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

[bwgood77]

Dude Mikal is a great guy. But he’s not going to win us a ring or draw great players to come here . Realize that and move on. Cheer him on from the sidelines and now you have another reason to watch an EC team

We don't know what Mikal would do. He was just breaking out. I always said he would/could probably be like Paul George or Kawhi lite. I still believe that...and we keep Cam who was improving every year too. KD is awesome...we will see how long he stays healthy and plays and if we win it all. KD won one playoff series in Brooklyn playing with Kyrie and some with Harden.

That would require Mikal to get some better handles, passing, rebounding, scoring, defense, IQ.
That’s a lot to ask. I don’t think he has that much time.

I doubt he'd get the rebounding. The other stuff, with the exception of Kawhi being able to guard bigger players with his enormous wingspan,eh couldn't get too. His handles and passing are very good. He can score in multiple ways. The way he has been playing of late he really isn't that far off.

Lets see what he does in Brooklyn. I have a feeling they are going to be a lot better than people expect. I think they remain top 5 in east.

[BobbieL]

On the plus side of the durant trade - granted, losing Mikal and Cam

I think Craig stays a starter
and 'Tony Warren as the guy off the bench - Tony Buckets will be nice to have.

I think for the buyout market - again, all depends on the foot of Cam Payne

Suns might even be wise - unless they get Jackson and Barton this weekend - to be patient to see who hits the market
If Kevin Love hits the market - wouldn't he make a lot of sense to get

[Frank Lee]

This is the dominoe-ing effect of a failed all in move with CP. couldnt just let it rest, and move on organically with a very promising young core for the next 3-4 yrs. New owner comes in with the ‘win championship now’ mentality. Billionaires have little patience for what they want. So similar to Minnesota.

Sure, we reopened the window, but it was a costly crack. And we are still banking on an oldman PG, a ragtag minimum contract bench, half our future picks and no cap space. Next year will be an even bigger challenge to field quality players with the limited talents of Jones and the impatience of Ishwhatever. But hey, we have Zeke in our corner.

Dark clouds on my horizon… back into my comfort zone. All that optimism was taxing me. Its this yr or bust boys.

[Waylay13]

I kinda want CamJo to tank the rest of this season so Brooklyn won’t want to re-sign him, then he comes back on a very friendly deal next season. Obviously he will get bigger contract offers from other teams, so he will have to sacrifice money for family. Don’t see it happening, but would be nice.

I fear we won’t be able to get Mikal back for a long time, if ever, and that’s just tragic to me.

Dude Mikal is a great guy. But he’s not going to win us a ring or draw great players to come here . Realize that and move on. Cheer him on from the sidelines and now you have another reason to watch an EC team

Looking at the history of teams that win championship; you must have a player like Mikal. That player that brings it in every single night and does the little things that win a championship. Stars are great but you really need to have some players around them that will do the dirty work. why do you think the Bucks and Heat were going so hard after Crowder?

[BobbieL]

This is the dominoe-ing effect of a failed all in move with CP. couldnt just let it rest, and move on organically with a very promising young core for the next 3-4 yrs. New owner comes in with the ‘win championship now’ mentality. Billionaires have little patience for what they want. So similar to Minnesota.

Sure, we reopened the window, but it was a costly crack. And we are still banking on an oldman PG, a ragtag minimum contract bench, half our future picks and no cap space. Next year will be an even bigger challenge to field quality players with the limited talents of Jones and the impatience of Ishwhatever. But hey, we have Zeke in our corner.

Dark clouds on my horizon… back into my comfort zone. All that optimism was taxing me. Its this yr or bust boys.

I will say this - if Durant is back for the OKC or Milwaukee games - thats fine.

The Suns need the dude on the court. They could be 30-30 with 22 games left to go post ASB. Book back tonight will help. Maybe even teh OKC kid and Warren. But still down Shamet, Payne and oh yeah, Durant for three games.

[POLI]

I did not not that Saric has been traded to the Thunder for a forward 6-9 215 who is in his 3rd year in the L.
Finally someone athletic to play forward.

Yes, we need to at least sign one player out of Barton, Ross, Wall and Jackson.
Barton and Ross both would be idealistic additions to play SH here and score points with many more duties to acomplish.
Wall or Jackson could be an update over Payne and insurance in case Paul gets injured.

I would have loved whoever as a back up center for Ayton.

How about we waive Shamet or Lee and sign more than 2 buyouts we have roster spots open for? I wouldn't mind Barton, Ross both with guard like Jackson

I understand that, with Landale and Biyombo on board, Ibaka would be a luxury.
But he is going to be freed by the Pacers.
So Jackson, Wall, Barton, Ross and Ibaka will be available.
That is a five that could get into the PO playing by themselves...

[Jdiddy701]

I just remembered that just about all of us were complaining when we traded two fan favorites (Oubre and Rubio) for 34 year old Chris Paul who was always hurt.

Fast forward to this week we traded two fan favorites for 34 year old Kevin Durant who is always hurt. Went to the finals when we got CP3, hopefully history repeats itself. I know some things are different this time around, such as; a mid season trade vs getting CP3 in the offseason - may take time to adjust, using 75% of your assets (still have some picks and Ayton).

On the other hand, one thing that we can all agree on is Kevin Durant at 34 years old is a crap ton better than when we got CP3. This is KEVIN DURANT.

I’m pretty bummed to see Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson with another team and honestly hurt me watching the Brooklyn game yesterday seeing them there, but this is KD we are talking about. Fair to bring up injuries but that can happen to anyone at any time. If we ran it back with the same roster and CP3 or Book goes down, we were toast anyways.

If healthy, I don’t see us losing to anyone. Period. We couldn’t say this before.


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[POLI]

PAUL
BOOKER
DURANT
GRAIG
AYTON
----------------
JACKSON
BARTON
WARREN
IBAKA
-------------
PAYNE
SHAMET
LANDALE

Anyway, I believe teams need t a time to bake and I think we will not be contenders this year.
One situation is Crowder added to the Bucks, where everybody has a clear task, and a different one is here, where the main or second main player and most of the bench will be new or will have a different role and everybody has to fit together.

[POLI]

I just remembered that just about all of us were complaining when we traded two fan favorites (Oubre and Rubio) for 34 year old Chris Paul who was always hurt.

Fast forward to this week we traded two fan favorites for 34 year old Kevin Durant who is always hurt. Went to the finals when we got CP3, hopefully history repeats itself. I know some things are different this time around, such as; a mid season trade vs getting CP3 in the offseason - may take time to adjust, using 75% of your assets (still have some picks and Ayton).

On the other hand, one thing that we can all agree on is Kevin Durant at 34 years old is a crap ton better than when we got CP3. This is KEVIN DURANT.

I’m pretty bummed to see Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson with another team and honestly hurt me watching the Brooklyn game yesterday seeing them there, but this is KD we are talking about. Fair to bring up injuries but that can happen to anyone at any time. If we ran it back with the same roster and CP3 or Book goes down, we were toast anyways.

If healthy, I don’t see us losing to anyone. Period. We couldn’t say this before.


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We could have had KD in summer even offering less pieces.

[kennydorglas]

So an unnamed team offered 4 1st picks for Mikal...

[bwgood77]

Paul/Payne/Saben (2 way?)
Booker/Lee/Shamet
Craig/Warren/Okogie
KD/Bazley/Ish (2 way?)
Ayton/Jock/Biz

Is Saben Lee under contract?

We must have one open one. Some people say 2 but I am not sure where. Is Ish taking up a roster spot? Are Ish and Lee are 2 ways?

Not sure who we will/could get on buyout.

Love, Jackson, Barton, Ross, Kaminsky

[KdoubleDees23]

:nonono: So an unnamed team offered 4 1st picks for Mikal...

I call BS or heavily protected picks! I would trade 4 1sts with protection 1-15 every day of the week for a 3&D starter

[BobbieL]

Paul/Payne/Saben (2 way?)
Booker/Lee/Shamet
Craig/Warren/Okogie
KD/Bazley/Ish (2 way?)
Ayton/Jock/Biz

Is Saben Lee under contract?

We must have one open one. Some people say 2 but I am not sure where. Is Ish taking up a roster spot? Are Ish and Lee are 2 ways?

Not sure who we will/could get on buyout.

Love, Jackson, Barton, Ross, Kaminsky

Suns have two open roster spots
They alwayts had an open spot and with the KD trade, that was 3 for 2

SLee and Ish are on two way deals
I think I am good with trying to get Barton or Jackson early
might wait on Love and see what else happens post ASB

[KdoubleDees23]

We need to get Jackson and Ibaka in Buyout if possible

Run it! Lets go.

CP3 / Jackson / Payne
Booker / Lee / Shamet
Craig / Warren
KD / Bazley / Ibaka
Ayton / Biyombo / Ibaka

Bazley can also play 3 if needed

[kennydorglas]

I think we'll definitely go for Love.
Id be more confident in going after Reggie if we traded Shamet.

[WeekapaugGroove]

This is the dominoe-ing effect of a failed all in move with CP. couldnt just let it rest, and move on organically with a very promising young core for the next 3-4 yrs. New owner comes in with the ‘win championship now’ mentality. Billionaires have little patience for what they want. So similar to Minnesota.

Sure, we reopened the window, but it was a costly crack. And we are still banking on an oldman PG, a ragtag minimum contract bench, half our future picks and no cap space. Next year will be an even bigger challenge to field quality players with the limited talents of Jones and the impatience of Ishwhatever. But hey, we have Zeke in our corner.

Dark clouds on my horizon… back into my comfort zone. All that optimism was taxing me. Its this yr or bust boys.

Failed all in CP move? They ended a 10 year playoff drought and made the finals for only the second time in franchise history. Like yes they didn't win it all, but if that's the only guage of success then litterally every single move they've made in 50 years as a franchise was a failure.

So if we're working off the baseline that every move ever has been a failure and we start ranking moves in least amount of failure then I'd have to put that top 5-10ish. Along with the Nash signing, Barkley trade, Booker draft pick, Marion and amare picks. I'm probably leaving off some old moves but I'd say it would be hard to find 10 moves in suns history that failed less.

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[Jdiddy701]

The only thing that currently worries me is having Torrey Craig in the starting line up. I think I’d rather go with Ish Wainright. Would want TJ Warren but his bench points might be more important.

I do wonder if Charlotte has plans to buyout Oubre or is he in their plans to extend this offseason? I assume they rather keep him since they did not trade him this week. I’m sure teams would have loved to get him.


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[bwgood77]

Paul/Payne/Saben (2 way?)
Booker/Lee/Shamet
Craig/Warren/Okogie
KD/Bazley/Ish (2 way?)
Ayton/Jock/Biz

Is Saben Lee under contract?

We must have one open one. Some people say 2 but I am not sure where. Is Ish taking up a roster spot? Are Ish and Lee are 2 ways?

Not sure who we will/could get on buyout.

Love, Jackson, Barton, Ross, Kaminsky

Suns have two open roster spots
They alwayts had an open spot and with the KD trade, that was 3 for 2

SLee and Ish are on two way deals
I think I am good with trying to get Barton or Jackson early
might wait on Love and see what else happens post ASB

I would go for Love if he's bought out and Jackson. If no Love then I'd have to compare Barton and Ross. I have always really been a fan of Barton but it seemed like he was not having a good season. Ross I am unsure. He was just ok last year I think.

The reason for Love would be rebounding but our defense would probably suffer...but he could spread the floor two or play some small ball 5...hit the 3, rebound, etc.

[bwgood77]

The only thing that currently worries me is having Torrey Craig in the starting line up. I think I’d rather go with Ish Wainright.

I do wonder if Charlotte has plans to buyout Oubre or is he in their plans to extend this offseason? I assume they rather keep him since they did not trade him this week. I’m sure teams would have loved to get him.


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People were really high on Craig..he has turnover problems but he is a very good defender and great with offensive boards and just bringing injury. He has experience starting in the playoffs, on a Denver team that upset the Utah and the Clips (I think coming back from down 3-1 in both series).

He would have no offensive responsibillities other than shooting the 3. The only reason he handled the ball more recently is because of all the injuries and only having Bridges and Cam for so long. With Paul, Book and KD all there to handle, he would not have the ball in his hands really at all.

What worries you about Craig?

[WeekapaugGroove]

The only thing that currently worries me is having Torrey Craig in the starting line up. I think I’d rather go with Ish Wainright. Would want TJ Warren but his bench points might be more important.

I do wonder if Charlotte has plans to buyout Oubre or is he in their plans to extend this offseason? I assume they rather keep him since they did not trade him this week. I’m sure teams would have loved to get him.


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Personally I'd try Okogie as the 5th starter. He would solve the point of attack D issue, the question would be does he muck up the O because teams just won't guard him.

I doubt they actually do it but I'd give it a look for a couple games.

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