2019 season speculation including trade ideas

[Blonde]

We shouldn't have traded TJ for scraps.

Over 10 million in cap space is not scraps. We directly used that space to sign Rubio who is a better player at a more important position. We might have gotten a marginally better deal for him somewhere else, but not before free agency had started.

[BobbieL]

We shouldn't have traded TJ for scraps.

Over 10 million in cap space is not scraps. We directly used that space to sign Rubio who is a better player at a more important position. We might have gotten a marginally better deal for him somewhere else, but not before free agency had started.

After free agency - many articles were written online about the Suns offseason. Overdrafting Cam. Trading and using cap space for Baynes when they had a cap hold for Holmes. Trading picks to move Warren and Josh.

And yes maybe there was validity. End of the day, Jones and staff recognized they needed a PG. Rubio. The team needed more experience but not all old guys. Frank Dario , Tyler and Oubre fit this too. Needed better shooters to space for Booker and Ayton.

Defense is still an issue but looking at the team - I see a vision and thought process. I hope Warren does well. But I get the moves and understand the totality and not picking this move or that move.

[Jdiddy701]

The best move the Suns made in the offseason is firing Igor Kokoskov and hiring Monty Williams. I do wish we had better assistant coaches but I think Monty will be the guy for us to make this team relevant again. Not this year, but very soon!

He also brings me hope that Devin will be patient through the process. I don’t know if it’s just me, but the team looks very happy. I understand we haven’t got our asses kicked yet, but it feels different.

Maybe the culture is changing?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[lilfishi22]

The best move the Suns made in the offseason is firing Igor Kokoskov and hiring Monty Williams. I do wish we had better assistant coaches but I think Monty will be the guy for us to make this team relevant again. Not this year, but very soon!

He also brings me hope that Devin will be patient through the process. I don’t know if it’s just me, but the team looks very happy. I understand we haven’t got our asses kicked yet, but it feels different.

Maybe the culture is changing?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I still don't understand what makes Monty an objectively good coach. Players seems to like him and seem to listen to him but same thing was said about Watson. Watson and Monty are obviously in different tiers in terms of coaching but what is Monty *really* good at?

Virtually everything I've read about him has less to do with is actual coaching and more quotes from players praising him as a player's coach and willing to go above and beyond for his guys. His actual coaching record is kind of average

[Crives]

The best move the Suns made in the offseason is firing Igor Kokoskov and hiring Monty Williams. I do wish we had better assistant coaches but I think Monty will be the guy for us to make this team relevant again. Not this year, but very soon!

He also brings me hope that Devin will be patient through the process. I don’t know if it’s just me, but the team looks very happy. I understand we haven’t got our asses kicked yet, but it feels different.

Maybe the culture is changing?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I still don't understand what makes Monty an objectively good coach. Players seems to like him and seem to listen to him but same thing was said about Watson. Watson and Monty are obviously in different tiers in terms of coaching but what is Monty *really* good at?

Virtually everything I've read about him has less to do with is actual coaching and more quotes from players praising him as a player's coach and willing to go above and beyond for his guys. His actual coaching record is kind of average

From what I have seen in short glimpses this summer-

1. Has respect of locker room.
2. Happy to delegate responsibilities to a well seasoned staff.

Important part of leadership is being able to rely on your team.... I really like the group of assistants Monty put together.

[lilfishi22]

The best move the Suns made in the offseason is firing Igor Kokoskov and hiring Monty Williams. I do wish we had better assistant coaches but I think Monty will be the guy for us to make this team relevant again. Not this year, but very soon!

He also brings me hope that Devin will be patient through the process. I don’t know if it’s just me, but the team looks very happy. I understand we haven’t got our asses kicked yet, but it feels different.

Maybe the culture is changing?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I still don't understand what makes Monty an objectively good coach. Players seems to like him and seem to listen to him but same thing was said about Watson. Watson and Monty are obviously in different tiers in terms of coaching but what is Monty *really* good at?

Virtually everything I've read about him has less to do with is actual coaching and more quotes from players praising him as a player's coach and willing to go above and beyond for his guys. His actual coaching record is kind of average

From what I have seen in short glimpses this summer-

1. Has respect of locker room.
2. Happy to delegate responsibilities to a well seasoned staff.

Important part of leadership is being able to rely on your team.... I really like the group of assistants Monty put together.

Hmmmm I'm still confused. I hate bringing up Watson's name but it wasn't like Watson was lacking in #1 or #2 either (intially). Totally agree that being able to rely on the expertise of your team is important to leadership but I really just want to know what *he* brings.

Is he an x's and o's guy? Is he a good defensive coach? Does he have a good offensive scheme that would fit our roster etc. Just a lot of questions I have about what he brings when it comes to coaching.

[Crives]

I still don't understand what makes Monty an objectively good coach. Players seems to like him and seem to listen to him but same thing was said about Watson. Watson and Monty are obviously in different tiers in terms of coaching but what is Monty *really* good at?

Virtually everything I've read about him has less to do with is actual coaching and more quotes from players praising him as a player's coach and willing to go above and beyond for his guys. His actual coaching record is kind of average

From what I have seen in short glimpses this summer-

1. Has respect of locker room.
2. Happy to delegate responsibilities to a well seasoned staff.

Important part of leadership is being able to rely on your team.... I really like the group of assistants Monty put together.

Hmmmm I'm still confused. I hate bringing up Watson's name but it wasn't like Watson was lacking in #1 or #2 either (intially). Totally agree that being able to rely on the expertise of your team is important to leadership but I really just want to know what *he* brings.

Is he an x's and o's guy? Is he a good defensive coach? Does he have a good offensive scheme that would fit our roster etc. Just a lot of questions I have about what he brings when it comes to coaching.

I think what we have seen Monty good at so far is “leadership”, being able to utilize his staffs strengths, set expectations for the team and bring the team together.

The X’s and O’s offensively/defensively won’t be seen until the season starts.... we have no idea what Monty learned over the last few years as an assistant. but I have a feeling he’s going to be very flexible building a scheme with input from players like Rubio and his group of seasoned assistants.

[sunsbg]

From what I have seen in short glimpses this summer-

1. Has respect of locker room.
2. Happy to delegate responsibilities to a well seasoned staff.

Important part of leadership is being able to rely on your team.... I really like the group of assistants Monty put together.

Hmmmm I'm still confused. I hate bringing up Watson's name but it wasn't like Watson was lacking in #1 or #2 either (intially). Totally agree that being able to rely on the expertise of your team is important to leadership but I really just want to know what *he* brings.

Is he an x's and o's guy? Is he a good defensive coach? Does he have a good offensive scheme that would fit our roster etc. Just a lot of questions I have about what he brings when it comes to coaching.

I think what we have seen Monty good at so far is “leadership”, being able to utilize his staffs strengths, set expectations for the team and bring the team together.

The X’s and O’s offensively/defensively won’t be seen until the season starts.... we have no idea what Monty learned over the last few years as an assistant. but I have a feeling he’s going to be very flexible building a scheme with input from players like Rubio and his group of seasoned assistants.

No idea what to expect from Monty from X’s and O’s perspective, but I would surely be very nervous going into the season with Igor, who was supposedly a great X’s and O’s coach, but drew like one single play for Ayton all last season and had obviously zero leadership qualities.

[bwgood77]

I don't know how good Monty is, however he is respected across the league, and regardless of how good he is, simply because our roster is so much improved, he will likely seem much better than what we have had. Won't have to rely on G league talent to try and run the offense or Bender/Chriss at PF.

[DroughtsOverPHX]

I don't know how good Monty is, however he is respected across the league, and regardless of how good he is, simply because our roster is so much improved, he will likely seem much better than what we have. Won't have to rely on G league talent to try and run the offense or Bender/Chriss at PF.

I hope I am not dreaming this year like I was last year i.e. over-estimating our talent. As I try to think how this could blow up in my face I could see:

Saric going Anderson on us
Ayton still looking lost,
Booker getting pissed at the new offense, still a huge defensive liability, blaming teammates
Oubre showing last year was a fluke, takes lots of Josh Jackson flavored ill-advised shots, still won't pass
Cam not having a role, does not play
Tyrone proving to be Tyler Ennis

Whew. Now that I have said it, none of this can happen and we will shock the league with our 38 wins.

[lilfishi22]

I miss TJ

[sunsbg]

I don't know how good Monty is, however he is respected across the league, and regardless of how good he is, simply because our roster is so much improved, he will likely seem much better than what we have. Won't have to rely on G league talent to try and run the offense or Bender/Chriss at PF.

I hope I am not dreaming this year like I was last year i.e. over-estimating our talent. As I try to think how this could blow up in my face I could see:

Saric going Anderson on us
Ayton still looking lost,
Booker getting pissed at the new offense, still a huge defensive liability, blaming teammates
Oubre showing last year was a fluke, takes lots of Josh Jackson flavored ill-advised shots, still won't pass
Cam not having a role, does not play
Tyrone proving to be Tyler Ennis

Whew. Now that I have said it, none of this can happen and we will shock the league with our 38 wins.

I too feel pretty confident none of this can happen, but let's wait and see.

[King4Day]

If this hasn't been seen already:

With regards to season projects, we're basically at the very very bottom.

• Phoenix should at least be competitive. Ricky Rubio is a big upgrade over ... nothing. Deandre Ayton learned the basics -- like, the most basic basics -- of guarding the NBA pick-and-roll, and might become a normal below-average defender. The Suns have a passable wing rotation in Devin Booker (an All-Star very soon), Kelly Oubre Jr., Mikal Bridges and Tyler Johnson. Dario Saric is an acceptable starter. Keep an eye on Cheick Diallo, who showed flashes last season in New Orleans.

The Suns will win more games in 2019-20. That doesn't mean they maximized their resources to position themselves for 2021 and (way) beyond -- the timeline they should care about.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/27763420/nba-30-teams-rated-top-contenders-bottom-tier

[matt131]

Lol TJ with 30 in his first preseason game with Indiana.

[bwgood77]

If this hasn't been seen already:

With regards to season projects, we're basically at the very very bottom.

• Phoenix should at least be competitive. Ricky Rubio is a big upgrade over ... nothing. Deandre Ayton learned the basics -- like, the most basic basics -- of guarding the NBA pick-and-roll, and might become a normal below-average defender. The Suns have a passable wing rotation in Devin Booker (an All-Star very soon), Kelly Oubre Jr., Mikal Bridges and Tyler Johnson. Dario Saric is an acceptable starter. Keep an eye on Cheick Diallo, who showed flashes last season in New Orleans.

The Suns will win more games in 2019-20. That doesn't mean they maximized their resources to position themselves for 2021 and (way) beyond -- the timeline they should care about.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/27763420/nba-30-teams-rated-top-contenders-bottom-tier

I have a hard time seeing Memphis above us, and I think OKC would be if I knew they were healthy and keeping all their players, but they are likely to try and trade them and rest Paul a lot so he doesn't get injured. Roberson still hurt too.

Minnesota doesn't seem good, but RoCo is a great complement to Towns. I just don't know if they have the depth. However, a lot depends on whether Wiggins improves, and the improvement of Okogie as well as how good Culver is. If two of those guys are solid, that will help a ton. Teague isn't great, but he's a servicable PG.

They will be better than us defensively, mainly due to Covington being one of the best defenders in the league and Okogie being a young defensive stud. Culver should be an above avg rookie defensively as well.

But I think we could be better than them. Feels like we should.

I think our offense should be great, but our defense will likely really hurt us.

If Porzingis somehow isn't close to being back to his old self, we could be better than Dallas too, but if he is close to back to full strength that will be tough with their coach.

[bwgood77]

Lol TJ with 30 in his first preseason game with Indiana.

5/6 from 3. Not bad.

[LV-Suns]

Lol TJ with 30 in his first preseason game with Indiana.

5-6 from 3.

I have a feeling we are going to regret this trade for a long time. Cant help it but to think that we traded a better player to overpay Oubre. Shades of the Brandon Knight trade and signing.

[Crives]

Damn 3J killing it.... I see him taking a run at an eastern all star spot.

[bwoolf2]

Lol TJ with 30 in his first preseason game with Indiana.

If TJ is their leading scorer this year they are in trouble, I like TJ but he should have always been a 6th man, problem is he doesnt want to be a 6th man, he is great at what he does, score, but he is one a trick pony, he doesnt do anything else well, those guys are great off the bench but not 30 minute a night guys on winning teams. Never have been.

Its pre season its like spring training means absolutely nothing, lets see how the year plays out

[bwgood77]

Lol TJ with 30 in his first preseason game with Indiana.

If TJ is their leading scorer this year they are in trouble, I like TJ but he should have always been a 6th man, problem is he doesnt want to be a 6th man, he is great at what he does, score, but he is one a trick pony, he doesnt do anything else well, those guys are great off the bench but not 30 minute a night guys on winning teams. Never have been.

Dipo will likely be their leading scorer.

Even if TJ was, the fact that Sabonis and Brogdon are so efficient, along with Turner at C, and the defense of Turner, Dipo and Brogdon and Lamb also there, I think they have the great defensive pieces around him and good passers in Oladipo, Brogdon and even Lamb and Sabonis are pretty good passers.