Star Game than Shane Battier. “I feel I’ve done what it takes to get it, but for some reason it hasn’t happened.”
I’m not sure what Marion’s beef is here. He’s due to make $33.6 million over the next two years, and is the Suns’ highest-paid player. Phoenix is on a very short list of legitimate contenders and was one game (and two bench clearing infractions) away from upsetting the Spurs in last year’s playoffs. His current situation looks pretty good and there are any number of players that would jump at the chance to switch places with him.
He’s going to be 31 in the summer of ’09 when his contract expires and he is rumored to want a three-year, $60 million extension. Who can blame the Suns for wanting to wait and see what Marion’s game is like in two years before committing to such a Shaq-like contract?
He’s also upset about his name being bandied about in trade rumors, but that has a lot to do with his attitude about his current situation. Besides, trade rumors are a part of the NBA and players have to learn to live with them.
There are several interested teams, including the Lakers (who would swap Lamar Odom) and the Jazz (who would swap Andrei Kirilenko), but the Suns seem content to stand pat. They’re not going to give Marion away unless they’re able to get a really good player and some salary cap relief in the process.
Marion needs to realize he’s in a terrific situation. He needs to work his ass off this year, get his ring, and then deal with his future next summer.
