Suns Offseason Thread 2: The Hunt for a Blazer Continues!

[King Bynum]

I'm gonna be sad if we trade Markieff this week, but it looks like it will be the only way to get LMA and Chandler to Phoenix.

If we land LMA our most realistic scenario probably looks like this (we have $21M of cap space right now):

1. Sign LMA to max $19M
2. Sign a backup PF for the remaining $2M - Amare, KOQ, LRMAM, Scola, Boozer - yikes!
3. Sign and trade Markieff and McNeal for Chandler.

possible 3-way trade if the Mavs don't want Keef:

Phoenix gets Chandler and a 1st round pick (LAC or NYK/DEN via Toronto)
Dallas gets a TPE + a minor sweetener
Toronto gets Markieff

4. Sign a shooter for $2.8M room exception - GGreen, Thornton
5. Sign a 3rd string PG for vet min: Ish, Bynum,
6. Re-sign Knight.

Bledsoe/Ish
Knight/Goodwin/Booker
PJ/TJ/Green
LMA/Amare/Leuer
Chandler/Len

With his brother gone I just don't know if he'll give it his best next season.

I don't really get this logic that now that we traded Marcus we have to trade Markieff no matter what. The guy is a professional athlete, it shouldn't be impossible for him to exist in life without having his brother around at all times, right? I think Coro even said somewhere that the brothers have stated before they would handle a possible split better than the first time.

And besides, we probably aren't going to trade him to Detroit anyway, so no matter what he's not going to be playing with Marcus next season.

I think people here don't always appreciate enough how awesome value we have in Markieff for the next 4 years. To me he's an above average starting PF (9th in RPM amongst all PFs, our defense was at its best w/ him on the floor, reliable option in the clutch, solid passer etc.) on virtually the same contract as freaking Al-Farouq Aminu. If it comes down to it, you trade him for Aldridge, but I'd try to do anything and everything to keep him. Or at least try to flip him somewhere where we could get something meaningful back.

[SunsFanSSOL]

I made this

[TASTIC]

I'd be fine with Amare for the min, finish his career here.

Did he and Chandler get on in NY (and DAL)? I remember Chandler having a problem with Melo but he and Amare seemed to get along I think.

[Qwigglez]

I thought I read that CJ Watson just signed to... somewhere.
Dorell Wright, perhaps if he an LMA were close, or just sign him to a one year deal.
Barbosa would be a good veteran to have around or how about Lou Williams? Lou is likely to command a higher dollar amount though.

[Qwigglez]

I don't really get this logic that now that we traded Marcus we have to trade Markieff no matter what. The guy is a professional athlete, it shouldn't be impossible for him to exist in life without having his brother around at all times, right? I think Coro even said somewhere that the brothers have stated before they would handle a possible split better than the first time.

And besides, we probably aren't going to trade him to Detroit anyway, so no matter what he's not going to be playing with Marcus next season.

I think people here don't always appreciate enough how awesome value we have in Markieff for the next 4 years. To me he's an above average starting PF (9th in RPM amongst all PFs, our defense was at its best w/ him on the floor, reliable option in the clutch, solid passer etc.) on virtually the same contract as freaking Al-Farouq Aminu. If it comes down to it, you trade him for Aldridge, but I'd try to do anything and everything to keep him. Or at least try to flip him somewhere where we could get something meaningful back.

He isn't that professional though. He called out fans, always gets T'd up. And not only that, all of his teammates are hitting up LMA to join us, and I'm sure the team realizes at what expense it will cost. If we don't get LMA, is Kieff just gonna pretend like that didn't happen? Naw, clearly the twins hold grudges.

[King Bynum]

I don't really get this logic that now that we traded Marcus we have to trade Markieff no matter what. The guy is a professional athlete, it shouldn't be impossible for him to exist in life without having his brother around at all times, right? I think Coro even said somewhere that the brothers have stated before they would handle a possible split better than the first time.

And besides, we probably aren't going to trade him to Detroit anyway, so no matter what he's not going to be playing with Marcus next season.

I think people here don't always appreciate enough how awesome value we have in Markieff for the next 4 years. To me he's an above average starting PF (9th in RPM amongst all PFs, our defense was at its best w/ him on the floor, reliable option in the clutch, solid passer etc.) on virtually the same contract as freaking Al-Farouq Aminu. If it comes down to it, you trade him for Aldridge, but I'd try to do anything and everything to keep him. Or at least try to flip him somewhere where we could get something meaningful back.

He isn't that professional though. He called out fans, always gets T'd up. And not only that, all of his teammates are hitting up LMA to join us, and I'm sure the team realizes at what expense it will cost. If we don't get LMA, is Kieff just gonna pretend like that didn't happen? Naw, clearly the twins hold grudges.

I meant professional in terms of this being the job he gets paid for, but yeah, he probably isn't that the most "professional" guy otherwise. I'm not sure though his teammates are recruiting Aldridge under the assumption that Markieff will be gone from the team if we get him. I guess it's not certain either that Kieff would be alright backing up both Aldridge and Chandler, I just think he would be amazing in that role. I know Aldridge doesn't want to play center, but a lineup with him and Kieff at 4 and 5 would be incredibly hard to guard too.

If don't get Aldridge (which seems like the likely outcome) do you still think we should trade Markieff? Because to me there's almost no chance we'd able to replace him with anyone as good without sacrificing some major assets in a trade.

[MathiasPW]

I don't really get this logic that now that we traded Marcus we have to trade Markieff no matter what. The guy is a professional athlete, it shouldn't be impossible for him to exist in life without having his brother around at all times, right? I think Coro even said somewhere that the brothers have stated before they would handle a possible split better than the first time.

And besides, we probably aren't going to trade him to Detroit anyway, so no matter what he's not going to be playing with Marcus next season.

I think people here don't always appreciate enough how awesome value we have in Markieff for the next 4 years. To me he's an above average starting PF (9th in RPM amongst all PFs, our defense was at its best w/ him on the floor, reliable option in the clutch, solid passer etc.) on virtually the same contract as freaking Al-Farouq Aminu. If it comes down to it, you trade him for Aldridge, but I'd try to do anything and everything to keep him. Or at least try to flip him somewhere where we could get something meaningful back.

He isn't that professional though. He called out fans, always gets T'd up. And not only that, all of his teammates are hitting up LMA to join us, and I'm sure the team realizes at what expense it will cost. If we don't get LMA, is Kieff just gonna pretend like that didn't happen? Naw, clearly the twins hold grudges.

And, you know:

[tweet]https://twitter.com/Keefmorris/status/616698278789263361[/tweet]

Kinda feels betrayed after the whole "one contract, two brothers, together forever" campaign the Suns made

[Sundreamer]

So right now it's basically 50-50 between us and the Spurs?

Just flip the damn coin already, LMA.

[King Bynum]

I don't really get this logic that now that we traded Marcus we have to trade Markieff no matter what. The guy is a professional athlete, it shouldn't be impossible for him to exist in life without having his brother around at all times, right? I think Coro even said somewhere that the brothers have stated before they would handle a possible split better than the first time.

And besides, we probably aren't going to trade him to Detroit anyway, so no matter what he's not going to be playing with Marcus next season.

I think people here don't always appreciate enough how awesome value we have in Markieff for the next 4 years. To me he's an above average starting PF (9th in RPM amongst all PFs, our defense was at its best w/ him on the floor, reliable option in the clutch, solid passer etc.) on virtually the same contract as freaking Al-Farouq Aminu. If it comes down to it, you trade him for Aldridge, but I'd try to do anything and everything to keep him. Or at least try to flip him somewhere where we could get something meaningful back.

He isn't that professional though. He called out fans, always gets T'd up. And not only that, all of his teammates are hitting up LMA to join us, and I'm sure the team realizes at what expense it will cost. If we don't get LMA, is Kieff just gonna pretend like that didn't happen? Naw, clearly the twins hold grudges.

And, you know:

[tweet]https://twitter.com/Keefmorris/status/616698278789263361[/tweet]

Kinda feels betrayed after the whole "one contract, two brothers, together forever" campaign the Suns made

Maybe you're right. If they were told by the management we'd keep them together then the trading of Marcus sure looks pretty ugly, especially as we don't have commitment from LMA. Though unless we get Aldridge, I assume the plan is to keep Markieff, as we didn't dump him already with the other spare parts and unless we swing a major trade, Jon Leuer or someone like Amar'e would start at PF if we got rid of him.

[Saberestar]

Waiting and waiting I found this....
P.J. Tucker with Jared Dudley... this is gold.

https://instagram.com/p/4U0UhjJl4C/?taken-by=therealpjtucker17

[TASTIC]

So right now it's basically 50-50 between us and the Spurs?

Just flip the damn coin already, LMA.

Come on man, of all the teams we DON'T want another coin-flip!!!

[Qwigglez]

I meant professional in terms of this being the job he gets paid for, but yeah, he probably isn't that the most "professional" guy otherwise. I'm not sure though his teammates are recruiting Aldridge under the assumption that Markieff will be gone from the team if we get him. I guess it's not certain either that Kieff would be alright backing up both Aldridge and Chandler, I just think he would be amazing in that role. I know Aldridge doesn't want to play center, but a lineup with him and Kieff at 4 and 5 would be incredibly hard to guard too.

If don't get Aldridge (which seems like the likely outcome) do you still think we should trade Markieff? Because to me there's almost no chance we'd able to replace him with anyone as good without sacrificing some major assets in a trade.

I think if we don't get Aldridge, Markieff will be bitter for the early part of the season if we don't trade em. Again, the players know if we were to get Aldridge we gotta make enough cap room to make a deal, and the ONLY possible scenario that happens is if we trade Kieff. I mean if I was in his position, I'd feel pretty hurt too.
Do I think Kieff and Chandler make a good combo at 4-5? In my head that's not half bad actually. But again, comes down to Kieff's attitude and whether or not he wants to play ball.

[Qwigglez]

So right now it's basically 50-50 between us and the Spurs?

Just flip the damn coin already, LMA.

Don't like coin flips unless we are using a double sided coin.

[bigfoot]

Time to break'em out

[sunskerr]

Look what we did to the Spurs with Tyson Chandler and a couple of point guards, hmm? You know what I noticed? Nobody panics when things go according to plan. Even when the plan is horrifying. If tomorrow I told the press that, like, LeBron will fire his coach after the finals, or the Lakers will trade for Cousins, nobody panics. Because it's all part of the plan. But when I say that LaMarcus Aldridge might sign with the Suns, well then everybody loses their minds!

[King Bynum]

I meant professional in terms of this being the job he gets paid for, but yeah, he probably isn't that the most "professional" guy otherwise. I'm not sure though his teammates are recruiting Aldridge under the assumption that Markieff will be gone from the team if we get him. I guess it's not certain either that Kieff would be alright backing up both Aldridge and Chandler, I just think he would be amazing in that role. I know Aldridge doesn't want to play center, but a lineup with him and Kieff at 4 and 5 would be incredibly hard to guard too.

If don't get Aldridge (which seems like the likely outcome) do you still think we should trade Markieff? Because to me there's almost no chance we'd able to replace him with anyone as good without sacrificing some major assets in a trade.

I think if we don't get Aldridge, Markieff will be bitter for the early part of the season if we don't trade em. Again, the players know if we were to get Aldridge we gotta make enough cap room to make a deal, and the ONLY possible scenario that happens is if we trade Kieff. I mean if I was in his position, I'd feel pretty hurt too.

I thought there was a way of aquiring Aldridge by shipping Tucker, Leuer and McNeal to Portland along with a pick or something to sweeten the pot for them? Might be wrong though. My entire point was kind of based on the premise that we could keep Kieff while getting LMA, so that recruiting Aldridge wouldn't mean also being ready to move on from Markieff. Although that would mean we'd be willing to move on from PJ, which could also be a little awkward if Aldridge doesn't sign here.

Damn if we only had a few million bucks more cap space.

[bwgood77]

The money would be

4 years @ 80 million as a straight FA signing or

1 @ 20 then 5 for 160 with a his bird rights for a total of $180 million for 6 years. The response of Aldridge

Yes sir, this could cause bit of a hold up. Imagine this scenario playing out with the Portland GM. The GM tells Aldridge that the Suns are offering Morris, Goodwin and a pick plus a TPE and they like it as a matter of fact they like it a lot. If Portland won't deal with San Antonio it will cost Aldridge $100 million to sign straight up with the Spurs. If Aldridge is coming it will be on a 1 + 1 because San Antonio couldn't work something out with Portland.Remember everyone the only way Aldridges rights transfer is a sign and trade. The only team that can give him a 5 year max is the team who gets his bird rights. This has to be the hold up. We've seen players take a little less from a team like Ellis this year with the Pacers but we are talking about 100 million dollars.

When you mention $100 million I take it you just ignoring what he would likely make in the two years after the four year deal in the first scenario? At that point I imagine maxes will be around 40 a year, so he likely makes a a huge chunk of the difference up.

[bwgood77]

Darrell Arthur - I'd definitely go after him. Tough, good defender and even gotten 3pt range over the last couple of seasons (HORRIBLE %!). Last year he played 9 games with at least 24mins, averaging 11.6pts 6.1reb 2.7asst 1.2stl 1.0x3pt and 41/75 splits. So put up serviceable stats in about 27min per - good for a second big behind Len.

If Blake gets waived by the Nets I'd give him a look for the vet min - makes his threes, doesn't turn it over and a good solid vet.

I really like Omri Casspi's game too, but think he'd cost too much. Feisty defender and scores/rebounds whenever he gets minutes, good size at the 3 and can play some 4 too.

Neal's signed with Wizards, hadn't seen that one.

I still want Kyle O'Quinn too - but he might land a starting gig in LA or

Jordan Hill would cost too much/might stay in LAL, but I'd love him here off the bench - dude can seriously rebound if that's all he's asked to do. (Didn't realise he averaged 12 and 8 in only 27min, that's pretty efficient!)

Drew Gooden might be ok for the vet min - bounced round a lot but he's a solid vet who can suddenly make 3s too.

Dare I say...Ben Gordon for the min?

Jameer Nelson would be an ideal backup PG - he made enough threes last year to be a threat and is a good veteran presence and was still serviceable last year despite being 33.

Dorrell Wright could probably be had for the min - never really found his role on Portland but he's a good ball-handler and has size at the 3, plus career 37% from deep.

CJ Watson would be the IDEAL backup PG. Good defender, can play and defend either guard position and he's been on some really good teams.

There's heaps of useful vets out there...

I thought about Arthur the other day and pulled up his #s..look at his fg% the last couple of years. I don't know what the hell happened, but that's scary. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/arthuda01.html

[AZWildByNature]

So right now it's basically 50-50 between us and the Spurs?

Just flip the damn coin already, LMA.

Come on man, of all the teams we DON'T want another coin-flip!!!

How ironic would it be if LMA chooses the Spurs, and it came down to a flip of a coin?
I would lose my mind, I mean come on.

[bwgood77]

I don't really get this logic that now that we traded Marcus we have to trade Markieff no matter what. The guy is a professional athlete, it shouldn't be impossible for him to exist in life without having his brother around at all times, right? I think Coro even said somewhere that the brothers have stated before they would handle a possible split better than the first time.

And besides, we probably aren't going to trade him to Detroit anyway, so no matter what he's not going to be playing with Marcus next season.

I think people here don't always appreciate enough how awesome value we have in Markieff for the next 4 years. To me he's an above average starting PF (9th in RPM amongst all PFs, our defense was at its best w/ him on the floor, reliable option in the clutch, solid passer etc.) on virtually the same contract as freaking Al-Farouq Aminu. If it comes down to it, you trade him for Aldridge, but I'd try to do anything and everything to keep him. Or at least try to flip him somewhere where we could get something meaningful back.

He isn't that professional though. He called out fans, always gets T'd up. And not only that, all of his teammates are hitting up LMA to join us, and I'm sure the team realizes at what expense it will cost. If we don't get LMA, is Kieff just gonna pretend like that didn't happen? Naw, clearly the twins hold grudges.

I meant professional in terms of this being the job he gets paid for, but yeah, he probably isn't that the most "professional" guy otherwise. I'm not sure though his teammates are recruiting Aldridge under the assumption that Markieff will be gone from the team if we get him. I guess it's not certain either that Kieff would be alright backing up both Aldridge and Chandler, I just think he would be amazing in that role. I know Aldridge doesn't want to play center, but a lineup with him and Kieff at 4 and 5 would be incredibly hard to guard too.

If don't get Aldridge (which seems like the likely outcome) do you still think we should trade Markieff? Because to me there's almost no chance we'd able to replace him with anyone as good without sacrificing some major assets in a trade.

I think if we don't get Aldridge we need to keep Kieff unless there is another clear path to get a better PF, which is extremely unlikely for the upcoming season.