My take on the Suns off-season

[Hawk Eye]

Before I begin, I'd like to add this is my first time doing one of these so Phoenix fans don't bash me too hard lol.

Front Office:

I appreciated Chuck's take with bringing in Suns legend Steve Nash but I don't see him as being an ideal fit for GM duties. I'm going to bring him in but it will be in a role similar to the one Dominique Wilkins plays here in Atlanta--Special Advisor to CEO or Vice President of Basketball. Something along those lines.

I'm keeping McDonough as my GM for now. The leash is probably a bit shorter at this point but he has shown he knows how to spot young talent in the draft.

For my Head Coach I will be bringing in Scottie Brooks. For all of the criticism he got at OKC I think he was actually one of the better coaches out there at developing their young players. And that's exactly what he will be doing here in Phoenix. There are a lot of young players on this roster for Brooks to develop (Booker, Len, Warren, #3, #12, etc.). I don't see why the Suns need to be in any hurry to rush things and compete so I think Brooks is a solid candidate here.

Draft:

Assuming that nothing changes in the lottery, we have #3, #12, #28, and #33 to work with.

In a perfect scenario I want Simmons or Ingram falling to me at #3 but I just don't see that happening. So at #3 I'm taking BPA which I believe is Dragan Bender. Versatility-check, size-check, skill-check, star potential-check. Hopefully I strike gold with a future Dirk here.

At #12 I'm going with Demetrius Jackson. Solid PG prospect to pair with Booker in the backcourt.

I'm going to be looking to find a trade partner later in the draft to consolidate #28 and #33 into something like #22, #23, #24, or #25. Assuming I can move up to one of these slots I'm going to target Diamond Stone.

I've now drafted 3 solid prospects at 3 different positions and will hope for the best.

Trades:

I think One of Bledsoe/Knight needs to go. Both of them don't seem like long term fits here as one is super injury prone and the other is a chucker incapable of running the offense. However, I don't see Phoenix getting a return that they really like for either of them this off-season so for now I'm going to hold onto both. My starting backcourt on opening day will be Bledsoe/Booker and I hope Knight can increase his trade value as a 6th man scorer off the bench as the season progresses.

Chandler is on record of not wanting to be a part of a rebuild so I'm going to do my best to ship him off to a playoff caliber team.

Suns/Celtics:

Tyson Chandler for Amir Johnson

Celtics add a legit defensive center to help recruit top tier FA's and manage to bring him in without dipping into their stash of picks. Chandler gets to join a team currently fighting for a #3 seed in the east.

Suns grant Chandlers wish of not wanting to take part of a rebuild in Phoenix. I believe Amir Johnson's 12M salary is non-guarnteed so McDonough can decide to keep him for the year or waive him for cap space.

Free Agency:

Although I have a lot of money to play with, I'm going to be saving my cap space to use in future deals where I can take on bad contracts for picks. I definitely want to retain one of Leur/Teletivic as my stretch 4's. Since Leur is younger ill offer him 3Y/25M and see if he takes it. I might bring in a vet or two on a big 1 year contract for a lot of money.

PG: Bledsoe/Knight/Jackson
SG: Booker/Goodwin/Jenkins
SF: Warren/Tucker
PF: Bender/Leur
C: Len/Johnson/Stone

Hopefully I didnt do to bad because this was really rushed.

[Notanoob]

I think that there are better PG prospects who you could get than Jackson, even if I kind of like him. It is a long ways to the draft.

I really would look for a way to move on from Knight given how well Booker has played. Knight being the first guy off the bench would be fine but he just cannot fit with Booker. You need someone better at setting up the offense than him.

No idea how the Celtics feel about Johnson, but that sounds like an all-right move. Good to get Chandler out of the way since he really has no purpose on a rebuilding team.

[loserX]

A nice, patient plan. I like the FO hires and I certainly understand trying to drive up Knight's value before making a deal.

Only questions really were about the draft:
at #3 I like Bender too, but I understand he may not be in the USA for a while, which means you're thin at PF (although Amir can take some minutes too). Has that changed? Others may be more up to date than I am!

And I had no idea that Demetrius Jackson was mocking that high. I do like him as an addition for when one of the other PGs gets moved though.

[Hawk Eye]

I'm probably too high on Jackson. I go through these periods where I get way too high on prospects and try to boost their value from realistically late 20's to unrealistically mid to late lotto.

[Golabki]

As a Celtics fan I absolutely hate this trade

[Hawk Eye]

As a Celtics fan I absolutely hate this trade

Absolutely as in "I've seen worse but I still don't like this trade" or as in "this is probably the worst Celtics trade I've seen on the board all week"?

[Colbinii]

As a Celtics fan I absolutely hate this trade

Absolutely as in "I've seen worse but I still don't like this trade" or as in "this is probably the worst Celtics trade I've seen on the board all week"?

Closer to the latter I would guess, but I don't think it's awful at all. The reason Celtics don't want Chandler is because he is messing up their cap space. The nice thing the Celtics have right now is cheap assets (draft picks, young players on rookie deals, ect) and cap space in the future. I would think they would prefer 13,000,000 in cap space over Chandler in the 2017 FA class.

[giberish]

As a Celtics fan I absolutely hate this trade

Absolutely as in "I've seen worse but I still don't like this trade" or as in "this is probably the worst Celtics trade I've seen on the board all week"?

Closer to the latter I would guess, but I don't think it's awful at all. The reason Celtics don't want Chandler is because he is messing up their cap space. The nice thing the Celtics have right now is cheap assets (draft picks, young players on rookie deals, ect) and cap space in the future. I would think they would prefer 13,000,000 in cap space over Chandler in the 2017 FA class.

Amir Johnson's better this year and likely better for next year as well, if they keep him (and if they don't it's to clear 2016 cap space for a star).

[Golabki]

Absolutely as in "I've seen worse but I still don't like this trade" or as in "this is probably the worst Celtics trade I've seen on the board all week"?

Closer to the latter I would guess, but I don't think it's awful at all. The reason Celtics don't want Chandler is because he is messing up their cap space. The nice thing the Celtics have right now is cheap assets (draft picks, young players on rookie deals, ect) and cap space in the future. I would think they would prefer 13,000,000 in cap space over Chandler in the 2017 FA class.

Amir Johnson's better this year and likely better for next year as well, if they keep him (and if they don't it's to clear 2016 cap space for a star).

I agree - Johnson is the better, younger player on a better contract... yes he has injury issues, but I would strongly prefer him to Chandler.

[Texas Chuck]

I don't mind Chandler for Amir tho I feel like the Suns would owe Boston some value. Chandler brings something different than Amir and its easy to still see him as a vocal defensive anchor for 25-28 mpg and providing leadership and championship experience. I know this whole Suns season has been a disaster, but he was really good for Dallas just last year. He's not quite the player who helped Dallas win the title and then went to New York and was DPOY, but he's still useful plus he's a full-sized center.

I like the Brooks hire. I think he deserves another chance and I think he's smart enough to learn from some of his mistakes--he definitely needs to bring in an offensive guru for instance because his simple systems won't work with KD and Westbrook.

I'll never argue the draft plus I like Bender for the Suns a lot. And I don't mind just sitting on the cap space if there isn't a young free agent you feel worthy of giving a big deal to.

Overall I think this is really solid.

[saintEscaton]

Bender is probably two years from two years away, he might an opt out clause in his Tel Aviv contract but there is no definite ETA on his arrival stateside. McD' job is on the line doubt he has the patience to wait on a low ceiling Euro big IMO who reminds me of Vesley, maybe some stylistic resemblance to Kukoc. But not close to the prospect that Porzingis was , even though he is up against tougher competition at a younger age, lacks the explosiveness, verticality, wingspan and outside touch. Brooks is the worst hire because we need actual half court play sets and less ISO ball, we don't have any great one one players. Amir is a nice rotational PF, we don't have any under contract after this season and no frontcourt depth

[bwgood77]

Nice detailed thought about post PMOTT. I would probably take a 2nd PF with the 2nd pick because Bender is still boom/bust and raw. Either another boom/bust guy (Chriss, Labissiere) so hopefully one or in best case, two pan out, or a safer PF pick who may be able to start sooner (Sabonis if there, possibly Rabb).

If taking a PG, I probably prefer Wade Baldwin. Brooks might be a good hire. I might try and take a look at Jay Larranaga. I'm a big fan of Brad Stevens and he's been around to watch him work and been a top assistant who was also considered as replacing Doc.

[hcsilla]

At this point the Chandler-Amir Johnson swap is a pure salary dump for the Suns since probably they won't be anything near to the play-off next season either so Johnson' contribution as a player doesn't really matter.

I would prefer a deal when the Suns take a (bad) contract (like Asik) as well for Chandler for an asset which compensates that Chandler is a better player on a heavy contract.

Brooks is not a bad choice.

Bender is a pure project, DX keeps him at #3 basically all season long, so taking him isn't really creative and I would be (at least) a bit disappointed if the Suns indeed would draft him at #3.

Demetrius Jackson is okay.

[Texas Chuck]

Bender is a pure project, DX keeps him at #3 basically all season long, so taking him isn't really creative and I would be (at least) a bit disappointed if the Suns indeed would draft him at #3.

I know nothing about the credibility of draftexpress, but if they are credible enough for you to check them throughout the year and they are consistent that he is the 3rd best guy in the draft, shouldn't that in theory make you like him more? I mean isn't getting the best guy more important than getting creative?*

*not saying Bender is really the 3rd best prospect as I've only been looking into the draft for a couple weeks now.

[hcsilla]

Bender is a pure project, DX keeps him at #3 basically all season long, so taking him isn't really creative and I would be (at least) a bit disappointed if the Suns indeed would draft him at #3.

I know nothing about the credibility of draftexpress, but if they are credible enough for you to check them throughout the year and they are consistent that he is the 3rd best guy in the draft, shouldn't that in theory make you like him more?

In theory, it should.

But if Bender indeed is the 3rd most valuable prospect and the Suns can't move up, I think they are in deep trouble. He is an extremely risky pick, IMO.

Anyway, it wasn't really a criticism, I just would have appreciated some deeper knowledge/more subjective opinion forming about the draft

[Texas Chuck]

I just would have appreciated some deeper knowledge/more subjective opinion forming about the draft

fair enough. loserX and I both went with Bender too so ... I agree he's not immediate help, but that didn't bother me really since my plan had the team pulling back a bit to re-load over a couple years. Obviously I can understand not liking that idea and wanting more immediate return on such a good pick.

[bwgood77]

At this point the Chandler-Amir Johnson swap is a pure salary dump for the Suns since probably they won't be anything near to the play-off next season either so Johnson' contribution as a player doesn't really matter.

I would prefer a deal when the Suns take a (bad) contract (like Asik) as well for Chandler for an asset which compensates that Chandler is a better player on a heavy contract.

Brooks is not a bad choice.

Bender is a pure project, DX keeps him at #3 basically all season long, so taking him isn't really creative and I would be (at least) a bit disappointed if the Suns indeed would draft him at #3.

Demetrius Jackson is okay.

Are you a Suns fan? Just curious because I see you post on a lot of Suns trade ideas here but have never seen you on the Suns forum.

[bwgood77]

Bender is a pure project, DX keeps him at #3 basically all season long, so taking him isn't really creative and I would be (at least) a bit disappointed if the Suns indeed would draft him at #3.

I know nothing about the credibility of draftexpress, but if they are credible enough for you to check them throughout the year and they are consistent that he is the 3rd best guy in the draft, shouldn't that in theory make you like him more?

In theory, it should.

But if Bender indeed is the 3rd most valuable prospect and the Suns can't move up, I think they are in deep trouble. He is an extremely risky pick, IMO.

Anyway, it wasn't really a criticism, I just would have appreciated some deeper knowledge/more subjective opinion forming about the draft

I take Bender simply because I don't find anyone else after top two all that really valuable, particularly at the Suns biggest need. You can say take BPA, but I don't know for certain a guy like Buddy Hield was as good as Bender is at 18 or if Bender won't be a super stud when he is Hield's age. Plus the Suns' most sure piece plays the same position. Jaylen Brown has been extremely unimpressive. Dunn is good, but again, pg not huge need and he is a little more of a scoring pt AGAIN, and then Ellenson...not all that excited about him.

So I get what you are saying about Suns in big trouble if they stay at 3, but I'd take Bender out of that group so I'd prefer to have that option at 3.

[Damkac]

Spoiler:

Before I begin, I'd like to add this is my first time doing one of these so Phoenix fans don't bash me too hard lol.

Front Office:

I appreciated Chuck's take with bringing in Suns legend Steve Nash but I don't see him as being an ideal fit for GM duties. I'm going to bring him in but it will be in a role similar to the one Dominique Wilkins plays here in Atlanta--Special Advisor to CEO or Vice President of Basketball. Something along those lines.

I'm keeping McDonough as my GM for now. The leash is probably a bit shorter at this point but he has shown he knows how to spot young talent in the draft.

For my Head Coach I will be bringing in Scottie Brooks. For all of the criticism he got at OKC I think he was actually one of the better coaches out there at developing their young players. And that's exactly what he will be doing here in Phoenix. There are a lot of young players on this roster for Brooks to develop (Booker, Len, Warren, #3, #12, etc.). I don't see why the Suns need to be in any hurry to rush things and compete so I think Brooks is a solid candidate here.

Draft:

Assuming that nothing changes in the lottery, we have #3, #12, #28, and #33 to work with.

In a perfect scenario I want Simmons or Ingram falling to me at #3 but I just don't see that happening. So at #3 I'm taking BPA which I believe is Dragan Bender. Versatility-check, size-check, skill-check, star potential-check. Hopefully I strike gold with a future Dirk here.

At #12 I'm going with Demetrius Jackson. Solid PG prospect to pair with Booker in the backcourt.

I'm going to be looking to find a trade partner later in the draft to consolidate #28 and #33 into something like #22, #23, #24, or #25. Assuming I can move up to one of these slots I'm going to target Diamond Stone.

I've now drafted 3 solid prospects at 3 different positions and will hope for the best.

Trades:

I think One of Bledsoe/Knight needs to go. Both of them don't seem like long term fits here as one is super injury prone and the other is a chucker incapable of running the offense. However, I don't see Phoenix getting a return that they really like for either of them this off-season so for now I'm going to hold onto both. My starting backcourt on opening day will be Bledsoe/Booker and I hope Knight can increase his trade value as a 6th man scorer off the bench as the season progresses.

Chandler is on record of not wanting to be a part of a rebuild so I'm going to do my best to ship him off to a playoff caliber team.

Suns/Celtics:

Tyson Chandler for Amir Johnson

Celtics add a legit defensive center to help recruit top tier FA's and manage to bring him in without dipping into their stash of picks. Chandler gets to join a team currently fighting for a #3 seed in the east.

Suns grant Chandlers wish of not wanting to take part of a rebuild in Phoenix. I believe Amir Johnson's 12M salary is non-guarnteed so McDonough can decide to keep him for the year or waive him for cap space.

Free Agency:

Although I have a lot of money to play with, I'm going to be saving my cap space to use in future deals where I can take on bad contracts for picks. I definitely want to retain one of Leur/Teletivic as my stretch 4's. Since Leur is younger ill offer him 3Y/25M and see if he takes it. I might bring in a vet or two on a big 1 year contract for a lot of money.

PG: Bledsoe/Knight/Jackson
SG: Booker/Goodwin/Jenkins
SF: Warren/Tucker
PF: Bender/Leur
C: Len/Johnson/Stone

Hopefully I didnt do to bad because this was really rushed.

I like your plan
Suns have nice young talent, lots of draft picks and GM who is good at drafting. They should stay patient and use at least one more year for player development. Worst thing they could do is rush things and trade youth for veterans just to fight for playoffs.
Chandler, Tucker (you forgot about him) and at least one of Bledsoe/Knight (but better both imo) should be traded. But as you mentioned they don't have good value right now so it's better to just wait and hope they will increase their trade value at the beginning of the next season. Cap space is not much valuable for Suns right now anyway.
Would like to keep Watson as head coach for another year.
Suns don't need revolution they need patient rebuild with youth and good player development. Next year they should have Booker, Len, Warren, players from this draft and another high pick. Depending on who they will choose it should be one of the best young cores in the league.

[Patsfan1081]

People are saying Bender is benefiting from the Porzingis hype while it seems to me on GM it's the total opposite. No one had much more of a clue as how Porzingis would look as a rookie as they would Bender. All most of us new was that Bender saw one more season of Euro ball and stylistically they are different players. I just don't understand how people can say he has a low ceiling or that he's years away from coming over from what little information is out there. For all we know he could go top five and be bought out and come over next season. The scouts that have actually watched him also seem to have a totally different opinion on him then most people posting hear.

Also, if I'm Boston I'm not taking Chandler without a incentive to do so. Boston signed Amir and Jerekbo with the idea that they could free up space if a better option came along and I believe there are better options than Chandler in free agency this season.