2022-23 Season Discussion and Speculation 5 - The KD era begins

[Funky Tut]

I wouldn't feel too sad for Bridges and CamJo, these guys will make more money than most humans walking the planet. Its part of the game.

[bwgood77]

Boys.......we have Kevin **** Durant. As well as that Devin Booker guy. On our team. We're winning a chip.

I'm still bummed out about the trade but I need this energy

I was torn all night and this morning, but then I thought about it and I'm not bummed anymore. This gives me a reason to pay attention to another team and keep up with Mikal and Cam. Want nothing but the best for either of them.

Durant/Booker/Ayton/Paul with (a hopefully healthy) TJ Warren off the bench is insane. Not to mention the inevitable pickup or two of buyout players. I also think this unlocks Ayton to his full potential. There's no more pressure for him to be the man, or the 2nd guy. He can just ball now and not be bogged down by the pressure. Booker can no longer by double-teamed relentlessly for entire games, same with Durant. Paul can almost solely focus on distributing and taking the wide open 3s he'll see now. But yeah, I think this move unlocks Ayton the most. He'll have a smaller role, but that role he has will be the things he should be great at.

If we can stay healthy, we are the team to beat, east or west.

Yeah, I will definitely watch both teams. I know this makes us better (for at least a year or two) IF we are healthy. When we did the Shaq trade I really didn't even think we'd be better and we traded away one of my favorite players (though I like Bridges even more than I did Marion and I liked Marion a lot...probably a top 5 Sun for me).

[KLEON]

Buyout market is easy in my books.

Reggie Jackson and Will Barton

Terrence Ross instead of Barton. Ross is instant offense

[bwgood77]

I’d do Will Barton and Reggie Jackson ASAP. If I had to choose it would be Barton. I just don’t think Monty would use him properly

I liked Barton for a long time but he's been really disappointing this year.

[lilfishi22]

I'm still bummed out about the trade but I need this energy

I was torn all night and this morning, but then I thought about it and I'm not bummed anymore. This gives me a reason to pay attention to another team and keep up with Mikal and Cam. Want nothing but the best for either of them.

Durant/Booker/Ayton/Paul with (a hopefully healthy) TJ Warren off the bench is insane. Not to mention the inevitable pickup or two of buyout players. I also think this unlocks Ayton to his full potential. There's no more pressure for him to be the man, or the 2nd guy. He can just ball now and not be bogged down by the pressure. Booker can no longer by double-teamed relentlessly for entire games, same with Durant. Paul can almost solely focus on distributing and taking the wide open 3s he'll see now. But yeah, I think this move unlocks Ayton the most. He'll have a smaller role, but that role he has will be the things he should be great at.

If we can stay healthy, we are the team to beat, east or west.

Yeah, I will definitely watch both teams. I know this makes us better (for at least a year or two) IF we are healthy. When we did the Shaq trade I really didn't even think we'd be better and we traded away one of my favorite players (though I like Bridges even more than I did Marion and I liked Marion a lot...probably a top 5 Sun for me).

Felt like a largely lateral move at best. A big for a big

I didn't have that connection with Marion, especially towards the last few years with the Suns it felt like he was gonna leave sooner or later with his dissatisfaction being #3. Bridges just knew his role, stepped up over the last few months when he was the defacto man, respected around the league and the media and was loved by everyone

[KLEON]

I wouldn't feel too sad for Bridges and CamJo, these guys will make more money than most humans walking the planet. Its part of the game.

Been asking all day the amount of money Cam will command in free agency?

[bwgood77]

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

That second tweet is Cam Johnson’s brother.

This is just disrespectful man that two players who did so much for this team have to find out online that they’re being traded. Seriously? James Jones has to be better than this, these players aren’t some scrubs he got rid of.

You can hear the sadness about the trade in Bridges voice even when talking about it. And Cam looks sad as hell in that shot they took of him too.

Both players that drafted here and we saw develop here. I don’t think either one ever wanted to go anywhere else.

Seriously, if we just win 2 more games against the Bucks two years this trade never happens. Or if we manage to not f***k up a 2-0 lead to Dallas last season and at least make it to WCFs.

Yeah, this core was on the cusp. Everyone said we don't win did you see last year's playoffs? We had a terrible series where Paul suddenly became someone else or was injured and lost in 7. We made the finals kind of fast against injured playoff teams. Most young teams take their lumps in the playoffs for a few years. I think this new version of Bridges would have helped.

Of course Paul is declining but he's declining anyway.

Odds of winning IF healthy with KD for the next year or two are higher of course, but we haven't been healthy even before KD who isn't healthy, so it's a lot to hope for. With our core being young and improving we would have just gotten better, though of course competition is tougher. It will be hard to make the playoffs in a few years with all the great young teams in the west and we won't have unprotected picks.

Luckily Bridges only has 3 more years after this one on his contract and we can then sign him...hopefully.

[bwgood77]

Jeez
Just saw Saric gone too… locker room probably a morgue tonight. I cant fully embrace this till
I see 4-5 games…. got a sour taste. Do like the Tony Buckets return. Cant believe we didnt force Sham back on them. Depth is going to be a prob from here out. I guess get used to min deal players. Idk… this just doesnt set right. Like good money chasing bad

And to think i was just semicelebrating not having to start TCraig… can this Bazley kid ball?

And two thumbs down to Monty Jones and MattIsh for not face to facing the news. I like them less and less. BS on any culture they may have started. Out the window it went

I wonder what the chemistry and vibe will be with the new roster. Bridges, like being the glue guy on the court, kind of felt like the glue guy in the locker room (from outside looking in)...almost always happy....he was championship caliber..won it all in college..could do a bit of everything.

I feel our team's personality and vibe might suffer and if we don't win will get pretty negative. Ayton's probably really got to bring it big time or he may face the ire of others even if they are the ones not having great games. I think he's probably gone this summer if we can bring back a decent C and another depth guard/wing.

[bwgood77]

Seriously, if we just win 2 more games against the Bucks two years this trade never happens. Or if we manage to not f***k up a 2-0 lead to Dallas last season and at least make it to WCFs.

Big if... and that didn't happen sadly

Nothing else to blame but the players

Hopefully if we face elimination in a game, Booker can finally play well with less pressure. KD too. He did have that huge Brooklyn game where they lost the close one to Milwaukee...but prior to GS he blew some series and leads with OKC in big games.

[bwgood77]

I was torn all night and this morning, but then I thought about it and I'm not bummed anymore. This gives me a reason to pay attention to another team and keep up with Mikal and Cam. Want nothing but the best for either of them.

Durant/Booker/Ayton/Paul with (a hopefully healthy) TJ Warren off the bench is insane. Not to mention the inevitable pickup or two of buyout players. I also think this unlocks Ayton to his full potential. There's no more pressure for him to be the man, or the 2nd guy. He can just ball now and not be bogged down by the pressure. Booker can no longer by double-teamed relentlessly for entire games, same with Durant. Paul can almost solely focus on distributing and taking the wide open 3s he'll see now. But yeah, I think this move unlocks Ayton the most. He'll have a smaller role, but that role he has will be the things he should be great at.

If we can stay healthy, we are the team to beat, east or west.

Yeah, I will definitely watch both teams. I know this makes us better (for at least a year or two) IF we are healthy. When we did the Shaq trade I really didn't even think we'd be better and we traded away one of my favorite players (though I like Bridges even more than I did Marion and I liked Marion a lot...probably a top 5 Sun for me).

Felt like a largely lateral move at best. A big for a big

I didn't have that connection with Marion, especially towards the last few years with the Suns it felt like he was gonna leave sooner or later with his dissatisfaction being #3. Bridges just knew his role, stepped up over the last few months when he was the defacto man, respected around the league and the media and was loved by everyone

Yeah, Bridges was always happy and Marion felt a bit disrespected, though he probably was. I watched him from when he got drafted. Not sure if you were a fan back then.

[BobbieL]

Gotta give it to JJ, I mean he knew the ramifications of trading Mikal, he knows how much we all love him and what he brought to the Valley. I honestly still don't know if I would have personally pulled the trigger on that trade. But I run off of emotions rather than logic 70% of the time.

I would've been too chicken to do it. For JJ, this is his job on the line. It doesn't net a championship by the end of the 23/24 season. He's gone IMO. and rightly so

This was Ishbia...he told JJ to call back and do whatever it took to get it done after talks stalled and we were pivoting to John Collins.

Part of me wishes smaller deals to round out the roster

I really liked this team - but hey, trades happen. Just hope durant is back for that Sunday showdown with the Bucks . Suns might be 30-30 at the break

And that pick is unprotected

[visions]

I wouldn't feel too sad for Bridges and CamJo, these guys will make more money than most humans walking the planet. Its part of the game.

I hate this justification when it comes to pro athletes. It completely discounts the human side of things: friendships, community connections etc that all take a hit when you suddenly have to move somewhere else. Money can't fix those things.

Sure it's part of the game and any player knows it could happen to them but that doesn't make it any easier.

[bwgood77]

I would've been too chicken to do it. For JJ, this is his job on the line. It doesn't net a championship by the end of the 23/24 season. He's gone IMO. and rightly so

This was Ishbia...he told JJ to call back and do whatever it took to get it done after talks stalled and we were pivoting to John Collins.

Part of me wishes smaller deals to round out the roster

I really liked this team - but hey, trades happen. Just hope durant is back for that Sunday showdown with the Bucks . Suns might be 30-30 at the break

And that pick is unprotected

I wonder if Monty was happy with the trade.

[BobbieL]

This was Ishbia...he told JJ to call back and do whatever it took to get it done after talks stalled and we were pivoting to John Collins.

Part of me wishes smaller deals to round out the roster

I really liked this team - but hey, trades happen. Just hope durant is back for that Sunday showdown with the Bucks . Suns might be 30-30 at the break

And that pick is unprotected

I wonder if Monty was happy with the trade.

If durant were 30, no brainer

But even two FRPs, wonder what they could have got

Oh well

[suns12345]

This was Ishbia...he told JJ to call back and do whatever it took to get it done after talks stalled and we were pivoting to John Collins.

Part of me wishes smaller deals to round out the roster

I really liked this team - but hey, trades happen. Just hope durant is back for that Sunday showdown with the Bucks . Suns might be 30-30 at the break

And that pick is unprotected

I wonder if Monty was happy with the trade.

I also wondered that. How much does monty get included in the decision making...

[BobbieL]

Part of me wishes smaller deals to round out the roster

I really liked this team - but hey, trades happen. Just hope durant is back for that Sunday showdown with the Bucks . Suns might be 30-30 at the break

And that pick is unprotected

I wonder if Monty was happy with the trade.

I also wondered that. How much does monty get included in the decision making...

I think he can separate his personal feelings from Kevin Durant and how he helps team

[Cutter]

I'm still trying to understand the Ishbia and James Jones dynamic in this trade. I heard on the radio and a couple of podcasts that Jones was shifting to a John Collins trade.with Atlanta, but Ishbia told Jones to swing for the fences and get KD from the Nets. If this is accurate then it could be problematic for JJ. Ishbia, from what little I have seen, is a very dynamic leader who isn't afraid to take smart risks where as James Jones is more of a builder from within. It feels like Ishbia had to tell Jones to get this done or otherwise we would have had John Collins.

[grumpysaddle]

Part of me wishes smaller deals to round out the roster

I really liked this team - but hey, trades happen. Just hope durant is back for that Sunday showdown with the Bucks . Suns might be 30-30 at the break

And that pick is unprotected

I wonder if Monty was happy with the trade.

If durant were 30, no brainer

But even two FRPs, wonder what they could have got

Oh well

Dragan Bender and Josh Jackson.

[BobbieL]

I wonder if Monty was happy with the trade.

If durant were 30, no brainer

But even two FRPs, wonder what they could have got

Oh well

Dragan Bender and Josh Jackson.

I just meant could they have kept the guys and gotten Anunoby or Russell and vandy. Dumped Shamet in a trade for like Rozier

[bigfoot]

With twitter there is no way in the world for a front office to make a phone call to a player before it hits the internet.