Season Speculation, Trade Ideas & Discussion Pt. 6

[hollywood6964]

I think McD has said he would be aggressive in Free Agency each and every year.

He did and He has.

Every Free Agency we pretty much have disregarded the ordinary players and always tried to land the Big Fish. From Lebron to Aldridge to Griffin, we always try to land one of the top FA's and seem to have come close.

Unfortunately I don't think we've come close to anything. Close in the sense that they've used us as leverage to seal a deal, but that's about at best.

Everyone thinks we need to be winning to get f/a, accepted trades for star players. I don't think that's necessarily true. Talent is the major attraction. Even from brand new acquistions and even very young talent, as long as it's promising.

We need this top pick, for either direct talent, or talent acquisition.

[sunsbum]

Man, I feel like this team is finally really starting to round out personnel wise. I definitely see us going after one of the bigs in this draft. Not sure I'd be in love with putting a 6'9 poor rebounding PF at center though (jjj).

[MrMiyagi]

I honestly think McD's goals this offseason are draft Ayton and sign LeBron. I think he's willing to trade both of our draft picks and Marquese Chriss for the #1 pick.

[Saberestar]

Man, I feel like this team is finally really starting to round out personnel wise. I definitely see us going after one of the bigs in this draft. Not sure I'd be in love with putting a 6'9 poor rebounding PF at center though (jjj).

JJJ and Bamba look talented but very raw to me. I think that both are gonna be risky picks, so I would prefer other prospects over them.

[jredsaz]

Why would we want to pay Deandre what he will get at his age? He is on the downside of his career and thus will likely end up overpaid.

I would consider a one year deal but I doubt he would. A Reddick style deal for any number of guys makes some sense.

[AtheJ415]

Really? Lebron? McD went out of his way to go after Rich Paul. The team is closing in on the 1st pick of the draft. We are not getting Lebron.

[jredsaz]

Tell me if I am wrong but if Booker signs his extention this summer, and by all accounts that is happening, his first year salary will most likely be +/-$27 million; and if he makes an All NBA team next year he is eligible for the super max so he can make upwards of +/- $33 million; and whatever the number, Bookers salary will land on the Suns books in the summer of 2019.

Bookers cap hold for the summer of 2019, as it stands now, is $13.75 million. The Suns according to Sportrac have just over $52.3 million in contracts including Big Sauce but not including any future draft picks. Adding Bookers cap hold, renouncing Chandler, Daniels, and Dudley, and without making a trade, the Suns are at $66 million in contracts. Adding an estimated $10 million in additional draft pick salary they could have +/-$30 million in cap space based on an $108 million salary cap. However, with Bookers extention the Suns are left with closer to $17 million in space.

[AtheJ415]

Let's be realistic with the FA's this offseason:

Lebron: 0 chance
George: At best 1% chance
Cousins: Maybe 25%. We have the money, and his reputation and injury probably hurt most offers, but it is still most likely NO re-signs him.
Capela: If Houston goes after another star, he is get-able, but I am not a fan of the mini max for him b/c he greatly benefits from playing with Paul and Harden and I just think Bender should be the 5 going forward.
Gordon: 35%. Orlando clearly isn't comfortable paying him what he wants given they put him on the trade market. Might be doable but they probably would require a sign and trade instead of just letting him go. I think he is the best case scenario for our FA hopes this offseason.

Given that, the FA plan should be to go after the longshots but move quickly to try to get bargain bin deals that are short term and won't tie up the cap next offseason, when the FA crop is much better and has guys who would fill the holes on this team in a big way.

[BobbieL]

Let's be realistic with the FA's this offseason:

Lebron: 0 chance
George: At best 1% chance
Cousins: Maybe 25%. We have the money, and his reputation and injury probably hurt most offers, but it is still most likely NO re-signs him.
Capela: If Houston goes after another star, he is get-able, but I am not a fan of the mini max for him b/c he greatly benefits from playing with Paul and Harden and I just think Bender should be the 5 going forward.
Gordon: 35%. Orlando clearly isn't comfortable paying him what he wants given they put him on the trade market. Might be doable but they probably would require a sign and trade instead of just letting him go. I think he is the best case scenario for our FA hopes this offseason.

Given that, the FA plan should be to go after the longshots but move quickly to try to get bargain bin deals that are short term and won't tie up the cap next offseason, when the FA crop is much better and has guys who would fill the holes on this team in a big way.

this is where I am at. depending on what Payton gets - or if he gets anything, I think the Suns can be pretty aggressive for that mid level guy you mention. find the right guy, offer a good amount for one year and go from there

or if you like Gordon -
Chriss (since they have Bender), Ulis, the Heat pick and maybe the Bucks pick for Gordon.

if not him, find a next level guy - -would Kidd-Gilchrist be that type of guy -

[bigfoot]

One free agent who might be flying under the radar and could be a good fit for a one season big payday is Dewayne Dedmon. He is putting together a decent year from the three point line. Probably would fit really well next to Bender. One year and $22M would he bite? Does it even make sense to go after him for a couple years as a replacement for Len?

[MrMiyagi]

One free agent who might be flying under the radar and could be a good fit for a one season big payday is Dewayne Dedmon. He is putting together a decent year from the three point line. Probably would fit really well next to Bender. One year and $22M would he bite? Does it even make sense to go after him for a couple years as a replacement for Len?

Not if we draft Ayton.

[bigfoot]

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[AtheJ415]

What?! I am 1000% against using up all of our cap space for 1 year of Dewayne Dedmon. Even on those giant deals that are short-term, it impacts your ability to add guys via trade. It also can create resentment on the team if we are telling people like Elfrid or Warren they are a part of our core and giving them $7 and $11 a year only to hand Dedmon more in 1 season than both make combined. It also puts us in a corner when our guys actually hit RFA b/c they won't understand getting less when we offer $20+ mil to a role player like Dedmon.

Centers are not getting big deals anymore. You have guys like Len and Noel signing the QO. Dedmon is not getting $22 million over 1 year from any team. This is not 2016 when any 7 footer who can chew gum is getting $17 mil a year.

[DirtyDez]

I'm not sure why ppl are so concerned with cap space. The Suns won't get anyone good. The team will be built thru the draft and trades.

[BobbieL]

One free agent who might be flying under the radar and could be a good fit for a one season big payday is Dewayne Dedmon. He is putting together a decent year from the three point line. Probably would fit really well next to Bender. One year and $22M would he bite? Does it even make sense to go after him for a couple years as a replacement for Len?

Not if we draft Ayton.

I really think the ping pong balls will tell the story of who the Suns draft and of course that is obvious but unlike LeBron, I think each team can have a different agenda. For instance - these are just my guesses

Atlanta : Ayton most likely
Dallas: drafting Dennis Smith, that probably takes them out of Doncic/Young and into Ayton, Bagley, Porter -- I guess they could still go Doncic but more likely - up front since they do also have Harrison Barnes

Orlando: Doncic/Young - granted they might not pass on Ayton but they could use PG big time

Suns: Ayton - Doncic - probably

So if the draft goes Atlanta, Dallas, Suns - Doncic still might be there for the Suns

As for spending money - I think its tricky. Other than Gordon and George - not sure anybody deserves more than a one year deal. Keep the cap space

[bigfoot]

One free agent who might be flying under the radar and could be a good fit for a one season big payday is Dewayne Dedmon. He is putting together a decent year from the three point line. Probably would fit really well next to Bender. One year and $22M would he bite? Does it even make sense to go after him for a couple years as a replacement for Len?

Not if we draft Ayton.

Even if we draft Ayton. Remember we are talking about prospects. There is no guarantee with a draft pick. Already folks are questioning Ayton's defensive motor. Arizona's team defense is historically bad for Coach MIller. Ayton doesn't really block shots at a high rate. Really Ayton is not the type of rim protector we are looking for. Bamba or JJJ are elite shot blockers which typically does carry over to the NBA.

Whoever we draft, these so-called elite prospects should be able to handle a journeyman PF or C and if not then they are not ready for starter or bench minutes. So if they are better than Dedmon or Chriss then they would play a lot as I would assume he could cover either the backup PF or C position. Otherwise his first year is a learning experience. We've handed starting roles to Chriss and see how that worked out.

[lilfishi22]

My feeling is that the big man situation will likely be addressed in the draft. If we don't get a top 2 or 3 pick in this draft, it's likely Young and Doncic are probably gone by then so that leaves a bunch of bigs like Ayton, Bamba, Bagley and JJJr potentially available. If we luck out and get Doncic, Young drops or we go with Porter, then we can address the big man situation with perhaps a later pick. I just don't see the need or the point of spending big money on a C who will neither be part of the future or will help with continuity if they are only here for a year. I wouldn't be surprised if you could get Dedmond on a multiyear contract for the same money you're trying to throw at him on a 1 year deal.

[AtheJ415]

One free agent who might be flying under the radar and could be a good fit for a one season big payday is Dewayne Dedmon. He is putting together a decent year from the three point line. Probably would fit really well next to Bender. One year and $22M would he bite? Does it even make sense to go after him for a couple years as a replacement for Len?

Not if we draft Ayton.

Even if we draft Ayton. Remember we are talking about prospects. There is no guarantee with a draft pick. Already folks are questioning Ayton's defensive motor. Arizona's team defense is historically bad for Coach MIller. Ayton doesn't really block shots at a high rate. Really Ayton is not the type of rim protector we are looking for. Bamba or JJJ are elite shot blockers which typically does carry over to the NBA.

Whoever we draft, these so-called elite prospects should be able to handle a journeyman PF or C and if not then they are not ready for starter or bench minutes. So if they are better than Dedmon or Chriss then they would play a lot as I would assume he could cover either the backup PF or C position. Otherwise his first year is a learning experience. We've handed starting roles to Chriss and see how that worked out.

He is literally on pace to set the school record for blocked shots in a season. He has 22 blocks in his last 10 games.

But hey, Jackson and Bender are still busts, right?

[bigfoot]

What?! I am 1000% against using up all of our cap space for 1 year of Dewayne Dedmon. Even on those giant deals that are short-term, it impacts your ability to add guys via trade. It also can create resentment on the team if we are telling people like Elfrid or Warren they are a part of our core and giving them $7 and $11 a year only to hand Dedmon more in 1 season than both make combined. It also puts us in a corner when our guys actually hit RFA b/c they won't understand getting less when we offer $20+ mil to a role player like Dedmon.

Centers are not getting big deals anymore. You have guys like Len and Noel signing the QO. Dedmon is not getting $22 million over 1 year from any team. This is not 2016 when any 7 footer who can chew gum is getting $17 mil a year.

Dedmon is not like Noel and Len. He has developed a legitimate three point shot which makes him different from most centers in the league. He doesn't clog the paint on the offensive side. But I guess you didn't watch any videos of his three point shooting.

Also, if Atlanta offers Dedmon a 2-year $10M deal would we want to pry him away for 1 at $21-22M. I think Suns players would understand that Dedmon takes a risk of injury for a big payday. I'm sure everyone of those better players on the Sixers is bitching about Redick getting paid $23M.

And actually having a big contracts helps facilitate trades contrary to what you think. Remember he is one a one year expiring contract and big name players who might be available on the trade block next year need matching salaries to be moved. Giving up Demond and Chandler plus a bunch of our picks to get a Love or Davis or Cousins or other elite player can't be done without the right type of salary and expiring contracts.

[AtheJ415]

One free agent who might be flying under the radar and could be a good fit for a one season big payday is Dewayne Dedmon. He is putting together a decent year from the three point line. Probably would fit really well next to Bender. One year and $22M would he bite? Does it even make sense to go after him for a couple years as a replacement for Len?

Not if we draft Ayton.

I really think the ping pong balls will tell the story of who the Suns draft and of course that is obvious but unlike LeBron, I think each team can have a different agenda. For instance - these are just my guesses

Atlanta : Ayton most likely
Dallas: drafting Dennis Smith, that probably takes them out of Doncic/Young and into Ayton, Bagley, Porter -- I guess they could still go Doncic but more likely - up front since they do also have Harrison Barnes

Orlando: Doncic/Young - granted they might not pass on Ayton but they could use PG big time

Suns: Ayton - Doncic - probably

So if the draft goes Atlanta, Dallas, Suns - Doncic still might be there for the Suns

As for spending money - I think its tricky. Other than Gordon and George - not sure anybody deserves more than a one year deal. Keep the cap space

This is probably pretty accurate. Though I would not be surprised if Atlanta took a PG like Young, but I agree they probably would prefer Ayton or Doncic.