2022-23 Season Discussion and Speculation 5 - The KD era begins

[Calvin Klein]

I need KD to start playing soon so I can start getting over Mikal and Cam going away and killing it.

[BobbieL]

I can see Shamet being traded this summer. Granted, not sure what you can get for 10m - unless its a sign and trade.

As for the option about Harden mentioned above - DEAR GOD NO!

I can't stand watching him play so no to Kyrie, no to Harden

Shamet doesn’t have positive trade value, he wouldn’t net anything in a trade unless it’s a bad contract or suns have to attach picks.

Shamet likely won't get traded over the summer, however he could have positive trade value by next February's trade deadline as his contract for 2024-25 is non-guaranteed and that could provide some value to a team looking to shed some salary. It could fetch a rotation player making similar money that has more years on their contract.

good call - very good point... plus might be able to attach a veteran like "ibaka" to make it closer to 12m in value to take back 14m type contract.

that is the likely scenario

[sunsfan1o1]

He had at least 3-4 makes on Butler just in this video. Butler is #22. From watching the game, he had plenty of plays where he crossed or got by Butler and Heat had to send help when he then passed to the open player for the assist or hockey assist.

You mean the half assed defense Butler is playing. In the video Butler only plays hard once and Bridges gets the and 1. Bridges had so many uncontested shots in that game. Trust me if Butler wants to shut Bridges down, he’s shutting him down.

Jimmy Butler isn’t a player that “half asses” anything. Not sure if you’ve followed his career, he’s probably one of the few superstars that does the best they can each play on the court. He takes pride in it too and it’s why he had issues with the players in Minnesota who weren’t doing the same.

Bridges did have uncontested shots but he also had plenty where he scored 1 on 1 against tough defense.

The entire Heat team looks like they’re half assing it on defense.
Wait until the playoffs before you start spewing blasphemous nonsense about Devin Booker.
If Bridges is dropping 40 on Butler in the playoffs he’s got it.
I highly doubt it though.
You should watch more closely to the amount of effort the Heat are putting into playing defense.
Looks like they don’t feel like playing. They look like a team that can’t wait to go on all star vacation.

[Mulhollanddrive]

At some point Chris Paul will be replaced, what would be better than getting Irving or Harden for free?

[Calvin Klein]

People wanting Kyrie

[Revived]

You mean the half assed defense Butler is playing. In the video Butler only plays hard once and Bridges gets the and 1. Bridges had so many uncontested shots in that game. Trust me if Butler wants to shut Bridges down, he’s shutting him down.

Jimmy Butler isn’t a player that “half asses” anything. Not sure if you’ve followed his career, he’s probably one of the few superstars that does the best they can each play on the court. He takes pride in it too and it’s why he had issues with the players in Minnesota who weren’t doing the same.

Bridges did have uncontested shots but he also had plenty where he scored 1 on 1 against tough defense.

The entire Heat team looks like they’re half assing it on defense.
Wait until the playoffs before you start spewing blasphemous nonsense about Devin Booker.
If Bridges is dropping 40 on Butler in the playoffs he’s got it.
I highly doubt it though.
You should watch more closely to the amount of effort the Heat are putting into playing defense.
Looks like they don’t feel like playing. They look like a team that can’t wait to go on all star vacation.

What “blasphemous nonsense” are you saying that I said about Booker? Calling him an elite scorer? Or saying he looks for screens to get defenders like Butler off him, something even one of the greatest offensive players in basketball history Steph Curry does. Have you been drinking this early in the morning or something?

You look like you’re trying super hard to negate his performance. And you’re not succeeding.

[Revived]

At some point Chris Paul will be replaced, what would be better than getting Irving or Harden for free?

Idk if we’ll have the cap space with Booker/Durant/Ayton all making so much $$ but I’d love to go after Dejounte Murray in the summer of next year if he doesn’t re-sign with Hawks.

[bwgood77]

Watch on YouTube

Highlights are up for Mikail's career night

It’s incredible how many of these he scored going right at Jimmy Butler who’s one of the best defenders in the league. Wow.

In our game against the Heat earlier this season, even an elite established dynamite scorer like Booker needed screens every time to get Butler off him to score and then at the end got stuffed with a block by Butler on the game tying/winning attempt.

I haven't watched yet, but Bridges has such a long wingspan an so much higher release point on his shot, that shot the Butler blocked on Booker earlier this year at the end wouldn't have worked on Bridges if he jump shot it with his release point. Butler doesn't have a very long wingspan/standing reach, especially in relation to Bridges.

[bwgood77]

Love really doesn’t help us much at all. He just makes us even more older and non-athletic.

He’s a stretch 4/5 that hasn’t been able to hit 3s since his thumb injury. And he’s absolutely terrible defensively. He got open looks in Cleveland with Mitchell and Garland’s penetration and still sucked. He’s just old and washed.

I hope Suns don’t go after Love just because he’s a big name or whatever, I don’t think he helps this team much at all.

But Durant is one of his best friends and I can see KD recruiting him to come here and asking James Jones to sign him.

https://nypost.com/2012/03/25/love-and-durant-friends-to-end-on-and-off-court/amp/

Your argument sounds a lot like mine the last few years when he was brought up until Saberestar brought up the fact he was rejuvenated last year.

He started out really hot this year in October too and was pretty solid in Nov/Dec before really really falling in January. I guess he has did say in early January his thumb was still bothering him. So yeah, if that isn't healed or getting better, no thanks. If he was better I'd be fine..he's still a great rebounder, solid passer, high iq guy who can body guys up for boards, box out and hit 3s. He's like a better version of Dario.

But yeah, look at his splits by month, particularly 3pt% and TS%...especially January...something was WAY off there...things don't fall off like that.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/loveke01/splits/2023

Yeah, he played well last year but this season he is looking much and much worse.

After knowing that we couldn't get KD in the summer and thinking that getting KD wasn't a realistic option anymore I wanted to trade Crowder+Saric for him in September. Proud that the trade wasn't made by James Jones.

Depending on his injury and if it is going to heal at some point, and also depending on who else may be available, I still would consider signing him. The 3 pt thing would be important but he is also a much smarter and better player than the other bigs, and could even play with Ayton in bigger lineups. The rebounding helps too. He is also a great inbounder and can throw it far and set up a fast break. Anyway, I am unsure who else would be available, or if converting Ish is an option if he hasn't been converted yet (or if that is even necessary based on games played or if he is already playoff eligible).

[matt131]

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=CuXvotea5gh0R5cQ_QOPzA

I can think of quite a few players better suited for the three point contest but okay.

[bwgood77]

At some point Chris Paul will be replaced, what would be better than getting Irving or Harden for free?

Idk if we’ll have the cap space with Booker/Durant/Ayton all making so much $$ but I’d love to go after Dejounte Murray in the summer of next year if he doesn’t re-sign with Hawks.

Free agency won't be an option. It would have to be a S&T and only Ayton would be the guy we could/would move unless they would take a pu pu platter of a re-signed Craig, along with Payne and Shamet or something.

We will likely either keep Paul (with KD I think this is way more probable), go with Book at PG (though that seemed way more feasible with Mikal at 2 and Cam at 3), or go with Payne, which isn't a bad option to me as he has played very well in his role with starters..and would be even better with KD.

Payne is probably the most likely option and Saben Lee is more and more looking like a capable backup.

[Slim Charless]

Randle shouldn't be at the 3 point contest. Kinda surprised Booker didn't wanna go

[BobbieL]

Your argument sounds a lot like mine the last few years when he was brought up until Saberestar brought up the fact he was rejuvenated last year.

He started out really hot this year in October too and was pretty solid in Nov/Dec before really really falling in January. I guess he has did say in early January his thumb was still bothering him. So yeah, if that isn't healed or getting better, no thanks. If he was better I'd be fine..he's still a great rebounder, solid passer, high iq guy who can body guys up for boards, box out and hit 3s. He's like a better version of Dario.

But yeah, look at his splits by month, particularly 3pt% and TS%...especially January...something was WAY off there...things don't fall off like that.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/loveke01/splits/2023

Yeah, he played well last year but this season he is looking much and much worse.

After knowing that we couldn't get KD in the summer and thinking that getting KD wasn't a realistic option anymore I wanted to trade Crowder+Saric for him in September. Proud that the trade wasn't made by James Jones.

Depending on his injury and if it is going to heal at some point, and also depending on who else may be available, I still would consider signing him. The 3 pt thing would be important but he is also a much smarter and better player than the other bigs, and could even play with Ayton in bigger lineups. The rebounding helps too. He is also a great inbounder and can throw it far and set up a fast break. Anyway, I am unsure who else would be available, or if converting Ish is an option if he hasn't been converted yet (or if that is even necessary based on games played or if he is already playoff eligible).

Dave King from BSOTS put out a list and really - -I think in the buyout market, the best name was Ross - or one of the better names and the Suns got him

I think Love is probably the only player I would sign Ish over. A lot of the others were like Kaminsky, Oubre, Dragic, maybe Barton

I just am not sure how many of the players would truly help if Payne is back and Shamet. But Love, he could be a difference maker

Ish would have to be converted after tonight

[WeekapaugGroove]

Love would be a nice addition but I wouldn't be buying a jersey yet. I think there will be a few factors in his decision. He's a LA guy so I could see him go there plus I think there are other spots that can offer more guaranteed playing time where as in Phoenix its likely more matchup based.

Also let's be real here a team that's actually trying to win and compete is buying him out so even if he signs I'd temper expectations.

But I wouldn't hate the move and there are some matchups that you can probably live with his horrific D as long as he's giving you something on O.

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[Puff]

Can we put Shamet on an IR list like the NFL. That would allow us to add a replacement player to our 15 man roster?

I do not think we should drop either Saben Lee or Ish at this point.

[spanishninja]

Randle shouldn't be at the 3 point contest. Kinda surprised Booker didn't wanna go

Booker knows the real season doesn't start until the playoffs. all of this useless stuff is beneath him if he doesn't get voted in or invited.

[RaisingArizona]

Love has got to be better than TO Craig

[WeekapaugGroove]

Can we put Shamet on an IR list like the NFL. That would allow us to add a replacement player to our 15 man roster?

I do not think we should drop either Saben Lee or Ish at this point.

Saban and Ish are on two way deals so dropping them doesn't do anything. The suns still have 1 open regular roster spot though. Ish only has 1 game remaining on his two way so either needs that spot or is done for the year. But they don't need to cut him or anything like that.

And no the NBA doesn't have an injured reserve.

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[WeekapaugGroove]

Love has got to be better than TO Craig

No I wouldn't think so, Craig can actually guard someone. Craigs even been a better 3pt shooter this season. Yeah he has a bonehead turnover here and there but honestly he's been a fairly solid player for them this season.

The argument for Love would be as a small ball 5 for some matchups where you can hide him on D.

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[RaisingArizona]

Love has got to be better than TO Craig

No I wouldn't think so, Craig can actually guard someone. Craigs even been a better 3pt shooter this season. Yeah he has a bonehead turnover here and there but honestly he's been a fairly solid player for them this season.

The argument for Love would be as a small ball 5 for some matchups where you can hide him on D.

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You're right but in pressure packed games, I'd rather see Love shooting wide open jumpers. He's got the experience and pedigree to be trusted in big moments.