2014 Official FA Thread 2

[bwgood77]

I hope we sign Ariza if/when Tucker leaves.

Yeah, I'd like Tucker and Frye back, but I'd sign Ariza and Hawes at reasonable deals if they left, and maybe even if they stayed for depth.

Hawes is taller and actually puts up better numbers than Frye in similar minutes. 41% vs 37% from 3, 8.3 vs 5.1 rpg, 3.0 vs 1.2 apg, 1.2 vs .8 bpg.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/pla ... ssp01.html

http://www.basketball-reference.com/pla ... ech01.html

I'm not saying I'd rather have Hawes than Frye because you can't underestimate Frye's leadership, knowledge of Suns' system, chemistry with team, etc, but as a replacement OR as another guy who could play with the second unit to stretch the floor, etc. He just fits. Or if Kieff should start maybe Hawes plays the Frye role, and Plumlee and Frye come off the bench.

Ultimately I'd only want those guys at cheap deals partially because they have the talents that fit our team concept, and gives it depth in case we did want to do a multi player trade.

I'd rather sign guys like that for reasonable money than guys like Deng or Pau who don't really fit the team well and would cost a ton.

I'm also fine with signing no one and keeping the cap space to absorb trades before we re-ink everyone or have more flexibility and wiggle room under the tax going forward.

[JDLAW]

Looks like Tucker is gone.

I am getting the sense that the Suns have learned that someone is going to offer Bledsoe a max or near max contract (Dallas?) and they really were hoping to scare such teams away with the "we will match all offers" comments. They are now floating s&t ideas to see if they stir up some other options.

I am a bit concerned about such wholesale changes for next year. Losing Frye, Bledsoe, and Tucker would have great impact on chemistry, but we have not actually built our team yet. If Houston wants to move Harden in order to go after Carmelo and LeBron, then Bledsoe might be a good option. I don't know. Its getting a bit scary.

I have faith in McD, but somethings things get out of your control.

Come down off the ledge. From a practical standpoint, Dallas does not have the cap space to make a max offer for Bledsoe. Frye is likely to return on a smaller - longer contract-yeah I know GSW likes him but they are very limited in what they can offer him and when you take into account what he would have to pay in Cal state tax, he loses substantial amount from a financial standpoint. They are not really any closer to a championship then we are. His home is here and has been since childhood. The Suns have sent signals that they want him back and I think they step up to the plate and resign him.

Tucker I am less confident in. Someone will pay him - is it more than we want to? But he is restricted and well liked.

[RunDogGun]

Looks like Tucker is gone.

I am getting the sense that the Suns have learned that someone is going to offer Bledsoe a max or near max contract (Dallas?) and they really were hoping to scare such teams away with the "we will match all offers" comments. They are now floating s&t ideas to see if they stir up some other options.

I am a bit concerned about such wholesale changes for next year. Losing Frye, Bledsoe, and Tucker would have great impact on chemistry, but we have not actually built our team yet. If Houston wants to move Harden in order to go after Carmelo and LeBron, then Bledsoe might be a good option. I don't know. Its getting a bit scary.

I have faith in McD, but somethings things get out of your control.

Man, that is an odd game of a Jumping to Conclusions. We have matching rights on both Bledsoe and Tucker. If Frye goes, there are a few options out there. MkMo has some ability to both stretch the floor and work inside.

[Revived]

I don't want us to keep saving capspace as if some superstar is gonna sign with us next summer. I want us to sign whoever it is to improve the team as long as it's not massively overpaying.

I'd like us to get a guy like Jordan Hill or Ed Davis more so than Hawes. Especially since Hill has become a much improved jump shooter.

[thamadkant]

I think...

1. lakers will offer max for Bledsoe, and try to go for Melo. But Bryant, Randle, Bledsoe is the foundation they want to run with in the next 2-3 years.

2. Mavs will also offer max but Bledsoe will sign lakers offer.



3. sign and trade with lakers gives suns nothing, so they end up keeping Bledsoe... Unwillingly at max money.
And try to trade him next season. But now Dragic is due for a contract then...



4. Kings.... suns would best try to convince kings to make an offer for Bledsoe... They have assets.
Maybe for Rudy Gay, as he is expiring in 2015, that's my vibe anyways.

[Revived]

Looks like Tucker is gone.

I am getting the sense that the Suns have learned that someone is going to offer Bledsoe a max or near max contract (Dallas?) and they really were hoping to scare such teams away with the "we will match all offers" comments. They are now floating s&t ideas to see if they stir up some other options.

I am a bit concerned about such wholesale changes for next year. Losing Frye, Bledsoe, and Tucker would have great impact on chemistry, but we have not actually built our team yet. If Houston wants to move Harden in order to go after Carmelo and LeBron, then Bledsoe might be a good option. I don't know. Its getting a bit scary.

I have faith in McD, but somethings things get out of your control.

Come down off the ledge. From a practical standpoint, Dallas does not have the cap space to make a max offer for Bledsoe. Frye is likely to return on a smaller - longer contract-yeah I know GSW likes him but they are very limited in what they can offer him and when you take into account what he would have to pay in Cal state tax, he loses substantial amount from a financial standpoint. They are not really any closer to a championship then we are. His home is here and has been since childhood. The Suns have sent signals that they want him back and I think they step up to the plate and resign him.

Tucker I am less confident in. Someone will pay him - is it more than we want to? But he is restricted and well liked.

Did I read that right? The Warriors aren't closer to a championship than we are?

[JDLAW]

Yes you did. They were not particularly impressive last year and their front line is aging. They were only 3 games ahead of us in the standings. They are not any closer than we are and we are not all that close.

[JDLAW]

I think...

1. lakers will offer max for Bledsoe, and try to go for Melo. But Bryant, Randle, Bledsoe is the foundation they want to run with in the next 2-3 years.

2. Mavs will also offer max but Bledsoe will sign lakers offer.



3. sign and trade with lakers gives suns nothing, so they end up keeping Bledsoe... Unwillingly at max money.
And try to trade him next season. But now Dragic is due for a contract then...



4. Kings.... suns would best try to convince kings to make an offer for Bledsoe... They have assets.
Maybe for Rudy Gay, as he is expiring in 2015, that's my vibe anyways.

Readjust your thinking. The Mavs do not have the cap space and the Lakers do not want Bledsoe at the max, it shuts them out of other free agents. The kings would probably like Bledsoe, but Bledsoe would have to like the Kings and and the Kings would have to sign and trade as they do not have the cap space, which means the Suns maintain all of the leverage. The Kings would have to give up Stauskus and McLemore as starters to get Beldsoe because there is no one else on that roster that the Suns would want. Think they do that?

[jcsunsfan]

Looks like Tucker is gone.

I am getting the sense that the Suns have learned that someone is going to offer Bledsoe a max or near max contract (Dallas?) and they really were hoping to scare such teams away with the "we will match all offers" comments. They are now floating s&t ideas to see if they stir up some other options.

I am a bit concerned about such wholesale changes for next year. Losing Frye, Bledsoe, and Tucker would have great impact on chemistry, but we have not actually built our team yet. If Houston wants to move Harden in order to go after Carmelo and LeBron, then Bledsoe might be a good option. I don't know. Its getting a bit scary.

I have faith in McD, but somethings things get out of your control.

Come down off the ledge. From a practical standpoint, Dallas does not have the cap space to make a max offer for Bledsoe. Frye is likely to return on a smaller - longer contract-yeah I know GSW likes him but they are very limited in what they can offer him and when you take into account what he would have to pay in Cal state tax, he loses substantial amount from a financial standpoint. They are not really any closer to a championship then we are. His home is here and has been since childhood. The Suns have sent signals that they want him back and I think they step up to the plate and resign him.

Tucker I am less confident in. Someone will pay him - is it more than we want to? But he is restricted and well liked.

I think we are going to lose Tucker, and that's OK. With TJ, Green, Marcus, and even Archie able to play the 3, we work on developing younger guys. It would be nice to get something in return in and s&t, but who knows.

Frye, that's interesting. Markieff should start over him this year. Would he be willing to take less for a longer deal--don't know. But it also seems that the Suns are at least looking at other options for a stretch 4, including Anderson.

Bledsoe. Something is up. Sarver's hesitation in the radio interview and the drafting of a pg and the shopping around for a pg have me intrigued. It might be a good thing. There might be some sort of sign and trade option. Who knows. Its a lot of changes though. And normally you don't want to change that much, but we are still in a rebuilding process, and you have to be willing to change until you get your roster core set.

Not on a ledge. Just trying to figure out what is going on.

[JDLAW]

Looks like Tucker is gone.

I am getting the sense that the Suns have learned that someone is going to offer Bledsoe a max or near max contract (Dallas?) and they really were hoping to scare such teams away with the "we will match all offers" comments. They are now floating s&t ideas to see if they stir up some other options.

I am a bit concerned about such wholesale changes for next year. Losing Frye, Bledsoe, and Tucker would have great impact on chemistry, but we have not actually built our team yet. If Houston wants to move Harden in order to go after Carmelo and LeBron, then Bledsoe might be a good option. I don't know. Its getting a bit scary.

I have faith in McD, but somethings things get out of your control.

Come down off the ledge. From a practical standpoint, Dallas does not have the cap space to make a max offer for Bledsoe. Frye is likely to return on a smaller - longer contract-yeah I know GSW likes him but they are very limited in what they can offer him and when you take into account what he would have to pay in Cal state tax, he loses substantial amount from a financial standpoint. They are not really any closer to a championship then we are. His home is here and has been since childhood. The Suns have sent signals that they want him back and I think they step up to the plate and resign him.

Tucker I am less confident in. Someone will pay him - is it more than we want to? But he is restricted and well liked.

I think we are going to lose Tucker, and that's OK. With TJ, Green, Marcus, and even Archie able to play the 3, we work on developing younger guys. It would be nice to get something in return in and s&t, but who knows.

Frye, that's interesting. Markieff should start over him this year. Would he be willing to take less for a longer deal--don't know. But it also seems that the Suns are at least looking at other options for a stretch 4, including Anderson.

Bledsoe. Something is up. Sarver's hesitation in the radio interview and the drafting of a pg and the shopping around for a pg have me intrigued. It might be a good thing. There might be some sort of sign and trade option. Who knows. Its a lot of changes though. And normally you don't want to change that much, but we are still in a rebuilding process, and you have to be willing to change until you get your roster core set.

Not on a ledge. Just trying to figure out what is going on.

My friend, you're driving yourself to distraction. I did not sense any hesitation in Sarver's conversation and do not put any stock in the local rumors with respect to Bledsoe. If you are looking for a 100% guarantee on anything, you're not going to get it from anyone so you'll have to live with some uncertainty. As for Bledsoe, the market will set his compensation as an RFA. The free agent market is weak outside of Lebron and Melo and a lot of teams are going to be after them. When you look at real cap space, there are only a couple of teams that have the wherewithal to offer a max contract to Bledsoe, but there are several teams that could clear cap space to try to do so. The problem is that they have to clear the cap space to just make the offer only to face the possibility of the Suns matching it. Very few teams are going to act so irresponsibly for Eric Bledsoe who would be overpaid at a max salary ($15.7M). I think people are trying to make an issue that really does not exist.

Frye has already said he was willing to give $$ for years. I think the Suns expected this and have already spoken to Frye about what they are willing to do. They might already have a deal in principal in place and the opt out is necessary to make the new deal.

The Suns want Tucker back an are willing to pay him, but there is a limit as there is for any player. He might be the one most likely to leave because he will likely get a MLE from someone that desperately needs a small forward (Memphis?). The question is whether the Suns will match the $$ and years.

[JTrain]

Can someone explain the MLE rule?

[JDLAW]

Can someone explain the MLE rule?

If you over the cap, but under the luxury tax, you get a mid-level exception every year. It is a percentage of the cap and this year should be about $5.5M (estimated). You can offer all of it to a player or you can split it among players. The length of the contract will be limited to 3 or 4 years and the raises limited to 4.5%.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

I had no interest in him before, but one player who suddenly appeals with the inclusion of Warren on the roster is Greg Monroe. Good passer, good rebounder, can play post D. Can't play team D, or step out on his man, or guard the P&R, but paired with Plumlee or Len in the front court - I imagine that could work. Can't stretch the floor very well - another knock. But with Warren on the roster, I'm suddenly open to the idea.

To elaborate, the Pistons want to get something in return for him. Maybe the Morrises?

Bledsoe/Ennis
Dragic/Goodwin
Warren/Green
Monroe
Plumlee/Len

That... that could work. I guess I'd try to re-sign Frye with that squad. Maybe McBob becomes an option. What do others think?

Oh, and there's this. Huh. http://www.freep.com/article/20140626/C ... -nba-draft

[JDLAW]

That is a terrible line-up. There is no floor spacing in the front court. Warren will not likely be a starter next year even if Tucker is gone. That will likely fall to Marcus Morris and/or G. Green.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

That is a terrible line-up. There is no floor spacing in the front court. Warren will not likely be a starter next year even if Tucker is gone. That will likely fall to Marcus Morris and/or G. Green.

I think you're right about Green or Marcus starting (I think it's probably Marcus). But long-term, and IMO, perhaps as soon as the end of next season, Warren will start. You'll have to pardon the fact that I'm a chicken-counter.

I agree, though, the spacing's not ideal. It's a bigger line-up. A lot of teams that were much better than us this year had worse spacing, though. Most big 4's develop 16-18 foot J's to keep defenses honest: that's what Monroe has. But you're right, we've gone stretch for a few years now. But Markieff isn't going to stretch the D with his 30% 3FG%. Retaining Frye is our only good option for maintaining our current spacing. This would be going another direction. Besides, our coaching staff has said they hope Len develops into a stretch 5. We'll see.

It's not a terrible line-up. All I've done is switched Kieff for Monroe. If the spacing is that bad, start Gerald. We're definitely better on the glass. Defensively, its arguable. Offensively, we now have a low-post option. I really think Markieff's high post game is ill-suited for a starting role, and his subpar rebounding leaves us vulnerable. This would shore up those vulnerabilities. But you have a point about the spacing. It's a trade-off. We could also keep Frye with that line-up, and run him alongside Monroe, Plumlee, or Len.

[JDLAW]

That is a terrible line-up. There is no floor spacing in the front court. Warren will not likely be a starter next year even if Tucker is gone. That will likely fall to Marcus Morris and/or G. Green.

I think you're right about Green or Marcus starting (I think it's probably Marcus). But long-term, and IMO, perhaps as soon as the end of next season, Warren will start. You'll have to pardon the fact that I'm a chicken-counter.

I agree, though, the spacing's not ideal. It's a bigger line-up. A lot of teams that were much better than us this year had worse spacing, though. Most big 4's develop 16-18 foot J's to keep defenses honest: that's what Monroe has. But you're right, we've gone stretch for a few years now. But Markieff isn't going to stretch the D with his 30% 3FG%. Retaining Frye is our only good option for maintaining our current spacing. This would be going another direction. Besides, our coaching staff has said they hope Len develops into a stretch 5. We'll see.

It's not a terrible line-up. All I've done is switched Kieff for Monroe. If the spacing is that bad, start Gerald. We're definitely better on the glass. Defensively, its arguable. Offensively, we now have a low-post option. I really think Markieff's high post game is ill-suited for a starting role, and his subpar rebounding leaves us vulnerable. This would shore up those vulnerabilities. But you have a point about the spacing. It's a trade-off. We could also keep Frye with that line-up, and run him alongside Monroe, Plumlee, or Len.

It is a terrible line up with no floor spacing in the front court. It will look just like Detroit of last year. Plumlee is no threat outside of 8 feet (Drummond), Warren is not a threat outside of 15 ft (Smith) and Monroe is good to 15 feet (Monroe). Defenses just pack the paint. I do not know why we'd build something that we already know will not work. No interest whatsoever in Greg Monroe. Markieff is as good or better as a power forward than Monroe.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

I just checked the DET board and they're all discussing a Bledsoe/Monroe swap. But the article suggested an Ennis/Monroe swap. The former is far less expensive, but the latter leaves us in a much better position to compete immediately. viewtopic.php?f=14&t=1325240&start=320

Dragic/Ennis
Green/Goodwin
Marcus/Warren
Monroe/Markieff
Plumlee/Len

It would be interesting to see Marcus become a starter while Markieff came off the bench. Kieff would still see plenty of minutes as I'm sure our centers won't split all 48 minutes with Monroe in the fold.

[JDLAW]

I just checked the DET board and they're all discussing a Bledsoe/Monroe swap. But the article suggested an Ennis/Monroe swap. The former is far less expensive, but the latter leaves us in a much better position to compete immediately. viewtopic.php?f=14&t=1325240&start=320

Dragic/Ennis
Green/Goodwin
Marcus/Warren
Monroe/Markieff
Plumlee/Len

It would be interesting to see Marcus become a starter while Markieff came off the bench. Kieff would still see plenty of minutes as I'm sure our centers won't split all 48 minutes with Monroe in the fold.

Detroit would love anyone but Jennings at point guard. I would not touch a Bledsoe for Monroe deal. I think the Lakers have their eye on Monroe - as a center. I would not be surprised if they offer him a substantial deal.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

That is a terrible line-up. There is no floor spacing in the front court. Warren will not likely be a starter next year even if Tucker is gone. That will likely fall to Marcus Morris and/or G. Green.

I think you're right about Green or Marcus starting (I think it's probably Marcus). But long-term, and IMO, perhaps as soon as the end of next season, Warren will start. You'll have to pardon the fact that I'm a chicken-counter.

I agree, though, the spacing's not ideal. It's a bigger line-up. A lot of teams that were much better than us this year had worse spacing, though. Most big 4's develop 16-18 foot J's to keep defenses honest: that's what Monroe has. But you're right, we've gone stretch for a few years now. But Markieff isn't going to stretch the D with his 30% 3FG%. Retaining Frye is our only good option for maintaining our current spacing. This would be going another direction. Besides, our coaching staff has said they hope Len develops into a stretch 5. We'll see.

It's not a terrible line-up. All I've done is switched Kieff for Monroe. If the spacing is that bad, start Gerald. We're definitely better on the glass. Defensively, its arguable. Offensively, we now have a low-post option. I really think Markieff's high post game is ill-suited for a starting role, and his subpar rebounding leaves us vulnerable. This would shore up those vulnerabilities. But you have a point about the spacing. It's a trade-off. We could also keep Frye with that line-up, and run him alongside Monroe, Plumlee, or Len.

It is a terrible line up with no floor spacing in the front court. It will look just like Detroit of last year. Plumlee is no threat outside of 8 feet (Drummond), Warren is not a threat outside of 15 ft (Smith) and Monroe is good to 15 feet (Monroe). Defenses just pack the paint. I do not know why we'd build something that we already know will not work. No interest whatsoever in Greg Monroe. Markieff is as good or better as a power forward than Monroe.

Replacing Markieff for Monroe in that line-up does not improve spacing. They both shoot 18 footers, not 3 pointers. The real problem you seem to have is that I started Warren, which I addressed in my first response when I suggested that Green or Marcus could start instead (I just really wouldn't like Tucker in that line-up because Monroe needs targets to pass to: I wouldn't want him to be the cornerstone of our offense). I just think it's important to recognize that most teams' 4/5 positions don't shoot 3's (Clippers, OKC, Spurs, GSW, MEM). If you think we need to stick with Channing, that's cool: it's a legitimate perspective

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

I think the Lakers have their eye on Monroe - as a center. I would not be surprised if they offer him a substantial deal.

Yeah, he's probably more of a center. You need to put him next to a rim protector. I just want a 4 with size who can rebound, and I want a low-post threat. There are SO FEW options available that meet those criteria who also happen to be young enough to grow with our squad. Basically, it's Love, Horford, Griffin, Aldridge, Davis, Cousins, Favors and Monroe. Some of those guys are probably more 5's than 4's, but of them, only one is available. So I suggest him.