The Trade Thread: All Eyes Toward The Offseason

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

All these rumors and yet we are only scratching the surface of our myriad options. No one knows what draft day will bring, except that we will surely make at least one trade.

I am in the Okafor or Bender camp until I hear different from Woj. Especially Okafor since we haven't been mentioned and he IS on the block.

You trade for Okafor, you have to trade Len. I could see Orlando being interested - perhaps straight up for the #11 (I can't see them dealing Payton, Hezonja, Oladipo or Gordon). If you're running TJ and Booker, that's two non-defenders in your starting lineup. You add Okafor, that's three offense-oriented, defensive liabilities in your starting lineup. I don't think it's a good match. You see how OKC has to keep Kanter off the floor - and Okafor isn't as good a scorer or rebounder as Kanter. Don't want to be in the same situation.

[Mulhollanddrive]

No thanks to Okafor.

How do you win a championship with PGs who can't handle the ball, Cs who don't defend.

[jcsunsfan]

There are, literally, no free agents for the Suns that make sense this summer besides cheap roster fillers. Durant is too old and not a possibility. Batum does not move the needle. Harrison Barnes might be a possibility if there is hidden star potential there playing behind Curry, Thompson and Green, AND if the money isn't silly.

Build through the draft or maybe a trade.

There's plenty of talent available. Durant is 27 years old and averages more points per game than his age...He's not old.

Whiteside/Horford/DeRozan/Anderson/Crawford (for the bench) are all improvements on what we currently have.

Durant is the wrong age for our core I think. Odd though. KD is younger than Steph Curry.


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[jcsunsfan]

All these rumors and yet we are only scratching the surface of our myriad options. No one knows what draft day will bring, except that we will surely make at least one trade.

I am in the Okafor or Bender camp until I hear different from Woj. Especially Okafor since we haven't been mentioned and he IS on the block.

You trade for Okafor, you have to trade Len. I could see Orlando being interested - perhaps straight up for the #11 (I can't see them dealing Payton, Hezonja, Oladipo or Gordon). If you're running TJ and Booker, that's two non-defenders in your starting lineup. You add Okafor, that's three offense-oriented, defensive liabilities in your starting lineup. I don't think it's a good match. You see how OKC has to keep Kanter off the floor - and Okafor isn't as good a scorer or rebounder as Kanter. Don't want to be in the same situation.

Why trade Len? Philly doesn't want more centers. That's why they are thinking about giving up Okafor.


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[ImNotMcDiSwear]

I am in the Okafor or Bender camp until I hear different from Woj. Especially Okafor since we haven't been mentioned and he IS on the block.

You trade for Okafor, you have to trade Len. I could see Orlando being interested - perhaps straight up for the #11 (I can't see them dealing Payton, Hezonja, Oladipo or Gordon). If you're running TJ and Booker, that's two non-defenders in your starting lineup. You add Okafor, that's three offense-oriented, defensive liabilities in your starting lineup. I don't think it's a good match. You see how OKC has to keep Kanter off the floor - and Okafor isn't as good a scorer or rebounder as Kanter. Don't want to be in the same situation.

Why trade Len? Philly doesn't want more centers. That's why they are thinking about giving up Okafor.


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I was proposing Len to Orlando in the event we trade the #4 for Okafor (which I was pretty clearly not endorsing). I do not believe a Len/Okafor front line could possibly be effective defensively. Okafor has to man the 5 exclusively due to his footspeed.

[jcsunsfan]

There are, literally, no free agents for the Suns that make sense this summer besides cheap roster fillers. Durant is too old and not a possibility. Batum does not move the needle. Harrison Barnes might be a possibility if there is hidden star potential there playing behind Curry, Thompson and Green, AND if the money isn't silly.

Build through the draft or maybe a trade.

There's plenty of talent available. Durant is 27 years old and averages more points per game than his age...He's not old.

Whiteside/Horford/DeRozan/Anderson/Crawford (for the bench) are all improvements on what we currently have.

Durant is the wrong age for our core I think. Odd though. KD is younger than Steph Curry. I somehow missed that.


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[bwgood77]

I think most of us on here agree the Suns are not going to be competing for a championship next season and/or possibly the season after that. Let's assume the Suns do not trade for a superstar on draft night and draft players at their given slots. How many fans on here would be interested in the Suns trading Bledsoe, Knight, Tucker, and Chandler for more young players and going super young ala the Thunder with Durant, Westbrook, and Harden.

The Suns draft either Dunn or Bender and go with a lineup of Dunn, Booker, Warren, draft pick, and Len, or Draft pick/FA, Booker, Warren, Bender, and Len. I only see potential. There is a high probability the team will not be that good immediately and might be one of the worst teams in the league. But at least you have an incredibly young team with loads of potential where the entire core is 23 or younger. If those players can grow together for a couple years or more, they might turn into a contending team one day. Plus if the team is terrible you get another super high draft pick. This also does not even factor in whatever the Suns could get for trading the guys I mentioned so the team could be filled with young prospects.

I think a lot of people want to do that. I wouldn't have guessed you were one of them though. It would be rewarding to stock the team with youth and let them (hopefully) flourish together like OKC and GSW have done. I mean OKC has almost strictly been built through the draft. GS's big three were all through the draft. Especially since they could (hopefully) grow with a young coach as well.

[JMac1]

I think most of us on here agree the Suns are not going to be competing for a championship next season and/or possibly the season after that. Let's assume the Suns do not trade for a superstar on draft night and draft players at their given slots. How many fans on here would be interested in the Suns trading Bledsoe, Knight, Tucker, and Chandler for more young players and going super young ala the Thunder with Durant, Westbrook, and Harden.

The Suns draft either Dunn or Bender and go with a lineup of Dunn, Booker, Warren, draft pick, and Len, or Draft pick/FA, Booker, Warren, Bender, and Len. I only see potential. There is a high probability the team will not be that good immediately and might be one of the worst teams in the league. But at least you have an incredibly young team with loads of potential where the entire core is 23 or younger. If those players can grow together for a couple years or more, they might turn into a contending team one day. Plus if the team is terrible you get another super high draft pick. This also does not even factor in whatever the Suns could get for trading the guys I mentioned so the team could be filled with young prospects.

I think a lot of people want to do that. I wouldn't have guessed you were one of them though. It would be rewarding to stock the team with youth and let them (hopefully) flourish together like OKC and GSW have done. I mean OKC has almost strictly been built through the draft. GS's big three were all through the draft. Especially since they could (hopefully) grow with a young coach as well.

That's what I want. That's why I don't understand the Butler trade. You trade for Butler to compete and Butler damn sure isn't going somewhere to not compete.

I am a big Dunn support for that reason and now I am aboard the Bender train or Okafor. Let's see if the kids have it, if they do add pieces through high draft picks, and if they don't have it, keep drafting until you find the next superstar; that's what GS and OKC did for all of those years. We have wasted so many years trying to compete and now 6 years later we are still at ground zero!

Bender or Dunn or Okafor with Booker could be the start. We damn sure know Booker is thus far.

[saintEscaton]

Multiple sauces , heard it through the grapevine

[letsgosuns]

This is my issue with Okafor. For as long as I can remember, Jerry Colangelo did everything he could to find a useful center. He would take risks on any big guy that showed potential. Now that he actually has a big center that is a really good scorer, why is he so eager to get rid of him? Colangelo is not the type of person to trade a big guy for a point guard. And it is not like Noel or Embiid are sure things to do anything in the league. Okafor has shown the most potential of all three. Should it be a red flag that Colangelo is willing to trade a 20 year old scoring center?

[Kerrsed]

This is my issue with Okafor. For as long as I can remember, Jerry Colangelo did everything he could to find a useful center. He would take risks on any big guy that showed potential. Now that he actually has a big center that is a really good scorer, why is he so eager to get rid of him? Colangelo is not the type of person to trade a big guy for a point guard. And it is not like Noel or Embiid are sure things to do anything in the league. Okafor has shown the most potential of all three. Should it be a red flag that Colangelo is willing to trade a 20 year old scoring center?

Im sure they would rather trade Noel, but the issue is that he has more value to Philly than other teams in the league. Embiid is supposed to be everything Okafor is on offense, but a much better defender.

Colangelo was brought in stop the losing. He has a plan. He believes that adding 2 top 4 picks (Simmons&Dunn) to a core of Embiid/Noel/Saric is a better plan than staying pat with 3 young starting caliber C's.

[Cactus Jack]

Im sure they would rather trade Noel, but the issue is that he has more value to Philly than other teams in the league. Embiid is supposed to be everything Okafor is on offense, but a much better defender.

Counting on Embiid to stay healthy a full season is fools' gold. Greg Oden would be a safer bet at this point.

[LukasBMW]

No one in the NBA plays defense anymore. I mean...look at this years ALL DEFENSE teams. Half of the guys wouldn't have made the cut 10 years ago. Maybe even 5 years ago.

Booker, TJ, and Okafor are all puppies. The fact that they have shown so much potential already is promising. Defense will be the last thing they develop just because they are all still adjusting to the NBA game.

And I honestly think that Len and Okafor could be a great pairing especially if Len continues to improve his range and starts knocking down the 3. Len last year at the 4 worked well. So I think Okafor/Len at 5/4 is worth trying.

[LukasBMW]

Also, if Philly is after backcourt talent in exchange for Okafor, even if Boston offers #3, we can still beat them by offering #4 + Knight.

We easily win that auction unless Boston adds a guard.

Chances are that whoever Philly is after will be around at 4 and they could really frame out their team:

1. #4/Ish
2. Knight/Stauskas
3. Saric/Covington
4. #1 - Simmons
5. Noel/Embiid

Now that's a lineup that starts to look like it has potential. Then consider they still have a glut of draft picks and almost unlimited free agent money.

Knight/#4 for Okafor could be beneficial for both teams.

[rsavaj]

Also, if Philly is after backcourt talent in exchange for Okafor, even if Boston offers #3, we can still beat them by offering #4 + Knight.

We easily win that auction unless Boston adds a guard.

Chances are that whoever Philly is after will be around at 4 and they could really frame out their team:

1. #4/Ish
2. Knight/Stauskas
3. Saric/Covington
4. #1 - Simmons
5. Noel/Embiid

Now that's a lineup that starts to look like it has potential. Then consider they still have a glut of draft picks and almost unlimited free agent money.

Knight/#4 for Okafor could be beneficial for both teams.

I think it's a bit of an overpay on our end. I'd need something more coming back from Philly. Nothing too drastic but that trade goes in Philly's favor IMO.

[MathiasPW]

Also, if Philly is after backcourt talent in exchange for Okafor, even if Boston offers #3, we can still beat them by offering #4 + Knight.

We easily win that auction unless Boston adds a guard.

Chances are that whoever Philly is after will be around at 4 and they could really frame out their team:

1. #4/Ish
2. Knight/Stauskas
3. Saric/Covington
4. #1 - Simmons
5. Noel/Embiid

Now that's a lineup that starts to look like it has potential. Then consider they still have a glut of draft picks and almost unlimited free agent money.

Knight/#4 for Okafor could be beneficial for both teams.

I think it's a bit of an overpay on our end. I'd need something more coming back from Philly. Nothing too drastic but that trade goes in Philly's favor IMO.

Easily adjustable. Both sides have multiple picks and fillers to make it work.

I'd love to have Okafor. But I'd hate to be the GM and have a situation with Okafor, Len and expensive Chandler in the same roster. One would have to be dealt. The just - signed role model experienced Chandler or his first top 5 pick project? None of it would look good for him

[rsavaj]

Also, if Philly is after backcourt talent in exchange for Okafor, even if Boston offers #3, we can still beat them by offering #4 + Knight.

We easily win that auction unless Boston adds a guard.

Chances are that whoever Philly is after will be around at 4 and they could really frame out their team:

1. #4/Ish
2. Knight/Stauskas
3. Saric/Covington
4. #1 - Simmons
5. Noel/Embiid

Now that's a lineup that starts to look like it has potential. Then consider they still have a glut of draft picks and almost unlimited free agent money.

Knight/#4 for Okafor could be beneficial for both teams.

I think it's a bit of an overpay on our end. I'd need something more coming back from Philly. Nothing too drastic but that trade goes in Philly's favor IMO.

Easily adjustable. Both sides have multiple picks and fillers to make it work.

I'd love to have Okafor. But I'd hate to be the GM and have a situation with Okafor, Len and expensive Chandler in the same roster. One would have to be dealt. The just - signed role model experienced Chandler or his first top 5 pick project? None of it would look good for him

I think Chandler would be quite happy to be moved to a contender, so there's a window there.

[saintEscaton]

Len was putting up historically low FG% playing out of position away from the basket, if you looked beyond his double double streak. If Noel can't entirely cover up Jah's behind with his ability to switch onto guards and patrol the perimeter, no way Len will be able to. That would be a recipe for disaster IMO. We need to stop this futile attempt at molding Len into a faceup big when he clearly isn't, he may never develop counters and his stone hands might prevent him from being a rolling threat but at least get him to finish better within 5 feet, 52% doesn't cut it. He has the fast twitch explosiveness to posterize Whiteside, why isn't he automatic from there?

[bwgood77]

Also, if Philly is after backcourt talent in exchange for Okafor, even if Boston offers #3, we can still beat them by offering #4 + Knight.

We easily win that auction unless Boston adds a guard.

Chances are that whoever Philly is after will be around at 4 and they could really frame out their team:

1. #4/Ish
2. Knight/Stauskas
3. Saric/Covington
4. #1 - Simmons
5. Noel/Embiid

Now that's a lineup that starts to look like it has potential. Then consider they still have a glut of draft picks and almost unlimited free agent money.

Knight/#4 for Okafor could be beneficial for both teams.

Except if their intrigue is with Dunn, and they rate him much more highly than Murray, then they would not want to risk Boston taking who they want. I don't know if Knight is enough of a difference.

[rsavaj]

Len was putting up historically low FG% playing out of position away from the basket, if Noel can't entirely cover up Jah's behind with his ability to switch onto guards and patrol the perimeter, no way Len will be able to. That would be a recipe for disaster IMO. We need to stop this futile attempt at molding Len into a faceup big when he clearly isn't, he may never develop counters and his stone hands might prevent him from being a rolling threat but at least get him to finish better within 5 feet, 52% doesn't cut it

I agree with you, and I don't think a Len/Jah PF/C combo would work, but it never hurts to have two young C prospects on the squad. If Len can't beat out Jah for starting C, then so be it. Dude needs to up his game.

Having the two of them(one starting, one off the bench) would allow Watson to throw different looks out there, which would be nice.