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

[Elden Ball]

https://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=2266699

i like that nickname

[Mulhollanddrive]

Cory Joseph is very interesting if Detroit buy him out.

PG who can shoot and defend

[Calvin Klein]

Warren = Cam

Dude...

[SlovenianDragon]

Warren = Cam

Dude...

?

[BobbieL]

I like the Ross move as that probably means Payne is back post ASB

I am not sure they need another player as I think Ish will be brought up. He earned it I think
Granted - if it’s Love - maybe

Good for Ishbia and Monty to go get Ross

Just hope Payne is back. Not worried about Shamet as much

[Fo-Real]

Nets really just do iso, iso, iso at the end of the 4th there. If they ran any kind of actual plays, they could’ve easily won this.

Bridges and Cam must’ve felt weird just standing in the corner considering Suns offense often has a lot of off ball movement and all. Bridges finally got the ball at the end after not having touched it in a while and the play was for him to attack the rim with the league’s best shot blocker in the paint. Lol.

Jacque Vaughn isn’t a good HC at all of course. Doubt he’ll be there next year.

Watching all their steals and fast break points, it made me realize how we likely won't have nearly that many fast break points. We will just be all halfcourt, jump shooting. Luckily KD is so efficient, and Ayton usually. And 3 guys who can get their own shot. Hopefully Book gets back to normal soon but with KD it should help him a lot.

I was watching the Kings/Mavs game and Luka went away from Kyrie when Kyrie was hot and took a bad 3 that missed.

But I liked his reaction (below) after the game to that shot. Hopefully KD will be our guy down the stretch in similar way.

Spoiler:

Read on Twitter

Yeah, lets make Luka a hesitant player!!! Tear em apart from the inside Kyrie!!!

[Fo-Real]

Ross has good vibes. Likeable player apparently, if you go by the Orlando fanbase. We need some of that with both Mikal and Cam gone.

If you're going point Book, I think it'd make sense to have KD and some larger wings who can shoot.

Ross isn't a great defender, but he has more size and athleticism than both Shamet and Lee, so he's definitely better to put out there against certain lineups.

The question now is if the final roster spot goes to Wainwright or Saben Lee. Wainwright probably has more uses, but then we do have a lot of wings now in KD, Craig, Warren, Bazley, Ross, Lee apart from Book and Shamet.

Thin at PG, especially with Payne's injury. Might make more sense to keep Saben as insurance, but then I really don't think we'll actually play him in the playoffs. Monty will probably just roll with Point Book or play Shamet at PG if Payne isn't available.

Also dont forget that KD and Lee have chemistry. He and Lee were supposedly very tight in the warrior days, it was why people thought we signed Lee guessing on a KD trade to come later.

[lonea]

Suns barely got by the Pels and got beat by the Mavs last year in the playoffs. Minus Crowder we trot out basically the same squad. The trade had to happen.

You forgot to mention they lost Booker in the first round with a hamstring injury and who knows how healthy he was versus the Mavs, ,my gut says had it been the regular season he would have sat out a lot more games like this year but in the playoffs you absolutely try to play through it if you can.

The Suns got dominated by the bigs. It wasn't because Booker wasn't playing.

DA got man handled by them.

[Fo-Real]

Look don't get me wrong, I hate trading the twins. However, it's irrelevant as we have done it.

This whinging about how little depth we have is a little over the top. We had a net loss of one player and by sounds of it we are signing Ross so we aren't down a body.

Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't mind a Reggie Jackson and say a Nerlens Noel for depth. However, the sky isn't falling.

We are going all in, were going to get what we can. Assume we are going to get a PG it we were chasing one late on free agency.

We replaced dario who was barely playing with bazley too... I mean hes not going to get many minutes either but its a slight upgrade to me.

I think it kinda breaks down like:

KD > Mikal
Warren = Cam
Bazley = Dario
Ross > Jae (Wasnt playing)

We definitely got better.

We are in the grieving stage until KD plays a game with the Suns. Once he does im sure most people will come around and move on.

But until he plays it kinda feels like this:

Watch on YouTube

Bazley could be a low key more important pick up. He is a 6'9 shot blocker, defender who can switch on almost anyone. That may be better used as a big starting lineup, where he wouldn't really be needed to score but has a decent enough shot that he can kill you from the corner if you leave him. KD can start at Sf because he too is a great defender. I could see a Ayton, Bazley, Kd big front court to start with him being the athletic 4. And Craig can come off the bench with Payne, Shamet/Ross, TJ, Landale as that groups defensive anchor

[Fo-Real]

I like the Ross move as that probably means Payne is back post ASB

I am not sure they need another player as I think Ish will be brought up. He earned it I think
Granted - if it’s Love - maybe

Good for Ishbia and Monty to go get Ross

Just hope Payne is back. Not worried about Shamet as much

Our third string guard should not be named Saben Lee!! This has to change.

[Bogyo]

Look don't get me wrong, I hate trading the twins. However, it's irrelevant as we have done it.

This whinging about how little depth we have is a little over the top. We had a net loss of one player and by sounds of it we are signing Ross so we aren't down a body.

Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't mind a Reggie Jackson and say a Nerlens Noel for depth. However, the sky isn't falling.

We are going all in, were going to get what we can. Assume we are going to get a PG it we were chasing one late on free agency.

We replaced dario who was barely playing with bazley too... I mean hes not going to get many minutes either but its a slight upgrade to me.

I think it kinda breaks down like:

KD > Mikal
Warren = Cam
Bazley = Dario
Ross > Jae (Wasnt playing)

We definitely got better.

We are in the grieving stage until KD plays a game with the Suns. Once he does im sure most people will come around and move on.

But until he plays it kinda feels like this:

Watch on YouTube

Bazley could be a low key more important pick up. He is a 6'9 shot blocker, defender who can switch on almost anyone. That may be better used as a big starting lineup, where he wouldn't really be needed to score but has a decent enough shot that he can kill you from the corner if you leave him. KD can start at Sf because he too is a great defender. I could see a Ayton, Bazley, Kd big front court to start with him being the athletic 4. And Craig can come off the bench with Payne, Shamet/Ross, TJ, Landale as that groups defensive anchor

Yup. Looked up his BBref page, he is hot from the corners this year. Looks like he practiced (contract year and all). And you KNOW he ain't getting the wide open looks from there either in OKC. He will be free as a bird here. I really think he can be a point of attack defender if its a wing, and not a PG he is going against. Our D could be a lot better with him and KD at the 3, and DA wouldn't be in constant foul trouble, as he could pick up some of the tickytacky ones.
Plus our bench would be better with Payne, Ross, Craig, TJ, Biz. Bit more offense/shooting there.

[garrick]

Suns barely got by the Pels and got beat by the Mavs last year in the playoffs. Minus Crowder we trot out basically the same squad. The trade had to happen.

You forgot to mention they lost Booker in the first round with a hamstring injury and who knows how healthy he was versus the Mavs, ,my gut says had it been the regular season he would have sat out a lot more games like this year but in the playoffs you absolutely try to play through it if you can.

The Suns got dominated by the bigs. It wasn't because Booker wasn't playing.

DA got man handled by them.

Did you happen to watch a different series? DA was one of the reasons we got past New Orleans with the loss of Booker.

[WeekapaugGroove]

I like the Ross move as that probably means Payne is back post ASB

I am not sure they need another player as I think Ish will be brought up. He earned it I think
Granted - if it’s Love - maybe

Good for Ishbia and Monty to go get Ross

Just hope Payne is back. Not worried about Shamet as much

Our third string guard should not be named Saben Lee!! This has to change.

Yeah, Im kind of intrigued by Sabien Lee and would like him in camp next season but he's not a guy I'd want playing playoff minutes even in an emergency.

I might have given Ish the Ross spot on the 15 man roster but i do get the desire for another vet shooter off the pine. Ross is kind of a 3 and more 3 vs a 3 and D guy but if he plays hard on that end he's long enough to hold his own.

Honestly if anything happens to CP or Payne then Booker is likely playing those PG minutes but I'd still like a guy like Hill for insurance.

Sent from my SM-G986U using RealGM mobile app

[Slim Charless]

We replaced dario who was barely playing with bazley too... I mean hes not going to get many minutes either but its a slight upgrade to me.

I think it kinda breaks down like:

KD > Mikal
Warren = Cam
Bazley = Dario
Ross > Jae (Wasnt playing)

We definitely got better.

We are in the grieving stage until KD plays a game with the Suns. Once he does im sure most people will come around and move on.

But until he plays it kinda feels like this:

Watch on YouTube

Bazley could be a low key more important pick up. He is a 6'9 shot blocker, defender who can switch on almost anyone. That may be better used as a big starting lineup, where he wouldn't really be needed to score but has a decent enough shot that he can kill you from the corner if you leave him. KD can start at Sf because he too is a great defender. I could see a Ayton, Bazley, Kd big front court to start with him being the athletic 4. And Craig can come off the bench with Payne, Shamet/Ross, TJ, Landale as that groups defensive anchor

Yup. Looked up his BBref page, he is hot from the corners this year. Looks like he practiced (contract year and all). And you KNOW he ain't getting the wide open looks from there either in OKC. He will be free as a bird here. I really think he can be a point of attack defender if its a wing, and not a PG he is going against. Our D could be a lot better with him and KD at the 3, and DA wouldn't be in constant foul trouble, as he could pick up some of the tickytacky ones.
Plus our bench would be better with Payne, Ross, Craig, TJ, Biz. Bit more offense/shooting there.

I'm kinda liking the Ross pickup. He's gonna play even harder now that he's got a legit shot at a ring, on a team that has a use for him. Even more so if Pain/Shame miss time.

I've read Magic fans thoughts on the guy and they love him. Hell, their tribute thread for Ross is just as long as ours was for the Twins.

He can provide buckets in a hurry, which will be useful and is always useful.

[BobbieL]

I like the Ross move as that probably means Payne is back post ASB

I am not sure they need another player as I think Ish will be brought up. He earned it I think
Granted - if it’s Love - maybe

Good for Ishbia and Monty to go get Ross

Just hope Payne is back. Not worried about Shamet as much

Our third string guard should not be named Saben Lee!! This has to change.

Yeah, Im kind of intrigued by Sabien Lee and would like him in camp next season but he's not a guy I'd want playing playoff minutes even in an emergency.

I might have given Ish the Ross spot on the 15 man roster but i do get the desire for another vet shooter off the pine. Ross is kind of a 3 and more 3 vs a 3 and D guy but if he plays hard on that end he's long enough to hold his own.

Honestly if anything happens to CP or Payne then Booker is likely playing those PG minutes but I'd still like a guy like Hill for insurance.

Sent from my SM-G986U using RealGM mobile app

Suns have one more roster spot I believe. They only had 14; after the two trades, 13. Ross is 14

[darmani]

Our third string guard should not be named Saben Lee!! This has to change.

Yeah, Im kind of intrigued by Sabien Lee and would like him in camp next season but he's not a guy I'd want playing playoff minutes even in an emergency.

I might have given Ish the Ross spot on the 15 man roster but i do get the desire for another vet shooter off the pine. Ross is kind of a 3 and more 3 vs a 3 and D guy but if he plays hard on that end he's long enough to hold his own.

Honestly if anything happens to CP or Payne then Booker is likely playing those PG minutes but I'd still like a guy like Hill for insurance.

Sent from my SM-G986U using RealGM mobile app

Suns have one more roster spot I believe. They only had 14; after the two trades, 13. Ross is 14

#15 should be Wainright.

[matt131]

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=gV60rd8E31v3_g-tlxZIuQ

Big ol no thanks

[Jdiddy701]

Isn’t there gonna be a press conference introducing KD, Warren, Bazley and Ross? Anyone know when that will be?

Also, have they said anything about whether Warren and Bazley will be available to play in next week’s games before the All Star break?

Leander mentioned in the last pregame that Bazley and Warren’s press conference will be Tuesday and KD’s on Thursday.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[phx#7]

Isn’t there gonna be a press conference introducing KD, Warren, Bazley and Ross? Anyone know when that will be?

Also, have they said anything about whether Warren and Bazley will be available to play in next week’s games before the All Star break?

Leander mentioned in the last pregame that Bazley and Warren’s press conference will be Tuesday and KD’s on Thursday.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Can't wait to see the excitement and joy Warren shows answering questions.

[BobbieL]

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=gV60rd8E31v3_g-tlxZIuQ

Big ol no thanks

As Homer says "keep walking"

The Suns do not need Danny Green.

I truly think if Payne is healthy - the Suns are done. Sign Ish to the big club; get Ross involved and roll with it.