2020 Preseason Speculation - Lineup battles underway

[bwgood77]

Read on Twitter

[Ghost of Kleine]

God! I really loathe the Flakers!
I hope that this means that Paul deal is gonna go through though.

Read on Twitter

?s=09

Danny Green and 28 for Shroder. Another pick for the Thunder

I wonder if this helps with a Suns trade. Personally, I dont like giving up the 10th pick - am on record. Personally, I think the Thunder should have to give up a pick. Maybe the deal will be the Suns are getting the 28th pick in the draft as part of the CP3

I would be a lot more for the trade if the Suns were to get CP3 and the 28 for Oubre, Rubio, Jerome (or Okobo) - and whatever other teams are involved.

Agree on the hope that the Schroder trade will help reduce the necessity of Phoenix needing to add a premium draft asset. But I still hate the idea of the Flakers getting stronger as a result though. I also hope that this does help to push the trade through. But do also realize that there's a specific plan to finalize the Paul trade last. As it allows the Suns to maximize their free agency cap space in order to sign a big name free agent ( Gallo)? Or even perhaps multiple impact veteran free agents.

[Ghost of Kleine]

Read on Twitter

?s=09

[DirtyDez]

A Rubio/SGA backcourt is pretty solid. Might be too good for what they’re looking for actually.

I don’t think either Phoenix or OKC wants to pay Oubre...

[Sunsdeuce]

A good GM keeps #10 and gets one of the Thunder picks in a Paul deal.

This is fact. I’ll take it farther. A GM with an ounce of common sense keeps #10 pick and makes OKC give up the assets. Chris Paul (and his contract) are almost untradable with maybe MAYBE 2 teams max that could/would trade for him.

OkC is salary dumping at this point. Smart GM/teams don’t give assets away to take on other teams garbage contracts. They make the other teams give up assets to take garbage contracts!

[Saberestar]

I wasn't referring to Rubio and Oubre although it could be awkward if they return. But ultimately Rubio is a pro and Oubre is playing for a contract so it's not like he would dog it.

It's Booker and CAA I worry about.

Sent from my SM-G986U using RealGM mobile app

If the deal falls through -- the Suns need to just put together a good winning team for Booker. But he might be mad - who knows. I wonder if Booker realizes he is getting a 35 year old CP3

Seems like he would have been more mad about not getting DLo or even possibly Kyrie.

My guess is this: Sarver got impatient and the idea for Paul got floated and Paul liked the idea, and then Booker is on board. No one knows for sure if Booker is adamant this go through and he wants the team to move on from Oubre and Rubio, both of whom I think he likes. I think Booker would be good if it happened and fine if it didn't.

If this trade finally is not made it is because it is too good to happen IMO.

We could not sign any All Star in the last 10 terrible years without playoffs, no All Star value us as a competitive team and no great player wants to sign with the Suns until this date.

There have been talks before about Aldridge, LeBron, Griffin... but at the end of the day no one really wanted to play for the Suns.

It is sad and hopefully that changes because All Star players put your team on the top, no role players. We already have one in Booker and that is great, but the idea of getting two (CP3) now and fight next season for real in the playoffs is amazing.

Hopefully it is true that Paul wants to play for the Suns, but sadly Clippers and Bucks makes more sense for him. We will see.

[bwgood77]

Why do we have to give up such a nice package for Paul?

I know there are other people out there who realize that the reason Chris Paul is on the market is because the Thunder WANT OUT of his $40m+ contract. It seems like the Thunder should be the ones prepared to have to taper their expectations. It really doesn't seem like there are many suitors other than us out there for Paul at this moment, so there's no need to bid against ourselves.

Thunder get ONE asset in addition to the cap relief they get for moving Paul's contract. Not more than that. The offer should only increase according to the offers of other teams.

I will acknowledge overall he is better than Rubio. But that being said, Rubio is 5 years younger, and Paul is at that age where things can go south quickly (as we saw with Nash who declined quite a bit at the same age even prior to his Laker trade/career ending injury). Rubio is also a much better defender right now, according to RAPTOR. There is a chance Rubio is better overall next year just because Paul gets a year older, and an even higher chance the year after that.

I can only support a deal for Paul if there is a guarantee another decent player will sign here with him. Maybe we can actually make the playoffs with him instead of Rubio and Oubre. I don't freaking know. But I do know that the Thunder have been trying to move Paul since the moment they acquired him and nobody has bit so far. And that it's a pretty big **** ask to want a starting level point guard 5 years younger who just had his best ever year, and a 25 year old two way wing, let alone a draft pick on top of that, when you've made it clear from day 1 you wanted to move Paul because of his contract.

Because this isn’t fantasy basketball. The Thunder are not trying to move Paul because they “want out.” They are moving him because they are going into a rebuild which is the same reason why Donovan chose not to return to the team. Because they are going into a rebuild, Presti, who is magnificent, is trying to do right by Paul in finding him a destination he likes while acquiring assets that set the team up nicely going forward.

Additionally, can we stop acting like Nash’s skills decreased with age? The guy broke his leg in such a way that it was nearly impossible for him to recover.

Maybe make the playoffs with Paul? Chris Paul, at his current age, is one of the absolutely elite guards in the game. I’m really tired of the same people complaining about this franchise being stuck in mediocrity also complaining that a package for an elite star player is too lucrative.

I can go either way if a pick isn't included, but just because you haven't made the playoffs, because you have been rebuilding, and many expected us to make the playoffs this year anyway, doesn't mean you should trade multiple assets for a 35 year old PG.

The Nets, for example, wanted desperately to make the playoffs and trade a ton of assets for similarly elite players around the same age in KG and Pierce, and sure, they made the 2nd round one year, losing in 5, and then they lost in the first round, before fading out of the playoffs again when those guys got too old.

They had even traded the 8th pick (Lillard) for Gerald Wallace...which could end up being similar to us including the 10th pick...we could end up with a very nice player.

They had already dumped Favors, Harris and 2 firsts for Deron Williams too.

Sure we may make the playoffs a year or two with Paul but again may be without a PG and looking for one about the time Booker is getting to the 2nd to last year of his contract, when players in their 2nd contract are asking out. If we don't have a legit PG that year, and especially if Ayton doesn't turn into an elite C, there may be a good chance he would move on (and I've never been one to be too worried he would)...but we start depleting our core younger assets for a 35-37 year old the long term outlook very well may not look as good.

[Ghost of Kleine]

God! I really loathe the Flakers!
I hope that this means that Paul deal is gonna go through though.

Read on Twitter

?s=09

That means two things IMO

1) Chris Paul deal will most likely be announced later on the week (Friday) because the Suns will use their cap space to strengthen their roster..

2) OKC is staying firm that they don’t want Rubio and the Suns need to look someone to take on his contract which will be hard..

Last thing I heard mid day yesterday was, CP3 WANTS to come to Phx and play with Booker and the feeling is mutual ..so that puts pressure on the suns to get something done.

80%-20% it gets completed from what I’m being told ...!but it’s not a foregone conclusion that it’s done

Thank you man! Much appreciated.

[bwgood77]

If the deal falls through -- the Suns need to just put together a good winning team for Booker. But he might be mad - who knows. I wonder if Booker realizes he is getting a 35 year old CP3

Seems like he would have been more mad about not getting DLo or even possibly Kyrie.

My guess is this: Sarver got impatient and the idea for Paul got floated and Paul liked the idea, and then Booker is on board. No one knows for sure if Booker is adamant this go through and he wants the team to move on from Oubre and Rubio, both of whom I think he likes. I think Booker would be good if it happened and fine if it didn't.

If this trade finally is not made it is because it is too good to happen IMO.

We could not sign any All Star in the last 10 terrible years without playoffs, no All Star value us as a competitive team and no great player wants to sign with the Suns until this date.

There have been talks before about Aldridge, LeBron, Griffin... but at the end of the day no one really wanted to play for the Suns.

It is sad and hopefully that changes because All Star players put your team on the top, no role players. We already have one in Booker and that is great, but the idea of getting two (CP3) now and fight next season for real in the playoffs is amazing.

Hopefully it is true that Paul wants to play for the Suns, but sadly Clippers and Bucks makes more sense for him. We will see.

Chris Paul is not really an all star any more. He hadn't made the all star game since 2016 before this past year and was one of the last selections, but certainly doesn't make it if Curry was healthy...Paul George too who had made it the last 4 years and 6 of the last 7. Curry and George would have made it over Paul and Ingram....then possibly Klay makes it too and of course Lillard backed out.

So once in 4 years Paul makes it after the age of 30 and that's due to injury.

[bwgood77]

Read on Twitter

?s=09

Miami going very hard after Gallinari as I posted the news regarding it in the Around the NBA thread.

[Kerrsed]

God! I really loathe the Flakers!
I hope that this means that Paul deal is gonna go through though.

Read on Twitter

?s=09

That means two things IMO

1) Chris Paul deal will most likely be announced later on the week (Friday) because the Suns will use their cap space to strengthen their roster..

2) OKC is staying firm that they don’t want Rubio and the Suns need to look someone to take on his contract which will be hard..

Last thing I heard mid day yesterday was, CP3 WANTS to come to Phx and play with Booker and the feeling is mutual ..so that puts pressure on the suns to get something done.

80%-20% it gets completed from what I’m being told ...!but it’s not a foregone conclusion that it’s done

Thanks for the knowledge. I think the trade Kerrsed mentioned of Rubio to the Clippers made sense but that means somebody taking either Beverly for two years 27m or Zubac or a combination of players. I mean, Sweet Lou for 8m isn't that much but getting all the pieces to work is tough.

Yup, i had Dallas taking PatBev.

[Kerrsed]

So only 14% would give up our pick in a trade for Paul. I was thinking it was more than that. Good to see most see that would definitely be lopsided value. And over 25% wouldn't even do the trade at all, even without the pick.

There should have been an option of: Yes, fine trading the #10, but only if we get a a later (2020) pick in return.

[Blonde]

I would think Atlanta should be interested in adding Rubio into their capspace and sending a 2nd to OKC for their trouble. If this really is the holdup on the deal.

I don’t really get why OKC themselves would refuse to take Rubio. They would need a PG in this situation more than they need more draft capital and they aren’t going to be a FA destination in the next two years. Feels like posturing. Nobody is giving up a blue chip prospect.

[Kerrsed]

So only 14% would give up our pick in a trade for Paul. I was thinking it was more than that. Good to see most see that would definitely be lopsided value. And over 25% wouldn't even do the trade at all, even without the pick.

Plus I skewed the results.

[bwgood77]

So only 14% would give up our pick in a trade for Paul. I was thinking it was more than that. Good to see most see that would definitely be lopsided value. And over 25% wouldn't even do the trade at all, even without the pick.

There should have been an option of: Yes, fine trading the #10, but only if we get a a later (2020) pick in return.

Yeah, which is what I said in my first post about the poll...something I might be fine with.

But you have more clear fine lines this way.

I would be interested in results if the future pick was just added to current pick. That future pick, if only lotto protected for instance, likely yields a better player than what we get at 10 this year. Especially if it's 2022.

If it isn't very heavily protected, up to at least 20, I'd give away this year's first. No one really thinks this draft is good near the top, and then once you get down past the top 9 (most of the top 9 are boom or bust type players except maybe Haliburton, Toppin or Vassell), then you get to role players..possibly career backups...Kira, Terry, Bane, Smith, etc. I'd be surprised if there are not more appealing options in the teens next year and especially in 22.

[Crives]

Thinking about dynamics behind the CP3 trade a bit more...

I bet LeBron is heavily involved. CP3 joining the Bucks, Clippers or Philly could cause him a lot of problems. I wouldn’t be surprised if he is pushing Jones to pickup CP3.

[King4Day]

NBA radio was talking about the Clips getting Rondo. I can't imagine they trade for Rubio too if that's the case. I think Phoenix is trying to find a taker for Rubio (as was mentioned), but in the end, will give up an asset to take Paul (future first maybe).

[Kerrsed]

So only 14% would give up our pick in a trade for Paul. I was thinking it was more than that. Good to see most see that would definitely be lopsided value. And over 25% wouldn't even do the trade at all, even without the pick.

There should have been an option of: Yes, fine trading the #10, but only if we get a a later (2020) pick in return.

Yeah, which is what I said in my first post about the poll...something I might be fine with.

But you have more clear fine lines this way.

I would be interested in results if the future pick was just added to current pick. That future pick, if only lotto protected for instance, likely yields a better player than what we get at 10 this year. Especially if it's 2022.

If it isn't very heavily protected, up to at least 20, I'd give away this year's first. No one really thinks this draft is good near the top, and then once you get down past the top 9 (most of the top 9 are boom or bust type players except maybe Haliburton, Toppin or Vassell), then you get to role players..possibly career backups...Kira, Terry, Bane, Smith, etc. I'd be surprised if there are not more appealing options in the teens next year and especially in 22.

I mean i would be fine getting the #25 & #28 picks back in return for our #10 if it meant getting CP3, and i do wonder if thats what the Lakers trade was all about.

But the sad thing is:

1. That we could probably trade the #10 to Boston for their 3 picks, #14/#26/#30.
2. We probably could get much much more value (And picks) trading Rubio and Oubre separately to the right teams.
3. If we do #2 and then look to send a single high dollar contract we obtain to OKC for Rubio, they then have us over a barrel, as we just traded our starting PG and we will now NEED to get CP3 from them.

Im looking options over for us doing 2 separate trades for Oubre and Rubio for us before we do the OKC trade, because it sounds like however the FO has it currently constructed we end up losing out on a ton of value.

But one of the issues im running into is that i really like what ATL could offer for Oubre (taking him for pure capspace and allowing us to trade up from #10 to #6) and i really love the fit for Oubre in ATL, but honestly the pick swap wouldnt really help us because it would still be outgoing to another team (Like to Boston or OKC), so why would i do all that just to get one of those teams a much better pick when they would be just as fine with the #10? You know what i mean?

[Saberestar]

NBA radio was talking about the Clips getting Rondo. I can't imagine they trade for Rubio too if that's the case. I think Phoenix is trying to find a taker for Rubio (as was mentioned), but in the end, will give up an asset to take Paul (future first maybe).

In that situation probably our only competition would be the Bucks (Bledsoe, DiVincenzo, Ilyasova + pick) and OKC staying pat.

[matt131]

NBA radio was talking about the Clips getting Rondo. I can't imagine they trade for Rubio too if that's the case. I think Phoenix is trying to find a taker for Rubio (as was mentioned), but in the end, will give up an asset to take Paul (future first maybe).

I read a Skip Bayless tweet saying rondo to clippers now that Lakers have Schroeder, but I wasn't ready to believe him lol

Definitely takes the clippers out of Rubio contention like you mentioned. Not quite sure there are many good places left for Rubio. I wonder if we are trying to find him a good team and that's what's taking so long or if no team at all really wants him