Season Speculation, Trade Ideas & Discussion Pt. 4

[Saberestar]

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[bigfoot]

Just putting this out there for all you dreaming for a Nash-like point guard. You have to ask yourselves if that's what we need to pair with Booker. Booker is going to have the ball in his hands and has shown himself to be a capable and willing passer. Just to remind you ... who were the PGs next to Kobe and Jordan?? Their career stats were 8.3pts/3.0asts and 9.8pts/3.3asts, respectively. The key was they could hit the three pointer with career numbers of .413 and .425, respectively and played halfway decent defense.

We would be fine with a journeyman PG who can shoot the ball and play decent defense. We lack an all-star caliber PF or C and an all-defense PF or C. Those should be our targets for trades and free agent signings. We have to have a scoring threat down low to create open shots in our offense and someone to provide elite rim protection. That can come from one player (e.g., Duncan-like) or two (elite-offensive PF and elite-defensive C or reverse).

[bwgood77]

I can't believe some of these proposals that I'm reading. George Hill? Trading to get Goran, who publicly demanded a trade and would probably go ring chasing at the end of his deal since he'll be old by then? Mike Conley? Not to mention all of these guys remove the possibility of a max player over the next 2 offseasons. That is just insane. None of them get us into the playoffs even as the 8 seed, and each costs us the chance to take a longshot pursuit of someone like Cousins or Capela or whoever (and I'd rather take the longshot at either of those guys than pay Mike Conley $30 mil a year and George Hill $20 mil a year).

The real truth here is that we don't NEED to get a PG to pair with Booker this year. It would be nice if there was one who didn't cost a lot to get and who had a low or expiring salary, but that guy doesn't exist. Furthermore, the most valuable SG in basketball is James Harden, who was also asked to create for and carry an NBA offense in a PG-like fashion, which turned him into the player he is now. While it might not be fair to make Booker do that at 21, it will allow him to develop on that end and in that fashion. The whole, "New Kobe" mantra has been misguided. Kobe would not be THAT valuable in the league today relative to a guy like Harden. We should want him to become Harden, and in my opinion he has shown enough playmaking to potentially become that.

All of that is besides the point that we really do need a top 5 pick this season, so adding a PG who helps us win today isn't necessarily great for us. Getting one of Ayton, Doncic, Porter, Bagley, Bamba is a big freaking deal for this team. Besides that, we still need Ulis to get his minutes and improve since he is probably our future long-term 2nd PG no matter what happens. We can address starting PG this upcoming offseason for a bargain vet or through the draft or both. That Miami pick should let us to get somebody like Sexton or Young, who I like. Duval also is there. None are sure things but all have the potential to be a starting 1 in the league. If Sexton is projected to go 7th or so like he currently is, we can always package the Miami and Milwaukee picks to move up if needed.

Just curious what max player you have in mind? You are expecting a top tier max player to want to come to the Suns? I want a target you think is someone we could go after and get. I know in theory some max player in 19 is what we "should" do but it's easy to talk about and not easy to do.

[bwgood77]

Also, if we end up drafting one of those top 5 (and I think that will happen, because Booker's injury makes us really bad and Dallas and Sac are showing improvement while Memphis cannot end up this bad imo), our best lineup may be with Booker as the 1. Our top 5 going forward, if the goal was to get your top 5 players on the court, would probably be Booker, Jackson, Warren, Bender or Chriss, whoever we draft if they are a big. If they aren't a big (Doncic or Porter), then you have Booker, Doncic, Jackson, Warren, Bender or Chriss, or Booker, Jackson, Warren, Porter, Bender or Chriss (maybe flip Warren and Porter for the 3/4).

For us to for sure get in bottom 5 (assuming those five players are still a clear separation from the rest of the pack), we probably have to get to worst 3. Much of it depends on are direct games against the Mavs and Kings. We already beat the Kings once.

It's too bad the Bulls lost by 2 last night and the Hawks lost in OT. But considering we were 2nd worst last year and moved down 2 spots, the odds drop that you stick in top 3, we could easily move down 2 again. But of course you'd figure sooner or later we will get drawn for a top 3 pick out of the lotto, and that could happen if we finish bottom 6 or 7 (or worse, like the Kings got drawn last year but owed the pick to Philly).

[BobbieL]

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This just makes sense to not waive Monroe yet. There are many players that can be traded on December 15. Plus, the trade deadline. Plus maybe its wise to have bird rights for Monroe for next summer just in case. Much better than saving Sarver a few bucks

[bwgood77]

George Hill is not a game changer or the last guy though. You also lose the ability to do anything in FA by absorbing his 20 mil.

Here is the net effect of adding George hill: lose any chance at a max FA for 2 offseasons, lose out on a top 5 pick this year, and all to win enough games to get us to maybe the 8th pick of the draft (nowhere near the 8 seed).

He actively prevents us from maximizing the chances of drafting a star while eliminating the chance of signing one and lowering the chances of trading for one due to the lack of cap flexibility. None of that makes sense.

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You only lose the chance at a max free agent for this coming summer. I thought you wanted to go for a FA in 19 anyway. He only has like $1 million of his contract guaranteed in 19-20. He might make us marginally better, but he would definitely play the right way, give us a legit NBA pg so this team isn't spinning it's wheels and the player development stalls while James and Ulis run around launching shots and not getting them the ball.

While we might draft a PG this offseason, he likely won't be ready to start day 1. I know people will expect him to because he would be better than Ulis or James (though I think and hope James just has a contract for this year...since it's a minimum that's probably the case).

But Booker is going to get tired of playing with raw players year after year as he progresses. Playing with Hill would be good for him for a year while a rookie PG progressed and got ready to take over the following year.

[bwgood77]

I think that DAR might be attainable. The Nets have Lin and Dinwiddie is looking like a good guard. The Nets need to rebuild and need multiple assets. Warren and a couple first round picks might get it done.

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#notsureifserious

He's not available anyway. You don't pay $60 million (or whatever Mozgov's contract is) to get him and then just trade him. He's a good 2 anyway that could play next to Dinwiddie. I can't imagine they are attached to Lin after two years of season ending injuries.

They also very little chance they would want Warren considering they have Caris LeVert who is playing well as a 2nd year first round pick, Rondae Hollis Jefferson (another first rounder), are paying all that money to Allen Crabbe, and just picked up DeMarre Carroll.

They are loaded with wings.

[ATTL]

After trading one of our hydra centers I'd like to bring derrick back

[WeekapaugGroove]

After trading one of our hydra centers I'd like to bring derrick back

I'd be surprised if he clears waivers. He's got some upside and is on a good contract so some team should take a flyer on him.

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[Blackification]

After trading one of our hydra centers I'd like to bring derrick back

I have a feeling he gets picked up way before that, probably by a contender that can utilize him as a project to develop into a 3 and D

[Book1Nation]

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Both Jones and James suck but at least Jones is young and has elite athleticism. Not happy with this move even though I knew it was coming.

[dremill24]

After trading one of our hydra centers I'd like to bring derrick back

Getting cut from one of the worst rosters in the league doesn’t tell you what you need to know?

[Book1Nation]

If anything we need to bring in a combo guard capable of playing PG in a pinch. Currently we only have

Ulis | James
Daniels
Warren | Jackson
Chriss | Bender | Dudley
Chandler | Monroe | Len

As available players. These next 2-3 weeks are going to be roooooougggh.

[WeekapaugGroove]

If anything we need to bring in a combo guard capable of playing PG in a pinch. Currently we only have

Ulis | James
Daniels
Warren | Jackson
Chriss | Bender | Dudley
Chandler | Monroe | Len

As available players. These next 2-3 weeks are going to be roooooougggh.

Anyone following the gleague and know of any decent Gs available. I assume they will bring in another guy on a 2 way deal to help while booker is out.

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[bwgood77]

If anything we need to bring in a combo guard capable of playing PG in a pinch. Currently we only have

Ulis | James
Daniels
Warren | Jackson
Chriss | Bender | Dudley
Chandler | Monroe | Len

As available players. These next 2-3 weeks are going to be roooooougggh.

I seriously doubt Daniels will start, although maybe he theoretically should for spacing purposes. Jackson will almost certainly start at the 2 I'd think.

I wonder how many turnovers he will have. Considering no one else holds the ball long other than the PGs, and that Booker held it so much, my guess is that Jackson will do a lot of driving and dribbling.

[bigfoot]

If anything we need to bring in a combo guard capable of playing PG in a pinch. Currently we only have

Ulis | James
Daniels
Warren | Jackson
Chriss | Bender | Dudley
Chandler | Monroe | Len

As available players. These next 2-3 weeks are going to be roooooougggh.

Anyone following the gleague and know of any decent Gs available. I assume they will bring in another guy on a 2 way deal to help while booker is out.

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http://gleague.nba.com/news/eyeing-nba-call-top-performing-g-league-prospects-week-4/

[bigfoot]

If anything we need to bring in a combo guard capable of playing PG in a pinch. Currently we only have

Ulis | James
Daniels
Warren | Jackson
Chriss | Bender | Dudley
Chandler | Monroe | Len

As available players. These next 2-3 weeks are going to be roooooougggh.

I seriously doubt Daniels will start, although maybe he theoretically should for spacing purposes. Jackson will almost certainly start at the 2 I'd think.

I wonder how many turnovers he will have. Considering no one else holds the ball long other than the PGs, and that Booker held it so much, my guess is that Jackson will do a lot of driving and dribbling.

[bigfoot]

We're just really thin at wing with Booker out and DJJ being waived. Guess Dudley can slide to the SF spot ... he still does a nice job moving his feet and taking the best angle on defense. Probably looking at

Ulis/James
Jackson/Daniels
Warren/Dudley
Chriss/Bender
Chandler/Monroe/Len

I guess it would make sense to pick up a combo guard from the G-league on a two-way to cover third string PG/SG duties.

[bwgood77]

If anything we need to bring in a combo guard capable of playing PG in a pinch. Currently we only have

Ulis | James
Daniels
Warren | Jackson
Chriss | Bender | Dudley
Chandler | Monroe | Len

As available players. These next 2-3 weeks are going to be roooooougggh.

Anyone following the gleague and know of any decent Gs available. I assume they will bring in another guy on a 2 way deal to help while booker is out.

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http://gleague.nba.com/news/eyeing-nba-call-top-performing-g-league-prospects-week-4/

Maybe this guy Quinn Cook out of Duke....a little small but shoots well from 3 and gets lots of assists... http://stats.gleague.nba.com/player/#!/1626188/gamelogs/

[Book1Nation]

If anything we need to bring in a combo guard capable of playing PG in a pinch. Currently we only have

Ulis | James
Daniels
Warren | Jackson
Chriss | Bender | Dudley
Chandler | Monroe | Len

As available players. These next 2-3 weeks are going to be roooooougggh.

I seriously doubt Daniels will start, although maybe he theoretically should for spacing purposes. Jackson will almost certainly start at the 2 I'd think.

I wonder how many turnovers he will have. Considering no one else holds the ball long other than the PGs, and that Booker held it so much, my guess is that Jackson will do a lot of driving and dribbling.

Yeah I wasn't saying Daniels will start I just wanted to list each player in their actual position.