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

[Qwigglez]

I’d give Conley a go if we didn’t trade the 6th pick. Johnson, Jackson, the Bucks pick, the 32nd pick, and our 2020 2nd round pick is about as far as I’d go though. Draft Clarke or Garland, maybe see if we can get Mirotic, Randle, or even someone cheaper like Trey Lyles.

[Ghost of Kleine]

Jackson not Warren. Warren shouldn't be tossed into a trade.

I'm open to either option honestly man. But I did Warren and Johnson, Because the numbers match up even salary wise that way, And it would allow us to keep enough cap space to further improve the roster.

But the other option would probably still be doable, and even if we kept Warren, We'd only have about 5 million in cap space to try and adress our needs at the 4. As we'd still be taking back 30 million in salary, But only sending out about 25 million to Memphis.

In Jacksons contract being at- 6 million roughly.
And

Johnson's at 19 million currently.

Meaning that when we don't include Warren in the Conley trade, The 5 million difference will knock our current 9-10 million in cap space down to around 4 or 5.

So for my part, I would just rather do the trade by the numbers with it being -

Warren (11.7 million).
Johnson ( 19.3 million). = to around 31 million.

And the Milwaukee pick for -

Conley ( 30.5) million.

And then trade Jackson to New York for mario Hezonzas' expiring, which would give us extra cap space.

http://www.espn.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=y3kuanc7.

These moves would equate to around 16-17 million for us to again add a higher quality power forward in free agency. Thus furthering our team's progression to the point of being a playoff team possibly.

I just think at this point you have to attach Jackson with other assets to get something positive in return. You'll get more back straight up for Warren on his own if you must trade him, but really, he'd be outstanding as instant offense if he accepted a 6th man role. I just don't see the urgency in getting rid of him to get rid of his contract. For his production, he's on a great deal. There's other pieces you can move first, IMO.

I do agree that he's a good scorer for us, and would be a great 6th man for us on a really good contract.

But it's in that where his value also lies as our best trade chip. And since he's clearly that( our most valuable trade asset, aside from our core players of Ayton/Booker/and Bridges ( who obviously won't be traded).

He'll as a result likely be the centerpiece of any major trade that seeks to bring back value and foster our young teams improvement.

If Jackson could be somewhat consistent, and not make immature and really poor decisions off the court too, Then he'd probably be our featured asset.

But as it stands currently, Warren holds that distinction due to his production and really nice contract.

Oubres' infectious play and bravado have endured him.to the fans too. And as a result, Have ultimately made both Jackson and Warren expendable. That's why you aren't seeing them in promos and marketing. I like Warren...............

But as the saying goes, He's unfortunately a victim of his own success.

[darmani]

The thing with Conley is that he is a great PG vet, and yeah he costs a ton the next two seasons, but if all it costs is Johnson, Jackson, Bucks pick, you do it. He helps develop the youth and maybe they start winning. If it doesn't go well you have a huge expiring to trade for a disgruntled star in their prime and maybe even another role player with the size of that expiring. Conley isnt my first choice to be around for a long time, but you can do a lot worse.

This is the same dumb idea that got the Suns to sign Chandler, Dudley, Ariza and Anderson. Being an ancient vet who is paid to much isn’t going develop the young guys at all. We have already seen that. After he retires in two years the Suns are back to the point of not having a point guard.

THIS THIS THIS

Stop this **** moronic talk about trading for Mike **** Conley. He wouldn't be happy here and wouldn't mesh with the Valley Boyz just like Ariza and Chandler didn't. If Conley wasn't happy "making noise" in his beloved Memphis, why would he be happy winning 25-30 games in Phoenix with players and coaches he has no relationship with?

Mike Conley:

"We can make some noise. But that puts me in the same situation I’ve been in for the past 10 years, just making noise. Do I want to continue to be making noise? I’m 31, I’m kind of past trying to make noise every year.

I want to be somewhere, if there’s a possibility, where you can have a legit chance at achieving a goal of winning a championship. Everything else, I’m not so much worried about as I am being in the years I’m in right now, trying to win and compete deeply into the playoffs. Knowing I have a chance when I go to training camp that year, our expectation is (a deep run). There is no anything else. I want to be an impact player on a championship team."

James Jones:

“The reason a lot of these players are available is because their teams don’t think they fit long-term. Your teams think those guys are declining in value and so they’ll try to push them upon you and if you’re desperate and they know that’s something that you need they’re hopeful that they can trick you into setting yourself up for short-term success but long-term failure.”

“We’re focused on adding veterans, just not the veterans that are at that declining point.”

“For the most part, our team is all under 22, so if you try to add someone that’s 33-34 years old, it usually just doesn’t work. There’s too big of a gap.”

“Especially when you factor in the speed and the pace of the game has increased. The elite players, there’s very few of those guys between the age of 32 to 35 that maintain a high level and take a jump.”

[Ghost of Kleine]

What does everyone think it'll cost to snag Brogdon away? 25mil per? More?

I think it really depends first on what Middleton will command in free agency, and which player they value keeping more.

If Middleton commands a max offer, Then yes, I think 25 might be too rich for them to match.

[bwgood77]

The thing with Conley is that he is a great PG vet, and yeah he costs a ton the next two seasons, but if all it costs is Johnson, Jackson, Bucks pick, you do it. He helps develop the youth and maybe they start winning. If it doesn't go well you have a huge expiring to trade for a disgruntled star in their prime and maybe even another role player with the size of that expiring. Conley isnt my first choice to be around for a long time, but you can do a lot worse.

This is the same dumb idea that got the Suns to sign Chandler, Dudley, Ariza and Anderson. Being an ancient vet who is paid to much isn’t going develop the young guys at all. We have already seen that. After he retires in two years the Suns are back to the point of not having a point guard.

THIS THIS THIS

Stop this **** moronic talk about trading for Mike **** Conley. He wouldn't be happy here and wouldn't mesh with the Valley Boyz just like Ariza and Chandler didn't. If Conley wasn't happy "making noise" in his beloved Memphis, why would he be happy winning 25-30 games in Phoenix with players and coaches he has no relationship with?

Mike Conley:

"We can make some noise. But that puts me in the same situation I’ve been in for the past 10 years, just making noise. Do I want to continue to be making noise? I’m 31, I’m kind of past trying to make noise every year.

I want to be somewhere, if there’s a possibility, where you can have a legit chance at achieving a goal of winning a championship. Everything else, I’m not so much worried about as I am being in the years I’m in right now, trying to win and compete deeply into the playoffs. Knowing I have a chance when I go to training camp that year, our expectation is (a deep run). There is no anything else. I want to be an impact player on a championship team."

James Jones:

“The reason a lot of these players are available is because their teams don’t think they fit long-term. Your teams think those guys are declining in value and so they’ll try to push them upon you and if you’re desperate and they know that’s something that you need they’re hopeful that they can trick you into setting yourself up for short-term success but long-term failure.”

“We’re focused on adding veterans, just not the veterans that are at that declining point.”

“For the most part, our team is all under 22, so if you try to add someone that’s 33-34 years old, it usually just doesn’t work. There’s too big of a gap.”

“Especially when you factor in the speed and the pace of the game has increased. The elite players, there’s very few of those guys between the age of 32 to 35 that maintain a high level and take a jump.”

Yeah that's why I am not thinking Conley is the guy....because i don't think he'd want to be here, and I don't want that any more. But if he did, he'd be a solid fit if he remained healthy.

[jredsaz]

What does everyone think it'll cost to snag Brogdon away? 25mil per? More?

I think it really depends first on what Middleton will command in free agency, and which player they value keeping more.

If Middleton commands a max offer, Then yes, I think 25 might be too rich for them to match.

If you trade Warren, Jackson, #6 for AG and stretch Johnson you have over $22 mil to play with.

Sent from my SM-G965U using RealGM mobile app

[jredsaz]

What does everyone think it'll cost to snag Brogdon away? 25mil per? More?

I think it really depends first on what Middleton will command in free agency, and which player they value keeping more.

If Middleton commands a max offer, Then yes, I think 25 might be too rich for them to match.

If you trade Warren, Jackson, #6 for AG and stretch Johnson you have over $22 mil to play with.

Sent from my SM-G965U using RealGM mobile app

With the Oubre and Holmes cap holds.

Sent from my SM-G965U using RealGM mobile app

[Ghost of Kleine]

The thing with Conley is that he is a great PG vet, and yeah he costs a ton the next two seasons, but if all it costs is Johnson, Jackson, Bucks pick, you do it. He helps develop the youth and maybe they start winning. If it doesn't go well you have a huge expiring to trade for a disgruntled star in their prime and maybe even another role player with the size of that expiring. Conley isnt my first choice to be around for a long time, but you can do a lot worse.

This is the same dumb idea that got the Suns to sign Chandler, Dudley, Ariza and Anderson. Being an ancient vet who is paid to much isn’t going develop the young guys at all. We have already seen that. After he retires in two years the Suns are back to the point of not having a point guard.

THIS THIS THIS

Stop this **** moronic talk about trading for Mike **** Conley. He wouldn't be happy here and wouldn't mesh with the Valley Boyz just like Ariza and Chandler didn't. If Conley wasn't happy "making noise" in his beloved Memphis, why would he be happy winning 25-30 games in Phoenix with players and coaches he has no relationship with?

Mike Conley:

"We can make some noise. But that puts me in the same situation I’ve been in for the past 10 years, just making noise. Do I want to continue to be making noise? I’m 31, I’m kind of past trying to make noise every year.

I want to be somewhere, if there’s a possibility, where you can have a legit chance at achieving a goal of winning a championship. Everything else, I’m not so much worried about as I am being in the years I’m in right now, trying to win and compete deeply into the playoffs. Knowing I have a chance when I go to training camp that year, our expectation is (a deep run). There is no anything else. I want to be an impact player on a championship team."

James Jones:

“The reason a lot of these players are available is because their teams don’t think they fit long-term. Your teams think those guys are declining in value and so they’ll try to push them upon you and if you’re desperate and they know that’s something that you need they’re hopeful that they can trick you into setting yourself up for short-term success but long-term failure.”

“We’re focused on adding veterans, just not the veterans that are at that declining point.”

“For the most part, our team is all under 22, so if you try to add someone that’s 33-34 years old, it usually just doesn’t work. There’s too big of a gap.”

“Especially when you factor in the speed and the pace of the game has increased. The elite players, there’s very few of those guys between the age of 32 to 35 that maintain a high level and take a jump.”

I guess it's lucky for us then that Conley is:

- Nothing like those players mentioned in Chandler/ Ariza/ Anderson. Those players aside from Dudley had really poor and unprofessional attitudes, didn't really even compete, or have any semblance of a work ethic. Dudley, while I like his character and Basketball I.Q, didn't have any legit talent.

-Conley, couldn't be further from these players in terms of skill, Character, leadership qualities and work ethic, and attitude.

- The team that he's been on recently, has easily far less talent than what our roster offers, and he still managed to lead them to being highly competitive.

-So it's quite reasonable to think he can reasonably accomplish much more with our team honestly. Even to the point of being a playoff team possibly.

-And as our young players age and progress, we'll become even more competitive too.

- It's about having an high character veteran leader with playoff experience who can lead our young players to the next stage of their development.

- Jones speaks of older players being in their decline, and at the age of 33 - 34.

- Conley is only 31, Not really showing any signs yet of decline, As his stats indicate even as recently as this very last season. Even to the point of dropping 35 on us too.

- Lucky for us also that with Conley only being 31. And with consideration to Jones' statement his contract will expire by the time he turns 33...obviously.

- He said he wants to contend, and of course all players do want that, And he can still sign with whatever Championship team will sign him once he becomes a free agent. But for the next two years, he's under contract.

-And again, He's always been a consummate professional and will be content for now to be more competitive and in return, As he expires, We can then return the favor by trading his expiring to a contending team.

-Bottom line, he's still a very productive veteran guard, who's always been a great leader and floor general. He's has also always showed great character and is a great locker room guy as well.

-And he can likely do a much better job of helping to mentor and advance our young team to a higher level of competitiveness and change our culture in a more positive manner than any low cost free agent we might find.

- Lastly, his 30 million contract doesn't set us up for short term success, His mentoring helping to change our culture from a losing one to a winning one.

- And will only foster our long term success by teaching our young players how to win instead of them just knowing what it is to lose.

- As will his 30 million expiring contract in terms of also setting us up to be able to offer a max salary slot to one of the many UNRESTRICTED all star level free agents in 2021.

( Again helping us by contributing to us gaining max cap space) exactly at the right time for free agency and also Aytons' and Bridges extensions too.

[PHXDraft0358]

If the Suns are adding an old geezer lol I’d prefer it to be Brandon Clarke!! He’d be an older Draft Prospect but could backup the PF spot for many years, with shotblocking/rebounding/stealing/dunking, etc. and Suns don’t have to Trade half the Team for!!

Trading Warren, Jackson, Johnson, and #6 for Conley doesn’t make sense!! The Suns need to add to core (Ayton, Booker, Oubre, Warren, Bridges, Jackson, Johnson/Melton/Okobo, Holmes/Bender, etc.) not break it up!!

Some Free Agents and Restricted FA’s will extend, dropping some players from that list. I didn’t like that McDonough went after so many aged veterans but at least he didn’t Trade young assets to acquire them! I wouldn’t Trade either Warren, or #6 straight up for Conley - and I’d prefer keeping Johnson/Jackson too though who knows what happens with Josh now.

Drafting: Hunter/Clarke or Barrett/Culver/White/Garland and the Suns fill either PF or PG/Combo Guard spot and have $10.1 Million and/or Bucks 1st, Suns future Pick(s) to fill the other.

[darmani]

OT: Does anyone on this forum actually read Kleine's incessant, disorganized blabbering?

[Crives]

OT: Does anyone on this forum actually read Kleine's incessant, disorganized blabbering?

Yes

How do I downvote your post?

[KLEON]

Brogdon in a Suns uniform please and thank you

[DirtyDez]

Mike Conley has had way too many feet/ankle/heel issues to trade a top-10 pick for. If they dump him on us for cap relief we can take him.

[sunsbg]

You know it's a boring off-season when the most discussions on Suns boards are about :

- expensive, not fitting age-wise, not wanting to play here, neither the GM wants such player here in Conley
- most likely an energy guy off the bench in Clarke

Let's hope something interesting happens on draft night.

[Ghost of Kleine]

OT: Does anyone on this forum actually read Kleine's incessant, disorganized blabbering?

Thanks man.

By the way, I'm a fan of your posts too!!!......Keep up the good work buddy.

[bigfoot]

I would expect the Grizz are going to move Conley to a winning organization if they move him at all. They moved Gasol to Raptors and I suspect Conley to the Jazz makes the most sense. Building and maintaining organizational goodwill with players across the league is pretty important.

[Qwigglez]

If it came down to a bidding war I’d give up our 2020 1st round pick with heavy protection in order to get Conley. I think with Jones as GM, he isn’t viewing players like assets like McDonough was. I’m sure before a trade even happens Jones would somehow get in contact with Conley and make sure he’d be okay coming to the Suns and that he’d be a positive veteran leader. Conley may want to go to other teams that probably have a higher chance of competing, but if we have the best offer then he doesn’t really have a choice.
I’m all in for Conley as long as we don’t give up significant assets (Bridges, 6th pick, Warren). We’d still have enough cap space to nab a significant difference maker in free agency, or possibly two decent role players. If we were to go this route, I’d like to keep Bender and Holmes (Oubre is a given).

[Qwigglez]

You know it's a boring off-season when the most discussions on Suns boards are about :

- expensive, not fitting age-wise, not wanting to play here, neither the GM wants such player here in Conley
- most likely an energy guy off the bench in Clarke

Let's hope something interesting happens on draft night.

A lot of people keep saying this, yet when we signed Nash in 2004 he joined a very young Suns squad. Nash was 30 years old, and came to a team with a very young nucleus. Marion being our most experienced quality player having played 5 years. Amare with two years under his belt, Barbosa with one year, Joe Johnson with 3 years, and having signed Quentin Richardson also that summer coming off his rookie contract (4 years of experience). We had Bo Outlaw as our veteran with 11 years of experience, and ended up signing veteran Jim Jackson halfway through the year too.
I'm sure if we traded for Conley we could sell him on the vision of being the team leader as Nash was to our players in 2004-05. He could be disgruntled coming here, but on the flip side he might also welcome the opportunity.


*Compared to our current core players:
Booker (4 years)
Ayton (1 year)
Bridges (1 year)
Oubre (4 years)
Warren (5 years)

[sunsbg]

You know it's a boring off-season when the most discussions on Suns boards are about :

- expensive, not fitting age-wise, not wanting to play here, neither the GM wants such player here in Conley
- most likely an energy guy off the bench in Clarke

Let's hope something interesting happens on draft night.

A lot of people keep saying this, yet when we signed Nash in 2004 he joined a very young Suns squad. Nash was 30 years old, and came to a team with a very young nucleus. Marion being our most experienced quality player having played 5 years. Amare with two years under his belt, Barbosa with one year, Joe Johnson with 3 years, and having signed Quentin Richardson also that summer coming off his rookie contract (4 years of experience). We had Bo Outlaw as our veteran with 11 years of experience, and ended up signing veteran Jim Jackson halfway through the year too.
I'm sure if we traded for Conley we could sell him on the vision of being the team leader as Nash was to our players in 2004-05. He could be disgruntled coming here, but on the flip side he might also welcome the opportunity.


*Compared to our current core players:
Booker (4 years)
Ayton (1 year)
Bridges (1 year)
Oubre (4 years)
Warren (5 years)

Two years make a difference at that age, also Nash had connection with the team and probably still trusted the organization back then. All I have read is there are playoff teams with interest in Conley, also quotes above from Jones suggest there is no base whatsoever to consider Conley a realistic target. Yet for some reason Suns fans are all over it. I guess there is not much choice being that the top FAs will never consider joining the Suns. For that to change, an internal culture change and player improvement is required, which I'm most interested in at this point. The poor rookie class and meh free agency will not change anything.

[Blonde]

I can’t imagine what it feels like to argue against acquiring good players because they don’t “fit” this team that has been at the bottom of the conference for the better part of a decade. If you think there are actually better realistic options that’s fine, but I disagree. The only thing that’s going to set us back as a franchise is not putting good players around Booker and Ayton asap.