TnT board Week 1 Trade Challenge (Phx) -- Winner bwgood77

[HartfordWhalers]

For week 1, the TnT board trade challenge is to continue the Phoenix Suns rebuild.

Our handy dandy Trade Block and Team Needs lists Phoenix as needing: Rebuilding assets, dumping Knight (Although not neccessarily wanting to give up assets to do so, perhaps a bad contract swap that fits better runs shorter etc.
And having available: Bledsoe, Chandler Dudley,as well as the possibility of taking on long term $ with assets.
That said, feel free to disagree, move someone else, bring in something else etc.

Per BB Insiders the roster is:
Depth Chart*
PG: Eric Bledsoe, Tyler Ulis
SG: Devin Booker, Brandon Knight, Davon Reed
SF: Josh Jackson, T.J. Warren, Derrick Jones, Elijah Millsap
PF: Marquese Chriss, Dragan Bender, Jared Dudley (injured)
C: Tyson Chandler, Alan Williams

Len unsigned still with cap hits of:
Eric Bledsoe $14,500,000 $15,000,000
Brandon Knight $13,618,750 $14,631,250 $15,643,750
Tyson Chandler $13,000,000 $13,585,000
Jared Dudley $10,000,000 $9,530,000
Alan Williams (estimate) $5,250,000 $5,670,000 $6,090,000
Josh Jackson $5,090,040 $6,041,520 $7,059,480 $8,930,242 $11,778,989
Dragan Bender $4,468,800 $4,661,280 $5,896,519 $7,777,509
Alex Len $4,187,599 (Q/O still unsigned rfa with a cap hold of $12,059,053)
T.J. Warren $3,152,931 $4,385,727
Marquese Chriss $3,073,800 $3,206,160 $4,078,236 $5,497,461
Devin Booker $2,319,360 $3,314,365 $4,583,767
Elijah Millsap $1,524,305
Tyler Ulis $1,312,611 $1,544,951 $1,676,735
Derrick Jones $1,312,611 $1,544,951 $1,676,735
Davon Reed $815,615 $1,378,242 $1,618,520 $1,752,950
Leandro Barbosa (waived) $500,000

And for those wondering, to drop Len's Q/O would require Len and the team agreeing to do so, as it is after the window of unilaterally doing so.

The whole rules are in the spoiler, although I might extend the trade deadline to Thursday midnight EST or even Noon Friday as this is getting posted one day late.

But for those who don't want to read the whole spoiler:
1) PM me a trade or multiple trades that is CBA compliant and legal and accomplishes the goal of the task -- continuing Phx's rebuild.
2) Wait for them all to get posted anonymously
3) Vote on the winner
4) Profit:

But as part of winning the weekly contest and bragging rights, a few of us mods have agreed to allow the winner to pick one of us and -- so long as it is complaint with realgm standards -- allow the user to pick a custom avatar,sig and/or team logo.

Ever wonder what it would look like to see Texas Chuck sporting a Houston Rockets logo? Sick and tired of HartfordWhalers not having a Colangelo avatar? Want to really rub salt in pacers33granger with an OKC logo? loserX with a Celtics logo? Or just make one of us support your favorite team? Now might be your chance (actual mod participation not guaranteed, not valid in Puerto Rico or Canada -- unless of course it is).

Spoiler:

Introducing the TnT board weekly trade challenge!

How does it works?
Each week on Monday a new trade challenge will be posted, trade challenges will range in topics from team or individual specific to thematic, and anything fitting within that category is an acceptable submission (juts please submit your own and not someone else's ideas!). Examples might include:
-- Move Clarkson for cap space for LAL (player),
-- Find a sf for the Pelicans (team position),
-- Add to the Nets rebuilding assets (team directional), or
-- Trade a pending rfa before his team needs to commit to a new contract or lose them for nothing (league wide theme).

Or anything else we think up! (If you have a great idea for an upcoming theme, just pm a mod and let us know).

All trade entries must be pm'ed to the mod in charge of that weeks challenge by Thursday noon EST. Do not publicly post your trade as these will be posted anonymously. All trades must be legal and CBA compliant. Thursday at noon EST all received entries will be posted, and a thread allowing public discussion and voting for the best idea is opened. Voting will be open for 3 days after which a winner will be picked.

How do I win?
It is simple:
1) Submit your entry of a legal trade via pm to the right mod before Thursday noon
2) Receive the most votes for best trade idea

What do I win?
Each weeks winner will be hyperlinked in the sticky on the weekly trade challenge. And at the end of the season, we will see if we cannot come up with something nice if someone has consistently been a winner. But as part of winning the weekly contest and bragging rights, a few of us mods have agreed to allow the winner to pick one of us and -- so long as it is complaint with realgm standards -- allow the user to pick a custom avatar,sig and/or team logo.

Ever wonder what it would look like to see Texas Chuck sporting a Houston Rockets logo? Sick and tired of HartfordWhalers not having a Colangelo avatar? Want to really rub salt in pacers33granger with an OKC logo? loserX with a Celtics logo? Or just make one of us support your favorite team? Now might be your chance (actual mod participation not guaranteed, not valid in Puerto Rico or Canada -- unless of course it is).

So, stay tuned as Monday the first trade challenge will be posted. And again, if you have topic ideas, please pm them in.

[HartfordWhalers]

Guess I need to bump/and or sticky this huh?

[Mamba4Goat]

Alright, so i guess I'll start...

[Sent in pm]

[loserX]

.

I think these are supposed to be anonymous! (And PM'd to Hartford.) I didn't want to delete/edit your post since I'm not sure if you had a chance to save it first...

[Mamba4Goat]

.

I think these are supposed to be anonymous! (And PM'd to Hartford.) I didn't want to delete/edit your post since I'm not sure if you had a chance to save it first...

By golly is this awkward...

[HartfordWhalers]

Entry 1:

"I think the Suns should stick to their plan of rebuilding with the west as tough as it is. I would not give up the rumored assets it would take to acquire Irving considering how tough the west is, being very unlikely to make the playoffs the next two years, and his likelihood of leaving at that point.

The trade I would consider, that sticks a long the timeline of the Suns, is seeing if they can help facilitate a trade where Kyrie Irving, Iman Shumpert and Channing Frye end up with the Knicks, Eric Bledsoe, Carmelo Anthony, and a Knicks 2018 top 8 protected pick to the Cavs, and Frank Ntilikina to the Suns.

This clears out even more cap space for the Suns to possibly take on large expiring contracts if people need to dump them, however I wouldn't take on any bad contracts that last longer than 2 years given the number of bad ones we have now and the need to start extending players on rookie deals in 2-3 years.

I would look for potential deals to dump Knight, but would not give up many assets to do so until that cap space was absolutely needed to sign a free agent. I would look to see if anyone wants Chandler but would be fine keeping him if it took giving up a first rounder to move him.

I would extend Len to a 3 year/$21 million contract with a team option in the third year. If it took a little more than that to avoid him playing on the QO, I'd go up a little bit."

Entry 2:

Suns send: Dudley, 2018 2nd
Suns receive: Aldrich, OKC 1st

Why for Suns? They get a first and basically an expiring for Dudley.
Why for Minny? They get a bigger back up wing that they need. Dudley could also play small ball 4 if needed. Phoenix's 2nd should be a decent one too, so they realistically may only move back 10 or so spots for picking up a useful player.

Trade 2:
Phx out: Bledsoe
Phx in: Mudiay, Harris, Mcdermott, Nelson (bought out), Denver 2018 1st top 20 protected (top 20 2 years, then 2 2nds)

Denver out: Mudiay, Nelson, Arthur, 2018 1st
Denver in: Bledsoe, Singler, 2018 Chi 2nd, 2018 OKC 2nd

OKC sends: Singler, McDermott, 2018 Chi/PKC 2nds
OKC receives: Arthur

Why for Suns? They get a look at a young point guard, 2 young wings, and another 1st.
Why for Denver? They get a massive upgrade at point guard and get prepared to compete with a Bledsoe-Millsap-Jokic big 3.
Why for OKC? Dump Singler and get a useable back up 4.

Trade 3:
NO in: Knight
Phx in: Asik, NO 2019 2nd

Why for NO? They can use Knight 10-15 minutes a game and as an instant offense spark plug off the bench which they actually have a need for. Asik is useless for them as well.
Why for Phx? Save some money and get a player who isn't Knight. Asik's last year is also only partially gtd.

Trade 4:
Phi sends: Okafur, Bayless
Phx sends: Chandler, 2018 Tor 2nd

Why for Philly? Get a great locker room vet to help the youngsters grow. They also move on from the Okafur headache while continue to committing to competing.
Why for Phx? They get a young center that desperately needs a change of scenery and a vet point guard.

End roster:

Roster:
Ulis/Mudiay/Bayless
Booker/Harris/Millsap
Jackson/Warren/Jones Jr/Mcdermott
Chriss/Bender/Williams
Okafur/Aldrich/Asik

**Nelson bought out.**
**Millsap and/or Aldrich waived/bought out**
**Len on QO**

New assets:
2018 OKC 1st
2018 Denver 1st

Entry 3:

Eric Bledsoe for Matthew Dellavedova, Jabari Parker and a future second round draft pick

Entry 4:

So Knight is hurt which means he stays put. And I want some veteran leadership to help grow the kids so Chandler and Dudley can stay for now. Which means trading Bledsoe is the way to go. Several options, but I'm going with Denver who desperately needs a PG upgrade and has some assets to spare. Bring in OKC to improve the deal and we have this:

OKC trades: Dougie Buckets, 2018 CHI 2nd, 2019 OKC 2nd
OKC gets: Will Barton

OKC does this to get an upgraded offensive player for their bench. And they get his Bird Rights so if they can shed some of Kanter's money they might can keep him around, but this is a move for this year.

Denver trades: Mudiay, Barton, Beasley, Arthur, 2018 1st(top 10, top 7, top 5, 2 2nds)
Denver gets: Bledsoe, Warren

Denver massively upgrades their PG and gets a young controllable SF back as well. Beasley is never going to get to play and they get some value out of Mudiay and Barton while they have some.

Phoenix trades: Bledsoe, Warren
Phoenix gets: Mudiay, Arthur, Beasley, McBuckets, 2018 DEN 1st, 2018 CHI 2nd, 2019 OKC 2nd

No, there are no premium assets to be found here, but we've seen the PG market and especially with his knees, he's just not worth one. Warren doesn't appear to have a future here so toss him in to get more pulls at finding talent coming back. Mudiay has talent and now he has time and the perfect backcourt mate with which to bring it out. Beasley is a nice talent for the bench, McBuckets is worth a flier for a year and can probably be re-signed cheap and some picks on top.

We then let Len play out the year on his QO and fight to prove he deserves minutes over Williams.

Now I wouldn't have kept the GM, but to be fair most of the poor choices by the Suns have been owner driven and so it's cool he's better at his job than the results would suggest. But I want to bring in someone else to be part of the leadership mix and to get the fans excited. It should have been Nash, but there must be good reasons why that hasn't happened in real life so I'm bringing back another former Suns player in Grant Hill and giving him a big title and a big voice. Brilliant guy and perfect guy to be a public face of an organization that needs an image change.

Entry 5:

Phoenix trades

Brandon Knight
$13,618,750, $14,631,250, $15,643,750
Alan Williams
$5,250,000, $5,670,000, $6,090,000
Dragan Bender
$4,468,800, $4,661,280, $5,896,519, $7,777,509
2018 first
2021 first
For

Cleveland trades

Richard Jefferson $2,500,000.00
Kevin Love $22,642,350.00 $24,119,025.00 $25,595,700.00

Entry 6:

First off, it's Kyrie trade, I'm sure you've received none of those! But just because it's obvious doesn't make it wrong.

Phoenix In: Kyrie / Evan Turner / Shumpert / Noah Vonleh
Phoenix out: Bledsoe / Bender / Warren / Knight / Ulis / D. Jones Jr. / Milsap

Cleveland in: Bledsoe / Fournier / TJ Warren / Ulis / Milsap
Cleveland out: Kyrie / Shumpert / Frye / Felder

Orlando in: Bender / Knight
Orlando out: Fournier / DJ Augustine

Portland in: Frye / Augustine / D. Jones Jr. / Felder
Portland out: Evan Turner / Vonleh

http://www.espn.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=y94gpqxf

Portland - Dumps Turner's contract. It's a salary dump, they turn Turner's deal into Augustine's lower deal for the same length (who should be able to give them some backup PG minutes), lose Vonleh but roll the dice on two young cheap guys and save a wee bit of money off their tax bill this year.

Orlando - Takes in Knight's deal, but moves more long term money out due to Fournier / Augustine, adds Bender to their perpetual rebuild, a guy whose shooting is needed with Payton / Gordon playing big roles and creating an interesting young frontcourt group of Bender / Gordon / Isaac. Also, Cavs fans have repeatedly said they don't want Bender.

Cleveland - They don't get a superstar, but they do get young pieces who should be able to contribute immediately. I'm not sure they are going to do better for a positional replacement than Bledsoe, I'm aware of the injury concerns between him and Rose, but Bledsoe is ideally a guy who can smother Curry as well as anyone can. They also add young wing depth, Fournier gives them yet another shooter, but one who is only 25 and Warren is 23, also a young wing with some scoring punch. Ulis is a better young prospect than Felder and ideally with Fournier / Warren / Ulis / Osman they have young guys who can soak up a lot of minutes in the regular season, keeping their other wings fresh for the postseason.

Phoenix - I know the point is to rebuild, and move off Knight's deal (harder to do now with the ACL), but having Kyrie / Booker / Jackson / Chriss in place puts them into a position of already having a very interesting young core, I don't think the team should force being bad for another young player. If Kyrie is truly ready to run the team and Booker continues to develop, they may be good earlier than people realize. That being the case, I'm okay keeping Chandler / Dudley (great locker room guys) and adding in Shump's deal. They'll be armed with ~$35 mil in expiring deals next summer, along with the Miami draft picks and young guys to make a move for another piece.

I'm also ok swapping Knight's deal for Turner's deal, giving the salary cap structure of the team, Turner's deal doesn't really prevent anything from happening and I believe he can be an interesting player for them since they could use more playmaking behind Kyrie. Kyrie / Booker / Dudley provide enough shooting to play Turner as a secondary playmaker with that unit.

I'd be comfortable with Len playing the year on the QO and I would look to add a vet min backup guard, ideally Ian Clark otherwise someone like Deron Williams / Brandon Jennings and a wing, ideally Gerald Green otherwise someone like Matt Barnes or KJ McDaniels.

Lineup:

Chandler / Len / Williams
Chriss (not sure Chriss is ready for big minutes) / Dudley / Vonleh
Turner / Jackson (with the hope Jackson takes the starting job and Turner can be wing/backup PG role) / Vet FA
Booker / Shumpert / Reed
Kyrie / Vet FA / Young camp PG

If it doesn't work, they can shop the vets at the deadline and roll with a tank lineup of Kyrie / Booker / Jackson / Chriss / Vonleh

Entry 7:

Jared Dudley to New Orleans for Omer Asik and a top-18 protected 2018 1st (lottery in 2019, top 10 2020, 2 2nds).

Tyson Chandler to Milwaukee for Henson and a lottery protected 2018 1st (lottery for two years, then 2 2nds)

Eric Bledsoe to Denver for Mudiay, Faried, and lottery protected 2019 1st (lottery for two years, then 2 2nds)

Entry 8:

PHX out: Bledsoe, Dudley, Chandler, Millsap
PHX in: Mudiay, Kanter, Abrines, Singler, Ferguson, Grant, 2018 DEN 1st, 2018 CHI 2nd

Mudiay/Ulis/Knight
Booker/Abrines/Ferguson
Jackson/Grant/Singler/Jones
Chriss/Bender
Kanter/Williams

DEN out: Arthur, Barton, Mudiay, Nelson, 2018 DEN 1st
DEN in: Bledsoe, Dudley, Millsap

Bledsoe/Christon
Harris/Beasley/Millsap
Chandler/Dudley
Millsap/Hernangomez
Jokic/Plumlee

OKC out: Kanter, Singler, Ferguson, Abrines, Christon, Grant, 2018 CHI 2nd
OKC in: Arthur, Barton, Chandler, Nelson

Russ/Felton/Jameer
Roberson/Barton
PG/Huestis
PPat/Arthur/Collison
Adams/Chandler/Dakari

Entry 9:

I wanted to stay away from the usual trades and all things Kyrie so I tried something different.

Step 1: Agree to Len become a UFA by letting him know that we have no interest in his services long term and that he would not see minutes here if he were to sign the QO. He's better off taking a 1 year deal with a team that can get him on the court.

Trade 1: Moving on from Bledsoe with Detroit and Chicago

Detroit trades Reggie Jackson, Stanley Johnson, 2018 1st Round Pick (top 3 protected) for Eric Bledsoe

Why for Detroit? Moving into the new arena, they need to put together a winning roster. Adding Bradley is a step in the right direction but I think having a good point guard is more important for Detroit than most other teams because their offense relies so heavily on setting up Drummond and the other pieces. Bledsoe is an excellent young lead guard that is cost controlled for multiple years and a major upgrade over Jackson in many departments. The cost is high but they dump Reggie in the process.

Chicago trades Bobby Portis for Stanley Johnson

Why for Chicago? They just drafted Markkanen who they want to give a lot of minutes to and are likely retaining Mirotic, so there aren't minutes for Portis. They are however weak on the wings with essentially Valentine and Morrow expected to play 48 minutes - getting a flier on Johnson and letting him learn by playing seems like a solid decision to see whether he can turn into something.

Phoenix trades Bledsoe for Reggie Jackson, Bobby Portis, 2018 DET 1st Round Pick (top 3 protected)

Why for Phoenix? They kill 2 birds in one stone. Not only do they get value back for Bledsoe when he's at his highest, but they also make use of the cap space to make sure the assets returning are top tier. A flier on a young big with some 2-way potential as well.

Trade 2: Portland/Phoenix

Portland trades Meyers Leonard, Ed Davis, 2018 POR 1st Round Pick for Tyson Chandler

Why for Portland? They dump a useless contract and cut more salary while adding a vet backup C to continue improving their current roster.

Phoenix trades Tyson Chandler for Meyers Leonard, Ed Davis, 2018 POR 1st Round Pick

Why for Phoenix? They take on some salary to get a quality 4/5 in Davis and add another pick to their arsenal.

Trade 3: New Orleans/Phoenix

New Orleans trades Solomon Hill and 2019 1st rounder for Jared Dudley, TJ Warren

Why for NOP? They also get to dump a bad signing while adding 2 quality players to help put a winning product around Davis and Cousins. Dudley can start at the SF with Warren being the scoring sub to bolster the bench.

Phoenix trades Dudley, Warren for Hill, 2019 1st Round Pick

Why for Phoenix? The complete the movement of all their vets and clear up more playing time for star rookie Jackson while adding yet another pick to the arsenal.


Final Phoenix Roster:

Jackson/Ulis/(Knight)
Booker/Reed/Millsap
Jackson/Hill/DJJ
Chriss/Portis/Bender
Williams/Davis/Leonard

Picks added: 2018 DET 1st (Top 3 protected), 2018 POR 1st (unprotected), 2019 NOP 1st (unprotected)
Other Assets added: Bobby Portis
Players lost: Eric Bledsoe, Tyson Chandler, Jared Dudley, TJ Warren
Deadweight added: Jackson, Leonard, Hill

Reasoning: Capped out for 3 years with the additions of Jackson, Leonard and Hill but that's actually perfect because that's the same time that Booker becomes ready for his next contract while Chriss, Bender and Jackson remain on the rookie deals for a year or two. We add a whole bunch of assets that we can use in further trades to upgrade the roster around Booker and Jackson after paying these deadweights for a year or two.

[HartfordWhalers]

Added a poll, but I would definitely like to see comments in here. Lets see if we can get both and establish a good criterion for picking the winning entry.

[Mamba4Goat]

"I think the Suns should stick to their plan of rebuilding with the west as tough as it is. I would not give up the rumored assets it would take to acquire Irving considering how tough the west is, being very unlikely to make the playoffs the next two years, and his likelihood of leaving at that point.

The trade I would consider, that sticks a long the timeline of the Suns, is seeing if they can help facilitate a trade where Kyrie Irving, Iman Shumpert and Channing Frye end up with the Knicks, Eric Bledsoe, Carmelo Anthony, and a Knicks 2018 top 8 protected pick to the Cavs, and Frank Ntilikina to the Suns.

This clears out even more cap space for the Suns to possibly take on large expiring contracts if people need to dump them, however I wouldn't take on any bad contracts that last longer than 2 years given the number of bad ones we have now and the need to start extending players on rookie deals in 2-3 years.

I would look for potential deals to dump Knight, but would not give up many assets to do so until that cap space was absolutely needed to sign a free agent. I would look to see if anyone wants Chandler but would be fine keeping him if it took giving up a first rounder to move him.

I would extend Len to a 3 year/$21 million contract with a team option in the third year. If it took a little more than that to avoid him playing on the QO, I'd go up a little bit."

I don't think I'd do Ntilkina straight up for Bledsoe, I think Phx could get more.

Entry 2:

Suns send: Dudley, 2018 2nd
Suns receive: Aldrich, OKC 1st

Why for Suns? They get a first and basically an expiring for Dudley.
Why for Minny? They get a bigger back up wing that they need. Dudley could also play small ball 4 if needed. Phoenix's 2nd should be a decent one too, so they realistically may only move back 10 or so spots for picking up a useful player.

Trade 2:
Phx out: Bledsoe
Phx in: Mudiay, Harris, Mcdermott, Nelson (bought out), Denver 2018 1st top 20 protected (top 20 2 years, then 2 2nds)

Denver out: Mudiay, Nelson, Arthur, 2018 1st
Denver in: Bledsoe, Singler, 2018 Chi 2nd, 2018 OKC 2nd

OKC sends: Singler, McDermott, 2018 Chi/PKC 2nds
OKC receives: Arthur

Why for Suns? They get a look at a young point guard, 2 young wings, and another 1st.
Why for Denver? They get a massive upgrade at point guard and get prepared to compete with a Bledsoe-Millsap-Jokic big 3.
Why for OKC? Dump Singler and get a useable back up 4.

Trade 3:
NO in: Knight
Phx in: Asik, NO 2019 2nd

Why for NO? They can use Knight 10-15 minutes a game and as an instant offense spark plug off the bench which they actually have a need for. Asik is useless for them as well.
Why for Phx? Save some money and get a player who isn't Knight. Asik's last year is also only partially gtd.

Trade 4:
Phi sends: Okafur, Bayless
Phx sends: Chandler, 2018 Tor 2nd

Why for Philly? Get a great locker room vet to help the youngsters grow. They also move on from the Okafur headache while continue to committing to competing.
Why for Phx? They get a young center that desperately needs a change of scenery and a vet point guard.

End roster:

Roster:
Ulis/Mudiay/Bayless
Booker/Harris/Millsap
Jackson/Warren/Jones Jr/Mcdermott
Chriss/Bender/Williams
Okafur/Aldrich/Asik

**Nelson bought out.**
**Millsap and/or Aldrich waived/bought out**
**Len on QO**

New assets:
2018 OKC 1st
2018 Denver 1st

Golly, someone had a little too much time on their hands. Everything about this looks perfect though. I'm assuming this was before the Knight injury.

Entry 3:

Eric Bledsoe for Matthew Dellavedova, Jabari Parker and a future second round draft pick

With Chriss/Bender and Warren/Jackson is taking a risk on Jabari worth it? I don't really like this.

Entry 4:

So Knight is hurt which means he stays put. And I want some veteran leadership to help grow the kids so Chandler and Dudley can stay for now. Which means trading Bledsoe is the way to go. Several options, but I'm going with Denver who desperately needs a PG upgrade and has some assets to spare. Bring in OKC to improve the deal and we have this:

OKC trades: Dougie Buckets, 2018 CHI 2nd, 2019 OKC 2nd
OKC gets: Will Barton

OKC does this to get an upgraded offensive player for their bench. And they get his Bird Rights so if they can shed some of Kanter's money they might can keep him around, but this is a move for this year.

Denver trades: Mudiay, Barton, Beasley, Arthur, 2018 1st(top 10, top 7, top 5, 2 2nds)
Denver gets: Bledsoe, Warren

Denver massively upgrades their PG and gets a young controllable SF back as well. Beasley is never going to get to play and they get some value out of Mudiay and Barton while they have some.

Phoenix trades: Bledsoe, Warren
Phoenix gets: Mudiay, Arthur, Beasley, McBuckets, 2018 DEN 1st, 2018 CHI 2nd, 2019 OKC 2nd

No, there are no premium assets to be found here, but we've seen the PG market and especially with his knees, he's just not worth one. Warren doesn't appear to have a future here so toss him in to get more pulls at finding talent coming back. Mudiay has talent and now he has time and the perfect backcourt mate with which to bring it out. Beasley is a nice talent for the bench, McBuckets is worth a flier for a year and can probably be re-signed cheap and some picks on top.

We then let Len play out the year on his QO and fight to prove he deserves minutes over Williams.

Now I wouldn't have kept the GM, but to be fair most of the poor choices by the Suns have been owner driven and so it's cool he's better at his job than the results would suggest. But I want to bring in someone else to be part of the leadership mix and to get the fans excited. It should have been Nash, but there must be good reasons why that hasn't happened in real life so I'm bringing back another former Suns player in Grant Hill and giving him a big title and a big voice. Brilliant guy and perfect guy to be a public face of an organization that needs an image change.

I kinda like this one, good job!

Entry 5:

Phoenix trades

Brandon Knight
$13,618,750, $14,631,250, $15,643,750
Alan Williams
$5,250,000, $5,670,000, $6,090,000
Dragan Bender
$4,468,800, $4,661,280, $5,896,519, $7,777,509
2018 first
2021 first
For

Cleveland trades

Richard Jefferson $2,500,000.00
Kevin Love $22,642,350.00 $24,119,025.00 $25,595,700.00

This is a move in the wrong direction for both teams, I think they both say no.

Entry 6:

First off, it's Kyrie trade, I'm sure you've received none of those! But just because it's obvious doesn't make it wrong.

Phoenix In: Kyrie / Evan Turner / Shumpert / Noah Vonleh
Phoenix out: Bledsoe / Bender / Warren / Knight / Ulis / D. Jones Jr. / Milsap

Cleveland in: Bledsoe / Fournier / TJ Warren / Ulis / Milsap
Cleveland out: Kyrie / Shumpert / Frye / Felder

Orlando in: Bender / Knight
Orlando out: Fournier / DJ Augustine

Portland in: Frye / Augustine / D. Jones Jr. / Felder
Portland out: Evan Turner / Vonleh

http://www.espn.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=y94gpqxf

Portland - Dumps Turner's contract. It's a salary dump, they turn Turner's deal into Augustine's lower deal for the same length (who should be able to give them some backup PG minutes), lose Vonleh but roll the dice on two young cheap guys and save a wee bit of money off their tax bill this year.

Orlando - Takes in Knight's deal, but moves more long term money out due to Fournier / Augustine, adds Bender to their perpetual rebuild, a guy whose shooting is needed with Payton / Gordon playing big roles and creating an interesting young frontcourt group of Bender / Gordon / Isaac. Also, Cavs fans have repeatedly said they don't want Bender.

Cleveland - They don't get a superstar, but they do get young pieces who should be able to contribute immediately. I'm not sure they are going to do better for a positional replacement than Bledsoe, I'm aware of the injury concerns between him and Rose, but Bledsoe is ideally a guy who can smother Curry as well as anyone can. They also add young wing depth, Fournier gives them yet another shooter, but one who is only 25 and Warren is 23, also a young wing with some scoring punch. Ulis is a better young prospect than Felder and ideally with Fournier / Warren / Ulis / Osman they have young guys who can soak up a lot of minutes in the regular season, keeping their other wings fresh for the postseason.

Phoenix - I know the point is to rebuild, and move off Knight's deal (harder to do now with the ACL), but having Kyrie / Booker / Jackson / Chriss in place puts them into a position of already having a very interesting young core, I don't think the team should force being bad for another young player. If Kyrie is truly ready to run the team and Booker continues to develop, they may be good earlier than people realize. That being the case, I'm okay keeping Chandler / Dudley (great locker room guys) and adding in Shump's deal. They'll be armed with ~$35 mil in expiring deals next summer, along with the Miami draft picks and young guys to make a move for another piece.

I'm also ok swapping Knight's deal for Turner's deal, giving the salary cap structure of the team, Turner's deal doesn't really prevent anything from happening and I believe he can be an interesting player for them since they could use more playmaking behind Kyrie. Kyrie / Booker / Dudley provide enough shooting to play Turner as a secondary playmaker with that unit.

I'd be comfortable with Len playing the year on the QO and I would look to add a vet min backup guard, ideally Ian Clark otherwise someone like Deron Williams / Brandon Jennings and a wing, ideally Gerald Green otherwise someone like Matt Barnes or KJ McDaniels.

Lineup:

Chandler / Len / Williams
Chriss (not sure Chriss is ready for big minutes) / Dudley / Vonleh
Turner / Jackson (with the hope Jackson takes the starting job and Turner can be wing/backup PG role) / Vet FA
Booker / Shumpert / Reed
Kyrie / Vet FA / Young camp PG

If it doesn't work, they can shop the vets at the deadline and roll with a tank lineup of Kyrie / Booker / Jackson / Chriss / Vonleh

I'm tired of Kyrie trades. Haha. This is a move in the wrong direction also. I don't think the Suns do this.

Entry 7:

Jared Dudley to New Orleans for Omer Asik and a top-18 protected 2018 1st (lottery in 2019, top 10 2020, 2 2nds).

Tyson Chandler to Milwaukee for Henson and a lottery protected 2018 1st (lottery for two years, then 2 2nds)

Eric Bledsoe to Denver for Mudiay, Faried, and lottery protected 2019 1st (lottery for two years, then 2 2nds)

Eh. I don't hate it.

Entry 8:

PHX out: Bledsoe, Dudley, Chandler, Millsap
PHX in: Mudiay, Kanter, Abrines, Singler, Ferguson, Grant, 2018 DEN 1st, 2018 CHI 2nd

Mudiay/Ulis/Knight
Booker/Abrines/Ferguson
Jackson/Grant/Singler/Jones
Chriss/Bender
Kanter/Williams

DEN out: Arthur, Barton, Mudiay, Nelson, 2018 DEN 1st
DEN in: Bledsoe, Dudley, Millsap

Bledsoe/Christon
Harris/Beasley/Millsap
Chandler/Dudley
Millsap/Hernangomez
Jokic/Plumlee

OKC out: Kanter, Singler, Ferguson, Abrines, Christon, Grant, 2018 CHI 2nd
OKC in: Arthur, Barton, Chandler, Nelson

Russ/Felton/Jameer
Roberson/Barton
PG/Huestis
PPat/Arthur/Collison
Adams/Chandler/Dakari

OKC steals value from Phx imo. I like the gist, but the Suns could do better.

Entry 9:

I wanted to stay away from the usual trades and all things Kyrie so I tried something different.

Step 1: Agree to Len become a UFA by letting him know that we have no interest in his services long term and that he would not see minutes here if he were to sign the QO. He's better off taking a 1 year deal with a team that can get him on the court.

Trade 1: Moving on from Bledsoe with Detroit and Chicago

Detroit trades Reggie Jackson, Stanley Johnson, 2018 1st Round Pick (top 3 protected) for Eric Bledsoe

Why for Detroit? Moving into the new arena, they need to put together a winning roster. Adding Bradley is a step in the right direction but I think having a good point guard is more important for Detroit than most other teams because their offense relies so heavily on setting up Drummond and the other pieces. Bledsoe is an excellent young lead guard that is cost controlled for multiple years and a major upgrade over Jackson in many departments. The cost is high but they dump Reggie in the process.

Chicago trades Bobby Portis for Stanley Johnson

Why for Chicago? They just drafted Markkanen who they want to give a lot of minutes to and are likely retaining Mirotic, so there aren't minutes for Portis. They are however weak on the wings with essentially Valentine and Morrow expected to play 48 minutes - getting a flier on Johnson and letting him learn by playing seems like a solid decision to see whether he can turn into something.

Phoenix trades Bledsoe for Reggie Jackson, Bobby Portis, 2018 DET 1st Round Pick (top 3 protected)

Why for Phoenix? They kill 2 birds in one stone. Not only do they get value back for Bledsoe when he's at his highest, but they also make use of the cap space to make sure the assets returning are top tier. A flier on a young big with some 2-way potential as well.

Trade 2: Portland/Phoenix

Portland trades Meyers Leonard, Ed Davis, 2018 POR 1st Round Pick for Tyson Chandler

Why for Portland? They dump a useless contract and cut more salary while adding a vet backup C to continue improving their current roster.

Phoenix trades Tyson Chandler for Meyers Leonard, Ed Davis, 2018 POR 1st Round Pick

Why for Phoenix? They take on some salary to get a quality 4/5 in Davis and add another pick to their arsenal.

Trade 3: New Orleans/Phoenix

New Orleans trades Solomon Hill and 2019 1st rounder for Jared Dudley, TJ Warren

Why for NOP? They also get to dump a bad signing while adding 2 quality players to help put a winning product around Davis and Cousins. Dudley can start at the SF with Warren being the scoring sub to bolster the bench.

Phoenix trades Dudley, Warren for Hill, 2019 1st Round Pick

Why for Phoenix? The complete the movement of all their vets and clear up more playing time for star rookie Jackson while adding yet another pick to the arsenal.


Final Phoenix Roster:

Jackson/Ulis/(Knight)
Booker/Reed/Millsap
Jackson/Hill/DJJ
Chriss/Portis/Bender
Williams/Davis/Leonard

Picks added: 2018 DET 1st (Top 3 protected), 2018 POR 1st (unprotected), 2019 NOP 1st (unprotected)
Other Assets added: Bobby Portis
Players lost: Eric Bledsoe, Tyson Chandler, Jared Dudley, TJ Warren
Deadweight added: Jackson, Leonard, Hill

Reasoning: Capped out for 3 years with the additions of Jackson, Leonard and Hill but that's actually perfect because that's the same time that Booker becomes ready for his next contract while Chriss, Bender and Jackson remain on the rookie deals for a year or two. We add a whole bunch of assets that we can use in further trades to upgrade the roster around Booker and Jackson after paying these deadweights for a year or two.

[/quote]


I don't think the protections on these picks are realistic, all of them should be lotto protected at best. I also don't like Jackson being the starter for such a young team.

[Mamba4Goat]

HW, can you enable changing your vote? Asking for a friend. (Allegedly a certain mod clicked the wrong number to vote for himself)

[brackdan70]

good efforts. Tough challenge.

#6 seemed like the best for all teams involved.

[loserX]

Snipping each entry down to the trade itself for brevity:

Entry 1:

The trade I would consider, that sticks a long the timeline of the Suns, is seeing if they can help facilitate a trade where Kyrie Irving, Iman Shumpert and Channing Frye end up with the Knicks, Eric Bledsoe, Carmelo Anthony, and a Knicks 2018 top 8 protected pick to the Cavs, and Frank Ntilikina to the Suns.
<snip>
I would extend Len to a 3 year/$21 million contract with a team option in the third year. If it took a little more than that to avoid him playing on the QO, I'd go up a little bit."

It sounds like Melo is already turned off the Cavs, but I will say of all the Kyrie trades, I *do* like versions where the Cavs manage to get back Melo *and* Bledsoe. As long as Melo agreed, I think that's a trade they can sell, including to LeBron.

Entry 2:

Suns send: Dudley, 2018 2nd
Suns receive: Aldrich, OKC 1st

<snip>

Trade 2:
Phx out: Bledsoe
Phx in: Mudiay, Harris, Mcdermott, Nelson (bought out), Denver 2018 1st top 20 protected (top 20 2 years, then 2 2nds)

Denver out: Mudiay, Nelson, Arthur, 2018 1st
Denver in: Bledsoe, Singler, 2018 Chi 2nd, 2018 OKC 2nd

OKC sends: Singler, McDermott, 2018 Chi/PKC 2nds
OKC receives: Arthur

<snip>

Trade 3:
NO in: Knight
Phx in: Asik, NO 2019 2nd

<snip>
Trade 4:
Phi sends: Okafur, Bayless
Phx sends: Chandler, 2018 Tor 2nd

A little confused by trade #2; Gary Harris is in Phoenix's incoming but not in Denver's outgoing. (He does appear on Phoenix's final depth chart.) That affects the value of #2 quite a bit! If he is involved, and based on the depth chart I have to assume he is, then I think Denver gives up too much for Bledsoe plus having to take Singler. In general I like the ideas but I don't think Philly does Trade 4 even if it does get rid of Okafor.

Entry 3:

Eric Bledsoe for Matthew Dellavedova, Jabari Parker and a future second round draft pick

Love Bledsoe on Milwaukee...but Jabari's injury trouble and upcoming free agency are a hard combination. Still, not bad, though I admit I have little idea how Jabari is valued by Milwaukee at present.

Entry 4:

OKC trades: Dougie Buckets, 2018 CHI 2nd, 2019 OKC 2nd
OKC gets: Will Barton

Denver trades: Mudiay, Barton, Beasley, Arthur, 2018 1st(top 10, top 7, top 5, 2 2nds)
Denver gets: Bledsoe, Warren

Phoenix trades: Bledsoe, Warren
Phoenix gets: Mudiay, Arthur, Beasley, McBuckets, 2018 DEN 1st, 2018 CHI 2nd, 2019 OKC 2nd

I quite like this, although I think Phoenix could get more value by spinning Beasley somewhere more desperate for a young SG than Phoenix (which is most teams!). And might still be a little too much from Denver.

Entry 5:

Phoenix trades

Brandon Knight
Alan Williams
Dragan Bender
2018 first
2021 first
For

Cleveland trades

Richard Jefferson
Kevin Love

I don't think Love is available at this time, and while the idea is interesting, the challenge was to rebuild Phoenix, not Cleveland! Wrong direction for the challenge.

Entry 6:

Phoenix In: Kyrie / Evan Turner / Shumpert / Noah Vonleh
Phoenix out: Bledsoe / Bender / Warren / Knight / Ulis / D. Jones Jr. / Milsap

Cleveland in: Bledsoe / Fournier / TJ Warren / Ulis / Milsap
Cleveland out: Kyrie / Shumpert / Frye / Felder

Orlando in: Bender / Knight
Orlando out: Fournier / DJ Augustine

Portland in: Frye / Augustine / D. Jones Jr. / Felder
Portland out: Evan Turner / Vonleh

http://www.espn.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=y94gpqxf

A lot going on here...generally not bad, though I struggle with Orlando getting Bender for that package even with Knight attached.

Entry 7:

Jared Dudley to New Orleans for Omer Asik and a top-18 protected 2018 1st (lottery in 2019, top 10 2020, 2 2nds).

Tyson Chandler to Milwaukee for Henson and a lottery protected 2018 1st (lottery for two years, then 2 2nds)

Eric Bledsoe to Denver for Mudiay, Faried, and lottery protected 2019 1st (lottery for two years, then 2 2nds)

I like Dudley to New Orleans, but I also think they shouldn't be giving up a pick for a guy that old (even if Asik is dumped.) Second trade is not bad; could sweeten it for Milwaukee by making Phoenix eat Hawes this year, which saves some money and tax stress.

Entry 8:

PHX out: Bledsoe, Dudley, Chandler, Millsap
PHX in: Mudiay, Kanter, Abrines, Singler, Ferguson, Grant, 2018 DEN 1st, 2018 CHI 2nd

DEN out: Arthur, Barton, Mudiay, Nelson, 2018 DEN 1st
DEN in: Bledsoe, Dudley, Millsap

OKC out: Kanter, Singler, Ferguson, Abrines, Christon, Grant, 2018 CHI 2nd
OKC in: Arthur, Barton, Chandler, Nelson

Christon just disappears, though I'm sure no one cares I think this one is a little too good for OKC, who solve almost all their problems with little positive value going out.

Entry 9:

Step 1: Agree to Len become a UFA

<snip>
Trade 1: Moving on from Bledsoe with Detroit and Chicago

Detroit trades Reggie Jackson, Stanley Johnson, 2018 1st Round Pick (top 3 protected) for Eric Bledsoe

Chicago trades Bobby Portis for Stanley Johnson

Phoenix trades Bledsoe for Reggie Jackson, Bobby Portis, 2018 DET 1st Round Pick (top 3 protected)

Trade 2: Portland/Phoenix

Portland trades Meyers Leonard, Ed Davis, 2018 POR 1st Round Pick for Tyson Chandler

Phoenix trades Tyson Chandler for Meyers Leonard, Ed Davis, 2018 POR 1st Round Pick

Trade 3: New Orleans/Phoenix

New Orleans trades Solomon Hill and 2019 1st rounder for Jared Dudley, TJ Warren

Phoenix trades Dudley, Warren for Hill, 2019 1st Round Pick

This one definitely wins the creativity award! Nice to see some different ideas pop up. I'm not convinced Phoenix will take Reggie, and I think Portland has too many repeater tax issues to take Chandler next year, although that might be fixable when he's expiring.

Overall a really nice job by everyone, it's clear that a lot of time was spent thinking things through. At this point I think the one that is closest in value to my own opinion is #4, so while I still have reservations that one is getting my vote.

[giberish]

Entry 1:

The trade I would consider, that sticks a long the timeline of the Suns, is seeing if they can help facilitate a trade where Kyrie Irving, Iman Shumpert and Channing Frye end up with the Knicks, Eric Bledsoe, Carmelo Anthony, and a Knicks 2018 top 8 protected pick to the Cavs, and Frank Ntilikina to the Suns.

I would extend Len to a 3 year/$21 million contract with a team option in the third year. If it took a little more than that to avoid him playing on the QO, I'd go up a little bit."

There's been a lot of Irving for Bledsoe + Melo deals talked about here recently. This is in line with the Irving to NYK option. Frank for Bledsoe seems about right. A decent fit as he looks useful on D (which Phx is low on in their current youth outside of Jackson). Feels like a mild overpay for Len, who's as much 3rd string as backup.


Entry 2:

Suns send: Dudley, 2018 2nd
Suns receive: Aldrich, OKC 1st

Trade 2:
Phx out: Bledsoe
Phx in: Mudiay, Harris, Mcdermott, Nelson (bought out), Denver 2018 1st top 20 protected (top 20 2 years, then 2 2nds)

Denver out: Mudiay, Nelson, Arthur, 2018 1st
Denver in: Bledsoe, Singler, 2018 Chi 2nd, 2018 OKC 2nd

OKC sends: Singler, McDermott, 2018 Chi/PKC 2nds
OKC receives: Arthur

Trade 3:
NO in: Knight
Phx in: Asik, NO 2019 2nd

Trade 4:
Phi sends: Okafur, Bayless
Phx sends: Chandler, 2018 Tor 2nd

**Nelson bought out.**
**Millsap and/or Aldrich waived/bought out**
**Len on QO**

A lot going on here. I don't see the Philly deal, they were signing 1-year deals for a big 2018 cap space plan (presumably).
I don't think Phx can get Harris and a 1st for Bledsoe. Perhaps Beasley and a pick or just Mediay + Harris + filler.

Entry 3:

Eric Bledsoe for Matthew Dellavedova, Jabari Parker and a future second round draft pick

This is rather interesting. There's a lot of uncertainty in Parker's value, but Phx is probably in a better position to gamble then Mil, who takes the sure thing in Bledsoe.

Entry 4:

OKC trades: Dougie Buckets, 2018 CHI 2nd, 2019 OKC 2nd
OKC gets: Will Barton

Denver trades: Mudiay, Barton, Beasley, Arthur, 2018 1st(top 10, top 7, top 5, 2 2nds)
Denver gets: Bledsoe, Warren

Phoenix trades: Bledsoe, Warren
Phoenix gets: Mudiay, Arthur, Beasley, McBuckets, 2018 DEN 1st, 2018 CHI 2nd, 2019 OKC 2nd

We then let Len play out the year on his QO and fight to prove he deserves minutes over Williams.

I like Bledose to Denver ideas. This seems about right in value. I'm not sure Dougie really has value to be relavant, I'm sure Denver would prefer to keep Barton if possible. Warren to Denver does help give them depth back.

Entry 5:

Phoenix trades

Brandon Knight
$13,618,750, $14,631,250, $15,643,750
Alan Williams
$5,250,000, $5,670,000, $6,090,000
Dragan Bender
$4,468,800, $4,661,280, $5,896,519, $7,777,509
2018 first
2021 first
For

Cleveland trades

Richard Jefferson $2,500,000.00
Kevin Love $22,642,350.00 $24,119,025.00 $25,595,700.00

Love's too old for a PHX rebuild, while Cleveland takes a massive step back.

Entry 6:

Phoenix In: Kyrie / Evan Turner / Shumpert / Noah Vonleh
Phoenix out: Bledsoe / Bender / Warren / Knight / Ulis / D. Jones Jr. / Milsap

Cleveland in: Bledsoe / Fournier / TJ Warren / Ulis / Milsap
Cleveland out: Kyrie / Shumpert / Frye / Felder

Orlando in: Bender / Knight
Orlando out: Fournier / DJ Augustine

Portland in: Frye / Augustine / D. Jones Jr. / Felder
Portland out: Evan Turner / Vonleh

http://www.espn.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=y94gpqxf

Was this done before the Crabbe dump? It doesn't make much sense for Portland now as they don't have a huge luxury tax bill and need Turner more with Crabbe out of the SG/SF rotation. Just looks too big for Phx. Moving 7 players in one trade is overkill.

Entry 7:

Jared Dudley to New Orleans for Omer Asik and a top-18 protected 2018 1st (lottery in 2019, top 10 2020, 2 2nds).

Tyson Chandler to Milwaukee for Henson and a lottery protected 2018 1st (lottery for two years, then 2 2nds)

Eric Bledsoe to Denver for Mudiay, Faried, and lottery protected 2019 1st (lottery for two years, then 2 2nds)

I don't see the Mil trade at all. Thon and Monroe are their top-2 centers, and still would be after the trade. They aren't giving up a pick to upgrade their 3rd string C. The other two are reasonable.

Entry 8:

PHX out: Bledsoe, Dudley, Chandler, Millsap
PHX in: Mudiay, Kanter, Abrines, Singler, Ferguson, Grant, 2018 DEN 1st, 2018 CHI 2nd

DEN out: Arthur, Barton, Mudiay, Nelson, 2018 DEN 1st
DEN in: Bledsoe, Dudley, Millsap

OKC out: Kanter, Singler, Ferguson, Abrines, Christon, Grant, 2018 CHI 2nd
OKC in: Arthur, Barton, Chandler, Nelson

Seems a bit more complicated then it needs to be, especially since I don't see the value OKC is adding.

Entry 9:

I wanted to stay away from the usual trades and all things Kyrie so I tried something different.

Step 1: Agree to Len become a UFA by letting him know that we have no interest in his services long term and that he would not see minutes here if he were to sign the QO. He's better off taking a 1 year deal with a team that can get him on the court.

Trade 1: Moving on from Bledsoe with Detroit and Chicago

Detroit trades Reggie Jackson, Stanley Johnson, 2018 1st Round Pick (top 3 protected) for Eric Bledsoe

Chicago trades Bobby Portis for Stanley Johnson

Phoenix trades Bledsoe for Reggie Jackson, Bobby Portis, 2018 DET 1st Round Pick (top 3 protected)

Trade 2: Portland/Phoenix

Portland trades Meyers Leonard, Ed Davis, 2018 POR 1st Round Pick for Tyson Chandler

Phoenix trades Tyson Chandler for Meyers Leonard, Ed Davis, 2018 POR 1st Round Pick

Trade 3: New Orleans/Phoenix

New Orleans trades Solomon Hill and 2019 1st rounder for Jared Dudley, TJ Warren

Phoenix trades Dudley, Warren for Hill, 2019 1st Round Pick

Why for Phoenix? The complete the movement of all their vets and clear up more playing time for star rookie Jackson while adding yet another pick to the arsenal.

Picks added: 2018 DET 1st (Top 3 protected), 2018 POR 1st (unprotected), 2019 NOP 1st (unprotected)
Other Assets added: Bobby Portis
Players lost: Eric Bledsoe, Tyson Chandler, Jared Dudley, TJ Warren
Deadweight added: Jackson, Leonard, Hill

All 3 trades seem reasonable. I'd be reluctant to give up the 1st as detroit, but coach/GMs are always in win-now mode so it's plausible. I'd probalby just keep Stanley for Phx for defense. Its' awkward for NO to keep trading picks but at least they also get a youngish guy in Warren here.

[babyjax13]

"I think the Suns should stick to their plan of rebuilding with the west as tough as it is. I would not give up the rumored assets it would take to acquire Irving considering how tough the west is, being very unlikely to make the playoffs the next two years, and his likelihood of leaving at that point.

The trade I would consider, that sticks a long the timeline of the Suns, is seeing if they can help facilitate a trade where Kyrie Irving, Iman Shumpert and Channing Frye end up with the Knicks, Eric Bledsoe, Carmelo Anthony, and a Knicks 2018 top 8 protected pick to the Cavs, and Frank Ntilikina to the Suns.

This clears out even more cap space for the Suns to possibly take on large expiring contracts if people need to dump them, however I wouldn't take on any bad contracts that last longer than 2 years given the number of bad ones we have now and the need to start extending players on rookie deals in 2-3 years.

I would look for potential deals to dump Knight, but would not give up many assets to do so until that cap space was absolutely needed to sign a free agent. I would look to see if anyone wants Chandler but would be fine keeping him if it took giving up a first rounder to move him.

I would extend Len to a 3 year/$21 million contract with a team option in the third year. If it took a little more than that to avoid him playing on the QO, I'd go up a little bit."

This is kind of hard to read, I suggest clearly delineating what teams are trading and receiving as others have below. I agree with the general direction. If they get involved in a Kyrie trade, they have two great options in either getting Kyrie who is fantastic and young, or grabbing Frank. Can't evaluate the Chandler/Knight comments b/c they don't have a definitive plan attached. Don't think Len is worth extending with Phoenix's current roster construction.

Entry 2:

Suns send: Dudley, 2018 2nd
Suns receive: Aldrich, OKC 1st

Why for Suns? They get a first and basically an expiring for Dudley.
Why for Minny? They get a bigger back up wing that they need. Dudley could also play small ball 4 if needed. Phoenix's 2nd should be a decent one too, so they realistically may only move back 10 or so spots for picking up a useful player.

Trade 2:
Phx out: Bledsoe
Phx in: Mudiay, Harris, Mcdermott, Nelson (bought out), Denver 2018 1st top 20 protected (top 20 2 years, then 2 2nds)

Denver out: Mudiay, Nelson, Arthur, 2018 1st
Denver in: Bledsoe, Singler, 2018 Chi 2nd, 2018 OKC 2nd

OKC sends: Singler, McDermott, 2018 Chi/PKC 2nds
OKC receives: Arthur

Why for Suns? They get a look at a young point guard, 2 young wings, and another 1st.
Why for Denver? They get a massive upgrade at point guard and get prepared to compete with a Bledsoe-Millsap-Jokic big 3.
Why for OKC? Dump Singler and get a useable back up 4.

Trade 3:
NO in: Knight
Phx in: Asik, NO 2019 2nd

Why for NO? They can use Knight 10-15 minutes a game and as an instant offense spark plug off the bench which they actually have a need for. Asik is useless for them as well.
Why for Phx? Save some money and get a player who isn't Knight. Asik's last year is also only partially gtd.

Trade 4:
Phi sends: Okafur, Bayless
Phx sends: Chandler, 2018 Tor 2nd

Why for Philly? Get a great locker room vet to help the youngsters grow. They also move on from the Okafur headache while continue to committing to competing.
Why for Phx? They get a young center that desperately needs a change of scenery and a vet point guard.

End roster:

Roster:
Ulis/Mudiay/Bayless
Booker/Harris/Millsap
Jackson/Warren/Jones Jr/Mcdermott
Chriss/Bender/Williams
Okafur/Aldrich/Asik

**Nelson bought out.**
**Millsap and/or Aldrich waived/bought out**
**Len on QO**

New assets:
2018 OKC 1st
2018 Denver 1st

This is a lot of moving parts, maybe too many. I like the Knight trade, but recent news means it's DOA. I don't see Philadelphia taking on Chandler's contract, but maybe I'm misevaluating that. Bledsoe to Denver makes a lot of sense if they don't mind sitting one of Harris/Murray. I don't see how the Suns get a first round pick while sending out Dudley, that's completely unrealistic.

Entry 3:

Eric Bledsoe for Matthew Dellavedova, Jabari Parker and a future second round draft pick

This is actually a really cool idea. High risk, high reward for both teams.


Entry 4:

So Knight is hurt which means he stays put. And I want some veteran leadership to help grow the kids so Chandler and Dudley can stay for now. Which means trading Bledsoe is the way to go. Several options, but I'm going with Denver who desperately needs a PG upgrade and has some assets to spare. Bring in OKC to improve the deal and we have this:

OKC trades: Dougie Buckets, 2018 CHI 2nd, 2019 OKC 2nd
OKC gets: Will Barton

OKC does this to get an upgraded offensive player for their bench. And they get his Bird Rights so if they can shed some of Kanter's money they might can keep him around, but this is a move for this year.

Denver trades: Mudiay, Barton, Beasley, Arthur, 2018 1st(top 10, top 7, top 5, 2 2nds)
Denver gets: Bledsoe, Warren

Denver massively upgrades their PG and gets a young controllable SF back as well. Beasley is never going to get to play and they get some value out of Mudiay and Barton while they have some.

Phoenix trades: Bledsoe, Warren
Phoenix gets: Mudiay, Arthur, Beasley, McBuckets, 2018 DEN 1st, 2018 CHI 2nd, 2019 OKC 2nd

No, there are no premium assets to be found here, but we've seen the PG market and especially with his knees, he's just not worth one. Warren doesn't appear to have a future here so toss him in to get more pulls at finding talent coming back. Mudiay has talent and now he has time and the perfect backcourt mate with which to bring it out. Beasley is a nice talent for the bench, McBuckets is worth a flier for a year and can probably be re-signed cheap and some picks on top.

We then let Len play out the year on his QO and fight to prove he deserves minutes over Williams.

Now I wouldn't have kept the GM, but to be fair most of the poor choices by the Suns have been owner driven and so it's cool he's better at his job than the results would suggest. But I want to bring in someone else to be part of the leadership mix and to get the fans excited. It should have been Nash, but there must be good reasons why that hasn't happened in real life so I'm bringing back another former Suns player in Grant Hill and giving him a big title and a big voice. Brilliant guy and perfect guy to be a public face of an organization that needs an image change.

I actually think that Denver is getting a steal here. Trading for the two best players in the deal. You could honestly cut out OKC and remove Warren and I think it is a more solid trade for Phoenix and still worthwhile for Denver (especially since Warren and Chandler would be kind of redundant as hybrid 3/4's).

Entry 5:

Phoenix trades

Brandon Knight
$13,618,750, $14,631,250, $15,643,750
Alan Williams
$5,250,000, $5,670,000, $6,090,000
Dragan Bender
$4,468,800, $4,661,280, $5,896,519, $7,777,509
2018 first
2021 first
For

Cleveland trades

Richard Jefferson $2,500,000.00
Kevin Love $22,642,350.00 $24,119,025.00 $25,595,700.00

Not a fan of rebuilding teams turning their best assets into players that can't lead a team to the playoffs, but OTOH Phoenix still has Bledsoe and Booker and if all three players are healthy this is a playoff team. I prefer the patient route, but if they don't go that route not the worst. However, Cleveland could never do this, if they do they lose LeBron. Also, we've seen the dangers of trading multiple future picks, so the protections really matter (see Brooklyn).

Entry 6:

First off, it's Kyrie trade, I'm sure you've received none of those! But just because it's obvious doesn't make it wrong.

Phoenix In: Kyrie / Evan Turner / Shumpert / Noah Vonleh
Phoenix out: Bledsoe / Bender / Warren / Knight / Ulis / D. Jones Jr. / Milsap

Cleveland in: Bledsoe / Fournier / TJ Warren / Ulis / Milsap
Cleveland out: Kyrie / Shumpert / Frye / Felder

Orlando in: Bender / Knight
Orlando out: Fournier / DJ Augustine

Portland in: Frye / Augustine / D. Jones Jr. / Felder
Portland out: Evan Turner / Vonleh

http://www.espn.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=y94gpqxf

Portland - Dumps Turner's contract. It's a salary dump, they turn Turner's deal into Augustine's lower deal for the same length (who should be able to give them some backup PG minutes), lose Vonleh but roll the dice on two young cheap guys and save a wee bit of money off their tax bill this year.

Orlando - Takes in Knight's deal, but moves more long term money out due to Fournier / Augustine, adds Bender to their perpetual rebuild, a guy whose shooting is needed with Payton / Gordon playing big roles and creating an interesting young frontcourt group of Bender / Gordon / Isaac. Also, Cavs fans have repeatedly said they don't want Bender.

Cleveland - They don't get a superstar, but they do get young pieces who should be able to contribute immediately. I'm not sure they are going to do better for a positional replacement than Bledsoe, I'm aware of the injury concerns between him and Rose, but Bledsoe is ideally a guy who can smother Curry as well as anyone can. They also add young wing depth, Fournier gives them yet another shooter, but one who is only 25 and Warren is 23, also a young wing with some scoring punch. Ulis is a better young prospect than Felder and ideally with Fournier / Warren / Ulis / Osman they have young guys who can soak up a lot of minutes in the regular season, keeping their other wings fresh for the postseason.

Phoenix - I know the point is to rebuild, and move off Knight's deal (harder to do now with the ACL), but having Kyrie / Booker / Jackson / Chriss in place puts them into a position of already having a very interesting young core, I don't think the team should force being bad for another young player. If Kyrie is truly ready to run the team and Booker continues to develop, they may be good earlier than people realize. That being the case, I'm okay keeping Chandler / Dudley (great locker room guys) and adding in Shump's deal. They'll be armed with ~$35 mil in expiring deals next summer, along with the Miami draft picks and young guys to make a move for another piece.

I'm also ok swapping Knight's deal for Turner's deal, giving the salary cap structure of the team, Turner's deal doesn't really prevent anything from happening and I believe he can be an interesting player for them since they could use more playmaking behind Kyrie. Kyrie / Booker / Dudley provide enough shooting to play Turner as a secondary playmaker with that unit.

I'd be comfortable with Len playing the year on the QO and I would look to add a vet min backup guard, ideally Ian Clark otherwise someone like Deron Williams / Brandon Jennings and a wing, ideally Gerald Green otherwise someone like Matt Barnes or KJ McDaniels.

Lineup:

Chandler / Len / Williams
Chriss (not sure Chriss is ready for big minutes) / Dudley / Vonleh
Turner / Jackson (with the hope Jackson takes the starting job and Turner can be wing/backup PG role) / Vet FA
Booker / Shumpert / Reed
Kyrie / Vet FA / Young camp PG

If it doesn't work, they can shop the vets at the deadline and roll with a tank lineup of Kyrie / Booker / Jackson / Chriss / Vonleh

Too many moving parts, and I think a simple trade is much better for Phoenix. Kyrie for Bledoe + ??? and the other asset(s) could go to a third team if needed.

Entry 7:

Jared Dudley to New Orleans for Omer Asik and a top-18 protected 2018 1st (lottery in 2019, top 10 2020, 2 2nds).

Tyson Chandler to Milwaukee for Henson and a lottery protected 2018 1st (lottery for two years, then 2 2nds)

Eric Bledsoe to Denver for Mudiay, Faried, and lottery protected 2019 1st (lottery for two years, then 2 2nds)

The second trade isn't happening. Chandler isn't a much better contract than Henson, so I don't see getting a pick as realistic. I really like the basic premise of the first trade, though. The third trade maybe seems a bit light? I'm I underrating Mudiay and Faried as assets here? I think if you include Barton it's simple and solid.

Entry 8:

PHX out: Bledsoe, Dudley, Chandler, Millsap
PHX in: Mudiay, Kanter, Abrines, Singler, Ferguson, Grant, 2018 DEN 1st, 2018 CHI 2nd

Mudiay/Ulis/Knight
Booker/Abrines/Ferguson
Jackson/Grant/Singler/Jones
Chriss/Bender
Kanter/Williams

DEN out: Arthur, Barton, Mudiay, Nelson, 2018 DEN 1st
DEN in: Bledsoe, Dudley, Millsap

Bledsoe/Christon
Harris/Beasley/Millsap
Chandler/Dudley
Millsap/Hernangomez
Jokic/Plumlee

OKC out: Kanter, Singler, Ferguson, Abrines, Christon, Grant, 2018 CHI 2nd
OKC in: Arthur, Barton, Chandler, Nelson

Russ/Felton/Jameer
Roberson/Barton
PG/Huestis
PPat/Arthur/Collison
Adams/Chandler/Dakari

I think this just has Phoenix collecting a lot of crap in return for Bledsoe.
Elite assets: none
Really good assets: none
Good assets: Abrines, Furgeson, picks
Slightly better than neutral (?): Mudiay, Grant
Neutral: none
Slightly worse than neutral: none
Bad: none
Really bad: Singler, Kanter
Anchor weights: none

I'd call that three nickles, two pennies, and two utility bills.

Entry 9:

I wanted to stay away from the usual trades and all things Kyrie so I tried something different.

Step 1: Agree to Len become a UFA by letting him know that we have no interest in his services long term and that he would not see minutes here if he were to sign the QO. He's better off taking a 1 year deal with a team that can get him on the court.

Trade 1: Moving on from Bledsoe with Detroit and Chicago

Detroit trades Reggie Jackson, Stanley Johnson, 2018 1st Round Pick (top 3 protected) for Eric Bledsoe

Why for Detroit? Moving into the new arena, they need to put together a winning roster. Adding Bradley is a step in the right direction but I think having a good point guard is more important for Detroit than most other teams because their offense relies so heavily on setting up Drummond and the other pieces. Bledsoe is an excellent young lead guard that is cost controlled for multiple years and a major upgrade over Jackson in many departments. The cost is high but they dump Reggie in the process.

Chicago trades Bobby Portis for Stanley Johnson

Why for Chicago? They just drafted Markkanen who they want to give a lot of minutes to and are likely retaining Mirotic, so there aren't minutes for Portis. They are however weak on the wings with essentially Valentine and Morrow expected to play 48 minutes - getting a flier on Johnson and letting him learn by playing seems like a solid decision to see whether he can turn into something.

Phoenix trades Bledsoe for Reggie Jackson, Bobby Portis, 2018 DET 1st Round Pick (top 3 protected)

Why for Phoenix? They kill 2 birds in one stone. Not only do they get value back for Bledsoe when he's at his highest, but they also make use of the cap space to make sure the assets returning are top tier. A flier on a young big with some 2-way potential as well.

Trade 2: Portland/Phoenix

Portland trades Meyers Leonard, Ed Davis, 2018 POR 1st Round Pick for Tyson Chandler

Why for Portland? They dump a useless contract and cut more salary while adding a vet backup C to continue improving their current roster.

Phoenix trades Tyson Chandler for Meyers Leonard, Ed Davis, 2018 POR 1st Round Pick

Why for Phoenix? They take on some salary to get a quality 4/5 in Davis and add another pick to their arsenal.

Trade 3: New Orleans/Phoenix

New Orleans trades Solomon Hill and 2019 1st rounder for Jared Dudley, TJ Warren

Why for NOP? They also get to dump a bad signing while adding 2 quality players to help put a winning product around Davis and Cousins. Dudley can start at the SF with Warren being the scoring sub to bolster the bench.

Phoenix trades Dudley, Warren for Hill, 2019 1st Round Pick

Why for Phoenix? The complete the movement of all their vets and clear up more playing time for star rookie Jackson while adding yet another pick to the arsenal.


Final Phoenix Roster:

Jackson/Ulis/(Knight)
Booker/Reed/Millsap
Jackson/Hill/DJJ
Chriss/Portis/Bender
Williams/Davis/Leonard

Picks added: 2018 DET 1st (Top 3 protected), 2018 POR 1st (unprotected), 2019 NOP 1st (unprotected)
Other Assets added: Bobby Portis
Players lost: Eric Bledsoe, Tyson Chandler, Jared Dudley, TJ Warren
Deadweight added: Jackson, Leonard, Hill

Reasoning: Capped out for 3 years with the additions of Jackson, Leonard and Hill but that's actually perfect because that's the same time that Booker becomes ready for his next contract while Chriss, Bender and Jackson remain on the rookie deals for a year or two. We add a whole bunch of assets that we can use in further trades to upgrade the roster around Booker and Jackson after paying these deadweights for a year or two.

[/quote]


I think all of these are good, realistic moves except for the last (don't think New Orleans should trade a pick). Also, can they renounce Len's QO at this point? I voted for entry #3, I think Phoenix can take a swing at a risk.

Also, FWIW didn't participate in this one, probably won't have time to participate in the next two as I am moving back to Alabama for the school year. Will try to participate every other week and give feedback every other week.

[HartfordWhalers]

I was impressed with the set of proposals in general.

[Texas Chuck]

I want to give feedback but I also entered so I'm not sure how to address that. Guess I'll just give the best feedback to myself I can. I promise not to oversell how great it is and I obviously won't be voting for my own. Also not quoting them all again.

1. It's fine. Direction is good for Phoenix. Seems about the right price to pay to pry Kryie free. Not sure Melo is okay with Cleveland any more, but okay I guess if his option is there or staying in NYK. Fits what Cleveland needs.

2. IT's ambitious which is nice.. I can understand deals 1 and 2 kinda. Tho Dudley isn't able to defend wings now which makes him the wrong fit for Minny. But Philly can't really want Chandler after paying Amir to provide leadership and defense and New Orleans isn't trading for an injured guy(tho I understand this was probably entered before injury)

3. My issue here is they won't have much time to see how Parker potentially fits before being faced with paying him. Do they believe Chriss can be a center? Where does Bender fit in?

4. This is all on how the Suns view Warren. Maybe they like him as a core piece? I don't think they do, but if so his inclusion is a mistake. And maybe OKC steals value?

5. 2 unprotected 1sts and Bender feels like way too much for Love. Especially since one of them is next year when no chance the Suns are a playoff team even with Love. Alan Williams isn't a throw in either. Plus Cleveland isn't taking a future package for him in Lebron's last year under contract.

6. Taking on so much bad money defeats the purpose of Kyrie. Not being able to build around him makes him more likely to leave before you can get good enough. Trying to get cute and save assets by doing so undercuts the value of Kyrie. Orlando and especially Portland seem to be in the deal mainly to siphon off value and both teams get terrific deals here.

7. Dudley has same problem in New Orleans as he does in Minny, plays the wrong position now. Bucks should do the 2nd deal, but I don't like it for Phoenix. Too big a drop off for too little return. I also don't think the Suns get enough value in the Denver deal. 2 meh pieces and a bad contract.

8. Pretty good, tho awfully big. And OKC seems to be stealing value here.

9. really ambitious, but I understand where you are going with all of it. I'd cut out Chicago in deal 1 tho. But overall really like all these deals for everyone involved.


Tough as there were mostly good ones with only a couple I really struggled to understand the thinking. But official vote goes to #9.

[Kerrsed]

As a Suns fan i didnt want to compete in this contest so i could judge it from a clear point of view (If that makes sense).

With that being said, UGH! I honestly didnt like any of them, but finally settled on #1 getting my vote. Bledsoe for French Frank straight up. We keep all our youngsters and keep on trucking into the 2018 draft with all our picks in tow. Out of the 9 trades, im sad to say that that one was the best in my eyes.

[PHXDraft0358]

I liked #7 the best!!! #1 while I'd like getting back Frank, all reports we've read is Carmelo to Cavs isn't happening.

#7 - both teams would probably do first Trade w/ Suns having good chance to receive a 1st Rounder. Chandler was rumored to be interested in Bucks before they landed Monroe, and another possible 1st Rounder to Suns. While Henson could possibly be 3rd Center if Len re-signs. Mudiay is one of young PG's I'd like (as Suns fan) along w/ Fox, Ntilikina, Mudiay, E Payton, D Murray, McConnell, etc. in Bledsoe Trade and without really mentioning Faried's fit - the Suns kept all their young assets and possibly added a few 1sts!!!

Bledsoe, Knight (doubtful now), Chandler, Dudley, Miami Picks, etc. would be all I'd look to be Trading for unless the Suns needed to add Suns own Pick in upgrade for Irving like player.

[NashtyNas]

I like all the entries and all the effort most people put into them. I feel most people did a great job trying to balance value, fit and what might be interesting to the Suns.

However I find it funny to see how people are voting and what they're basing their judgements on.
I feel like there aren't enough people giving points for creativity (instead of copy/pasting deals that have been discussed here for months/years) nor "realistic-ness." If all teams involved in a trade and/or trades would be likely to accept a trade, I think that should outweigh a lot of other factors (like differences in what you think protections should be, or whether you like a player etc).

I really am not sure #1 is the clear winner as voting suggests because I'm not sure it's doing enough. If you're moving Bledsoe, I feel like that's signaling a longer term rebuild and moving Chandler, Dudley and Knight becomes a necessity in that scenario at least to me.
Getting assets for the cap space is far more important in that case than having good vets - and you can probably accomplish both (ie. get good overpaid vets to play the role while getting assets to take on their contracts).

[HartfordWhalers]

#1 feels pretty good for the Cavs and Suns:
Cavs -> Irving for Bledsoe Melo and a pick is a deal they should take
Suns -> Bledsoe for Frank is a deal they should take

But then I get to Knicks:
Frank, top 8 protected pick, Melo for Irving, Shump Frye. I don't mind that so much on value as I look at it and think:
1) Knicks will stink next year and then Kyrie will be an expiring about to walk
2) Melo will say no.

If you could talk to agents and get everyone comfortable and feel optimistic about Kyrie staying despite a roster that will be:
Kyrie/THjr/Porzingis nothing and no cap room or draft pick; and Melo cool with a year in Cleveland, then I like it a lot.

It is a little familiar and a step one of 4, but taking the right step with Bledsoe is the most important step soI don't mind step 1 of 4.

#2 Had a little of everything both good and bad
Dudley for Aldrich? I liked that idea enough to propose it as a trade -- http://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1583129 but the first feels like overkill. Lets meet in the middle and Phx gets a 2nd but the first feels too rich for me.

Bledsoe to Denver? I like that idea (its been bounced around a bunch but in countless forms). Harris inclusion/exclusion is huge on value, and without it I might feel a touch short for Phx but with it I hate it for Denver (t least then take the pick out).
The OKC part feels very smart and good. Knight's injury killed the Asik deal, and I think it would have been NOP getting the 2nd. But it is an idea that has bounced around and I have supported -- if NOP can balance it with the tax. Qpon also outgoing would help there. Okafor to make Bayless the more expensive Chandler is something I view horrifically bad as a Philly fan. I just don't see it.

Some real good, but enough I stumbled on that #2 missed my top 3.

#3 I will be honest, this had so little written with it I almost wrote back and asked for more.

But why not? Phx gets to rehab a guy with top #3 pick pedigree and some nice upside. Milwaukee gets better now and doesn't worry about paying for potential. Yeah, I'm okay here. Like #1 it dealt with the biggest next move

#4? Something about this underwhelmed me and yet reding it back I cannot place what it was.
Mudiay, a 1st and Beasley for Bledsoe seems right. The Warren/Barton/McDermott swap is fine.
Bringing in Grant Hill I like a lot.
The more time I look at this one the more it sneaks up and I like it. Similar to #3.

#5 -- Directionally I hate this. And direction was pretty much the only restriction on the challenge so this is a no from me.

#6 -- I'm not opposed to Kyrie to Phx, but Portland's inclusion I'm not at all crazy about. And this just feels liek a Kyrie walks from here set up, so its a big trade with a result I'm not cray about. Sorry for the brevity here, I've lost steam and might come back and edit more commentary to be fair.

#7 -- Similar Bledsoe Denver deal, which I like. But the others I think the other teams say no.

#8 --This feels like #4. I want to keep staring at it.

#9 -- The protection on the picks kill me, and the last one should be sweetened for NOP (make it Asik and QPon instead of Hill). But I love trade 1, and like trade 2 a lot (protections need to be higher on both). Something about #9 really made me strongly feel like it was my favorite even if not the best one.

So, the final 5 for me in no order were: #1/#3/#4/#8/#9, with each having some aspects that made it in the running. Going to do a second post when this next needs a bump and cast my final vote at that time.

[Texas Chuck]

cmon guys we can't have more Kyrie threads per hour than votes in a contest where 9 people took the time to make an entry and HW took the guy to put this together. Even if you don't want to post your thoughts in the thread and comment on each deal which admittedly requires some real effort, at least take the time to read them and vote on a winner. Remember there is a real prize for the winning entry. Hartford Whalers has to rock a Coleangelo avatar perhaps or Mamba4Goat has a signature suggesting Pau Gasol was the best player on those b2b championship teams.