The Trade Thread: All Eyes Toward The Offseason

[thamadkant]

I don't think Okafor or Noel are the right fit for us, but I'd trade a player for them, but not the 4th pick. I'd rather draft a PF who is a good fit or a guard. If they want a guard, perhaps they'd want Knight, who is young enough for their core and has experience, which they may actually value. Either way, pick 4 shouldn't be on the table because we already have a promising C who fits our system much better.

Suns have a promising center...

But fits the suns system better??


Didnt know the suns have a system...

Hornacek tried the 2 PG even 3 PG systen but that went terrible.

Watson's system consists of playing Booker 40 minutes...

There is no system....

Are you somehow under the impression that Jeff Hornacek is our coach? Seriously? Did I miss something? Saying we don't currently have a system because Jeff had a crazy one is nonsense.

Suns DOESN'T have a system, they dont have an identity either. I dont even know why its a debate, watching the Suns try to set up Chandler for lobs 4-5 times a game out of broken plays... watching Telly just camp at the elbow and launch shots whenever he gets the ball, no intention of passing it. Booker being ask to create and be a shooter at the same time... Watson saying Morris was the Suns go to guy, then Booker, then Len as an offensive option.. as a jump shooting big man...

its chaos.... no structure at all.



I mentioned Hornacek, because he was coach, when the Suns last had a "system".. which was 2-3 PGs.... that was the last time the Suns had a direction..... but it failed.

[gaspar]

If it's true that Philly can't ship out OK4 for a top 6 pick. WOW.

Either something must REALLY be wrong with him that we don't know about (attitude??) or he is way undervalued.

Perhaps the success of KAT, KP, and even Booker just overshadowed him.

If we really have the chance to swap #4 straight up for OK4 and we don't do it...I'm gonna be pissed.

Drunken street fights, speeding, bad defense and rebounding, yesterday's style of play on offense, poor body language...

I can see why some GMs might be reluctant to trade a top pick for him.

[sixers4real]

If it's true that Philly can't ship out OK4 for a top 6 pick. WOW.

Either something must REALLY be wrong with him that we don't know about (attitude??) or he is way undervalued.

Perhaps the success of KAT, KP, and even Booker just overshadowed him.

If we really have the chance to swap #4 straight up for OK4 and we don't do it...I'm gonna be pissed.

Drunken street fights, speeding, bad defense and rebounding, yesterday's style of play on offense, poor body language...

I can see why some GMs might be reluctant to trade a top pick for him.

That's total bs made up by Celtics reporters. I guess they really want Okafor and does want to give anything but the 3 pick.

[Bogyo]

I'd be down with Knight+4+28+Archie for Oak+24+TJ.
Creates a bit of a problem at the C spot, but you can't really pass up Okafor for this years 4th pick (and getting out of the Knight contract). Also - a good insurance for Len's last year on his rookie contract. While I'm a big supporter of his, if someone maxes him out, I'd be a bit reluctant to match. And that possibility is real, as the cap skyrockets (dont forget the jersey ads coming in 2017 or '18, another large rise in the cap in my opinion.)

[sixers4real]

The more I think about the trade the more i want to trade Okafor for #4 (if Dunn is still there) + Knight. Maybe include 24 or 26, I don't care.
Damn, Eric+Booker+Jah, I would even watch the Suns more myself.

[Mulhollanddrive]

I'd have to do more research on Okafor, but he's going to get a max contract in 3 years.

There are very good players who don't allow teams to be great: EG. Monroe, Jefferson (18 years in NBA, 5 teams, never won a playoff series) because they are taking up huge salary and can't defend.

At this stage I'd rather get a prototypical C (or stick with one) with no character issues to follow a blueprint and just avoid making mistakes like Knight, Chandler in consecutive seasons.

To me this would be a Phoenix Suns type move, instead of moving the earth for the right target, hoping a give away comes good.

[Skin]

I'd be down with Knight+4+28+Archie for Oak+24+TJ.
Creates a bit of a problem at the C spot, but you can't really pass up Okafor for this years 4th pick (and getting out of the Knight contract). Also - a good insurance for Len's last year on his rookie contract. While I'm a big supporter of his, if someone maxes him out, I'd be a bit reluctant to match. And that possibility is real, as the cap skyrockets (dont forget the jersey ads coming in 2017 or '18, another large rise in the cap in my opinion.)

Do most Suns fans feel like it's a necessity to get out of Knight's contract? What about Chandler?

[Cactus Jack]

I'd be down with Knight+4+28+Archie for Oak+24+TJ.
Creates a bit of a problem at the C spot, but you can't really pass up Okafor for this years 4th pick (and getting out of the Knight contract). Also - a good insurance for Len's last year on his rookie contract. While I'm a big supporter of his, if someone maxes him out, I'd be a bit reluctant to match. And that possibility is real, as the cap skyrockets (dont forget the jersey ads coming in 2017 or '18, another large rise in the cap in my opinion.)

Do most Suns fans feel like it's a necessity to get out of Knight's contract? What about Chandler?

Not a necessity. If they can use knight to acquire a good young player/picks sure. Chandler's deal isn't great, but its not backbreaking either. Especially with the cap rising. Suns have plenty of flexibility going forward.

[Mulhollanddrive]

I think Knight's best value is to be traded to a GM with his back against the wall, just like what happened to us.

EG. If Butler, George or Cousins demand a trade, his value skyrockets because a desperate GM will convince himself he's a good player, get a top 5 pick, few other decorations and he thinks he's saved his job.

I don't think it's necessary to trade him for 1 piece like a middle pick or another so-so player.

[Bogyo]

I'd be down with Knight+4+28+Archie for Oak+24+TJ.
Creates a bit of a problem at the C spot, but you can't really pass up Okafor for this years 4th pick (and getting out of the Knight contract). Also - a good insurance for Len's last year on his rookie contract. While I'm a big supporter of his, if someone maxes him out, I'd be a bit reluctant to match. And that possibility is real, as the cap skyrockets (dont forget the jersey ads coming in 2017 or '18, another large rise in the cap in my opinion.)

Do most Suns fans feel like it's a necessity to get out of Knight's contract? What about Chandler?

No, not a neccesity at all. With the rising cap (tv+jersey ads) it will look like a bargain after the free agency period, and especially after the next season, when we'll have better idea/numbers how the jersey ads will work out. Plus we will have to fill the league minimum salary one way or another.
With that said - we should definatley get rid of him, becouse he just doesn't fit our team, our development, etc... If we can get a promising young big while we are at it, you do it on every week of the day and twice on sundays.

[asudevil]

I really think that Knight to Philly makes no sense. We'd be attaching the #4, which Philly would use on Dunn....making Knight an overpaid backup.

I think our best option is a deal centered around Knight/Thad with bits and pieces to make it work. Possibly Jack thrown in our #28/#34

Then i'd go as far as to dangle our #4/#13 for Okafor/Saric. Philly drafts Simmons and Dunn, and a wing with the #13.

Len/Chandler
Okafor/Young/Saric
Warren/Tucker
Booker/Bogdan
Bledsoe/Jack/Goodwin

Tele may or may not become redundant. We'd still have plenty of money to go after someone like Barnes/Batum.....which would be a risk.

[AtheJ415]

The more I think about the trade the more i want to trade Okafor for #4 (if Dunn is still there) + Knight. Maybe include 24 or 26, I don't care.
Damn, Eric+Booker+Jah, I would even watch the Suns more myself.

I don't see a scenario where Phoenix would do that. I think #4 or Knight would be a possibility, but not both. Okafor isn't an ideal fit for us, and we'd be essentially forcing out Len in the process, so it's doubly costly.

At 4 we could draft the PF we need, and Knight is a guy the Suns value, even if some fans here hate him. Given the reports of Philly wanting a top 6 pick OR a vet for him, I don't see us giving up both, particularly one who still hasn't peaked age-wise in Knight.

[Cactus Jack]

I really think that Knight to Philly makes no sense. We'd be attaching the #4, which Philly would use on Dunn....making Knight an overpaid backup.

I think our best option is a deal centered around Knight/Thad with bits and pieces to make it work. Possibly Jack thrown in our #28/#34

Then i'd go as far as to dangle our #4/#13 for Okafor/Saric. Philly drafts Simmons and Dunn, and a wing with the #13.

Len/Chandler
Okafor/Young/Saric
Warren/Tucker
Booker/Bogdan
Bledsoe/Jack/Goodwin

Tele may or may not become redundant. We'd still have plenty of money to go after someone like Barnes/Batum.....which would be a risk.

Would love the move. But, I highly doubt Philly would agree to move both OKafor & Saric.

[Mulhollanddrive]

A month ago: The best offensive Centers in Monroe, Jefferson, Kanter, Cousins hadn't won a playoff series in 28 seasons and 8 teams.

[Cactus Jack]

A month ago: The best offensive Centers in Monroe, Jefferson, Kanter, Cousins hadn't won a playoff series in 28 seasons and 8 teams.

Really tells just how much the Center position has taken a nose dive in recent years. Plus all those players listed, have mostly played on bad teams. Monroe (Det/Mil), Jefferson (Min/Uth/Cha), Kanter (Uth), Cousins (Sucramento).

[letsgosuns]

A month ago: The best offensive Centers in Monroe, Jefferson, Kanter, Cousins hadn't won a playoff series in 28 seasons and 8 teams.

I think this is more telling that these guys are not actually all that good. They do not compare to the dominant centers of the past. When I think of real centers, I immediately think of guys like Shaq, Hakeem, Robinson, Kareem, Chamberlain, Ewing, etc. Those guys do not exist in the league right now. Power forwards are the new centers of the NBA. Like Tristan Thompson is playing center for the Cavaliers. Imagine if he went up against Shaq in his prime. Shaq would probably score 100 points on him. A guy like Robin Lopez is considered a good center in today's NBA. That blows my mind. Ultimately, Lopez absolutely sucks. How much better is he than Joe Kleine? Seriously. Fact is that there are not any great centers in the NBA right now. I even think Cousins actually plays more like a power forward than a real center. A great center is supposed to be unstoppable and there is no center like that currently.

[Mulhollanddrive]

So the question is, is Okafor different?

Will cost us pick 4 and a Max Salary in 2019.

[Qwigglez]

If we traded for Okafor I would certainly want to sign Tele as the backup because he'd add a new dynamic to our offense. We could essentially run a very spread offense in spurts with Bled/Booker/Warren/Tele/Okafor. Have 4 guys outside while Okafor posts up could open up some good threes.

[Cactus Jack]

So the question is, is Okafor different?

Will cost us pick 4 and a Max Salary in 2019.

I would say he's closest to Cousins. Great offensive game. Mediocre to poor defensive player. He likely won't ever be a great defensive big. But he's going to provide 20+/10. Can win & will win with better players around him. Will be a max player. Worth giving up the 4th pick without a doubt.

[nevetsov]

#4 For Okafor

Knight for LAL pick returned (basically undoes the trade)

PHI drafts Simmons, Murray:

Knight (shooting Pg)
Murray
Saric
Simmons (runs offense)
Noel, Embiid