2024-25 Season Discussion and Speculation Part V

[Slim Charless]

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Durant AND Booker? For just our picks back....lol

Are they insane? Yeah I'll take all of our picks, Amen, Sengun, Eason and Whitmore.

I am glad the tide is starting on the "trade Booker" wave. I'd rather trade him and keep Durant, than the other way around. At least if we move Booker, we can put Beal in that spot and get 60% or so of those numbers-maybe more. Plus we'll get a much bigger haul.

[Ghost of Kleine]

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[Ghost of Kleine]

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They are two tough, athletic, versatile players I'd really love to add to our bench for next season! They'd really strengthen our competitive culture, adding much-needed tenacity, grit, physicality, and edginess to bring fire to our passive mentality!

[Bogyo]

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Thats what he doesnt have. I say this despite acknowledging how he is likely top 25 ever. When its not stricly about putting that ball in that hoop it all goes down the drain with this fragile, egoistic, careless, disintrested snake primadonna.

[Son of Ra]

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Three years tells me ... and maybe I am wrong - but they are discussing EVERY player on the roster

(even if certain players have been told they are not being traded). As "1" player is not sticking around for a 3 year rebuild

Trust the process!!!

Seriously. As someone that has - after watching every game religiously - removed himself from the pain progressively after we drafted Ayton over Doncic....we've been hearing what Gambo said since McD took over. This is absolute groundhog day insanity.

[Mulhollanddrive]

VanVleets 45m team option turned out to be genius.

Saves them from having to offer any young starters.

2027, 2029, VanVleet (we decline the team option) would probably be 90% of the deal for Durant.

If a team can take Beal and 2 firsts into cap space wed be at around $90m salary

[thamadkant]

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They also traded Ayton amd Tumani for what ended up being a 3rd string center who won't see minutes on 29 other teams and an uninspired and tuned out Grayson Allen... who Tumani alone is looking to be better than.

Ishiba is Literally worse than Sarver.... Sarver was good at retaining some good players at least.

It's suicide fuel for those who are true suns fans.

[thamadkant]

My other wild idea is still to extend KD and trade Booker out.

KD is the Suns best player hands down. KD scores 40 points... suns win. Booker can score 70 but Suns lose. Anyone with a sense of basketball understands that raw numbers doesn't justify who's better alone.

Trade Booker and put defensive athletes and finishers next to KD and make Beal full time 6th man and I think chemistry improves significantly.

Booker is just not a good leader and doesn't inspire his team mates... he's the Carmelo Anthony of the modern era. It's true. Oh it's true.

[thamadkant]

Ishiba is blinded by Booker's pseudo aura... Booker is Lavine level. Carmelo Anthony of shooting guards.

[Rebound Mound]

For Beal, if attaching picks to trade him, then the top 3 trades on my list would be:

1- Chicago.
Beal/ CLE 27' 1st for Ball/ Vucevic/ Huerter. ** I might even take back Williams in the deal to get Ball/ Vucevic. But would require at least a 2nd back to balance the value of taking back that long-term money.

2- Orlando.
Beal for Isaac/ KCP/ Bidatze/ Harris/ 7 million (expiring)/ ORL 25' 2nd (45th pick)???

3- Utah (**IF tanking! which it kind of appears they are) ............BOTH CLE 1sts back.
Beal/ 2 1sts for Markannen/ Mikhaliuk??

IF Beal wouldn't agree to go Utah, but would go back to Washington, then I'd do Beal and a 1st for Poole/ Smart/ DET 25' 2nd (47th pick).
If there was mutual interest in Sacramento, I'd do Beal/ 1st for Derozan/ Monk/ LaRavia/ CHI 25' 2nd (42nd pick)??

Markannen would be a dream, but I believe Beal will not land us anything more than less than the package that you are proposing with Bulls. I believe the Bulls are OK with Ball at PG, while White is playing at ASG level plus and is fine a the SG position, unless they consider him a PG.

It is sad, but I see all these trades as getting something not very useful in return, but given the level that Beal is showing during the last games, I believe it is going to be a sad return.

That's probably a fair assessment given the general optics of the situation man. But let me explain my reasoning behind why I see these suggestions as feasible outside of normal trade and market value conditions:

1- Chicago

Spoiler:

I see this as logically feasible due to these factors, First, The Bulls have a significant glut at guard with having all of Giddey, Ball, White, Carter, Jones, Young, etc.

But they are however still kind of short on legitimate SG depth options with listing only Ball who's not really a good shooter, scorer, Huerter who's at times solid, but not consistent honestly.

And White has actually evolved more into being a PG option with his playmaking/ assists than a full on scoring guard option.

The Bulls also don't legitimately have any star options. But rather just a roster of high level complimentary players. Adding Beal gives them that first option they gave up in trading Lavine.

Additionally, Beal could be a great backcourt compliment to Giddey for them. Billy Donavon ( the Bulls coach) also just happened to coach Beal at Florida when he was at his best, so there's already a strong connection there for both involved.

And Beal's home/ family would be very close to offer support for him which he obviously didn't recieve enough of here! Lastly, taking back equitable salary allows Chicago to maintain flexibility towards roster modifications and getting a 1st or two as a sweetener in the deal is a desirable closing consideration.

2- Orlando

Spoiler:

I see this as logically possible because Orlando has been in the market with profound stated interest for a dominant offensive lead guard option for years now but gas been unsuccessful. They've even been rumored a few times as a potential trade partner for Beal too.

Beal would check a lot of Boxes there for them, could be their #1 option, as they currently don't yet have a tenured established one outside of their still very young only partially proven core of Wagner and Banchero. But still, neither are really dominant established shooters/ scorers on the level of Beal yet.

Now adding an established scorer such as Beal would actually give them legitimate star value to run their offense through so their young options could play off of him with much less pressures.

And add in Beal's motivation for playing in Florida again wherein he experienced a happy situation in college, as well as the weather environment considerations too, only further bodes well for both parties interests and overall motivation towards success.

Also, Beal's religious commitment standards would align well with the Magics' ownership as a desirable factor.

And lastly, taking back equitable salary in trade for Beal maintains necessary flexibility for them to build out their roster and softens the blow of taking back his big contract. Getting an additional 1st or two as a sweetener in the trade helps close the deal too.

3- Washington

Spoiler:

I see this trade as logically feasible due to their past history, Beal's scoring benchmarks/ career accolades pursuits playing a factor in mutual interest.

Additionally, there's Washington's mutual interest in becoming more competitive and competing for the playoffs aligning with Beal's stated goals at this point in his career. Also given their overall familiarity with one another, there'd at least be a level of comfortability between them in a reunion.

And the last important factor to consider would be Washington's interests in acquiring more draft assets in the process, which Phoenix can painfully accommodate.

*** Markannen trade***

Spoiler:

I see this as logically feasible due to the current situation of the Utah Jazz, their interests in tanking/ rebuilding further, Markannens' overall contract value in comparison to his current statistical production, and the likely chasm that's growing between Markannen and the Jazzs' (Ainge, etc rebuilding interests).

This growing difference in pathway commitment will likely cause Markannen to prefer a trade as opposed to enduring a complete bottom out rebuild option.

Also, while Markannens' contract isn't considered the worst value in the league, it's definitely up there in range as overpaid by a notable margin for the production he offers. This would matter because in trading for Beal, the Jazz could g4t off of his long term money earlier and stave at least 2 yrs and $102 million off their books.

Possibly much more if they can negotiate an early buyout?? And because Markannen and the Jazz are on different competitive timelines right now with obviously different goals, a mutual separation makes a lot of sense.

Thank you for your detailed explanation. You always take the time to create interesting posts.

I would love to see the Bulls taking Beal while we get Vucevic and Ball. Both are entering their final year and both could be serviceable players for us, especially Ball besides Booker. Vucevic could be a good complement to Richards in that he can shoot, pass and be intelligent in many situations.
But I cannot see any reason why the Bulls would want Beal if we do not sweeten the deal with picks (what picks, we have not got any) or players that could be attractive to them (Oneale, Allen). Complicated situation to deal Beal, my friend...

[Djedefre]

It is not just impatience, it's plain idiocy. I could understand trading everything you have for guys like Jokic, Luka nowadays, or Bron a few years back. Guys in their prime, with x more years of playing on the highest level possible and a lot of shots at getting those rings. Then you have a much bigger margin of error, if you fail two years in a row, you still have time and space to react and give it another go. All these trades for guys well in their thirties and on a clear decline, cramming them in the roster with no vision or plan whatsoever, hoping that the project will just work out by itself are just impossible to fathom.

[Saberestar]

VanVleets 45m team option turned out to be genius.

Saves them from having to offer any young starters.

2027, 2029, VanVleet (we decline the team option) would probably be 90% of the deal for Durant.

If a team can take Beal and 2 firsts into cap space wed be at around $90m salary

That’s a solid move IF we get some of their youngsters too.

For example...

FVV, Cam Whitmore, Tari Eason, 2027 and 2029 unprotected picks. If the Rockets need KD we can get more draft capital. Probably a 3rd unprotected pick.

The problem with adding Reed Sheppard or Jabari Smith Jr is that they have expensive rookie contracts.

We don’t exercise FVV's team option so we cut all his salary ($45M). Or we can exercise his TO and play him as a starting PG next to Book or we can use his big expiring + assets to try to get a premier player.

[thamadkant]

Suns fans need to do a survey about Ishiba selling the team if he tries to rebuild around Booker and trade more assets out with Beal.

[Djedefre]

Yeah, i was already asking about some initiative, a movement to apply pressure on him to step aside and let professionals do the work and if he does not want that, then he should be forced to sell. Bratz dolls are for playing, not NBA franchises.

[BobbieL]

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Durant AND Booker? For just our picks back....lol

Are they insane? Yeah I'll take all of our picks, Amen, Sengun, Eason and Whitmore.

I am glad the tide is starting on the "trade Booker" wave. I'd rather trade him and keep Durant, than the other way around. At least if we move Booker, we can put Beal in that spot and get 60% or so of those numbers-maybe more. Plus we'll get a much bigger haul.

Totally agree. I get Beal is not Booker but Beal + Picks/ Players Traded for Booker >>>> Booker + Picks/Players traded for Beal. In fact, a Beal trade will cost a draft pick probably.

Maybe I am reading too much into Gambos tweet but if the timeline is truly multiple years, Booker is not hanging around for that.

As for the Hollinger trade - yes, the Suns would need to get players back like Green, Amen, Eason and probably cap filler like Brooks -- who they can flip to another team

[dremill24]

VanVleets 45m team option turned out to be genius.

Saves them from having to offer any young starters.

2027, 2029, VanVleet (we decline the team option) would probably be 90% of the deal for Durant.

If a team can take Beal and 2 firsts into cap space wed be at around $90m salary

That’s a solid move IF we get some of their youngsters too.

For example...

FVV, Cam Whitmore, Tari Eason, 2027 and 2029 unprotected picks. If the Rockets need KD we can get more draft capital. Probably a 3rd unprotected pick.

The problem with adding Reed Sheppard or Jabari Smith Jr is that they have expensive rookie contracts.

We don’t exercise FVV's team option so we cut all his salary ($45M). Or we can exercise his TO and play him as a starting PG next to Book or we can use his big expiring + assets to try to get a premier player.

Just as a point interest, I'm reasonably certain that FVV cannot be traded in the offseason unless his Team Option is picked up, so getting him in a trade and then declining it wouldnt be an option.

[Saberestar]

VanVleets 45m team option turned out to be genius.

Saves them from having to offer any young starters.

2027, 2029, VanVleet (we decline the team option) would probably be 90% of the deal for Durant.

If a team can take Beal and 2 firsts into cap space wed be at around $90m salary

That’s a solid move IF we get some of their youngsters too.

For example...

FVV, Cam Whitmore, Tari Eason, 2027 and 2029 unprotected picks. If the Rockets need KD we can get more draft capital. Probably a 3rd unprotected pick.

The problem with adding Reed Sheppard or Jabari Smith Jr is that they have expensive rookie contracts.

We don’t exercise FVV's team option so we cut all his salary ($45M). Or we can exercise his TO and play him as a starting PG next to Book or we can use his big expiring + assets to try to get a premier player.

Just as a point interest, I'm reasonably certain that FVV cannot be traded in the offseason unless his Team Option is picked up, so getting him in a trade and then declining it wouldnt be an option.

Well, if that's the case then trading for FVV would be less attractive for the Suns because we would get about the same money in the trade.

BUT if the Rockets want KD they can offer FVV + Whitmore + Eason + 3 future unprotected FRPs.

[SunsRback4Good]

It's Friday, Friday
Gotta get down on Friday
Everybody's lookin' forward to the weekend, weekend
Friday, Friday
Gettin' down on Friday
Everybody's lookin' forward to the weekend

[Slim Charless]

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They also traded Ayton amd Tumani for what ended up being a 3rd string center who won't see minutes on 29 other teams and an uninspired and tuned out Grayson Allen... who Tumani alone is looking to be better than.

Ishiba is Literally worse than Sarver.... Sarver was good at retaining some good players at least.

It's suicide fuel for those who are true suns fans.

This is why we don't need to be giving away more assets to get rid of Beal.

[Ghost of Kleine]

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They also traded Ayton amd Tumani for what ended up being a 3rd string center who won't see minutes on 29 other teams and an uninspired and tuned out Grayson Allen... who Tumani alone is looking to be better than.

Ishiba is Literally worse than Sarver.... Sarver was good at retaining some good players at least.

It's suicide fuel for those who are true suns fans.

This is why we don't need to be giving away more assets to get rid of Beal.

Thank you!!!