Around The League - Bullock to Houston

[tedbrogen]

Well Harden cares about Harden first and winning second and the Sixers made him sad because they wouldn't give his old ass a max extension. That's what this is all about.

Wouldn't shock me if he just retires after this year if no one gives him a big contract. I don't think James is the play for a minimum and ring chase kind of guy.

Sent from my SM-G986U using RealGM mobile app

Yep. It would seem the most likely scenario is Harden told Philly he wanted a max, they said no, he got the return to Houston rumor floated, Philly called his bluff and dared him to go back there, he came back and said he’d opt in if they trade him to a contender that will also extend him because he realized his rep would take a hit by going back to Houston and missing the play-in.

Did Houston actually offer Harden a max? I assumed they weren't going to and that's what caused the whole opt in and ask for a trade deal.

Sent from my SM-G986U using RealGM mobile app

It’s unclear. Maybe they did but Harden didn’t really want to go back there without another star to carry the load, maybe they did but it was only two years (they only offered Brook two years but gave Brooks four years), or maybe they didn’t offer him max money and he couldn’t handle signing for less than the max.

[darmani]

Am I the only one who looks at these "great roleplayers" the Suns signed and am still looking for even one in the bunch that impresses me?

No, I’m right there with you. And they have zero first or second round picks for like the next seven years.

That's simply not true.

[tedbrogen]

Am I the only one who looks at these "great roleplayers" the Suns signed and am still looking for even one in the bunch that impresses me?

No, I’m right there with you. And they have zero first or second round picks for like the next seven years.

That's simply not true.

They actually have their 24, 26, and 30 firsts but they can’t trade any of them. Could trade swaps though. They could also move the 24 pick after the draft but make the pick for some other team. They also have their 2028 first but Brooklyn holds a swap on it.

They have their seconds for 24-28 and 30.

[paulpressey25]

Am I the only one who looks at these "great roleplayers" the Suns signed and am still looking for even one in the bunch that impresses me?

No, I’m right there with you. And they have zero first or second round picks for like the next seven years.

That's simply not true.

Ok, I will edit it to virtually no picks for the next seven years, and for the four years they have a first (per the Stephen rule), they have now given pick swap rights to another team. This piece sums it up.

Traded away
4 First round picks: 2023, 2025, 2027, 2029
4 First-round pick swap rights: 2024, 2026, 2028 (twice encumbered), 2030
6 Second round picks: 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2030
The Suns had previously traded the 2029 second round pick to Oklahoma City in the Dario Saric trade last February.

They will still be able to pick a player in the first round a few times, but that pick will be the lesser of Wizards-Suns in 2024, 2026 and 2030 and Wizards-Nets-Suns in 2028.

Suns fans will have a fun season next year. But it all rides on the health of Durant and Beal, and the hope Vogel can get some defense out of the roster.

[Jez2983]

Am I the only one who looks at these "great roleplayers" the Suns signed and am still looking for even one in the bunch that impresses me?

Amazing top end. A couple of good roleplayers. I keep seeing 'injury-riddled disaster' as a potential postscript.

Conversely, top end talent they have can win it.

[Badgerlander]

Summer, summer, summer, summer leagues starting today!! And they are on ESPN and nba tv. Was it Jabari rookie summer league that we paid $5 to watch a one camera stream? Lol

[WeekapaugGroove]

No, I’m right there with you. And they have zero first or second round picks for like the next seven years.

That's simply not true.

Ok, I will edit it to virtually no picks for the next seven years, and for the four years they have a first (per the Stephen rule), they have now given pick swap rights to another team. This piece sums it up.

Traded away
4 First round picks: 2023, 2025, 2027, 2029
4 First-round pick swap rights: 2024, 2026, 2028 (twice encumbered), 2030
6 Second round picks: 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2030
The Suns had previously traded the 2029 second round pick to Oklahoma City in the Dario Saric trade last February.

They will still be able to pick a player in the first round a few times, but that pick will be the lesser of Wizards-Suns in 2024, 2026 and 2030 and Wizards-Nets-Suns in 2028.

Suns fans will have a fun season next year. But it all rides on the health of Durant and Beal, and the hope Vogel can get some defense out of the roster.

The KD trade was inflection point. Would they have been better off with Bridges, Johnson and picks? Maybe. Personally I thought with CP declining they didn't really have the top end talent to win it all. I think they needed to make a move for an all NBA type player.

But once the KD trade was a reality I think the Beal trade and this FA class was good business. It you're all in be all in, don't half ass it. Packer fans should appreciate that.

I don't think they are the favorites but they certainly have a chance to win it all.

And yeah of course anything can turn into a distater but I'm not sure they are as **** in the future as people think. Now that they replaced the cheap scum bag owner that's a place guys will want to play. Booker is 26, Beal is 29, Ayton is 24. Other than KD they aren't that old of a team.

Sent from my SM-G986U using RealGM mobile app

[emunney]

Banton to Celtics per Shams.

[MickeyDavis]

Read on Twitter

[lightningrodman]

Craig and Caruso flopfest 4x a year :/

[humanrefutation]

Read on Twitter

[BroncoBuck]

Mason Plumlee for 5 million is such a steal. Would’ve been great if we had the tools to sign him.

[Mags FTW]

Read on Twitter

Even if Portland handled this situation perfectly, is there any scenario in which an all-star would want to be traded to Portland over LA and Miami?

[humanrefutation]

Read on Twitter

Even if Portland handled this situation perfectly, is there any scenario in which an all-star would want to be traded to Portland over LA and Miami?

Nope. And that's why you don't trade Dame to wherever he wants out of fear that other players will look down on your franchise for doing so. You trade him for the best package for your team.

[Baddy Chuck]

Mason Plumlee for 5 million is such a steal. Would’ve been great if we had the tools to sign him.

Sometimes the grass isn't greener.

[Badgerlander]

I’ll take Jay Huff on the minimum over any Plumlee

[MikeIsGood]

Read on Twitter

Even if Portland handled this situation perfectly, is there any scenario in which an all-star would want to be traded to Portland over LA and Miami?

Nope. And that's why you don't trade Dame to wherever he wants out of fear that other players will look down on your franchise for doing so. You trade him for the best package for your team.

I kinda think that's the point Russilo's making. I see how it can be read both ways, but I read it as him saying just this - there is no scenario where Portland is going to land an all-star seeking a trade. They won't get special points for doing Dame a favor, so why should they?

[emunney]

Read on Twitter

Well I guess they should cultivate the worst reputation they possibly can then.

[RiotPunch]

Read on Twitter

Well I guess they should cultivate the worst reputation they possibly can then.

I think they just need to thread the needle between honoring his request and doing him dirty.

[emunney]

Read on Twitter

Well I guess they should cultivate the worst reputation they possibly can then.

I think they just need to thread the needle between honoring his request and doing him dirty.

It's the spirit of the request that's important, not necessarily the letter. It's doable.