2021-22 Season Discussion and Speculation

[Ghost of Kleine]

Mike Vigil (@protectedpick) Tweeted:
PODCAST!!! Most newly signed players can be traded December 15, so our friend @danfavale joins us to talk about the main contenders so far and to wildly speculate on potential Suns trades this season!

Apple: https://t.co/7dMJGopFxE

Spotify: https://t.co/IZ61AMAeoK https://t.co/GJtu6PyVt5

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[Ghost of Kleine]

Xin Varlock (@XinNBA) Tweeted:
Which of these trades would you prefer?

A. Stix and pick for Torrey Craig
B. Stix and a pick for Justin Holiday
C. Stix, Dario, and a pick for Thad Young

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[Ghost of Kleine]

Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) Tweeted:
New $90M deal.

New home for Mikal Bridges. #Suns

https://t.co/8rcKhiy93H

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[Ghost of Kleine]

John Perrotto (@JPerrotto) Tweeted:
My preview with prediction for @SBD: Suns vs Clippers Odds and Predictions https://t.co/sxJE8zNwRA #Suns #Clippers #NBA

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-
The Suns are a three-point road favorite over the Clippers on Monday night.

- This is the teams’ first meeting since the Suns won last season’s Western Conference Finals.

- A look at the matchups and odds can be found below with a pick.

[Mulhollanddrive]

I know we don't care too much about playoff matchups but I wouldn't be taking any risks just to finish no.1 seed, getting the easier team out of GSW, Lakers, Utah might mean being on the other side of the draw.

[matt131]

From Shams at the Athletic

"Phoenix Suns

Despite declining his third-year option, the Suns have had interest generate in talks to move center Jalen Smith, sources said. But interested teams expect a potential move for Smith as the Dec. 15 date — when most offseason signings can be traded — nears."

Also mentions the Lakers wanting Jerami Grant. I'd be so mad if they can turn anyone on their team with zero picks into grant.

[Mulhollanddrive]

Irving, Simmons, Sabonis, Grant, Wood, Turner.

Keep these guys away from GSW and Lakers.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

From Shams at the Athletic

"Phoenix Suns

Despite declining his third-year option, the Suns have had interest generate in talks to move center Jalen Smith, sources said. But interested teams expect a potential move for Smith as the Dec. 15 date — when most offseason signings can be traded — nears."

Also mentions the Lakers wanting Jerami Grant. I'd be so mad if they can turn anyone on their team with zero picks into grant.

I'm not shocked there's interest in Jalen Smith. He's not a bad prospect - just young and overpaid on a rookie contract. Even without the RFA rights, a team can bring him in, commit to giving him minutes and developing him, and thereby get security that he will re-sign to a reasonable, short-term deal.

Wouldn't expect to get too much for him, but maybe we could get a decent end-of-bench player. If I'm dreaming, maybe a future SRP. Wow, what a return for a #10 pick. Better than having to pay a team to take him, I guess....

[Ghost of Kleine]

https://syndication.bleacherreport.com/amp/10020714-nba-trade-rumors-pacers-domantas-sabonis-eyed-by-suns-kings.amp.html

NBA Trade Rumors: Pacers' Domantas Sabonis Eyed by Suns, Kings

TIMOTHY RAPP
DECEMBER 13, 2021

The Phoenix Suns and New York Knicks "have shown interest in recent years" in potentially acquiring Indiana Pacers star big man Domantas Sabonis, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium. 

Sabonis is "expected to generate strong interest and is among the attractive players who could be available in a trade" ahead of the NBA's Feb. 10 trade deadline, per Charania.

This article will be updated to provide more information on this story as it becomes available.

I know this is just a bleacher report rumor. But how incredible would it be IF Jones actually did have a plan in place to acquire Sabonis? Could we figure out a way for both Sabonis and Ayton to play together? How good would we be IF they could play together? Our frontcourt would have to be the most dominant in the entire league if we could make it work somehow.

Is there actually a trade that we should consider? Maybe................

Saric/ Smith/ Johnson/ 1st?
Or
Saric/ Payne/ Smith/ 1st? Would it need to be 2 firsts? Would we need to have Johnson outgoing in the deal positionally?

Also Sacramento really wants him too. Could there be a 3 team trade wherein they get Sabonis, and we get back Harrison Barnes and other pieces??

[bwgood77]

From Shams at the Athletic

"Phoenix Suns

Despite declining his third-year option, the Suns have had interest generate in talks to move center Jalen Smith, sources said. But interested teams expect a potential move for Smith as the Dec. 15 date — when most offseason signings can be traded — nears."

Also mentions the Lakers wanting Jerami Grant. I'd be so mad if they can turn anyone on their team with zero picks into grant.

I'm not shocked there's interest in Jalen Smith. He's not a bad prospect - just young and overpaid on a rookie contract. Even without the RFA rights, a team can bring him in, commit to giving him minutes and developing him, and thereby get security that he will re-sign to a reasonable, short-term deal.

Wouldn't expect to get too much for him, but maybe we could get a decent end-of-bench player. If I'm dreaming, maybe a future SRP. Wow, what a return for a #10 pick. Better than having to pay a team to take him, I guess....

I wonder what teams are really interested and what they'd give up. Or if there is any reason we'd want to keep him unless it's a great offer.

Again, I don't expect to take on salary past this year. A Thad deal (if we had matching salary) would make sense other than the fact a buyout makes more sense (though maybe not for Thad).I'm sure SA would like to develop him and won't keep Thad. Easy way to get a nice PF/C prospect.

Not sure who else expires. I don't think we'd deal him for Boucher, Portland wouldn't do Covington.

I wish we could get Tyus Jones somehow...I don't want to see Payton any more or use him in the playoffs. I don't see a trade there though and Ja seems to be injured a lot.

I still think he'd be a great signing to take over for CP3 (since we won't have star quality PG money and there won't be many other many (if any) better options.

[bwgood77]

https://syndication.bleacherreport.com/amp/10020714-nba-trade-rumors-pacers-domantas-sabonis-eyed-by-suns-kings.amp.html

NBA Trade Rumors: Pacers' Domantas Sabonis Eyed by Suns, Kings

TIMOTHY RAPP
DECEMBER 13, 2021

The Phoenix Suns and New York Knicks "have shown interest in recent years" in potentially acquiring Indiana Pacers star big man Domantas Sabonis, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium. 

Sabonis is "expected to generate strong interest and is among the attractive players who could be available in a trade" ahead of the NBA's Feb. 10 trade deadline, per Charania.

This article will be updated to provide more information on this story as it becomes available.

I know this is just a bleacher report rumor. But how incredible would it be IF Jones actually did have a plan in place to acquire Sabonis? Could we figure out a way for both Sabonis and Ayton to play together? How good would we be IF they could play together? Our frontcourt would have to be the most dominant in the entire league if we could make it work somehow.

Is there actually a trade that we should consider? Maybe................

Saric/ Smith/ Johnson/ 1st?
Or
Saric/ Payne/ Smith/ 1st? Would it need to be 2 firsts? Would we need to have Johnson outgoing in the deal positionally?

Also Sacramento really wants him too. Could there be a 3 team trade wherein they get Sabonis, and we get back Harrison Barnes and other pieces??

No, I think Ayton would be included in any deal for Sabonis. Ayton and Smith works I think...but it would make some sense to get Craig or Holiday back too.

Brogdon would be nice but makes too much and is injured too much. I like LeVert too but same thing. Or Lamb.

I'd rather keep Ayton though.

I think they like the Ayton/McGee combo for now and maybe hope to keep McGee another year or two if possible.

[King4Day]

From Shams at the Athletic

"Phoenix Suns

Despite declining his third-year option, the Suns have had interest generate in talks to move center Jalen Smith, sources said. But interested teams expect a potential move for Smith as the Dec. 15 date — when most offseason signings can be traded — nears."

Also mentions the Lakers wanting Jerami Grant. I'd be so mad if they can turn anyone on their team with zero picks into grant.

I read they are in on Simmons too.
Basically this is how the convo will go:

Lakers: We want Simmons/Grant
Philly/Detroit: What can you offer?
Lakers: Westbrook
Philly/Detroit: ....I asked what can you offer? ...

[King4Day]

Irving, Simmons, Sabonis, Grant, Wood, Turner.

Keep these guys away from GSW and Lakers.

Lakers have nothing to offer so i don't worry about them.
I wouldn't mind the Warriors getting Simmons since it means they have to give up Wiggins.

[King4Day]

If we sent Ayton over in a Sabonis deal I would throw up. This team would go from title contender to playoff contender, just like that.
Sabonis' D and his long range shooting I believe are his weaknesses. Not sure why Jones does that.

I wouldn't even do a deal that includes CamJo for him.
Don't F this team up. Ride it out, make a smaller move that includes Smith, Dario (if need be), and a future 1st or 2 and see what's out there.

A move for Sabonis is the type that you do when the current team is broke and you need to try something else.

[King4Day]

Reading into what Shams reported further:

"Despite declining his third-year option, the Suns have had interest generate in talks to move center Jalen Smith, sources said. But interested teams expect a potential move for Smith as the Dec. 15 date — when most offseason signings can be traded — nears."

If a deal could be near, it seems to have all the makings of Smith for Craig. Craig will be eligible to be dealt starting Wednesday.

[WeekapaugGroove]

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[Bogyo]

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1. No trading Ayton for Sabonis. Doesn't make sense.
2. We don't really have the salaries (might have the salaries but not the players) to make a trade for a 20 mill guy.
3. If we did come up with the necessary salary, it would have to be the other team (Indy in this case) to accept a pu-pu platter instead of a decent trade offer from a number of other teams giving up better young prospects and better draft picks, OR a player saying he only wants to play for us, and them doing said player a solid. Unlikely. Their GM is not JJ.
4. Turner with his 3 point shooting, and weak side blocks would make more sense, but after all those problems, he would have the same issues here as he has there right now - he would be the 5th guy on our starting 5 at best. Not ideal.

All in all - unless we get luckier than we got with last years playoff injuries - we ain't getting Sabonis or Turner.

With all that said: we do have the personnel and the necessary cap space to upgrade this team to give us a true chance to win the championsip. This year we should take advantage of this situation, UNLIKE last year when we tried to halfass it and not sign a big to the bench (while everybody with half of a functioning brain was screaming for it), and that got us losing the finals.

[Ghost of Kleine]

From Shams at the Athletic

"Phoenix Suns

Despite declining his third-year option, the Suns have had interest generate in talks to move center Jalen Smith, sources said. But interested teams expect a potential move for Smith as the Dec. 15 date — when most offseason signings can be traded — nears."

Also mentions the Lakers wanting Jerami Grant. I'd be so mad if they can turn anyone on their team with zero picks into grant.

I'm not shocked there's interest in Jalen Smith. He's not a bad prospect - just young and overpaid on a rookie contract. Even without the RFA rights, a team can bring him in, commit to giving him minutes and developing him, and thereby get security that he will re-sign to a reasonable, short-term deal.

Wouldn't expect to get too much for him, but maybe we could get a decent end-of-bench player. If I'm dreaming, maybe a future SRP. Wow, what a return for a #10 pick. Better than having to pay a team to take him, I guess....

maybe we could get a decent end-of-bench player.

My preference would still be to keep him obviously as I still believe that he has very solid upside towards our frontcourt needs. However, IF we're hellbent on moving him, there should be a number of reasonable options for us to get a decent return. At the risk of giving Bgood a mild thrombo, I'll repeat ( Sorry man)!
my previous suggestion for Chris Boucher and Malachi Flynn for Smith/ Nader OR Hutchinson/conditional first for Boucher/ Flynn. ( actually we could get Boucher for only Smith and a 2nd). So that's decent value.

Boucher would give us that solid 3 point/ perimeter defense AND weakside rim protection wherein he could play at times (situationally) alongside of Kaminsky or in small ball lineups with Cam at the 4 and Boucher at the 5. Getting Malachi Flynn in the deal as a throw in is great because it allows us to move off from Payton who just isn't a reliable floor spacer. And has a bit of tunnel vision at times.

We likely couldn't get Grant ( obviously) for him and assets, But how about these considerations:

Detroit-
Saric/ Jalen Smith/ Nader/ 1st for Garza/ Diallo/ Livers?
Garza replaces Saric on the cheap. Diallo gives us a strong athletic ballhandler with point of attack defensive potential. And Livers has Jordan Poole potential as a shooter, and is a solid perimeter defender.

New York-
Smith/ Nader/ 1st for Knox/ Grimes/ McBride.
Or Saric/ Smith/ first for Knox/ Quickly/ McBride.
Knox can offer more size on the wing for us. Grimes can be a shot generator and plays tenacious defense/ and McBride is very solid with a Conley/ Lowry like upside.


Chicago-
Saric/ Smith/ Nader/ 1st for White/ Alize Johnson/ Bradley Jr.? White can be our 6th man scorer/ ballhandler. Johnson can be a key rebounder off the bench/ Bradley Jr can fill Sarics' role for post production.


Boston-
Saric/ Smith/ Nader/ 1st for Richardson/ Parker/ Hauser. Richardson is a very solid perimeter defender currently having a solid season offensively for Boston. Jabari Parker is very solid offensively at the 4. Sam Hauser is a very cost effective version of McDermott/ Bogdanovic'. He'd give us a modicum of insurance for Cam Johnson's extension options.

Or
Smith/ Nader / 1st for Schroder/ Parker/ Hauser.

Sacramento-
Saric/ Smith/ Nader/ 2nd for Thompson/ Harkless/ Davis?

Or just Smith / Nader/ 2nd for Davis/ Metu or Queta.
Thompson would give us strong offensive rebounding/ rebounding in our frontcourt. Harkless could give us a solid versatile defender on the wing who can hit the three. Davis would give us a solid ballhandler that can also space the floor from three. ( Metu or Queta alternatively would give us great length and defensive versatility, physicality for our frontcourt depth at 4/5).

Portland-
Saric/ Smith/ Nader/ 1st for Covington or Nance / McLemore/ Zeller?

Or
just Smith/ 2nd for McLemore/ Zeller?
Covington would give us a very solid defensive playmaker and versatile veteran defender to help lead our bench. McLemore would give us another athletic veteran ballhandler and microwave scorer with decent defense. And Zeller would give us another big body at 3rd string center that brings physicality and solid positional defense and post production with Kaminsky and Saric out.

San Antonio- ( Really like this one)!!
Smith/ Nader/ 1st for Tre Jones/ Drew Eubanks/ Joe Weiscamp.
Jones is a very solid backup guard, solid assist to turnover ratio, great defensively, high IQ. It would allow us to move Payne to 6th man role. Eubanks would give us a very solid high production 4 on a minimum deal. Weiscamp is actually a very underrated shooter and solid aggressive defender for a wing. Think a 6'6 Shamet in many ways. He could be our 3rd string SG/ sniper. Or we could go with a strong offensive lineup of:
Payne/ Shamet/ Weiscamp/ Johnson/ Kaminsky? All 5 shooters and scorers.

Charlotte-
Smith/ Payton/ 1st for Ish Smith/ JT Thor/ Cody Martin. Ish is a very solid ( fast ) veteran guard with floor spacing and passing skillset. Thor is a supremely gifted versatile defender both on the perimeter and in the paint. Has great length at 6'10 with a 7'3 wingspan. And has elite positional and closeout abilities. He'd add great frontcourt/ wing defensive depth. Cody Martin is a solid defender and competent veteran floor spacer with good athleticism. He's basically what we had hoped Tyler Johnson would have been for us but wasn't.

OKC Thunder-
Saric/ Smith/ 1st for Favors/ Williams/ Mann.

Or

Smith/ 1st for Williams/ Mann or Aaron Wiggins. Williams is a very solid " glue guy" wing. Basically Jared Dudley 2.0 with a bit more athleticism. Favors wouldn't offer floor spacing, But would bring post production, rebounding and a rugged physical big body.
( would rather have Eubanks or Zeller for this role at a minimum price though). Getting Mann is the real jewel of this deal, As Mann could be a great additional ballhandler and ISO scoer/ free throw generator. And would a very potent scoring backcourt with all of Booker/ Payne/ Shamet/ Mann options. He's got a bit of Tre Young/ Garland to his game!! Or aaron Wiggins is a very solid upcoming wing with similar potential to his brother Andrew. He'd be great slotted between Shamet and Johnson off the bench.

[Slim Charless]

https://syndication.bleacherreport.com/amp/10020714-nba-trade-rumors-pacers-domantas-sabonis-eyed-by-suns-kings.amp.html

NBA Trade Rumors: Pacers' Domantas Sabonis Eyed by Suns, Kings

TIMOTHY RAPP
DECEMBER 13, 2021

The Phoenix Suns and New York Knicks "have shown interest in recent years" in potentially acquiring Indiana Pacers star big man Domantas Sabonis, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium. 

Sabonis is "expected to generate strong interest and is among the attractive players who could be available in a trade" ahead of the NBA's Feb. 10 trade deadline, per Charania.

This article will be updated to provide more information on this story as it becomes available.

I know this is just a bleacher report rumor. But how incredible would it be IF Jones actually did have a plan in place to acquire Sabonis? Could we figure out a way for both Sabonis and Ayton to play together? How good would we be IF they could play together? Our frontcourt would have to be the most dominant in the entire league if we could make it work somehow.

Is there actually a trade that we should consider? Maybe................

Saric/ Smith/ Johnson/ 1st?
Or
Saric/ Payne/ Smith/ 1st? Would it need to be 2 firsts? Would we need to have Johnson outgoing in the deal positionally?

Also Sacramento really wants him too. Could there be a 3 team trade wherein they get Sabonis, and we get back Harrison Barnes and other pieces??

No, I think Ayton would be included in any deal for Sabonis. Ayton and Smith works I think...but it would make some sense to get Craig or Holiday back too.

Brogdon would be nice but makes too much and is injured too much. I like LeVert too but same thing. Or Lamb.

I'd rather keep Ayton though.

I think they like the Ayton/McGee combo for now and maybe hope to keep McGee another year or two if possible.

I disagree. A Sabonis trade would likely include Mikal since Indy has Turner and wouldn't be able to play him and Ayton together. OTOH they do need a player like Mikal (who doesn't?) so it'd probably be him, Stix, Saric and a 1st or two for Sabonis.

I wouldn't do that either. Sabonis can't 3s at a big enough clip to make the spacing work with him and Ayton. Also, we'd lose a lot on defense as good as CamJo is, he isn't Mikal.

All in all I don't see how a Sabonis trade to us works to our benefit. We do have a hole at PF, but that's not the answer.

[NapoleonII]

If Lakers somehow got Jeremi Grant, I think they quickly round out as favorites in the West. Grant lit us up from everywhere on the court and I'd hate to see him in a Lakers Uni getting spoon fed and open threes from Lebron / AD.

That's why I think we throw everything but our main guys to get him - Saric/Smith/Hutchinson and every pick we can conceivably trade?

We probably have to trade Crowder in the off-season, in order to re-sign Ayton.

I'm no cap expert, but is this possible?