2021-22 Season/Offseason Speculation

[bwgood77]

If there are unsigned Giannis stoppers, we need to ink those guys FAST!

Lol I'm afraid GoK has a hard time separating his love of scouting and the reality of the NBA. So much time spent just throw in names of guys who will never play in the league.

I think one thing you may miss when you deep dive into undiscovered players isn't how good they can be, it's how good NBA players already are.

I think it can be easy to also not realize or forget the VAST difference in talent between the NCAA and NBA. 99% of players in the NCAA don't ever play in the NBA. The G league is the best of the best in college that can't quite crack maybe the top 15-20 coming out that year.

So even when someone looks not so great in the G league they are probably still far better than almost every undrafted player and most 2nd rounders.

[Ghost of Kleine]

If there are unsigned Giannis stoppers, we need to ink those guys FAST!

Lol I'm afraid GoK has a hard time separating his love of scouting and the reality of the NBA. So much time spent just throw in names of guys who will never play in the league.

I think one thing you may miss when you deep dive into undiscovered players isn't how good they can be, it's how good NBA players already are.

Sure, Because there's never been any instances of teams drafting for upside/ unique talent with the understanding that they'll need to be developed and garner further experience, and yet, they're still ok with that because they can envision their eventual role/ impact with said development. How many nba rookies actually entered the league ( even those considered stars today) as impact contributors right away absent of development and growth? Did any of Anthony Davis, Kwahi Leonard, Trae Young, anthony Edwards, Even Giannis considered good/ impact contributors right from the jump???

If this was a prominent scenario, Then why the emphasis by the franchises considered best at drafting/ identifying talent( San Antonio/ Toronto/ Denver) towards development? The reality is that there's too many variables for a young basketball player to immediately accurately prognosticate their statistical production. Aside of course ftom a few outliers. Nevertheless, Size, elite athleticism and specific skillset is a good indicator IF utilized properly in the right scheme/ environment. Franchises just have to do their due diligence to find proper fit for their team.

I'm only talking about potential two way investments here! I'm not implying that they'd be earth shaking contributors. But if you look again at my posts, There inherent value lies in their elite specific skillsets that could ADD SUPPLEMENTARY SUPPORT for Ayton as weakside defensive contributors sporadically IF called up situationally. Hence there value regardless of the potential two way classification.

Feel free to disagree, But as a finals contender, I for my part think we've reached the point wherein our starting 5 and really our top 9-11 are stable and strong. Anything beyond that ( for a contender) should be identifying cheap low cost talent that can address or help cover ( shore up) any residual weaknesses in our roster within the scope of their specific skillset. In that capacity, these minimal investment swing options absolutely can provide value, depth and likely be impact contributors ( in the right situations).

[DroughtsOverPHX]

If there are unsigned Giannis stoppers, we need to ink those guys FAST!

That's key. As we banter about the 15th guy on the roster who will never play, we still do not have a regular who can guard Giannis.

On another unpopular note. Saric is not a center and Cam J is not a power forward. McGee and Shamet will put us in about the same position we were in this year if we are lucky (we stay healthy, Lakers stay injured). The match-ups against healthy DA and Lebron remain every bit as problematic without another bruiser.

If James Jones has no tricks up his sleeve our hope lies in growth of the young guys which is certainly possible.

[bwgood77]

If there are unsigned Giannis stoppers, we need to ink those guys FAST!

That's key. As we banter about the 15th guy on the roster who will never play, we still do not have a regular who can guard Giannis.

On another unpopular note. Saric is not a center and Cam J is not a power forward. McGee and Shamet will put us in about the same position we were in this year if we are lucky (we stay healthy, Lakers stay injured). The match-ups against healthy DA and Lebron remain every bit as problematic without another bruiser.

If James Jones has no tricks up his sleeve our hope lies in growth of the young guys which is certainly possible.

It's easy to say those guys are not power forwards, but when we moved Saric to the bench last year and started Oubre at PF, we had one of, if not the best net ratings in the NBA...and then same thing in the bubble when replacing Oubre with Cam.

So if we kill teams playing smaller along with Ayton in the middle, it's not typically a problem.

Of course there are a couple teams that will give us problems like the Lakers and Bucks going bigger, so yes, it's nice to have that option but there are also advantages on our side as Cam running around coming off screens to get 3s might be harder for bigger PFs to cover.

But overall, yes, more size is good, but Jae is a pretty legit physical PF who can go against many of those guys.

With Jalen, if he pans out, he will at least help with rebounding and have more size/length to contest shots, while still being able to stretch the floor so things don't get crowded on offense for Ayton inside.

[bwgood77]

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[grumpysaddle]

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So now the Lakers can sign another player after a buyout. They have only 13 guaranteed contracts.

They're going to sign Jerry West to a player contract since he fits their overall timeline regarding average player age.

[Slim Charless]

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So now the Lakers can sign another player after a buyout. They have only 13 guaranteed contracts.

They're going to sign Jerry West to a player contract since he fits their overall timeline regarding average player age.

Am I the only one who wants them to cut Frank and sign gasol? He can't be any worse, plus he's another dude with big time playoff experience to help in the locker room. He can probably teach DA a thing or two as well, I'm sure.

[cberry78]

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So now the Lakers can sign another player after a buyout. They have only 13 guaranteed contracts.

They're going to sign Jerry West to a player contract since he fits their overall timeline regarding average player age.

Am I the only one who wants them to cut Frank and sign gasol? He can't be any worse, plus he's another dude with big time playoff experience to help in the locker room. He can probably teach DA a thing or two as well, I'm sure.

Gasol at the thought of leaving his family in Spain to play for the vet minimum:

[Ghost of Kleine]

https://syndication.bleacherreport.com/amp/10012166-nba-exploring-possibilities-for-future-field-of-dreams-style-game.amp.html
This sounds interesting! Reminds of the old playground days. Also not sure how they'd set the venues for larger crowds. But definitely could be fun???

[Ghost of Kleine]

David Kevin (@theIVpointplay) Tweeted:
There’s an impending tax bill for Phoenix that matters a whole lot more when it comes to Cam Johnson’s future, than his 3rd agent being Devin Booker’s Dad.

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I wonder what Cam Johnson's extension amount will look like? And a good point made by Bobby L in the comments that perhaps the potential inclusion of Smith in a Thad Young (or any cap clearing trade really), Would be with larger scale interest in clearing additional cap space to make it easier to resign Johnson at a larger amount?

I mean I really love Smith's long term potential and fit with our team. And want him on our team for sure! But if it becomes a choice between keeping one of Cam Johnson or Jalen Smith. I'm most likely going to have to go with Cam over Jalen. I just wonder how much of a factor Johnson's extension amount may figure into any potential Smith inclusionary trade?

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

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So now the Lakers can sign another player after a buyout. They have only 13 guaranteed contracts.

They're going to sign Jerry West to a player contract since he fits their overall timeline regarding average player age.

Am I the only one who wants them to cut Frank and sign gasol? He can't be any worse, plus he's another dude with big time playoff experience to help in the locker room. He can probably teach DA a thing or two as well, I'm sure.

Gasol is washed. At least Frank can still move. Hard pass.

[Ghost of Kleine]

The Bright Side (@BrightSideSun) Tweeted:
The Suns need Ayton to claim his destiny
https://t.co/QYcN8uvLen https://t.co/hzGstNfalz

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[Ghost of Kleine]

Mike Vigil (@protectedpick) Tweeted:
Five podcasts about the five most important young Suns players. This is Internal Development. https://t.co/gCR9Osor9X

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[Ghost of Kleine]

Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) Tweeted:
Free agent C Isaiah Hartenstein has agreed to a training camp deal with the Clippers, source tells ESPN.

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[Bogyo]

Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) Tweeted:
Free agent C Isaiah Hartenstein has agreed to a training camp deal with the Clippers, source tells ESPN.

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Denzel Valentine is also off the board.

[Ghost of Kleine]

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[RunDogGun]

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So now the Lakers can sign another player after a buyout. They have only 13 guaranteed contracts.

They're going to sign Jerry West to a player contract since he fits their overall timeline regarding average player age.

So how many times have the Grizz helped out the Lakers?

[grumpysaddle]

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So now the Lakers can sign another player after a buyout. They have only 13 guaranteed contracts.

They're going to sign Jerry West to a player contract since he fits their overall timeline regarding average player age.

So how many times have the Grizz helped out the Lakers?

Yes.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

OK, I wasn't too concerned about this in July or August, but training camp starts in just over two weeks and we haven't heard a peep about extensions for Ayton and Bridges. What gives? How much is there to discuss with Ayton, really? I could see putting some incentives in his deal to qualify for the max, but otherwise, we're offering the 5 year max, right? What's the hold up?

I can see why negotiations might draw out a bit for Mikal, since his valuation is arguable. But I really expected we'd get something done with both of them. I could see going into camp with Mikal's deal still in the air - I could even see us going into next summer with him as RFA. But not seeing any update for either is giving me flashbacks.

So what gives? When are we going to see a deal for Ayton get done, or both?

[bwgood77]

OK, I wasn't too concerned about this in July or August, but training camp starts in just over two weeks and we haven't heard a peep about extensions for Ayton and Bridges. What gives? How much is there to discuss with Ayton, really? I could see putting some incentives in his deal to qualify for the max, but otherwise, we're offering the 5 year max, right? What's the hold up?

I can see why negotiations might draw out a bit for Mikal, since his valuation is arguable. But I really expected we'd get something done with both of them. I could see going into camp with Mikal's deal still in the air - I could even see us going into next summer with him as RFA. But not seeing any update for either is giving me flashbacks.

So what gives? When are we going to see a deal for Ayton get done, or both?

I think we will but I don't see any real reason to be waiting. Just get them done and move on.