Season Speculation, Trade Ideas & Discussion Pt. 4

[RaisingArizona]

I'm not a huge fan of Sarver but I'm scared to death what lies behind the other door. It could be way worse.

[Kerrsed]

At some stage we have to stop giving McD credit for his failing picks because "everyone else liked him too". The whole challenge of drafting is being smarter than that. A miss is a miss, whether it be an airball or a rim out.

And as I said in the off season, trading Bled for a pick in the most recent draft was a GIMME move which never happened. Imagine having another one of those guys in the draft now and think about how differently we'd be framing this conversation.

Kings fans have to be even more depressed. Look at their recent draftees box scores tonight. Their forum is absolutely a ghost town too. http://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400975167

http://bkref.com/tiny/tPXtU

Never noticed but Mike James does take care of the ball very well. 2.4 Ast:TO Ratio

Thats because he doesnt do much to turn it over. When he gets the ball, he stands 3 feet behind the 3 point line for 6-15 seconds, then launches up a 3. If its a fastbreak, he just shoots it with 20 seconds left on the clock. Hard to turn it over a lot when you stay away from all defenders as they dont cover you out that far because you arnt well known for your long rang accuracy.

[King4Day]

The things James does doesn't bother me.
He's a 3rd string PG who is only getting extended time because we don't have a true #1 PG.

[jredsaz]

Tobias Harris is a player I would be all in on acquiring. 25, can shoot, very good efficiency. Continues to improve each year.

They could have snagged him for peanuts from the magic. Now Detroit isn't going to move him. This was the type of acquisition they missed on.

Agreed this was one they missed on. But he could come available if the Pistons continue to fall and are out of the playoff picture come the deadline.

[jcsunsfan]

Kings fans have to be even more depressed. Look at their recent draftees box scores tonight. Their forum is absolutely a ghost town too. http://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400975167

http://bkref.com/tiny/tPXtU

Never noticed but Mike James does take care of the ball very well. 2.4 Ast:TO Ratio

Thats because he doesnt do much to turn it over. When he gets the ball, he stands 3 feet behind the 3 point line for 6-15 seconds, then launches up a 3. If its a fastbreak, he just shoots it with 20 seconds left on the clock. Hard to turn it over a lot when you stay away from all defenders as they dont cover you out that far because you arnt well known for your long rang accuracy.

He is a positive surprise and he is better than Ulis. The knit picking of Mike James is amazing.


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM mobile app

[bigfoot]

Never noticed but Mike James does take care of the ball very well. 2.4 Ast:TO Ratio

Thats because he doesnt do much to turn it over. When he gets the ball, he stands 3 feet behind the 3 point line for 6-15 seconds, then launches up a 3. If its a fastbreak, he just shoots it with 20 seconds left on the clock. Hard to turn it over a lot when you stay away from all defenders as they dont cover you out that far because you arnt well known for your long rang accuracy.

He is a positive surprise and he is better than Ulis. The knit picking of Mike James is amazing.


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM mobile app

He does make some very nice assists and does lead the team in assists per 100 possessions. A good chunk of his turnovers can be attributed to Stone-hands Len. I think he is second in steals on the team too and plays respectable defense. His shooting percentages leave a bit to be desired. I think part of it is there is not much else for offensive weapons on the second unit. Sadly, when half court plays break down (e.g., people running off screens while his is dribbling behind the three point line) he is forced to take shots late in the clock. Really looking at it Bender, Daniels, Len, and Jackson are not playmakers and really can not generate their own shots. Well, Jackson tries but fails miserably most of the time and his shooting percentages and assist rate are worse than James. Really Jacksons, playmaking abilities are severely overrated.

[LukasBMW]

General Manager Ryan McDonough said that while Phoenix will look for ways to upgrade its roster, its focus is on doing that internally as players return from injuries.

The Suns are hopeful Devin Booker (strained left adductor muscle) will be back for the Dec. 26 game against Memphis and that rookie shooting guard Davon Reed (offseason knee surgery) will return around Jan. 1. Center Alan Williams, who had surgery in August to repair a torn meniscus, could be back sometime in March.

“If we do make a move it will be positionally to fill a short-term need,” McDonough said. “There’s nobody we can sign or trade for that’s going to come close to replicating half of Devin Booker’s production. Nobody out there is 22 years old and like Davon Reed, who we’re really high on. So we’re most excited about getting those guys back.”

“Those guys (Chandler and Dudley) mentor the young guys and teach the young guys how to play,” McDonough said. “If and when they get on the court they do a good job. If they’re not playing much or at all they accept that.

“I think it’s very important to have them echo and reinforce some of the messages our coaches are trying to deliver. I think in general you want to keep at least a few good vets around and we’re happy with those guys.”

https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2017/12/14/phoenix-suns-trade-devin-booker-free-agents-tyson-chandler/951742001/

So the same roster for the next 52 games.

Hope this is some sort of smokescreen but probably isn't!

No smokescreens. This is the right decision.

-Tank Tank Tank
-Hope Miami struggles
-Get a top 3 pick and a top 12 pick

[bwgood77]

Tobias Harris is a player I would be all in on acquiring. 25, can shoot, very good efficiency. Continues to improve each year.

They could have snagged him for peanuts from the magic. Now Detroit isn't going to move him. This was the type of acquisition they missed on.

Agreed this was one they missed on. But he could come available if the Pistons continue to fall and are out of the playoff picture come the deadline.

I seriously doubt it. He's a far better shooter than Booker at this point. He's probably their most untouchable player.

[gaspar]

They could have snagged him for peanuts from the magic. Now Detroit isn't going to move him. This was the type of acquisition they missed on.

Agreed this was one they missed on. But he could come available if the Pistons continue to fall and are out of the playoff picture come the deadline.

I seriously doubt it. He's a far better shooter than Booker at this point. He's probably their most untouchable player.

[bwgood77]

Agreed this was one they missed on. But he could come available if the Pistons continue to fall and are out of the playoff picture come the deadline.

I seriously doubt it. He's a far better shooter than Booker at this point. He's probably their most untouchable player.

http://bkref.com/tiny/PWaC8

[gaspar]

I seriously doubt it. He's a far better shooter than Booker at this point. He's probably their most untouchable player.

http://bkref.com/tiny/PWaC8

And...?

Mudiay is shooting 40% from three this season, Eric Gordon 33%... Who's the better shooter in your opinion?

Sorry buddy, but you're an idiot, if you think that Tobias Harris is a FAR better shooter than Booker.

[jredsaz]

They could have snagged him for peanuts from the magic. Now Detroit isn't going to move him. This was the type of acquisition they missed on.

Agreed this was one they missed on. But he could come available if the Pistons continue to fall and are out of the playoff picture come the deadline.

I seriously doubt it. He's a far better shooter than Booker at this point. He's probably their most untouchable player.

The wet blanket strikes again! Lol.

I agree generally. Out of Drummond, Bradley, Jackson, and Harris he is the player they would like to hold on to. However, if they are not in the playoff picture all bets are off.

[bwgood77]

http://bkref.com/tiny/PWaC8

And...?

Mudiay is shooting 40% from three this season, Eric Gordon 33%... Who's the better shooter in your opinion?

Sorry buddy, but you're an idiot, if you think that Tobias Harris is a FAR better shooter than Booker.

He's a far better shooter right at this point than him. That doesn't mean I think he will be the long term better shooter or that I'd rather have him. He is having a career year shooting and made the leap and maybe it's a one year thing. Booker's much improved his shooting at 38% from 3. It's not like volume is much different (he's shooting over 6 3s a game) and Booker probably has more defensive attention (though I can't say that for sure).

Mudiay's #s are on very low volume.

My point is they almost certainly are not trading him after shooting 44% from 3.

Get a grip and calm down and don't call anyone an idiot here.

[sunsbum]

harris is lucky anyone is even having a conversation with his and bookers name in it.

[WeekapaugGroove]

At some stage we have to stop giving McD credit for his failing picks because "everyone else liked him too". The whole challenge of drafting is being smarter than that. A miss is a miss, whether it be an airball or a rim out.

And as I said in the off season, trading Bled for a pick in the most recent draft was a GIMME move which never happened. Imagine having another one of those guys in the draft now and think about how differently we'd be framing this conversation.

Agree 100% it's the gm and scouting staffs job to get the picks right. Hell if boston would have picked by general consensus of the experts and public they either dont trade and have fultz or take jackson at 3. Its early but it looks like they did a good job taking tatum.

There's also an idea that the picks were right but the coaching and culture is holding guys back. There's probably some truth to this and evidence by them firing Watson 3 games into the season. But to me this isn't an excuse for the front office; it's more of a black eye for them because they hired this staff and built this culture.

Not all picks will hit but ultimately some need to or you're failing at your job.

[AtheJ415]

Tobias Harris didn't average the almighty 12 ppg by age 20. Clearly a complete bust. They should trade him for Zach Randolph or Manu Ginobli.

[bwgood77]

At some stage we have to stop giving McD credit for his failing picks because "everyone else liked him too". The whole challenge of drafting is being smarter than that. A miss is a miss, whether it be an airball or a rim out.

And as I said in the off season, trading Bled for a pick in the most recent draft was a GIMME move which never happened. Imagine having another one of those guys in the draft now and think about how differently we'd be framing this conversation.

Agree 100% it's the gm and scouting staffs job to get the picks right. Hell if boston would have picked by general consensus of the experts and public they either dont trade and have fultz or take jackson at 3. Its early but it looks like they did a good job taking tatum.

There's also an idea that the picks were right but the coaching and culture is holding guys back. There's probably some truth to this and evidence by them firing Watson 3 games into the season. But to me this isn't an excuse for the front office; it's more of a black eye for them because they hired this staff and built this culture.

Not all picks will hit but ultimately some need to or you're failing at your job.

And in addition to Tatum they got the Lakers pick if it's 2-5 (they will probably draw top 2 in lotto so Boston will get Ayton or Doncic with the pick we traded for Brandon Knight) or if they don't get the Lakers pick they get the Kings unprotected pick the following year. Not a bad trade, even if Fultz lives up to his hype, if Tatum keeps playing the way he is.

[TOO]

http://bkref.com/tiny/PWaC8

And...?

Mudiay is shooting 40% from three this season, Eric Gordon 33%... Who's the better shooter in your opinion?

Sorry buddy, but you're an idiot, if you think that Tobias Harris is a FAR better shooter than Booker.

I guess Aaron Gordon is a better shooter than Booker too huh?

[bwgood77]

I guess Aaron Gordon is a better shooter than Booker too huh?

Well, shooting better this year. Though I wouldn't say he's a better shooter right now, being that he only has slightly better 3pt %s and is a worse ft shooter.

With Harris shooting 44% opposed to 38% and 91.5% from the line as opposed to 87%, I'm not sure what there really is to argue about where they are this year. Harris should probably come back to down a bit, but it is what it is for now. Booker shot a tad better the last two years but nothing significant.

I don't mean to get people worked up by stating facts, but I don't expect Harris to be traded with the way he's playing and shooting.

[Qwigglez]

Eh. Harris has made a whopping 13 more threes than Booker this year on 8 more shots. Booker is creating more shots for himself and on Booker's 3's he is only being assisted on 66% of them. Meanwhile, Harris is being assisted on 84% of his 3's. Likely attributing that to having better quality players around him, including Drummond who should be able to suck defenders into the paint leaving Harris with more open shot opportunities.