Season Speculation, Free Agency & Trade Ideas: Our Johnson is finally working

[WeekapaugGroove]

IDK, man. It's hard to blame these slow starts on Bender. Booker getting roasted both ways was the reason we got down 10 early last night, for instance.

Starting Bender has been a great move to my eye. Just having a second interior defender out there with the starters has been a major improvement. Nice that Bridges has found that corner 3 since being moved to the bench. Bender just needs to keep working on his long ball. He'll get there.

The priority is the 4, sure. But I haven't seen any non-draft solutions to this problem that look very appealing.

Aminu is my favorite realistic target. Isn't awesome at anything but does most things pretty well.

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Personally, I'd prefer to stick with Bender. Dragan's improving and developing; he's got great tools; he's still super young. Loved watching him get those blocks on Giannis a few nights ago. I get that Aminu is solid but Dragan could be more, and I don't think an unreasonable amount of development is necessary for Dragan to reach and surpass Aminu's level of play.

Even with him starting now I find it unlikely he'll come back. Declining that option probably left a bad taste in his mouth for the organization so if he has an opportunity to leave I think he'll jump at it. I also still believe he could go back to Europe for a couple years on a nice deal.

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[Saberestar]

Aminu is my favorite realistic target. Isn't awesome at anything but does most things pretty well.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using RealGM mobile app

Personally, I'd prefer to stick with Bender. Dragan's improving and developing; he's got great tools; he's still super young. Loved watching him get those blocks on Giannis a few nights ago. I get that Aminu is solid but Dragan could be more, and I don't think an unreasonable amount of development is necessary for Dragan to reach and surpass Aminu's level of play.

Even with him starting now I find it unlikely he'll come back. Declining that option probably left a bad taste in his mouth for the organization so if he has an opportunity to leave I think he'll jump at it. I also still believe he could go back to Europe for a couple years on a nice deal.

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I think that we can work an small deal with him, something like $6M / 2 years (3$M per year) with the second one being a team option.

If he doesn't get better offers I bet he stays with a contract like that.

[BobbieL]

IDK, man. It's hard to blame these slow starts on Bender. Booker getting roasted both ways was the reason we got down 10 early last night, for instance.

Starting Bender has been a great move to my eye. Just having a second interior defender out there with the starters has been a major improvement. Nice that Bridges has found that corner 3 since being moved to the bench. Bender just needs to keep working on his long ball. He'll get there.

The priority is the 4, sure. But I haven't seen any non-draft solutions to this problem that look very appealing.

Aminu is my favorite realistic target. Isn't awesome at anything but does most things pretty well.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using RealGM mobile app

Personally, I'd prefer to stick with Bender. Dragan's improving and developing; he's got great tools; he's still super young. Loved watching him get those blocks on Giannis a few nights ago. I get that Aminu is solid but Dragan could be more, and I don't think an unreasonable amount of development is necessary for Dragan to reach and surpass Aminu's level of play.

I think with wanting to keep Tyler Johnson over a guy like Rozier; maybe even Rubio - I am good with a guy like Aminu. But I do think the Suns need to move from potential to better player. Bender might be good in a couple years - and it could come back to bite the Suns. But you know what you are getting with Aminu and he would be a good fit next to Ayton. I like it. He makes 7m this year - might be able to get him for <$10m perhaps.

[Crives]

If the Wizards fire their GM would the new guy coming in have the green light to clean house?

Could we do something like this on draft day?

Suns get -
Bradley Beal

Wizards get -
Tyler Johnson
Josh Jackson
2019 pick (2-6)
2021 1st (unprotected)
2023 1st (top 5 protected)
2020 Bucks pick

If we landed No 1, we probably don’t need to trade as much. But I’d do it given we’d have our starting five set for the next 6-7 years.

Beal / Booker / Bridges / Oubre / Ayton
Melton / Okobo / Warren / Holmes

Is there another PG/SG who’s under 26-27 years old that we can trade for?

I actually really liked point Book in half court sets, but it doesn’t work when he is the only player that can initiate the offense. Beal would fix that. If we get #2 and Wizards fall in love with RJ I think you can remove the 21/23 first and add the 2019 2nd

[Crives]

We're at 82 mil next year provided we renounce all our free agents. Assuming we keep Oubre, his cap hold is 9.6 mil, so that brings us up to 91 mil.

Now, my moves would be as follows:

1. Do my Jackson + Warren trade to the Cavs for Nance Jr + Osman. I'd throw in our 2019 second rounder if that's what's needed to make it work. That deal also saves us a couple of million in cap space.

2. Draft Morant.

3. Sign Mirotic to 4 years / 60 million. We should just about have the cap space to do this. Would have to renounce everyone except Oubre though.

4. Sign Oubre to 4 years / 50 million. We can go over the cap to sign him, so there's some flexibility on his deal here.

Roster next year:

Ayton/Nance Jr
Mirotic/Osman
Oubre/Bridges
Booker/Melton
Johnson/Morant

Could also try and flip Johnson + Morant for Jrue if we're inclined to go down that route.

I think that team can win 40-45 games next year.

I think if you have Nance - you might need PG more than Mirotic. I would not want a rookie in Morant with that group also. Maybe Tyler Johnson could hold the fort a year but I still think I would want experience at the PG position.

Tyler Johnson + 2019 pick + Milwaukee pick should be able to land us Jrue if we want to go down that route. It really depends how high we are on someone like Morant.

But I'd like to go for Mirotic regardless. He's the perfect PF to open up space for Ayton inside, and he's not a terrible defender or rebounder either. In fact, if you just replaced Bender with Mirotic in our current line-up, I think we'd immediately become a very dangerous team.

If our pick is 2 or 3 I think we add our 2019 2nd and should be able to get NO #10 back

[Waylay13]

If the Wizards fire their GM would the new guy coming in have the green light to clean house?

Could we do something like this on draft day?

Suns get -
Bradley Beal

Wizards get -
Tyler Johnson
Josh Jackson
2019 pick (2-6)
2021 1st (unprotected)
2023 1st (top 5 protected)
2020 Bucks pick

If we landed No 1, we probably don’t need to trade as much. But I’d do it given we’d have our starting five set for the next 6-7 years.

Beal / Booker / Bridges / Oubre / Ayton
Melton / Okobo / Warren / Holmes

Is there another PG/SG who’s under 26-27 years old that we can trade for?

How about that we get what we really need a point guard to create for others like Rubio. i.e. lets stop trying to shove another score first shooting guard that was the disaster of Knight and Bledsoe.

[darmani]

If the Wizards fire their GM would the new guy coming in have the green light to clean house?

Could we do something like this on draft day?

Suns get -
Bradley Beal

Wizards get -
Tyler Johnson
Josh Jackson
2019 pick (2-6)
2021 1st (unprotected)
2023 1st (top 5 protected)
2020 Bucks pick

If we landed No 1, we probably don’t need to trade as much. But I’d do it given we’d have our starting five set for the next 6-7 years.

Beal / Booker / Bridges / Oubre / Ayton
Melton / Okobo / Warren / Holmes

Is there another PG/SG who’s under 26-27 years old that we can trade for?

How about that we get what we really need a point guard to create for others like Rubio. i.e. lets stop trying to shove another score first shooting guard that was the disaster of Knight and Bledsoe.

That's BS. Player like Rubio (or Lonzo), who can't score from anywhere on the court is the last thing the Suns need. We would be 10 times better with Beal than Rubio.

[alamin330]

I think Tyler Johnson is the reason for the suns recent success. Somehow some way I think he’s gotten every one to buy into the coach and team ball. I think him and oubre have everyone giving it their all on defense. I don’t think Tyler should be traded with the number 2 pick even for Beal. Unless we’re getting a proven leader at the point Tyler shouldn’t be moved. There are plenty of other pieces on this team that can be included with the 2 pick to get someone like tj Warren or even Josh Jackson now. I would hate to trade josh along with the 2nd pick but if it’s for an all star caliber player I would do it. I just think Tyler is more valuable to this teams psyche than any other player.
It looks like Tyler has even gotten Igor to wake up. He’s getting techs now and actually showing some fire for his guys. Tyler is the glue guy. You don’t trade the glue guy

[Crives]

I think Tyler Johnson is the reason for the suns recent success. Somehow some way I think he’s gotten every one to buy into the coach and team ball. I think him and oubre have everyone giving it their all on defense. I don’t think Tyler should be traded with the number 2 pick even for Beal. Unless we’re getting a proven leader at the point Tyler shouldn’t be moved. There are plenty of other pieces on this team that can be included with the 2 pick to get someone like tj Warren or even Josh Jackson now. I would hate to trade josh along with the 2nd pick but if it’s for an all star caliber player I would do it. I just think Tyler is more valuable to this teams psyche than any other player.
It looks like Tyler has even gotten Igor to wake up. He’s getting techs now and actually showing some fire for his guys. Tyler is the glue guy. You don’t trade the glue guy

If this is true (Likely only those close to the team really know), and a opportunity in FA presents itself to sign a very high quality player, the team should look into offering Johnson a long term deal to free up cap next year.

[Revived]

I would strongly pursue Julius Randle in free agency. He’s good on the boards (for a PF) and has a physical playing style that compliments Ayton’s finesse playing style.

He’s also shooting 35% from 3 this season on almost three attempts a game.

If Ayton starts attempting 3s in games like he’s been doing in practices, then spacing won’t be a big issue as well.

Randle is an underrated passer and has improved some defensively as well. Shouldn’t break the bank $$ wise either in terms of signing him.

[Wilber85]

If the Wizards fire their GM would the new guy coming in have the green light to clean house?

Could we do something like this on draft day?

Suns get -
Bradley Beal

Wizards get -
Tyler Johnson
Josh Jackson
2019 pick (2-6)
2021 1st (unprotected)
2023 1st (top 5 protected)
2020 Bucks pick

If we landed No 1, we probably don’t need to trade as much. But I’d do it given we’d have our starting five set for the next 6-7 years.

Beal / Booker / Bridges / Oubre / Ayton
Melton / Okobo / Warren / Holmes

Is there another PG/SG who’s under 26-27 years old that we can trade for?

How about that we get what we really need a point guard to create for others like Rubio. i.e. lets stop trying to shove another score first shooting guard that was the disaster of Knight and Bledsoe.

That's BS. Player like Rubio (or Lonzo), who can't score from anywhere on the court is the last thing the Suns need. We would be 10 times better with Beal than Rubio.

no we wouldn't. If we had Rubio on this team. I see us easily winning 30 + Games. Rubio plays defense, and can create shots for our players as the main facilitator.

Beal would take away from Ayton, and Booker.

I would take a pass first pg who can only put 10 points a game up rather than a score first guard who will score 20 on 20 shots.

[Wilber85]

If the Wizards fire their GM would the new guy coming in have the green light to clean house?

Could we do something like this on draft day?

Suns get -
Bradley Beal

Wizards get -
Tyler Johnson
Josh Jackson
2019 pick (2-6)
2021 1st (unprotected)
2023 1st (top 5 protected)
2020 Bucks pick

If we landed No 1, we probably don’t need to trade as much. But I’d do it given we’d have our starting five set for the next 6-7 years.

Beal / Booker / Bridges / Oubre / Ayton
Melton / Okobo / Warren / Holmes

Is there another PG/SG who’s under 26-27 years old that we can trade for?

How about that we get what we really need a point guard to create for others like Rubio. i.e. lets stop trying to shove another score first shooting guard that was the disaster of Knight and Bledsoe.

That's BS. Player like Rubio (or Lonzo), who can't score from anywhere on the court is the last thing the Suns need. We would be 10 times better with Beal than Rubio.

Also what's BS is trading

Morant, Jackson, Johnson, 2021 unprotected , 2023 unprotected (especially) since they can go straight from HS for one player

that is ridiculous.

[WeekapaugGroove]

I would strongly pursue Julius Randle in free agency. He’s good on the boards (for a PF) and has a physical playing style that compliments Ayton’s finesse playing style.

He’s also shooting 35% from 3 this season on almost three attempts a game.

If Ayton starts attempting 3s in games like he’s been doing in practices, then spacing won’t be a big issue as well.

Randle is an underrated passer and has improved some defensively as well. Shouldn’t break the bank $$ wise either in terms of signing him.

I like Randle but he's really been playing C all year and is just not good defensively where ever he plays. I guess you could sign him and stagger him and Ayton as much as possible but I just can't see you getting away with playing them together defensively for long stretches.

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[darmani]

How about that we get what we really need a point guard to create for others like Rubio. i.e. lets stop trying to shove another score first shooting guard that was the disaster of Knight and Bledsoe.

That's BS. Player like Rubio (or Lonzo), who can't score from anywhere on the court is the last thing the Suns need. We would be 10 times better with Beal than Rubio.

no we wouldn't. If we had Rubio on this team. I see us easily winning 30 + Games. Rubio plays defense, and can create shots for our players as the main facilitator.

Beal would take away from Ayton, and Booker.

I would take a pass first pg who can only put 10 points a game up rather than a score first guard who will score 20 on 20 shots.

Rubio can't create shots for anyone. Not for himself and not for his teammates. He can make some flashy passes in transition, but that's it. To be a good creator you have to be a scoring threat who can shoot off the dribble. Rubio can't shoot or make a lay-up and nobody gives a **** to guard him, which makes everyone else's life much harder, since the defense can focus much more on other player's that can actually make a shot. It's especially evident in clutch situations. For everyone who wants to sign Rubio, I recommend watching some close games by Utah and Minnesota when Rubio played there and see how much opposing defenses can just ignore him.

Some Suns fans seem to have some pass-first PG fetish. Is it because of Nash? If it is, then you are completely ignoring everything else what made Nash special, besides passing. Steve was a great shooter and was tremendous off the ball. Players like Rubio need the ball in their hands a lot and are completely useless off the ball. That's why Utah is better with a mediocre playmaker like Mitchell running the show than with Rubio.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

Aminu is my favorite realistic target. Isn't awesome at anything but does most things pretty well.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using RealGM mobile app

Personally, I'd prefer to stick with Bender. Dragan's improving and developing; he's got great tools; he's still super young. Loved watching him get those blocks on Giannis a few nights ago. I get that Aminu is solid but Dragan could be more, and I don't think an unreasonable amount of development is necessary for Dragan to reach and surpass Aminu's level of play.

I think with wanting to keep Tyler Johnson over a guy like Rozier; maybe even Rubio - I am good with a guy like Aminu. But I do think the Suns need to move from potential to better player. Bender might be good in a couple years - and it could come back to bite the Suns. But you know what you are getting with Aminu and he would be a good fit next to Ayton. I like it. He makes 7m this year - might be able to get him for <$10m perhaps.

Every game, Tyler is out there making the intangible plays that make a difference: grabbing a loose ball, helping on the boards, denying entry passes. Easy to find a guy with better stats, but I'm pretty sure that if we went with Rubio or Rozier, we'd be a worse team immediately. And when you consider how critical defense is to making this group work, I don't see any reason why we'd move on from him. ALSO, I don't see the reason we'd overpay to upgrade, given the chemistry we're building. If there's a better-than-expected opportunity, sure but..... hey! Why are Tyler's defensive metrics so low? WTF? This guy's been killing it. Is it all a mirage, or are these advanced stats pure garbage? I guess those metrics do have Miles Bridges and Kelly Oubre super low, too. What gives??

However it has come about, it sure looks like this team has turned a corner, so keep it together. We don't need an immediate upgrade to our starting lineup. I'd like to upgrade from Crawford/Daniels with a shooting scorer off the bench. There are so many ways to approach that problem through free agency and using TJ's contract that it's not worth going into, really.

For Bender, I've just seen too much improvement to let him go at this point. A short list of recent developments: 1. He's getting more air under his three on a consistent basis; 2. He's been much better on the glass and defending the interior due to added strength; 3. He blocked Giannis twice on the drive the other night ; 4. He's not routinely getting burned by guards anymore; 5. He's driving opportunistically and not turning it over.

Ayton needs help on the interior because he switches a lot. Bender's a better fit than Aminu in that regard. Even if we do the right thing and JUST DRAFT BRANDON (assuming #4-6), I like Bender as the starter with Brandon learning and earning minutes behind him. Put Dragan on a nice two year with a PO for third year if necessary, put some respect on his name, and stay the course.

The most encouraging thing of all about recent play is that it shows Bukstein/Jones/Sarver stringing together some SCOUTING successes. Tyler and Kelly have been great adds. I wonder whom they might target with a TJ trade, and whether the answer to that question might force Bender out. That I could see. But Aminu? I'd rather pay and play TJ than Aminu for sure.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

I would strongly pursue Julius Randle in free agency. He’s good on the boards (for a PF) and has a physical playing style that compliments Ayton’s finesse playing style.

He’s also shooting 35% from 3 this season on almost three attempts a game.

If Ayton starts attempting 3s in games like he’s been doing in practices, then spacing won’t be a big issue as well.

Randle is an underrated passer and has improved some defensively as well. Shouldn’t break the bank $$ wise either in terms of signing him.

I agree that Randle is solid, but I've heard that NOP expects to retain him.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

If the Wizards fire their GM would the new guy coming in have the green light to clean house?

Could we do something like this on draft day?

Suns get -
Bradley Beal

Wizards get -
Tyler Johnson
Josh Jackson
2019 pick (2-6)
2021 1st (unprotected)
2023 1st (top 5 protected)
2020 Bucks pick

If we landed No 1, we probably don’t need to trade as much. But I’d do it given we’d have our starting five set for the next 6-7 years.

Beal / Booker / Bridges / Oubre / Ayton
Melton / Okobo / Warren / Holmes

Is there another PG/SG who’s under 26-27 years old that we can trade for?

I actually really liked point Book in half court sets, but it doesn’t work when he is the only player that can initiate the offense. Beal would fix that. If we get #2 and Wizards fall in love with RJ I think you can remove the 21/23 first and add the 2019 2nd

Last night was such a rollercoaster for the Booker-Ayton P&R. At first, Thompson was just eating him alive. But as the game wore on, Devin started to find his shot, and Klay faded. Book still needs to tighten things up, but it's hard to imagine that Booker won't have the ball in his hands quite a lot going forward. You surround guys like that with defense.

[Crives]

What do you guys think, can Oubre be our starting pf? Can he defend other true 4s and pull in enough rebounds? I would love to get Bridges back in the starting lineup.

If so, crazy to think that we are only a pg away from completing the future core with a high draft pick coming up.

Read on Twitter

?s=21

[BobbieL]

What do you guys think, can Oubre be our starting pf? Can he defend other true 4s and pull in enough rebounds? I would love to get Bridges back in the starting lineup.

If so, crazy to think that we are only a pg away from completing the future core with a high draft pick coming up.

Read on Twitter

?s=21

I still think the team needs a real starting 4 but that doesn't mean at crunch time - Igor (and I think will be the coach next year) - can't play the best five players the last 4 to 6 minutes of the game. But the Suns need a 4.

[Blonde]

Rubio-Booker-Ayton isn't all that different from Rubio-Martin-Love... Obviously Booker is much better than Martin, but Love was much better than Ayton also.

Regardless of the improved play as of late, the Suns first goal should be putting every asset toward adding a contract controlled star to the Booker/Bridges/Ayton trio. That has to be the priority. Secondary goal is to sign trade-able contracts and make good draft picks. Gotta stop worrying so much about finding a perfect fit and just grab the talent upgrades.