Next year’s FA class (2023)

[GreekAlex]

I know it’s way too early and the team should asses it’s current assets but looking forward there’s really only 2 or 3 free agents that make sense with the teams timeline. A lot depends on Beys progress and where he projects moving forward and who is drafted.

I have my sights on:

Gary Trent Jr.- He’s an UFA and is a great 3D guy.

Cameron Johnson- He’s restricted but the Suns are going to have a hard time paying everyone.

Miles Bridges- Depending on how his legal situation goes, I’d still like to keep an eye on him


Am I missing anyone? What are your thoughts on these 3?

[bstein14]

I know it’s way too early and the team should asses it’s current assets but looking forward there’s really only 2 or 3 free agents that make sense with the teams timeline. A lot depends on Beys progress and where he projects moving forward and who is drafted.

I have my sights on:

Gary Trent Jr.- He’s an UFA and is a great 3D guy.

Cameron Johnson- He’s restricted but the Suns are going to have a hard time paying everyone.

Miles Bridges- Depending on how his legal situation goes, I’d still like to keep an eye on him


Am I missing anyone? What are your thoughts on these 3?

Gary Trent Jr. would have been my #1 guy to sign, based on his age and being a top 30 defender in the league plus I think he's a legit good #3 scorer on a winning team. That said, if Ivey/Cade end up being our starting backcourt it might not make a ton of sense. Cade obviously has the size to play SF, and GTJ can also defend the 1-3 spots... but overall I'm not so sure we'll be spending $30+ million on a borderline all-star type starter with our $50+ million in cap space.

Wiggins and Poole were both guys I had some level of interest in as well, but they both are locked up now.

Some other guys who are possible, depending on how things play out with our team this season.

Myles Turner
Jerami Grant
Kyle Kuzma
D'Angelo Russell
Porzingas
Ayo Dosunmu ( I feel like he's still pretty under the radar entering his 2nd season, but could be a solid starter in this league for a long time).

[bstein14]

I know it’s way too early and the team should asses it’s current assets but looking forward there’s really only 2 or 3 free agents that make sense with the teams timeline. A lot depends on Beys progress and where he projects moving forward and who is drafted.

I have my sights on:

Gary Trent Jr.- He’s an UFA and is a great 3D guy.

Cameron Johnson- He’s restricted but the Suns are going to have a hard time paying everyone.

Miles Bridges- Depending on how his legal situation goes, I’d still like to keep an eye on him


Am I missing anyone? What are your thoughts on these 3?

Gary Trent Jr. would have been my #1 guy to sign, based on his age and being a top 30 defender in the league plus I think he's a legit good #3 scorer on a winning team. That said, if Ivey/Cade end up being our starting backcourt it might not make a ton of sense. Cade obviously has the size to play SF, and GTJ can also defend the 1-3 spots... but overall I'm not so sure we'll be spending $30+ million on a borderline all-star type starter with our $50+ million in cap space.

Wiggins and Poole were both guys I had some level of interest in as well, but they both are locked up now.

Some other guys who are possible, depending on how things play out with our team this season.

Myles Turner
Jerami Grant
Kyle Kuzma
D'Angelo Russell
Porzingas
Ayo Dosunmu ( I feel like he's still pretty under the radar entering his 2nd season, but could be a solid starter in this league for a long time).

The other thing to consider is, we're likely just adding one lottery pick and one FA to 8 guys we're keeping in the rotation.

1. Cade
2. Ivey
3. Bey
4. Stewart
5. Duren
6. Livers (Also a FA next year, but an RFA)
7. Hayes
8. Bagley
9. 2023 Lottery Pick
10. 2023 Free Agent
------
That's likely our 2023-24 rotation unless we decide to move on from someone on that list, or a player like Burks, Noel or BB ends up being someone we want to retain.... we do have team options on Burks and Noel.

Also, its certainly possible that Diallo could end up earning a spot in that 10 man rotation and be resigned as well... I know a lot of people here seemingly are ready to push him out the door.

[Manocad]

Miles Bridges- Depending on how his legal situation goes, I’d still like to keep an eye on him

Am I missing anyone? What are your thoughts on these 3?

My guess is that there are only two remaining questions about Bridges' legal situation--what he'll be convicted of, i.e. felonies or misdemeanors, and how much jail time he gets. He beat the crap out of a woman and there is no way I'd want someone with that character on my team.

All sports have started putting more emphasis on character and while I obviously don't have the stats, it sure seems like the guys who appear to be scumbags and/or break the law then turn things around and do something with their careers and lives are by far the exceptions, not the standard.

[GreekAlex]

Miles Bridges- Depending on how his legal situation goes, I’d still like to keep an eye on him

Am I missing anyone? What are your thoughts on these 3?

My guess is that there are only two remaining questions about Bridges' legal situation--what he'll be convicted of, i.e. felonies or misdemeanors, and how much jail time he gets. He beat the crap out of a woman and there is no way I'd want someone with that character on my team.

All sports have started putting more emphasis on character and while I obviously don't have the stats, it sure seems like the guys who appear to be scumbags and/or break the law then turn things around and do something with their careers and lives are by far the exceptions, not the standard.

I can understand the logic of putting a premium on high character players but there’s definitely going to be a salary where’s he’s worth the gamble.

I’m focused on free agency in general and don’t want to rehash the Bridges legal saga but I don’t subscribe to the theory of blindly accepting the accusations without legal due process. That said, he didn’t seem like a high character guy prior to the legal charges.

[Moses ShamMoses]

I'm not interested in Miles Bridges unless its a very team-friendly deal and his legal troubles are in the past. Both those things probably aren't happening so easy pass.

[flow]

I know it’s way too early and the team should asses it’s current assets but looking forward there’s really only 2 or 3 free agents that make sense with the teams timeline. A lot depends on Beys progress and where he projects moving forward and who is drafted.

I have my sights on:

Gary Trent Jr.- He’s an UFA and is a great 3D guy.

Cameron Johnson- He’s restricted but the Suns are going to have a hard time paying everyone.

Miles Bridges- Depending on how his legal situation goes, I’d still like to keep an eye on him


Am I missing anyone? What are your thoughts on these 3?

Gary Trent Jr. would have been my #1 guy to sign, based on his age and being a top 30 defender in the league plus I think he's a legit good #3 scorer on a winning team. That said, if Ivey/Cade end up being our starting backcourt it might not make a ton of sense. Cade obviously has the size to play SF, and GTJ can also defend the 1-3 spots... but overall I'm not so sure we'll be spending $30+ million on a borderline all-star type starter with our $50+ million in cap space.

Wiggins and Poole were both guys I had some level of interest in as well, but they both are locked up now.

Some other guys who are possible, depending on how things play out with our team this season.

Myles Turner
Jerami Grant
Kyle Kuzma
D'Angelo Russell
Porzingas
Ayo Dosunmu ( I feel like he's still pretty under the radar entering his 2nd season, but could be a solid starter in this league for a long time).

The other thing to consider is, we're likely just adding one lottery pick and one FA to 8 guys we're keeping in the rotation.

1. Cade
2. Ivey
3. Bey
4. Stewart
5. Duren
6. Livers (Also a FA next year, but an RFA)
7. Hayes
8. Bagley
9. 2023 Lottery Pick
10. 2023 Free Agent
------
That's likely our 2023-24 rotation unless we decide to move on from someone on that list, or a player like Burks, Noel or BB ends up being someone we want to retain.... we do have team options on Burks and Noel.

Also, its certainly possible that Diallo could end up earning a spot in that 10 man rotation and be resigned as well... I know a lot of people here seemingly are ready to push him out the door.

For what reason, I'll never know. (I actually do know, but it's silly). You're not getting this kind of wing play out of Livers, Burks or Bey, that's for sure.

Watch on YouTube

[MotownMadness]

They'll probably sign Draymond or something

[Manocad]

Miles Bridges- Depending on how his legal situation goes, I’d still like to keep an eye on him

Am I missing anyone? What are your thoughts on these 3?

My guess is that there are only two remaining questions about Bridges' legal situation--what he'll be convicted of, i.e. felonies or misdemeanors, and how much jail time he gets. He beat the crap out of a woman and there is no way I'd want someone with that character on my team.

All sports have started putting more emphasis on character and while I obviously don't have the stats, it sure seems like the guys who appear to be scumbags and/or break the law then turn things around and do something with their careers and lives are by far the exceptions, not the standard.

I can understand the logic of putting a premium on high character players but there’s definitely going to be a salary where’s he’s worth the gamble.

I’m focused on free agency in general and don’t want to rehash the Bridges legal saga but I don’t subscribe to the theory of blindly accepting the accusations without legal due process. That said, he didn’t seem like a high character guy prior to the legal charges.

Nothing is being "blindly accepted." This is hardly a case of the accuser saying "this guy shot me at a party" and the accused says "I wasn't even there" and thus deserves the benefit of the doubt until due legal process is completed. It was his wife, she got beat up, she said he did it, and he's been charged with three felonies. Caveat there, he did plead innocent to all charges. But that's absolutely standard procedure if you want a defense and a chance at pleading down from felonies to misdemeanors. Given all the evidence that appears to be in the hands of the authorities at this moment, it's not a question of true innocence (didn't do any of it) or guilt. It's a question of what he gets convicted of. And for me anyway, your character doesn't jump up a notch because you were charged with felonies and plead down to misdemeanors. You're still a scumbag and just serving fewer days in jail.

In any case, it doesn't look like he's going to available to play anytime soon anyway regardless of what he actually did/gets convicted of because the first hearing in the case (to determine whether or not to take it to trial) was rescheduled a fifth time to Oct. 12 (and strangely there's nothing else in the media about what the outcome of that hearing was). And if it does go to trial he's not playing this season.

[GreekAlex]

I know it’s way too early and the team should asses it’s current assets but looking forward there’s really only 2 or 3 free agents that make sense with the teams timeline. A lot depends on Beys progress and where he projects moving forward and who is drafted.

I have my sights on:

Gary Trent Jr.- He’s an UFA and is a great 3D guy.

Cameron Johnson- He’s restricted but the Suns are going to have a hard time paying everyone.

Miles Bridges- Depending on how his legal situation goes, I’d still like to keep an eye on him


Am I missing anyone? What are your thoughts on these 3?

Gary Trent Jr. would have been my #1 guy to sign, based on his age and being a top 30 defender in the league plus I think he's a legit good #3 scorer on a winning team. That said, if Ivey/Cade end up being our starting backcourt it might not make a ton of sense. Cade obviously has the size to play SF, and GTJ can also defend the 1-3 spots... but overall I'm not so sure we'll be spending $30+ million on a borderline all-star type starter with our $50+ million in cap space.

Wiggins and Poole were both guys I had some level of interest in as well, but they both are locked up now.

Some other guys who are possible, depending on how things play out with our team this season.

Myles Turner
Jerami Grant
Kyle Kuzma
D'Angelo Russell
Porzingas
Ayo Dosunmu ( I feel like he's still pretty under the radar entering his 2nd season, but could be a solid starter in this league for a long time).

The other thing to consider is, we're likely just adding one lottery pick and one FA to 8 guys we're keeping in the rotation.

1. Cade
2. Ivey
3. Bey
4. Stewart
5. Duren
6. Livers (Also a FA next year, but an RFA)
7. Hayes
8. Bagley
9. 2023 Lottery Pick
10. 2023 Free Agent
------
That's likely our 2023-24 rotation unless we decide to move on from someone on that list, or a player like Burks, Noel or BB ends up being someone we want to retain.... we do have team options on Burks and Noel.

Also, its certainly possible that Diallo could end up earning a spot in that 10 man rotation and be resigned as well... I know a lot of people here seemingly are ready to push him out the door.

Great post! Definitely covers all the various considerations. I don’t want Noel back at any price and I’d only be interested in BB or Burks at team friendly 1-2 year deals if we strike out with better options.

As far as you list:

Myles Turner- Too injury prone, let another team pay him.

Jerami Grant- Doubt he wants to come back, not sure what his new role would look like. Eager to see how he does with Dame in Portland.

Kyle Kuzma- He has a player option that he may pick up but I don’t see him fitting well here with his lack of defense.

D'Angelo Russell- If he’s down to be a super 6th man, it would be cool but I’m not sure if he sees himself like that.

Porzingas- not sure how I feel about his fit with just having drafted Duren. Not big on paying big money to guys that miss a lot of games.

Ayo Dosunmu- I was a big fan of him last year. If he were signed, I assume that he’d replace Killian.

[Strawder]

How about Grant Williams? Outstanding defender at the PF position and could probably be had for relatively cheap, as Celtics seem unwilling to extend him.

[Strawder]

How about Grant Williams? Outstanding defender at the PF position and good 3 point shooter(41% last year) He could probably be had for relatively cheap, as Celtics seem unwilling to extend him. Of course he's restricted, which complicates things.

[GreekAlex]

My guess is that there are only two remaining questions about Bridges' legal situation--what he'll be convicted of, i.e. felonies or misdemeanors, and how much jail time he gets. He beat the crap out of a woman and there is no way I'd want someone with that character on my team.

All sports have started putting more emphasis on character and while I obviously don't have the stats, it sure seems like the guys who appear to be scumbags and/or break the law then turn things around and do something with their careers and lives are by far the exceptions, not the standard.

I can understand the logic of putting a premium on high character players but there’s definitely going to be a salary where’s he’s worth the gamble.

I’m focused on free agency in general and don’t want to rehash the Bridges legal saga but I don’t subscribe to the theory of blindly accepting the accusations without legal due process. That said, he didn’t seem like a high character guy prior to the legal charges.

Nothing is being "blindly accepted." This is hardly a case of the accuser saying "this guy shot me at a party" and the accused says "I wasn't even there" and thus deserves the benefit of the doubt until due legal process is completed. It was his wife, she got beat up, she said he did it, and he's been charged with three felonies. Caveat there, he did plead innocent to all charges. But that's absolutely standard procedure if you want a defense and a chance at pleading down from felonies to misdemeanors. Given all the evidence that appears to be in the hands of the authorities at this moment, it's not a question of true innocence (didn't do any of it) or guilt. It's a question of what he gets convicted of. And for me anyway, your character doesn't jump up a notch because you were charged with felonies and plead down to misdemeanors. You're still a scumbag and just serving fewer days in jail.

In any case, it doesn't look like he's going to available to play anytime soon anyway regardless of what he actually did/gets convicted of because the first hearing in the case (to determine whether or not to take it to trial) was rescheduled a fifth time to Oct. 12 (and strangely there's nothing else in the media about what the outcome of that hearing was). And if it does go to trial he's not playing this season.

In regards to your last sentence, I am of the belief that this will not be resolved quickly so I added him players to consider next off season.

Sure the pictures look bad but it’s not usually that cut and dry. I think that she’s a fiancé “baby mama” and may have wanted to become a wife who stands to get half of the max or near max contact he was on track for before this issue. Some bruises that weren’t bad enough to keep you out of the club the same week can usually be swept under the rug for a life changing payday.

[Manocad]

I can understand the logic of putting a premium on high character players but there’s definitely going to be a salary where’s he’s worth the gamble.

I’m focused on free agency in general and don’t want to rehash the Bridges legal saga but I don’t subscribe to the theory of blindly accepting the accusations without legal due process. That said, he didn’t seem like a high character guy prior to the legal charges.

Nothing is being "blindly accepted." This is hardly a case of the accuser saying "this guy shot me at a party" and the accused says "I wasn't even there" and thus deserves the benefit of the doubt until due legal process is completed. It was his wife, she got beat up, she said he did it, and he's been charged with three felonies. Caveat there, he did plead innocent to all charges. But that's absolutely standard procedure if you want a defense and a chance at pleading down from felonies to misdemeanors. Given all the evidence that appears to be in the hands of the authorities at this moment, it's not a question of true innocence (didn't do any of it) or guilt. It's a question of what he gets convicted of. And for me anyway, your character doesn't jump up a notch because you were charged with felonies and plead down to misdemeanors. You're still a scumbag and just serving fewer days in jail.

In any case, it doesn't look like he's going to available to play anytime soon anyway regardless of what he actually did/gets convicted of because the first hearing in the case (to determine whether or not to take it to trial) was rescheduled a fifth time to Oct. 12 (and strangely there's nothing else in the media about what the outcome of that hearing was). And if it does go to trial he's not playing this season.

In regards to your last sentence, I am of the belief that this will not be resolved quickly so I added him players to consider next off season.

Sure the pictures look bad but it’s not usually that cut and dry. I think that she’s a fiancé “baby mama” and may have wanted to become a wife who stands to get half of the max or near max contact he was on track for before this issue. Some bruises that weren’t bad enough to keep you out of the club the same week can usually be swept under the rug for a life changing payday.

Stop. She’s his wife, dude.

[Invictus88]

Nothing is being "blindly accepted." This is hardly a case of the accuser saying "this guy shot me at a party" and the accused says "I wasn't even there" and thus deserves the benefit of the doubt until due legal process is completed. It was his wife, she got beat up, she said he did it, and he's been charged with three felonies. Caveat there, he did plead innocent to all charges. But that's absolutely standard procedure if you want a defense and a chance at pleading down from felonies to misdemeanors. Given all the evidence that appears to be in the hands of the authorities at this moment, it's not a question of true innocence (didn't do any of it) or guilt. It's a question of what he gets convicted of. And for me anyway, your character doesn't jump up a notch because you were charged with felonies and plead down to misdemeanors. You're still a scumbag and just serving fewer days in jail.

In any case, it doesn't look like he's going to available to play anytime soon anyway regardless of what he actually did/gets convicted of because the first hearing in the case (to determine whether or not to take it to trial) was rescheduled a fifth time to Oct. 12 (and strangely there's nothing else in the media about what the outcome of that hearing was). And if it does go to trial he's not playing this season.

In regards to your last sentence, I am of the belief that this will not be resolved quickly so I added him players to consider next off season.

Sure the pictures look bad but it’s not usually that cut and dry. I think that she’s a fiancé “baby mama” and may have wanted to become a wife who stands to get half of the max or near max contact he was on track for before this issue. Some bruises that weren’t bad enough to keep you out of the club the same week can usually be swept under the rug for a life changing payday.

Stop. She’s his wife, dude.

+1

I don't want to have to root for the scumbag at any price.

[FloridaMan78]

Man It’s time to raid the Suns. Cam Johnson couldn’t agree to a deal. Suns might match, but I could see them blowing it up. That team is a mess.

[vege]

No love for Grant Williams? He would be absolutely for us, and the only guy I'd be interested in this free agency class. He have a good all around game and is a beast on defense and shooting 3's. He also happen to play in a position of need (PF) unless you think Bojan or Bagley are the solution there

[LaSheed]

Yeah Grant Williams is a yes please. Like Cam Johnson as well.

Williams is everything this team needs.

[tmorgan]

Williams is very much what we hope Stewart becomes. So, I guess that depends on Beef Stew’s season. If he shoots well and adapts to defense at the four well… he’s a bigger Williams, and a lot younger.

I guess having two stretch fours that can play D isn’t a bad thing, though.

[bstein14]

I agree on Williams as well being a Pistons type player. He's someone who impacts winning more than a guy like Jerami Grant IMO.

With DeAndre Hunter getting a 4 year $95 million extension that does have me wondering how much we'll be possibly extending Bey and Stewart for. Hunter is a solid young player coming off a 13 PPG season, but he is someone I would have thought would have a similar value and contract to Bey. Of course, Bey needs to work on a few things this season and become more efficient to really warrant a contract anywhere near $24 million per year.