cosmofizzo wrote:cl2117 wrote:Celtics fan here. Curious as to whether the Suns would be willing to swap #13 for #23 to move up from #4 to #3 to make sure you can grab Bender?
I'd like to see Ainge take Bender, but I think he may be swung by either Dunn or Murray (more likely Dunn in my opinion). If he's torn between Bender and one of the guard prospects I think being able to upgrade from #23 to #13 would be enough to sway him to pass on the Croation sensation and go for a guard (potentially using Dunn to trade for Okafor down the line) and chasing one of the remaining bigs with #13 (hoepfully Skal from my perspective).
From an outsider's perspective Bender seems like he'd fit really well with the Suns and given that you've already got Bledsoe/Booker/Knight I figured he'd be the far and away favorite for you at #4, but have no clue as to whether guaranteeing that you could get him would be worth the 10 spot drop with your second pick.
Thoughts?
I'm not sure we're in love with Bender. But there's the rub. If Boston would take Bender, then won't they just take him? If they wouldn't, wouldn't they just not? Either you like him and you'll take him or you don't and you won't. If you intend to trade the #3 for Okafor, the Sixers will pick a guard, and we'll get Bender if we want him. If we traded up for Bender, and you trade the #4 for Okafor, everyone would be in the exact same position. So no, I don't think it's a plausible scenario.
Well the idea is twofold:
1) There might be a team that loves Bender who comes in and makes an offer for #3 (for example maybe the Bulls blow it up with Noah not coming back and decide to trade Butler for a package involving #3). The most talked about deal has been Okafor, but I expect other teams to come calling at the very least to test the waters.
2) Boston might have Bender and Dunn 1a and 1b, so it may be a situation where Ainge says I'm taking Bender unless you guys are willing to do the swap on 13 and 23. If the Suns say no thanks we will take Dunn/Murray or we'll trade for Okafor if Philly is interested, then Boston takes Bender and there is no trade. But I was seeing if McDonagh might say f' it we like Bender a lot so we'll do the swap to not risk it.
I think the fans really want Bender, but there is development time involved in that pick. I think Dunn is more immediate satisfaction and has trade potential with Okafor so he might end up with the pick.
But I guess I was just seeing if Ainge really is torn like that (or claims to be) would the Suns make that move to make up his mind and guarantee they get Bender? Or would you rather just let it play out and hope for the best?
If we don't like Bender, we really have no business drafting #4 in this draft.
