2020 Offseason Speculation, free agency, summer trades (keep draft prospect talk in draft thread)

[Ghost of Kleine]

If we're in the lottery this year, how high a pick would you be willing to give up for Markannen?

E. G. Any pick after the 5th pick, any pick after #8 etc.

Ofcourse it depends on what players are still available so caveats could be added (E.g. Any pick after #8 unless Haliburton is still on the board etc. )

I'd trade a top 4 protected pick for him honestly. As I would just really prefer that it conveys this summer as opposed to one of the two really deep drafts in 2021 and 2022. Also, I firmly believe that he'd have a big progression here with us, and for us would be like a rich man's Gallinari or a young budget Nowitzki.

[Mr Puddles]

If we're in the lottery this year, how high a pick would you be willing to give up for Markannen?

E. G. Any pick after the 5th pick, any pick after #8 etc.

Ofcourse it depends on what players are still available so caveats could be added (E.g. Any pick after #8 unless Haliburton is still on the board etc. )

I'd trade a top 4 protected pick for him honestly. As I would just really prefer that it conveys this summer as opposed to one of the two really deep drafts in 2021 and 2022. Also, I firmly believe that he'd have a big progression here with us, and for us would be like a rich man's Gallinari or a young budget Nowitzki.

I agree with you. The phoenix suns and "the right situation" haven't exactly gone hand in hand the past couple of seasons, but Markannen would greatly benefit from the space that playing with Ayton and Booker would create for him - as well as Rubio's passing.

Not sure I'd go as far as saying he'd be a rich man's gallinari or a young Nowitzki - but I'd happily settle for a 22 year old Gallinari without the injury concerns.

[WeekapaugGroove]

If we're in the lottery this year, how high a pick would you be willing to give up for Markannen?

E. G. Any pick after the 5th pick, any pick after #8 etc.

Ofcourse it depends on what players are still available so caveats could be added (E.g. Any pick after #8 unless Haliburton is still on the board etc. )

Well I'll easily say any past 4 since if the suns don't jump up to top 4 then they are probably like 10. But I honestly haven't studied the draft enough, if it's really as bad at the top as some seem to think then maybe I'd trade it regardless of where they land.

Like I'm not even sure who I'd take 1. Certainly not Wiseman. Hallibuton? Ball?... Hell I think I'll take Lauri over Ball.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using RealGM mobile app

[Mr Puddles]

If we're in the lottery this year, how high a pick would you be willing to give up for Markannen?

E. G. Any pick after the 5th pick, any pick after #8 etc.

Ofcourse it depends on what players are still available so caveats could be added (E.g. Any pick after #8 unless Haliburton is still on the board etc. )

Well I'll easily say any past 4 since if the suns don't jump up to top 4 then they are probably like 10. But I honestly haven't studied the draft enough, if it's really as bad at the top as some seem to think then maybe I'd trade it regardless of where they land.

Like I'm not even sure who I'd take 1. Certainly not Wiseman. Hallibuton? Ball?... Hell I think I'll take Lauri over Ball.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using RealGM mobile app

You're right. Maybe a better way to phrase the question then would be which players would you draft over trading for Markannen - irrespective of where our pick could possibly land (we don't know how the rest of the season plays out).

I haven't studied the draft enough myself, but aside from the names you mentioned people seem to be high on guys like Toppin and Cole Anthony as well.

[Ghost of Kleine]

If we're in the lottery this year, how high a pick would you be willing to give up for Markannen?

E. G. Any pick after the 5th pick, any pick after #8 etc.

Ofcourse it depends on what players are still available so caveats could be added (E.g. Any pick after #8 unless Haliburton is still on the board etc. )

I'd trade a top 4 protected pick for him honestly. As I would just really prefer that it conveys this summer as opposed to one of the two really deep drafts in 2021 and 2022. Also, I firmly believe that he'd have a big progression here with us, and for us would be like a rich man's Gallinari or a young budget Nowitzki.

I agree with you. The phoenix suns and "the right situation" haven't exactly gone hand in hand the past couple of seasons, but Markannen would greatly benefit from the space that playing with Ayton and Booker would create for him - as well as Rubio's passing.

Not sure I'd go as far as saying he'd be a rich man's gallinari or a young norwizki - but I'd happily settle for a 22 year old Gallinari without the injury concerns.

I understand that saying a rich man's Gallinari is heavy praise for someone so young, Or even a young Nowitzki, But with respect to the rich man's Gallinari, I say that due to his greater size at 7 ft. His stellar mobility and fluidity, His comparable big shot making ability and his ability and willingness to defend. And with respect to the Young Dirk comps It's just based upon his size, mobility and scoring potential honestly. You can hold me to those comps though if you like,
And see how close I get ....lol.

Watch on YouTube

If you compare the similarities between how easily they get to the hoop and score, with cradty moves, How they both have advanced ball handling for their size, with good ballhandling, big time shot making, and athletic dunks, You'll likely see how truly similar they actually are.

Watch on YouTube

And with the Rich man's Gallinari:

Watch on YouTube

Admittedly, Young Gallinari was ridiculously faster and more athletic, So the comp would have to be based upon post back injury Gallo. Otherwise you'd be right that it's a gross embellishment.

But there knack for scoring and hitting the big shots are to me at least very similar.

Watch on YouTube

And for his solid defense and speed and athleticism.

Watch on YouTube

[Qwigglez]

I'm not too sure how good the prospects are for this upcoming draft but if we landed a higher pick than the Bulls and they were willing to do a pick swap and give up Markky I'd do it. I'd give up almost any pick for him as he would be the perfect compliment to both Booker and Ayton at the 4 spot. I do find it really unlikely that the Bulls would be willing to trade Markkanen unless they landed Anthony Davis, then I could see the Bulls willing to give up Markkanen for probably Oubre and a 1st. Bridges would obviously start at the 3 at that point.

Besides Markkanen though, I am having trouble finding a suitable 4 in free agency (besides maybe Christian Wood) that fits our needs. I think our best bet is to just roll out Rubio/Booker/Bridges/Oubre/Ayton and just fill our bench will some high upside players or even veterans. I like Napier a lot as a very cheap PG that can shoot. His 3PT % this year is crazy high, I'm not sure if he's able to keep it up. Reggie Jackson would be interesting to consider if he was healthy.

[sunsbum]

Calm down on the dirk comparisons. You're talking about the greatest shooting big man EVER. Also, it's nothing official but was listening to Portland radio.....this is strictly radio talk, no insider info but they want to sit dame for the rest of the year. I'm not sure Lillard would be down for that but you also gotta think about next year. If you're Portland I don't think you want to risk his injury turning into something much worse like we've seen happen lately.

[Qwigglez]

Calm down on the dirk comparisons. You're talking about the greatest shooting big man EVER. Also, it's nothing official but was listening to Portland radio.....this is strictly radio talk, no insider info but they want to sit dame for the rest of the year. I'm not sure Lillard would be down for that but you also gotta think about next year. If you're Portland I don't think you want to risk his injury turning into something much worse like we've seen happen lately.

Several of my coworkers want a better draft pick too. They'd rather the Blazers tank the rest of the year than to just get beat down against the Lakers or Clippers. I think if the Blazers starting picking up momentum towards the end of the season with a healthier Nurk they might be able to surprise the Lakers/Clippers in the playoffs. I feel like they basically wasted Whiteside's contract though because I don't feel like him and Nurk can really coexist. Both are post heavy players.

[Ghost of Kleine]

I'm not too sure how good the prospects are for this upcoming draft but if we landed a higher pick than the Bulls and they were willing to do a pick swap and give up Markky I'd do it. I'd give up almost any pick for him as he would be the perfect compliment to both Booker and Ayton at the 4 spot. I do find it really unlikely that the Bulls would be willing to trade Markkanen unless they landed Anthony Davis, then I could see the Bulls willing to give up Markkanen for probably Oubre and a 1st. Bridges would obviously start at the 3 at that point.

Besides Markkanen though, I am having trouble finding a suitable 4 in free agency (besides maybe Christian Wood) that fits our needs. I think our best bet is to just roll out Rubio/Booker/Bridges/Oubre/Ayton and just fill our bench will some high upside players or even veterans. I like Napier a lot as a very cheap PG that can shoot. His 3PT % this year is crazy high, I'm not sure if he's able to keep it up. Reggie Jackson would be interesting to consider if he was healthy.

I could see them doing it perhaps IF we somehow landed top 3-4 And took Wiseman for them. Then maybe add another lottery protected first in 2023 or something and they might look to trade that to the Flakers for Davis, If the Lakers expect that they might lose Davis in free agency. I'd have to wager that a package of Wiseman, maybe two firsts ( one from us and one from Chicago) plus a decent young player, Would be a pretty tempting trade package for them to offer. Hell, Chicago might look to Flip Wiseman/ two firsts/ maybe Sato and Porter to L.A. for Davis. That'd be a pretty nice return for him, Considering that he'd be a free agent soon.

[Ghost of Kleine]

Calm down on the dirk comparisons. You're talking about the greatest shooting big man EVER. Also, it's nothing official but was listening to Portland radio.....this is strictly radio talk, no insider info but they want to sit dame for the rest of the year. I'm not sure Lillard would be down for that but you also gotta think about next year. If you're Portland I don't think you want to risk his injury turning into something much worse like we've seen happen lately.

I definitely understand where your coming from, As Dirk is one of the All time greatest shooting big men to play the game. And I also understand that Markannen still has A LOT!!! still to improve upon to ever have a chance to reach that level. And in fairness, Only time will tell. However, when you compare their statistical trajectories into their 3rd year, Are they really that different at that point in 3rd year in???

https://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/pcm_finder.fcgi?request=1&sum=1&player_id1_hint=Dirk+Nowitzki&player_id1_select=Dirk+Nowitzki&y1=2001&player_id1=nowitdi01&idx=players&player_id2_hint=Lauri+Markkanen&player_id2_select=Lauri+Markkanen&y2=2020&player_id2=markkla01&idx=players

http://bkref.com/tiny/wOBdt

Again, I'll of course try to calm myself and temper my expectations more respectively. But I honestly do see similar potential If he gets in the right situation, system, development, etc.

[Revived]

Spoiler:

Read on Twitter

This is very interesting imo. Booker’s brother retweeted that tweet above from VOTS when it was posted. Book is super close with his brother and his brother lives with him and basically attends every single Suns game (both home & away) and also serves as Booker’s manager. In the summer, they basically vacation together every month with their gfs based on their insta stories and such. Point is that their super close.

Booker may keep saying that Russell being in Minnesota with Towns doesn’t mean anything to him but that may just be about protecting the brand and being politically correct (which Book is admirable at doing).

But the person most closest to Booker in the entire world and the person who knows exactly what Book is thinking retweeting that is definitely something to keep an eye on imo.

IF Booker ends up demanding a trade out in a year or two, I think it’s gonna leak out that not trading for DLo when he was available and rolling with a declining/washed up Rubio instead really pissed him off.

I know this topic was already discussed a week or two ago and this tweet itself is few weeks old (I just saw it now though) but I think this is something to keep an eye on imo.

[sunsbum]

Start winning and and we don't have to hear that side noise about book. The wolves won't win with DLO/KAT so unless we suck as bad as they do in 3ish years I wouldn't be too worried.

[Revived]

Start winning and and we don't have to hear that side noise about book. The wolves won't win with DLO/KAT so unless we suck as bad as they do in 3ish years I wouldn't be too worried.

I think that’s as sensible as posters on the GB saying the Suns will never win with Book/Ayton.

Both Towns and Russell haven’t won so far agreed, but both have played on pretty bad rosters for most of their career. Towns especially as Russell’s hasn’t been as bad. The one season when they had another semi decent player in Butler, the TWolves made the playoffs in the very tough West.

The Wolves players around Towns & Russell will be key. How much improvement is Malik Beasley, Josh Okogie, Jarrett Culver, Juancho Henrangomez, Jacob Evans gonna have? These are all players once regarded as top prospects and Minnesota doesn’t need them all to be good, they just need one of them to be a strong #3 option for them (think Oubre or better) and they would be set.

Even some of their bench guys play their role pretty well with their backup PG Jordan Mclaughlin averaging 10 & 5 in their last 10 games after he got a chance to be in rotation.

Towns might actually start playing defense now that he has NBA caliber players around him again. Russell might start playing team ball now that he finally has an official place to call home and playing with his BFf may motivate it.

I know it’s a lot of “might”s and it may never happen but to brush off Towns/Russell never winning would be the same as saying Booker/Ayton will never win either. It’s not about those players as much as it is the players around them and Towns/Russell have bench players from elite teams who never got a chance there but may blossom in a bigger role in Minnesota.

But your first sentence is correct. Start winning and all this becomes completely irrelevant.

[sunsbum]

Start winning and and we don't have to hear that side noise about book. The wolves won't win with DLO/KAT so unless we suck as bad as they do in 3ish years I wouldn't be too worried.

I think that’s as sensible as posters on the GB saying the Suns will never win with Book/Ayton.

Both Towns and Russell haven’t won so far agreed, but both have played on pretty bad rosters for most of their career. Towns especially as Russell’s hasn’t been as bad. The one season when they had another semi decent player in Butler, the TWolves made the playoffs in the very tough West.

The Wolves players around Towns & Russell will be key. How much improvement is Malik Beasley, Josh Okogie, Jarrett Culver, Juancho Henrangomez, Jacob Evans gonna have? These are all players once regarded as top prospects and Minnesota doesn’t need them all to be good, they just need one of them to be a strong #3 option for them (think Oubre or better) and they would be set.

Even some of their bench guys play their role pretty well with their backup PG Jordan Mclaughlin averaging 10 & 5 in their last 10 games after he got a chance to be in rotation.

Towns might actually start playing defense now that he has NBA caliber players around him again. Russell might start playing team ball now that he finally has an official place to call home and playing with his BFf may motivate it.

I know it’s a lot of “might”s and it may never happen but to brush off Towns/Russell never winning would be the same as saying Booker/Ayton will never win either. It’s not about those players as much as it is the players around them and Towns/Russell have bench players from elite teams who never got a chance there but may blossom in a bigger role in Minnesota.

But your first sentence is correct. Start winning and all this becomes completely irrelevant.

Lots of ifs on both sides you're right, I like where we at and with the wolves getting DLO they like where they are. I think next year is going to be huge for us in terms of forecasting the next couple of years. We 100% need to make the playoffs. No excuses. Bridges is coming along, Ayton has another year under his belt, Book will be coming off an all star year. We gotta put it together next year. offtopic but holy hell how bad does the draymond green signing look. I knew he was the most overated player in the NBA but I didn't think he was THAT bad.

[Fo-Real]

I just know that after deciding to NOT trade Baynes, we had better not **** buy him out to go elsewhere for free!!!!

[Kerrsed]

Spoiler:

Read on Twitter

This is very interesting imo. Booker’s brother retweeted that tweet above from VOTS when it was posted. Book is super close with his brother and his brother lives with him and basically attends every single Suns game (both home & away) and also serves as Booker’s manager. In the summer, they basically vacation together every month with their gfs based on their insta stories and such. Point is that their super close.

Booker may keep saying that Russell being in Minnesota with Towns doesn’t mean anything to him but that may just be about protecting the brand and being politically correct (which Book is admirable at doing).

But the person most closest to Booker in the entire world and the person who knows exactly what Book is thinking retweeting that is definitely something to keep an eye on imo.

IF Booker ends up demanding a trade out in a year or two, I think it’s gonna leak out that not trading for DLo when he was available and rolling with a declining/washed up Rubio instead really pissed him off.

I know this topic was already discussed a week or two ago and this tweet itself is few weeks old (I just saw it now though) but I think this is something to keep an eye on imo.

Yeah, i posted about it when the story broke. Wasnt just his brother who re-tweeted it, but his best friend as well.

The thing that scares me isnt that we didn't land DLO, but the reports that we had absolutely no interest in him and didn't even try. Thats twice now hes been available and for relatively cheap and we didn't even bother to try.

Booker is a team player. He has always said the right things to the media when questioned. But you can tell he is frustrated and his patience is wearing thin.

[Qwigglez]

I'm not really worried about Booker demanding a trade to the Wolves. Mostly because I think Culver, Okogie, and 3-5 1st round picks wouldn't be enough to entertain an offer for Booker. Even with D'Lo I think we have a better constructed roster than the Wolves.

[Flying Colors]

Book has no leverage to get a trade to the wolves for a few years, so as long as we’re winning it so be fine. If we’re not winning by at that point then we deserve to lose Booker.

[bwgood77]

Spoiler:

Read on Twitter

This is very interesting imo. Booker’s brother retweeted that tweet above from VOTS when it was posted. Book is super close with his brother and his brother lives with him and basically attends every single Suns game (both home & away) and also serves as Booker’s manager. In the summer, they basically vacation together every month with their gfs based on their insta stories and such. Point is that their super close.

Booker may keep saying that Russell being in Minnesota with Towns doesn’t mean anything to him but that may just be about protecting the brand and being politically correct (which Book is admirable at doing).

But the person most closest to Booker in the entire world and the person who knows exactly what Book is thinking retweeting that is definitely something to keep an eye on imo.

IF Booker ends up demanding a trade out in a year or two, I think it’s gonna leak out that not trading for DLo when he was available and rolling with a declining/washed up Rubio instead really pissed him off.

I know this topic was already discussed a week or two ago and this tweet itself is few weeks old (I just saw it now though) but I think this is something to keep an eye on imo.

I don't know if Booker will want to have to carry them on the defensive end. http://www.espn.com/nba/statistics/rpm/_/page/13/sort/DRPM

Also, that tweet was before the Russell trade and said "Suns need to go hard for D'Lo" which was probably the reason for the retweet.

[bwgood77]

Book has no leverage to get a trade to the wolves for a few years, so as long as we’re winning it so be fine. If we’re not winning by at that point then we deserve to lose Booker.

Yeah, it will be even tougher to make the playoffs next year but as long as we keep improving we should be ok. If we do have to trade him though, we might be able to get a package better than the Wolves can give from elsewhere. I'd definitely look elsewhere first....particularly the east. Maybe NY.