Season Speculation, Trade Ideas & Discussion Pt. 4

[WeekapaugGroove]

I'm still in favor of a real coaching search with multiple interviews but jay triano deserves a real opportunity. He's done a nice job with this team. Oh my Watson was a bad horrid **** coach.

[batsmasher]

I'm still in favor of a real coaching search with multiple interviews but jay triano deserves a real opportunity. He's done a nice job with this team. Oh my Watson was a bad horrid **** coach.

Was thinking similarly... has been a while since we've had a bad team playing good basketball. It's clear that we suck, but we're not playing sucky basketball - something Earl never achieved. We'll get outclassed most nights but that's expected.

[DirtyDez]

My worst Knightmare...

http://www.tankathon.com/mock_draft

[Mulhollanddrive]

From what I read there seems to be 8 players that tend to get most discussion:

Ayton, Doncic, Young, Bamba, Jackson, Sexton, Bagley, Porter.

The next group of Bridges, Bridges, Williams, Carter, Knox are duplicate position and a quality level down.

So looks like the goal is to get a top 8 pick (minimum).

[Son of Ra]

Ugh, can we already bundle our pick - while it still has some value -, Milwaukee's pick, Monroe and fillers for a major piece going forward?
Who would this package get us?

[NTB]

Read on Twitter

[jcsunsfan]

Marquise Chriss has rehabbed his market value in two games. TJ Warren's market value is very high. I think JJ's is still high as well. We need a pg. Young is the guy we need. Then we can resign Len (or even Monroe) and I think we will be ready to compete for a playoff spot.

We have these assets to move up to get Young.

1. Suns 2018 first, Suns future firsts.
2. Miami first, future Miami first, Milwaukee first.
3. Any two of TJ Warren, Marquese Chriss, Josh Jackson, Dragan Bender.
4. Many second round picks.

This sounds crazy, but I would be willing to move Josh Jackson to move up to get Young. It seems like a high price to pay, and even in the end it might seem a lopsided trade but what matters most is the team we have when it is done.

[DirtyDez]

Marquise Chriss has rehabbed his market value in two games. TJ Warren's market value is very high. I think JJ's is still high as well. We need a pg. Young is the guy we need. Then we can resign Len (or even Monroe) and I think we will be ready to compete for a playoff spot.

We have these assets to move up to get Young.

1. Suns 2018 first, Suns future firsts.
2. Miami first, future Miami first, Milwaukee first.
3. Any two of TJ Warren, Marquese Chriss, Josh Jackson, Dragan Bender.
4. Many second round picks.

This sounds crazy, but I would be willing to move Josh Jackson to move up to get Young. It seems like a high price to pay, and even in the end it might seem a lopsided trade but what matters most is the team we have when it is done.

If I'm in the top-3 I wouldn't really consider those pieces to trade back 7-8 spots. Even if JJ is included. I think you might see a trade back from two to four or something like that.

[bwgood77]

Marquise Chriss has rehabbed his market value in two games. TJ Warren's market value is very high. I think JJ's is still high as well. We need a pg. Young is the guy we need. Then we can resign Len (or even Monroe) and I think we will be ready to compete for a playoff spot.

We have these assets to move up to get Young.

1. Suns 2018 first, Suns future firsts.
2. Miami first, future Miami first, Milwaukee first.
3. Any two of TJ Warren, Marquese Chriss, Josh Jackson, Dragan Bender.
4. Many second round picks.

This sounds crazy, but I would be willing to move Josh Jackson to move up to get Young. It seems like a high price to pay, and even in the end it might seem a lopsided trade but what matters most is the team we have when it is done.

If I'm in the top-3 I wouldn't really consider those pieces to trade back 7-8 spots. Even if JJ is included. I think you might see a trade back from two to four or something like that.

There is still a pretty good chance we finish with one of the worst records. We have played one of the easiest schedules. Charlotte and Memphis have played the two toughest schedules. Dal, LAL and Sac have played the 5th, 6th and 7th toughest. Bulls 9th toughest, Hawks 11th, and Magic 12th. The Nets have also played a tougher schedule.

2 games or less separates all of us except Atlanta. Most of those other teams have beaten much tougher teams than we have. We have barely beaten Memphis twice, Dallas and Sacramento. I know all wins count the same, but I imagine those other teams will come by easier wins later.

[LukasBMW]

Marquise Chriss has rehabbed his market value in two games. TJ Warren's market value is very high. I think JJ's is still high as well. We need a pg. Young is the guy we need. Then we can resign Len (or even Monroe) and I think we will be ready to compete for a playoff spot.

We have these assets to move up to get Young.

1. Suns 2018 first, Suns future firsts.
2. Miami first, future Miami first, Milwaukee first.
3. Any two of TJ Warren, Marquese Chriss, Josh Jackson, Dragan Bender.
4. Many second round picks.

This sounds crazy, but I would be willing to move Josh Jackson to move up to get Young. It seems like a high price to pay, and even in the end it might seem a lopsided trade but what matters most is the team we have when it is done.

If I'm in the top-3 I wouldn't really consider those pieces to trade back 7-8 spots. Even if JJ is included. I think you might see a trade back from two to four or something like that.

There is still a pretty good chance we finish with one of the worst records. We have played one of the easiest schedules. Charlotte and Memphis have played the two toughest schedules. Dal, LAL and Sac have played the 5th, 6th and 7th toughest. Bulls 9th toughest, Hawks 11th, and Magic 12th. The Nets have also played a tougher schedule.

2 games or less separates all of us except Atlanta.

I hope we still finish bottom 5 because we still need a center with superstar potential to add to the mix.

And there is no way in hell we make the playoffs. We'd have to finish 27-18 to reach .500 and even have a shot. That ain't happening.

[NavLDO]

So, continuing a thought from one of the game threads, I believe, and based upon the evidence, we have two players that are easily ranked in the top 5-7 at their respective positions in the way of production in Warren and Booker. I also firmly believe that were Len given the chance to start and play full time minutes, that he, too, could be top 7 in Blks, TRB, and Pts, as well, for Centers.

That leaves PG and PF. I'm not certain that Bender, and or Chriss ever dominates that position, but each can shoot the 3-ball fairly well, and rebound pretty well, also.

So, I doubt we will ever give Len his 'due' (which is stupid, because if we did, right now, I bet we 'push' to a .500 record), so we will likely need to concentrate our efforts on a Center and PG this off-season...(Thanks for the expert insight, Sherlock...and water is wet, too...)

But my point is--we are so close to a 'Big 3', I can taste it. And to think, Len could be a ".75," if we just LET him, just slays me. Then, to think, we still have JJ, Bender, and Chriss in the 'development phase', but a year or so from being true NBA talents.

I'm not sure what McD's 'plan' is for us, and who he thinks is or future at the PG position, but to me, that is our final piece of the puzzle, and he should be doing any and everything in his power to ensure that happens. If he thinks Trae Young, Trevon Duval, Luka Doncic, or Collin Sexton...or whether he feels it should be an upcoming PG coming up in FA...or be it a PG that would have to be traded for...he needs to REALLY be concentrating on that ONE task at hand. Everything else is secondary, since we are set everywhere else, if we 'wanted'

So, a stud PG, a top 5 SG, and a top 5 SF...with a 'good' PF and a top 10 Center (if McD/Triano becomes smart enough to realize they have one right under their noses) and we are a playoff team that just continues to develop and get better and stronger.

I'll list them again, in case anyone has forgotten...

Top 7 Protected '20 1st (MIL), Top 7 Protected '18 1st (Mia), Unprotected '21 1st (Mia), Bender or Chriss, Jackson, Chandler, Monroe, Daniels

Those are our 'Assets'; any compilation of those to make our 'target' PG happen needs to take place, to ensure, at a minimum, next season, we roll out...

Target PG / Booker / Warren / Bender or Chriss / Len or Draft pick

To me, it really is that simple...and for once, McD...talk to your 'stars' and tell them what your plan is so they know you HAVE one...and if Len is part of it...which he should be...tell him as well.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

Marquise Chriss has rehabbed his market value in two games. TJ Warren's market value is very high. I think JJ's is still high as well. We need a pg. Young is the guy we need. Then we can resign Len (or even Monroe) and I think we will be ready to compete for a playoff spot.

We have these assets to move up to get Young.

1. Suns 2018 first, Suns future firsts.
2. Miami first, future Miami first, Milwaukee first.
3. Any two of TJ Warren, Marquese Chriss, Josh Jackson, Dragan Bender.
4. Many second round picks.

This sounds crazy, but I would be willing to move Josh Jackson to move up to get Young. It seems like a high price to pay, and even in the end it might seem a lopsided trade but what matters most is the team we have when it is done.

I'm generally wary of trading rotation players to move up in the draft. If you miss, it REAAALLY hurts. And it kills your chance of moving up the standings in almost any case. Besides, odds are pretty good that one of the best players in the draft will be available wherever we select --- it's a consistent theme of the draft that a great player drops to the late lotto.

All that said, we have a window where cap space will be available to us. Last year, we nearly grabbed Jonathan Simmons. It's possible we could replace via free agency the talent lost via your hypothetical trade.

But I'm not for it. I think Bender and Chriss are perfect for the modern NBA. We need a true C to rotate with them. And I don't want to deal either of TJ or JJ until JJ's development and TJ's pending free agency forces us to consider it. I don't even think the hole at C is that big. Chandler is okay, Len is a bit better, and comparable or better bigs will continue to be available via trade and free agency for the foreseeable future. Even the PG position isn't as bad as it looks, as we'll give Knight a chance to redeem himself, and if Reed and Daniels can guard most 1s, then we can play those guys next to Booker much of the time.

All of that is to say - let's try to grab a Giannis, a Mitchell, a Gobert, a Draymond, another Booker with these picks. If we land a top pick for whatever reason, great, but if we don't, that's fine too.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

So, continuing a thought from one of the game threads, I believe, and based upon the evidence, we have two players that are easily ranked in the top 5-7 at their respective positions in the way of production in Warren and Booker.

Funny, because on the Dunc'd on pod a few weeks ago, they didn't list TJ in the top, like, 30 or so small forwards. My ears got hot listening to that ****.

They also said Booker wasn't one of the top 10 under 23 players in the NBA. Crazy.

[gaspar]

Marquise Chriss has rehabbed his market value in two games. TJ Warren's market value is very high. I think JJ's is still high as well. We need a pg. Young is the guy we need. Then we can resign Len (or even Monroe) and I think we will be ready to compete for a playoff spot.

We have these assets to move up to get Young.

1. Suns 2018 first, Suns future firsts.
2. Miami first, future Miami first, Milwaukee first.
3. Any two of TJ Warren, Marquese Chriss, Josh Jackson, Dragan Bender.
4. Many second round picks.

This sounds crazy, but I would be willing to move Josh Jackson to move up to get Young. It seems like a high price to pay, and even in the end it might seem a lopsided trade but what matters most is the team we have when it is done.

If I'm in the top-3 I wouldn't really consider those pieces to trade back 7-8 spots. Even if JJ is included. I think you might see a trade back from two to four or something like that.

There is still a pretty good chance we finish with one of the worst records. We have played one of the easiest schedules. Charlotte and Memphis have played the two toughest schedules. Dal, LAL and Sac have played the 5th, 6th and 7th toughest. Bulls 9th toughest, Hawks 11th, and Magic 12th. The Nets have also played a tougher schedule.

2 games or less separates all of us except Atlanta. Most of those other teams have beaten much tougher teams than we have. We have barely beaten Memphis twice, Dallas and Sacramento. I know all wins count the same, but I imagine those other teams will come by easier wins later.

Eh, I don't know about those SOS rankings. Maybe our opponents weren't the strongest but our schedule wasn't that easy. We played the most back-to-backs in the league - 9 (7 of them were 3-in-4 nights stretches). For example, the Hornets who supposedly played the hardest schedule had 6 back-to-backs. 19 home and 18 road games for the Suns, 20 home and 15 road games for the Hornets. The Suns had a 6, 5 and 3-game road trips. The 2 longest road trips for the Hornets were only 4 and 2 games (twice).

[jcsunsfan]

So, continuing a thought from one of the game threads, I believe, and based upon the evidence, we have two players that are easily ranked in the top 5-7 at their respective positions in the way of production in Warren and Booker. I also firmly believe that were Len given the chance to start and play full time minutes, that he, too, could be top 7 in Blks, TRB, and Pts, as well, for Centers.

That leaves PG and PF. I'm not certain that Bender, and or Chriss ever dominates that position, but each can shoot the 3-ball fairly well, and rebound pretty well, also.

So, I doubt we will ever give Len his 'due' (which is stupid, because if we did, right now, I bet we 'push' to a .500 record), so we will likely need to concentrate our efforts on a Center and PG this off-season...(Thanks for the expert insight, Sherlock...and water is wet, too...)

But my point is--we are so close to a 'Big 3', I can taste it. And to think, Len could be a ".75," if we just LET him, just slays me. Then, to think, we still have JJ, Bender, and Chriss in the 'development phase', but a year or so from being true NBA talents.

I'm not sure what McD's 'plan' is for us, and who he thinks is or future at the PG position, but to me, that is our final piece of the puzzle, and he should be doing any and everything in his power to ensure that happens. If he thinks Trae Young, Trevon Duval, Luka Doncic, or Collin Sexton...or whether he feels it should be an upcoming PG coming up in FA...or be it a PG that would have to be traded for...he needs to REALLY be concentrating on that ONE task at hand. Everything else is secondary, since we are set everywhere else, if we 'wanted'

So, a stud PG, a top 5 SG, and a top 5 SF...with a 'good' PF and a top 10 Center (if McD/Triano becomes smart enough to realize they have one right under their noses) and we are a playoff team that just continues to develop and get better and stronger.

I'll list them again, in case anyone has forgotten...

Top 7 Protected '20 1st (MIL), Top 7 Protected '18 1st (Mia), Unprotected '21 1st (Mia), Bender or Chriss, Jackson, Chandler, Monroe, Daniels

Those are our 'Assets'; any compilation of those to make our 'target' PG happen needs to take place, to ensure, at a minimum, next season, we roll out...

Target PG / Booker / Warren / Bender or Chriss / Len or Draft pick

To me, it really is that simple...and for once, McD...talk to your 'stars' and tell them what your plan is so they know you HAVE one...and if Len is part of it...which he should be...tell him as well.

I am fairly in agreement with this. You probably hold Len in higher regard than I do, but I still would be for keeping him and having him be our future starter. I see him as a top 15-18 center.

PG is the priority though. And we need to be willing to move whatever assets are necessary to get the right guy. If we do not get a top pick in this draft, and end up 7-9 or so, we just need to hope a newly rebuilding team gets a top pick.

Memphis, will be new to rebuilding. They will want lots of assets. Atlanta needs lots of assets too. Sacramento is in real need of a big to replace aging Randolph. So, lets say a team ends up 4. Its easy to see the top picks being Doncic, Ayton, Bagley. Now a team really wants Porter, but that stinking injury! They take Young. Porter drops to the Suns at 8. We trade Porter and an asset or two (JJ, TJ, Chriss, future Suns pick, Miami, pick, 143 second rounders, whatever) for young. They get Porter plus insurance.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

If I'm in the top-3 I wouldn't really consider those pieces to trade back 7-8 spots. Even if JJ is included. I think you might see a trade back from two to four or something like that.

There is still a pretty good chance we finish with one of the worst records. We have played one of the easiest schedules. Charlotte and Memphis have played the two toughest schedules. Dal, LAL and Sac have played the 5th, 6th and 7th toughest. Bulls 9th toughest, Hawks 11th, and Magic 12th. The Nets have also played a tougher schedule.

2 games or less separates all of us except Atlanta.

I hope we still finish bottom 5 because we still need a center with superstar potential to add to the mix.

And there is no way in hell we make the playoffs. We'd have to finish 27-18 to reach .500 and even have a shot. That ain't happening.

538 has us at a 1% chance of making the playoffs. They currently project us to have the 5th/6th worst record in the league. On the outside of what is currently the Ayton/Donkic/Young/Bamba sweepstakes, sitting on Porter/Bagley.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

Oof.

http://www.spotrac.com/nba/free-agents/ufa/point-guard/

[sunskerr]

Oof.

http://www.spotrac.com/nba/free-agents/ufa/point-guard/

Yikes. Right now from that list it looks like Canaan is the best fit for our team. I'd be keeping an eye on Brogdon still for a trade if I were the Suns FO because he's backing up another player.

[jcsunsfan]

Oof.

http://www.spotrac.com/nba/free-agents/ufa/point-guard/

Yikes. Right now from that list it looks like Canaan is the best fit for our team. I'd be keeping an eye on Brogdon still for a trade if I were the Suns FO because he's backing up another player.

Its all about the draft. Young, Doncic, Sexton, Duval.

Wonder if Booker could play pg with Reed at the 2.

[Waylay13]

Oof.

http://www.spotrac.com/nba/free-agents/ufa/point-guard/

Yikes. Right now from that list it looks like Canaan is the best fit for our team. I'd be keeping an eye on Brogdon still for a trade if I were the Suns FO because he's backing up another player.

Its all about the draft. Young, Doncic, Sexton, Duval.

Wonder if Booker could play pg with Reed at the 2.

I think our biggest issue that we dont have a point guard that is a pass first guard (starter level) for this reason i dont think is that type of passer and i sure as heck dont think that Sexton is anywhere close to that. I have said it before i am sick of combo guards claiming to be points.