2018 Free Agency and Trade Discussion continued

[nevetsov]

Jackson and Melton for Fultz?

Fultz | Harrison | Okobo
Booker | Daniels | Reed
Ariza | Warren | Bridges
Anderson | Bender | Arthur
Ayton | Holmes | Chandler

Simmons | McConnell | Melton
Reddick | Korkmaz | Smith
Covington | Jackson
Saric | Chandler
Embiid | Johnson | Muscala


Or if they want to add big depth, include a Reddick for Daniels and Arthur swap. All expirings.

[Saberestar]

Question for the board. Is Goran too much of a me first/ scoring point guard to fit properly next to Booker?

I'm divided on this.

Reason why I say yes:

• We need a player who can create his own shot so opposing defenses can't just zero in on Booker
• The obvious connection with our head coach
• Dragic drives with bigs who can spread the floor. I like the idea of having Bender as a back-up C - these guys will make eachother look good (not to mention Ryan Anderson)
• on paper: switching between Booker - Ayton pick & rolls / pops, and Dragic- Ayton pick & rolls / pops could be a nightmare for opposing defenses

Reason why I say no:

• I have some concerns about Dragic and Booker sharing the ball in the back court - although it worked great with Dragic/Doncic
• I don't think he'll come cheap - I'm not willing to give up key young assets for Dragic
• Dragic doesn't really help alleviate many of our concerns from last season: 1. not an elite defensive stopper - where we were dead last, last season 2. He's not the type of elite facilitator that could help improve last year's stagnant offense.
• Trading for Dragic means no max contract in free agency next season - unless he opts out. This is not that much of a concern to me though since I believe we'll explore trade options dangling our pick rather than the free agency market.

Overall, my preference would go for a proven 3&D PG, but for the right price (Chandler, Daniels or Reed + a second rounder) I'd love to see Goran back

BTW...

Read on Twitter

[Qwigglez]

Question for the board. Is Goran too much of a me first/ scoring point guard to fit properly next to Booker?

I'm divided on this.

Reason why I say yes:

• We need a player who can create his own shot so opposing defenses can't just zero in on Booker
• The obvious connection with our head coach
• Dragic drives with bigs who can spread the floor. I like the idea of having Bender as a back-up C - these guys will make eachother look good (not to mention Ryan Anderson)
• on paper: switching between Booker - Ayton pick & rolls / pops, and Dragic- Ayton pick & rolls / pops could be a nightmare for opposing defenses

Reason why I say no:

• I have some concerns about Dragic and Booker sharing the ball in the back court - although it worked great with Dragic/Doncic
• I don't think he'll come cheap - I'm not willing to give up key young assets for Dragic
• Dragic doesn't really help alleviate many of our concerns from last season: 1. not an elite defensive stopper - where we were dead last, last season 2. He's not the type of elite facilitator that could help improve last year's stagnant offense.
• Trading for Dragic means no max contract in free agency next season - unless he opts out. This is not that much of a concern to me though since I believe we'll explore trade options dangling our pick rather than the free agency market.

Overall, my preference would go for a proven 3&D PG, but for the right price (Chandler, Daniels or Reed + a second rounder) I'd love to see Goran back

I believe Goran is exactly the kind of Pg we need. We don’t need a Steve Nash type of Pg that creates for everyone. Goran was very effective for us when we had optimal spacing and Frye provided that, a role Ryan Anderson and Bender can fill. Dragic also played well while sharing ball handling duties with Bledsoe, and I actually think Goran/Booker would be more effective because when Goran penetrates the paint Booker can hit catch and shoot 3’s.

[BobbieL]

Question for the board. Is Goran too much of a me first/ scoring point guard to fit properly next to Booker?

I'm divided on this.

Reason why I say yes:

• We need a player who can create his own shot so opposing defenses can't just zero in on Booker
• The obvious connection with our head coach
• Dragic drives with bigs who can spread the floor. I like the idea of having Bender as a back-up C - these guys will make eachother look good (not to mention Ryan Anderson)
• on paper: switching between Booker - Ayton pick & rolls / pops, and Dragic- Ayton pick & rolls / pops could be a nightmare for opposing defenses

Reason why I say no:

• I have some concerns about Dragic and Booker sharing the ball in the back court - although it worked great with Dragic/Doncic
• I don't think he'll come cheap - I'm not willing to give up key young assets for Dragic
• Dragic doesn't really help alleviate many of our concerns from last season: 1. not an elite defensive stopper - where we were dead last, last season 2. He's not the type of elite facilitator that could help improve last year's stagnant offense.
• Trading for Dragic means no max contract in free agency next season - unless he opts out. This is not that much of a concern to me though since I believe we'll explore trade options dangling our pick rather than the free agency market.

Overall, my preference would go for a proven 3&D PG, but for the right price (Chandler, Daniels or Reed + a second rounder) I'd love to see Goran back

I might go as far as the Bucks pick or a Suns picks with lottery protections - meaning the first playoff year - the Heat get the pick. Maybe even to pick 18 or something.

Goran does take you out of free agency next year - but it doesn't seem like Klay would be a fit with the Suns with Booker, Durant if he leaves GSW will go to LA or NYK. Butler and Kyrie. So it seems like the logical choice might have been Kemba or Rubio. So taking a chance on losing those guys. For the right price, would like Goran

I still think it will bethe Serbian duo from LA coming to the Valley of the Suns

[Damkac]

https://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1745867

[lazyboy62]

It's gonna be D'Angelo Russell. I'm ok with that I think. If the trade is for expiring contracts then they (NJ) will have enough for two max contracts. Butler and Kiree Irving who have wanted to play together. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2793558-dangelo-russell-im-in-the-greatest-place-ever

https://fansided.com/2018/07/03/5-best-landing-spots-jimmy-butler-leaves-timberwolves-celtics-76ers/5/

[NE1Care]

It's gonna be D'Angelo Russell. I'm ok with that I think. If the trade is for expiring contracts then they (NJ) will have enough for two max contracts. Butler and Kiree Irving who have wanted to play together. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2793558-dangelo-russell-im-in-the-greatest-place-ever

https://fansided.com/2018/07/03/5-best-landing-spots-jimmy-butler-leaves-timberwolves-celtics-76ers/5/

No thanks. We just secured Booker and I do not need another "Best friend" situation when Russell does not work out. When it will be best for the team to trade him we will then have to worry about our stars best friend. No reason to bring that possible drama with these young players. Tyler Ulis drama again.

[BobbieL]

Gambo wrote an article on Arizona sports.com that mentioned Dinwiddie, Cory Joseph and Patrick Beverly.

You know what that means
Milos Teodosic, Goran Dragic or some of the guard not named above..,, pack your bags to Phoenix!

[Saberestar]

Gambo wrote an article on Arizona sports.com that mentioned Dinwiddie, Cory Joseph and Patrick Beverly.

You know what that means
Milos Teodosic, Goran Dragic or some of the guard not named above..,, pack your bags to Phoenix!

I think that Joseph has to be easy to get. The Pacers have Collison, Holiday and Tyreke Evans to play at PG.

I like Dinwiddie.

[sunskerr]

I think D Lo is a player we will look to acquire only if the price is right. I thought McD would have learnt after the Morris twins issues about acquiring players based on family/friendships, but I think he's definitely learned after splitting Ulis from the team. There was drama there but he still got a deal done with Book.

That being said I'm iffy on D Lo himself as a player. He shoots barely above 40%.

[Stark]

I don't think D'angelo is the answer. I like watching him as a basketball fan because he is entertaining but not a good fit with our team, before overpaying for guys like Dragic (better option than Russell) and Russell we should find somebody that can fit the team without hurting our future capspace. My wishlist for the pg is 1) Delon Wright 2)Patrick Beverley 3)Cory Joseph 4)Teodosic 5)Tomas Satoransky 6)Tyus Jones. Low risk targets.

[DaleyBlind]

Kinda disappointing we aren't seeing more of this type of stuff from our young guys

Posting staged Instagram shots of themselves training . Very disappointing

[bwgood77]

So we open on national television against the Mavs, so of course the hype is Ayton/Doncic, but it is also very interesting to have Kokoskov planning against his former player and then you have Ayton going against DeAndre Jordan. I wonder if Doncic and Smith will throw him a bunch of lobs. It will be interesting to see how Ayton does in this first game. They will probably do it a bit when he gets switched and when that happens, even if he is close to the play, in the past he has watched quite a bit and not gotten involved, so it will be interesting to see how much he tries to disrupt things defensively.

[NavLDO]

The Suns wouldn't have traded away the only vet pg on the team without knowing they had something lined up on a targeted guard or having consulted with Igor about his confidence to go forward with Shaq, Ellie and who we have. Hell, Igor might prefer a blank slate pass first pgs like Harrison and okobo, maybe Igor prefers more of a blank slate to mold. Both are pass first, both have great size and strength. Both play dedicated defense, each has his own separate strength, Shaq is a freak athlete and slasher while Elie can shoot it. Maybe instead of wasting assets for a non impact pg ( none available) we may just let it ride and see who shakes out at camps for other teams through camp battles and cuts, technically Cannon is the vet guard on the roster now.

Exactly. If we can get a true difference maker, that's great. If not, just roll with what we have. Don't settle on a garbage vet like George Hill (who BTW was awful on and off the court on a rebuilding team in Sacramento) or Teodosic etc., who won't make a slightest difference this season.

You are exactly right...or a 'garbage vet' (not really garbage, but just using your term), like Ariza for $15M...same difference. If we couldn't get a difference make with that $15M, then just let it be, and wait for one to become available (because they always do at some point)and use that $15M, and whatever else we have, to GET that difference maker. Now?? Well, now we are just in "Wait til next year" mode again.

Oh, but I forgot; why bother trying; it's too HARD to compete this year. Let's wait until their aren't any good teams in the West; I remember when that happened..it was...ummm...let's see...

Seriously; this "we-can't-compete-because-we-aren't-good-enough,-so-let's-pay-$15M-to-a-'pretty-good-talent'-that-doesn't-move- the-needle-and-ensures-we-won't-be-good-enough" strategy is dumb.

And so, please explain to, how we are willing to give a go with Elie or Harrison as our PGs, yet we are not willing to give a go to our top 10 3&D draft pick, who is better than either of those two, with Warren and JJ already in place to support, so we felt the need to bring in Ariza for $15M...am I getting this right? And everyone is ok with this?

There is only one outcome that can make the Ariza signing okay IMO, and that is, if he's an integral part to us making the Playoffs; this mentoring/on-the-court coach, yadda, yadda, yadda is NOT how you spend $15M...I'm sorry, it just isn't.

[stoo]

The Suns wouldn't have traded away the only vet pg on the team without knowing they had something lined up on a targeted guard or having consulted with Igor about his confidence to go forward with Shaq, Ellie and who we have. Hell, Igor might prefer a blank slate pass first pgs like Harrison and okobo, maybe Igor prefers more of a blank slate to mold. Both are pass first, both have great size and strength. Both play dedicated defense, each has his own separate strength, Shaq is a freak athlete and slasher while Elie can shoot it. Maybe instead of wasting assets for a non impact pg ( none available) we may just let it ride and see who shakes out at camps for other teams through camp battles and cuts, technically Cannon is the vet guard on the roster now.

Exactly. If we can get a true difference maker, that's great. If not, just roll with what we have. Don't settle on a garbage vet like George Hill (who BTW was awful on and off the court on a rebuilding team in Sacramento) or Teodosic etc., who won't make a slightest difference this season.

You are exactly right...or a 'garbage vet' (not really garbage, but just using your term), like Ariza for $15M...same difference. If we couldn't get a difference make with that $15M, then just let it be, and wait for one to become available (because they always do at some point)and use that $15M, and whatever else we have, to GET that difference maker. Now?? Well, now we are just in "Wait til next year" mode again.

Oh, but I forgot; why bother trying; it's too HARD to compete this year. Let's wait until their aren't any good teams in the West; I remember when that happened..it was...ummm...let's see...

Seriously; this "we-can't-compete-because-we-aren't-good-enough,-so-let's-pay-$15M-to-a-'pretty-good-talent'-that-doesn't-move- the-needle-and-ensures-we-won't-be-good-enough" strategy is dumb.

And so, please explain to, how we are willing to give a go with Elie or Harrison as our PGs, yet we are not willing to give a go to our top 10 3&D draft pick, who is better than either of those two, with Warren and JJ already in place to support, so we felt the need to bring in Ariza for $15M...am I getting this right? And everyone is ok with this?

There is only one outcome that can make the Ariza signing okay IMO, and that is, if he's an integral part to us making the Playoffs; this mentoring/on-the-court coach, yadda, yadda, yadda is NOT how you spend $15M...I'm sorry, it just isn't.

???

[denial]

Kinda disappointing we aren't seeing more of this type of stuff from our young guys

Posting staged Instagram shots of themselves training . Very disappointing

I have not seen Doncic play very much at all. But when I did see him play, I thought he was decent. I did not see the legendary future all time great people keep talking about. But again, I have a very small sample size.

But what I've decided is that Doncic has a very good PR team. I think PR pushed his draft slot up as much as anything else. Guys have learned the value of marketing. If you have a noticible hairdo or a realty TV show, people know your name, and it gives you value to a club. Also during the draft, it is like a political campaign. I think a good European player strategy would be to hire a firm to hit American social media with things like "greatest player ever from Europe" etc.
There are draft picks all over the world and only so many scouts going to actual games.
I don't know how good Doncic really is at basketball (maybe he is amazing). But I think he has Lebron-level PR game.

Edit: I also don't think it is coincidence that this pose highlights all of his Nike gear. This is a three-birds-with-one-stone PR promotion and photoshoot all in one, all while building a bit of muscle.

[LukasBMW]

We want to compete, so we spend $15mil on Ariza and trade for Anderson.

But we also want to rebuild, so it's OK going forward with 2 rookie PG's and a D-league project.

?????

I'm still not sure what Ryan is doing.

I've said it once and I will say it again, I would have rather used #16 and the future Miami pick to target a legit PG instead of taking Bridges. We'd have less of a logjam and more balance.

[Big NBA Fan]

Doncic would have been the safer pick than Ayton, and he would have filled a huge need.

Luka reminds me a bit of a mix of Ben Simmons/Steve Nash; he can shoot like Nash, is built physically like Simmons, and he has a really high basketball IQ like both of them.

But I hope Ayton does well because he seems like a great guy; but his questionable basketball IQ scares me a bit.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

I was taking another look at Dinwiddie's stats. I didn't realize he had 6.6 APG and a better than 3-to-1 A/TO ratio. Didn't shoot very well and his DBPM is -1.8, but that ratio is legit.

I wonder if the Nets would consider something like Melton and Reed for Dinwiddie. Those two will be under contract for a while and have upside. Dinwiddie's going to want a significant raise next summer and the Nets should prefer to not only maximize cap space, but minimize wins this season.

[Qwigglez]

We want to compete, so we spend $15mil on Ariza and trade for Anderson.

But we also want to rebuild, so it's OK going forward with 2 rookie PG's and a D-league project.

?????

I'm still not sure what Ryan is doing.

I've said it once and I will say it again, I would have rather used #16 and the future Miami pick to target a legit PG instead of taking Bridges. We'd have less of a logjam and more balance.

Yes I’m confused if we end up going into the season with unproven Pgs. Getting two veterans like you said in Ariza and Anderson, don’t do anything if we don’t have a seasoned veteran at Pg. Someone needs to orchestrate this offense and with a little over a month left before the season starts I think we should be aiming at a trade quickly so players can establish some chemistry and rapport.