Where the suns stand

[Flying Colors]

Thanks are looking bright for los suns, they won their last couple games, they seem to be getting their ish together at the perfect time.standing at a fifth seed with only a hair away from 4th, what possible for these guys in the off season? whats there still to improve? whats the best course action from here on out?

[Qwigglez]

Well the top 6 teams in the West right now are not backing down. It completely sucks because those teams are playing every game like its their last so its very competitive right now.
Hopefully the Suns win a playoff series or two. If so, I believe the team will extend Amare, and Clark will improve. Then the Suns will trade Richardson expiring contract to a struggling team with some longer contracts they need to get rid of. Also, Suns will need to re-sign Amundson.

[lilfishi22]

1. Play the best ball we can while we still have Amare Stoudemire on our team going into the playoffs. At the same time, keep working on a contract extension

2. Try make a splash in the playoffs and hopefully pull off an upset.

3. Try to unload JRich in the off season or maybe trade him to a team desperate to unload the long term contract of young talents. Re-up Lou. Let Frye go. Give Hill a vet min if he still wants to stay/play.

[MaryvalesFinest]

The goal right now should be to just make the playoffs, barring any freak injuries that should happen.

Than once the summer goes around figure out what to do about the Amare situation, either extend him (doubt Sarver does) or do a sign and trade. He could opt out and just walk but he would lose 30M so I'm guessing if he goes it's in a sign and trade.

[Qwigglez]

1. Play the best ball we can while we still have Amare Stoudemire on our team going into the playoffs. At the same time, keep working on a contract extension

2. Try make a splash in the playoffs and hopefully pull off an upset.

3. Try to unload JRich in the off season or maybe trade him to a team desperate to unload the long term contract of young talents. Re-up Lou. Let Frye go. Give Hill a vet min if he still wants to stay/play.

Hill has the option of opting out. I think he might ride out the rest of his contract and play next season depending on how well the Suns perform in the playoffs. I say we keep Frye if he doesn't opt out either. He is the complete opposite of Robin Lopez and I like using mismatches and having versatile lineups. At the same time, I wouldn't care if Frye left.

[DirtyDez]

Wouldn't be surprised if J-Rich is moved for expirings/buyout to get under the cap. If Amare, Frye and Hill opt in and J-Rich is still here we'll be 6-7 mil over the cap next season. That's a lot better than i thought initially.

[lilfishi22]

Hill has the option of opting out. I think he might ride out the rest of his contract and play next season depending on how well the Suns perform in the playoffs. I say we keep Frye if he doesn't opt out either. He is the complete opposite of Robin Lopez and I like using mismatches and having versatile lineups. At the same time, I wouldn't care if Frye left.

Didn't know it was player option, my bad. I'm iffy on Frye, quite honestly, is well worth the $2m he'll get paid when he's hitting his shots and challenging shots but Gentry plays Frye too much even when he's playing like total ***. I prefer a more traditional line up.

[Qwigglez]

There would be no reason to move J-Rich to get under the cap IMO. The best scenario would be to trade him at the trade deadline next season. I was also wondering what if the Suns kept Shaq and traded him at this year's deadline, what kind of value do you think the Suns could have gotten for him?
Suns are going to be below the luxury tax so I don't think they'll make any other financial moves this off-season.

[DirtyDez]

We wouldn't pay the Luxury Tax but Sarver could still save 4 or 5 mil by moving J-Rich and maybe more if there's a buyout involved with an incoming player. I don't see him in a Suns uniform next season.

[Sandra]

I'd rather have J-Rich for another 2 or 3 years, kinda $6-7M per. Sure enough, he has shortcomings, but nobody's perfect. Even Nash missed a free throw vs Philly last night. Still, J-Rich is a good player, IMO

[DBrimstone]

I'd rather have J-Rich for another 2 or 3 years, kinda $6-7M per. Sure enough, he has shortcomings, but nobody's perfect. Even Nash missed a free throw vs Philly last night. Still, J-Rich is a good player, IMO

He's gotten better in the last 10-15 games. He isn't worth near his money but we've got him up to the new CBA. I'd rather move LB for expirings and a late first rounder and keep J-Rich. I think he's gotten alot more humble and would take less money. With the pick, I really like Elliot Williams right now. Stopper potential 2 who can create his own shot. I like J-Rich with Dragic alot more, so as a coach I'd have him come off the bench.

I could see us extending Amare if we get past the 1st round. He's been a beast lately, but will he keep it up is the question. If he does, he's worth every dime. If he goes back to watching people blow by him and rebounds grabbed by everyone else, not so much.

We just need an All-Star wing player with Amare. Not sure how to get one except for get lucky with a draft draft or J-Rich's expiring in this messed up NBA where money's worth more than real players... Or Clark get's his act together next season and pwn's nub sauce

[lilfishi22]

Pass on resigning JRich, even for cheap. We could get someone for the same price as JRich who won't score as much but can do other stuff.

[DBrimstone]

Pass on resigning JRich, even for cheap. We could get someone for the same price as JRich who won't score as much but can do other stuff.

oh oh oh, like Elliot Williams!?!

http://www.nbadraft.net/players/elliot-williams
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/player/pr ... erId=41721
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Ell ... iams-5153/

If all else fails we could probably buy a late 1st rounder from someone who needs to start saving money because they're spending too much and not making enough. Ie- Orlando, Miami, Atlanta

[MrVince]

I'd be happy if we can get past the second round of the playoffs.

Not sure what we would do in the off-season as we could probably sign a few guys if Amar'e decides to walk and we don't really have a lottery pick so there's nothing real big for us Suns fans to look forward to although I do hope we get a steal in the draft.

[pidi]

why is everybody against j-rich?? he had some letdowns, ok - but right now he is playing solid basketball. he is our best back to the basket player and plays solid defense imo.

[JMac1]

There would be no reason to move J-Rich to get under the cap IMO. The best scenario would be to trade him at the trade deadline next season. I was also wondering what if the Suns kept Shaq and traded him at this year's deadline, what kind of value do you think the Suns could have gotten for him?
Suns are going to be below the luxury tax so I don't think they'll make any other financial moves this off-season.

We would be th 12th seed!!

[Qwigglez]

We wouldn't pay the Luxury Tax but Sarver could still save 4 or 5 mil by moving J-Rich and maybe more if there's a buyout involved with an incoming player. I don't see him in a Suns uniform next season.

Sarver was only interested in cutting cost to avoid the Luxury Tax because they didn't make any money last season because of how high an amount they had to pay in Luxury Tax. If the Suns are below the Luxury Tax I don't see him cutting more cost because that doesn't make sense. I think J-Rich will be in a Suns uniform in the beginning of the season.

[hunterxaz]

1) Suns will be a top 4 seed in West. No "upsets" needed, they're going to have a deep playoff run this season. I'm getting VERY excited.

2) Amar'e will be extended... there's no doubt about that. The Suns want him, he wants to stay in Phoenix, and he's got the league's best PG in his pocket. The Stoudemire/Nash combo is the best PG/Big-man combo in the game, and he knows it.

3) J-Rich, if playing consistently and shooting the ball / making layups is pretty darn good. Almost worth his contract. If he can continue to play well, I say we should keep him. If he has another 4 point game on 2/12 shooting... bummer

4) Stoked about Barbs coming back. You guys have to remember how well we're playing, WITHOUT our 6th man.

Offseason? Depends if we win the championship. If so, they're goin to Disneyland.

[rsavaj]

Make the playoffs, try not to get bounced in the first round.

From then on it's gravy.

[SideSwipe]

I agree, for a team with very low expectations going into the season. Getting out of the first round will be a good accomplishment, and the rest will be 100% gravy. With all of that, I like going into the post-season with low expectations. It should help us play a little more relaxed.