Season Speculation, Trade Ideas & Discussion 2: End This Knightmare!

[Zelaznyrules]

Watching the Clippers game I overreact and say trade everyone that has value except Ulis, Bender and Booker for Okafor and a bunch of picks in this draft plus the necessary fillers. Take Fultz, Jackson, Markkanen and Isaac early - draft Justin Patterson and Trier in the teens and then add Chris Boucher and John Collins with 2nd rounders. Hire a couple more full time coaches and teach them all how to play basketball. In 5 years, we'll be something special.

[MrMiyagi]

0-4. 8 losses left to go.

[MrMiyagi]

Watching the Clippers game I overreact and say trade everyone that has value except Ulis, Bender and Booker for Okafor and a bunch of picks in this draft plus the necessary fillers. Take Fultz, Jackson, Markkanen and Isaac early - draft Justin Patterson and Trier in the teens and then add Chris Boucher and John Collins with 2nd rounders. Hire a couple more full time coaches and teach them all how to play basketball. In 5 years, we'll be something special.

Honestly, being at the game I don't think we need panic moves for a "star" or take on a glut of young players. I think we need to rid ourselves of Knight and Len and keep our pick. That's really all I think this team needs. Bledsoe is really good. Booker is going to be great. Chriss will become a handful. I'm honestly not entirely sure what Bender will be, but it'll be something much better than Len.

I think we're going to be the surprise team next season if we just get rid of Knight and Len and draft Fultz/Ball/Jackson/Markkanen.

[bwgood77]

Watching the Clippers game I overreact and say trade everyone that has value except Ulis, Bender and Booker for Okafor and a bunch of picks in this draft plus the necessary fillers. Take Fultz, Jackson, Markkanen and Isaac early - draft Justin Patterson and Trier in the teens and then add Chris Boucher and John Collins with 2nd rounders. Hire a couple more full time coaches and teach them all how to play basketball. In 5 years, we'll be something special.

Honestly, being at the game I don't think we need panic moves for a "star" or take on a glut of young players. I think we need to rid ourselves of Knight and Len and keep our pick. That's really all I think this team needs. Bledsoe is really good. Booker is going to be great. Chriss will become a handful. I'm honestly not entirely sure what Bender will be, but it'll be something much better than Len.

I think we're going to be the surprise team next season if we just get rid of Knight and Len and draft Fultz/Ball/Jackson/Markkanen.

For the most part I agree. But I'd keep Len. I still think Bender will be special. The guy has instincts and bball iq. Chriss is better right now but you can easily tell that Bender has studied and knows the game well and is still adapting to everything...being in a new country, different size of court, different game rules, new teammates...that can't be easy...we can't expect too much too soon. I think he is the highest upside player we have ever drafted. Amare, Marion and especially Nash may trump him and the rookies of the year Walter Davis and Alvan Adams, but I think in today's nba, his skillset can be huge...like Dirk with better defense...I don't think he has quite Dirk's offensive upside, but better defense, shot blocking and passing, and probably ball handling and running the floor.

[King4Day]

0-4. 8 losses left to go.

While true, I think the damage has already been done. We're only a couple of weeks away from the deadline.
I think the most sure thing in terms of who we'll trade is Tucker.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

Ryan explained the sensible approach to the deadline yesterday at arizonasports: there is no reason to rush into a trade. The only asset expiring at the end of the season is Tucker; we have no pressure to do anything in the short term; there's little worry about losing our draft spot or of reducing the esteem in which the league holds our players. If there's an opportunity, take it; if not, just keep moving forward.

[King4Day]

Ryan explained the sensible approach to the deadline yesterday at arizonasports: there is no reason to rush into a trade. The only asset expiring at the end of the season is Tucker; we have no pressure to do anything in the short term; there's little worry about losing our draft spot or of reducing the esteem in which the league holds our players. If there's an opportunity, take it; if not, just keep moving forward.

What I found interesting is he didn't flat out deny that Cousins rumor when it was brought up. Basically said 'we have discussions with all teams about all elite players'.
Now, Gambo isn't breaking anything about saying there were 'discussions'. That could mean the Suns called the Kings, made that offer, were rebuffed, and moved on.
But I was surprised he didn't put players' minds at ease by just saying it's not true.

He noted he's looking for players in the mid-20's range.
He was asked if the team could handle 'challenging players' (alluding to Cousins).
MCD said yes. Watson is apparently good with this.

If you haven't heard the interview, it's worth it: http://arizonasports.com/story/1011305/suns-gm-ryan-mcdonough-is-confident-suns-could-manage-a-difficult-player/

[TeamTragic]

Ryan explained the sensible approach to the deadline yesterday at arizonasports: there is no reason to rush into a trade. The only asset expiring at the end of the season is Tucker; we have no pressure to do anything in the short term; there's little worry about losing our draft spot or of reducing the esteem in which the league holds our players. If there's an opportunity, take it; if not, just keep moving forward.

What I found interesting is he didn't flat out deny that Cousins rumor when it was brought up. Basically said 'we have discussions with all teams about all elite players'.
Now, Gambo isn't breaking anything about saying there were 'discussions'. That could mean the Suns called the Kings, made that offer, were rebuffed, and moved on.
But I was surprised he didn't put players' minds at ease by just saying it's not true.

He noted he's looking for players in the mid-20's range.
He was asked if the team could handle 'challenging players' (alluding to Cousins).
MCD said yes. Watson is apparently good with this.

If you haven't heard the interview, it's worth it: http://arizonasports.com/story/1011305/suns-gm-ryan-mcdonough-is-confident-suns-could-manage-a-difficult-player/

Don't forget about McD mentioning that we were only 6.5 games from the eight seed and maybe we go 8-1

[Saberestar]

0-4. 8 losses left to go.

No need for that. This team is really bad, it doesn't matter if we win a couple of games here and there...we are gonna be one of the worst teams in the league at the deadline no matter what.

[Zelaznyrules]

Ryan explained the sensible approach to the deadline yesterday at arizonasports: there is no reason to rush into a trade. The only asset expiring at the end of the season is Tucker; we have no pressure to do anything in the short term; there's little worry about losing our draft spot or of reducing the esteem in which the league holds our players. If there's an opportunity, take it; if not, just keep moving forward.

What I found interesting is he didn't flat out deny that Cousins rumor when it was brought up. Basically said 'we have discussions with all teams about all elite players'.
Now, Gambo isn't breaking anything about saying there were 'discussions'. That could mean the Suns called the Kings, made that offer, were rebuffed, and moved on.
But I was surprised he didn't put players' minds at ease by just saying it's not true.

He noted he's looking for players in the mid-20's range.
He was asked if the team could handle 'challenging players' (alluding to Cousins).
MCD said yes. Watson is apparently good with this.

If you haven't heard the interview, it's worth it: http://arizonasports.com/story/1011305/suns-gm-ryan-mcdonough-is-confident-suns-could-manage-a-difficult-player/

Don't forget about McD mentioning that we were only 6.5 games from the eight seed and maybe we go 8-1

Yeah but he made it clear that they were preparing to look at things from a sellers perspective. He knows 8-1 isn't happening, it would just be viewed as cowardly by the team if he were to schedule the funeral before they've actually passed away.

The thing that stood out to me is the casual comment he made about the end of the season. I took that to mean we probably did have interest in Cousins (or perhaps some other star in his mid 20's) but we were never going to actually make that move until after this season. I was also disappointed to learn that he is still committed to his original plan, that being, he intends to package multiple assets for a star. I was hoping he'd have realized the probably futility of that approach in the current landscape.

[TeamTragic]

What I found interesting is he didn't flat out deny that Cousins rumor when it was brought up. Basically said 'we have discussions with all teams about all elite players'.
Now, Gambo isn't breaking anything about saying there were 'discussions'. That could mean the Suns called the Kings, made that offer, were rebuffed, and moved on.
But I was surprised he didn't put players' minds at ease by just saying it's not true.

He noted he's looking for players in the mid-20's range.
He was asked if the team could handle 'challenging players' (alluding to Cousins).
MCD said yes. Watson is apparently good with this.

If you haven't heard the interview, it's worth it: http://arizonasports.com/story/1011305/suns-gm-ryan-mcdonough-is-confident-suns-could-manage-a-difficult-player/

Don't forget about McD mentioning that we were only 6.5 games from the eight seed and maybe we go 8-1

Yeah but he made it clear that they were preparing to look at things from a sellers perspective. He knows 8-1 isn't happening, it would just be viewed as cowardly by the team if he were to schedule the funeral before they've actually passed away.

The thing that stood out to me is the casual comment he made about the end of the season. I took that to mean we probably did have interest in Cousins (or perhaps some other star in his mid 20's) but we were never going to actually make that move until after this season. I was also disappointed to learn that he is still committed to his original plan, that being, he intends to package multiple assets for a star. I was hoping he'd have realized the probably futility of that approach in the current landscape.

We are going to put a package together for Cousins. What I find interesting is that Ainge has gone quiet about acquiring a star player. I assume they are just going to keep their #1 pick and focus on Butler as they are having a good season.

I'm sure the whole we are only x games from the playoffs has now become a meme in the front office

[Saberestar]

Ryan explained the sensible approach to the deadline yesterday at arizonasports: there is no reason to rush into a trade. The only asset expiring at the end of the season is Tucker; we have no pressure to do anything in the short term; there's little worry about losing our draft spot or of reducing the esteem in which the league holds our players. If there's an opportunity, take it; if not, just keep moving forward.

I am not paying attention to what he says anymore.

This is his fourth year as a GM and we are the second worst team in the NBA. Booker looks like a future All Star but that is all that we have. Bledsoe is very good, OK, but he is an average PG because there are tooo many great PGs out there. We have some potential in Chriss and Bender, but they can be a bust too because they are really raw.

IMO McDonough needs to go. I am a patient man, but enough is enough. He has failed big time a lot of times ...

-Frye exit. 3 years later and he is playing good basketball, he deserved that money and he was essential to our team chemistry.
-Isaiah signig (problems with Dragic, minutes...) and then Isaiah trade (way bellow his value).
-Morris situation. He thinks that players are just "assets", is bad comunicating and he is arrogant.
-Gortat trade. He is a good C on a very good contract for the last four years since traded ...but he was old to be part of our core and now we have Chandler starting here earning even more money.
-Ennis pick. Wasted.
-Len pick. #5 and he is a bellow average C in his fourth season in the league. Every other C drafted after him that year is a better player than him.
-Knightmare trade. This is ridiculous, no need to explain.

And more and more that I am not gonna write about it because I get depressed.

I want another GM because I think that McDonough has had his opportunity, four years is not a short period of time. He does not deserve another contract, just that. Move on.

[Qwigglez]

Completely different kind of trade...
Suns get-
Derrick Favors

Jazz get-
Jahlil Okafor

Sixers get-
Brandon Knight
2018 Miami 1st

Favors has been struggling with injuries all year but he's still only 25 years old. With such a down year, I think maybe the opportunity to buy low is right now. The Jazz also clear about 7mil in cap space which gives them room to sign George Hill and Gordon Hayward this offseason. Favors hasn't been a huge part of their success this year so I think he is expendable plus they land Okafor who's defensive woes could be masked by Gobert. Him playing the 4 next to Gobert would be favorable, and Okafor/Diaw both have similar body types anyway.
Sixers have been wanting a guard and they are still trying to gather as much 1st round picks as possible. Knight with Embiid and eventually Simmons would be a good situation.
Obviously the Suns take a huge risk with Favors, but the only thing we really give up is the Miami pick since Knight hasn't been in the lineup anyway.

Your thoughts?

[MrMiyagi]

Completely different kind of trade...
Suns get-
Derrick Favors

Jazz get-
Jahlil Okafor

Sixers get-
Brandon Knight
2018 Miami 1st

Favors has been struggling with injuries all year but he's still only 25 years old. With such a down year, I think maybe the opportunity to buy low is right now. The Jazz also clear about 7mil in cap space which gives them room to sign George Hill and Gordon Hayward this offseason. Favors hasn't been a huge part of their success this year so I think he is expendable plus they land Okafor who's defensive woes could be masked by Gobert. Him playing the 4 next to Gobert would be favorable, and Okafor/Diaw both have similar body types anyway.
Sixers have been wanting a guard and they are still trying to gather as much 1st round picks as possible. Knight with Embiid and eventually Simmons would be a good situation.
Obviously the Suns take a huge risk with Favors, but the only thing we really give up is the Miami pick since Knight hasn't been in the lineup anyway.

Your thoughts?

Eh

[Zelaznyrules]

Ryan explained the sensible approach to the deadline yesterday at arizonasports: there is no reason to rush into a trade. The only asset expiring at the end of the season is Tucker; we have no pressure to do anything in the short term; there's little worry about losing our draft spot or of reducing the esteem in which the league holds our players. If there's an opportunity, take it; if not, just keep moving forward.

I am not paying attention to what he says anymore.

This is his fourth year as a GM and we are the second worst team in the NBA. Booker looks like a future All Star but that is all that we have. Bledsoe is very good, OK, but he is an average PG because there are tooo many great PGs out there. We have some potential in Chriss and Bender, but they can be a bust too because they are really raw.

IMO McDonough needs to go. I am a patient man, but enough is enough. He has failed big time a lot of times ...

-Frye exit. 3 years later and he is playing good basketball, he deserved that money and he was essential to our team chemistry.
-Isaiah signig (problems with Dragic, minutes...) and then Isaiah trade (way bellow his value).
-Morris situation. He thinks that players are just "assets", is bad comunicating and he is arrogant.
-Gortat trade. He is a good C on a very good contract for the last four years since traded ...but he was old to be part of our core and now we have Chandler starting here earning even more money.
-Ennis pick. Wasted.
-Len pick. #5 and he is a bellow average C in his fourth season in the league. Every other C drafted after him that year is a better player than him.
-Knightmare trade. This is ridiculous, no need to explain.

And more and more that I am not gonna write about it because I get depressed.

I want another GM because I think that McDonough has had his opportunity, four years is not a short period of time. He does not deserve another contract, just that. Move on.

I disagree with much of this. We had zero young talent when he arrived, and very little mature talent either. Now, we have two banked picks that we've yet to cash in and a bunch of young talent that has yet to bloom. It's tough to dig out of the kind of hole that Sarver and Blanks dug for us. Ryan has made some mistakes along the way, every GM does. And then you have the "brand new GM" aspect that must also be considered. I think it's easier to argue against the initial hire than it is to justify firing him now. Once you commit to a GM in training you have to give him a little more rope than you would an established name.

I don't blame the Dragic situation on him at all, that was mostly a timing problem (contract time). I think his big screw-ups were the Knight trade, the Thomas trade, letting Frye walk and drafting Ennis and I think his successes balance those mistakes. And the Frye and Thomas mistakes weren't entirely his fault. The talk shows and internet boards were filled with Frye bashing and the same goes with Thomas. I'm not saying he just rushed out to do fan bidding but if you don't think sports organizations are influenced by popular opinion, you're mistaken.

We let them scream and scream about Frye not getting typical PF rebound numbers and we let them scream and moan about Thomas being a ballhog, a locker room cancer and a horrible defender. And when the broadcast crew of opposing teams came into town, they'd listen to local sports talk to get updated on their opponent and then they'd mention it in their telecast and it would continue to gain momentum. In these two cases, the will of the people was clear. People can be very stupid. Hopefully, Ryan will be less likely to listen to that noise in the future.

[Zelaznyrules]

Completely different kind of trade...
Suns get-
Derrick Favors

Jazz get-
Jahlil Okafor

Sixers get-
Brandon Knight
2018 Miami 1st

Favors has been struggling with injuries all year but he's still only 25 years old. With such a down year, I think maybe the opportunity to buy low is right now. The Jazz also clear about 7mil in cap space which gives them room to sign George Hill and Gordon Hayward this offseason. Favors hasn't been a huge part of their success this year so I think he is expendable plus they land Okafor who's defensive woes could be masked by Gobert. Him playing the 4 next to Gobert would be favorable, and Okafor/Diaw both have similar body types anyway.
Sixers have been wanting a guard and they are still trying to gather as much 1st round picks as possible. Knight with Embiid and eventually Simmons would be a good situation.
Obviously the Suns take a huge risk with Favors, but the only thing we really give up is the Miami pick since Knight hasn't been in the lineup anyway.

Your thoughts?

I can't stand watching Utah and that goes back many years so I know less about Favors than I do most NBA players but value wise it looks fine, I think. I'd worry more about fit. I'm just not sure he can play PF in today's league, he'd need to either play next to someone like Bender in a stretch 5 role or he'd have to fill the center spot. Which means we'd need to move probably Chandler and maybe Len too.

[King4Day]

Read on Twitter

"The Bucks-Hornets trade call w/ NBA is set for today to finalize Miles Plumlee for Hawes/Hibbert deal, league sources tell @TheVertical"

Someone try explaining this....

Sucks to root for the Hornets as a second favorite team. A reason I pray we don't can McD.

[AZWildByNature]

http://arizonasports.com/story/1010291/phoenix-suns-glad-put-january-rearview-mirror/
Phoenix Suns glad to put January in the rearview mirror

Title of the article made me chuckle and think about the discussion earlier regarding Jimmy Butler's driving.

[GetYourPHX]

Completely different kind of trade...
Suns get-
Derrick Favors

Jazz get-
Jahlil Okafor

Sixers get-
Brandon Knight
2018 Miami 1st

Spoiler:

Favors has been struggling with injuries all year but he's still only 25 years old. With such a down year, I think maybe the opportunity to buy low is right now. The Jazz also clear about 7mil in cap space which gives them room to sign George Hill and Gordon Hayward this offseason. Favors hasn't been a huge part of their success this year so I think he is expendable plus they land Okafor who's defensive woes could be masked by Gobert. Him playing the 4 next to Gobert would be favorable, and Okafor/Diaw both have similar body types anyway.
Sixers have been wanting a guard and they are still trying to gather as much 1st round picks as possible. Knight with Embiid and eventually Simmons would be a good situation.
Obviously the Suns take a huge risk with Favors, but the only thing we really give up is the Miami pick since Knight hasn't been in the lineup anyway.

Your thoughts?

I would love it if it happened, but I don't think Brandon Knight has even this level of value around the league right now.

Knight can't get on the floor despite being on the second worst team in the league. He's just overpaid. We're not going to unload him unless we take a terrible contract back.

[darealjuice]

Read on Twitter

Quese got Western Conference Rookie of the Month