Free agency and trade ideas: Which wings do we go after this summer?

[RedIndian]

Too many moving pieces across the league at the moment to figure out what might work trade-wise for the Suns.

Unfortunately, #6 doesn't have a whole lot of value in this draft, and I don't think we can put together a package for the likes of Beal or Simmons that we may have had we got #2.

#6 might get you a player like Holiday or Aaron Gordon, but it really depends on the kind of moves that happen around the league. My suspicion is New Orleans keeps hold of Holiday as they build around Zion and whatever package they get from the Lakers/Celtics/Knicks.

I would stay away from Conley as he's just going to be another Chandler/Ariza /Anderson. Too old, too injury prone and too expensive.

At the moment, the best moves I can think of are:

1. Draft Clarke / Culver /Garland at #6

2. Trade Josh Jackson to Kings for Bjelica (Gambo mentioned Kings might be interested)

3. If Kyrie heads to the Nets by any chance, try and nab Russell. Or alternatively, try for Kemba. These moves would require us to renounce Oubre, salary dump Warren and probably stretch Tyler Johnson.

[Crives]

I am Feeling better and better with where we landed.

Zion was always a long shot, at least he didn’t go to the Lakers/Mavs/Hawks.

As awesome as Morant highlights were, deep down we all know he was not the best fit next to booker (poor defender and below average 3p shooter)

Biggest let down is we don’t have that high of a pick to trade for a star (like Beal)
But long term, do we really want 3 max players on the roster with no bench depth?

I don’t mind getting another high quality role player like Clarke/Hunter/Culver to put around Book/Ayton.

The future is bright, we need to trust our new FO can figure a way to get a vet pg this summer. (I’m still holding out that Melton can be our long term starter after a couple more years, excited to see him destroy summer league)

[sasquatchBob]

This off-season is really going to show us what kind of GM James Jones is. So far I've liked his moves. Let's hope this trend continues!

[jsierra1985]

suns need to hit this offseason...landing a top PG available is a must...forget about the draft and the 6th pick...trade that for whatever they can get to help bring some leadership and vet presence...

[WeekapaugGroove]

One challenge of trying to trade this pick for a vet is there could be multiple teams in the top 10 trying to do the same thing. The Lakers will obviously look at doing this with 4 as Bron is on borrowed time, NY could make 3 available if they are confident KD is coming, Chicago at 7 could be in play and they also need a PG. Boston has 3 mid round picks they will actively shop.

Lots of picks available out there.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using RealGM mobile app

[King4Day]

Memphis Grizzlies Get: No. 6 pick, Tyler Johnson (must pick up player option), TJ Warren

Phoenix Suns Get: Mike Conley

There's a good case to be made the Grizzlies should keep Mike Conley around until the trade deadline to mentor Ja Morant, assuming they select the Murray State point guard at No. 2 overall.

If a longer stay for Conley means a few more wins and a worse pick conveying to the Boston Celtics in 2020, that's not so bad, either.

Then again, the Grizzlies lucked into a higher pick than expected, and they might want to lean into a rebuild as hard as possible. Adding the No. 6 pick would give them a third young talent to grow with Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr.

The Suns, long a paragon of dysfunction, could certainly use a steady veteran influence. In Conley, they'd get that and help at a position of dire need. Phoenix may have had its hopes pinned more strongly to Morant than any other team (though the Chicago Bulls might beg to differ), but it can still fill its void at the point this way.

If the Suns are realistic about where they're likely to finish in next year's standings, maybe they'd balk at adding a 31-year-old due to make $67 million over the next two seasons. But when have they ever been realistic about where they are in the rebuilding process? They thought they'd be a playoff team in 2018-19, for crying out loud.

Shots at the Suns aside, Conley could expedite the growth process for Deandre Ayton and the rest of the young contributors on hand. There's value in that, too.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2836199-realistic-trades-excluding-anthony-davis-zion-williamson-post-nba-draft-lottery#slide2

I'd rather deal Jackson and move Warren to another team. I feel like that's too much for Conley. The pick, Jackson, and Johnson (who would be a solid backup behind Morant)

[BobbieL]

I am Feeling better and better with where we landed.

Zion was always a long shot, at least he didn’t go to the Lakers/Mavs/Hawks.

As awesome as Morant highlights were, deep down we all know he was not the best fit next to booker (poor defender and below average 3p shooter)

Biggest let down is we don’t have that high of a pick to trade for a star (like Beal)
But long term, do we really want 3 max players on the roster with no bench depth?

I don’t mind getting another high quality role player like Clarke/Hunter/Culver to put around Book/Ayton.

The future is bright, we need to trust our new FO can figure a way to get a vet pg this summer. (I’m still holding out that Melton can be our long term starter after a couple more years, excited to see him destroy summer league)

I am actually okay with 6 if it wasn't the First pick. The draft really for me was Zion and everybody else. I was not enamored with a young rookie guard like Zion or even Garland. Though Garland might be better as he seems to be the better shooter. Its about coaches, scouts all working together to find the best player for the team at 6. There is cap savings of 3.1m dropping from 2 to 6.


I am not sure what options there are for trade but maybe the Suns can trade back, attach Josh to say Minnesota if they want Garland and they draft like Clarke and send over Saric. The Suns would get cap savings .
Thats just an example of trade to move Jacksons salary - take on a bit of salary and maybe get a better fit for the team.


But like Week said - many treams will be wanting to trade - Lakers, Celtics, maybe the Bulls - so it could be a tough market to trade. I look forward to this offseason.

[BobbieL]

Memphis Grizzlies Get: No. 6 pick, Tyler Johnson (must pick up player option), TJ Warren

Phoenix Suns Get: Mike Conley

There's a good case to be made the Grizzlies should keep Mike Conley around until the trade deadline to mentor Ja Morant, assuming they select the Murray State point guard at No. 2 overall.

If a longer stay for Conley means a few more wins and a worse pick conveying to the Boston Celtics in 2020, that's not so bad, either.

Then again, the Grizzlies lucked into a higher pick than expected, and they might want to lean into a rebuild as hard as possible. Adding the No. 6 pick would give them a third young talent to grow with Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr.

The Suns, long a paragon of dysfunction, could certainly use a steady veteran influence. In Conley, they'd get that and help at a position of dire need. Phoenix may have had its hopes pinned more strongly to Morant than any other team (though the Chicago Bulls might beg to differ), but it can still fill its void at the point this way.

If the Suns are realistic about where they're likely to finish in next year's standings, maybe they'd balk at adding a 31-year-old due to make $67 million over the next two seasons. But when have they ever been realistic about where they are in the rebuilding process? They thought they'd be a playoff team in 2018-19, for crying out loud.

Shots at the Suns aside, Conley could expedite the growth process for Deandre Ayton and the rest of the young contributors on hand. There's value in that, too.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2836199-realistic-trades-excluding-anthony-davis-zion-williamson-post-nba-draft-lottery#slide2

I'd rather deal Jackson and move Warren to another team. I feel like that's too much for Conley. The pick, Jackson, and Johnson (who would be a solid backup behind Morant)

I don't mind moving the Bucks pick and Jackson to free up cap space for instance - but if you add Johnson, have to make sure Conley is that right fit as Tyler is a good third guard. If there were a way to move Jackson, maybe attach the Bucks pick, bring back nominal salary.

If the Suns really wanted cap space: Warren and Jackson for JR Smith works - but that is a pure salary cap trade which means the FO needs to be pretty darn sure they can get two free agents .

[King4Day]

This is from before the trade deadline but still something to watch.

Watch on YouTube

If you haven't noticed, I'm doing 0 investigation into possible draft picks and focusing solely on Conley because I really believe that's who we'll go after. No other team interested, like Utah, can offer what we can. It's just a matter of whether Jones wants him.

If our goal is to improve our youth, then this is a big way to start it.

I'm stuck on Johnson, Jackson, #6 and, if necessary, the Bucks pick to get it done.
That would get the Jackson headache off our hands. The Bucks pick isn't very valuable.
We buy the Griz a year-early of cap relief and they don't take back as much salary.

We have to dig into our cap to make this happen but we still have Warren to play with.

[darmani]

Every time I see someone suggesting to trade #6 pick (and more) for Mike **** Conley, I want to punch a puppy. It's such a mind-bogglingly terrible idea, it hurts.

[darmani]

Read on Twitter

Good God, I actually agree with Gambo's basketball opinion fml

[BobbieL]

Read on Twitter

Good God, I actually agree with Gambo's basketball opinion fml

broken clock is right twice per day

[wheezy]

Who says no: Lebron for Zion

[King4Day]

Every time I see someone suggesting to trade #6 pick (and more) for Mike **** Conley, I want to punch a puppy. It's such a mind-bogglingly terrible idea, it hurts.

What is your trade preference?
Keep in mind, 6 isn't getting us Holiday and the pick doesn't hold much value.

[King4Day]

Who says no: Lebron for Zion

If serious, the Pels say no.
Davis likely still wants out (it's reported he wants to be in a big market). Having an aged LeBron doesn't do them any good short of solid merch sales.
They are also not title contenders with AD/LeBron (just like LA wouldn't be with the same pairing)

[wheezy]

Who says no: Lebron for Zion

If serious, the Pels say no.
Davis likely still wants out (it's reported he wants to be in a big market). Having an aged LeBron doesn't do them any good short of solid merch sales.
They are also not title contenders with AD/LeBron (just like LA wouldn't be with the same pairing)

Yeah I don't disagree. Although I think the Pels would be really good with Jrue still. They'd arguably be better than the Rockets if AD is healthy.

[WeekapaugGroove]

Read on Twitter

Good God, I actually agree with Gambo's basketball opinion fml

broken clock is right twice per day

What's interesting to me about this is I do think gambo gets fed some info from the team. Probably means they don't want Conley but I guess if you want to play conspiracy theorist then maybe they fed this to him in hope of driving down Mike's price

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using RealGM mobile app

[BobbieL]

Who says no: Lebron for Zion

If serious, the Pels say no.
Davis likely still wants out (it's reported he wants to be in a big market). Having an aged LeBron doesn't do them any good short of solid merch sales.
They are also not title contenders with AD/LeBron (just like LA wouldn't be with the same pairing)

Yeah I don't disagree. Although I think the Pels would be really good with Jrue still. They'd arguably be better than the Rockets if AD is healthy.

Say AD still wants to get traded - would Smart, Tatum, Aaron Bayne and draft picks make sense to put on the Pelicans with Jrue and Zion?

As for LeBron - I don't think he has much value to many teams in the league because of his age. Maybe Philly still. But if he is traded, I think its to the Rockets for Capela and Gordon. The Rockets are old and capped out now - so adding LeBron fits with Harden, Paul and Tucker.

[BobbieL]

Read on Twitter

Good God, I actually agree with Gambo's basketball opinion fml

broken clock is right twice per day

What's interesting to me about this is I do think gambo gets fed some info from the team. Probably means they don't want Conley but I guess if you want to play conspiracy theorist then maybe they fed this to him in hope of driving down Mike's price

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using RealGM mobile app

Suns might as well use Gambo
Danny Ainge already does
Jason Kidd uses him


Suns might as well use him to disseminate information they want out there.

[King4Day]

If serious, the Pels say no.
Davis likely still wants out (it's reported he wants to be in a big market). Having an aged LeBron doesn't do them any good short of solid merch sales.
They are also not title contenders with AD/LeBron (just like LA wouldn't be with the same pairing)

Yeah I don't disagree. Although I think the Pels would be really good with Jrue still. They'd arguably be better than the Rockets if AD is healthy.

Say AD still wants to get traded - would Smart, Tatum, Aaron Bayne and draft picks make sense to put on the Pelicans with Jrue and Zion?

As for LeBron - I don't think he has much value to many teams in the league because of his age. Maybe Philly still. But if he is traded, I think its to the Rockets for Capela and Gordon. The Rockets are old and capped out now - so adding LeBron fits with Harden, Paul and Tucker.

I still think New Orleans should really push for Brown and Tatum if they can. Those 2 with Zion would be such an incredible core.
If Boston doesn't get a commitment from AD, and they'd still do your trade, I think they should pull the trigger.