Trade & Free Agency Ideas & Discussion 2

[BobbieL]

Only reason I wouldn't consider LMA or Millsap is they're on the downside of their careers.

Wouldn't be terribly opposed to pursuing guys like Hayward and Griffin though, although I'm not a huge fan of any move that blocks PT for Bender/Chriss/JJ

Well that's kind of the point too though. When they start regressing we'll have Bender and Chriss looking to take more meaningful minutes. Plus, Bender/Chriss still need to fill their bodies out, I would say the same for Jackson too, which is why I'm comfortable with Warren staying. We need a winning culture.

Griffin probably wants 4 years, Millsap too. Griffin is injury prone. Millsap is older

That is why to me, if LMA truly would not opt out, he can be a bridge for two years - I am not sure if them taking Dudley would be enough cap space saved - but the Suns would get a guy for two years that comes off the books when all these younger players are coming due and need the cap space.

Yes, LMA burned us - but what do I care - we have a good core - lets build with it smartly and Paul Millsap would not be smart for like 4/80 when who knows, maybe Pop takes Dudley and saves enough to get CP3

[rsavaj]

Only reason I wouldn't consider LMA or Millsap is they're on the downside of their careers.

Wouldn't be terribly opposed to pursuing guys like Hayward and Griffin though, although I'm not a huge fan of any move that blocks PT for Bender/Chriss/JJ

Well that's kind of the point too though. When they start regressing we'll have Bender and Chriss looking to take more meaningful minutes. Plus, Bender/Chriss still need to fill their bodies out, I would say the same for Jackson too, which is why I'm comfortable with Warren staying. We need a winning culture.

Griffin probably wants 4 years, Millsap too. Griffin is injury prone. Millsap is older

That is why to me, if LMA truly would not opt out, he can be a bridge for two years - I am not sure if them taking Dudley would be enough cap space saved - but the Suns would get a guy for two years that comes off the books when all these younger players are coming due and need the cap space.

Yes, LMA burned us - but what do I care - we have a good core - lets build with it smartly and Paul Millsap would not be smart for like 4/80 when who knows, maybe Pop takes Dudley and saves enough to get CP3

The other thing that worries me about LMA is the fact that he wants to leave the Spurs. Seems like he really only wants to play for a team where he'll be the #1 guy/the featured offensive player.

Not sure I want him on our squad when we got Booker in that role.

But yeah if all it costs to get him is Knight or Dudley, then I guess I'd be okay with that(as long as we didn't extend him).

Wouldn't give up any draft picks for him though.

[BobbieL]

Well that's kind of the point too though. When they start regressing we'll have Bender and Chriss looking to take more meaningful minutes. Plus, Bender/Chriss still need to fill their bodies out, I would say the same for Jackson too, which is why I'm comfortable with Warren staying. We need a winning culture.

Griffin probably wants 4 years, Millsap too. Griffin is injury prone. Millsap is older

That is why to me, if LMA truly would not opt out, he can be a bridge for two years - I am not sure if them taking Dudley would be enough cap space saved - but the Suns would get a guy for two years that comes off the books when all these younger players are coming due and need the cap space.

Yes, LMA burned us - but what do I care - we have a good core - lets build with it smartly and Paul Millsap would not be smart for like 4/80 when who knows, maybe Pop takes Dudley and saves enough to get CP3

The other thing that worries me about LMA is the fact that he wants to leave the Spurs. Seems like he really only wants to play for a team where he'll be the #1 guy/the featured offensive player.

Not sure I want him on our squad when we got Booker in that role.

But yeah if all it costs to get him is Knight or Dudley, then I guess I'd be okay with that(as long as we didn't extend him).

Wouldn't give up any draft picks for him though.

I wouldn't extend - god knows!! And the only draft pick I would give is like a second rounder.

I was just trying to think why Millsap. So okay, you sign him, well if he gets 4 years, that crosses over when Warren, Bledsoe, possibly Chriss and Bender get raises. Plus, in two years, he might really fade. With LMA - you know its two years -- Mark STein said he would not opt out. He gets his 40m - the suns get a bridge player - and than he moves on, these other players are more ready to compete

So it helps the Suns this year - as I think Aldridge would do more than Dudley. But it also helps in two years as his contract like chandlers, would be off the books at the latest

Plus Dudley is a pretty smart guy and would fit the Spurs. I actually think if the Spurs are good with cap savings of 10m bucks - its a win-win for each team

I would feel much better about this than Paul Millsap for over 2 years. Plus its moving salary for salary.

[Frank Lee]

Who's a young PG with potential we could swap for Bledsoe?

Why not just keep Bledsoe? Its not like he's ancient or ultra expensive. Its doubtful that some random PG will be anywhere near as good. Keep Bledsoe and develop Ulis to take over for him in a few years.

Yeah, overall I'm happy with our "lack of activity". We were inquisitive and looking for a good deal, didn't find one and didn't panic.

Bledsoe/Ulis
Booker/DJJr/Reed
Jackson/Warren
Chriss/Bender
Chandler/Williams

I like the looks of that squad. Our youngins should get plenty of playing time with veteran leadership, plus I think we have well-balanced starters and bench. I think we buy out Knight or find a trade partner.

Its very possible our bench is what defines this upcoming season. Ulis/Reed/Warren/Bender/Williams is an intriguing B squad that is bound to mesh with Ulis facilitating.

I am curious how we address Len / Williams and the Center spot. Somewhat risky to bank on grandpa Chandler and undersized and unsigned Sauce. Yes, I know some clamor for Bender / Chris at C... but I see that as restricting their effectiveness, though Bender likely can match up well with most second stringers.

How much do we value Len's rim protection? Would McD lean towards someone like Olynyk over Alex? I think teams may be offering Len $$ right on the first day, and force Phnx to act. Just as I'd hope Williams inks up.... Who knows, maybe Len's ticket goes into the pot to obtain a veteran PF. Adding BGriffith to this mix is a true game changer. Milsap... not as much... and the thought of LMA ??? he may be the most obtainable if SA needs to drop some $$$. I agree with the stop gap discussion I read above. LMA, may be the happy compromise of adding that vet, while still maintaining the long term flexibility. Essentially, our bench then reverts to the last month starting 5 minus booker. Hmmmmmm... the likable pieces in Watson and Tyson are still in place.... along with the fountain of youth med staff.

[LukasBMW]

If we made moves and got KP, then I think it would make sense to blow some money on a vet power forward like Milsap or Blake and hope Bledsoe's knees hold up. That would give us a chance at getting into the 2nd round (KP/Blake/TJ/Booker/Bledsoe)

But as it stands, we have two possible starting 4/5's with potential, two possible 3/4's with potential plus we'll need to play a real center (whoever that may be - Chandler? Len?) at times as well.

TJ/Jackson
Bender/Chriss
Tyson or Len (or maybe both)

So we'll already have 5 guys (maybe even 6) for 3 front court positions.

Clogging up the front court with another vet (even an allstar) would just hinder the development of our young players.

We didn't make any moves to get better. Time to rip off the bandaid and hand the keys to our youngsters.

-Develop youth
-preserve cap space
-No stupid contracts
-Move Bledsoe and Knight when possible
-Look to acquire a legit young true 5 and a legit young PG

[Hesh]

Dudley has talked alot of **** on Blake lol say's that the team never practices and that they were bipolar. Also suggested that the clips have to break up the big 3 by trading one of them and that it should be Blake lol

[LukasBMW]

Getting LMA would be like texting that one girl you ALMOST had a one night stand with 2 years ago (Not that I've ever done that )...

Thursday 7:05pm
Suns: Hey!
LMA: Uhhh... hey
Suns: Remember that night at the bar we got really drunk? LOL.
LMA: yeah. that was 2 years ago. lol.
Suns: Haha! We almost hooked up.
LMA: ...
Suns: Whatcha up to this weekend??

Friday 5:23 PM
Suns: Hey! You wanna hang out tonight?

Friday 8:46 PM
Suns: I'm out at Maya by the pool! Swing on by! Let's get crunk!

Saturday 7:20pm
Suns: So...Netflix and Chill????
LMA: Dude...STOP TEXTING ME.

[Phystic]

LMA said he wants out of SA?

[Frank Lee]

I would actually think LMA would like to come to Phnx... if he truly wants out of SA. Haven't really watched him much, but have heard the father time slowdown stories.

[LukasBMW]

I would actually think LMA would like to come to Phnx... if he truly wants out of SA. Haven't really watched him much, but have heard the father time slowdown stories.

I want NOTHING to do with LMA.

If he is not willing to sacrifice for the Spurs, then he is not willing to sacrifice for anyone.

Our young guys are super impressionable. I want vets like Dudley/Tyson/Barbosa massaging their brains NOT selfish washed up guys like LMA, Howard, etc.

[Sunzgunz]

Only reason I wouldn't consider LMA or Millsap is they're on the downside of their careers.

Wouldn't be terribly opposed to pursuing guys like Hayward and Griffin though, although I'm not a huge fan of any move that blocks PT for Bender/Chriss/JJ

Well that's kind of the point too though. When they start regressing we'll have Bender and Chriss looking to take more meaningful minutes. Plus, Bender/Chriss still need to fill their bodies out, I would say the same for Jackson too, which is why I'm comfortable with Warren staying. We need a winning culture.

Tanking at this point is irrelevant. We have the 4-5 young players we want to go forward with as a franchise and now they need to learn how to win. Chandler and Dudley being here helps but I would like another player to come in and have us at least competing this season.

agreed! You really don't have to. We are very young, go try to win every game, win or loss they'll fight, play hard and gain valuable experience within themselves and each other! They determine identities and create their culture. If we happen to win enough to be playoff bound; holy smokes!!! ...this group/chemistry is better than we thought.

If they lose, they've at least develop and will bring in another highly rated asset, or two, to help expedite the process.

Personally (*preparing for an onslaught of tomatoes my way), I hope we can compete but lose a lot of very close games. I would like to win about 30 to 35 games....but more importantly, to say we should have won about 20 to 25 of them. With adding a single player, that's progress to a young team learning how to win....and hopefully the lottery gods will finally show us some love...were due!!!

I think this group can be a playoff team, but we're like 3 years of maturation away (minus free agent signings) of being a bottom seed. Next years draft is deep with bigs...if we add one...still may be the same time frame, but we may jump in head first as a 4-6 seed. Not to mention the flexability in packaging for trades.

[AtheJ415]

We shouldn't be doing a damn thing that results in us adding vets that help us win games (aka Aldridge, Milsap, etc.) unless they are simply given to us and we can re-package them at the deadline.

This team is simply too young to win. It is at least 3 years away from being legitimately good.

Next year's top 3 are all guys who could really help our future, and we should be tanking yet again. Add Porter, Doncic, or probably better fits in Ayton or Bamba to this team and it skyrockets our future potential.

[blee732]

I would actually think LMA would like to come to Phnx... if he truly wants out of SA. Haven't really watched him much, but have heard the father time slowdown stories.

I want NOTHING to do with LMA.

If he is not willing to sacrifice for the Spurs, then he is not willing to sacrifice for anyone.

Our young guys are super impressionable. I want vets like Dudley/Tyson/Barbosa massaging their brains NOT selfish washed up guys like LMA, Howard, etc.

Totally agree with this, LMA is a bad fit. If he's really bailing on the Spurs after just 2 years, that just confirms all the bad things you read about his last year in Portland.

He's not a leader and isn't a good teammate. No thanks. If we add any vets, they should be in the mold of those 3 you listed (I would add Price) - unselfish, team-first, on-board with the development of our young guys.

[RunDogGun]

Great, so we already give up on this season in hopes that we get lucky next season? Winning and losing games will happen, and getting one vet really isn't going to change much as far as record, nor does a record automatically insure a top three pick.

While I'm against grabbing LMA, Griffin, or Milsap, I am for getting another strong vet who can help mold our youth into winners for the future.

[Sunzgunz]

We shouldn't be doing a damn thing that results in us adding vets that help us win games (aka Aldridge, Milsap, etc.) unless they are simply given to us and we can re-package them at the deadline.

This team is simply too young to win. It is at least 3 years away from being legitimately good.

Next year's top 3 are all guys who could really help our future, and we should be tanking yet again. Add Porter, Doncic, or probably better fits in Ayton or Bamba to this team and it skyrockets our future potential.

While I don't mind the acquired asset that tanking leads to, I hope we don't give that insinuation in the slightest this year. I don't think we have to 'try' and tank.

Jackson is miles ahead from a competitive standpoint and the youngun's on our roster are very good and have already been part of something that resembles tanking. We have a strong enough nucleus were the benefits of tanking don't outweigh the detriments.

The reality is, play hard, have fun, let's learn and compete....we still should end up in the lottery. But the message and mentality nurtures progress, confidence, development and growth.

[ray ray]

The rebuilt is completed!

Devin Booker- 20 Years Old
Josh Jackson- 20 years old
Marquise Chriss- 19 years old
Dragan Bender -19 years old
Derrick Jones jr- 20 years old
TJ Warren - 23 years old
Tyler Ulis - 21 years old

Young core!

[bwgood77]

No need to discuss LMA. I mean they wanted a top 10 pick for him. I wouldn't really even want him for free, and I'm sure no one here wants to give up Josh for him.

It does feel like that proposed KP trade of Bledsoe, Chriss and 4 would be much harder to stomach AFTER making our pick, knowing it's Jackson that we have, since KP will still likely be traded.

I'm pretty happy with where our team is right now.

[AZWildByNature]

The rebuilt is completed!

Devin Booker- 20 Years Old
Josh Jackson- 20 years old
Marquise Chriss- 19 years old
Dragan Bender -19 years old
Derrick Jones jr- 20 years old
TJ Warren - 23 years old
Tyler Ulis - 21 years old

Young core!

Davon Reed - 22 years old
Alec Peters - 22 years old
Zaire Wade - 15 years old (coming 2021 via Miami's pick)

[AtheJ415]

We shouldn't be doing a damn thing that results in us adding vets that help us win games (aka Aldridge, Milsap, etc.) unless they are simply given to us and we can re-package them at the deadline.

This team is simply too young to win. It is at least 3 years away from being legitimately good.

Next year's top 3 are all guys who could really help our future, and we should be tanking yet again. Add Porter, Doncic, or probably better fits in Ayton or Bamba to this team and it skyrockets our future potential.

While I don't mind the acquired asset that tanking leads to, I hope we don't give that insinuation in the slightest this year. I don't think we have to 'try' and tank.

Jackson is miles ahead from a competitive standpoint and the youngun's on our roster are very good and have already been part of something that resembles tanking. We have a strong enough nucleus were the benefits of tanking don't outweigh the detriments.

The reality is, play hard, have fun, let's learn and compete....we still should end up in the lottery. But the message and mentality nurtures progress, confidence, development and growth.

I think you're confusing trying to lose with tanking. We try to lose by playing young guys, not by instructing them to lose. NBA teams that are as young as ours will lose. It is inevitable. Thus, I am not advocating intentionally losing. I am advocating not acquiring any vets who would help us win more now (like Milsap or Aldridge), and potentially trading Bledsoe. Those would guarantee a top 4 pick again next year imo, and that gives us the means to have a core that rivals Philly (who I think will win in the east assuming Embiid is healthy).

[Damkac]

Don't want any of Milsap, Aldridge, Griffin or any old pf that would take minutes away from Chriss and Bender!

I wonder what Suns wants to do with Bledsoe. My guess is they will keep him, try to make playoffs next year and if their record is bad they will trade him at the deadline.