2014 Official Suns Free Agent/Trade/Transaction Thread

[jcsunsfan]

The Suns should throw everything at LeBron this summer. They have the perfect situation. Lots of young talent, picks to add other pieces. Free agent room, and Eric Bledsoe who LeBron really likes. Going back to Cleveland should be an option but that franchise is in too much turmoil. The Suns should have as much chance at getting LeBron as Houston did with Dwight.

Of course, if the Lakers enter the fray, all bets are off.

[INFORMER-93]

You don't have to worry about the Lakers. LeBron has no desire to play with Kobe, or follow his act.

But why does LeBron leave Miami?

[DRK]

The things I would do for Nicolas Batum on this team. Oh me oh my.../

If the Trailblazers bomb out in the playoffs, could we offer them something to strengthen their biggest weakness? Their bench? With LMA, lillard and Mathews, Batum's role in that team is basically a elite 3 and D guy, with additional playmaking. Is it possible we could entice them to a trade?

Batum and Freeland for the Morris Twins, Indy's and Wash's 1st and Frye?

[INFORMER-93]

If they move Batum, it would be for a star. The Blazers org has had a man crush on Batum ever since he was drafted. And it hasn't mattered who has been in that front office; they have all valued Batum considerably.

[bwgood77]

I like Evan Turner ok as a player, but not for this team. As for Batum and LeBron, why would Portland make a trade when they suddenly finally feel they are contenders? And why would LeBron leave a dynasty to join a young team? None of these make any sense.

Really the type of players we need are sharpshooters and a tough minded rebounding banger. I think most of us agree that Love would be a nice fit, but he likely doesn't get moved until trade deadline next year, and I think we've exhausted discussion on him.

I think we keep the cap space, see if we can pry some players via lopsided trades, by taking on a bad contract, or even getting a useful player from a team more concerned with rebuilding and ping pong balls near this deadline, and then use our draft picks to get some shooters.

If we could come away in the draft with James Young, Doug McDermott and Adriean Payne/Montrezl Harrell and maybe a Jahii Carson/Tyler Ennis with the Indy pick, that seems like it would give us some shooters, size and rebounding, and perhaps a backup pg/spark off the bench.

Then suddenly we have a bunch of cheap assets for trades if we can get a star, or we can keep and develop these guys and watch them grow and be fans of them from day one as this team builds stronger from the ground up.

[INFORMER-93]

I've had my eyes on Adriean Payne as well.

[jcsunsfan]

You don't have to worry about the Lakers. LeBron has no desire to play with Kobe, or follow his act.

But why does LeBron leave Miami?

Why did Dwight leave LA? Some things that seem improbable can happen.

Because Wade's knees have an expiration date that is approaching fast and it gives him a chance to be a star someplace new.

[bwgood77]

I've had my eyes on Adriean Payne as well.

Yeah, he has size, can defend, rebounds well, gets blocks, and this year is suddenly shooting threes. He pretty much shut down Randle in the first half when they played in the first half before he got into foul trouble. I think he is a guy that would be more of an immediate contributor than most rookies because he played for four years.

It's kind of interesing to read the analysis of his progression over the last few years..

Long, athletic forward
Explosive leaper
Quick for a big man
Good defender/rebounder
Surprisingly good shooter w/ 3-point range

Dec 17 Update: Payne continues his transition offensively into a stretch four. He's averaging nearly four 3-pointers a game this season, and shooting a sizzling 46 percent from beyond the arc. His first two years as a collegian gave little evidence that this is who he would ultimately be, but now that he's shooting 3s with this regularity, most scouts believe that this will be his ultimate role in the NBA.

Nov. 27 Update: It's tough for seniors to get a lot of love on the Big Board. McDermott and Payne are the only two in the Top 30. Once you turn 22 years old, the NBA starts to write you off when you're still in college. However, Payne is making it hard on scouts to give up on him just yet. He's been phenomenal this season and is finally living up to his high expectations. He's a true inside-outside presence who can score around the basket and from 3 (47 percent from beyond the arc this season). If he plays like this all season, he's going to be a lock for the middle of the first round.

Nov. 13 Update: In the first half it looked like Payne, not Randle, was the guy NBA scouts should get excited about. Payne was scoring inside and outside and helping shut down Randle in the paint. He slowed down considerably in the second half, but did enough to stay on the bubble as a potential first-round pick.

Apr 29 Update: Payne had a breakout junior year, but was still a borderline first round pick. If he can maintain his progress into his senior year he has the size and skills to be a lock for the first round in 2014.

April 18 Update: Payne still hasn't decided whether he's returning to Michigan State but if he does declare, it wouldn't be a surprise to see him in the first round. He improve dramatically as a junior and showed both toughness in the paint along with an ability to step out and hit the jumper. Scouts have him in the 20 to 30 range.

Mar 26 Update: Payne has been hovering in our Top 60 since his freshman season. After two seasons of teasing us, he's finally living up to the immense talent he showed coming into college. Payne had a dominant game for the Spartans on Saturday against a super athletic Memphis front line. His 14 points, 10 rebounds and 5 blocks turned some heads. Not only does Payne have the size and athletic ability to play on the block, he also can step out and hit 3s. If he continues to play this way and leads Michigan State to the Final Four, he'll likely end up in the first round.

[Ring_Wanted]

I don't see long term fit a big problem. Bledsoe and Goran need/want the ball, of course, but the game is long, and there is enough room for a third guy capable of creating, especially if said player is versatile, be it Turner or somebody else. In other words, if I were to acquire him, it wouldn't necessarily have to be a rental.

Wow, I just don't see it, RW. Turner still has horrible shot selection, his jumper is still a mess, and he needs the ball in his hands too much to be effective. I realize the game is long and there will be opportunities for others to have the ball in their hands besides Dragic and Bledsoe, but the prudent thing to do is to bring in a guy that can also thrive with the Dragic/Bledsoe combo. I'm not convinced Evan Turner can do that. I think we could do a lot better in adding an additional wing player.

I won't dispute his shortcomings, they are well documented. Still, I see a number of things he does that we could use, and if the price is right, I'd take him. At the very least he is not a long term contract and can be easily let go if his demands/offer sheet are beyond reason. He'd have half a season to work his way into our system, and if the production is not acceptable, nothing is lost besides the (modest) assets it would take to get him.

I believe the 76rs are in a position where they can sell at a reasonable price, and this includes Young to a lesser extent. Of course, I have no interest in a bidding war, and if the 76rs said something like 'Morrii, Goodwin and Was' pick' for Turner (or Young, for that matter), the conversations would end quickly, but if the price is within the range of what I consider taking a flyer on the player, I'd do it.

If there are better targets out there for wing help, considering our needs, I'd love to see it done, but I think it's hard if you want to keep most of your assets, including cap flexibility/space. Paul Pierce, maybe? Or do you have something big in mind (which is not the kind of move I'm proposing anyway)?

[Ring_Wanted]

Wow, I just don't see it, RW. Turner still has horrible shot selection, his jumper is still a mess, and he needs the ball in his hands too much to be effective. I realize the game is long and there will be opportunities for others to have the ball in their hands besides Dragic and Bledsoe, but the prudent thing to do is to bring in a guy that can also thrive with the Dragic/Bledsoe combo. I'm not convinced Evan Turner can do that. I think we could do a lot better in adding an additional wing player.

This is the Pelicans situation with Tyreke Evans almost exactly. Yet a 3rd guy that needs the ball in his hands a lot to be effective. He seemed to be figuring out his role with the team when Holiday went down. It's nice to have that option, but it's a luxury. I'm sure they'd rather have another piece that compliments their team a bit better.

Although I can see your point, I don't think this example really works. Bledsoe-Goran-Evans is far from JRue-Gordon-Tyreke in terms of redundancy.

I don't really think Evans is worth discussing much more, tho. What I am advocating is taking a flyer on a player who seems like he can be had at a relatively cheap price all things considered, but again, if there is something better out there, I'm all for it.

[Ring_Wanted]

The things I would do for Nicolas Batum on this team. Oh me oh my.../

If the Trailblazers bomb out in the playoffs, could we offer them something to strengthen their biggest weakness? Their bench? With LMA, lillard and Mathews, Batum's role in that team is basically a elite 3 and D guy, with additional playmaking. Is it possible we could entice them to a trade?

Batum and Freeland for the Morris Twins, Indy's and Wash's 1st and Frye?

Not even close in my opinion. If you were the Blazers, would you consider getting rid of a Nic Batum under a long contract for anything less than Miles, Frye and draft stuff? I wouldn't, and in this case, unlike what the Wolves have with Love, I think you actually can orchestate a bidding process.

[thamadkant]

Pistons won't trade Monroe for role players.

If I was them, Monroe is untouchable along with Drummond.


When you luck out and get to draft 2 near 7 footers that contribute double doubles and ability to be a handful offensively... You stick to that and build around it.

Josh Smith is more likely to be traded for a shooter that spreads the defense out.... Gallinari perhaps.

[thamadkant]

I've had my eyes on Adriean Payne as well.

I'm hopeful McD has him as one of the late first rounders...
I hope he is available around Wizards or Subs own pick.... Looks like an upgrade to the Morris bros already.

[INFORMER-93]

You don't have to worry about the Lakers. LeBron has no desire to play with Kobe, or follow his act.

But why does LeBron leave Miami?

Why did Dwight leave LA? Some things that seem improbable can happen.

The only thing that LA had to offer was more money. Dwight hated playing with Kobe. Dwight had no confidence in D'Antoni. He had a horrible season in LA and no history with the franchise. The Lakers weren't even Dwight's first trade choice; he wanted to be dealt to Brooklyn.

There was nothing improbable about his exodus.

[INFORMER-93]

If there are better targets out there for wing help, considering our needs, I'd love to see it done, but I think it's hard if you want to keep most of your assets, including cap flexibility/space.

I rather wait for the right piece that fits, then reach for a player that doesn't fit and lose assets, even modest ones, in the process. It's not like we're facing a closing window of opportunity. Time is on the Suns' side, so they can afford to be patient.

[Ring_Wanted]

If there are better targets out there for wing help, considering our needs, I'd love to see it done, but I think it's hard if you want to keep most of your assets, including cap flexibility/space.

I rather wait for the right piece that fits, then reach for a player that doesn't fit and lose assets, even modest ones, in the process. It's not like we're facing a closing window of opportunity. Time is on the Suns' side, so they can afford to be patient.

Yeah, strictly with a long term mindset there is no need to make a move, but if making the playoffs is a goal for this season seeing how things have gone so far, standing pat in the west is dangerous. If it doesn't matter, there is no point in discussing thie kind of trades.

[gaspar]

If there are better targets out there for wing help, considering our needs, I'd love to see it done, but I think it's hard if you want to keep most of your assets, including cap flexibility/space.

I rather wait for the right piece that fits, then reach for a player that doesn't fit and lose assets, even modest ones, in the process. It's not like we're facing a closing window of opportunity. Time is on the Suns' side, so they can afford to be patient.

Yeah, strictly with a long term mindset there is no need to make a move, but if making the playoffs is a goal for this season seeing how things have gone so far, standing pat in the west is dangerous. If it doesn't matter, there is no point in discussing thie kind of trades.

It isn't.

Making the playoffs with this group would be a tremendous accomplishment, but again, McDonough’s not willing to sacrifice the bigger picture for short-term success.

“We’re going to do everything we can to make it, but at the same time we’re not going to compromise our future and do something crazy just to try to get one of the last seeds in the playoffs,” McDonough said. “That’s not the goal. We’re trying to build an organization that’s capable of winning championships in the future.”

LINK

[RunDogGun]

I wouldn't say it isn't a goal really. It just sounds like we are looking at one game at a time, focus on how the players develop, and if something comes up that both makes us better now, while also increasing our future, we go for it.

But from what he said, we aren't going all in this season in a win it now mentality, which in my opinion hasn't happened for so many teams that try it.

Teams will start to get desperate as the trade deadline comes, to either go for it, or shed salary. We still have a little bit if wiggle room, plus Okafor's contract.

[Ring_Wanted]

I rather wait for the right piece that fits, then reach for a player that doesn't fit and lose assets, even modest ones, in the process. It's not like we're facing a closing window of opportunity. Time is on the Suns' side, so they can afford to be patient.

Yeah, strictly with a long term mindset there is no need to make a move, but if making the playoffs is a goal for this season seeing how things have gone so far, standing pat in the west is dangerous. If it doesn't matter, there is no point in discussing thie kind of trades.

It isn't.

Making the playoffs with this group would be a tremendous accomplishment, but again, McDonough’s not willing to sacrifice the bigger picture for short-term success.

“We’re going to do everything we can to make it, but at the same time we’re not going to compromise our future and do something crazy just to try to get one of the last seeds in the playoffs,” McDonough said. “That’s not the goal. We’re trying to build an organization that’s capable of winning championships in the future.”

LINK

Compromising the future/doing something crazy is reaaaaally far from what I am saying.

[Revived]

I'm not sure Monroe fits in with what we have going on right now. I'm confident Hornacek could adjust our offense so that he can play a role, but do you want to see our team slow down some? I'm enjoying the fast break renaissance.

Their going to have to "slow down some" in the playoffs. Can't keep winning in a 7 game series by just running all the time...you gotta have something that's at least reminiscent of a half court offense.

I think if our goal, in the next 2-3 years is to win in the playoffs and become a contender, we need a big man that can consistently get us about 20 pts a game and rebound at a high level.

If you have to pay the max for that, then you do it. It's what's needed.