2021 Playoff and Offseason Speculation - the playoffs. PLAYOFFS????

[bigfoot]

I have to ask whether Tucker makes sense positionally. He would take minutes from Saric/Crowder/Johnson. Not sure if the team needs that at the moment. Obviously, it would be nice to have him as insurance if one of them was injured. Is he a realistic backup for an Ayton injury? We would have to start Frank or Dario at C. Tucker would obviously do his best to guard Lebron, AD, Gobert, Jokic, and other bigs in the playoffs but should the Suns be looking for a true big man?

The Laker game last night showed a bit about Ayton not being on the court in crunch time. The Suns could use a playoff-tested vet in the event Deandre flails when the going gets tough. I guess Tucker isn't the worst option. A Galloway, Carter, 2nd works cap-wise for Tucker but does hurt our guard depth a bit. I think Nader and Moore are too important to include in that trade. The question is do the Rockets think they can extract better offers from the Nets, Lakers, Jazz, Nuggets, Sixers, etc?

[BobbieL]

Yeah, i would agree that if we bring anybody else into the fold, it will most likely just be PJ Tucker.

What do people think it would cost to land him? 2 future seconds? 1?
I know they want a player but we aren't going to give them a player they can build with if that's their thought.

I read 2 future picks would be his cost. Probably send out Carter and Kaminsky or something too.

Doesn't make sense to give up picks when he expires...we don't have money to re-sign unless he takes slightly over what Carter makes but we have depth with Crowder and Cam at 4 (or Saric/Kaminsky if need to go big) and Ayton/Dario/Kaminsky at 5...he could play small ball 5 but not often.

Might really help against Lakers though and AD or LeBron..he is about the best guy to guard those guys, but is getting older.

I think we pick up one more 5 and call it a day.

The player I want is McGee. Would the Cavs just buy him out or would they want a player like Carter to get a guy pretty cheaply?

I agree about needing a 5 more than PJ Tucker - though a big fan of Tucker - just not sure what minutes he would get. A 5 like McGee is easy to find him minutes.

[darmani]

Read on Twitter

[Saberestar]

Suns won't do that. They would hit the luxury tax. Anyway, I think there is a 1% chance he opts out and a 1% chance we offer him something like that so he will opt out. So combined maybe a .5% chance.

I expect CP3 to opt in, but negotiating an extension after this season would not be THAT incredible.

If for whatever reason he would prefer security and a longer deal over his big payday next season a $90M/3 years deal would be nice for the Suns.

Gambo was talking a few days ago about the next contracts for Ayton and Mikal and he said that Robert Sarver will spend on this team for sure, so hopefully we do not need to worry about all of that.

The most important thing now is to keep this successful team together.

I guess I wouldn't be THAT surprised if we negotiated an extension for past this season. However, I still think he would likely rather wait because he may still want to consider being closer to family (unless they moved) and maybe to play with LeBron or something in LA.

Though I do think he really likes it here, likes Ayton, Bridges, Dario, and probably Booker. My guess is he will want to wait unless he just wants more security.

I just don't think he deserves a big contract after that. The thing is, Houston kind of rewarded him with that ENORMOUS contract. He simply would not have the market for THAT much at that point...I don't think. Older teams are capped out and younger teams would want to go with someone younger, plus most younger teams are or will be set at PG.

I wouldn't mind paying him of course if we are a contender and he's still healthy, but obviously it's not my money and once DA and Mikal's contracts get in, we will definitely be in the tax. We are less than $10 million under.

Their contracts will probably go up by a combined $30 million or so.

I guess if Paul only took in the teens or something we could stay under the tax....I don't think he should get more than that anyway.

If he decides to retire (I don't think he will unless he really gets hit with injury), I'd love to hire him as coach though...not just assistant but he would be GREAT for young PGs.

A few things that I want to comment here...

1. CP3 "probably" likes Booker?

I mean...CP3 is on the Suns because of Booker. He has said that so many times and the first thing that he did after the trade was training with Book. CP3 LOVES HIM.

2. Why do you think that he will not deserve a big contract after next season? He is an All Star and producing big time for us, I think he will play similar ball for a couple more years or more and even if he plays slightly worse he will deserve a BIG contract.

It is all about production, like with any other player and he produces on the court. And besides that he adds too many intangibles to the team that will not disappear with his age.

3. No way he retires from basketball after next season. He is a gamer and just wants to play. We have in him an starting PG for years to come IMO.

[TouchPassDario]

Paul also has a very high skill game that should age well.

He doesn’t rely on running and jumping.

[Revived]

My only concern with CP3, much like before we traded for him, will always be about his durability than his skills diminishing too much. He probably can’t average 20 ppg for a full season anymore but that’s fine because we don’t really need him to. If he can continue to get others involved and score during the games or short periods when nobody else’s shot is falling then that’s all we need.

But yeah if he can stay healthy then I can see him playing at a high level for several more years.

[bwgood77]

I expect CP3 to opt in, but negotiating an extension after this season would not be THAT incredible.

If for whatever reason he would prefer security and a longer deal over his big payday next season a $90M/3 years deal would be nice for the Suns.

Gambo was talking a few days ago about the next contracts for Ayton and Mikal and he said that Robert Sarver will spend on this team for sure, so hopefully we do not need to worry about all of that.

The most important thing now is to keep this successful team together.

I guess I wouldn't be THAT surprised if we negotiated an extension for past this season. However, I still think he would likely rather wait because he may still want to consider being closer to family (unless they moved) and maybe to play with LeBron or something in LA.

Though I do think he really likes it here, likes Ayton, Bridges, Dario, and probably Booker. My guess is he will want to wait unless he just wants more security.

I just don't think he deserves a big contract after that. The thing is, Houston kind of rewarded him with that ENORMOUS contract. He simply would not have the market for THAT much at that point...I don't think. Older teams are capped out and younger teams would want to go with someone younger, plus most younger teams are or will be set at PG.

I wouldn't mind paying him of course if we are a contender and he's still healthy, but obviously it's not my money and once DA and Mikal's contracts get in, we will definitely be in the tax. We are less than $10 million under.

Their contracts will probably go up by a combined $30 million or so.

I guess if Paul only took in the teens or something we could stay under the tax....I don't think he should get more than that anyway.

If he decides to retire (I don't think he will unless he really gets hit with injury), I'd love to hire him as coach though...not just assistant but he would be GREAT for young PGs.

A few things that I want to comment here...

1. CP3 "probably" likes Booker?

I mean...CP3 is on the Suns because of Booker. He has said that so many times and the first thing that he did after the trade was training with Book. CP3 LOVES HIM.

2. Why do you think that he will not deserve a big contract after next season? He is an All Star and producing big time for us, I think he will play similar ball for a couple more years or more and even if he plays slightly worse he will deserve a BIG contract.

It is all about production, like with any other player and he produces on the court. And besides that he adds too many intangibles to the team that will not disappear with his age.

3. No way he retires from basketball after next season. He is a gamer and just wants to play. We have in him an starting PG for years to come IMO.

Well it depends on what you think as big. Yeah, I think he likes Booker.

Before this Rockets contract, in his prime, he made about $21 million a year. Now that is a big contract. I just don't expect him to make $30-$40 million at that age. There was mention that he went to the Rockets in part because they would give him that contract. He makes about as much per year as Curry, Harden and Giannis, the highest paid guys, and more per year than Harden and AD (like $10 million more this year and next).

I think he would probably get a contract in the high teens or something like that if he stays healthy. Steve Nash's last two contracts were less per year...the first one after the WCF appearance at 36.

Jason Kidd went down from $21 million to $8 million at age 36.

Paul would be 37. Very few players play at that age.

He's already the 9th oldest player and most of them older have noticeably declined. The only ones that are older than he will be after this contract are Haslem and Iguodala.

LeBron makes less than him now and will make about as much in two years (his last year under contract with option) as CP3 will make next year.

He may likely keep playing at 37 but I seriously doubt he will make anything close to what he makes now. I certainly don't think there would be a big market for him (to pay a lot of money), so it would be up to us how much we would like to pay, but I don't see us going into the tax to keep him at 37, unless it is barely into the tax.

[Slim Charless]

Looking at playoff match-ups:
Dallas/GS/Mem/SA/POR aren’t a huge concern. I’m more afraid of a hitting all cylinders Zion-led Pelicans team with Lonzo hitting threes.

At this point, as long as we avoid Denver, a first round exit would be very disappointing. Hard to believe, but updating position based on new information. Pending health of course to our key rotation.

Denver is a tough match-up, but DA just has to really make Joker work and we need Dario to cook against their bench. We probably need to go retain an emergency Joker defender if DA gets in foul trouble. He’s too good at passing to double.

Clippers and Utah I think we match up fine. I think we go Dario (on Marc) with Jae and DA against Lakers’ full strength squad. Have Mikal come off the bench and play 30mpg spelling everyone when one of Marc or LBJ come off.

A fully healthy Portland team doesn't concern you? Nurk and CJ are both top 10 at their positions, if playing. Dame is a legit killer in the clutch and Melo can get hot on ay given night. I'd rather have Denver than the Blazers or at least neck and neck.

[Slim Charless]

I expect CP3 to opt in, but negotiating an extension after this season would not be THAT incredible.

If for whatever reason he would prefer security and a longer deal over his big payday next season a $90M/3 years deal would be nice for the Suns.

Gambo was talking a few days ago about the next contracts for Ayton and Mikal and he said that Robert Sarver will spend on this team for sure, so hopefully we do not need to worry about all of that.

The most important thing now is to keep this successful team together.

I guess I wouldn't be THAT surprised if we negotiated an extension for past this season. However, I still think he would likely rather wait because he may still want to consider being closer to family (unless they moved) and maybe to play with LeBron or something in LA.

Though I do think he really likes it here, likes Ayton, Bridges, Dario, and probably Booker. My guess is he will want to wait unless he just wants more security.

I just don't think he deserves a big contract after that. The thing is, Houston kind of rewarded him with that ENORMOUS contract. He simply would not have the market for THAT much at that point...I don't think. Older teams are capped out and younger teams would want to go with someone younger, plus most younger teams are or will be set at PG.

I wouldn't mind paying him of course if we are a contender and he's still healthy, but obviously it's not my money and once DA and Mikal's contracts get in, we will definitely be in the tax. We are less than $10 million under.

Their contracts will probably go up by a combined $30 million or so.

I guess if Paul only took in the teens or something we could stay under the tax....I don't think he should get more than that anyway.

If he decides to retire (I don't think he will unless he really gets hit with injury), I'd love to hire him as coach though...not just assistant but he would be GREAT for young PGs.

A few things that I want to comment here...

1. CP3 "probably" likes Booker?

I mean...CP3 is on the Suns because of Booker. He has said that so many times and the first thing that he did after the trade was training with Book. CP3 LOVES HIM.

2. Why do you think that he will not deserve a big contract after next season? He is an All Star and producing big time for us, I think he will play similar ball for a couple more years or more and even if he plays slightly worse he will deserve a BIG contract.

It is all about production, like with any other player and he produces on the court. And besides that he adds too many intangibles to the team that will not disappear with his age.

3. No way he retires from basketball after next season. He is a gamer and just wants to play. We have in him an starting PG for years to come IMO.

He's getting what 40+ a year? I'm hoping that if he decides to keep going that he'll sign a 30 mill a yr deal. 3 years/90-100 million seems fair. Saves us a little and keeps him here for the rest of his career.

[bigfoot]

Read on Twitter

[Revived]

Is she replacing Drysdale?

[Saberestar]

Spoiler:

I guess I wouldn't be THAT surprised if we negotiated an extension for past this season. However, I still think he would likely rather wait because he may still want to consider being closer to family (unless they moved) and maybe to play with LeBron or something in LA.

Though I do think he really likes it here, likes Ayton, Bridges, Dario, and probably Booker. My guess is he will want to wait unless he just wants more security.

I just don't think he deserves a big contract after that. The thing is, Houston kind of rewarded him with that ENORMOUS contract. He simply would not have the market for THAT much at that point...I don't think. Older teams are capped out and younger teams would want to go with someone younger, plus most younger teams are or will be set at PG.

I wouldn't mind paying him of course if we are a contender and he's still healthy, but obviously it's not my money and once DA and Mikal's contracts get in, we will definitely be in the tax. We are less than $10 million under.

Their contracts will probably go up by a combined $30 million or so.

I guess if Paul only took in the teens or something we could stay under the tax....I don't think he should get more than that anyway.

If he decides to retire (I don't think he will unless he really gets hit with injury), I'd love to hire him as coach though...not just assistant but he would be GREAT for young PGs.

A few things that I want to comment here...

1. CP3 "probably" likes Booker?

I mean...CP3 is on the Suns because of Booker. He has said that so many times and the first thing that he did after the trade was training with Book. CP3 LOVES HIM.

2. Why do you think that he will not deserve a big contract after next season? He is an All Star and producing big time for us, I think he will play similar ball for a couple more years or more and even if he plays slightly worse he will deserve a BIG contract.

It is all about production, like with any other player and he produces on the court. And besides that he adds too many intangibles to the team that will not disappear with his age.

3. No way he retires from basketball after next season. He is a gamer and just wants to play. We have in him an starting PG for years to come IMO.

Well it depends on what you think as big. Yeah, I think he likes Booker.

Before this Rockets contract, in his prime, he made about $21 million a year. Now that is a big contract. I just don't expect him to make $30-$40 million at that age. There was mention that he went to the Rockets in part because they would give him that contract. He makes about as much per year as Curry, Harden and Giannis, the highest paid guys, and more per year than Harden and AD (like $10 million more this year and next).

I think he would probably get a contract in the high teens or something like that if he stays healthy. Steve Nash's last two contracts were less per year...the first one after the WCF appearance at 36.

Jason Kidd went down from $21 million to $8 million at age 36.

Paul would be 37. Very few players play at that age.

He's already the 9th oldest player and most of them older have noticeably declined. The only ones that are older than he will be after this contract are Haslem and Iguodala.

LeBron makes less than him now and will make about as much in two years (his last year under contract with option) as CP3 will make next year.

He may likely keep playing at 37 but I seriously doubt he will make anything close to what he makes now. I certainly don't think there would be a big market for him (to pay a lot of money), so it would be up to us how much we would like to pay, but I don't see us going into the tax to keep him at 37, unless it is barely into the tax.

If you think about the contract that I am proposing for CP3 is not that big. $90M/3 years extension after THIS season is not too much because he has already $44M guaranteed for only next season.

That would mean that he basically agrees to a $46M/2 years extension...$23M per.

That is a reasonable deal on this era and his expected production for the next couple of seasons.

Those contracts from Nash and Kidd were too many years ago, that is why they got less money.

[wheezy]

Is she replacing Drysdale?

This was my immediate hope.... can't replace Eddie, his commentary is a national treasure.

[TouchPassDario]

Looking at playoff match-ups:
Dallas/GS/Mem/SA/POR aren’t a huge concern. I’m more afraid of a hitting all cylinders Zion-led Pelicans team with Lonzo hitting threes.

At this point, as long as we avoid Denver, a first round exit would be very disappointing. Hard to believe, but updating position based on new information. Pending health of course to our key rotation.

Denver is a tough match-up, but DA just has to really make Joker work and we need Dario to cook against their bench. We probably need to go retain an emergency Joker defender if DA gets in foul trouble. He’s too good at passing to double.

Clippers and Utah I think we match up fine. I think we go Dario (on Marc) with Jae and DA against Lakers’ full strength squad. Have Mikal come off the bench and play 30mpg spelling everyone when one of Marc or LBJ come off.

A fully healthy Portland team doesn't concern you? Nurk and CJ are both top 10 at their positions, if playing. Dame is a legit killer in the clutch and Melo can get hot on ay given night. I'd rather have Denver than the Blazers or at least neck and neck.

You make good points. If CJ is playing really efficiently then they’re a problem.

[Qwigglez]

Our biggest concern is needing a defensive backup center, a legit 7 footer. My preference is Javale McGee if he gets bought out, but also holding out hope that maybe Robin Lopez, Alex Len maybe get bought out or waived. Though I don't think the Wizards will let those guys go unless they were able to snag someone like Drummond if Cavs release him. Whiteside is another option if he wants out of the Sacramento but I think he'd want a more expanded role then what the Suns could give him.
My biggest concern going into the playoffs is teams like the Lakers & Nuggets (maybe even Portland) try and break our defense down by attacking Ayton. I could see AD/Jokic/Nurkic pulling some "veteran" plays where they try to get Ayton in foul trouble early. I remember Frank getting absolutely wrecked against Jokic in that OT loss. This is where a defensive big like McGee would help, who could also potentially be a lob threat on offense.

I don't think we need another guard or forward, PJ Tucker is definitely not on my list of players we should consider getting.

[Barkley6]

Our biggest concern is needing a defensive backup center, a legit 7 footer. My preference is Javale McGee if he gets bought out, but also holding out hope that maybe Robin Lopez, Alex Len maybe get bought out or waived. Though I don't think the Wizards will let those guys go unless they were able to snag someone like Drummond if Cavs release him. Whiteside is another option if he wants out of the Sacramento but I think he'd want a more expanded role then what the Suns could give him.
My biggest concern going into the playoffs is teams like the Lakers & Nuggets (maybe even Portland) try and break our defense down by attacking Ayton. I could see AD/Jokic/Nurkic pulling some "veteran" plays where they try to get Ayton in foul trouble early. I remember Frank getting absolutely wrecked against Jokic in that OT loss. This is where a defensive big like McGee would help, who could also potentially be a lob threat on offense.

I don't think we need another guard or forward, PJ Tucker is definitely not on my list of players we should consider getting.

Yep, I'm all in on McGee being the guy we need, but it's about getting him. Jevon Carter works for him straight up, but I worry about two things, 1. Do the Cavs want to commit to Carter's salary for 2 more years, even though its small? and 2. How important is Carter to our team chemistry? I think we'd get over it because of the group we have, but shipping a popular guy out in the middle of a successful season can leave a sour taste in the mouths of the rest of the guys.

We'd also STILL have an additional roster spot to fill at that point.

Buy out is our best option, and he's a good candidate as he's on the last year of a relatively small deal, the buyout price would likely be fairly small.

[bwgood77]

I guess I wouldn't be THAT surprised if we negotiated an extension for past this season. However, I still think he would likely rather wait because he may still want to consider being closer to family (unless they moved) and maybe to play with LeBron or something in LA.

Though I do think he really likes it here, likes Ayton, Bridges, Dario, and probably Booker. My guess is he will want to wait unless he just wants more security.

I just don't think he deserves a big contract after that. The thing is, Houston kind of rewarded him with that ENORMOUS contract. He simply would not have the market for THAT much at that point...I don't think. Older teams are capped out and younger teams would want to go with someone younger, plus most younger teams are or will be set at PG.

I wouldn't mind paying him of course if we are a contender and he's still healthy, but obviously it's not my money and once DA and Mikal's contracts get in, we will definitely be in the tax. We are less than $10 million under.

Their contracts will probably go up by a combined $30 million or so.

I guess if Paul only took in the teens or something we could stay under the tax....I don't think he should get more than that anyway.

If he decides to retire (I don't think he will unless he really gets hit with injury), I'd love to hire him as coach though...not just assistant but he would be GREAT for young PGs.

A few things that I want to comment here...

1. CP3 "probably" likes Booker?

I mean...CP3 is on the Suns because of Booker. He has said that so many times and the first thing that he did after the trade was training with Book. CP3 LOVES HIM.

2. Why do you think that he will not deserve a big contract after next season? He is an All Star and producing big time for us, I think he will play similar ball for a couple more years or more and even if he plays slightly worse he will deserve a BIG contract.

It is all about production, like with any other player and he produces on the court. And besides that he adds too many intangibles to the team that will not disappear with his age.

3. No way he retires from basketball after next season. He is a gamer and just wants to play. We have in him an starting PG for years to come IMO.

He's getting what 40+ a year? I'm hoping that if he decides to keep going that he'll sign a 30 mill a yr deal. 3 years/90-100 million seems fair. Saves us a little and keeps him here for the rest of his career.

Nobody is paying him $30 million a year, especially on a 3 year deal starting at 37 years old. That just doesn't happen except for LeBron maybe.

[bwgood77]

Spoiler:

A few things that I want to comment here...

1. CP3 "probably" likes Booker?

I mean...CP3 is on the Suns because of Booker. He has said that so many times and the first thing that he did after the trade was training with Book. CP3 LOVES HIM.

2. Why do you think that he will not deserve a big contract after next season? He is an All Star and producing big time for us, I think he will play similar ball for a couple more years or more and even if he plays slightly worse he will deserve a BIG contract.

It is all about production, like with any other player and he produces on the court. And besides that he adds too many intangibles to the team that will not disappear with his age.

3. No way he retires from basketball after next season. He is a gamer and just wants to play. We have in him an starting PG for years to come IMO.

Well it depends on what you think as big. Yeah, I think he likes Booker.

Before this Rockets contract, in his prime, he made about $21 million a year. Now that is a big contract. I just don't expect him to make $30-$40 million at that age. There was mention that he went to the Rockets in part because they would give him that contract. He makes about as much per year as Curry, Harden and Giannis, the highest paid guys, and more per year than Harden and AD (like $10 million more this year and next).

I think he would probably get a contract in the high teens or something like that if he stays healthy. Steve Nash's last two contracts were less per year...the first one after the WCF appearance at 36.

Jason Kidd went down from $21 million to $8 million at age 36.

Paul would be 37. Very few players play at that age.

He's already the 9th oldest player and most of them older have noticeably declined. The only ones that are older than he will be after this contract are Haslem and Iguodala.

LeBron makes less than him now and will make about as much in two years (his last year under contract with option) as CP3 will make next year.

He may likely keep playing at 37 but I seriously doubt he will make anything close to what he makes now. I certainly don't think there would be a big market for him (to pay a lot of money), so it would be up to us how much we would like to pay, but I don't see us going into the tax to keep him at 37, unless it is barely into the tax.

If you think about the contract that I am proposing for CP3 is not that big. $90M/3 years extension after THIS season is not too much because he has already $44M guaranteed for only next season.

That would mean that he basically agrees to a $46M/2 years extension...$23M per.

That is a reasonable deal on this era and his expected production for the next couple of seasons.

Those contracts from Nash and Kidd were too many years ago, that is why they got less money.

Here is RAPTOR value...with similar players/career arcs at similar age. https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2021-nba-player-projections/chris-paul/

Not sure how accurate..I said maybe if healthy high teens..this is a little lower. It has Ayton at about $27 avg per year and Bridges at about $21.

[Slim Charless]

A few things that I want to comment here...

1. CP3 "probably" likes Booker?

I mean...CP3 is on the Suns because of Booker. He has said that so many times and the first thing that he did after the trade was training with Book. CP3 LOVES HIM.

2. Why do you think that he will not deserve a big contract after next season? He is an All Star and producing big time for us, I think he will play similar ball for a couple more years or more and even if he plays slightly worse he will deserve a BIG contract.

It is all about production, like with any other player and he produces on the court. And besides that he adds too many intangibles to the team that will not disappear with his age.

3. No way he retires from basketball after next season. He is a gamer and just wants to play. We have in him an starting PG for years to come IMO.

He's getting what 40+ a year? I'm hoping that if he decides to keep going that he'll sign a 30 mill a yr deal. 3 years/90-100 million seems fair. Saves us a little and keeps him here for the rest of his career.

Nobody is paying him $30 million a year, especially on a 3 year deal starting at 37 years old. That just doesn't happen except for LeBron maybe.

3 years, 50-60 million works even better

[TouchPassDario]

Jazz lose!

Love how butthurt Jazz Twitter is about DPOY Rudy getting dumptrucked by JoJo.