2021-22 Season/Offseason Speculation

[Ghost of Kleine]

FLEX From Jersey (@FlexFromJersey) Tweeted:
Suns Season Predictions based on the Schedule release:
•62-20 Tied for Best record in Franchise History (92-93 Suns, 04-05 Suns)
•Pacific Division Champions
•#1 Seed in the Western Conference
•Best Record in the NBA

Suns have a chance to come out very strongly early! https://t.co/t9OFJcrb1b

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[collidingNeurons]

I don't think Bridges has the mentality to transition into a star but at $20m he would still be a positive asset.

It would be the equivilent of Bledsoe at around $13m in the 2010s.

So we would have optionality, we get his production and at any time can swing for a big move, I don't think he'd be far behind Simmons as a young asset.

Bridges has improved every year since his second year in college and he hasn't even hit his prime years so I have no reason to believe that won't continue. He does all the things that lead to winning that doesn't show up on box scores and consistently guards the toughest defensive assignments and they run zero plays for him. I think he could easily be an 18-20 point scorer if he was 2nd or third option but the the Suns don't need that from him. He does what he asked to do and does it remarkably well, you need those kinds of guys on winning teams and not every guy on the team needs to be the alpha dog for them to be valuable. I am far more worried about Ayton's personality and or mentality than I am Mikal's. As his body matures and he adds muscle he is only going to get better and we already saw glimpses of his midrange game last year. The Suns letting him go or trading him would be a huge mistake and about 29 other teams would love it if they did

[Ghost of Kleine]

Evan Sidery (@esidery) Tweeted:
Many playoff contenders have kept flexibility for a potentially fruitful buyout market during the season.

For @basketbllnews, I go over five players that could eventually be bought out. https://t.co/cZxFPAw1Nm

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Of the 5 names mentioned ( potential buyouts) in the article, I think I most prefer Derrick Favors ( 1), Tristin Thompson ( 2), Kevin Love (3), Thaddeus Young (4), Not feeling Rondo as a realistic option at all. Nor do I honestly think Thaddeus Young will be bought out either!

It does make me wonder though of the teams that are over the 15 maximum, Which veteran or young promising players might become available from the buyout market?

I suppose that I wouldn't really mind Love IF he actually was willing to come off the bench in Sarics' role. And then Smith could be interchangeable at times with him at the 4/5. Still, I'd love for us to procure a 3rd wing ( 2/3) with strong 3 an D multipositional lockdown defensive skillset and with a tough edge.

[Ghost of Kleine]

Kellan Olson (@KellanOlson) Tweeted:
Schedule out https://t.co/oAnHDZAe1E

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Which games aside from the obvious Bucks and Flakers should be our biggest statement games coming into this season?

[bwgood77]

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[Ghost of Kleine]

https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2021/08/2021-22-nba-roster-counts.html

Alot of teams over the 15 player maximum!

The top 6 teams that currently stand out most being:

1- Memphis Grizzlies ( 21 players currently).
Really interested in: Sam Merrill, Daniel Oturu.

2- Detroit Pistons ( 20 players currently).
Really interested in: Balsa Koprivica, Isiah Livers.

3- Dallas Mavs ( 20 players currently). Really interested in: Dorrean Finney Smith, Jalen Brunson ( Mikals' friend), EJ Onu, Eugene Omoruyi, Nate Hinton.

4- Sacramento Kings ( 19 players currently). Really interested in: Tristin Thompson, Neemias Queta, Louis King.


5- Washington Wizards ( 19 player Currently). Really interested in: Montrez Harrell, Daniel Gafford, *Jay Huff, *Cassius Winston.


6- Charlotte Hornets ( 19 players currently).
Wesley Iwundu, Nik Richards, JT Thor, DJ Carton.

** Also Philadelphia 76ers ( 18 players currently). Really interested in: Danny Green (** Partial guarantee/ unguaranteed IF WAIVED BY 7/1/ 2022) Paul Reed, Charles Bassey (unsigned).

[Ghost of Kleine]

Evan Sidery (@esidery) Tweeted:
The 2022 offseason is shaping up to be an outlier. With Bradley Beal and Zach LaVine expected to sign max extensions, the biggest names on the market could be T.J. Warren and Aaron Gordon.

For @basketbllnews, I look ahead to an unusual 2022 free-agency: https://t.co/mME2M4TDKv

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After years of star movement, 2022 offseason shapes up to be an outlier

EVAN SIDERY
4H

Zooming back out and looking ahead to the 2022 class of unrestricted free agents, here are the top names still projected to hit the open market as of today:

Ball-Handlers: Bradley Beal (player option), Zach LaVine, Victor Oladipo, Dennis Schroder, Ricky Rubio, Goran Dragic, Patrick Beverley

Wings: T.J. Warren, Aaron Gordon, Otto Porter Jr., Robert Covington, Kyle Anderson, Gary Harris, Joe Ingles

Bigs: Jusuf Nurkic, Jonas Valanciunas, Blake Griffin, Serge Ibaka, Thaddeus Young, Tristan Thompson, Thomas Bryant, Montrezl Harrell

These underlined are the ones I'm most interested in IF we can move Sarics' salary for an expiring or in a in a sign 'n' trade perhaps with a player's former team? My preference being Covington IF Portland strikes out on Love, I'd offer Saric as a low budget alternative in a similar role??

[Ghost of Kleine]

Locked On Suns Podcast (@LockedOnPHXSuns) Tweeted:
Friday's pod is up!

☀️ Could DA get a Gobert/Giannis type first extension?
☀️ Did Bridges' Finals squeeze him?
☀️ What does it all mean for the Suns long-term?

https://t.co/msKKJr8CkM
https://t.co/PgrXGx2ioV https://t.co/7SN5kcwwP3

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[Mulhollanddrive]

Interesting Klay Thompson is expected to miss the first 32 games then target a return against us on Christmas Day.

With GSW, Denver, Clippers all missing stars for big chunks of the season we have another huge opportunity to finish top 3 where 95% of NBA champions come from.

[Ghost of Kleine]

David Kevin (@theIVpointplay) Tweeted:
☀️ Suns Off-Season Podcast ☀️

Jumped back on with @maxmcc11 to discuss:

- Trade for Landry Shamet
- CP3 & CP15 bargain contracts
- McGee, Nader, Kaminsky & Payton
- Mock Ayton & Bridges extension negotiations
- Trade ideas

https://t.co/Ni1TDLKUuf

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[Ghost of Kleine]

Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) Tweeted:
NBA free agents still available:

Paul Millsap
J.J. Redick
Avery Bradley
Demarcus Cousins
Jeff Teague
Denzel Valentine
Wesley Matthews
Frank Ntilikina
Dennis Smith Jr.
James Ennis III

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Aside from the 3 players that I had preference for, Of these players, James Ennis would be a very solid last piece. Most of the others seem a bit washed. Does Valentine still hold value? He seems awfully streaky at times, But could it just be that he needs a change of scenery.


Would like Millsap as that veteran presence for our bench, But am pretty sure that he'll choose one of the super teams as a ring chaser! Any interest in Wesley Matthews?? Does he have anything left in the tank. Overall, I think we need an ATHLETIC, EXPLOSIVE, multipositional 2 way guard ( 2/3) with toughness and an edge! Similar to what kind of energy and edge that Oubre gave us! That bravado and moxy at times.

[Ghost of Kleine]

Kellan Olson (@KellanOlson) Tweeted:
Mikal Bridges training with Damian Lillard and a few Blazers at Weber State (via Dame’s IG: https://t.co/UHt1HOmECM) https://t.co/gZ1RzEdZcl

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Gotta say!
I wouldn't mind if Bridges was doing a bit of tampering in Dames' ear towards the post Paul future?!?!??

[bwgood77]

Kellan Olson (@KellanOlson) Tweeted:
Mikal Bridges training with Damian Lillard and a few Blazers at Weber State (via Dame’s IG: https://t.co/UHt1HOmECM) https://t.co/gZ1RzEdZcl

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Gotta say!
I wouldn't mind if Bridges was doing a bit of tampering in Dames' ear towards the post Paul future?!?!??

And I'm sure on Blazers forums they are all going crazy that Bridges will join them next year since he's in Portland training with some of their team.

Lillard would be a nice Paul replacement but unfortunately we don't have the assets to get him unless we traded Ayton or Booker or possibly Bridges/Cam. I don't think they'd take a Bridges/Cam, Paul (for the cap relief), and picks. Probably get better offers even though he'd want to come here.

NY or NO could give them a good deal probably. They could go young with Barret/Toppin/Quickley and a pick or maybe get Ingram...unless they want Simmons from Philly.

But they will keep Lillard for now I think.

[Ghost of Kleine]

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[Ghost of Kleine]

Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) Tweeted:
Dillon Brooks, Kyle Anderson Available On Trade Market https://t.co/FAWef1kU0r https://t.co/ztbNHAaaGn

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[Ghost of Kleine]

The Undefeated (@TheUndefeated) Tweeted:
Who is the next Cameron Payne, a player who elevates his game and helps make a team an NBA title contender?
https://t.co/UjLFWvtFZ9

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[lilfishi22]

Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) Tweeted:
Dillon Brooks, Kyle Anderson Available On Trade Market https://t.co/FAWef1kU0r https://t.co/ztbNHAaaGn

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I like both guys but I don't really see a role for them nor necessarily anyone I'd give up for them unless they want Dario for some odd reason.

[Mulhollanddrive]

Kyle Anderson is an interesting player, starter on a good team.

[Barkley6]

Interesting that the Cavs are looking for wing depth, and Brooks is on the market. I don't really see Memphis interested in Nance since their front court is pretty solid with Adams and JJJ. I wonder if we could facilitate and be a 3rd team that they could send Nance to?

However, I don't really know why Memphis would be interested in much of what we have either at this point.

[King4Day]

Spoiler:

FLEX From Jersey (@FlexFromJersey) Tweeted:
Suns Season Predictions based on the Schedule release:
•62-20 Tied for Best record in Franchise History (92-93 Suns, 04-05 Suns)
•Pacific Division Champions
•#1 Seed in the Western Conference
•Best Record in the NBA

Suns have a chance to come out very strongly early! https://t.co/t9OFJcrb1b

Read on Twitter

?s=20

I think that's being a bit overly optimistic.
We had major luck with injuries last season as far as our own team health.
Paul played a TON and I don't expect him to play as much this go-round.
We will need to integrate 2 new regulars into the roster AND get used to no Dario for most of, if not all of, the season.

I think mid-50's is fair. If all goes right, 58-62 is fair.
If not, late 40's to early 50's, depending on what went wrong.