Free Agents...(there is nothing free about these guys)

Frank Lee · Post #1 » by **Frank Lee** » Tue Apr 16, 2013 2:22 pm

To start with....

Our own boys...

Wes Johnson
Jermaine O'Neal
Tucker (we can keep him with the team option)

Others out there...

http://www.hoopsworld.com/2013-nba-free-agents

Not sure how much we have to spend as there are many paths to free up cash....and you might as well count on us looking around.

Guys I'd be interested in....
Aminu, Hickson, Budinger, Wes Jo, JONeal....

Guys I'd cautiously approach with my hand on my wallet
Iggy, Milsap, GHenderson

Guys I'd run from
JSmith, AlJeff, Bynum, Mayo, MEllis

MathiasPW · Post #2 » by **MathiasPW** » Tue Apr 16, 2013 4:47 pm

Interesting that Dragic said yesterday he would like another ball handler and playmaker to play with him on the court. If that is a vision our coach and GM also have, than (unfortunately) I think the highest chances go towards Tyreke, Eric Gordon and OJ Mayo. Maybe Brandon Jennings?

It also depends a lot on which positions we collect at the draft.

JJ13 · Post #3 » by **JJ13** » Tue Apr 16, 2013 4:54 pm

I know this is a LONG shot, but I'd go hard after howard...he's starting to get back into form and our training staff could help his back. LA is not a good fit for him, personally or as a player, and they have no (functioning) PG. I think Dragic is a good fit for Howard. Pair them with an Oladipo...would there be a better defensive team?

Dragic/Diante (hopefully trade Marshall for $5)
Oladipo/Tucker
Wes/Morris
Morris/Scola
Howard/Oneal

Right mix of youth & vets...only negative might be lack of offensive firepower...Oladipo is not a shoot first SG, nor is Tucker. But if tomorrow's games work out (Please God), perhaps draft McCollum??

JJ13 · Post #4 » by **JJ13** » Tue Apr 16, 2013 4:55 pm

BTW I traded Dudley & Gortat for future draft picks, cash and filler above

NaturalBuns · Post #5 » by **NaturalBuns** » Tue Apr 16, 2013 5:10 pm

I will be furious if we draft Oladipo. He is not the type of SG we need.

JJ13 · Post #6 » by **JJ13** » Tue Apr 16, 2013 5:11 pm

NaturalBuns wrote:I will be furious if we draft Oladipo. He is not the type of SG we need.

I have the exact opposite opinion, but to each their own

TruthTelling · Post #7 » by **TruthTelling** » Tue Apr 16, 2013 5:47 pm

NaturalBuns wrote:I will be furious if we draft Oladipo. He is not the type of SG we need.

Agree, he is athletic and high motor but he looks small and not like he will ever provide much offensively.

McLemore all the way for us.

thamadkant · Post #8 » by **thamadkant** » Tue Apr 16, 2013 7:56 pm

Option 1.

Trade Gortat (Wizards pick 8 or Blazers pick 12 or Mavs pick 13)
Trade Dudley (For future pick)

Extend W.Johnson (3 year 12 million)
Extend J. O'Neal (1 year 3 million)

Draft Mclemore (Pick 4)
Draft Adams (Using Gortat acquired pick)
Draft Dieng or Mitchell (Pick 30)

Sign Evans (4 year 32 Million)

C: Adams / Dieng
PF: Kieff Morris / Mitchell
SF: Evans / W.Johnson / Morris
SG: Mclemore / Evans /Tucker
PG: Dragic / Marshall / Evans

Sreister · Post #9 » by **Sreister** » Tue Apr 16, 2013 8:26 pm

1UPZ wrote:Option 1.

Trade Gortat (Wizards pick 8 or Blazers pick 12 or Mavs pick 13)
Trade Dudley (For future pick)

Extend W.Johnson (3 year 12 million)
Extend J. O'Neal (1 year 3 million)

Draft Mclemore (Pick 4)
Draft Adams (Using Gortat acquired pick)
Draft Dieng or Mitchell (Pick 30)

Sign Evans (4 year 32 Million)

C: Adams / Dieng
PF: Kieff Morris / Mitchell
SF: Evans / W.Johnson / Morris
SG: Mclemore / Evans /Tucker
PG: Dragic / Marshall / Evans

Ouch, you think Wes is worth 4 million a year? Don't you remember J-Chill and Hakim? Half an ok year from Wes does not equal 4 million.

Not to mention Mc at 4? Evans? You sure are wishful!!

Sunsfan03 · Post #10 » by **Sunsfan03** » Tue Apr 16, 2013 11:18 pm

Sreister wrote:Ouch, you think Wes is worth 4 million a year? Don't you remember J-Chill and Hakim? Half an ok year from Wes does not equal 4 million.

Not to mention Mc at 4? Evans? You sure are wishful!!

What he said.

Even with the way he is playing right now, I don't think he is worth 4 million.

And I rather keep Dudley, unless he nets us a star/high pick while being packaged with Gortat.
He's perfect for our 2nd unit.

Although 8m for Evans is pretty darn good value, I don't feel comfortable signing him. I don't know why just a gut feeling...

Sunsfan03 · Post #11 » by **Sunsfan03** » Tue Apr 16, 2013 11:30 pm

Terence Williams - What happen to this guy? I remembered we were high on him at some point and we can get him really really cheap

Andray Blatche- cheap potential.

Chase Budinger - Snag him away from OKC? I'd throw 4.5m for this guy..

RunDogGun · Post #12 » by **RunDogGun** » Tue Apr 16, 2013 11:48 pm

Chase plays for Minny.

sunskerr · Post #13 » by **sunskerr** » Wed Apr 17, 2013 12:37 am

If the FO doesnt get the SG they want in the draft or we draft another position I think they should try to pry Gordon from the Hornets. There seems to be the occasional rumbling of a conflict or their front office wants to find a trade. If he can be had for a decent trade, I think med staff would have a big say in it. It's been beaten (talked) to death a thousand times here but he's quite the talent when healthy.

In following the spirit of Frank's post, here's some "key" free agents that I like/don't like:

Like for rebuilding:
Aminu
Jerryd Bayless
Budinger
JJ Hickson
Wes Johnson (only for really cheap)

Playoff push:
Iggy
Millsap

Don't touch with a 10-ft pole:
J Smith
Ellis
Jefferson
Bynum
Tyreke
Shannon Brown (does he really have a player option?!)

thamadkant · Post #14 » by **thamadkant** » Wed Apr 17, 2013 2:18 am

I'm not sure if you were around, but a lot of Suns fans are highly concerned about Gordon's injury habits.

He has gradually missed more games EVERY season....

At 15+ Million a year... no thanks.

And Wesley Johnson at 4 million isnt "over paying".... I can see teams willing to pay for that.
Maybe 3 Million is his floor and 4 million is his ceiling... if Suns can get him for 2.5 Million a year then why not.

bigfoot · Post #15 » by **bigfoot** » Wed Apr 17, 2013 3:53 am

What we need is a free agent wing who can get us 20 pts per game by creating their own shot and also helping run the offense. That's what Dragic is asking for ... a running mate. So who is a good running mate for Dragic that can put up 18-20pts and get 4-5 assists per game. They could be a PG, SG or SF. Assume Tucker/Dudley are the defensive 3pt specialists.

J.R. Smith (SG)
Monta Ellis (SG)
Josh Smith (SF)
OJ Mayo (SG)
Kevin Martin (SG)
Tyrke Evans (PG/SG)

Given volume shots most of them could get 20pts per game. Not sure we want any of them.

YouTube · Post #16 » by **Kerrsed** » Wed Apr 17, 2013 4:30 am

Sunsfan03 wrote:Terence Williams - What happen to this guy? I remembered we were high on him at some point and we can get him really really cheap.

Boston picked him up in late February.

I still like him. His best game for the Celtics so far has been against the Wolves, where he scored 14 points (6-10 FG) (2-3 3PT), with 6 rebounds, 5 assists and a steal in 22 minutes. Pretty good for a 6"6 athletic as all hell SG! Like i was always saying, this guy has triple-double qualities. He would fit in great next to Dragic as a scorer, 2nd play-maker and as a defender.

sunskerr · Post #17 » by **sunskerr** » Wed Apr 17, 2013 8:48 am

1UPZ wrote:I'm not sure if you were around, but a lot of Suns fans are highly concerned about Gordon's injury habits.

He has gradually missed more games EVERY season....

At 15+ Million a year... no thanks.

Med staff > us

In any trade for Gordon (or any other player for that matter) I'm absolutely positive the front office would heavily consider the med staff's opinion. You've seen his production when he is healthy...it's great.

Frank Lee · Post #18 » by **Frank Lee** » Wed Apr 17, 2013 4:12 pm

I think 'Marketing' will impact free agency selections. Never forget ticket sales are a priority here. It won't be enough to add a high draft pick and sell that to the general public.

With that in mind, I think we will (and should) focus on Iguodala. Bring the mildcat back to the desert. That would be a splashy enough signing to build a little hype job ad campaign around. I'd love to see us add him and one of McLemore or Olapido.

How much will we have to spend ? and does Frye's status also impact that ? Also think it is a requirement to sack both Brown and Measley.

Sun Scorched · Post #19 » by **Sun Scorched** » Wed Apr 17, 2013 4:30 pm

After drafting McLemore, Evans and Gordon are our two best shots at landing the scoring punch we need and securing Dragic a running buddy for the next few years.

The difference? McLemore will be raw and has not shown to be the ball handler we need. Both Tyreke and Gordon have. I understand the reservations about both, I'm not blind, but I do feel that most concerns would be mitigated by training staff/culture/etc.

For the purpose of my pipe dream, I'm going to assume the Suns make a play for Evans by trading Dudley. Scola and Gortat get shipped out for value.

PG - Dragic / Marshall
SG - Evans / McLemore
SF - Tucker / Morris
PF - Frye / Morris
C - O'Neal / Adams

Honestly, I think that team could be competitive. Nice spacing. Nice leadership. Nice scoring. Solid defense. Dynamic bench. Youth. 2014 cap space.

Frank Lee · Post #20 » by **Frank Lee** » Wed Apr 17, 2013 4:43 pm

Why invest money in a Free Agent, only to bench our draft pick ?

I'll square off with you with these guys...

Dragic/ Marshall
Olapido / Dudley
Iguodala / Tucker / CusMo
KeifMo / Scola / Frye(?)
TheG / ONeal / Rookie

An athletic starting 5, and a solid cagey second unit. Heck, I might just call Barbasoso for fun too.