The 2016 Offseason Thread

[NavLDO]

I agree that at this point, we need to roll with what we got for chemistry reasons. I'm curious to see how it turns out. It seems the Suns are not 100% set on going with a stretch 4 smallball lineup given their interest in Milsap, but I can understand their concerns over Okafor due to gambles on Beasley, Keef, and a few others that were disasters.

I think Okafor could have a breakout season. I also think he could get buried (especially if Embiid is healthy) and get into trouble.

But I think that if by mideason we are struggling with interior scoring, Knight isn't enjoying his 6th man role, and Ulis looks like he is ready to be our backup PG of the future, then I'd hope a Knight for Okafor swap would still be on the table.

...or...I'd be fine with:

Knight for Holmes
Knight for Grant
Knight for Covington
Pick + Knight for Noel
Knight for Thompson
Pick + Knight for Saric
Knight for Luwawu
Knight for Landry + pick

Point being, the Sixers have so many options, and seeing that I view Knight, at best, as a 6th man, I think those values above are ok. I doubt they part with Noel or Saric or Luwawu, and they seem to like Holmes and Grant, maybe those are all 'off-the-table', but that still leaves Covington, Thompson, and Landry--all guys I'd rather have than Knight right now.

My opinion may change if he pulls his head out and starts playing team ball as our back-up PG, but somehow, I don't see that as being 'ok with' Knight. I think he still has delusions of grandeur, and I certainly hope Watson doesn't placate Knight and starts him over Booker...

Some of you are way too salty on Brandon Knight.

If you plug Bradley Beal into those scenarios, do you see fair value? Knight really isn't too far off in value IMO (though admittedly lower), especially given the difference in money they're getting.

Really? Knight is quite a bit lower than Beal. So plugging Beal into those would be non-starters. Some of you are too forgiving of Knight.

Go ahead and post that Knight isn't too far off in value from Beal on the GB or T&T boards, and let me know how that goes...

[bwgood77]

...or...I'd be fine with:

Knight for Holmes
Knight for Grant
Knight for Covington
Pick + Knight for Noel
Knight for Thompson
Pick + Knight for Saric
Knight for Luwawu
Knight for Landry + pick

Point being, the Sixers have so many options, and seeing that I view Knight, at best, as a 6th man, I think those values above are ok. I doubt they part with Noel or Saric or Luwawu, and they seem to like Holmes and Grant, maybe those are all 'off-the-table', but that still leaves Covington, Thompson, and Landry--all guys I'd rather have than Knight right now.

My opinion may change if he pulls his head out and starts playing team ball as our back-up PG, but somehow, I don't see that as being 'ok with' Knight. I think he still has delusions of grandeur, and I certainly hope Watson doesn't placate Knight and starts him over Booker...

Some of you are way too salty on Brandon Knight.

If you plug Bradley Beal into those scenarios, do you see fair value? Knight really isn't too far off in value IMO (though admittedly lower), especially given the difference in money they're getting.

Really? Knight I quite a bit lower than Beal. So plugging Beal into those would be non-starters. Some of you are too forgiving of Knight.

Go ahead and post that Knight isn't too far off in value from Beal on the GB or T&T boards, and let me know how that goes...

Maybe but if you put their stats from last year side by side they are pretty close as I recall. Beal was not good and hampered by injury last year. People are not real high on him. The previous year near the all star break Knight was talked about as an all star snub. While Beal was thought of as an up n coming good young player, I don't think anyone thought of him as a potential all star that year. I don't think there is too much difference. The primary difference is that Knight has played a lot of PG and should be a SG. Beal probably wouldn't look too good as a PG either.

[LukasBMW]

Boogie
Bender
Hayward
Booker
Bledsoe

Thoughts on this potential line up

I think the Suns master plan might be similar to this.

Trade for a star player mideason.
Sign a star player in the offseason.

I'm not sure Boggie is the star we would get in a trade, but I do think that Hayward will be on of our top targets in free agency.

We've got a ton of assets to make it happen: Knight, Len, TJ, Chandler, our draft picks, Miami picks, maybe even Bender or Chriss.

I think I like that lineup if Boogie behaves. Everyone can spread the floor and defense isn't bad.

I'll snatch Boogie for the right price, but not a godfather offer. I'd treat it like a real estate flip. If we buy Boogie at $100,000 price, can we resell him for $90,000 or more if it doesn't work out? If yes, then do it. Minimal risk and huge upside. Could resell that house for $180k if it all works out.

[MrMiyagi]

...or...I'd be fine with:

Knight for Holmes
Knight for Grant
Knight for Covington
Pick + Knight for Noel
Knight for Thompson
Pick + Knight for Saric
Knight for Luwawu
Knight for Landry + pick

Point being, the Sixers have so many options, and seeing that I view Knight, at best, as a 6th man, I think those values above are ok. I doubt they part with Noel or Saric or Luwawu, and they seem to like Holmes and Grant, maybe those are all 'off-the-table', but that still leaves Covington, Thompson, and Landry--all guys I'd rather have than Knight right now.

My opinion may change if he pulls his head out and starts playing team ball as our back-up PG, but somehow, I don't see that as being 'ok with' Knight. I think he still has delusions of grandeur, and I certainly hope Watson doesn't placate Knight and starts him over Booker...

Some of you are way too salty on Brandon Knight.

If you plug Bradley Beal into those scenarios, do you see fair value? Knight really isn't too far off in value IMO (though admittedly lower), especially given the difference in money they're getting.

Really? Knight I quite a bit lower than Beal. So plugging Beal into those would be non-starters. Some of you are too forgiving of Knight.

Go ahead and post that Knight isn't too far off in value from Beal on the GB or T&T boards, and let me know how that goes...

Let's take the opinion of people who hardly ever watch the Suns on a Suns player.... Sounds great!

Beal - for whatever reason - gets this weird amount of reverence as the next anointed 2 guard. I mean, he's a good player and all, but that is a pretty monster contract for a guy who has near-identical career numbers as Knight: http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/pcm_finder.cgi?request=1&sum=1&p1=bealbr01&p2=knighbr03&p3=&p4=&p5=&p6=

[letsgosuns]

This upcoming season will most likely determine the Suns strategy for next offseason. If Warren turns into a 15-20 ppg scorer with good shooting percentages then the Suns will probably not go after Hayward. If Bender and/or Chriss have good seasons, then I doubt the Suns will go after a guy like Griffin. Best case scenario is that all of young players play well. Idk what the chances of that happening are, but it would mean the Suns already have their core in place and do not need to go out and get a big time free agent. However, if Warren or Len do not take the next step or if Bender or Chriss do not look ready, then I think that puts the Suns more in play to go after top free agents. Although, I hope the Suns young guys play so well that the team already has its core.

[NavLDO]

Some of you are way too salty on Brandon Knight.

If you plug Bradley Beal into those scenarios, do you see fair value? Knight really isn't too far off in value IMO (though admittedly lower), especially given the difference in money they're getting.

Really? Knight I quite a bit lower than Beal. So plugging Beal into those would be non-starters. Some of you are too forgiving of Knight.

Go ahead and post that Knight isn't too far off in value from Beal on the GB or T&T boards, and let me know how that goes...

Let's take the opinion of people who hardly ever watch the Suns on a Suns player.... Sounds great!

Beal - for whatever reason - gets this weird amount of reverence as the next anointed 2 guard. I mean, he's a good player and all, but that is a pretty monster contract for a guy who has near-identical career numbers as Knight: http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/pcm_finder.cgi?request=1&sum=1&p1=bealbr01&p2=knighbr03&p3=&p4=&p5=&p6=

Let's not be able to interpret between Suns AND non-Suns fans, as well as poor stats...sounds even better!

Now, show me where a fan said, the enlarged above, about Knight this past season...or nearly as often as Beal...I'll wait...

And Career #s?? C'mon, we all know Knight was a lot better in the East than he was ever with us. Now, let's look at last season:

eFG%:
Knight--.482
B.Beal--.515

TS%:
Knight--.522
B.Beal--.547

3PT%:
Knight--.342
B.Beal--.387

ORtg:
Knight--100
B.Beal--103

DRtg%:
Knight--111
B.Beal--108

PER%:
Knight--14.7
B.Beal--15.5

And that was Beal's "off year" compared to Knight's "off year"

'14-'15 Season:

B.Beal: ORPM=1.93 ; DRPM=.55 ; RPM=2.48 ; Wins=6.13

Knight: ORPM=-.51 ; DRPM=-1.85 ; RPM=-2.36 ; Wins=-.01

Knight's never posted a positive number in ANY of those stats, Beal posted positive wins in 2 years straight, but not last year in his 'off year', and was still better than Knight.

So no, those two are not close when you really look closely at the numbers, and no one would put Knight in the same 'tier' of player as Beal.

[bwgood77]

Boogie
Bender
Hayward
Booker
Bledsoe

Thoughts on this potential line up

I think the Suns master plan might be similar to this.

Trade for a star player mideason.
Sign a star player in the offseason.

I'm not sure Boggie is the star we would get in a trade, but I do think that Hayward will be on of our top targets in free agency.

We've got a ton of assets to make it happen: Knight, Len, TJ, Chandler, our draft picks, Miami picks, maybe even Bender or Chriss.

I think I like that lineup if Boogie behaves. Everyone can spread the floor and defense isn't bad.

I'll snatch Boogie for the right price, but not a godfather offer. I'd treat it like a real estate flip. If we buy Boogie at $100,000 price, can we resell him for $90,000 or more if it doesn't work out? If yes, then do it. Minimal risk and huge upside. Could resell that house for $180k if it all works out.

I think Boston will go hard after Hayward and Utah will try hard to keep him. IF he leaves in FA, I imagine he would probably prefer to go play for his Butler coach, Brad Stevens.

[simon24]

Boogie
Bender
Hayward
Booker
Bledsoe

Thoughts on this potential line up

I think the Suns master plan might be similar to this.

Trade for a star player mideason.
Sign a star player in the offseason.

I'm not sure Boggie is the star we would get in a trade, but I do think that Hayward will be on of our top targets in free agency.

We've got a ton of assets to make it happen: Knight, Len, TJ, Chandler, our draft picks, Miami picks, maybe even Bender or Chriss.

I think I like that lineup if Boogie behaves. Everyone can spread the floor and defense isn't bad.

I'll snatch Boogie for the right price, but not a godfather offer. I'd treat it like a real estate flip. If we buy Boogie at $100,000 price, can we resell him for $90,000 or more if it doesn't work out? If yes, then do it. Minimal risk and huge upside. Could resell that house for $180k if it all works out.

I think Boston will go hard after Hayward and Utah will try hard to keep him. IF he leaves in FA, I imagine he would probably prefer to go play for his Butler coach, Brad Stevens.

I agree. I think if Utah doesn't make the playoffs he's gone. No excuse for Utah not to make it this year. They got Hill, healthy Exum, healthy Burks, Hood, Joe, Favors, Gobert.

[bwgood77]

I agree. I think if Utah doesn't make the playoffs he's gone. No excuse for Utah not to make it this year. They got Hill, healthy Exum, healthy Burks, Hood, Joe, Favors, Gobert.

They should be able to withstand any injuries now with Hill, and then Lyles and Diaw backing up the front court too. I think they battle for home court advantage with Memphis. I'd put Portland and OKC a notch below and several teams will battle for the 8th spot like Houston, Dallas and Minnesota. New Orleans is kind of a wildcard too.

[MrMiyagi]

Really? Knight I quite a bit lower than Beal. So plugging Beal into those would be non-starters. Some of you are too forgiving of Knight.

Go ahead and post that Knight isn't too far off in value from Beal on the GB or T&T boards, and let me know how that goes...

Let's take the opinion of people who hardly ever watch the Suns on a Suns player.... Sounds great!

Beal - for whatever reason - gets this weird amount of reverence as the next anointed 2 guard. I mean, he's a good player and all, but that is a pretty monster contract for a guy who has near-identical career numbers as Knight: http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/pcm_finder.cgi?request=1&sum=1&p1=bealbr01&p2=knighbr03&p3=&p4=&p5=&p6=

Let's not be able to interpret between Suns AND non-Suns fans, as well as poor stats...sounds even better!

Now, show me where a fan said, the enlarged above, about Knight this past season...or nearly as often as Beal...I'll wait...

And Career #s?? C'mon, we all know Knight was a lot better in the East than he was ever with us. Now, let's look at last season:

eFG%:
Knight--.482
B.Beal--.515

TS%:
Knight--.522
B.Beal--.547

3PT%:
Knight--.342
B.Beal--.387

ORtg:
Knight--100
B.Beal--103

DRtg%:
Knight--111
B.Beal--108

PER%:
Knight--14.7
B.Beal--15.5

And that was Beal's "off year" compared to Knight's "off year"

'14-'15 Season:

B.Beal: ORPM=1.93 ; DRPM=.55 ; RPM=2.48 ; Wins=6.13

Knight: ORPM=-.51 ; DRPM=-1.85 ; RPM=-2.36 ; Wins=-.01

Knight's never posted a positive number in ANY of those stats, Beal posted positive wins in 2 years straight, but not last year in his 'off year', and was still better than Knight.

So no, those two are not close when you really look closely at the numbers, and no one would put Knight in the same 'tier' of player as Beal.

Did Beal play without John Wall for nearly half of his season and run the offense in his stead? No.

EDIT: Here's how Knight was doing with Bledsoe last season, again, in case you missed it.
Knight with Bledsoe:
7.2/16.6 FG/FGA 43.2% FG% 2.3/6.5 3pt/3ptA 35.1% 3pt% 1.4 steals 104 ORtg 108 DRtg 54.1% TS% 50.1% eFG%

And why are you using 2014-15 numbers when Knight was in Milwaukee for all but 11 games of his season?
2015-16 season:
Beal: ORPM= 0.29 ; DRPM= -2.53 ; RPM= -2.24 ; Wins= 1.32
Knight: ORPM= 0.44 ; DRPM= -2.48 ; RPM= -2.04 ; Wins= .99 /EDIT

And if you go to the Wizards board, they're not all that in love with Beal right now, especially at his price tag. The feeling is he hasn't really improved over his 4 seasons, that he's not that good of a defender and he takes too many mid-range jump shots. Hmm... That sounds a little familiar don't you think?

And I haven't said Knight is a better player at any point - I've said he has a similar value due to posting very similar numbers and being at a much more reasonable price tag.

[simon24]

I agree. I think if Utah doesn't make the playoffs he's gone. No excuse for Utah not to make it this year. They got Hill, healthy Exum, healthy Burks, Hood, Joe, Favors, Gobert.

They should be able to withstand any injuries now with Hill, and then Lyles and Diaw backing up the front court too. I think they battle for home court advantage with Memphis. I'd put Portland and OKC a notch below and several teams will battle for the 8th spot like Houston, Dallas and Minnesota. New Orleans is kind of a wildcard too.

Yeah, can't sleep on NO. They finally got some shooters.

[NavLDO]

Let's take the opinion of people who hardly ever watch the Suns on a Suns player.... Sounds great!

Beal - for whatever reason - gets this weird amount of reverence as the next anointed 2 guard. I mean, he's a good player and all, but that is a pretty monster contract for a guy who has near-identical career numbers as Knight: http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/pcm_finder.cgi?request=1&sum=1&p1=bealbr01&p2=knighbr03&p3=&p4=&p5=&p6=

Let's not be able to interpret between Suns AND non-Suns fans, as well as poor stats...sounds even better!

Now, show me where a fan said, the enlarged above, about Knight this past season...or nearly as often as Beal...I'll wait...

And Career #s?? C'mon, we all know Knight was a lot better in the East than he was ever with us. Now, let's look at last season:

eFG%:
Knight--.482
B.Beal--.515

TS%:
Knight--.522
B.Beal--.547

3PT%:
Knight--.342
B.Beal--.387

ORtg:
Knight--100
B.Beal--103

DRtg%:
Knight--111
B.Beal--108

PER%:
Knight--14.7
B.Beal--15.5

And that was Beal's "off year" compared to Knight's "off year"

'14-'15 Season:

B.Beal: ORPM=1.93 ; DRPM=.55 ; RPM=2.48 ; Wins=6.13

Knight: ORPM=-.51 ; DRPM=-1.85 ; RPM=-2.36 ; Wins=-.01

Knight's never posted a positive number in ANY of those stats, Beal posted positive wins in 2 years straight, but not last year in his 'off year', and was still better than Knight.

So no, those two are not close when you really look closely at the numbers, and no one would put Knight in the same 'tier' of player as Beal.

Did Beal play without John Wall for nearly half of his season and run the offense in his stead? No.

EDIT: Here's how Knight was doing with Bledsoe last season, again, in case you missed it.
Knight with Bledsoe:
7.2/16.6 FG/FGA 43.2% FG% 2.3/6.5 3pt/3ptA 35.1% 3pt% 1.4 steals 104 ORtg 108 DRtg 54.1% TS% 50.1% eFG%

And why are you using 2014-15 numbers when Knight was in Milwaukee for all but 11 games of his season?
2015-16 season:
Beal: ORPM= 0.29 ; DRPM= -2.53 ; RPM= -2.24 ; Wins= 1.32
Knight: ORPM= 0.44 ; DRPM= -2.48 ; RPM= -2.04 ; Wins= .99 /EDIT

And if you go to the Wizards board, they're not all that in love with Beal right now, especially at his price tag. The feeling is he hasn't really improved over his 4 seasons, that he's not that good of a defender and he takes too many mid-range jump shots. Hmm... That sounds a little familiar don't you think?

And I haven't said Knight is a better player at any point - I've said he has a similar value due to posting very similar numbers and being at a much more reasonable price tag.

Of course they aren't happy paying him and average of $25M vs Knight's $14M, but there's the difference right there. Knight couldn't command anywhere near that amount on the market right now; He'd be luckt to command the $14M he did.

And we cn come up with all sorts of excuses why x player was out, thus lessened a players numbers. Those numbers you portrayed for 'with' Bledsoe were for 29 games; not a very large sample to go by. How come Price was able to put up:

62gms 19.5mpg -1.41ORPM 1.64DRPM 0.23RPM 2.63WINS without Bledsoe?

Excuses are just that, excuses. He was given the opportunity to step up and didn't, while PJ and Price were able to.

Knight has not posted similar numbers other than bulk stats. Both had to play with Kieff for half a season, so on and so forth.

Take the Suns and Wizards fans biases out of it, put them both up together in a topic, and see who turns out to be thought of as the better player, or if both players are considered 'close'. Wizard Fans are just upset that Beal got the deal he did, just like Miami fans are upset with Dragic's deal, and just like we are unhappy with Knight's deal...not as much now, but when first signed? Heck yeah.

Sorry, but those two are not as close as you are making them sound, and just because their career numbers areas close in some areas, there are a lot of areas/years where they are not, and not to mention that Beal is 1.5 years younger and has played one less season.

And the numbers I posted were from last season; only the RPM numbers were from two years ago.

And while Knight's numbers, overall, are regressing, Beal's, for the most part, are continuing to progress. So there's that aspect, as well.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bealbr01.html

[Frank Lee]

Ugh... Miyag's love for the knight in shining armor is undeniable... But I will agree with him. Who cares about Beal anyway?

Personally, BKs slate is clean with me. This yr should be one where he defines his game/role with us.

If there is any comparison argument to be made, it should Include Booker and Bled as that trio will be splitting the majority of guard minutes.

What I don't get at all
is the signing of Barbasoso

[MrMiyagi]

Of course they aren't happy paying him and average of $25M vs Knight's $14M, but there's the difference right there. Knight couldn't command anywhere near that amount on the market right now; He'd be luckt to command the $14M he did.

And we cn come up with all sorts of excuses why x player was out, thus lessened a players numbers. Those numbers you portrayed for 'with' Bledsoe were for 29 games; not a very large sample to go by. How come Price was able to put up:

62gms 19.5mpg -1.41ORPM 1.64DRPM 0.23RPM 2.63WINS without Bledsoe?

Excuses are just that, excuses. He was given the opportunity to step up and didn't, while PJ and Price were able to.

Knight has not posted similar numbers other than bulk stats. Both had to play with Kieff for half a season, so on and so forth.

Take the Suns and Wizards fans biases out of it, put them both up together in a topic, and see who turns out to be thought of as the better player, or if both players are considered 'close'. Wizard Fans are just upset that Beal got the deal he did, just like Miami fans are upset with Dragic's deal, and just like we are unhappy with Knight's deal...not as much now, but when first signed? Heck yeah.

Sorry, but those two are not as close as you are making them sound, and just because their career numbers areas close in some areas, there are a lot of areas/years where they are not, and not to mention that Beal is 1.5 years younger and has played one less season.

And the numbers I posted were from last season; only the RPM numbers were from two years ago.

And while Knight's numbers, overall, are regressing, Beal's, for the most part, are continuing to progress. So there's that aspect, as well.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bealbr01.html

Last time, for the cheap seats.
And I haven't said Knight is a better player at any point - I've said he has a similar value due to posting very similar numbers and being at a much more reasonable price tag.

And I'm done.

[bleu]

I think the Suns master plan might be similar to this.

Trade for a star player mideason.
Sign a star player in the offseason.

I'm not sure Boggie is the star we would get in a trade, but I do think that Hayward will be on of our top targets in free agency.

We've got a ton of assets to make it happen: Knight, Len, TJ, Chandler, our draft picks, Miami picks, maybe even Bender or Chriss.

I think I like that lineup if Boogie behaves. Everyone can spread the floor and defense isn't bad.

I'll snatch Boogie for the right price, but not a godfather offer. I'd treat it like a real estate flip. If we buy Boogie at $100,000 price, can we resell him for $90,000 or more if it doesn't work out? If yes, then do it. Minimal risk and huge upside. Could resell that house for $180k if it all works out.

I think Boston will go hard after Hayward and Utah will try hard to keep him. IF he leaves in FA, I imagine he would probably prefer to go play for his Butler coach, Brad Stevens.

I agree. I think if Utah doesn't make the playoffs he's gone. No excuse for Utah not to make it this year. They got Hill, healthy Exum, healthy Burks, Hood, Joe, Favors, Gobert.

Among Utah fans, I think that the consensus is that this year is huge as far as the future build of the team goes. If we miss the playoffs or even wind up with a 7 or 8 seed without good reason (injury, etc.), there's a very good chance the management goes for a total rebuild. That would mean scrapping all but probably 1 of Favors, Hayward, and Gobert, and even in that scenario I think they probably try their hardest to hold on to Favors. Fans and management love him. With a successful year, I think they try to resign Gobert and Hayward and still very possibly trade Favors away in the offseason. Basically, I think that either plan relies on building around Hayward, and I fully expect them to match any offer given to him (although it will ultimately be his choice).

[bleu]

What is the general consensus here about Marquese Chriss? I was a little surprised to see him go so early on draft day because I saw him going later in many mock drafts, but the more I've thought about the pick the more I love it. I watched him quite a bit in college and the guy can flat out ball, but I'm interested to see how that transitions into NBA play. Do you guys expect him to get quite a few minutes right off the bat?

[MrMiyagi]

What is the general consensus here about Marquese Chriss? I was a little surprised to see him go so early on draft day because I saw him going later in many mock drafts, but the more I've thought about the pick the more I love it. I watched him quite a bit in college and the guy can flat out ball, but I'm interested to see how that transitions into NBA play. Do you guys expect him to get quite a few minutes right off the bat?

He's a good gamble being a great athlete with good shot form. I have no idea how our rotations are going to look this season, but I think it's possible for him to get more minutes than Bender because he seems like a natural Pick and Roll guy with the potential to eventually Pop too. A Ulis-Chriss PnR could become the Suns bench offense, but that's a more of an optimistic hope than a realistic expectation (for either of them). I'm really just looking for energy and some splashy dunks this season, and I fully expect mistakes to be made often.

[letsgosuns]

I think Tucker is going to be the odd man out of the rotation. All the minutes at the forwards spots should go to Warren, Dudley, Bender, and Chriss. Tucker is incredibly limited. Awful offensive player and an overrated defender. The worst part about him is that he is a very stupid player. Plus he has not been around the team this Summer that we heard about. He usually hangs out around the team during Summer League and is involved with the organization in general but I have seen none of that this year.

There are so many young players on this team and Tucker is not needed. The Suns have their veteran presences with Dudley, Barbosa, and Chandler. Those guys have tons of playoff experience and two of them have won championships. Tucker has never even been to the playoffs. Three of his four seasons with the Suns have been horrible years for the team. Why is he needed? He has literally brought nothing to the organization.

[bwgood77]

I think Tucker is going to be the odd man out of the rotation. All the minutes at the forwards spots should go to Warren, Dudley, Bender, and Chriss. Tucker is incredibly limited. Awful offensive player and an overrated defender. The worst part about him is that he is a very stupid player. Plus he has not been around the team this Summer that we heard about. He usually hangs out around the team during Summer League and is involved with the organization in general but I have seen none of that this year.

There are so many young players on this team and Tucker is not needed. The Suns have their veteran presences with Dudley, Barbosa, and Chandler. Those guys have tons of playoff experience and two of them have won championships. Tucker has never even been to the playoffs. Three of his four seasons with the Suns have been horrible years for the team. Why is he needed? He has literally brought nothing to the organization.

I still think in some respects he is the heart of the team. When he is on the floor it seems like everyone else plays harder. He makes stupid plays on offense but he also hustles and dives for lost balls and sets a tone. I think he starts and then Dudley takes over as that kind of heart of the team guy until Booker maybe finally takes it. Best case scenario in my thoughts are that he starts, the team does fairly well, Warren looks great as the guy off the bench, the team learns what Dudley brings and how to play with him, and he becomes that heart of the team guy and Tucker gets traded for a pick or a young player. If we could just get a late first rounder for him that would be good, but maybe even take a gamble on some other guy or get a second round pick. I agree he should not be necessary other than to probably start the season but then he probably should be dealt somewhere. If he isn't, I doubt we re-sign him.

[lilfishi22]

There's no need to rush guys like Warren or Booker to the starting line up. Despite how good Booker has looked, there's still a lot of the smaller things he needs to learn and gain experience in. Last year Booker was forced into the starting lineup and he did well, for a rookie, but he was by no means passing with flying colours. If Booker doesn't start, I wouldn't be shocked or unhappy as long as he gets quality minutes off the bench.

Likewise with Warren, he's shown he can be a capable scorer and finisher but he performed against mostly bench players so thrusting him into the starting line up right away wouldn't be a great idea considering the time off he's had. Both Booker and Warren have had issues in the past and offensively talented players who are defensively liabilities tend to play a bench role.

For me, what matters isn't who starts, it's who finishes the game and who plays the quality minutes. If by the end of the season both Warren, Booker and Len are starters and not due to injuries to the team, then that would be ideal.