Season Speculation, Trade Ideas & Discussion Pt. 6

[thamadkant]

Josh Action Jackson was amazing in this game.


I thought Iguadala was his ceiling... But I think he may have a little T-Mac in him. One thing though... He has the confidence of a T-Mac lol. He's not afraid to try to embarrass his opponents. That dunk was a beauty.. He invited someone to try to block it too lol

[darealjuice]

Josh Action Jackson was amazing in this game.


I thought Iguadala was his ceiling... But I think he may have a little T-Mac in him. One thing though... He has the confidence of a T-Mac lol. He's not afraid to try to embarrass his opponents. That dunk was a beauty.. He invited someone to try to block it too lol

He always jumps from so damn far when he goes up for a dunk lol it seems like half the time he doesn't even have a foot in the paint when he jumps. He jumped a good 8-9 feet before getting to the rim for that dunk last night.

[TeamTragic]

Whatever the rap was on Payton's defense, well, he's better than Bledsoe. The eye test on this point is clear. Better passer than Bledsoe, more efficient, younger, and we own his extension rights. Payton>>>Bledsoe, so far.

We dealt Bledsoe for a first and a second. We took a second and turned it into Payton. We had Bledsoe, now we have Payton and a first.

And people are talking about getting rid of McD!?

Payton >>>> Bledsoe

[bigfoot]

Get the feeling Jackson will be happy with Triano gone.

Howso? Sounds like he liked sitting down and going through game film with him and stuff.

Yea. However, people cried about JJ earning his right to start and since the beginning of the year, after coming off of the bench and being benched for a game and taking it like a man, JJ has earned the right to start; and throw in the fact that he is supposed to be growing with Booker...? Yea get him as much playing time as possible with Booker and a little more rope for mistakes. Triano needs to stop with the automatic sit the player rotation like EJ said during the GS game. Last night was pretty good substitution with JJ tho.

I think Triano needs to learn how to substitute better. And he should be starting Payton, Booker, JJ, TJ, and Bender for the rest of the season....Not Len!

No I think what you are seeing is JJ is able to dominate the other teams bench players. That makes sense. He will definitely be a starter at some point but right now he has been building his confidence by dominating off the bench. Why screw that up and put him against an older, better veteran. I do agree with you that Payton, Booker, JJ, TJ, and Bender should be our starting lineup at some point before the season ends. Though our bench will be hideous: PG Uliis or Gray, SG Reed, SF Daniels, PF Chriss or Dudley, C Chandler or Len. I don't see how that bench scores. Our bench needs to be addressed during the summer. Dump/trade most of these guys and replace them with some quality veterans.

[BobbieL]

Howso? Sounds like he liked sitting down and going through game film with him and stuff.

Yea. However, people cried about JJ earning his right to start and since the beginning of the year, after coming off of the bench and being benched for a game and taking it like a man, JJ has earned the right to start; and throw in the fact that he is supposed to be growing with Booker...? Yea get him as much playing time as possible with Booker and a little more rope for mistakes. Triano needs to stop with the automatic sit the player rotation like EJ said during the GS game. Last night was pretty good substitution with JJ tho.

I think Triano needs to learn how to substitute better. And he should be starting Payton, Booker, JJ, TJ, and Bender for the rest of the season....Not Len!

No I think what you are seeing is JJ is able to dominate the other teams bench players. That makes sense. He will definitely be a starter at some point but right now he has been building his confidence by dominating off the bench. Why screw that up and put him against an older, better veteran. I do agree with you that Payton, Booker, JJ, TJ, and Bender should be our starting lineup at some point before the season ends. Though our bench will be hideous: PG Uliis or Gray, SG Reed, SF Daniels, PF Chriss or Dudley, C Chandler or Len. I don't see how that bench scores. Our bench needs to be addressed during the summer. Dump/trade most of these guys and replace them with some quality veterans.

one year early for that but two draft picks - if they use both of them will continue to help build this roster... but say Payton works out and he is back in 2018, that helps; if Knight is back, that helps; signing a guy should help; more experience for Bender, Chriss, JJ, Reed, should help; Sauce back, should help

I am not saying play off team - I am saying better

[NavLDO]

I called NBA radio last night when Justin Termine was on. I asked what their thoughts on the developmental process for the Suns (since the Bender and Jackson are showing slight improvement). They had nothing kind to say about it. I really wonder if those two players (or any others) would be much improved if they were somewhere else like Boston or San Antonio.

I think they'd be improved in a situation where they were able to play consistent minutes with an average-to-better-than-average Starting PG, so yes. I've been beating that dead horse for awhile now. I think Len would've been better in a situation like that, and well with a 1000 hour requirement on the 'jugs' machine in the off-season, as well.

It's hard to say though, since there are plenty of young players that come into the NBA that are given plenty of opportunity, yet still do not produce. But as we can see, JJ is continuously getting better, and the more playing time he gets, the more of a rhythm in his game he finds, so yeah, him? I'd say, had he been given the same minutes Jayson Tatum was given from the getgo, he'd be further along. He likely still wouldn't be as prolific offensively as Tatum, but we knew that going in.

In Bender's case, I think the same can be said. I'm really excited for him to get some real minutes with Elfrid. I think it will still take some time for him to adjust to Elfrid's game, but it wouldn't surprise me if Bender and and Elfrid really started connecting within 10 games or so; Bender's pretty intelligent.

[NavLDO]

While I’d love to see a possible future starting lineup, I’d rather have Booker rest and be completely healthy.

I think Elf’s recent play has us a little excited and they want to see if Elf is real or not when Booker plays.

I do too, but not when there is a risk Booker could be out even longer. Get him healthy and let them build some chemistry for the last 15 games.

I wouldn’t mind starting Reed one of the games that Booker is out. Put some pressure on him. Maybe against a team where we could start, Payton, Reed, Jackson, Warren, Bender.

I didn't see any NCAA Div 2 games on our schedule...

But we have Atlanta, Orlando, and Dallas left on the schedule this year, so there's hope.

Seriously though, I'd say put him out there as much as possible. We know what we have in Booker, so we can play Elf and Booker anytime we want throughout the game, but what we need to see from Reed is his potentially as a 3&D, so I'd like to see that "&D" quite a bit before the season's out, so we have any idea what we have in him before the draft; he's truly the remaining "?" we have left on our roster, so seeing him play D against a bunch of Bench talent isn't really telling us much, IMO.

That said, I doubt we are looking to use a 1st Rd pick on Booker's backup, so maybe we just go blind into the draft, pick up another 3&D guy, and let them battle it out next year.

[thamadkant]

Bender needs to get on that Dudley diet I think lol

Well combined with weight training as well obviously lol

I think he can be a good Center Forward. Or Point Center lol.


Get JJJ or Ayton... Both can play next to someone like Bender who can roam around

[Waylay13]

If you want Lonzo Ball

Sign his Brothers to league minimum and park them on the bench. we don't need to rotate 15 players.


Get ball to sign after his Rookie Contract.

If I wanted a frontal lobotomy there are easier ways to do it then to bring any of the Ball's on to this team.

[Qwigglez]

I called NBA radio last night when Justin Termine was on. I asked what their thoughts on the developmental process for the Suns (since the Bender and Jackson are showing slight improvement). They had nothing kind to say about it. I really wonder if those two players (or any others) would be much improved if they were somewhere else like Boston or San Antonio.

I think they'd be improved in a situation where they were able to play consistent minutes with an average-to-better-than-average Starting PG, so yes. I've been beating that dead horse for awhile now. I think Len would've been better in a situation like that, and well with a 1000 hour requirement on the 'jugs' machine in the off-season, as well.

It's hard to say though, since there are plenty of young players that come into the NBA that are given plenty of opportunity, yet still do not produce. But as we can see, JJ is continuously getting better, and the more playing time he gets, the more of a rhythm in his game he finds, so yeah, him? I'd say, had he been given the same minutes Jayson Tatum was given from the getgo, he'd be further along. He likely still wouldn't be as prolific offensively as Tatum, but we knew that going in.

In Bender's case, I think the same can be said. I'm really excited for him to get some real minutes with Elfrid. I think it will still take some time for him to adjust to Elfrid's game, but it wouldn't surprise me if Bender and and Elfrid really started connecting within 10 games or so; Bender's pretty intelligent.

I do think Len would be a slightly better player had we not signed Tyson Chandler, however he's been given enough playing time for us to see what he is. I think a change of scenery will be best for him unfortunately, and with his recent interview where he mentioned he wouldn't mind having a backup role on a winning team just tells me he isn't striving to be the best player he can be. He seems to be content with the player he is. Still though, if no one offered him a contract this off-season I would love to have him be our backup center as he still changes shots and makes players question coming into the paint some.

Chriss is someone who was given the green light last year and showed massive amount of improvement after the all-star break. It appears he thought he could coast this summer and would be given the starting role, which he did, however he didn't improve enough for him to keep his starting spot. It's completely his fault, and I think his trajectory at this point is in line with how motivated he wants to be. Should he want to be a starter in this league then that all depends on how hard he works in the gym this summer. I do believe he's the kind of player though, that if he was still our starter we'd see extra motivation from him to continue to improve, but again, he hasn't earned that.

Bender has shown so much improvement since the beginning of this 2018 and I'm very thrilled to see him be more aggressive. He definitely has a high basketball IQ, along with Booker & Payton. No knock on JJ because I feel he is also a smart player but Booker/Payton/Bender game should mesh very well together. Have Popavich coach those three and I bet we'd see some damn high efficiency.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

I called NBA radio last night when Justin Termine was on. I asked what their thoughts on the developmental process for the Suns (since the Bender and Jackson are showing slight improvement). They had nothing kind to say about it. I really wonder if those two players (or any others) would be much improved if they were somewhere else like Boston or San Antonio.

I think they'd be improved in a situation where they were able to play consistent minutes with an average-to-better-than-average Starting PG, so yes. I've been beating that dead horse for awhile now. I think Len would've been better in a situation like that, and well with a 1000 hour requirement on the 'jugs' machine in the off-season, as well.

It's hard to say though, since there are plenty of young players that come into the NBA that are given plenty of opportunity, yet still do not produce. But as we can see, JJ is continuously getting better, and the more playing time he gets, the more of a rhythm in his game he finds, so yeah, him? I'd say, had he been given the same minutes Jayson Tatum was given from the getgo, he'd be further along. He likely still wouldn't be as prolific offensively as Tatum, but we knew that going in.

In Bender's case, I think the same can be said. I'm really excited for him to get some real minutes with Elfrid. I think it will still take some time for him to adjust to Elfrid's game, but it wouldn't surprise me if Bender and and Elfrid really started connecting within 10 games or so; Bender's pretty intelligent.

I do think Len would be a slightly better player had we not signed Tyson Chandler, however he's been given enough playing time for us to see what he is. I think a change of scenery will be best for him unfortunately, and with his recent interview where he mentioned he wouldn't mind having a backup role on a winning team just tells me he isn't striving to be the best player he can be. He seems to be content with the player he is. Still though, if no one offered him a contract this off-season I would love to have him be our backup center as he still changes shots and makes players question coming into the paint some.

Chriss is someone who was given the green light last year and showed massive amount of improvement after the all-star break. It appears he thought he could coast this summer and would be given the starting role, which he did, however he didn't improve enough for him to keep his starting spot. It's completely his fault, and I think his trajectory at this point is in line with how motivated he wants to be. Should he want to be a starter in this league then that all depends on how hard he works in the gym this summer. I do believe he's the kind of player though, that if he was still our starter we'd see extra motivation from him to continue to improve, but again, he hasn't earned that.

Bender has shown so much improvement since the beginning of this 2018 and I'm very thrilled to see him be more aggressive. He definitely has a high basketball IQ, along with Booker & Payton. No knock on JJ because I feel he is also a smart player but Booker/Payton/Bender game should mesh very well together. Have Popavich coach those three and I bet we'd see some damn high efficiency.

I liked what I saw from Len in Utah. Gave us a lot of needed and quality rim protection. One of the underlooked aspects of last night's game.

I expect Alex to get an offer for the full mle or close to it, especially if the defense on display last night continues post-ASB with Alex in the starting lineup.

[Qwigglez]

I liked what I saw from Len in Utah. Gave us a lot of needed and quality rim protection. One of the underlooked aspects of last night's game.

I expect Alex to get an offer for the full mle or close to it, especially if the defense on display last night continues post-ASB with Alex in the starting lineup.

Definitely see him getting an offer around that price range. He's for sure a quality backup center, but because of his inability to catch the ball I can't see him being starter anywhere. Again, I actually hope we keep him because against certain teams we would need that defensive anchor.

[thamadkant]

The more I think about it... Magic sold Payton so low to the Suns because Suns are a threat to them this coming draft... Magic are banking on one of Doncic or Young. By trading a semi good young PG to the Suns at cheap rates... It changes the Suns focus on who draft. Hence increasing the chances for Magic to land one of Doncic or Young.

The other teams competing for those 2 already have young PGs and Suns were the clear cut team that lacks a PG... Hence Magic have Payton away for free to the Suns.

I see you Magic...

[lilfishi22]

I liked what I saw from Len in Utah. Gave us a lot of needed and quality rim protection. One of the underlooked aspects of last night's game.

I expect Alex to get an offer for the full mle or close to it, especially if the defense on display last night continues post-ASB with Alex in the starting lineup.

Definitely see him getting an offer around that price range. He's for sure a quality backup center, but because of his inability to catch the ball I can't see him being starter anywhere. Again, I actually hope we keep him because against certain teams we would need that defensive anchor.

Isn't full MLE these days around $8m a year? At this point, I think he'll be lucky to get half of that.

[JMac1]

Howso? Sounds like he liked sitting down and going through game film with him and stuff.

Yea. However, people cried about JJ earning his right to start and since the beginning of the year, after coming off of the bench and being benched for a game and taking it like a man, JJ has earned the right to start; and throw in the fact that he is supposed to be growing with Booker...? Yea get him as much playing time as possible with Booker and a little more rope for mistakes. Triano needs to stop with the automatic sit the player rotation like EJ said during the GS game. Last night was pretty good substitution with JJ tho.

I think Triano needs to learn how to substitute better. And he should be starting Payton, Booker, JJ, TJ, and Bender for the rest of the season....Not Len!

No I think what you are seeing is JJ is able to dominate the other teams bench players. That makes sense. He will definitely be a starter at some point but right now he has been building his confidence by dominating off the bench. Why screw that up and put him against an older, better veteran. I do agree with you that Payton, Booker, JJ, TJ, and Bender should be our starting lineup at some point before the season ends. Though our bench will be hideous: PG Uliis or Gray, SG Reed, SF Daniels, PF Chriss or Dudley, C Chandler or Len. I don't see how that bench scores. Our bench needs to be addressed during the summer. Dump/trade most of these guys and replace them with some quality veterans.

Just get him as many minutes as possible with our main future guys.

[Revived]

Jamal Murray is so niceeeee. Him and Booker together would’ve been wild!

Instead we have Bender...

[Mulhollanddrive]

Payton $10m
Len $8m

Would take up about all of our cap space to remain the same team.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

I liked what I saw from Len in Utah. Gave us a lot of needed and quality rim protection. One of the underlooked aspects of last night's game.

I expect Alex to get an offer for the full mle or close to it, especially if the defense on display last night continues post-ASB with Alex in the starting lineup.

Definitely see him getting an offer around that price range. He's for sure a quality backup center, but because of his inability to catch the ball I can't see him being starter anywhere. Again, I actually hope we keep him because against certain teams we would need that defensive anchor.

Isn't full MLE these days around $8m a year? At this point, I think he'll be lucky to get half of that.

We will see!

[bwgood77]

The more I think about it... Magic sold Payton so low to the Suns because Suns are a threat to them this coming draft... Magic are banking on one of Doncic or Young. By trading a semi good young PG to the Suns at cheap rates... It changes the Suns focus on who draft. Hence increasing the chances for Magic to land one of Doncic or Young.

The other teams competing for those 2 already have young PGs and Suns were the clear cut team that lacks a PG... Hence Magic have Payton away for free to the Suns.

I see you Magic...

That sounds a bit ludicrous, but it's funny how the polls have changed a bit and how Doncic and Young are suddenly dropping because of a few good games from Elfrid. I don't think he should have much impact on our drafting strategy whatsoever.

Hopefully unless it was a toss up anyway, McD doesn't shy away from who he thinks is the BPA for today's game in the draft.

But I know you are a guy that wants a big and a low posts scorer. I think you've been posting about it for 10 years or so, so you might finally get it.

[Mulhollanddrive]

If Doncic and Ayton are off the board I could see Jaren Jackson being next up.