Who would you ask for to trade Morris Bros?

[INFORMER-93]

All this sounds like is lateral move talk. Ilyasova and Young? Seriously? Stop wading in the shallow end of the dream pool.

They're certainly not stars. But I guess we just differ on how we value players.

I'm not looking to make lateral moves, I just think Ilyasova has a higher ceiling than Marcus Morris and Thaddeus Young is significantly better than Markieff Morris is.

[INFORMER-93]

The question is, what will the chemistry look like? That's the variable.

You need to factor in money too, particularly if one of your fears is becoming the Denver Nuggets cap wise.

I have. We'd be free of Young's and Ilyasova's deals in two years. Gary Neal has one more year left. That becomes problematic if the goal is to bring in Greg Monroe or Gordon Hayward, but I'm not on that bandwagon. The deal is also unfavorable if the plan is to pursue Kevin Love in 2015. I think he would consider coming to the Suns, but I'm not sure I'm comfortable putting all my eggs in that basket.

[INFORMER-93]

The question is, what will the chemistry look like? That's the variable.

By the way, Bucks fans are really hating on Neal. He had a nice tenure with the Spurs but has not translated.

Again, look at the team and the coach. A role player like Neal is going to look a lot different on a horrible Milwaukee team with an unreliable backcourt than he would playing behind the Dragic/Bledsoe combo. And again, he's playing on a two-year deal. We bring him in, he doesn't work out, then he'll be gone before we could blink.

[Ring_Wanted]

I just think Ilyasova has a higher ceiling than Marcus Morris and Thaddeus Young is significantly better than Markieff Morris is.

You can't replace Marcus with Ilyasova unless you wan't to experiment. Ilyasova is not a SF, or at least he has not been used as one in the NBA. If I remember correctly, he did so in the ACB, tho, but I wouldn't count on it now, and certainly wouldn't want both him and Young.

As for Kieff against Young, I indeed have interest. Thad's body is certainly more impressive, and he has been productive for longer. This season, tho, Kieff has improved and their overall per36 stats are pretty close other than 3pt, but again the main concern would be sustainability by Kieff.

I see how those two could make the team better (if everything goes right, with Ily at least), but the net gain and the cost wouldn't be that appealing in my opinion. Of course, everything can change. Ilyasova can build upon his last good game, the Morrii could revert to their former selves, etc, but right now I wouldn't make those moves.

[Ring_Wanted]

Again, look at the team and the coach. A role player like Neal is going to look a lot different on a horrible Milwaukee team with an unreliable backcourt than he would playing behind the Dragic/Bledsoe combo. And again, he's playing on a two-year deal. We bring him in, he doesn't work out, then he'll be gone before we could blink.

Yeah, I know going from the Spurs to the Bucks can ruin anybody's mojo, and that Mil is a mess. That's why I pointed to a pattern, liking his case to Ily's. My point is that I don't want to alter what's working for the assumption that they would get back to their productive ways. I'd rather see it done on their current teams then pay for it if I feel it's worth it.

[INFORMER-93]

I just think Ilyasova has a higher ceiling than Marcus Morris and Thaddeus Young is significantly better than Markieff Morris is.

You can't replace Marcus with Ilyasova unless you wan't to experiment. Ilyasova is not a SF, or at least he has not been used as one in the NBA.

I wasn't saying Ilyasova would play the 3; I was just saying Ilyasova is better than Marcus and Young is better than Markieff. So our two main bench players we would be shipping out would be replaced by better players.

Ideally, Neal would form a 3 guard primary rotation with Dragic/Bledsoe, with Archie still getting his 5-10 minutes. Green would see more time at the 3, along with Thaddeus Young. Young would also see time at the 4. Ilyasova would play primarily the 4 spot. Frye would get more minutes at the 5.

[Ring_Wanted]

I don't know INF. Young has not been used as a SF since 2009, but even if you tried it, getting him along with Ily would definitely make the PF too crowded, unless you made Frye strictly a backup C.

I'll agree that they are better than the Morrii, as long as you consider them in vacuum and for their entire career, because for one reason or another, that hasn't been the case with Ersan this season. Maybe the twins can develop more, but their ceiling coming out of college was said to be pretty pedestrian. Then again, they were said to be ready to contribute, and they've needed two seasons to do it, so who knows, but that's not the point anyway. If by the start of the season you told me I'd be getting this production out of them I would have thought you were posting from

The thing is that if you use Okafor and the Morrii to get the three players you suggest, you are paying more, are playing with chemistry and you need to implement a major tweak to accomodate at least one of them.

I feel it's too complicated, the improvements wouldn't be that big and at any rate, it would be too expensive. Now, if there was a move involving just Thad or Ily, I'd really consider it, particularly since they could be had on the cheap.

[coban]

If we sit down Frye to bench, we will lose spacing on the floor , which is nicely analysed in this page:
http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2013/12/31/5261766/spacing-the-final-frontier

In Morii's it is better we had them than "better" players who can disrupt hood chemistry in the team included bench chemistry. We all remember what happened when bench chemistry was awful like in Hedo's time..

[gaspar]

So he's 29 with 2 guaranteed years left on his deal after this year. Not really a deal breaker for me.

What if his injuries and decline in production are caused by aging?

And Marcus Morris is not better than him.

This season he sure is.

Trading the Morris twins and draft picks for Thad and Ilyasova would be such a "Lance Blanks move".

[INFORMER-93]

So he's 29 with 2 guaranteed years left on his deal after this year. Not really a deal breaker for me.

What if his injuries and decline in production are caused by aging?

Again, it's 29. We're not talking NFL running backs here.

[INFORMER-93]

And Marcus Morris is not better than him.

This season he sure is.

I'm not ready to pronounce Marcus Morris a superior player after 30 games.

Trading the Morris twins and draft picks for Thad and Ilyasova would be such a "Lance Blanks move".

When did Lance Blanks ever trade for a young player having his best season of his career?

And let's settle down with the trading "draft picks"; I proposed moving the Pacers pick, which will be the 28th-30th pick in a draft where we might THREE other 1st rounders. And in the Milwaukee deal, I have us improving our second round pick.

[INFORMER-93]

If we sit down Frye to bench, we will lose spacing on the floor , which is nicely analysed in this page:
http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2013/12/31/5261766/spacing-the-final-frontier

In Morii's it is better we had them than "better" players who can disrupt hood chemistry in the team included bench chemistry.

Well first, I'm not advocating benching Frye. Secondly, Ilyasova and Young both are 3-point shooters, one of the main reasons I'm advocating acquiring them. So the spacing will be there.

And let's not act like minutes aren't available here. On any given night, all three of our frontcourt starters can log less than 30 minutes. Thaddeus Young wants to play for a winner; if he was driven solely by touches and minutes then he wouldn't be interested in leaving Philly.

[INFORMER-93]

I don't know INF. Young has not been used as a SF since 2009, but even if you tried it, getting him along with Ily would definitely make the PF too crowded, unless you made Frye strictly a backup C.

I'll agree that they are better than the Morrii, as long as you consider them in vacuum and for their entire career, because for one reason or another, that hasn't been the case with Ersan this season. Maybe the twins can develop more, but their ceiling coming out of college was said to be pretty pedestrian. Then again, they were said to be ready to contribute, and they've needed two seasons to do it, so who knows, but that's not the point anyway. If by the start of the season you told me I'd be getting this production out of them I would have thought you were posting from

The thing is that if you use Okafor and the Morrii to get the three players you suggest, you are paying more, are playing with chemistry and you need to implement a major tweak to accomodate at least one of them.

I feel it's too complicated, the improvements wouldn't be that big and at any rate, it would be too expensive. Now, if there was a move involving just Thad or Ily, I'd really consider it, particularly since they could be had on the cheap.

All fair points. I'm certainly not saying it's a direction the Suns have to take. It's just a course that piques my interest.

[INFORMER-93]

Thaddeus Young tonight: 28 points (on 16 FGAs), 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 6 steals, 1 block, 0 turnovers.

[INFORMER-93]

I don't know INF. Young has not been used as a SF since 2009

I think it's his natural position. He's mainly played the 4 because it allows another perimeter to be on the floor, which leads to more spacing. Plus, he has such an advantage against opposing 4s on the offensive end. He's certainly not lacking in perimeter skills.

But I think I've oversold the concept of acquiring Ilyasova AND Young. Young by himself is certainly worth pursuing. But I would like to see the Suns somehow get further under the cap to allow them to take back Lavoy Allen and Thaddeus Young; Lavoy Allen is a very solid reserve 4/5.

[DirtyDez]

Thad Young would a great fit but it would mean Frye or the Twins outgoing. Tbh I'd take him over both bros and bring Frye off the bench. Instantly boosts our athleticism and we control his last year.

[Frank Lee]

Thaddeus Young tonight: 28 points (on 16 FGAs), 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 6 steals, 1 block, 0 turnovers.

The way he has been playing lately, we are not going to get him for a handful of 'teen' picks and whatever fat we trim of the roster. Philly could have some pretty good young pieces fall together... with Thad leading the charge. They also have a lot of cap room to go with a lotto pick. If I am philly's brass, I deaf-ear Young's 'trade me song' and build a nice chorus around him.



Fact is, unless we are dealing with a pick hungry front office, our tradable talent is not going to garner much in the way of an up-and-coming/established star.

BTW, we do have cap room to trade for Illysova with only 2 mill going out. Buy low.... and he's approaching rock bottom pricing. His contract lends to the risk though.... and as RW said in some form... we should not be a proving ground for careers gone bad.