What is the Phoenix FO thinking?

[BigLurch92]

I just read some article saying that Phoenix is looking to sign Blake Griffin or Paul Milsap. Why would they do this? They just drafted two PF's in the top 8 last year. Chriss looks like he has some potential. Let them play. This team is young and the addition of Milsap or Griffin will do nothing to make them relevant. I don't get this. It seems to be the Tyson Chandler/Alex Len thing all over again. Can anyone explain to me what their FO is thinking?

[Chinook]

Rebuilding through the draft over many years is overrated. They have a lot of vets on their roster right now that they signed to win games. Adding Blake or Millsap (or LMA, wink, wink) could put them in the playoffs now, and then their young guys can grow up on a winning team.

[BigLurch92]

Rebuilding through the draft over many years is overrated. They have a lot of vets on their roster right now that they signed to win games. Adding Blake or Millsap (or LMA, wink, wink) could put them in the playoffs now, and then their young guys can grow up on a winning team.

Good to know. I didn't know that they're one piece away from playoffs. For some reason I thought they were much worse, like an Orlando Magic of the west but with slightly more talent.

[Upperclass]

Because at some point you have to win games and Blake can help do that and sell tickets. He's also a damn good fit in that lineup at center next to chriss.

If I'm Blake, I sign there with no pause

[Veggamattic]

I just drool over the opportunity to see Bledsoe, Booker, Jackson, Griffin and Chriss play together. Has there ever been a more athletic starting 5

[MartinToVaught]

Sarver is probably pressuring their front office to make "win now" moves against all logic and reason. I think Blake is just meeting with the Suns as a leverage play to make sure the Clippers give him the full five years on his contract, though.

[Cycloneon]

They should trade for LaMarcus Aldridge... Even if he leaves next year, he's going to cost $10m less so at least it gives you another year to let Chriss (and even Len?) grow. If he does opt in for 1 more year, he will still cost $10m less so you use the remaining cap space to fill out the rest of the roster...

Bledsoe
Booker
Jackson
Aldridge
Chandler


and, you know.. it'll help us Spurs fans out (wink..)

[Mich3006]

I just drool over the opportunity to see Bledsoe, Booker, Jackson, Griffin and Chriss play together. Has there ever been a more athletic starting 5

Warren as 6th man, they could do some damage... damn!

The west will be top notch next year, every team has its ups - negative records in the east will start at 5.

[lars_rosenberg]

Blake makes some sense, he's still only 28 and will be in his prime for the next 2-3 years at least. A 4-year max contract should be decent value for the money, while the youngsters develop in a winning envirnoment. When Booker, Jackson and Chriss will be ready to compete, Blake will still be a decent player.

Signing Millsap or trading for Aldridge at this point doesn't make sense though, they are too old and having them around in 3 years is going to be a problem.

[NBAFan93]

Seems to me they are trying to actually be good next season - the battle for the lower seeds in the West is going to be crazy - you got the Wolves, Pelicans and now maybe the Suns all coming after those playoff spots.

[lars_rosenberg]

Seems to me they are trying to actually be good next season - the battle for the lower seeds in the West is going to be crazy - you got the Wolves, Pelicans and now maybe the Suns all coming after those playoff spots.

Everything can change with free agency: Clippers, Grizzlies and Utah (if they lose any combination of Hayward, Favors and Hill) may slip out of the playoff picture and Minnesota, New Orleans and Denver/Phoenix could sneak into the playoffs.

[YFZblu]

Maybe I missed something, but IIRC this all stems from comments Griffin made during a recent interview. He listed a few teams on his "short list", and Phoenix came up as a darkhorse destination. It would be foolish for the Suns not to try and meet with him after those comments. Event just from an optics perspective, teams should want to be involved in the process of courting talent like Blake Griffin.

It's also possible Griffin is just posturing and would never actually accept an offer from the Suns if they made one. We won't know.

[Shady Franchise]

Rebuilding through the draft over many years is overrated. They have a lot of vets on their roster right now that they signed to win games. Adding Blake or Millsap (or LMA, wink, wink) could put them in the playoffs now, and then their young guys can grow up on a winning team.

Good to know. I didn't know that they're one piece away from playoffs. For some reason I thought they were much worse, like an Orlando Magic of the west but with slightly more talent.

Haha, unfortunately Orlando is far behind Phoenix at this point in contending for a playoff spot. I wish we had their young talent!

[Cactus Jack]

Sarver is probably pressuring their front office to make "win now" moves against all logic and reason. I think Blake is just meeting with the Suns as a leverage play to make sure the Clippers give him the full five years on his contract, though.

Nailed it. Sarver is very impatient. I think the chances of Blake signing with the Suns is zilch. He's trying to get leverage.

[fouronesix22]

If im Phoenix and a big name player is even considering signing with you. I take it. Yes they drafted some guys there but if you can lock up an all star and surround booker with some talent then there is a possibility he stays with the suns longer.

[BigLurch92]

Blake makes some sense, he's still only 28 and will be in his prime for the next 2-3 years at least. A 4-year max contract should be decent value for the money, while the youngsters develop in a winning envirnoment. When Booker, Jackson and Chriss will be ready to compete, Blake will still be a decent player.

Signing Millsap or trading for Aldridge at this point doesn't make sense though, they are too old and having them around in 3 years is going to be a problem.

I just dont see how Blake turns a 24-58 team into a playoff contender in the west. If the point is to get the youngsters to develop then wouldnt the best option be to give them all the minutes possible. I think Chriss/Bender playing 24-32 minutes a night will do alot more for their development then backing up Blake on a slightly better team that may have a shot at the 8th seed.

[OnlyOneWay2Play]

Simple answer: Their GM Ryan McDonough is on the last year of his contract and his tenure with the Suns has been very uneven. He's under pressure to show results (translation: make the playoffs or at least get close) or he'll be fired.

[MaxRider]

Maybe they don't like what they see in the PF they drafted. How many lottery picks turn are burst? Sorry, I do not have the number.

[BigLurch92]

Seems to me they are trying to actually be good next season - the battle for the lower seeds in the West is going to be crazy - you got the Wolves, Pelicans and now maybe the Suns all coming after those playoff spots.

Everything can change with free agency: Clippers, Grizzlies and Utah (if they lose any combination of Hayward, Favors and Hill) may slip out of the playoff picture and Minnesota, New Orleans and Denver/Phoenix could sneak into the playoffs.

Phoenix was the 2nd worst team in the NBA last year. That would be one hell of an improvement if they made the playoffs this year. Honestly that would be insane. I think they are 2-3 years away.

[BigLurch92]

Simple answer: Their GM Ryan McDonough is on the last year of his contract and his tenure with the Suns has been very uneven. He's under pressure to show results (translation: make the playoffs or at least get close) or he'll be fired.

I think this is the most reasonable answer. Thnak you.