Trade and free agency speculation

[carey]

Did Kokoskov really comment on Milos like that? He can get fined for that I think.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

Phoenix Suns head coach Igor Kokoskov said that L.A. Clippers guard Milos Teodosic is among the names that his team is already considering ahead of the upcoming NBA free agency.

“He [Teodosic] certainly is one of the names we [Suns] discuss,” Kokoskov said in an interview with Serbian website Sport Klub.

Teodosic has exercised his $6.3M option with the L.A. Clippers for the 2018-2019 season but he’s expected to be waived and become a free agent. Apparently, the Suns have set their sights on the Serbian player who scored 9.5 points, dished out 4.6 assists and grabbed 2.8 rebounds averaging 25.2 minutes per game in 2017-2018, his debut season in the NBA.

The Suns will look to sign an experienced point guard to pair with Devin Booker when the free agency launches, according to GM Ryan McDonough. Kokoskov, who is extremely well-acquainted with Teodosic’s game and what he can bring on the floor, has also said that he doesn’t see Booker operating as a point, so a “pass-first” guard like Milos might fit the profile the Suns are searching for.

Here are Kokoskov’s full comments on Teodosic:

“I think all the best about Milos, he is my friend and we had the opportunity to meet here. He is basketball legend. These are the names we take a look at when it comes to free agents, but of course, everything is far from a decision. What I can say is that Milos is absolutely an NBA player. He has done a lot both at the level of the (Serbian) national team and at the EuroLeague level, so his path now is the USA – he had a good season and certainly is one of the names we [Suns] discuss.”

https://www.eurohoops.net/en/nba-news/702574/milos-teodosic-among-players-considered-by-the-phoenix-suns/

If we could add Teodosic on the cheap, that would obviate the need for Smart/VanVleet and would shift the focus to the PF position. I love Bertans, but would he be that expensive? Could he start? I don't think McD wants to depend on anyone who isn't proven to play starter's minutes. We could comfortably afford Kyle Anderson in that scenario. Ariza? Bradley? Ellington?

If we just added Bertans and Teodosic and maybe Ellington on the cheap, could we take on an expiring and a draft pick with the additional cash, saving up for 2019? Candidates for a cap space [and Troy Daniels, depending on the contract] for player + pick might include:

Kenneth Faried, Wilson Chandler, Terrence Ross, Jerryd Bayless (unlikely), Darrell Arthur, Cole Aldrich, Jeremy Lamb, Ben McLemore, Thabo Sefolosha, Jason Smith, Alexis Ajinca, Jodie Meeks.

[TOO]

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Good.

[carey]

If we just added Bertans and Teodosic and maybe Ellington on the cheap, could we take on an expiring and a draft pick with the additional cash, saving up for 2019?

I prefer Bjelica if we're going this route.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

If we just added Bertans and Teodosic and maybe Ellington on the cheap, could we take on an expiring and a draft pick with the additional cash, saving up for 2019?

I prefer Bjelica if we're going this route.

Why? Seems to me Bertans is the better defensive player. Here's a comp of the two: https://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/tiny.fcgi?id=ajtbW (don't know why I can't limit Bjelica's stats to 2017-18)

Ah, shot charts:
http://nbasavant.com/player.php?player_id=202357
http://nbasavant.com/player.php?player_id=202722

I take it you're preference is based on Nemanja being significantly better hitting shots from the top of the arc and the wings? I agree that for a stretch 4, that skillset is more valuable than the corner 3 (which I view as being more important for wings).

A lot would depend on the $$$, of course.

[kennydorglas]

I really like Bertans too.

[phx#7]

Phoenix Suns head coach Igor Kokoskov said that L.A. Clippers guard Milos Teodosic is among the names that his team is already considering ahead of the upcoming NBA free agency.

“He [Teodosic] certainly is one of the names we [Suns] discuss,” Kokoskov said in an interview with Serbian website Sport Klub.

Teodosic has exercised his $6.3M option with the L.A. Clippers for the 2018-2019 season but he’s expected to be waived and become a free agent. Apparently, the Suns have set their sights on the Serbian player who scored 9.5 points, dished out 4.6 assists and grabbed 2.8 rebounds averaging 25.2 minutes per game in 2017-2018, his debut season in the NBA.

The Suns will look to sign an experienced point guard to pair with Devin Booker when the free agency launches, according to GM Ryan McDonough. Kokoskov, who is extremely well-acquainted with Teodosic’s game and what he can bring on the floor, has also said that he doesn’t see Booker operating as a point, so a “pass-first” guard like Milos might fit the profile the Suns are searching for.

Here are Kokoskov’s full comments on Teodosic:

“I think all the best about Milos, he is my friend and we had the opportunity to meet here. He is basketball legend. These are the names we take a look at when it comes to free agents, but of course, everything is far from a decision. What I can say is that Milos is absolutely an NBA player. He has done a lot both at the level of the (Serbian) national team and at the EuroLeague level, so his path now is the USA – he had a good season and certainly is one of the names we [Suns] discuss.”

https://www.eurohoops.net/en/nba-news/702574/milos-teodosic-among-players-considered-by-the-phoenix-suns/

Teodosic just picked up his option and is under contract with another team, I'm guessing a tampering fine is incoming.

That aside I'm in favor of signing him if the Clips buy him out.

[carey]

I take it you're preference is based on Nemanja being significantly better hitting shots from the top of the arc and the wings? I agree that for a stretch 4, that skillset is more valuable than the corner 3 (which I view as being more important for wings).

A lot would depend on the $$$, of course.

Honestly? I didn't look at the shot charts. I am just wary of guys from San Antonio. They have a similar "Nash effect" with the system they run there. Pop makes guys look good that won't succeed in other situations similar to what Nash did for guys who cashed in after playing with him.

[bwoolf2]

I take it you're preference is based on Nemanja being significantly better hitting shots from the top of the arc and the wings? I agree that for a stretch 4, that skillset is more valuable than the corner 3 (which I view as being more important for wings).

A lot would depend on the $$$, of course.

Honestly? I didn't look at the shot charts. I am just wary of guys from San Antonio. They have a similar "Nash effect" with the system they run there. Pop makes guys look good that won't succeed in other situations similar to what Nash did for guys who cashed in after playing with him.

Not only that but the Spurs made his qualifying offer so he got a more expensive you wanted to sign him.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

I take it you're preference is based on Nemanja being significantly better hitting shots from the top of the arc and the wings? I agree that for a stretch 4, that skillset is more valuable than the corner 3 (which I view as being more important for wings).

A lot would depend on the $$$, of course.

Honestly? I didn't look at the shot charts. I am just wary of guys from San Antonio. They have a similar "Nash effect" with the system they run there. Pop makes guys look good that won't succeed in other situations similar to what Nash did for guys who cashed in after playing with him.

I really liked what I saw watching Bertans last year. I'm not skeptical at all. I'm skeptical Chriss will ever be nearly as useful. I wasn't nearly as impressed watching Bjelica, who seemed pretty one-dimensional to me.

The Pop thing shouldn't have much of an effect on advanced stats. Every player on San Antonio's roster should be similarly positively affected by his coaching. So I read Anderson's and Bertans's DPM numbers as legit.

Not only that but the Spurs made his qualifying offer so he got a more expensive you wanted to sign him.

Good point. I do wonder about that price point. I seem to be the only person outside San Antonio talking about Davis.

[BobbieL]

Phoenix Suns head coach Igor Kokoskov said that L.A. Clippers guard Milos Teodosic is among the names that his team is already considering ahead of the upcoming NBA free agency.

“He [Teodosic] certainly is one of the names we [Suns] discuss,” Kokoskov said in an interview with Serbian website Sport Klub.

Teodosic has exercised his $6.3M option with the L.A. Clippers for the 2018-2019 season but he’s expected to be waived and become a free agent. Apparently, the Suns have set their sights on the Serbian player who scored 9.5 points, dished out 4.6 assists and grabbed 2.8 rebounds averaging 25.2 minutes per game in 2017-2018, his debut season in the NBA.

The Suns will look to sign an experienced point guard to pair with Devin Booker when the free agency launches, according to GM Ryan McDonough. Kokoskov, who is extremely well-acquainted with Teodosic’s game and what he can bring on the floor, has also said that he doesn’t see Booker operating as a point, so a “pass-first” guard like Milos might fit the profile the Suns are searching for.

Here are Kokoskov’s full comments on Teodosic:

“I think all the best about Milos, he is my friend and we had the opportunity to meet here. He is basketball legend. These are the names we take a look at when it comes to free agents, but of course, everything is far from a decision. What I can say is that Milos is absolutely an NBA player. He has done a lot both at the level of the (Serbian) national team and at the EuroLeague level, so his path now is the USA – he had a good season and certainly is one of the names we [Suns] discuss.”

https://www.eurohoops.net/en/nba-news/702574/milos-teodosic-among-players-considered-by-the-phoenix-suns/

Teodosic just picked up his option and is under contract with another team, I'm guessing a tampering fine is incoming.

That aside I'm in favor of signing him if the Clips buy him out.

Probably more a phone call with a reminder. Kokoskov was talking to a Serbian news outlet about a fellow Serbain - I think the NBA would understand why a Serbian is asked about a fellow SErbian even though he is under contract. Clippers pay him his 2.1; Suns sign him for 5 - he makes 7.1 total instead of 6.3 but his cap hit to the Suns is only 5m - one option if everything else goes to squat

[darealjuice]

I'd rather give Bender and Chriss the 48 minutes at the 4 than play the likes of Bertans, Bjelica, and McDermott. They're marginal improvements at best and likely wouldn't start for any decent team in the league. I want to bring in competition for the position, but if we're trying to improve we should be looking at players that have at least been decent starters over the majority of their career not guys that make a living as the 3rd guy off the bench.

[BobbieL]

I'd rather give Bender and Chriss 48 minutes at the 4 than play the likes of Bertans, Bjelica, and McDermott. They're marginal improvements at best and likely wouldn't start for any decent team in the league. I want to bring in competition for the position, but if we're trying to improve we should be looking at players that been solid starters over the majority of their career not guys that make a living as the 3rd guy off the bench.

Solid NBA players; that know there role and if Chriss/Bender wet the bed - Igor knows what the veteran will give him. If Dougie McD were signed for 1m on October 1 -that is one thing. I am not picking up the phone July 1 and my first call is too McDermott

[darealjuice]

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[MrMiyagi]

I feel like there are a lot of scrubs being talked about. Probably best to sit out this free agency.

[darealjuice]

I'd rather give Bender and Chriss 48 minutes at the 4 than play the likes of Bertans, Bjelica, and McDermott. They're marginal improvements at best and likely wouldn't start for any decent team in the league. I want to bring in competition for the position, but if we're trying to improve we should be looking at players that been solid starters over the majority of their career not guys that make a living as the 3rd guy off the bench.

Solid NBA players; that know there role and if Chriss/Bender wet the bed - Igor knows what the veteran will give him. If Dougie McD were signed for 1m on October 1 -that is one thing. I am not picking up the phone July 1 and my first call is too McDermott

We're already paying Dudley $10M next year to do that though. If/when Dudley's in playing shape, which I'd expect him to be for next year, he's a better option to steady the ship than any of Bjelica, Bertans, and McDermott.

I'd almost say we should move one of Bender and Chriss if we acquire a contributing starting power forward. The minutes won't be there to giving them both meaningful playing time to develop, especially with Ayton manning the center for the foreseeable future.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

I feel like there are a lot of scrubs being talked about. Probably best to sit out this free agency.

I really think everyone is sleeping on Bertans. He's clearly an improvement over Bender and Chriss as they are today, on both sides of the ball (wouldn't say the same for Bjelica). He's a solid piece that Bender/Chriss can work on stealing minutes from. He's not a world-beater, so taking his minutes is doable, but he also has upside, being only 25.

I'm fine sitting at the steering wheel of this otherwise empty bandwagon.

[BobbieL]

I feel like there are a lot of scrubs being talked about. Probably best to sit out this free agency.

Look at the positions McD is targeting and the play last year for PG and the 4:

PG: Bledsoe, James, Canaan, Ulis, Payton

4: Bender, Chriss and what seemed to be an out of shape Dudley

I think we are all just trying - at this point - to get BETTER - maybe not All Star but better, With the thought that if they do get better - Bender, Chriss, Okobo now at PG - will have to earn minutes and not be granted them.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

I'd rather give Bender and Chriss 48 minutes at the 4 than play the likes of Bertans, Bjelica, and McDermott. They're marginal improvements at best and likely wouldn't start for any decent team in the league. I want to bring in competition for the position, but if we're trying to improve we should be looking at players that been solid starters over the majority of their career not guys that make a living as the 3rd guy off the bench.

Solid NBA players; that know there role and if Chriss/Bender wet the bed - Igor knows what the veteran will give him. If Dougie McD were signed for 1m on October 1 -that is one thing. I am not picking up the phone July 1 and my first call is too McDermott

We're already paying Dudley $10M next year to do that though. If/when Dudley's in playing shape, which I'd expect him to be for next year, he's a better option to steady the ship than any of Bjelica, Bertans, and McDermott.

I'd almost say we should move one of Bender and Chriss if we acquire a contributing starting power forward. The minutes won't be there to giving them both meaningful playing time to develop, especially with Ayton manning the center for the foreseeable future.

My affinity for Dudley was really hampered when he started receiving steady minutes late in the season and could no longer surprise opponents with his mere competence. It was completely destroyed when he wrapped up Lebron 25 feet from the basket on a switch. You just can't play players like that in the playoffs.

[Saberestar]

I'd rather give Bender and Chriss the 48 minutes at the 4 than play the likes of Bertans, Bjelica, and McDermott. They're marginal improvements at best and likely wouldn't start for any decent team in the league. I want to bring in competition for the position, but if we're trying to improve we should be looking at players that have at least been decent starters over the majority of their career not guys that make a living as the 3rd guy off the bench.

This.

Those three players are mediocre bench guys like Bender and Chriss at the moment. Bender is exactly like them (Bjelica and Bertans) and McDermott is just a shooter who does not bring anything else.

I hope than our FO is looking for better players in FA/trades than those three.

And we need to remember that Warren, Jackson and Bridges can play some PF too.