Ghost of Kleine wrote:1- We should have looked to utilize free agency better than just adding cast off bargain options in Payton, Hutchinson, Wainwright rather than more established and proven impact players even near the end of free agency. Could we really not have filled that additional two way slot with more legitimate size for insurance with Sarics' injury situation and in knowing the potential for injuries and/ or possible Covid restrictions affecting our depth. Or perhaps IF we had only spent on better legitimate available options that could have added more measurable production during these injuries as opposed to what Payton, Hutchinson and Wainwright have been unable to provide? Technically we have 5 roster spots adding close to or no impact whatsoever in terms of production. How many other actual contending teams share that situation?
Hutchinson and Wainwright are two-way contracts. I never expected them to be major contributors on the floor. They are practice fodder. Wainwright getting minutes is solely a function of the number of injured/ill Suns players.
I didn't like the Payton signing. But that it is what is. Starting today (Dec 15) he should be used in any trade package to upgrade the team.
Ghost of Kleine wrote:2- Could we not with 6 players being out due to extensive injury longer than two weeks ( Saric/ Kaminsky/ Nader and even Booker) or with sickness, And once we knew that with Kaminskys' injury likely keeping him out as well most ( if not all) of the season, leaving us without two of our frontcourt rotation players, filed for hardship exceptions? You know, as other teams such as the Chicago bulls and Memphis have recently done. So that we can address these depth concerns with a minimum ( non guaranteed) 10 day contract option?
Well, the hardship exception is only available if the roster is maxed at 15 players. Since it is not, the Suns aren't eligible to use it. Personally, I would rather hold onto that open 15th spot to fill in with a waived player or if it is needed for a trade.
Ghost of Kleine wrote:Wouldn't that be a more reasonable option than trying to trot out our 3rd string fringe bust nba cast offs into starting and secondary impact roles against other teams starters and high end bench players, knowing that they're not at all ready or capable of sustaining the level of production needed to keep us viable with sustained success during this outlier situation?
Well you've got to give Wainwright his chance. Look what Frank did this season and what Cam Payne did in the bubble. So far Wainwright looks like a scrub. I don't think it is unreasonable to try an unknown player who went through training camp, understands the system, and practices with the other players regularly. Contrast that with finding some miracle cure player who is not in the league right now, who can come in, be inserted into a rotational player position, and be successful.
Ghost of Kleine wrote:I also get that it's only 5 losses currently. I really do. And I'm not at all looking to overreact here. The actual entire premise of my post isn't even about our depth or injury issues if were being honest. It's quite simply that in all of our losses, The contributing factors have ( as stated above in my post) been the same. And my post was about actually looking to upgrade the fringe roster positions that are exacerbating these issues even aside from our additional depth issues.
Well the Suns are on pace for a 67-15 record. That would be the best record in franchise history. It would also be top 8 all-time in the NBA.
Ghost of Kleine wrote:Agree or disagree, I just don't think we can be considered legitimate title contenders without upgrading from Payton, Hutchinson, Wainwright and even Nader whose majority contribution to our team since being here is knee injuries and mediocre/ inconsistent play. As the season wears on, And as more and more teams identify and expose our repetitive weaknesses that have continually contributed to our losses, We'll have to rely much more heavily on a shortened roster to offset the lack of LEGITIMATE QUALITY depth from our bench. Meaning our starters and remaining key bench players will have to log more significant minutes during games. And with that lack of rest, I don't need to tell you how that c as n further exacerbate potential injuries and severe add fatigue to those players even before we get to the playoffs. Isn't having actual quality depth about being able to rest your star or key players as to avoid potential injuries and to allow for fresh legs and fully rested starters towards a legitimate championship run??
Can you honestly tell me that given Saric's injury, Kaminskys' injury, Naders' repetitive knee injuries, Booker's troublesome hamstring, Paul's age and injury history, McGee's foul accumulation propensity, etc. That you feel confident in any of Payton, Hutchinson, Wainwright, even Smith ( currently) to carry our bench production so we can rest our key players down the stretch??
The Suns are legitimate title contenders as constructed. In the playoffs. Hutchinson, Wainwright, and Payton are unlikely to see the floor except in mop-up time. The rotation will be shortened as usual. To be a title winner, the team, like most others, has to stay healthy at the right time of the year. There is no magic bullet out there where replacing Wainwright and Hutchinson makes the Suns title winners.
Ghost of Kleine wrote:Given those considerations, Is it really that much of an extreme hot take to feel that we need to upgrade our bench from those players?
Again, I get that we only (currently) have 5 losses. Which is great so far! But we both know that it doesn't take much for losses to build up fast. Or for teams to get in a slump. Especially if their starters get worn down over having to play extensive minutes. Kind of like Ayton had to do last night along with Paul recently to help carry the production. Which neither have should have had to do given their respective situations ( Ayton being sick) or Paul ( his age/ durability concerns). Our current bench just doesn't offer/ capable of the legitimate quality
Production needed to weather these situations against other teams higher tier established veteran benches. We need to upgrade our bench in certain areas. AND we also need to look to address these repeated areas of weakness during our games. IF we can upgrade to the proper bench personnel, Then we can add specific players with skillsets that will shore up these weaknesses that have repeatedly contributed to teams beating us. As well as negate a measurable number of these close to the wire games causing us to have to play our starters extended minutes this early into the season.
So yes it's a hot take to say replacing Wainwright and Hutchison are keys to making a championship team. They're two-way players.
We are thin at the real rotational bench with a playmaking and scoring threat. Should Payne go down, the bench would be hard-pressed with Payton, Shamet, CamJo, and McGee to run the show. With Shamet's and Payne's up-and-down performance so far this season, we need a facilitator who can get points as well. Again, I lean toward Rose or Dragic.
