Season Speculation, Trade Ideas & Discussion 3: About Last Knight

[bwgood77]

Funny how Ray Ray's rumor became an article on Bright Side: http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2017/2/20/14667824/phoenix-suns-pelicans-kings-no-cousins-makes-no-sense-but-then-nothing-makes-sense

That is funny, especially since Gambo reported that like a week ago. But give props to them. I see they didn't link to our forum to the real post, which they should have, but they probably didn't want to drive their traffic of posters here.

[carey]

Yeah, they obviously wanted Booker. That's what Simmons was saying. If you could keep those three do you make the trade. LIke I said repeatedly they need a main good scorer and probably preferable a 2 and 3, or maybe a 1. And they don't like Knight. So what do people expect?

I don't know how many would have traded Booker for him but from the sounds of it, it seems like a lot of people would have, because they is obviously what it would have taken. Like people say he is a star. Booker is what we consider bright future, because of his offensive production, but he wasn't as highly rated or taken nearly as high as Hield in the draft, so they could feel Hield is the Booker they were able to get. Hell, I know it will sound ludicrous to some, but they may have preferred Hield to Booker in the first place. They could have taken Booker a couple years ago and wanted Hield last year.

I wouldn't put anything past that front office, but Buddy is already 23. Does anyone think Booker is shooting below 40% from the field in 3 years when he's 23?

[carey]

That is funny, especially since Gambo reported that like a week ago. But give props to them. I see they didn't link to our forum to the real post, which they should have, but they probably didn't want to drive their traffic of posters here.

Yup. That's Dave for you.

[Gorilla Warfare]

Mark Cuban said they're willing to take on salaries in exchange for picks. Might be our only way to get rid of Knight.

[JJ13]

Len is better in every category than Favors this season.

Not a false statement but a ridiculous one...Favors has been battling injuries all year. If you're going anti-favors go this route. Stats are not apples to apples this year.

[bwgood77]

Yeah, they obviously wanted Booker. That's what Simmons was saying. If you could keep those three do you make the trade. LIke I said repeatedly they need a main good scorer and probably preferable a 2 and 3, or maybe a 1. And they don't like Knight. So what do people expect?

I don't know how many would have traded Booker for him but from the sounds of it, it seems like a lot of people would have, because they is obviously what it would have taken. Like people say he is a star. Booker is what we consider bright future, because of his offensive production, but he wasn't as highly rated or taken nearly as high as Hield in the draft, so they could feel Hield is the Booker they were able to get. Hell, I know it will sound ludicrous to some, but they may have preferred Hield to Booker in the first place. They could have taken Booker a couple years ago and wanted Hield last year.

I wouldn't put anything past that front office, but Buddy is already 23. Does anyone think Booker is shooting below 40% from the field in 3 years when he's 23?

No, I thought about the age thing, but Booker is still adjusting. My main point is that they wanted what they consider a piece that will grow at the SG position. They've been looking for years. Fredette, Stauskas, McLemore. I was never high on Hield, but he is a hard worker so maybe it works out. I'm not saying they think (but who knows, they could have) that HIeld is as good as Booker or has the upside, but I don't think Booker was on the table, so I don't know what your question is.

With Booker off the table, and us only wanting to give them a poo poo platter (players we mostly can't stand and a pick), they went for a big name they loved in the past draft. It seems like they could have gotten a better deal, but they obviously are high on Hield, particularly knowing they can probably draft a PG and possible SF in this deep draft which are the loaded positions. They have plenty of bigs.

[Kerrsed]

The only players we should think about moving at the deadline are Chandler and Tucker. Those two players command a premium mid season because they're vets who would fit in on any team. Everyone else should stay.

We're stuck with Knight. He's not going anywhere unless we unload him for peanuts. Strap in Suns fans because we're going to be watching him play - for better or worse.

Moving Bledsoe at the deadline makes no sense. If we want to trade him, we'll get more during the offseason. There's no point to moving him unless we know we're locked in on a point guard in the draft. What if we end up with Josh Jackson?

Let's wait to see what happens in the lottery before we even think of moving Bledsoe.

There could be good reasons to move Bledsoe before the draft as well.

One would be that if we did, Knight would be our starting PG, and could try to bring his value up some.

Another would be because there are whispers a foot.

It sounds like Philly really wants to find a way to get Holiday back. One way would to make us an offer on Bledsoe, so he would be sent to the Pelicans and join up with his Kentucky brethren. I currently have Holiday pretty even value wise and play wise with Bledsoe. I could see New Orleans doing this for 2 reasons, the first is the Cousins connection. Make him happy, do everything they can to convince him to sign that extension. The second reason is because of the contracts. Bledsoes contract is currently considered a steal in today's NBA, and Holiday is an expiring and will likely command much much more than what Bledsoe is getting, so its a bit of a money saver for the Pelicans, and they are going to need it with Davis/Cousins consuming damn near $40M by themselves. So there is a few reasons for them to want Bledsoe over Holiday.

As for Philly, trading Holiday for Noel was a mistake in the long run, and they realize it. Holiday was the best PG that they had in a long time, and has been since he was traded. They are now stockpiled with C's, and im sure they are regretting Holiday for Noel, not just due to their play, but more so fitment wise.

So what do we get? Thats the question. I would go after Noel and a pick. It could be theirs or Lakers, i dont care, i want the damn pick. They might start trying to substitute Okafor for Noel, which i wouldnt like, but i still might do, so as long as that pick is there.

[Qwigglez]

We need to definitely trade Tucker. We are 18-39, Lakers are 19-39. Trade Tucker for Shabazz if the deal is still there! I know... Shabazz sucks, I DONT CARE. I hope he sucks a big fat one. We need to lose games. I don't want to trade Bledsoe just yet, and if anything we can just rest him end of March for the rest of the season.

Please, if we are going to tank, don't allow us to win meaningless games and end up leafrogging the Lakers in the standings. Looking at the Lakers schedule, it'll be tough for them to win more than 5 games, they got 3 games against the Wolves, one against the Kings, and one against the Sixers. The rest of their games I chalk up to automatic losses. They might only win 2-3 games!

The Suns got the Bulls, Magic, Heat, Hawks, and Pistons left. We already beat those teams. Fortunately, only one of those games is a home game. We got the Lakers again, but we just smashed on them last game. I believe that was our franchises biggest scoring differential. Got the Nets, Hornets, and Celtics. You know we have a winning record against the Eastern Conference right? And lastly, we play the Mavs and our very last game is against the Kings. We may very well end up picking 5th-7th. Need to play our cards right if we want to get a high draft pick.

[WeekapaugGroove]

Bledsoe is eligible for an extension this summer? Thought it was the summer of '18.

Yeah bledsoe has two years left after this season so yeah the soonest they could talk extension would be 2018.

If they do look to trade him the next 6 months is when his value will be highest because of the extra years of control.

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http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2017/1/11/14107192/new-cba-could-have-big-impact-on-devin-bookers-future-with-phoenix-suns
Under the new CBA, Eric Bledsoe is eligible for a contract extension and/or renegotiation this summer with the Suns.

http://www.cbafaq.com/salarycap.htm#Q60
Deals of four or more years can be extended or renegotiated on the 3rd yr anniversary of the signing.

Thanks i didnt realize you could do it that soon. I wouldn't talk extension with him this summer.

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[Kerrsed]

Lets all play a game! Its called:

"What Do You Want Or Expect For Tucker From The Rumored Interested Teams"!!

Post you trade ideas for each of the following teams:

Celtics
Clippers
Raptors
Wizards

[Zelaznyrules]

Mark Cuban said they're willing to take on salaries in exchange for picks. Might be our only way to get rid of Knight.

What do we gain by this? We'd waste a valuable asset (a pick, any pick) and save salary that we don't need). If he's a disruption, just bench him and forget about him. If the time comes when we need to clear salary, then perhaps it might make sense but to do it right now is just shortsighted. Not that I would actually bench him, I still believe we can rehab his image and by trying to do so, all we risk is the accumulation of a few wins. And failing that, give in and trade him for a second round pick. As poorly as he's played, every GM remembers that he had legit value when he was a starter in the right situation.

[DirtyDez]

We need to definitely trade Tucker. We are 18-39, Lakers are 19-39. Trade Tucker for Shabazz if the deal is still there! I know... Shabazz sucks, I DONT CARE. I hope he sucks a big fat one. We need to lose games. I don't want to trade Bledsoe just yet, and if anything we can just rest him end of March for the rest of the season.

Please, if we are going to tank, don't allow us to win meaningless games and end up leafrogging the Lakers in the standings. Looking at the Lakers schedule, it'll be tough for them to win more than 5 games, they got 3 games against the Wolves, one against the Kings, and one against the Sixers. The rest of their games I chalk up to automatic losses. They might only win 2-3 games!

The Suns got the Bulls, Magic, Heat, Hawks, and Pistons left. We already beat those teams. Fortunately, only one of those games is a home game. We got the Lakers again, but we just smashed on them last game. I believe that was our franchises biggest scoring differential. Got the Nets, Hornets, and Celtics. You know we have a winning record against the Eastern Conference right? And lastly, we play the Mavs and our very last game is against the Kings. We may very well end up picking 5th-7th. Need to play our cards right if we want to get a high draft pick.

I don't see any realistic scenario where the Lakers don't pass us. If they trade LouWill they may go winless.

More worried about Orlando and Philly at this point. With the Suns schedule and ability to get hot offensively they could easily finish 5th worst.

Btw does trading PJ guarantee us more losses? Dudley would step in who is solid at everything... The best option is giving Bledsoe 4-5 games off. Keeps him fresh and plays better improving his value this summer or further wear & tear if we keep him. I'm seeing five b2b's left on the schedule.

[WeekapaugGroove]

Lets all play a game! Its called:

"What Do You Want Or Expect For Tucker From The Rumored Interested Teams"!!

Post you trade ideas for each of the following teams:

Celtics
Clippers
Raptors
Wizards

Celtics- id take any of the future 1sts they have, zikic, and if no other offers were on the table I'd even take james young.

Clippers- i have a hard time finding a deal i like with them but if nothing else was available id consider bryce johnson and cap filler.

Raptors- 1st rounder

Washington- barbosa and tucker for a 1st and Nicholson


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[AtheJ415]

Lets all play a game! Its called:

"What Do You Want Or Expect For Tucker From The Rumored Interested Teams"!!

Post you trade ideas for each of the following teams:

Celtics
Clippers
Raptors
Wizards

Celtics: Jerebko and a 1st or Brooklyn's 2nd if they own that. They have some young guys, but none that I think we'd want (don't need more PGs with this draft coming up and our current situation, and James Young sucks).

Clippers: Nothing. I'd be interested in Brice Johnson or Diamond Stone just to see, but they can't match salary and if a 3rd team has to get involved I'd rather just get picks from team 3.

Raptors: Poetl and Delon Wright(or Bruno, but I think the intrigue has waned) . Honestly this team has the best combo of young guys of the 4 that also match salary, but that may be too high a price depending on what they think of those 2.

Wizards: A first of some kind (now or future), with an understanding that we can trade for their 1st in perpetuity for disgruntled role players with attitude problems.

[AtheJ415]

Mark Cuban said they're willing to take on salaries in exchange for picks. Might be our only way to get rid of Knight.

What do we gain by this? We'd waste a valuable asset (a pick, any pick) and save salary that we don't need). If he's a disruption, just bench him and forget about him. If the time comes when we need to clear salary, then perhaps it might make sense but to do it right now is just shortsighted. Not that I would actually bench him, I still believe we can rehab his image and by trying to do so, all we risk is the accumulation of a few wins. And failing that, give in and trade him for a second round pick. As poorly as he's played, every GM remembers that he had legit value when he was a starter in the right situation.

Exactly. Why does everyone think we are desperate for cap space. If we run up against an issue where Knight must be moved so we can sign somebody, then we can just do this in the offseason. Absolutely 0 reason to dump him and hurt ourselves in the process now. That is what Sac did. Now they are staring down not controlling their draft picks as they go through a rebuild.

[lilfishi22]

We need to strategically "rest" Bledsoe. I'm not saying whole games but like taking him off when we're about to go on a run or putting him back in a little too late.

[Zelaznyrules]

We need to strategically "rest" Bledsoe. I'm not saying whole games but like taking him off when we're about to go on a run or putting him back in a little too late.

Nah, we need to make it whole games. Players hate it when you mess with their per game stats. You can cut his minutes by 3 or 4 a game without a problem but that won't change the outcome very often. You have to give him the game off against every opponent other than the handful of very good teams. But better yet, trade him. I like the idea of a 3 way with Philly and New Orleans that has been mentioned here a few times. Moving him is our only realistic chance of finishing among the bottom 3 (record-wise). That's not a good enough reason to trade your best player but it should be the final straw in the decision making process.

[asudevil]

Lets all play a game! Its called:

"What Do You Want Or Expect For Tucker From The Rumored Interested Teams"!!

Post you trade ideas for each of the following teams:

Celtics
Clippers
Raptors
Wizards

I'd have no problem eating Wes Johnson's contract with a future first in return for Tucker. It would have to be a 2021 First, but for me it's far enough out to see it is being potentially very valuable.

It would free up cap space to resign Paul/Griffin and help them with the LT.

[Christine-In-AZ]

Lets all play a game! Its called:

"What Do You Want Or Expect For Tucker From The Rumored Interested Teams"!!

Post you trade ideas for each of the following teams:

Celtics
Clippers
Raptors
Wizards

Keeping it as simple (small) as possible...

From Celtics- Minnesota '17 2nd / Jerebko
From Clippers- LAC '19 2nd / Pierce / B.Johnson
From Raptors- Sullinger / TOR '17 1st (for Tucker & PHX '17 2nd)
From Wizards- Nicholson / WSH '17 1st (for Tucker & PHX '17 2nd)

[Qwigglez]

Lets all play a game! Its called:

"What Do You Want Or Expect For Tucker From The Rumored Interested Teams"!!

Post you trade ideas for each of the following teams:

Celtics
Clippers
Raptors
Wizards

From Celtics...

Spoiler:

From Clippers

Spoiler:

From Raptors

Spoiler:

From Wizards

Spoiler:

or...
]