Almost off-season discussion! Trades/Free Agency Ep. 9

[saintEscaton]

I think you are wrong on both accounts.

Booker would literally have to be the second coming of Harden and project to be one of the ATG SGs to be valued that highly. In a vacuum based on talent alone disregarding contract situation, assuming we weren't or didn't have the opportunity to take Ayton. I would trade him upright for Simmons, Embiid, Porzingis, KAT(despite regression), Giannis, Kawhi, Steph, KD, Bron. Might be missing a few names, but this is with my homer glasses off

As for your comment on Harden, compare Booker at age 21 versus Harden at 21 compare Booker at 3 years into the league versus Harden at 3 years into the league. Booker exceeds Harden in almost every category. Harden's first year in Houston looks a lot like Booker this last year.

You don't make trades in a vacuum. You might make trades for some of those, I don't think the Suns do. Possibly Giannis, but the rest are too old, too expensive, too beat up or don't fit.

Booker has above average efficiency this year for the first time in his career at 56.5% TS, but AD (62%) and KAT (65%) are two of the most efficient players in the league and offer more scarce/coveted skill sets as multifaceted bigs.The fact that KAT was second in the NBA behind only James Harden in offensive win shares counts for something and KAT shot a significantly higher percentage from every distance compared to Booke. I would do that deal in a heartbeat but Minny hangs up. Mitchell vs Booker will be a long time rivalry too, lets see who comes up on top looks like it could go either way.

[BobbieL]

I think you are wrong on both accounts.

Booker would literally have to be the second coming of Harden and project to be one of the ATG SGs to be valued that highly. In a vacuum based on talent alone disregarding contract situation, assuming we weren't or didn't have the opportunity to take Ayton. I would trade him upright for Simmons, Embiid, Porzingis, KAT(despite regression), Giannis, Kawhi, Steph, KD, Bron. Might be missing a few names, but this is with my homer glasses off

As for your comment on Harden, compare Booker at age 21 versus Harden at 21 compare Booker at 3 years into the league versus Harden at 3 years into the league. Booker exceeds Harden in almost every category. Harden's first year in Houston looks a lot like Booker this last year.

You don't make trades in a vacuum. You might make trades for some of those, I don't think the Suns do. Possibly Giannis, but the rest are too old, too expensive, too beat up or don't fit.

Exactly. And again - look at the Warriors. They traded for Bogut and signed Iggy and Lee.

The rockets - sure they had Harden, drafted Capela, traded for Paul - but core guys, depth , bench with Gordon Tucker Ariza.


I think the Suns have the top flight talent in Booker JJ and Ayton or Doncic - it’s about players 4-12on the roster. How do they improve a few of those in free agency or trades with players that fit

Igor May have said he cooks the ingredients Ryan buys - but Igor damn we’ll be in the store pushing the cart.

[thamadkant]

I'd pissed if they burnt the 16 pick just to clear knights money. This FA class just isnt that good once you get past the guys like george and LeBron.

What if it is George that s the target

Obviously it has to be a good FA

PG13 is not coming here

Do you also tell kids Santa isn't real

[saintEscaton]

What if it is George that s the target

Obviously it has to be a good FA

PG13 is not coming here

Do you also tell kids Santa isn't real

It will be like LMA all over again, but I doubt he even puts up the tease

[bwgood77]

Booker would literally have to be the second coming of Harden and project to be one of the ATG SGs to be valued that highly. In a vacuum based on talent alone disregarding contract situation, assuming we weren't or didn't have the opportunity to take Ayton. I would trade him upright for Simmons, Embiid, Porzingis, KAT(despite regression), Giannis, Kawhi, Steph, KD, Bron. Might be missing a few names, but this is with my homer glasses off

As for your comment on Harden, compare Booker at age 21 versus Harden at 21 compare Booker at 3 years into the league versus Harden at 3 years into the league. Booker exceeds Harden in almost every category. Harden's first year in Houston looks a lot like Booker this last year.

You don't make trades in a vacuum. You might make trades for some of those, I don't think the Suns do. Possibly Giannis, but the rest are too old, too expensive, too beat up or don't fit.

Booker has above average efficiency this year for the first time in his career at 56.5% TS, but AD (62%) and KAT (65%) are two of the most efficient players in the league and offer more scarce/coveted skill sets as multifaceted bigs.The fact that KAT was second in the NBA behind only James Harden in offensive win shares counts for something and KAT shot a significantly higher percentage from every distance compared to Booke. I would do that deal in a heartbeat but Minny hangs up. Mitchell vs Booker will be a long time rivalry too, lets see who comes up on top looks like it could go either way.

None of those guys would be traded for Booker anyway. But yeah, none of these trades are done in a vacuum, and when you consider the fanbase crush on Booker and all of the marketing and good hype around him, there is no chance they'd put him on the table unless he forced it at some point.

[lilfishi22]

As for your comment on Harden, compare Booker at age 21 versus Harden at 21 compare Booker at 3 years into the league versus Harden at 3 years into the league. Booker exceeds Harden in almost every category. Harden's first year in Houston looks a lot like Booker this last year.

You don't make trades in a vacuum. You might make trades for some of those, I don't think the Suns do. Possibly Giannis, but the rest are too old, too expensive, too beat up or don't fit.

Booker has above average efficiency this year for the first time in his career at 56.5% TS, but AD (62%) and KAT (65%) are two of the most efficient players in the league and offer more scarce/coveted skill sets as multifaceted bigs.The fact that KAT was second in the NBA behind only James Harden in offensive win shares counts for something and KAT shot a significantly higher percentage from every distance compared to Booke. I would do that deal in a heartbeat but Minny hangs up. Mitchell vs Booker will be a long time rivalry too, lets see who comes up on top looks like it could go either way.

Both of you guys are right. Suns fans, rightfully so, do overrate Booker. After all, we drafted him, we found a real gem late in the lottery and we've developed him into one of the most exciting players to watch (imo). But his deficiencies on the defensive end is significant which is why he's thus far only has a neutral, at best, impact on the court. With better defensive players around him that could change but from what we've seen, he's not very good on that end of the court despite putting up a fairly efficient 25ppg. For him to become a legitimate star (not just in the eyes of fans) from an impact standpoint, he'll need to improve in several fronts including further improvements from an efficiency standpoint, playmaking and of course, defensively.

But it's also true that we probably wouldn't trade him unless it's an established true star is coming back. It's not often teams get a chance at a Booker level talent. He's still young and while his defense isn't good, I don't believe he's reach his ceiling defensively. If he can become just marginally below average, his overwhelming offense could push him deep into the territory of legit star. At this moment, team success, current player profile and impact on the court doesn't reflect that of a franchise cornerstone imo. But given his age, skills and significant room for improvement, he could be that guy. Let's keep in mind, even a guy like Giannis didn't start to look like franchise guy until his 3rd season and it wasn't until his 4th season when he really cemented his spot as a franchise guy/elite player

[BVPN]

One guy that could be available for trade (and wouldn’t cost much) would be Gallinari (assuming he’s ready to play by the start of the season). I think he could be a great stretch four next to Ayton, and his contract is only about two years left I believe. We could probably get him for chandler+Dudley alone.

[lilfishi22]

One guy that could be available for trade (and wouldn’t cost much) would be Gallinari (assuming he’s ready to play by the start of the season). I think he could be a great stretch four next to Ayton, and his contract is only about two years left I believe. We could probably get him for chandler+Dudley alone.

Been a fan of Gallo but with two years, over $44m left and averaging about 40 games played per season over the last 3, it's too expensive if we're giving them two expiring deals.

[Christine-In-AZ]

Rank em for the Suns going forward if you had to. Pick one-

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Frank Ntilikina
Collin Sexton

I'll confess, I've had a strong feeling Frank is going to be a unique plus guard since early 2017...felt he'd be a great fit next to DBook. Hardly wowed in his rookie season, but i still would like to get him somehow. That's unlikely, so curious where these other two incoming "gettable" PGs compare

[lilfishi22]

I think Sexton is the most exciting and probably most likely going to have star stats. Shai to me is more of a steady hand PG who wont wow anyone but should be a useful player especially if he can shoot the 3 at the NBA level. I'm still not sold on French Frank. The way he's played, he seems more like an off-ball slasher who's on the court primarily for defense and the occasional scoring opportunity. Out of these 3, I see Sexton as the most likely to become a #2 scoring option/ lead guard.

[Christine-In-AZ]

I think Sexton is the most exciting and probably most likely going to have star stats. Shai to me is more of a steady hand PG who wont wow anyone but should be a useful player especially if he can shoot the 3 at the NBA level. I'm still not sold on French Frank. The way he's played, he seems more like an off-ball slasher who's on the court primarily for defense and the occasional scoring opportunity. Out of these 3, I see Sexton as the most likely to become a #2 scoring option/ lead guard.

Would you sacrifice something like #16 and a future 1st to move up to get Sexton? Do you see him as a good backcourt partner for Booker? Defense?

Edit: your description of Frank is kinda why I liked the thought of him paired with Booker

[lilfishi22]

I wouldn't. I see some the most star potential from him out of those 3 but he still feels too much like a Bledsoe type PG. A guy with questionable playmaking skills and a potentially a below average efficiency scorer just doesn't rank very high for me.

[AtheJ415]

I think Rodney Hood is making more and more sense for us. Igor knows him. He played okay in Utah, and this horrid run in Cleveland is probably going to tank his stock and make him a value contract. It also frees up moving Warren if he ends up being a needed trade chip, but eve if we don't move him he can play the 2 and 3, which makes him still playable if we keep TJ.

Exum I like but depends on the price. Also could see VanVleet being a target, but the problem is while he is a great defender, he would need to be our starter because we have too many backup caliber PGs to begin with. Not sure if his upside is a starter.

Capela is great but I don't want to max him. Same for Gordon given his upside imo.

[AtheJ415]

I wouldn't mind SGA or Sexton, but I think I am actually leaning for guys who are a bit safer at the 1 who can play the 2 as well and will go a bit later, like Milton, Melton, Shamet. I really want shooters, defenders, and guys who can succeed off the ball given Booker and Jackson on the wings.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

What do people think about Kyle Anderson as a RFA target? I've always liked his game. His DRPM is shockingly high. Could we slot him in at the 4 next to Ayton?

[Kerrsed]

https://sports.yahoo.com/demarcus-cousins-unfollowed-pelicans-instagram-im-grown-030913427.html

[TheLogician]

https://sports.yahoo.com/demarcus-cousins-unfollowed-pelicans-instagram-im-grown-030913427.html

I wouldn't be surprised if it's a leveraging tactic. I think the Pelicans want to bring him back but he wants a max deal. Even so, his attitude is worse than the Morris twins combined.

[BobbieL]

I wouldn't. I see some the most star potential from him out of those 3 but he still feels too much like a Bledsoe type PG. A guy with questionable playmaking skills and a potentially a below average efficiency scorer just doesn't rank very high for me.

I personally agree about Sexton as PG. The Suns are in a spot where they need to push for wins. That's why the Dinwiddie for 16 makes more sense than an undersized young point guard that will need to learn how to play. Its not like the guy is Kidd or Earvin coming out of college. And both of those guys were physically bigger and even sophomores.

I am fine with two rookies from this draft 1 and 31 - I want to get older, mentally, physically - to compete

Look at the Twolves: Teague, Gibson and Butler - look for the Suns to do the same with that 16th pick. Maybe not the money those three got - but more experienced players.

[TheLogician]

Well, the Nets have been swindled before. Maybe we could work out a trade for Dinwiddie and RHJ.

[dremill24]

What do people think about Kyle Anderson as a RFA target? I've always liked his game. His DRPM is shockingly high. Could we slot him in at the 4 next to Ayton?

I love SloMo but adding him to this bunch of non-shooters would hurt his value on thr court, unless we re-vamped the entire roster with shooters (which I'm totally ok with).