The Official 2024 Offseason Thread Part 2

[Fo-Real]

A healthy Okogie can be assigned to slash by a capable coach.

Does anyone know what JO's conversion rate is when slashing to the rim? Eye test makes me think he's excellent at slashing to the rim but suppar at finished around the rim as well as at passing to the outside shooter (also known as Saben Lee syndrome)

Okogie on cuts last season:
FG%: 85.7%
FGA: 0.2
Freq%: 8.0%
PPP: 1.48
Points: 0.6ppg
Scoring Freq%: 78.3%
Percentile: 81.8%

For comparison, here's Mikal in his last full season with the Suns (2022):
FG%: 73.5%
FGA: 0.8
Freq%: 7.5%
PPP: 1.41
Points: 1.3ppg
Scoring Freq%: 68.9%
Percentile: 74.6%

Giannis might also be one of, if not the best, slasher in the NBA with his size, length and athleticism:
FG%: 75.2%
FGA: 2.2
Freq%: 9.6%
PPP: 1.49
Points: 3.8ppg
Scoring Freq%: 74.7%
Percentile: 82.9%

Okogie is pretty good slasher and a good finisher as well, he just doesn't do it often considering his role is small and opportunities aren't many.

Coaching

[Ghost of Kleine]

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Just another solid trade back option for James Jones to consider! If nothing better materializes, get this done James Jones.

[Ghost of Kleine]

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[Ghost of Kleine]

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[Saberestar]

Gambo said that we want Okogie and Bol Bol back, it’s up to them. Okogie has a PO. We don't want Gordon.

O'Neale will be back and his contract will be announced in the next few days.

[Ghost of Kleine]

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Basically what Saberestar was saying above.

[Ghost of Kleine]

https://www.si.com/nba/suns/news/insider-expands-phoenix-suns-nba-draft-plans

Arizona Sports insider John Gambadoro spoke during the three o'clock hour of the "Burns and Gambo" show once again to expand on his "Gambo five" - five players the Suns will consider with their draft pick, along with ruling out prospects that have been frequently linked to the franchise throughout the pre-draft process.

Gambadoro started out with the player that the Suns have ruled out at this stage. That player is UCLA's Adem Bona, who joins Duke's Kyle Filipowski and Dayton's DaRon Holmes as prospects that have been checked off as options.

"I'm gonna rule out Adem Bona, the UCLA center. He's not gonna be picked."

- Gambadoro on ruling out a new prospect

He then named the third player who Phoenix will ultimately consider - Ryan Dunn of Virginia - who joins Marquette's Tyler Kolek and Baylor's Yves Missi as prospects that are in play at pick 22.

"Real athletic, can guard multiple spots... good transition finisher... gonna have to work on his offense... but the ability to switch onto anyone is exactly what the Suns need......... he can make an impact on day one."
- Gambadoro on Ryan Dunn

Gambadoro also says Dunn would be "very high" on his list of five that will be considered, assuming Phoenix picks at 22.

This is in line with DraftExpress/ESPN's Jonathan Givony's report today that Dunn has impressed teams during the workout process.

Givony ultimately has Phoenix selecting the UVA wing at 22 in his latest mock draft as well - you can read about that here.

Gambadoro also mentioned earlier in the show that the Suns have had discussions with the Utah Jazz centered around the no. 22 pick for 29 and 32 from the Jazz - so this information could be subject to change - depending on what happens there.

https://www.si.com/nba/suns/news/phoenix-suns-snag-virginia-forward-latest-mock-draft

"Dunn is said to be gaining steam in this range of the draft after a slew of outstanding workouts this month propelled him firmly into the first round. Several teams have said Dunn exceeded expectations with his shooting while also doing some absolutely mesmerizing things defensively in guarding point guards through centers in group settings."

- Givony on Dunn Dunn, 21, spent two seasons with the Cavaliers - and has been considered a sleeper in this draft class among many - with NBA scouts/front offices typically being higher on the wing compared to fans across the league.

Dunn has widely been lauded for his ability as a defender, as he averaged 3.6 steals+ blocks per contest in 2023-24 en route to an All-ACC defensive team selection for a team that suffered a disappointing loss in the 2024 NCAA tournament. The concerns about his jump shot are still persistent and valid - he shot 23.5% from three-point range and 52.5% from the free-throw line in his college career.

The mechanics are there despite the concerns and his shot could come around eventually at the next level, but his defense is the ultimate selling point that could lead the Suns to selecting him.

It does feel more realistic that Dunn could be had in the second round if Phoenix traded down to acquire an extra second-round pick, but the Virginia product could be selected earlier due to the differing opinions of draft stock.

It appears that Ryan Dunn has been significantly impressing in draft workouts for teams, and drastically exceeded expectations with his shooting too! So perhaps Dunn is a more valuable prospect that some are willing to admit and definitely worthy of being a first-round selection.

[Ghost of Kleine]

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[Crives]

Ruling out bona at 22 doesn’t mean much, he’s a trade back option if we do deal with Utah 29/31

[lilfishi22]

Does anyone know what JO's conversion rate is when slashing to the rim? Eye test makes me think he's excellent at slashing to the rim but suppar at finished around the rim as well as at passing to the outside shooter (also known as Saben Lee syndrome)

Okogie on cuts last season:
FG%: 85.7%
FGA: 0.2
Freq%: 8.0%
PPP: 1.48
Points: 0.6ppg
Scoring Freq%: 78.3%
Percentile: 81.8%

For comparison, here's Mikal in his last full season with the Suns (2022):
FG%: 73.5%
FGA: 0.8
Freq%: 7.5%
PPP: 1.41
Points: 1.3ppg
Scoring Freq%: 68.9%
Percentile: 74.6%

Giannis might also be one of, if not the best, slasher in the NBA with his size, length and athleticism:
FG%: 75.2%
FGA: 2.2
Freq%: 9.6%
PPP: 1.49
Points: 3.8ppg
Scoring Freq%: 74.7%
Percentile: 82.9%

Okogie is pretty good slasher and a good finisher as well, he just doesn't do it often considering his role is small and opportunities aren't many.

Coaching

100%

Vogel didn't do much to maximise the role players.

[Ghost of Kleine]

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[Ghost of Kleine]

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https://open.spotify.com/episode/3W3usxk5xGLUozLzjLDZGX?go=1&sp_cid=3de5db379d5e1ecf172b071023a54380&utm_source=embed_player_p&utm_medium=desktop&nd=1&dlsi=9f2f473945754717

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[Fo-Real]

If we are talking about adding a slashing pg and Dunn's name comes up, it would make sense. That guy has all the TALENT in the world and would see huge wide open spaces while playing with Booker and Durant. Great size, very good defender!!

[Ghost of Kleine]

https://arizonasports.com/story/3549570/vecenie-nba-mock-draft-suns-picks-double-trade-down/

The Athletic’s Vecenie shows how Suns can hit NBA Draft hard with trade-downs
BY KEVIN ZIMMERMAN
ArizonaSports.com lead editor

Jun 24, 2024, 7:15 PM

Seven rostered players at the moment leave the Phoenix Suns with plenty of signing to do this offseason. A few player options could bump that number up two or three, but then it’s on to filling about a third of the 2024 opening-day roster with a combination of draft picks and veteran minimum signings.

If Phoenix likes the draft talent that will be lingering in the late first round and early second round of the draft, a trade down from the 22nd slot in the draft could give them multiple picks.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5581150/2024/06/24/nba-mock-draft-2024-hawks-pick/?redirected=1
The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie in his mock draft released Monday proposed one double-tradedown situation where Phoenix nets three rookies for the 2024-25 roster, plus a future second-round pick. That’s even if Marquette point guard Tyler Kolek is still on the board at No. 22.

Ultimately, the Suns draft UC Santa Barbara point guard Ajay Mitchell (34th overall), UCLA big man Adem Bona (38th) and Arizona wing Pelle Larsson (40th).

Vecenie has Phoenix trading out of 22nd for the No. 25 and No. 38 picks.

"Phoenix’s goal, assuming a player it loves isn’t on the board at No. 22, should be to accumulate as many pick assets as possible. Do not be surprised to see them try to trade down and pick up additional picks to re-stock their cupboard. In the next six drafts (including this one), the Suns are only able to trade No. 22 this year and their 2028 second-round pick. Even just for more maneuverability, the Suns need to find ways to add more picks". With the 25th pick, Vecenie’s mock has the Suns again trading down, adding Nos. 34, 40, and a future second-rounder. Phoenix foregoes another mock favorite: Duke center Kyle Filipowski.

Vecenie is dealing with recent precedents to project the value that could come from the trades.
The Suns could then try to push one or two of those picks in the second round out into future draft capital again from teams looking to move into the top 40, of which there are expected to be plenty on Thursday. They could end this process with five or six second-rounders if they play their cards right and find the right partners.

If this all seems complicated, it is, but it has happened recently. Boston executed this strategy last season, trading down multiple times from No. 25 and receiving what amounted to five second-rounders in the process. That process included trading the No. 25 pick for No. 31 and two future seconds; essentially, the same price point as this hypothetical deal. Given Phoenix’s asset situation, this is the smartest strategy for the Suns to employ Wednesday.

When the Suns are finally up against No. 34, Vecenie sees them drafting Mitchell, a mid-major riser who has been covered in Arizona Sports’ 22 for 22 series by Kellan Olson.

Mitchell averaged 20 points, 4.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists this past year, using his methodical pace to shoot 50% overall and 39% from three.

Vecenie then has Phoenix nabbing UCLA undersized center Bona, a rim-running shot-blocker, at 38 overall and Arizona’s Larsson at 40. Bona coming into the 2023-24 season was viewed as one of the best defensive prospects in college basketball, but his relatively underwhelming progress as a sophomore hurt his stock.

He still averaged 12.4 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game, shooting 59% and showing progress as a foul shooter (57.3% as a freshman to 69.6% as a sophomore).

Larsson improved steadily through four years in college, building his stock as a two-way role player. He was efficient (51.9% shooting and 42.6% from three) as well as dynamic as a scorer (12.8 points per game) and playmaker (3.7 assists).

The idea of trading down/back to acquire additional assets is a solid idea, BUT these selections (aside from Mitchell) are pretty garbage results when you have the 25th and 38th picks. So I'll help advance Vecenies mediocre and underwhelming trade premise here:
My alternative solution.:

Idea #1: (NEW YORK)
Trade the 22 back to New York for the 25th and 38th picks. Trade Little and the PHX 2031 1st (top 5 protected) to Charlotte for Nik Richards/ Amari Bailey and the 42nd pick! You now have Richards to cover your athletic rim-running backup center needs, leaving only a playmaking guard and an athletic wing option via the draft. Also, Amari Bailey is a very athletic polished combo guard with a high IQ and playmaking/ scoring ability. So you now have:
25- Ryan Dunn.
38- Ajay Mitchell.
42- Ulriche Comche.

Idea #2: (UTAH)
Trade the Little/22/ BOS 28' 2nd to Utah for Yurtseven// draft rights to Micah Potter/ 29th and 32nd picks. Potter fills the 3rd rotation 4/5 (floor spacing big). Yurtseveen can be our 3rd rotation 5.
29- Dunn.
32- Mitchell.

Idea #3: (LA-UTAH)
Trade up to trade back! (MY FAVORITE TRADE SCENARIO).
Trade Nurkic/PHX 2031 1st (Top 5 protected) to Flakers for Hachimura/17th pick. Then trade Little/17th pick to Utah for Kessler/Potter/ 29th and 32nd picks.
22- Tyler Kolek.
29- Tyler Smith.
32- Ryan Dunn.
Undrafted range Two-ways (3 allowed).
- Zyon Pullin. Tyus Jones.
- Blake Hinson. Saddiq Bey.
- Quinton Post. Polished 3-point shooting version of Poetl.

Beal /Booker /Hachimura /KD / Drummond.
Lowry/ Allen/ O'neale/ Potter/ Kessler.
Kolek/ D Lee/ Dunn/ Tyler Smith/ Bidatze.

Idea #4 (LA-NEW YORK)
1-Trade Nurkic/PHX 2031 1st (top 4 protected) to Flakers for Hachimura/17th pick.
2- Then flip the 17th pick to New York for the 24th and 25th picks.
3- Flip Little/24th pick to Charlotte for Richards/ Bailey/ 42nd pick.

We now have the 24, 25, 42.
24- Kolek.
25- Dunn.
42- Ulriche Comche.

Idea #5 (LA- Portland)
Nurkic/ PHX 2031 1st (top 4 protected) for Hachimura/17th pick. Then trade Hachimura/17th pick to Portland for Robert Williams/ Toumani Camara/ 34th and 40th picks.
22- Kolek.
34- Dunn.
40- Comche.

Beal/Booker/Batum/KD/ Drummond.
Lowry/Allen/ O'neale/ Muscala/Timelord.
Kolek/D Lee/ Dunn/Camara/ Bidatze.

G Lague devlopment (3 two ways)
- Comche- regular contract.

- Blake Hinson. Two-way contract.
- Quinton Post. Two-way contract.
- Zyon Pullin. Two-way contract.

[Qwigglez]

Suns need to sign Kris Dunn and then draft Ryan Dunn. The play-by-play commentary will be great.

[Mr Puddles]

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Just another solid trade back option for James Jones to consider! If nothing better materializes, get this done James Jones.

Combining rumors, if the guy the jazz want is available at 22 I could see something like this go down:

Suns in:
#29 (Kolek)
#32 (BPA)
Kessler

Suns out:
#22
'31 pick (top 4 protected)
Little.

[Ghost of Kleine]

Suns need to sign Kris Dunn and then draft Ryan Dunn. The play-by-play commentary will be great.

[Ghost of Kleine]

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Just another solid trade back option for James Jones to consider! If nothing better materializes, get this done James Jones.

Combining rumors, if the guy the jazz want is available at 22 I could see something like this go down:

Suns in:
#29 (Kolek)
#32 (BPA)
Kessler

Suns out:
#22
'31 pick (top 4 protected)
Little.

Gun to your head, would you rather have Kolek or Ajay Mitchell? Also which of these two combos would be more appealing to you?
Kolek/ Dunn.
OR
Mitchell/Dunn.

[Qwigglez]

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Just another solid trade back option for James Jones to consider! If nothing better materializes, get this done James Jones.

Combining rumors, if the guy the jazz want is available at 22 I could see something like this go down:

Suns in:
#29 (Kolek)
#32 (BPA)
Kessler

Suns out:
#22
'31 pick (top 4 protected)
Little.

I saw this one and reminds me a bit of your trade.

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[Mr Puddles]

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Just another solid trade back option for James Jones to consider! If nothing better materializes, get this done James Jones.

Combining rumors, if the guy the jazz want is available at 22 I could see something like this go down:

Suns in:
#29 (Kolek)
#32 (BPA)
Kessler

Suns out:
#22
'31 pick (top 4 protected)
Little.

Gun to your head, would you rather have Kolek or Ajay Mitchell? Also which of these two combos would be more appealing to you?
Kolek/ Dunn.
OR
Mitchell/Dunn.

I'm not that knowledgeable about college players to be honest, I wrote Kolek for 29 because he's been tied to the team and might slip to the end of the first round.

I think we're using Dunn as a trade bluff. It's too much of a coincidence for the conspiracy theorist in me that the Knicks are reportedly high on them, we're reportedly looking to trade down, the Knicks have two first rounders late in the first, and now we're tied to the guy they want.