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

[Jdiddy701]

Just a random thought, but could the silver lining to our "bubble schedule" be that we're playing teams that essentially have nothing else to play for other than getting in shape for the playoffs?

From what I understand, the NBA is not putting any rule in place to compensate for the loss of home court advantage. Therefore, there really isn't much of an insentive for the teams we're playing to go all out (unless they really want to avoid certain teams in the first round). If anything, they might want to ease their players back into things and avoid risking injury. Basically I could see many of our opponents treating the next 8 games as almost a glorified pre-season schedule.

I know that mathematically we could go 8-0 and still lose out on the 8th/9th spots, but couldn't you argue that our schedule is potentially easier than the other teams battling with those two spots?

But this would be the same for the teams we are battling for the last spot in the playoffs with too? Maybe I’m not understanding.


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[Mr Puddles]

Just a random thought, but could the silver lining to our "bubble schedule" be that we're playing teams that essentially have nothing else to play for other than getting in shape for the playoffs?

From what I understand, the NBA is not putting any rule in place to compensate for the loss of home court advantage. Therefore, there really isn't much of an insentive for the teams we're playing to go all out (unless they really want to avoid certain teams in the first round). If anything, they might want to ease their players back into things and avoid risking injury. Basically I could see many of our opponents treating the next 8 games as almost a glorified pre-season schedule.

I know that mathematically we could go 8-0 and still lose out on the 8th/9th spots, but couldn't you argue that our schedule is potentially easier than the other teams battling with those two spots?

But this would be the same for the teams we are battling for the last spot in the playoffs with too? Maybe I’m not understanding.


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The difference is that we don't have direct match ups with other teams battling for the last spot in the western conference playoffs.

While that is a disadvantage for the suns when you consider that team doesn't have its own faith in its hands, what I mean is that a silver lining might be that those teams will be facing competitive teams while the suns' opponents might be treating the games more like exhibition games to get back in shape for the playoffs since there is no home court advantage to play for anymore.

• The kings face the pelicans twice and the spurs once.
• The grizzlies play the blazers, spurs and pelicans.
• The Pelicans play the kings (twice) grizzlies and spurs.
• The spurs play the kings, grizzlies and pelicans.
• The blazers only play the grizzlies.

I'm probably reaching here, just trying to find a silver lining.

[Saberestar]

Just a random thought, but could the silver lining to our "bubble schedule" be that we're playing teams that essentially have nothing else to play for other than getting in shape for the playoffs?

From what I understand, the NBA is not putting any rule in place to compensate for the loss of home court advantage. Therefore, there really isn't much of an insentive for the teams we're playing to go all out (unless they really want to avoid certain teams in the first round). If anything, they might want to ease their players back into things and avoid risking injury. Basically I could see many of our opponents treating the next 8 games as almost a glorified pre-season schedule.

I know that mathematically we could go 8-0 and still lose out on the 8th/9th spots, but couldn't you argue that our schedule is potentially easier than the other teams battling with those two spots?

But this would be the same for the teams we are battling for the last spot in the playoffs with too? Maybe I’m not understanding.


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The difference is that we don't have direct match ups with other teams battling for the last spot in the western conference playoffs.

While that is a disadvantage for the suns when you consider that team doesn't have its own faith in its hands, what I mean is that a silver lining might be that those teams will be facing competitive teams while the suns' opponents might be treating the games more like exhibition games to get back in shape for the playoffs since there is no home court advantage to play for anymore.

• The kings face the pelicans twice and the spurs once.
• The grizzlies play the blazers, spurs and pelicans.
• The Pelicans play the kings (twice) grizzlies and spurs.
• The spurs play the kings, grizzlies and pelicans.
• The blazers only play the grizzlies.

I'm probably reaching here, just trying to find a silver lining.

I agree, I think we have some stuff on our side to have a decent opportunity to get to that 9th spot.

We are better than the Wizards, we can win the Mavs both games because they will miss Brunson, Powell, WCS and Lee and we can win the Pacers without Oladipo (no easy task at all, but possible). That's four wins.

And we can expect some rest from the other four teams.

Obviously it's a long shot, but it's not an impossible thing to do. We have our small chance.

[Mr Puddles]

But this would be the same for the teams we are battling for the last spot in the playoffs with too? Maybe I’m not understanding.


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The difference is that we don't have direct match ups with other teams battling for the last spot in the western conference playoffs.

While that is a disadvantage for the suns when you consider that team doesn't have its own faith in its hands, what I mean is that a silver lining might be that those teams will be facing competitive teams while the suns' opponents might be treating the games more like exhibition games to get back in shape for the playoffs since there is no home court advantage to play for anymore.

• The kings face the pelicans twice and the spurs once.
• The grizzlies play the blazers, spurs and pelicans.
• The Pelicans play the kings (twice) grizzlies and spurs.
• The spurs play the kings, grizzlies and pelicans.
• The blazers only play the grizzlies.

I'm probably reaching here, just trying to find a silver lining.

I agree, I think we have some stuff on our side to have a decent opportunity to get to that 9th spot.

We are better than the Wizards, we can win the Mavs both games because they will miss Brunson, Powell, WCS and Lee and we can win the Pacers without Oladipo (no easy task at all, but possible). That's four wins.

And we can expect some rest from the other four teams.

Obviously it's a long shot, but it's not an impossible thing to do. We have our small chance.

I think our biggest problem is that we're too far behind the grizzlies to realisticly overtake them, and that the blazers and Pelicans at full stength will likely win too many games to overtake them.

Our most realistic pathway to the 9th spot is:
Suns go 8-0
Blazers, Pelicans, Kings go 5-3


The Blazers opponents are:
Memphis, Boston, Lac, Rockets, Nuggets, Mavericks, 76ers, Nets.

The Pelicans opponents are:
Kings (twice), Magic, Wizards, Lac, Spurs, Jazz Grizzlies.

Suns are 2 1/2 games behind the blazers, Pelicans and Kings, with Portland and NO holding the tie breaker.

Even if we go 8-0, the Grizzlies would have to go 1-7 in order for us to overtake them which is highly unlikely.

[Saberestar]

The difference is that we don't have direct match ups with other teams battling for the last spot in the western conference playoffs.

While that is a disadvantage for the suns when you consider that team doesn't have its own faith in its hands, what I mean is that a silver lining might be that those teams will be facing competitive teams while the suns' opponents might be treating the games more like exhibition games to get back in shape for the playoffs since there is no home court advantage to play for anymore.

• The kings face the pelicans twice and the spurs once.
• The grizzlies play the blazers, spurs and pelicans.
• The Pelicans play the kings (twice) grizzlies and spurs.
• The spurs play the kings, grizzlies and pelicans.
• The blazers only play the grizzlies.

I'm probably reaching here, just trying to find a silver lining.

I agree, I think we have some stuff on our side to have a decent opportunity to get to that 9th spot.

We are better than the Wizards, we can win the Mavs both games because they will miss Brunson, Powell, WCS and Lee and we can win the Pacers without Oladipo (no easy task at all, but possible). That's four wins.

And we can expect some rest from the other four teams.

Obviously it's a long shot, but it's not an impossible thing to do. We have our small chance.

I think our biggest problem is that we're too far behind the grizzlies to realisticly overtake them, and that the blazers at full stength will likely win too many games to overtake them.

Our most realistic pathway to the 9th spot is:
Suns go 8-0
Blazers, Pelicans, Kings go 5-3


The Blazers opponents are:
Memphis, Boston, Lac, Rockets, Nuggets, Mavericks, 76ers, Nets.

Suns are 2 1/2 games behind the blazers, Pelicans and Kings, with Portland and NO holding the tie breaker.

Even if we go 8-0, the Grizzlies would have to go 1-7 in order for us to overtake them which is highly unlikely.

Yeah, that is true, it's a difficult long shot for us to get to that 9th spot... but how cool would be to win 6 or 7 games and feel that we are on the right track for next season?

That would be huge and that is what I am hoping to see in Orlando.

[El Hespiritu]

I'm not expecting anything but playing tough, team defense and commitment at court.

If they manage to do that, I'll be satisfied whatever the standings.

[darmani]

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/258691/Knicks-Linked-With-Potential-Move-For-Devin-Booker-Due-To-Leon-Rose-Relationship

Booker to the Knicks?

That's old news. Now it's Lillard.

[Saberestar]

I'm not expecting anything but playing tough, team defense and commitment at court.

If they manage to do that, I'll be satisfied whatever the standings.

And if they do all that and finish 0W-8L you will be satisfied?

[El Hespiritu]

Absolutely.



Addedit: Even happy, from a troll point of view.
If playing tough, with defensive solidarity and giving their best ends up as 0-8... I'll be proud to be witness of the most amazing, incredible and sub-realistic streak of hoodoo in the entire NBA history.

Something to explain to my grandsons.

[Crives]

Anyone notice how often Booker was directing Ayton what to do on defense on the recent ESPN Ayton video? I wonder if we see improved team defensefrom Book when he becomes more confident in Aytons decision making and can focus more on himself.

[nevetsov]

I think our biggest problem is that we're too far behind the grizzlies to realisticly overtake them, and that the blazers and Pelicans at full stength will likely win too many games to overtake them.

Even if we go 8-0, the Grizzlies would have to go 1-7 in order for us to overtake them which is highly unlikely.

We don't need to overtake the Grizz though to make the playoffs though do we? We just need to finish 9th and within 2 games of them. And then beat them 2/3 times.

So basically need to finish 4 wins better than them, while also leapfrogging the teams between us. So I'd say 7-1 for us, 3-5 for Memphis and 4-4ish for the teams between us.

[bwgood77]

I think our biggest problem is that we're too far behind the grizzlies to realisticly overtake them, and that the blazers and Pelicans at full stength will likely win too many games to overtake them.

Even if we go 8-0, the Grizzlies would have to go 1-7 in order for us to overtake them which is highly unlikely.

We don't need to overtake the Grizz though to make the playoffs though do we? We just need to finish 9th and within 2 games of them. And then beat them 2/3 times.

So basically need to finish 4 wins better than them, while also leapfrogging the teams between us. So I'd say 7-1 for us, 3-5 for Memphis and 4-4ish for the teams between us.

I was thinking we'd have to beat them 2/2 times if we finished 9th and in range (however many games behind that range is).

[jredsaz]

So apparently James Jones in an interview today said that Oubre will participate in practice leading up to and during Orlando. Said that he hopes Oubre returns before the end of Orlando.

https://arizonasports.com/story/2317153/gm-kelly-oubre-return-not-ruled-out-not-all-suns-heading-to-bubble-tuesday/

“Come in every day, practice with the team, work and compete and get yourself in position to play — and hopefully that’s before Orlando ends.”

So, this is the third public comment related to Oubre. 1) Sarver said he is playing 2) Shams said he isnt playing 3) Jones says he wants him to play, essentially.

Am I the only one who is starting to think that if Oubre doesnt come back during the bubble (if he is cleared to play) that Oubre is out the door? Doesnt seem like player and organization are on the same page here.

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[Saberestar]

So apparently James Jones in an interview today said that Oubre will participate in practice leading up to and during Orlando. Said that he hopes Oubre returns before the end of Orlando.

https://arizonasports.com/story/2317153/gm-kelly-oubre-return-not-ruled-out-not-all-suns-heading-to-bubble-tuesday/

“Come in every day, practice with the team, work and compete and get yourself in position to play — and hopefully that’s before Orlando ends.”

So, this is the third public comment related to Oubre. 1) Sarver said he is playing 2) Shams said he isnt playing 3) Jones says he wants him to play, essentially.

Am I the only one who is starting to think that if Oubre doesnt come back during the bubble (if he is cleared to play) that Oubre is out the door? Doesnt seem like player and organization are on the same page here.

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Yeah, it's a bit weird.

Last season, Warren didn't come back from his right ankle injury because he didn't feel comfortable and IIRC there were some comments about that from James Jones. And he got traded.

I am not saying that Warren was traded only for that, but probably it was an important factor.

[jredsaz]

So apparently James Jones in an interview today said that Oubre will participate in practice leading up to and during Orlando. Said that he hopes Oubre returns before the end of Orlando.

https://arizonasports.com/story/2317153/gm-kelly-oubre-return-not-ruled-out-not-all-suns-heading-to-bubble-tuesday/

“Come in every day, practice with the team, work and compete and get yourself in position to play — and hopefully that’s before Orlando ends.”

So, this is the third public comment related to Oubre. 1) Sarver said he is playing 2) Shams said he isnt playing 3) Jones says he wants him to play, essentially.

Am I the only one who is starting to think that if Oubre doesnt come back during the bubble (if he is cleared to play) that Oubre is out the door? Doesnt seem like player and organization are on the same page here.

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Yeah, it's a bit weird.

Last season, Warren didn't come back from his right ankle injury because he didn't feel comfortable and IIRC there were some comments about that from James Jones. And he got traded.

I am not saying that Warren was traded only for that, but probably it was an important factor.

Yeah. Forgot about that. Feel like more than ever Oubre is legit on the block this offseason.

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[Jarlaxle0204]

I think our biggest problem is that we're too far behind the grizzlies to realisticly overtake them, and that the blazers and Pelicans at full stength will likely win too many games to overtake them.

Even if we go 8-0, the Grizzlies would have to go 1-7 in order for us to overtake them which is highly unlikely.

We don't need to overtake the Grizz though to make the playoffs though do we? We just need to finish 9th and within 2 games of them. And then beat them 2/3 times.

So basically need to finish 4 wins better than them, while also leapfrogging the teams between us. So I'd say 7-1 for us, 3-5 for Memphis and 4-4ish for the teams between us.

I'm pretty sure we would just need to be in the 9 spot and within 4 games of the 8 spot. We would then need to beat the 8 spot back to back and if we lose once there we are eliminated.

[JDLAW]

So apparently James Jones in an interview today said that Oubre will participate in practice leading up to and during Orlando. Said that he hopes Oubre returns before the end of Orlando.

https://arizonasports.com/story/2317153/gm-kelly-oubre-return-not-ruled-out-not-all-suns-heading-to-bubble-tuesday/

“Come in every day, practice with the team, work and compete and get yourself in position to play — and hopefully that’s before Orlando ends.”

So, this is the third public comment related to Oubre. 1) Sarver said he is playing 2) Shams said he isnt playing 3) Jones says he wants him to play, essentially.

Am I the only one who is starting to think that if Oubre doesnt come back during the bubble (if he is cleared to play) that Oubre is out the door? Doesnt seem like player and organization are on the same page here.

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Yeah, it's a bit weird.

Last season, Warren didn't come back from his right ankle injury because he didn't feel comfortable and IIRC there were some comments about that from James Jones. And he got traded.

I am not saying that Warren was traded only for that, but probably it was an important factor.

Yeah. Forgot about that. Feel like more than ever Oubre is legit on the block this offseason.

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No it doesn't feel at all like Oubre is "on the block". People are in their own echo chambers.

The Suns are trending upward and they know they need to build on the roster, NOT churn it like they have. There is huge difference between being placed "on the block" by a team and having another team approach you about your player. The Suns approached Orlando about Aaron Gordon and when the Magic demanded Oubre the conversation ended abruptly. If the Suns do decide to trade Oubre in the future, you can bet it will be for a player at least as good and who brings the hustle and intensity and skill Oubre brings - perhaps at another position. It won't be for back-ups and multiple draft choices from a poor-mediocre draft such as this one. Whether he plays or not will depend on his recovery from knee surgery. I suspect the Suns will start this "tournament" without him because he has not had a chance for a full rehab due to the COVID.

No reasonable orthopedic or rehab physician would release him for contract drills at this point without having seen and evaluating him.

[King4Day]

I think Oubre only returns if we're in a position to nab the 9th seed. Maybe a game out with 2-3 to play.

[jredsaz]

Yeah, it's a bit weird.

Last season, Warren didn't come back from his right ankle injury because he didn't feel comfortable and IIRC there were some comments about that from James Jones. And he got traded.

I am not saying that Warren was traded only for that, but probably it was an important factor.

Yeah. Forgot about that. Feel like more than ever Oubre is legit on the block this offseason.

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No it doesn't feel at all like Oubre is "on the block". People are in their own echo chambers.

The Suns are trending upward and they know they need to build on the roster, NOT churn it like they have. There is huge difference between being placed "on the block" by a team and having another team approach you about your player. The Suns approached Orlando about Aaron Gordon and when the Magic demanded Oubre the conversation ended abruptly. If the Suns do decide to trade Oubre in the future, you can bet it will be for a player at least as good and who brings the hustle and intensity and skill Oubre brings - perhaps at another position. It won't be for back-ups and multiple draft choices from a poor-mediocre draft such as this one. Whether he plays or not will depend on his recovery from knee surgery. I suspect the Suns will start this "tournament" without him because he has not had a chance for a full rehab due to the COVID.

No reasonable orthopedic or rehab physician would release him for contract drills at this point without having seen and evaluating him.

I assume he has been seen and evaluated.

Kelly said when asked if returning, “Depends. It has to be the right scenario,” he said to Cox. “Because if they’re giving us the short end of the stick, and [Suns] have to go through the trenches to give yourselves a possibility of being a postseason team, then it’s not gonna make sense for me to come back for five games, or 10 games.”

Sarver then comments June 4, “Yes... I expect he will play, yes.”

Oubre through shams states he will not play June 17
[url]

Read on Twitter

?s=19[/url]

James Jones said he expect Oubre to practice and be back to play when ready hopefully before Orlando.

That is likely to happen at a time when, referring back to the initial Oubre comment, the Suns do not have a shot at making the playoffs.

There is clearly a disconnect between the two parties. Their respective expectations are not congruent. I dont think the Suns will dump Oubre as they did Warren but I de believe, given this disconnect, that they are more willing to trade him than they were previously. Kelly has value. They can move him for value

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[Jdiddy701]

Yeah. Forgot about that. Feel like more than ever Oubre is legit on the block this offseason.

Sent from my SM-G965U using RealGM mobile app

No it doesn't feel at all like Oubre is "on the block". People are in their own echo chambers.

The Suns are trending upward and they know they need to build on the roster, NOT churn it like they have. There is huge difference between being placed "on the block" by a team and having another team approach you about your player. The Suns approached Orlando about Aaron Gordon and when the Magic demanded Oubre the conversation ended abruptly. If the Suns do decide to trade Oubre in the future, you can bet it will be for a player at least as good and who brings the hustle and intensity and skill Oubre brings - perhaps at another position. It won't be for back-ups and multiple draft choices from a poor-mediocre draft such as this one. Whether he plays or not will depend on his recovery from knee surgery. I suspect the Suns will start this "tournament" without him because he has not had a chance for a full rehab due to the COVID.

No reasonable orthopedic or rehab physician would release him for contract drills at this point without having seen and evaluating him.

I assume he has been seen and evaluated.

Kelly said when asked if returning, “Depends. It has to be the right scenario,” he said to Cox. “Because if they’re giving us the short end of the stick, and [Suns] have to go through the trenches to give yourselves a possibility of being a postseason team, then it’s not gonna make sense for me to come back for five games, or 10 games.”

Sarver then comments June 4, “Yes... I expect he will play, yes.”

Oubre through shams states he will not play June 17
[url]

Read on Twitter

?s=19[/url]

James Jones said he expect Oubre to practice and be back to play when ready hopefully before Orlando.

That is likely to happen at a time when, referring back to the initial Oubre comment, the Suns do not have a shot at making the playoffs.

There is clearly a disconnect between the two parties. Their respective expectations are not congruent. I dont think the Suns will dump Oubre as they did Warren but I de believe, given this disconnect, that they are more willing to trade him than they were previously. Kelly has value. They can move him for value

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Or the Suns are using this to where he “might” play so other teams can prepare for him to play when the Suns already know he will not be playing. There is definitely no disconnect between Suns and Oubre, if any, Oubre and his agent. Oubre wants to play.


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