Trade & Free Agency Ideas & Discussion 2

[thamadkant]

"Tanking" is the wrong word.

We need to spend this season "Developing" our young players by throwing them into the fire, giving them heavy minutes, and seeing who's going to be a allstar, who's going to be a rotation player, and who we need to cut.

I'd LOVE LOVE LOVE for us to make the playoffs and finish as the 8th seed with Bledsoe/Booker/TJ making an allstar push, Chriss becoming a force in the paint, JJ leading ROY voting, Ulis becoming the best backup PG in the league, and Bender becoming a rotation player

That would be awesome!

But, if that does not happen and we lose...who cares? It was so much more fun watching Ulis/Booker/TJ/Bender/Chriss last year then it was watching Knight/PJ/Len/Chandler.

I love our young guys and I want them to get the experience.

I hope they play hard and if we make the playoffs...GREAT! If not and we wind up in the lottery...that's fine too!

We all had this discussion (argument) a few years ago.

Tanking.... is a description of what the GM or management's direction. It means NOTHING to players really. Tanking to management means not spending money to increase odds of winning or playing experienced players in hopes of increasing chances of winning.

But for Players?

They dont tank... they play hard... they try to win... they try to BEAT the other team with what they have and what they know.



Playing the YOUNG players... may be tanking to the management's eyes.... and some fans...
But it also means DEVELOPMENT to players and challenging them to learn and get better... and for SOME fans... watching their teams young players get better is as rewarding as winning.

[Zelaznyrules]

Watson was on Arizona Sports and responded to a question about our FA strategy this season:

(paraphrasing) "We're developing players, one day it'll be about wins".

Honestly I don't know why this is even being contested? How can anything be more important than giving our core of young players whatever they need to develop, as positively and as quickly as possible?

We screwed up not starting the rebuild several years ago, why screw it up again by changing directions after just two seasons? We have 7 years now of playoff-free basketball and probably another one on the way but the 5 years of the bandaid approach to team building led to little success and zero hope. Calling the rebuild complete and moving forward now is simply a return to the 5 year post-Amare stretch that got us into this mess in the first place.

Play the young guys, trade Bledsoe when/if the opportunity arises. Unless, of course, Eric is willing to accept a mentoring role that eventually leads to him playing second fiddle to Ulis (or the next PG, if Tyler can't do it). Regardless though, stay the course with the young guys, keep the hope alive and move us forward at whatever pace our talent allows. And I wouldn't rule out making the playoffs this season although it should only be the priority for the players.

[blee732]

I wonder if the Clips will inquire about Bledsoe. A lot of their fans never wanted to trade him.

I hope we actually try to start up talks with the Clips on that. If I recall correctly (don't remember the source), Doc isn't a fan of draft picks and would rather pick up vets that can contribute now. And Ballmer doesn't strike me as someone who will want to just tank.

Maybe we can swing a Beverly/Johnson/2020 1st unprotected for Bled?

[Kjdills13]

Cavs- Bledsoe, chandler, George
Pacers- warren, Thomson , cavs 1st
Suns- Irving, frye

Cavs get Bledsoe and George and pair them with chandler who can go help them win a title right now still a double double machine.

Pacers get value back for George

Suns- give up 2 young assets and a vet center but get back one of the top young pg in the NBA

Irving
Booker
Jackson

That's a back court that could compete with anyone!! If Jackson pans out then we have a nba title contender

Add Chris's to the picture and if he developes then you are golden

[bwgood77]

I wonder if the Clips will inquire about Bledsoe. A lot of their fans never wanted to trade him.

I hope we actually try to start up talks with the Clips on that. If I recall correctly (don't remember the source), Doc isn't a fan of draft picks and would rather pick up vets that can contribute now. And Ballmer doesn't strike me as someone who will want to just tank.

Maybe we can swing a Beverly/Johnson/2020 1st unprotected for Bled?

I was thinking at least Beverley and a 2020 protected one. I doubt they'd give up an uprotected one. If they keep Blake and possibly DeAndre they might only put light protection on it.

[blee732]

I wonder if the Clips will inquire about Bledsoe. A lot of their fans never wanted to trade him.

I hope we actually try to start up talks with the Clips on that. If I recall correctly (don't remember the source), Doc isn't a fan of draft picks and would rather pick up vets that can contribute now. And Ballmer doesn't strike me as someone who will want to just tank.

Maybe we can swing a Beverly/Johnson/2020 1st unprotected for Bled?

I was thinking at least Beverley and a 2020 protected one. I doubt they'd give up an uprotected one. If they keep Blake and possibly DeAndre they might only put light protection on it.

Hmmm yeah if they keep Blake that trade doesn't look so good. I would ask for two 1st rounders (top 10 protection?) in that case since they'd likely end up in the mid-teens.

I'm not a fan of bringing on Blake....but if we can nab 1-2 1st round picks AND steal away Blake, that could work out nicely.

[bwgood77]

I hope we actually try to start up talks with the Clips on that. If I recall correctly (don't remember the source), Doc isn't a fan of draft picks and would rather pick up vets that can contribute now. And Ballmer doesn't strike me as someone who will want to just tank.

Maybe we can swing a Beverly/Johnson/2020 1st unprotected for Bled?

I was thinking at least Beverley and a 2020 protected one. I doubt they'd give up an uprotected one. If they keep Blake and possibly DeAndre they might only put light protection on it.

Hmmm yeah if they keep Blake that trade doesn't look so good. I would ask for two 1st rounders (top 10 protection?) in that case since they'd likely end up in the mid-teens.

I'm not a fan of bringing on Blake....but if we can nab 1-2 1st round picks AND steal away Blake, that could work out nicely.

Blake and Bledsoe have both been plagued with injuries so you never know. But we probably need to wait to see if people like Lowry and Holiday move teams. Denver is looking for a PG. Utah maybe. I think his peak trade value happened pre draft, and perhaps it goes up a little more during free agency, but we could have gotten Denver's 13th pick in a deep draft.

I think most teams that would want him now will likely be better when we trade for him so even if we get a first, the player(s) we get back will have to be useful pieces. Like if Lowry leaves Toronto, maybe we get Joseph, Powell and a first. We suddenly have a backup for Booker and another PG after the draft and signing Mike James, so maybe we don't need those guys.

Maybe a young center? But we'd maybe have to wait to see what happens in FA.

There may not end up being a good offer and we may just want to keep him. I think we plan on keeping him for now, but not sure for exactly how long.

[BobbieL]

I wonder if the Clips will inquire about Bledsoe. A lot of their fans never wanted to trade him.

I hope we actually try to start up talks with the Clips on that. If I recall correctly (don't remember the source), Doc isn't a fan of draft picks and would rather pick up vets that can contribute now. And Ballmer doesn't strike me as someone who will want to just tank.

Maybe we can swing a Beverly/Johnson/2020 1st unprotected for Bled?

I was thinking at least Beverley and a 2020 protected one. I doubt they'd give up an uprotected one. If they keep Blake and possibly DeAndre they might only put light protection on it.

If thinking of moving Bledsoe to the Clippers - the more I think about - would think of doing the trade I mentioned above more than a 1st round pick. Suns have enough young players and picks over the years - but how to move that Knight deal for some value

Sweet Lou (expiring next summer), Beverly (not guaranteed next summer, team option) and Crawford for Knight and Bled
again maybe the Clippers don't want Knight but aren't they losing Reddick now soon

Suns would have a tone of cap space in the summer of 2019 with Dudley, Chandler and Crawford off the books

That's not bad

[bwgood77]

I hope we actually try to start up talks with the Clips on that. If I recall correctly (don't remember the source), Doc isn't a fan of draft picks and would rather pick up vets that can contribute now. And Ballmer doesn't strike me as someone who will want to just tank.

Maybe we can swing a Beverly/Johnson/2020 1st unprotected for Bled?

I was thinking at least Beverley and a 2020 protected one. I doubt they'd give up an uprotected one. If they keep Blake and possibly DeAndre they might only put light protection on it.

If thinking of moving Bledsoe to the Clippers - the more I think about - would think of doing the trade I mentioned above more than a 1st round pick. Suns have enough young players and picks over the years - but how to move that Knight deal for some value

Sweet Lou (expiring next summer), Beverly (not guaranteed next summer, team option) and Crawford for Knight and Bled
again maybe the Clippers don't want Knight but aren't they losing Reddick now soon

Suns would have a tone of cap space in the summer of 2019 with Dudley, Chandler and Crawford off the books

That's not bad

I'd do it if I could be I don't think Knight is moveable unless you take on a really bad contract or give up something.

[BobbieL]

I was thinking at least Beverley and a 2020 protected one. I doubt they'd give up an uprotected one. If they keep Blake and possibly DeAndre they might only put light protection on it.

If thinking of moving Bledsoe to the Clippers - the more I think about - would think of doing the trade I mentioned above more than a 1st round pick. Suns have enough young players and picks over the years - but how to move that Knight deal for some value

Sweet Lou (expiring next summer), Beverly (not guaranteed next summer, team option) and Crawford for Knight and Bled
again maybe the Clippers don't want Knight but aren't they losing Reddick now soon

Suns would have a tone of cap space in the summer of 2019 with Dudley, Chandler and Crawford off the books

That's not bad

I'd do it if I could be I don't think Knight is moveable unless you take on a really bad contract or give up something.

I think giving up Bledsoe for Sweet Lou and Beverly is selling low; so that is made up for getting Crawford for Knight

I doubt the Clippers do it - it didn't work in phoenix so why try it in LA - but just a thought if Clippers wanted Bledsoe

Now if the Clippers were saying Sweet Lou and Beverly for Bledsoe - damn right add a first round pick.

And than - because not sure Sweet Lou fits with LB here, the rookie Reed, James - maybe flip him to the Cavs for Frye. Suns get that veteran presence for the locker room and a front court player. Cavs could use a guy like Sweet Lou off bench

[bwgood77]

If thinking of moving Bledsoe to the Clippers - the more I think about - would think of doing the trade I mentioned above more than a 1st round pick. Suns have enough young players and picks over the years - but how to move that Knight deal for some value

Sweet Lou (expiring next summer), Beverly (not guaranteed next summer, team option) and Crawford for Knight and Bled
again maybe the Clippers don't want Knight but aren't they losing Reddick now soon

Suns would have a tone of cap space in the summer of 2019 with Dudley, Chandler and Crawford off the books

That's not bad

I'd do it if I could be I don't think Knight is moveable unless you take on a really bad contract or give up something.

I think giving up Bledsoe for Sweet Lou and Beverly is selling low; so that is made up for getting Crawford for Knight

I doubt the Clippers do it - it didn't work in phoenix so why try it in LA - but just a thought if Clippers wanted Bledsoe

Now if the Clippers were saying Sweet Lou and Beverly for Bledsoe - damn right add a first round pick.

Yeah, in a mock offseason I did, the Nuggets GM kept pestering me on a Bledsoe trade, even giving two future 1sts, but I kept turning down unless he took Knight. Finally he begrudgingly did, but I had to take Arthur back. It was very unrealistic I felt, and he tried to renege after it was agreed to. I think it's just way too much salary for most teams to take in...it's like trading for a $30 million Bledsoe contract unless they truly think Knight is worth something. He might be. Doc has made some dumb decisions.

[Kerrsed]

Sooooo.....it seems Cousins could be had for the right price. Having 2 dominant bigs and nothing else really didnt work for the Pelicans and it sounds like they are willing to trade him for a little more than they gave up for him (Buddy/Tyreke/Galloway/1st).

Could be an interesting play....specially if we could use Len in a S&T (Along with a Miami 1st and like Warren or Bender).

Bledsoe/Booker/JJ/Chriss/Cousins

[bwgood77]

Sooooo.....it seems Cousins could be had for the right price. Having 2 dominant bigs and nothing else really didnt work for the Pelicans and it sounds like they are willing to trade him for a little more than they gave up for him (Buddy/Tyreke/Galloway/1st).

Could be an interesting play....specially if we could use Len in a S&T (Along with a Miami 1st and like Warren or Bender).

Bledsoe/Booker/JJ/Chriss/Cousins

I'm guessing they won't give up on a two month experiment just yet. Especially with Cousins looking like he is in the best shape of his career.

[Cutter]

Cavs- Bledsoe, chandler, George
Pacers- warren, Thomson , cavs 1st
Suns- Irving, frye

Cavs get Bledsoe and George and pair them with chandler who can go help them win a title right now still a double double machine.

Pacers get value back for George

Suns- give up 2 young assets and a vet center but get back one of the top young pg in the NBA

Irving
Booker
Jackson

That's a back court that could compete with anyone!! If Jackson pans out then we have a nba title contender

Add Chris's to the picture and if he developes then you are golden

If Kylie got traded to the Suns he'd be pissed beyond belief.

[AtheJ415]

Sooooo.....it seems Cousins could be had for the right price. Having 2 dominant bigs and nothing else really didnt work for the Pelicans and it sounds like they are willing to trade him for a little more than they gave up for him (Buddy/Tyreke/Galloway/1st).

Could be an interesting play....specially if we could use Len in a S&T (Along with a Miami 1st and like Warren or Bender).

Bledsoe/Booker/JJ/Chriss/Cousins

We shouldn't trade for Cousins when we can sign him for nothing at the end of the offseason.

[DirtyDez]

Sooooo.....it seems Cousins could be had for the right price. Having 2 dominant bigs and nothing else really didnt work for the Pelicans and it sounds like they are willing to trade him for a little more than they gave up for him (Buddy/Tyreke/Galloway/1st).

Could be an interesting play....specially if we could use Len in a S&T (Along with a Miami 1st and like Warren or Bender).

Bledsoe/Booker/JJ/Chriss/Cousins

Where are you seeing that?

I'd want to wait for FA unless he commits long term.

[Kerrsed]

Sooooo.....it seems Cousins could be had for the right price. Having 2 dominant bigs and nothing else really didnt work for the Pelicans and it sounds like they are willing to trade him for a little more than they gave up for him (Buddy/Tyreke/Galloway/1st).

Could be an interesting play....specially if we could use Len in a S&T (Along with a Miami 1st and like Warren or Bender).

Bledsoe/Booker/JJ/Chriss/Cousins

Where are you seeing that?

I'd want to wait for FA unless he commits long term.

Supposedly there are rumors about him possibly heading to Cleveland, and the Pelicans have had discussions with the Cavs. Cav's are interested in trading TT, but Pelicans may favor Love to pair next to Davis.

I just googled Demarcus Cousins and the 1st few news articles were talking about it.

[DirtyDez]

Sooooo.....it seems Cousins could be had for the right price. Having 2 dominant bigs and nothing else really didnt work for the Pelicans and it sounds like they are willing to trade him for a little more than they gave up for him (Buddy/Tyreke/Galloway/1st).

Could be an interesting play....specially if we could use Len in a S&T (Along with a Miami 1st and like Warren or Bender).

Bledsoe/Booker/JJ/Chriss/Cousins

Where are you seeing that?

I'd want to wait for FA unless he commits long term.

Supposedly there are rumors about him possibly heading to Cleveland, and the Pelicans have had discussions with the Cavs. Cav's are interested in trading TT, but Pelicans may favor Love to pair next to Davis.

I just googled Demarcus Cousins and the 1st few news articles were talking about it.

Well there's a better chance the Suns could pull it off now considering the team he's playing for doesn't value Buddy Hield the same as Steph Curry.

Bledsoe can't be outgoing in any deal considering their UK connection.

[JMac1]

Sooooo.....it seems Cousins could be had for the right price. Having 2 dominant bigs and nothing else really didnt work for the Pelicans and it sounds like they are willing to trade him for a little more than they gave up for him (Buddy/Tyreke/Galloway/1st).

Could be an interesting play....specially if we could use Len in a S&T (Along with a Miami 1st and like Warren or Bender).

Bledsoe/Booker/JJ/Chriss/Cousins

Warren if possible. I think the Pela get a lot more though. But that lineup is nice.

[Cutter]

Sooooo.....it seems Cousins could be had for the right price. Having 2 dominant bigs and nothing else really didnt work for the Pelicans and it sounds like they are willing to trade him for a little more than they gave up for him (Buddy/Tyreke/Galloway/1st).

Could be an interesting play....specially if we could use Len in a S&T (Along with a Miami 1st and like Warren or Bender).

Bledsoe/Booker/JJ/Chriss/Cousins

Where are you seeing that?

I'd want to wait for FA unless he commits long term.

Supposedly there are rumors about him possibly heading to Cleveland, and the Pelicans have had discussions with the Cavs. Cav's are interested in trading TT, but Pelicans may favor Love to pair next to Davis.

I just googled Demarcus Cousins and the 1st few news articles were talking about it.

Cousins will be 27 in August. He is to old for our core /green font