2022-23 Season Discussion and Speculation 5 - The KD era begins

[Jdiddy701]

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This got me a bit too excited.


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[WeekapaugGroove]

I imagine he can get more money than the tax MLE though next year.

From who? I think the Spurs and OKC are the only teams in the NBA currently under the cap and they aren't signing him next week. I'm not sure where to find who has money left on their MLE but I can't imagine it's many or any of the contenders.

This is actually a spot where Sarvers cheap ass might help them because I have a feeling he was behind not using the MLE this summer.

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I'm not talking about this year. I was responding to you PGoTF. All we will have is the tax MLE this summer. I imagine he could get the regular MLE from someone.

Sure maybe. I probably wasn't clear but I was referencing more money right now. The PGoF thing was separate potential reason he might like Phoenix because money aside if your Reggie and you go down a list of all 30 teams and rank potential opportunity next season Phoenix would be pretty high on the list with an ancient PG who might even retire (I don't actually think CP retires).

A little cap trick they can try is if they give him the full non tax payer MLE on a one year deal for the rest of this season then this summer they leave open the option to offer him 120% of number next season without having it come out of their current MLE. Leaves a door open for a reunion if both sides want to go that route.

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[BobbieL]

If Durant were 30 he would have never been available, not even for 10 unprotected FRPs.

It's so difficult to get a player as great as KD even at 34. Look at his highlights and averages this season... he isn't slowing down.

I know this - I will feel much better the first time I see him on the court scoring his 28, draining threes and that super smooth money mid range jumper. They play the thunder two weeks from today and the Bucks on 2/26 - hgopefully he is back around that time

Add in the buyout player or two maybe by the time the ASB is over - and even if the team is 30-30 at the ASB - they can win like 16 of 22 with a healthy roster

agreed - I think a lot of our worries will fade once we can actually see KD on the floor. Sucks having to wait this long. EVERY game is HUGE for us right now. We really need to start stacking wins immediately. one or two bad weeks in the West and it may be a tough hole to climb out of.

If the suns can beat the Pacers tonight - and hopefully Warren and the OKC kid (I have to learn his name) are there - plus Booker will be playing.

And beat the Kings on Tuesday - or the Clippers - go into the ASB at 32-28 - will feel pretty good as by the time the ASB is over - the buyout market will clear up - Shamet and Payne should be closer to returning - and just will need one more player

[starbosa10]

Just praying kd gets and stays healthy

[NavLDO]

Paul/Payne/Saben (2 way?)
Booker/Lee/Shamet
Craig/Warren/Okogie
KD/Bazley/Ish (2 way?)
Ayton/Jock/Biz

Is Saben Lee under contract?

We must have one open one. Some people say 2 but I am not sure where. Is Ish taking up a roster spot? Are Ish and Lee are 2 ways?

Not sure who we will/could get on buyout.

Love, Jackson, Barton, Ross, Kaminsky

Kaminsky may not be the most talented of this group, but he knows the system, the players, and I know Mikal gave it all, all the time, and is more talented than Kaminsky, but if we want to bring in someone to give this bench some heart, and is still young enough to maintain some stamina, an occasional 3, and NTM, some increased BBIQ, this is the guy we need to bring in, IMO...

[BobbieL]

Just praying kd gets and stays healthy

Exactly. Thats why making this trade was a pretty big risk. Zero word on his timetable for playing.

The West is too tight if he is out extended into March

[WeekapaugGroove]

If Durant were 30 he would have never been available, not even for 10 unprotected FRPs.

It's so difficult to get a player as great as KD even at 34. Look at his highlights and averages this season... he isn't slowing down.

If the report is true that Toronto turned down 3 1sts for OG then it's probably Cam and 4 1sts for Pascal. So question is would you rather have Siakam and Bridges or KD. I think it's a valid debate but personally I'd go KD because of my belief the best player on the floor determines most playoff series.

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Without a doubt, Siakam and Bridges. Best player has to be ON the floor. He probably will be, but no guarantee. Is he better than Giannis?

I don't necessarily believe best player on the floor determines things. Seems we haven't had a ton of problems with Denver. The best team overall usually wins. LeBron and AD can't even make the playoffs. Kobe couldn't win until he had the best team. Neither could KG. Or LeBron. Or Jordan. You have to have a good team.

Yeah, I figured you would choose that. You've been anti Durant since the rumor first hit. You were also very down on the CP trade.

I'd argue CP outplayed Jokic in that Phoenix vs Denver series. But yeah it's not that the best player automatically wins but it's very very common.

The suns two recent playoff losses were Giannis and Luka being that guy.

Look at LeBrons finals losses. It's to Duncan twice, Curry once alone then twice with KD and KD was a supernova in one of those, and dirk once. All without a doubt first ballot hall of famers. I'd also say in all but one of those series LeBron was either matched or flat out out played in that specific series.

You can go back to the 80s and every championship team except Detroit and maybe Toronto (depending how you rank Kahwi) and every one of those teams has had a guy who's minimum top 50 players of all time and most were won by guys who are top 10 all time.

Heck it would make the NBA more interesting if this wasn't the case but it's pretty clear you need an all time great to win chips.

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[Desertfox]

3-5.
I just meant could they have kept the guys and gotten Anunoby or Russell and vandy. Dumped Shamet in a trade for like Rozier

I mean... Russell is hot garbage. Anunoby is at best Bridges 2.0. I am sad the twins are gone and it hurts, but we got **** Kevin Durant. Never in the history of the league has a player of his caliber been traded mid-season. I'm good with it, especially if Ishbia installs a front office that can navigate rebuilding on the fly while competing. It's gonna take a lot of work though, but I think the dudes on the team will get over it once they see how good KD is when he's on their team and they are winning.

It would be cool to bring back the twins in the next few seasons somehow, but that's probably a pipedream.

We just really need to beef up our scouting department and hit on some 2nd round picks and maybe UDFAs..then hit on our 24, 26 and 28 picks. We should have at least 3 developmental players from picks or signing UDFAs..the last 3 roster spots and the 2 ways.

We will also have to probably keep Craig and Bazley just to keep salary space on the books, but Craig is obviously useful as a rotation guy. The rest will be minimums. TJ will likely be gone unless he stays at the minimum or we want to spend the tax MLE on him. Not sure what types of players will be available for that. Damion Lee will likely be gone too unless we can keep him for those prices. Wll need to keep Payne and Shamet as well unless we trade one or two of those guys and Craig.

Any buyout guys are likely to only be here for this season unless they are ok with the minimum going forward.

Not going to happen unfortunately. We have ZERO players total that have been drafted by JJ.

[Slim Charless]

Paul/Payne/Saben (2 way?)
Booker/Lee/Shamet
Craig/Warren/Okogie
KD/Bazley/Ish (2 way?)
Ayton/Jock/Biz

Is Saben Lee under contract?

We must have one open one. Some people say 2 but I am not sure where. Is Ish taking up a roster spot? Are Ish and Lee are 2 ways?

Not sure who we will/could get on buyout.

Love, Jackson, Barton, Ross, Kaminsky

Kaminsky may not be the most talent of this group, but he knows the system, the players, and I know Mikal gave it all, all the time, and is more talented than Kaminsky, but if we want to bring in someone to give this bench some heart, and is still young enough to maintain some stamina, an occasional 3, and NTM, some increased BBIQ, this is the guy we need to bring in, IMO...

I don't know why you guys have an obsession with him. Let's go back in time when we played the Clippers in the West Finals. Pat Beverly cheap shots cp3 and sends him flying-could've easily injured him and who's there just standing by watching the whole thing? Oh The Great Kaminsky.

Seriously he stood there like he was waiting in line at the local Wendy's.

We don't need him, he's soft. He also sucks at basketball.

[BobbieL]

Paul/Payne/Saben (2 way?)
Booker/Lee/Shamet
Craig/Warren/Okogie
KD/Bazley/Ish (2 way?)
Ayton/Jock/Biz

Is Saben Lee under contract?

We must have one open one. Some people say 2 but I am not sure where. Is Ish taking up a roster spot? Are Ish and Lee are 2 ways?

Not sure who we will/could get on buyout.

Love, Jackson, Barton, Ross, Kaminsky

Kaminsky may not be the most talent of this group, but he knows the system, the players, and I know Mikal gave it all, all the time, and is more talented than Kaminsky, but if we want to bring in someone to give this bench some heart, and is still young enough to maintain some stamina, an occasional 3, and NTM, some increased BBIQ, this is the guy we need to bring in, IMO...

I don't know why you guys have an obsession with him. Let's go back in time when we played the Clippers in the West Finals. Pat Beverly cheap shots cp3 and sends him flying-could've easily injured him and who's there just standing by watching the whole thing? Oh The Great Kaminsky.

Seriously he stood there like he was waiting in line at the local Wendy's.

We don't need him, he's soft. He also sucks at basketball.

the Suns need more than Kaminsky
Since ShamPayne can be counted on for - who knows what
Reggie Jackson or Wil Barton would be nice

[Fo-Real]

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This got me a bit too excited.


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Bazley was a high potential guy coming in. Dude is a great athlete with decent shooting mechanics and can handle the ball. If he has any drive to get better at all, he will BENEFIT GREATLY being in the greatness/presence of KD and Paul to learn every day in practice and drive and professionalism of Devin Booker. He will either shrivel or blossom.

[WeekapaugGroove]

I mean... Russell is hot garbage. Anunoby is at best Bridges 2.0. I am sad the twins are gone and it hurts, but we got **** Kevin Durant. Never in the history of the league has a player of his caliber been traded mid-season. I'm good with it, especially if Ishbia installs a front office that can navigate rebuilding on the fly while competing. It's gonna take a lot of work though, but I think the dudes on the team will get over it once they see how good KD is when he's on their team and they are winning.

It would be cool to bring back the twins in the next few seasons somehow, but that's probably a pipedream.

We just really need to beef up our scouting department and hit on some 2nd round picks and maybe UDFAs..then hit on our 24, 26 and 28 picks. We should have at least 3 developmental players from picks or signing UDFAs..the last 3 roster spots and the 2 ways.

We will also have to probably keep Craig and Bazley just to keep salary space on the books, but Craig is obviously useful as a rotation guy. The rest will be minimums. TJ will likely be gone unless he stays at the minimum or we want to spend the tax MLE on him. Not sure what types of players will be available for that. Damion Lee will likely be gone too unless we can keep him for those prices. Wll need to keep Payne and Shamet as well unless we trade one or two of those guys and Craig.

Any buyout guys are likely to only be here for this season unless they are ok with the minimum going forward.

Not going to happen unfortunately. We have ZERO players total that have been drafted by JJ.

Well one of his picks was a key part of a pretty big trade


But yeah I agree with you. I'll make a prediction that the suns won't actually use a 1st round pick on a player the next 5 years. I think they will trade the ones they have left when they become eligible. Basically I think they will cash those picks in the 20s in for vet help and the sure thing vs the what 20% chance you take a useful player late first round. I also just don't think they have a desire to play rookies who will inevitably make mistakes.

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[NavLDO]

Paul/Payne/Saben (2 way?)
Booker/Lee/Shamet
Craig/Warren/Okogie
KD/Bazley/Ish (2 way?)
Ayton/Jock/Biz

Is Saben Lee under contract?

We must have one open one. Some people say 2 but I am not sure where. Is Ish taking up a roster spot? Are Ish and Lee are 2 ways?

Not sure who we will/could get on buyout.

Love, Jackson, Barton, Ross, Kaminsky

Kaminsky may not be the most talent of this group, but he knows the system, the players, and I know Mikal gave it all, all the time, and is more talented than Kaminsky, but if we want to bring in someone to give this bench some heart, and is still young enough to maintain some stamina, an occasional 3, and NTM, some increased BBIQ, this is the guy we need to bring in, IMO...

I don't know why you guys have an obsession with him. Let's go back in time when we played the Clippers in the West Finals. Pat Beverly cheap shots cp3 and sends him flying-could've easily injured him and who's there just standing by watching the whole thing? Oh The Great Kaminsky.

Seriously he stood there like he was waiting in line at the local Wendy's.

We don't need him, he's soft. He also sucks at basketball.

Is this what you are referring to? CP was past him, when it happened, and he actually pushed Beverly after it happened...what exactly does any of this have to do with what Kaminsky can bring to the team???

Watch on YouTube

[Slim Charless]

Kaminsky may not be the most talent of this group, but he knows the system, the players, and I know Mikal gave it all, all the time, and is more talented than Kaminsky, but if we want to bring in someone to give this bench some heart, and is still young enough to maintain some stamina, an occasional 3, and NTM, some increased BBIQ, this is the guy we need to bring in, IMO...

I don't know why you guys have an obsession with him. Let's go back in time when we played the Clippers in the West Finals. Pat Beverly cheap shots cp3 and sends him flying-could've easily injured him and who's there just standing by watching the whole thing? Oh The Great Kaminsky.

Seriously he stood there like he was waiting in line at the local Wendy's.

We don't need him, he's soft. He also sucks at basketball.

Is this what you are referring to? CP was past him, whenit happened, and he actually pushed Beverly after hit happened...what exactly does any of this have to do with what Kaminsky can bring to the team???

Watch on YouTube

He doesn't stick up for his teammates, he's soft. He'll add weakness to the locker room.....oh and he sucks at basketball.

[Ghost of Kleine]

Paul/Payne/Saben (2 way?)
Booker/Lee/Shamet
Craig/Warren/Okogie
KD/Bazley/Ish (2 way?)
Ayton/Jock/Biz

Is Saben Lee under contract?

We must have one open one. Some people say 2 but I am not sure where. Is Ish taking up a roster spot? Are Ish and Lee are 2 ways?

Not sure who we will/could get on buyout.

Love, Jackson, Barton, Ross, Kaminsky

Is it because Ish hasn't yet had his two way converted yet to a standard contract? I think he's still on a two way deal!

[bwgood77]

From who? I think the Spurs and OKC are the only teams in the NBA currently under the cap and they aren't signing him next week. I'm not sure where to find who has money left on their MLE but I can't imagine it's many or any of the contenders.

This is actually a spot where Sarvers cheap ass might help them because I have a feeling he was behind not using the MLE this summer.

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I'm not talking about this year. I was responding to you PGoTF. All we will have is the tax MLE this summer. I imagine he could get the regular MLE from someone.

Sure maybe. I probably wasn't clear but I was referencing more money right now. The PGoF thing was separate potential reason he might like Phoenix because money aside if your Reggie and you go down a list of all 30 teams and rank potential opportunity next season Phoenix would be pretty high on the list with an ancient PG who might even retire (I don't actually think CP retires).

A little cap trick they can try is if they give him the full non tax payer MLE on a one year deal for the rest of this season then this summer they leave open the option to offer him 120% of number next season without having it come out of their current MLE. Leaves a door open for a reunion if both sides want to go that route.

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I think CP3 will be here for 2 more years at this point after getting KD. We will see I suppose. I don't see really how not guaranteeing him helps. I thought we might for tax reasons with Cam getting his new contract, but that won't happen now, and while we still will be in the tax, and likely repeater tax, we will see if Mattish is ok with that.

[matt131]

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[Ghost of Kleine]

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[matt131]

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[Ghost of Kleine]

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Cool image, But Ayton looks lost and unsure! They probably should've at least made him look more focused........lol