2020 Offseason Speculation, free agency, summer trades (keep draft prospect talk in draft thread)

[TB]

Questions from a Warriors fan:

1) whats the likelihood of Suns giving Oubre a massive contract next year?
2) what do you think the price would be if the Warriors traded our TPE + pick compensation for him?

Pick assets Warriors have:

- Next years Wolves pick (this is our best asset, and I don't think Oubre in his last year of contract is close to worth it)
- This years top 5 pick (not a great draft, but probably still more valuable than Oubre in his last year of contract... maybe not though?)
- Next years Warriors 1st rounder (this is the one i'd hope is the answer... likely not a lotto with everyone coming back healthy, so i'm curious if that would be enough?)
- A future Warriors 1st (maybe suns play the long game for a post Steph era protected 1st?)

Any possibility here? Or better options elsewhere?

Thanks!

[MrMiyagi]

Questions from a Warriors fan:

1) whats the likelihood of Suns giving Oubre a massive contract next year?
2) what do you think the price would be if the Warriors traded our TPE + pick compensation for him?

Pick assets Warriors have:

- Next years Wolves pick (this is our best asset, and I don't think Oubre in his last year of contract is close to worth it)
- This years top 5 pick (not a great draft, but probably still more valuable than Oubre in his last year of contract... maybe not though?)
- Next years Warriors 1st rounder (this is the one i'd hope is the answer... likely not a lotto with everyone coming back healthy, so i'm curious if that would be enough?)
- A future Warriors 1st (maybe suns play the long game for a post Steph era protected 1st?)

Any possibility here? Or better options elsewhere?

Thanks!

I don't think we'll trade Oubre. We'll probably just overpay him, for better or worse.

[Ghost of Kleine]

Questions from a Warriors fan:

1) whats the likelihood of Suns giving Oubre a massive contract next year?
2) what do you think the price would be if the Warriors traded our TPE + pick compensation for him?

Pick assets Warriors have:

- Next years Wolves pick (this is our best asset, and I don't think Oubre in his last year of contract is close to worth it)
- This years top 5 pick (not a great draft, but probably still more valuable than Oubre in his last year of contract... maybe not though?)
- Next years Warriors 1st rounder (this is the one i'd hope is the answer... likely not a lotto with everyone coming back healthy, so i'm curious if that would be enough?)
- A future Warriors 1st (maybe suns play the long game for a post Steph era protected 1st?)

Any possibility here? Or better options elsewhere?

Thanks!

It's a really tough question though, As there are many fluid factors that would have to be considered. Although the consensus among most here is that we should keep him, and pay him whatever the cost will be in 2021. I however am concerned that he'll command something potentially larger than we can reasonably afford, And would explore the best possible return ( ** as a fallback plan). Having said that,

I don't see any trade for the Warriors pick next season as it as you mentioned will be outside of the lottery, And VERY LIKELY a late first at best. Which would be a very poor return for Oubre even at current value and with all things considered. To be quite honest, We'd probably only be agreeable to one of the first two trade proposals. Those of course being :

1-
Your 2020 top 5 pick for Oubre. **( We keep our 10th pick). Oubre would be a sensational fit next in Golden state between Green and Thompson. So I see it as fair value, compared to whatever rookie might provide in terms of production anyways.

2-
The Minnesota ( top 3)? Protected 2021 first. A very valuable trade asset obviously, We'd absolutely have to accept that, But I don't see you guys moving that for Oubre, Unless you really feel he fits better than what you might find from other teams. But perhaps you could add a 3rd team to return more value?

???????? Variations:
1-
Phoenix/ Minnesota/ Golden State-
- Golden state gets Oubre/ Diallo.
- Phoenix gets The TPE for Oubre / Jarrett Culver/ 16th pick.
- Minnesota gets their 2021 lottery pick returned/ Kevon Looney/ Elie Okobo.

2-
Phoenix/ Golden State/ Boston ***( My favorite trade idea

Golden State- Gets Oubre/ Theiss/ Vincent Poirer.

Boston- Gets **Wiseman or Okungwu ( GS top 5 pick)??? / Kaminsky ( 5 million team option). *** Can be declined for extra cap space.

Phoenix gets- ***Marcus Smart/ 17th pick/ 30th pick.
17- Draft Jalen Smith. ***Rim protection/ floor spacing).
30- Draft Immanuel Quickly (*** added perimeter shooting).
Then Phoenix trades Diallo and Okobo to Charlotte for the 32nd pick.
32-*** Draft Killian Tillie. **( Replaces Saric).

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

Questions from a Warriors fan:

1) whats the likelihood of Suns giving Oubre a massive contract next year?
2) what do you think the price would be if the Warriors traded our TPE + pick compensation for him?

Pick assets Warriors have:

- Next years Wolves pick (this is our best asset, and I don't think Oubre in his last year of contract is close to worth it)
- This years top 5 pick (not a great draft, but probably still more valuable than Oubre in his last year of contract... maybe not though?)
- Next years Warriors 1st rounder (this is the one i'd hope is the answer... likely not a lotto with everyone coming back healthy, so i'm curious if that would be enough?)
- A future Warriors 1st (maybe suns play the long game for a post Steph era protected 1st?)

Any possibility here? Or better options elsewhere?

Thanks!

I'll answer since I've been thinking about this scenario. Kelly's a really good player, and a lot of us don't feel we have to "choose" between him and Mikal, given how good we've been when they've started together. Personally, I'll be happy to give him a big contract next summer, because he's earned one. Then again, I can't imagine he'd turn down a more attractive offer from a better team, so if we continue to struggle next season, we're in danger of losing him for nothing - hence, why we're listening to offers.

As to what the Warriors need to offer to get him - the key thing is, we don't want to tank. Whatever trade we make must improve the team next season, not just years to come. So Oubre for the TPE + future pick(s) doesn't work unless there's a third team willing to take the pick(s) and send us a player at least as good as Oubre.

If it's just our two teams, the only thing I can think of that might work is your pick this year for Oubre straight up. Considering the TPE you'd have remaining, the cap space we'd add, as well as the very reasonable presumption that you will succeed in re-signing Oubre, that might be fair value. If you got the #1 maybe you could trade down to #4-5 and send that pick our way for Kelly. The only way I could see us pulling the trigger is if we're big fans of Obi Toppin.

[TB]

Thanks for the responses. I agree that the likely scenarios are either Suns just overpay, or Warriors would have to give up this years top 5 or the Minny 2021 pick... which I understand, i mean i'm trying to pry him from you guys right now

That Boston trade intrigues me, and also makes me laugh because Smart is the other guy i'd want to ask Celtics fans the exact same question about. Him and Oubre would be my top 2 targets for the Warriors TPE + draft picks. But if Suns/Warriors both could snag one of them, with Celtics getting their Center, it makes sense.

[jredsaz]

Questions from a Warriors fan:

1) whats the likelihood of Suns giving Oubre a massive contract next year?
2) what do you think the price would be if the Warriors traded our TPE + pick compensation for him?

Pick assets Warriors have:

- Next years Wolves pick (this is our best asset, and I don't think Oubre in his last year of contract is close to worth it)
- This years top 5 pick (not a great draft, but probably still more valuable than Oubre in his last year of contract... maybe not though?)
- Next years Warriors 1st rounder (this is the one i'd hope is the answer... likely not a lotto with everyone coming back healthy, so i'm curious if that would be enough?)
- A future Warriors 1st (maybe suns play the long game for a post Steph era protected 1st?)

Any possibility here? Or better options elsewhere?

Thanks!

I would consider something like Paschall, TPE and Warriors 2022 1st for Oubre.

Clears up significant cap space for a free agent and I have liked Paschall since Nova. Future firsts are always good. Doesnt seem like a James Jones move though.

Sent from my SM-G965U using RealGM mobile app

[nevetsov]

This kinda reminds me of the TJ Warren situation.

- PHX had more than one starting calibre SF
- we knew how good he was
- other fans didn't really pay attention
- cited injury as a concern
- player was traded
- player flourished on new team
- everyone now says suns got fleeced

Perhaps the suns do get lowballed in the same way we did for TJ. In that scenario though, we only flipped him for the cap space to sign Rubio, so you could argue that we got Ricky for TJ, which is pretty fair value.

Hoping that if we pull the trigger on an Oubre deal, it's so we return a similar valued player at a position of need. However, Oubre plays the PF spot pretty well, so maybe we just stand pat.

[jredsaz]

This kinda reminds me of the TJ Warren situation.

- PHX had more than one starting calibre SF
- we knew how good he was
- other fans didn't really pay attention
- cited injury as a concern
- player was traded
- player flourished on new team
- everyone now says suns got fleeced

Perhaps the suns do get lowballed in the same way we did for TJ. In that scenario though, we only flipped him for the cap space to sign Rubio, so you could argue that we got Ricky for TJ, which is pretty fair value.

Hoping that if we pull the trigger on an Oubre deal, it's so we return a similar valued player at a position of need. However, Oubre plays the PF spot pretty well, so maybe we just stand pat.

I would take the right rookie deal and future pick if it cleared over $10 mil in salary. Puts you up over $30 mil in space. Could get you two really nice pieces in a down market.

Sent from my SM-G965U using RealGM mobile app

[jredsaz]

Read on Twitter

?s=19

So are there any free agents we could/ should be looking at adding to our team? Also, Does this at all impact our current roster with Saric, and/ or Baynes? Or can we look to address their contracts later?

This is just a window for guys who are currently not on contracts. This gives teams the chance to add gleague guys to future contracts something that typically happens late season.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using RealGM mobile app

So then no one of note possibly that we should consider to add to our roster for more depth in order to hopefully make a deeper push if at all possible in this late season return?

I haven't really checked the available pool in free agency or the G league, But perhaps there are some low cost productive players that can help at positions of need?

Any considerations from this list?
https://basketball.realgm.com/nba/current_free_agents/U/Prior/All/Per_Game/0/NBA/player

What happened to Omri Caspi? Cant defend? Liked him before he disappeared.

Sent from my SM-G965U using RealGM mobile app

[cberry78]

Why is no one talking about the obvious here? If we were to trade KO to GSW we could get probably get back both Bender AND Marquese!!!! Plus a FRP!

[Blonde]

I don’t see any reason why we wouldn’t hang on to both Oubre and Bridges. They’re both young, play defense, can share the floor, compliment our core well. Most of those things you couldn’t say for Warren which is why we swapped him for Rubio. I don’t think the market will be overwhelming for Oubre so the only way I see him leaving is if we’re signing a better player and need to let him walk. We played our best ball with Bridges/Oubre starting at 3 and 4.

I’d explore adding another solid PF (Millsap, Gallo, Grant) and scoring guard (Kennard, Bogdan, Forbes). One of those positions might be filled by our draft pick, or we trade our draft pick for it ala Saric last year, and the other we sign with cap space. Baynes as backup C still makes a lot of sense but no need for Saric or Kaminsky at anything above the minimum at this point. Carter probably deserves to stay on as a 10th man and I’m fine letting Okobo walk away.

[Fo-Real]

Why is no one talking about the obvious here? If we were to trade KO to GSW we could get probably get back both Bender AND Marquese!!!! Plus a FRP!

WIN!!!! Bring back The Scarecrow (if I only had a brain Quese) and The Cowardly Lion (No heart Baby Dragon)!!!! OH PLEASE STOP, I can only get so erect!!! CHAMPIONSHIP HERE WE COME!!

[GoodBehavior]

I don’t see any reason why we wouldn’t hang on to both Oubre and Bridges. They’re both young, play defense, can share the floor, compliment our core well. Most of those things you couldn’t say for Warren which is why we swapped him for Rubio. I don’t think the market will be overwhelming for Oubre so the only way I see him leaving is if we’re signing a better player and need to let him walk. We played our best ball with Bridges/Oubre starting at 3 and 4.

I’d explore adding another solid PF (Millsap, Gallo, Grant) and scoring guard (Kennard, Bogdan, Forbes). One of those positions might be filled by our draft pick, or we trade our draft pick for it ala Saric last year, and the other we sign with cap space. Baynes as backup C still makes a lot of sense but no need for Saric or Kaminsky at anything above the minimum at this point. Carter probably deserves to stay on as a 10th man and I’m fine letting Okobo walk away.

The chance of keeping both Oubre and Bridges are Zero, unless Booker is moved. The issue with Oubre and Bridges (and Booker) is that they're mostly 2, and can't realistically play the 4 and struggle against the bigger 3. In other words, they lack the "position-less basketball" that the league is heading towards. This limits how much minutes you can allocated. Add in Cam, who is strictly a 3, and the amount of minutes available at the 2 and the 3 is not enough to support everyone (even if you add occasional minutes at the 4). You can kinda get away with it right now because a. the Suns lack an adequate solution at 4, b. Mikal (and Cam) salary is low, c. the Suns are not competing for a playoff spot.

In the long term, I don't see it happening. The Suns need a bulkier 3 that can guard 2,3,4. A Roco-like player. That's what's holding this team back.

Bridges is an elite defender at the 2, but not fast enough to guard the 1, and not strong enough to guard the 4. He can guard the lighter 3 in the leagues, but against the elite (Leonard, Lebron, Harden, Giannis), he really, really struggles. Oubre typically guards the bigger 3, and does poorly (except against Harden for some reason). And Ayton is occasionally used in those scenarios. This is just not sustainable. I am surprised people don't talk about it more, given the team's struggle on this aspect. When Zion comes to town, I think the issue becomes more apparent.

[Fo-Real]

Today is supposed to be the day of restart right? Training camp to go to Orlando?

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

I don’t see any reason why we wouldn’t hang on to both Oubre and Bridges. They’re both young, play defense, can share the floor, compliment our core well. Most of those things you couldn’t say for Warren which is why we swapped him for Rubio. I don’t think the market will be overwhelming for Oubre so the only way I see him leaving is if we’re signing a better player and need to let him walk. We played our best ball with Bridges/Oubre starting at 3 and 4.

I’d explore adding another solid PF (Millsap, Gallo, Grant) and scoring guard (Kennard, Bogdan, Forbes). One of those positions might be filled by our draft pick, or we trade our draft pick for it ala Saric last year, and the other we sign with cap space. Baynes as backup C still makes a lot of sense but no need for Saric or Kaminsky at anything above the minimum at this point. Carter probably deserves to stay on as a 10th man and I’m fine letting Okobo walk away.

The chance of keeping both Oubre and Bridges are Zero, unless Booker is moved. The issue with Oubre and Bridges (and Booker) is that they're mostly 2, and can't realistically play the 4 and struggle against the bigger 3. In other words, they lack the "switch-ability" that the league is heading towards. This limits how much minutes you can allowed. Add in Cam, who is strictly a 3, and the amount of minutes available at the 2 and the 3 is not enough to support everyone (even if you add occasional minutes at the 4). You can kinda get away with it right now because a. the Suns lack an adequate solution at 4, b. Mikal (and Cam) salary is low, c. the Suns are not competing for a playoff spot.

In the long term, I don't see it happening. The Suns need a bulkier 3 that can guard 2,3,4. A Roco-like player. That's what's holding this team back.

Bridges is an elite defender at the 2, but not fast enough to guard the 1, and not strong enough to guard the 4. He can guard the lighter 3 in the leagues, but against the elite (Leonard, Lebron, Harden, Giannis), he really, really struggles. Oubre typically guards the bigger 3, and does poorly (except against Harden for some reason). And Ayton is occasionally used in those scenarios. This is just not sustainable. I am surprised people don't talk about it more, given the team's struggle on this aspect. When Zion comes to town, I think the issue becomes more apparent.

Leonard and Harden had some bad games against us last year, and Luka played some of his worst games against Bridges. Given how much success we had starting Mikal and Oubre, I have a hard time concluding neither can guard the 4 at least as well as opposing 4's guard them. In fact, I think all of Bridges/Oubre/Cam can play some 4, especially when you consider how few minutes actual 4's are getting in the league nowadays, and the fact that most of those are "stretch" bigs who rarely venture inside.

I've said before that if you just think of Oubre as a 4, you start to feel a lot better about this roster. He gets the rebounds, blocks and steals you want out of a 4, and he shoots well enough from 3 for a PF. He's better at all that stuff than Aaron Gordon, for example.

I have a very, very, very hard time conceiving of a scenario where trading Oubre doesn't make us a worse team. Essentially the only thing I can think of is the scenario we've been discussing - dealing KO to GSW for the #4 or #5 and clearing enough additional cap space to add Christian Wood - the only FA we might be able to snag who would give us production sufficient to offset the loss of Oubre.

[GoodBehavior]

I don’t see any reason why we wouldn’t hang on to both Oubre and Bridges. They’re both young, play defense, can share the floor, compliment our core well. Most of those things you couldn’t say for Warren which is why we swapped him for Rubio. I don’t think the market will be overwhelming for Oubre so the only way I see him leaving is if we’re signing a better player and need to let him walk. We played our best ball with Bridges/Oubre starting at 3 and 4.

I’d explore adding another solid PF (Millsap, Gallo, Grant) and scoring guard (Kennard, Bogdan, Forbes). One of those positions might be filled by our draft pick, or we trade our draft pick for it ala Saric last year, and the other we sign with cap space. Baynes as backup C still makes a lot of sense but no need for Saric or Kaminsky at anything above the minimum at this point. Carter probably deserves to stay on as a 10th man and I’m fine letting Okobo walk away.

The chance of keeping both Oubre and Bridges are Zero, unless Booker is moved. The issue with Oubre and Bridges (and Booker) is that they're mostly 2, and can't realistically play the 4 and struggle against the bigger 3. In other words, they lack the "switch-ability" that the league is heading towards. This limits how much minutes you can allowed. Add in Cam, who is strictly a 3, and the amount of minutes available at the 2 and the 3 is not enough to support everyone (even if you add occasional minutes at the 4). You can kinda get away with it right now because a. the Suns lack an adequate solution at 4, b. Mikal (and Cam) salary is low, c. the Suns are not competing for a playoff spot.

In the long term, I don't see it happening. The Suns need a bulkier 3 that can guard 2,3,4. A Roco-like player. That's what's holding this team back.

Bridges is an elite defender at the 2, but not fast enough to guard the 1, and not strong enough to guard the 4. He can guard the lighter 3 in the leagues, but against the elite (Leonard, Lebron, Harden, Giannis), he really, really struggles. Oubre typically guards the bigger 3, and does poorly (except against Harden for some reason). And Ayton is occasionally used in those scenarios. This is just not sustainable. I am surprised people don't talk about it more, given the team's struggle on this aspect. When Zion comes to town, I think the issue becomes more apparent.

Leonard and Harden had some bad games against us last year, and Luka played some of his worst games against Bridges. Given how much success we had starting Mikal and Oubre, I have a hard time concluding neither can guard the 4 at least as well as opposing 4's guard them. In fact, I think all of Bridges/Oubre/Cam can play some 4, especially when you consider how few minutes actual 4's are getting in the league nowadays, and the fact that most of those are "stretch" bigs who rarely venture inside.

I've said before that if you just think of Oubre as a 4, you start to feel a lot better about this roster. He gets the rebounds, blocks and steals you want out of a 4, and he shoots well enough from 3 for a PF. He's better at all that stuff than Aaron Gordon, for example.

I have a very, very, very hard time conceiving of a scenario where trading Oubre doesn't make us a worse team. Essentially the only thing I can think of is the scenario we've been discussing - dealing KO to GSW for the #4 or #5 and clearing enough additional cap space to add Christian Wood - the only FA we might be able to snag who would give us production sufficient to offset the loss of Oubre.

There was a game where Giannis scored something like 12 out 13 buckets, all were dunks. Giannis is a beast obviously but 12 dunks just tells you how badly this team lack sizes on the perimeter. Lebron feasted on this team when Ayton wasn't guarding him. Only Ayton was able to contain both. I don't even want to imagine what Zion will do to Bridges and Oubre. IIRC, Luka had a free throw parade to the line since he overpowered both of them with ease. Oubre and Kelly couldn't guard Siakem. No one on this team can guard Sabonis. Griffin looked like prime Griffin against this team. Jimmy Butler embarrassed this team in one half of basketball, etc.

So yeah, this team struggles with stronger opposing players that Kelly and Mikal can't guard.

Oubre at the 4 is the best solution right now since Saric kinda sucks. I am in agreement with you. But it's not sustainable in the long run. Team needs a stronger 3/4.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

The chance of keeping both Oubre and Bridges are Zero, unless Booker is moved. The issue with Oubre and Bridges (and Booker) is that they're mostly 2, and can't realistically play the 4 and struggle against the bigger 3. In other words, they lack the "switch-ability" that the league is heading towards. This limits how much minutes you can allowed. Add in Cam, who is strictly a 3, and the amount of minutes available at the 2 and the 3 is not enough to support everyone (even if you add occasional minutes at the 4). You can kinda get away with it right now because a. the Suns lack an adequate solution at 4, b. Mikal (and Cam) salary is low, c. the Suns are not competing for a playoff spot.

In the long term, I don't see it happening. The Suns need a bulkier 3 that can guard 2,3,4. A Roco-like player. That's what's holding this team back.

Bridges is an elite defender at the 2, but not fast enough to guard the 1, and not strong enough to guard the 4. He can guard the lighter 3 in the leagues, but against the elite (Leonard, Lebron, Harden, Giannis), he really, really struggles. Oubre typically guards the bigger 3, and does poorly (except against Harden for some reason). And Ayton is occasionally used in those scenarios. This is just not sustainable. I am surprised people don't talk about it more, given the team's struggle on this aspect. When Zion comes to town, I think the issue becomes more apparent.

Leonard and Harden had some bad games against us last year, and Luka played some of his worst games against Bridges. Given how much success we had starting Mikal and Oubre, I have a hard time concluding neither can guard the 4 at least as well as opposing 4's guard them. In fact, I think all of Bridges/Oubre/Cam can play some 4, especially when you consider how few minutes actual 4's are getting in the league nowadays, and the fact that most of those are "stretch" bigs who rarely venture inside.

I've said before that if you just think of Oubre as a 4, you start to feel a lot better about this roster. He gets the rebounds, blocks and steals you want out of a 4, and he shoots well enough from 3 for a PF. He's better at all that stuff than Aaron Gordon, for example.

I have a very, very, very hard time conceiving of a scenario where trading Oubre doesn't make us a worse team. Essentially the only thing I can think of is the scenario we've been discussing - dealing KO to GSW for the #4 or #5 and clearing enough additional cap space to add Christian Wood - the only FA we might be able to snag who would give us production sufficient to offset the loss of Oubre.

There was a game where Giannis scored something like 12 out 13 buckets, all were dunks. Giannis is a beast obviously but 12 dunks just tells you how badly this team lack sizes on the perimeter. Lebron feasted on this team when Ayton wasn't guarding him. Only Ayton was able to contain both. I don't even want to imagine what Zion will do to Bridges and Oubre. IIRC, Luka had a free throw parade to the line since he overpowered both of them with ease. Oubre and Kelly couldn't guard Siakem. No one on this team can guard Sabonis. Griffin looked like prime Griffin against this team. Jimmy Butler embarrassed this team in one half of basketball, etc.

So yeah, this team struggles with stronger opposing players that Kelly and Mikal can't guard.

Oubre at the 4 is the best solution right now since Saric kinda sucks. I am in agreement with you. But it's not sustainable in the long run. Team needs a stronger 3/4.

Well actually, I think you've made my point. We can't guard Giannis and LeBron. Like, Gallinari or Millsap gonna do a good job on Giannis or LeBron? Who do you imagine we'll add who will do a BETTER job than our guys? I guess ideally you switch Ayton to the 4 and let someone else cover Brook Lopez. Don't know what that has to do with all the other teams in the league, though - you know, the ones without GOATs on their squads.

[GoodBehavior]

Leonard and Harden had some bad games against us last year, and Luka played some of his worst games against Bridges. Given how much success we had starting Mikal and Oubre, I have a hard time concluding neither can guard the 4 at least as well as opposing 4's guard them. In fact, I think all of Bridges/Oubre/Cam can play some 4, especially when you consider how few minutes actual 4's are getting in the league nowadays, and the fact that most of those are "stretch" bigs who rarely venture inside.

I've said before that if you just think of Oubre as a 4, you start to feel a lot better about this roster. He gets the rebounds, blocks and steals you want out of a 4, and he shoots well enough from 3 for a PF. He's better at all that stuff than Aaron Gordon, for example.

I have a very, very, very hard time conceiving of a scenario where trading Oubre doesn't make us a worse team. Essentially the only thing I can think of is the scenario we've been discussing - dealing KO to GSW for the #4 or #5 and clearing enough additional cap space to add Christian Wood - the only FA we might be able to snag who would give us production sufficient to offset the loss of Oubre.

There was a game where Giannis scored something like 12 out 13 buckets, all were dunks. Giannis is a beast obviously but 12 dunks just tells you how badly this team lack sizes on the perimeter. Lebron feasted on this team when Ayton wasn't guarding him. Only Ayton was able to contain both. I don't even want to imagine what Zion will do to Bridges and Oubre. IIRC, Luka had a free throw parade to the line since he overpowered both of them with ease. Oubre and Kelly couldn't guard Siakem. No one on this team can guard Sabonis. Griffin looked like prime Griffin against this team. Jimmy Butler embarrassed this team in one half of basketball, etc.

So yeah, this team struggles with stronger opposing players that Kelly and Mikal can't guard.

Oubre at the 4 is the best solution right now since Saric kinda sucks. I am in agreement with you. But it's not sustainable in the long run. Team needs a stronger 3/4.

Well actually, I think you've made my point. We can't guard Giannis and LeBron. Like, Gallinari or Millsap gonna do a good job on Giannis or LeBron? Who do you imagine we'll add who will do a BETTER job than our guys? I guess ideally you switch Ayton to the 4 and let someone else cover Brook Lopez. Don't know what that has to do with all the other teams in the league, though - you know, the ones without GOATs on their squads.

You don't think we can do better than allowing 12 dunks? Or a parade to the foul line?

We tried to get Gordon at the deadline, so it seems like the team is trying to address the gaping hole. The price tag might be too rich though. FWIW, Millsap is a very good defender when he's not dealing with injuries. If it wasn't for his age, I think he fits in really well.

This problem really should be addressed by the draft. Why not try to draft and develop a Maurice Harkless-kinda player? Or a Marcus Morris? A Jeremy grant? You don't have to go all out... to get a role player. I think this is a top priority for the front office, to address via FA or draft. The odd man out is likely Bridges not Oubre.

[WeekapaugGroove]

To me the oubre situation is pretty simple. In a small/medium sample size the Rubio Booker bridges, oubre, ayton 5 man lineup has been very good. So you keep rolling with that and continue to monitor its success, no reason to break up something that's working. Hell the number 1 thing I'm excited about with the suns being invited to Orlando is getting to see that specific group for more minutes against good competition.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using RealGM mobile app

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

There was a game where Giannis scored something like 12 out 13 buckets, all were dunks. Giannis is a beast obviously but 12 dunks just tells you how badly this team lack sizes on the perimeter. Lebron feasted on this team when Ayton wasn't guarding him. Only Ayton was able to contain both. I don't even want to imagine what Zion will do to Bridges and Oubre. IIRC, Luka had a free throw parade to the line since he overpowered both of them with ease. Oubre and Kelly couldn't guard Siakem. No one on this team can guard Sabonis. Griffin looked like prime Griffin against this team. Jimmy Butler embarrassed this team in one half of basketball, etc.

So yeah, this team struggles with stronger opposing players that Kelly and Mikal can't guard.

Oubre at the 4 is the best solution right now since Saric kinda sucks. I am in agreement with you. But it's not sustainable in the long run. Team needs a stronger 3/4.

Well actually, I think you've made my point. We can't guard Giannis and LeBron. Like, Gallinari or Millsap gonna do a good job on Giannis or LeBron? Who do you imagine we'll add who will do a BETTER job than our guys? I guess ideally you switch Ayton to the 4 and let someone else cover Brook Lopez. Don't know what that has to do with all the other teams in the league, though - you know, the ones without GOATs on their squads.

You don't think we can do better than allowing 12 dunks? Or a parade to the foul line?

We tried to get Gordon at the deadline, so it seems like the team is trying to address the gaping hole. The price tag might be too rich though. FWIW, Millsap is a very good defender when he's not dealing with injuries. If it wasn't for his age, I think he fits in really well.

This problem really should be addressed by the draft. Why not try to draft and develop a Maurice Harkless-kinda player? Or a Marcus Morris? A Jeremy grant? You don't have to go all out... to get a role player. I think this is a top priority for the front office, to address via FA or draft. The odd man out is likely Bridges not Oubre.

We tried to trade Cam Johnson - not Oubre - for Aaron Gordon. We said no to Oubre for Gordon. I think pretty soon, we'll thank our lucky stars the Magic said no to Cam. If Cam stays healthy, he could be a highly-efficient 20 PPG scorer. As for Bridges, I wouldn't consider trading him. Luka hates being defended by Mikal. A lot of players do. Mikal is a special defender, and those are freaking hard to come by.

Your pining for Harkless, Morris and Grant confuses me. THAT'S who you want guarding Giannis and Lebron? I don't need none of those guys, because I would rather Oubre, Bridges and Cam play all their minutes.

Let's place blame on the bench, where it belongs. Keep the squad together. Pay everyone, add bench pieces, draft sensibly, and just stay the course -- unless GSW is willing to just drop that pick in our laps, in which case you make two lotto picks and try to replace Oubre in free agency. Otherwise I'm inclined to stay the course with our current core of Rubio-Booker-Bridges-Cam-Oubre-Ayton.