2021-22 Season/Offseason Speculation

[BobbieL]

I think the larger point is he wanted to come here and might be convinced to sign here in a few years. Hopefully Book and him will get close in Japan and they work things out to make it happen come 2024.

He is signed through 2025; player option in 2026
Maybe he becomes available for trade by the Celtics but highly unlikely. He is 23 and the kind of player you build around. The Celtics got rid of Kemba, got Horford . They are building around Tatum

I have a feeling Book will be talking more to Javale than Jayson about coming to the Suns.

I think Tatum will be our first big name offseason FA acquisition in forever come whichever Summer he hits the market. Also looks like Kemba is headed to the Bulls

Just read that rumor - not sure if its real or a blogger suggesting it. But a good trade idea

Presti would flip a lot of cash for cap relief next summer and a young guy like White. NOt sure why the Bulls do this deal - guy has bad knees

Looking like Amin being an ElhASSan again - criticizing Monty for congratulating the Bucks . You can't spell Elhassan without ASS!

[Slim Charless]

Question:

IF we could convince Kawhi to come here, what would it take since we can't sign him outright?

I know Leonard wants to be close to home, but so did Paul and he is making it work in Phoenix, which is closer to San Diego than teams like Miami and Dallas.

If he told the Clips he's not returning, I wonder if a deal surrounding bridges, Dario, and other salary matchers could be done.
Would anyone do that?

I think he's gonna be out till the playoffs at the earliest. In fact he's 1 of the main reasons why I think the west is still open. The Clips are a pg13 injury away from the lotto.

It'll be us, Denver(if they get Murray back) and LAL battling for the #1 seed all season. Don't think we need the Kawhi stress. Let the Clippers deal with him, his supermax deal and Uncle Dennis.

[saintEscaton]

He is signed through 2025; player option in 2026
Maybe he becomes available for trade by the Celtics but highly unlikely. He is 23 and the kind of player you build around. The Celtics got rid of Kemba, got Horford . They are building around Tatum

I have a feeling Book will be talking more to Javale than Jayson about coming to the Suns.

I think Tatum will be our first big name offseason FA acquisition in forever come whichever Summer he hits the market. Also looks like Kemba is headed to the Bulls

Just read that rumor - not sure if its real or a blogger suggesting it. But a good trade idea

Presti would flip a lot of cash for cap relief next summer and a young guy like White. NOt sure why the Bulls do this deal - guy has bad knees

Looking like Amin being an ElhASSan again - criticizing Monty for congratulating the Bucks . You can't spell Elhassan without ASS!

He worked for our organization and was formerly one of us. He really has a vendettta and axe to grind against us. It's inexplicable he must have really hated the Suns to be this vitriolic

[Slim Charless]

He is signed through 2025; player option in 2026
Maybe he becomes available for trade by the Celtics but highly unlikely. He is 23 and the kind of player you build around. The Celtics got rid of Kemba, got Horford . They are building around Tatum

I have a feeling Book will be talking more to Javale than Jayson about coming to the Suns.

I think Tatum will be our first big name offseason FA acquisition in forever come whichever Summer he hits the market. Also looks like Kemba is headed to the Bulls

Just read that rumor - not sure if its real or a blogger suggesting it. But a good trade idea

Presti would flip a lot of cash for cap relief next summer and a young guy like White. NOt sure why the Bulls do this deal - guy has bad knees

Looking like Amin being an ElhASSan again - criticizing Monty for congratulating the Bucks . You can't spell Elhassan without ASS!

Chicago should trade Lavine for Simmons. Him and Vuc would be a good team.

Lavine is a FA soon so Chicago is gonna have to either a) supermax him or b) let him walk. Both of those sound like terrible decisions. Meanwhile, Simmons can cover for Vuc lack of defense and since Vuc has range, maybe they won't be as much in each other's way like him and Embiid are.

[enigmatics]

I think he's gonna be out till the playoffs at the earliest. In fact he's 1 of the main reasons why I think the west is still open. The Clips are a pg13 injury away from the lotto.

It'll be us, Denver(if they get Murray back) and LAL battling for the #1 seed all season. Don't think we need the Kawhi stress. Let the Clippers deal with him, his supermax deal and Uncle Dennis.

You're really not gonna factor or pay any mind to whichever team nets Dame (if they're in the West, ex. Dallas) or the Dubs improving? I think that would be naive.

[bwgood77]

Any ideas on an upgrade at PF?

I think we can not get a better player than Crowder at PF without trading a big package with some of our core players for someone like Siakam or Jerami Grant...so I do not expect that to happen.

But we can upgrade our backup PF position and some names have been already mentioned in this thread.

Someone that I have not seen mentioned so far is Rudy Gay. Yeah, he will be 35 years old at the start of next season but he is healthy and he is a very good player yet.

I think he can be signed for the MLE on a two year deal. Not sure if Sarver wants to spend that money, but he would give us another shot creator and he is bigger and more athletic than Crowder/Bridges/Cam J.

Yeah, Crowder is a lot better than some seem to think. A bit streaky but truthfully, many of our players are to some extent...especially Dario, not that it matters next year.

But Cam Johnson probably most streaky. His shooting was really on and off.

[BobbieL]

I think Tatum will be our first big name offseason FA acquisition in forever come whichever Summer he hits the market. Also looks like Kemba is headed to the Bulls

Just read that rumor - not sure if its real or a blogger suggesting it. But a good trade idea

Presti would flip a lot of cash for cap relief next summer and a young guy like White. NOt sure why the Bulls do this deal - guy has bad knees

Looking like Amin being an ElhASSan again - criticizing Monty for congratulating the Bucks . You can't spell Elhassan without ASS!

He worked for our organization and was formerly one of us. He really has a vendettta and axe to grind against us. It's inexplicable he must have really hated the Suns to be this vitriolic

I just do not understand why Amin has continued vitriol for the Suns and Sarver. I get it -- we have seen Sarver as owner and the results. But there comes a point that you have to give credit for an evolution. It would be like an NFL reporter still bashing the Browns . Well they went 0-16 a few years ago though they just went to the playoffs. They are still the Browns

He cannot be taken seriously in his analysis of the NBA.

[bwgood77]

Nerlens Noel as a backup for Ayton would be perfect for this team IMO.

This is the best option I've seen. If we could split mid level on him and a backup guard that would be ideal.

[bwgood77]

Slightly different when you're playing and rooming with the dude for the next month, are the same age, and no doubt know each other. I'm happy you brought up LeBron though as the Heatles first were conceived in the Olympics that Wade, Bosh and Bron played in. Also I heard rumors that Kyrie and KD grew close in THEIR Olympics.....food for thought is all I'm saying.

Edit: So you're saying you'd rather have Mikal than Jason Tatum?

Mikal is just a glorified and limited role player nothing more with some room to grow. Tatum is a budding superstar. Give me the latter any day of the week

So he is something akin to Draymond Green or Andre Iguodala - good enough for me. Bridges is still only 24 - he has the room to improve and grow. Just because Tatum is better than Bridges now - doesn't mean Bridges doesn't have value

This mythical utopian idea that you are going to get five all stars or something on your roster is crazy. And of course, any team would like to have Jayson Tatum - but he is not realistic to trade for and BRidges still can get better.

These guys are not being traded. Tatum is Boston's Booker. Tatum loves it there. Most people see them as team of future in East. People mention their seeding but they lost Brown who was on fire.

[bwgood77]

I expect CP3 to resign for 3 years for something like 90-95 million. It would really be good if the third year is a team option, but I doubt it. Give DA the max and give Bridges 18 mil a year.
Cam Payne for 10 mil, Craig for like 3.5 mil and try to trade Carter for a good defensive big, if possible.

I hope for a draft steal at 29 for a nice defensive specialist at C or PF or for our point guards of the future.

I think this all makes sense.

And Bobby Marks confirmed with a CP3 opt in, we can extend for 2 years, so that 3/$90 where we split the $46 left over after the option money next year can be decling at about $24/$22 which would be perfect.

Ayton/Bridges will likely go from about $18 to maybe $48 or so. So if they go up $30 but Paul drops down $22 that would be really nice. Then Paul drops down $2 more the next year along with Crowder/Saric expiring as Cam Johnson starts 2nd contract.

[bwgood77]

Tatum was so hellbent on becoming Sun that he skipped a workout with the Celtics because he was convinced we would draft him at 4. Instead we drafted the megabust Josh Jackon, and we al know how that indefensible pick worked out even though he did look promisng as an uber athletic two way wing at the time

Yeeeeesh. Totally forgot about that.

Totally inexcusable. Makes the Alex Len pick seem actually okay in comparison even though we took him over Noel, McCollum, Giannis and royally fu*ked up taking Bender and Chriss who also busted out. Glad Ryan McDummy is out of this organization he easily set us back more than a decade with his drafting, coaching hires and personnel decisions, free agency signings besides taking Booker and Warren. We treadmilled for so long and struck out on all our high picks, even the Ayton pick was questionable but it's looking better now even though of course I take Luka in a redraft 100 times out of 100 as BPA regardless of fit or need.

#1, I think you guys are thinking of Jackson skipping his workout.

#2, it doesn't matter. Boston took him anyway, before our pick. And even got a future first from Philly for trading down to 1.

[saintEscaton]

Yeeeeesh. Totally forgot about that.

Totally inexcusable. Makes the Alex Len pick seem actually okay in comparison even though we took him over Noel, McCollum, Giannis and royally fu*ked up taking Bender and Chriss who also busted out. Glad Ryan McDummy is out of this organization he easily set us back more than a decade with his drafting, coaching hires and personnel decisions, free agency signings besides taking Booker and Warren. We treadmilled for so long and struck out on all our high picks, even the Ayton pick was questionable but it's looking better now even though of course I take Luka in a redraft 100 times out of 100 as BPA regardless of fit or need.

#1, I think you guys are thinking of Jackson skipping his workout.

#2, it doesn't matter. Boston took him anyway, before our pick. And even got a future first from Philly for trading down to 1.

I stand corrected. Thanks, BW

[saintEscaton]

Nerlens Noel as a backup for Ayton would be perfect for this team IMO.

This is the best option I've seen. If we could split mid level on him and a backup guard that would be ideal.

Hell yeah! I'm always on Team Nerlens. The Eraser is welcome here anytime! We should have drafted him instead of Len

[bwgood77]

I think Mikal still has a fair amount of upside left. He's tightened up his handle a fair bit over the last few years and added that mid-range fading pull-up to his game last offseason to good success. Just needs to keep working at it and keep getting stronger. Very unlikely that he'll ever be a Paul George, Jayson Tatum, even Khris Middleton-type ball handler that will back up and try to break you down or consistently run the pick and roll, but he can develop into a really good straight line slasher with his length and finishing, and few people are blocking his mid-range pull-up with his release point. He'll be a very effective player if he continues to add that to his off-ball offense and 3-point shooting.

I was thinking about it and I think he will be a cross between that Paul George or upper middle class Kawhi, and Klay Thompson. I don't think he will be exactly like Klay or the others but he can defend like most of them..or close/better than Thompson, shoot the 3 with anyone but Klay, move better than Klay on offense (not for 3s but for mid range shots, cutting to rim, fastbreaks) but not quite like the others in creating.

He will have the fewest flaws of anyone on our team. He doesn't get more offense because we is is the 4th option yet still shoots 9.3x a game and his shots are not the kind you don't want because they are the elite areas you want to shoot from and he is among the best in the NBA at 3s and finishing at rim...along with getting steals and igniting the fastbreak.

He won't make nearly what all those other guys make either.

[bwgood77]

Tatum was so hellbent on becoming Sun that he skipped a workout with the Celtics because he was convinced we would draft him at 4. Instead we drafted the megabust Josh Jackon, and we al know how that indefensible pick worked out even though he did look promisng as an uber athletic two way wing at the time

It was Josh Jackson that was hell bent on being a Sun that he skipped the Boston workout. If I remember correctly, Tatum worked out for Boston after they made the trade down to 3. And Josh Jackson didn’t.

No it was Tatum https://celticswire.usatoday.com/2020/05/11/nba-boston-celtics-jayson-tatum-wanted-phoenix-suns-draft/

Tatum eventually wanted Phx but did work out with Boston. Not sure why you all think this matter. Boston picked BEFORE us and took Tatum. Not like we could have taken him anyway.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2717489-danny-ainge-on-josh-jacksons-skipped-workout-didnt-want-to-play-for-celtics

https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/celtics/2017/06/19/celtics-have-jayson-tatum-for-workout/kAmOPJUGvmXZj9LoVqR6OK/story.html

[bwgood77]

The fact that you all are balking at including Smith in trades because it's "too much" are delusional. Smith is the worst lottery pick we've drafted so far. People keep telling me to be patient but for what? What has anyone seen from this kid that makes you think he can be a good NBA player? He's older than most rookies and had the worst stats of anyone drafted in the 1st round. He was a massive reach by James Jones.

You guys need to learn to cut your emotional ties with some of these players and look at things a little more objectively. I got into so many arguments (the same exact argument too) with some of you about Josh Jackson, Bender and Chriss over the years as well. Back then I got the same pushback (be patient, give them time) but you have to look at historical averages and determine probability from there. Is it possible Jalen Smith becomes a decent NBA player? Yes. Is it likely? I don't think so.

Stop holding onto the fact that we drafted him #10, he's not a lottery pick talent, he's a 2nd round talent at best.

We were a top team and he had COVID and injuries. What did we think of Dragic as a rookie? A lot of young guys take time anyway. He had no training camp, summer league, etc.

Give him time. Maryland fans keep telling us the kid is for real.

No one has emotional ties to the guy...it's just absurd to give up on a guy after one year given the circumstances....especially when he's been around our team for a year and we need a backup 4/5 long term and a cheap on a rookie contract.

How anyone thinks they can evaluate him based on 2 minutes every 10 games is beyond me....he usually played with guards wanting to get their own shots anyway.

[darealjuice]

Not a lot of guard options for MLE/minimum this year. Reggie Jackson, TJ McConnell, Patty Mills, Alex Caruso, Austin Rivers, and Kent Bazemore are the only ones that make much sense to me.

I'd look the Montrezl Harrell, JaMychal Green, Nic Batum, Robin Lopez, Daniel Theis, Nerlens Noel, Richaun Holmes, JaVale McGee, Dwight Howard out of the forward/big man pool. Don't think we'll have the money for someone like Kelly Olynyk, Otto Porter Jr., or Will Barton.

Who even knows if Sarver will be willing to use the MLE this year if we're dishing extensions out to Ayton and Mikal though. I'd like to think we'll pull out all the stops for next year, since CP3 isn't getting any younger and we won't have these rookie contracts forever, but we'll see what happens.

[bwgood77]

Question:

IF we could convince Kawhi to come here, what would it take since we can't sign him outright?

I know Leonard wants to be close to home, but so did Paul and he is making it work in Phoenix, which is closer to San Diego than teams like Miami and Dallas.

If he told the Clips he's not returning, I wonder if a deal surrounding bridges, Dario, and other salary matchers could be done.
Would anyone do that?

I don't know. Typically if a guy is leaving regardless, getting him in a S&T shouldn't require much...not like any key players for us. But it would take a massive salary.

Ultimately I don't know. Probably something like Paul opting out and giving them Crowder or something..maybe a bit more salary.

[bwgood77]

Question:

IF we could convince Kawhi to come here, what would it take since we can't sign him outright?

I know Leonard wants to be close to home, but so did Paul and he is making it work in Phoenix, which is closer to San Diego than teams like Miami and Dallas.

If he told the Clips he's not returning, I wonder if a deal surrounding bridges, Dario, and other salary matchers could be done.
Would anyone do that?

I think he's gonna be out till the playoffs at the earliest. In fact he's 1 of the main reasons why I think the west is still open. The Clips are a pg13 injury away from the lotto.

It'll be us, Denver(if they get Murray back) and LAL battling for the #1 seed all season. Don't think we need the Kawhi stress. Let the Clippers deal with him, his supermax deal and Uncle Dennis.

Warriors will be in the hunt, and not sure why people count out Utah. They were on fire this year. Mitchell was absurd in the playoffs. They were the best team...that unfortunately has guard injuries in the playoffs.

Utah should be tougher than Denver..more depth..solid starting 5 and Clarkson. I don't know about Kawhi, but it almost sucks if he is out but comes back for the playoffs and we get the 2 seed and they get the 7th...we don't need that again.

[bwgood77]

Just read that rumor - not sure if its real or a blogger suggesting it. But a good trade idea

Presti would flip a lot of cash for cap relief next summer and a young guy like White. NOt sure why the Bulls do this deal - guy has bad knees

Looking like Amin being an ElhASSan again - criticizing Monty for congratulating the Bucks . You can't spell Elhassan without ASS!

He worked for our organization and was formerly one of us. He really has a vendettta and axe to grind against us. It's inexplicable he must have really hated the Suns to be this vitriolic

I just do not understand why Amin has continued vitriol for the Suns and Sarver. I get it -- we have seen Sarver as owner and the results. But there comes a point that you have to give credit for an evolution. It would be like an NFL reporter still bashing the Browns . Well they went 0-16 a few years ago though they just went to the playoffs. They are still the Browns

He cannot be taken seriously in his analysis of the NBA.

He's not really even worth talking about. The guy is a no name who luckily got a job at espn for whatever reason and hung on for a while despite how bad he was. He was a low level nobody in the Phx organization who got low and can't get over it.

Even McD has seemed to come around....most likely to try and take credit for Booker/Ayton/Bridges, etc, but it's probably a smart thing to do.