Trade & Free Agency Ideas & Discussion 2

[charley barkles]

You really want to give up three first rounders and Warren to have Paul George for a year? You know he's going to LA unless he is playing with Hayward in Boston or LeBron somewhere else. Even if I thought there was a 50/50 chance he'd stay, there is no way I risk it. However, if we had to dump 2 firsts to get rid of Knight in the first place, then there is that. I'd never give an unprotected pick. Bledsoe and Griffin could easily go down for the season. In fact there is probably about a 50/50 chance one goes down for a significant amount of time. We could have like the 7th worst record and get lucky the one year we don't own our pick.

No. We make that trade if Paul George said he would sign an extension or some kind of promise or something. Obviously I wouldn't mortgage the future for a rental, but we are hearing he would sign with Celtics or Cavs if they traded for him.
I remember a couple years ago PG said he wanted to go to Phoenix. Or at least someone mentioned that on the board but there wasn't any kind of verification I recall.

Good memory! That was me. He told his agent he wanted to come to PHX after our 48 win season, but then he got hurt. My source was connected to Casper, who is no longer with the Suns. Regardless, I think that ship has sailed...

[bwgood77]

So, sad as it is for us, I find very very likely that Blake is gonna sign with you guys. He's not the type to be getting public meetings to feed his own ego, it actually surprised me that he had even one public meeting leaked like this. So it's likely that you're gonna close it right there on Saturday imo, unless your FO plans on low balling him or something. Then, there's the fact that his agent, not him, is meeting with the Clippers the day before, which kinda signals he's just letting us know he's gone.

Also, for the skeptics, once you have him on your team, you'll find out that a lot of his public perception is due to hot takes, and he's a much more humble, hard working, reliable guy than he gets credit for.

What are your thoughts on him being injured so much? I know the toe thing was kind of a freak thing as I witnessed it. But what else was he out for and why and are these recurring issues.

Interesting that you have a Q Rich avi and the last time we signed a Clipper (him), in the summer of 2004, we went from like 29 to 62 wins. Of course Nash had something to do with that. And I wouldn't expect near 60 wins this season.

[BobbieL]

So Blake Griffin on the Clippers, playing with Chris Paul, cannot get past the 2nd round. Yet putting him on the Suns, with a baby Booker and a worse supporting cast is supposed to make us contenders? Add Griffin and we still might not make the playoffs. Do we really want to stunt the growth and development of Bender and Chriss just for a few possible first round playoff exits?

The Western conference has only gotten deeper and I honestly believe the Suns are not at the point of being one piece away from truly competing. If I am wrong and we are, I highly doubt that the piece is a 28 year old Blake Griffin, with injuries, seeking a large contract. The Suns need to show some restraint and self control, stick with that 2020 plan.

How does this stunt the growth and development of Bender and Chriss? They will still get ample playing time, and now in practice they go against a top 5 PF in the league. Reminds me of the scenario where little brother goes against bigger brother every day, finally beats bigger brother 1 on 1 and little brother says thats what made him the player he is today.

Booker/Blake could be a lethal combo too. Add in Bledsoe, Warren, Chriss or JJ. We have all the small pieces to the puzzle, but Blake could be the huge piece we've been missing, and puts it all together. Will it result in championship? Probably not at least this year, but other players get injured too.

I agree - let the young guys earn playng time. Also if the team makes the playoffs - doesn't that help the players by playing minutes in the play-offs - the real games

Plus, Blake for four years along with Dudley or Chandler for two more, even Bledsoe - really helps bridge this team so the younger guys can take over.

It is like a team in the NFL with a rookie QB under the new cap rules (meaning a good QB like Wilson, Carr even Luck on those cheaper deals) so you can sign veterans. When Blake, Chandler, Dudley, the Knight deal however its deal with, rolls off, look who is getting raises

I think its a win-win

and enough tanking for higher picks - this team has enough high picks

[bwgood77]

I guess one thing this means if we sign him is that Bledsoe is very likely to get that mega deal in a couple of years starting out at $25 or $30 or whatever it is. The bad thing about it is that if the offense really is going to run through Blake, and it should, then you really need to surround him with 3 point shooters, and Bledsoe at 33% isn't ideal for that role, particularly at that cost.

[NTB]

I guess one thing this means if we sign him is that Bledsoe is very likely to get that mega deal in a couple of years starting out at $25 or $30 or whatever it is. The bad thing about it is that if the offense really is going to run through Blake, and it should, then you really need to surround him with 3 point shooters, and Bledsoe at 33% isn't ideal for that role, particularly at that cost.

If we give Bledsoe that mega deal I'll be disappointed. I think after 2 years, we will either try to give him a reasonable contract or we'll let him go. Also after 2 years, Ulis may become a starter level player.

[NTB]

Read on Twitter

[BobbieL]

I get why there is not a market for Knight (his contract, productivity, etc) - but maybe if the Nets are buying first round picks - the Suns can send Knight to the Nets with the Miami pick and Toronto second to move him

But I look at the teams in the NBA and I just do not see a market for Chandler that has the Suns getting little in return.

Does anybody have teams that would covet Chandler? Granted, they can easily renounce Len and if there is a buyer for Dudley - that helps too. But I just look at all 30 teams and just don't see a fit for Chandler - any thoughts? ideas

TJ Warren is set to make 3m+ - with Blake coming on and him being an RFA - he actually might be the contract moved - along with renouncing Price, Len, hopefully not Williams as I think if you renounce Len, you need Williams. Granted, not overpaying for that guy either when you can sign Zaza Pachulia for 2m and call it good

[BobbieL]

Read on Twitter

Was this during the podcast?

As Gambo reported yesterday - Blake reached out the Suns
And Gambo has been banging it hard recently. Sarver must be talking again too him

Plus, I have read that Blake is not a game-player. I insinuated that to mean he doesn't need the drama of The Decision - he will just go with what is right

I am okay with being a long shot for Millsap - some team will offer him both the MAX and FOUR Years

[matt131]

Read on Twitter

Was this during the podcast?

As Gambo reported yesterday - Blake reached out the Suns
And Gambo has been banging it hard recently. Sarver must be talking again too him

Plus, I have read that Blake is not a game-player. I insinuated that to mean he doesn't need the drama of The Decision - he will just go with what is right

I am okay with being a long shot for Millsap - some team will offer him both the MAX and FOUR Years

Agreed. Lowe said nothing about the Suns chances on his podcast but he DID say that Blake, and this is reliable info, is not one for a "dog and pony show," meaning he wants to decided early and quickly and without much fanfare where he will play. This makes it seem like he has strong interest in the suns if he is choosing to go visit in Saturday.

I like Lowe and his analysis is comprehensive and precise, but I don't think he is the first person to receive breaking news or updated rumors. He usually is retweeting guys or reacting to what he's read when he talks about a major news item on twitter. Ramona Shelbourne (or however you spell it), on the other hand, is the person to receive breaking news and is 100% tied to LA. She seems to think that Blake Griffin called the meeting and has interest. I would believe her.


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM mobile app

[Hesh]

I wonder if Blake will be motivated to attend and give effort in team practice sessions because apparently they did not practice as a team all that often in clipperland.. says dudley

[MathiasPW]

I think the Clippers are low-balling Blake and he is making it known he is seeing star-hungry teams who are willing to pay him so the Clippers increase their offer.

Most likely we are just being used as a blackmailing partner.

[bwgood77]

Read on Twitter

Here is the wording...

If Denver bows out, it's hard to find a realistic third team for Cleveland. Perhaps Phoenix would leap for Love, though they have scheduled meetings with power forwards -- Griffin and Millsap -- they could just sign without dealing away any assets. (To be clear, they are underdogs for both.)

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/page/presents-19771192/zach-lowe-2017-nba-free-agency-preview-including-celtics-lakers-heat-more

[STEV13]

FWIW, this is what Lowe said in his free agency preview.

If the Nuggets yank Harris out, it's hard to find a deal that satisfies the Pacers unless Denver throws in two picks. If Denver bows out, it's hard to find a realistic third team for Cleveland. Perhaps Phoenix would leap for Love, though they have scheduled meetings with power forwards -- Griffin and Millsap -- they could just sign without dealing away any assets. (To be clear, they are underdogs for both.) The Wizards could veer from George to Love, but they don't appear interested for now -- and feel queasy about facilitating a LeBron-George partnership.

Link: http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/page/presents-19771192/zach-lowe-2017-nba-free-agency-preview-including-celtics-lakers-heat-more

[bwgood77]

I get why there is not a market for Knight (his contract, productivity, etc) - but maybe if the Nets are buying first round picks - the Suns can send Knight to the Nets with the Miami pick and Toronto second to move him

But I look at the teams in the NBA and I just do not see a market for Chandler that has the Suns getting little in return.

Does anybody have teams that would covet Chandler? Granted, they can easily renounce Len and if there is a buyer for Dudley - that helps too. But I just look at all 30 teams and just don't see a fit for Chandler - any thoughts? ideas

TJ Warren is set to make 3m+ - with Blake coming on and him being an RFA - he actually might be the contract moved - along with renouncing Price, Len, hopefully not Williams as I think if you renounce Len, you need Williams. Granted, not overpaying for that guy either when you can sign Zaza Pachulia for 2m and call it good

I don't think anyone would really want Chandler with the cap surprising everyone and not going up as much as they expected. I think we will likely deal a first rounder to dump Knight if anyone would even take that.

[Wayne Kerr]

As you may have heard Blake Griffin is set to meet with the Suns, Saturday. I'm a bit mixed and don't really know how to feel about the possibility of having Blake on our team.

I really love all of our forwards. So much potential. Potential that id like to see develope.

I've been out of basketball since 13' and at that time Blake was seen as an elite PF. How is he seen today?

How would signing Blake Griffin effect players like.. Bender, Chriss, Warren?

How do you feel about the possibility of signing a guy like Blake Griffin?

What would a Booker/Griffin/Bled team look like (wins? Playoffs?)?

Would we just call him Blake? or something cool like B-Lake?

[thapharcyd]

Blake reminds me Amar'e Stoudemire. Since his injuries his athleticism has gone down a bit and he relies on a decent mid range jumper.

Having Blake on our team doesn't make us any worse but not sure it brings us where we need to be. I think Chriss could play center. If Len goes I would be ok with it. I don't think Blake would need to play a ton of minutes

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

[BobbieL]

I get why there is not a market for Knight (his contract, productivity, etc) - but maybe if the Nets are buying first round picks - the Suns can send Knight to the Nets with the Miami pick and Toronto second to move him

But I look at the teams in the NBA and I just do not see a market for Chandler that has the Suns getting little in return.

Does anybody have teams that would covet Chandler? Granted, they can easily renounce Len and if there is a buyer for Dudley - that helps too. But I just look at all 30 teams and just don't see a fit for Chandler - any thoughts? ideas

TJ Warren is set to make 3m+ - with Blake coming on and him being an RFA - he actually might be the contract moved - along with renouncing Price, Len, hopefully not Williams as I think if you renounce Len, you need Williams. Granted, not overpaying for that guy either when you can sign Zaza Pachulia for 2m and call it good

I don't think anyone would really want Chandler with the cap surprising everyone and not going up as much as they expected. I think we will likely deal a first rounder to dump Knight if anyone would even take that.

I agree - I think its going to take Knight, the Miami pick in 2018 and possibly Warren for something - that's a lot to move a bad contract

but like you said - GSW did it for Iguodala and it worked

[Wayne Kerr]

IDK if chriss can play the 5. Looks a little thin imo. But like i said i havent watched in years.

[bwgood77]

I get why there is not a market for Knight (his contract, productivity, etc) - but maybe if the Nets are buying first round picks - the Suns can send Knight to the Nets with the Miami pick and Toronto second to move him

But I look at the teams in the NBA and I just do not see a market for Chandler that has the Suns getting little in return.

Does anybody have teams that would covet Chandler? Granted, they can easily renounce Len and if there is a buyer for Dudley - that helps too. But I just look at all 30 teams and just don't see a fit for Chandler - any thoughts? ideas

TJ Warren is set to make 3m+ - with Blake coming on and him being an RFA - he actually might be the contract moved - along with renouncing Price, Len, hopefully not Williams as I think if you renounce Len, you need Williams. Granted, not overpaying for that guy either when you can sign Zaza Pachulia for 2m and call it good

I don't think anyone would really want Chandler with the cap surprising everyone and not going up as much as they expected. I think we will likely deal a first rounder to dump Knight if anyone would even take that.

I agree - I think its going to take Knight, the Miami pick in 2018 and possibly Warren for something - that's a lot to move a bad contract

but like you said - GSW did it for Iguodala and it worked

I think it would be dumb to move Warren. It would leave us with exactly one nba caliber SF who is a rookie. He only makes a few million. He has progressed nicely and developed for us and was probably our most valuable player this year other than Bledsoe.

[8on]

I think the Clippers are low-balling Blake and he is making it known he is seeing star-hungry teams who are willing to pay him so the Clippers increase their offer.

Most likely we are just being used as a blackmailing partner.

He did mention on a recent podcast that Phoenix is on his Mt. Rushmore of NBA cities (http://www.barstoolsports.com/chicago/pardon-my-take-6-19-with-blake-griffin-and-michael-rapaport/).

Why meet with the second worst team in the Association as a bluff? Seems like a pretty bad bluff. My guess is he's really interested.