What assets do we have/where do we go from here?

[albasuna]

So...that sucked.

Question is, what do we do now?

Change the coach?(entire thread about this, so I'm not going into that)

Change the roster?

Blow it all up and rebuild, or go for it again next year?

Some combination of all of the above?

*****

I. Let's take a look at our current roster right now.

The guys I'd like to keep no matter what:
Nash(he's old and doesn't play defense, but he's obviously our MVP)

Bell(he's old, but he still does his job)

Hill(he's old, but at his price tag, he's a fantastic bargain)

Amare(he's strictly a one-way player which needs to change for us to have any success)

The guys I'd like to keep because without them, we literally have no future:
Barbosa(inconsistent as HELL, but for his price tag, I love him off the bench)

Tucker(no thoughts on Tucker, but I'll be darned if we trade another draft pick)

Strawberry(I love everything about DJ's game. He just needs to learn how to shoot)

Pike, Marks, Skinner, Giri and LJIII are all unrestricted FAs this year. I think Giri's the only one that's worth keeping. I was less and less impressed with Skinner as the season went on. However, Giri's probably going to get an offer this year that we won't want to match.

That leaves Boris Diaw and Shaq, two guys who can still contribute but are DRASTICALLY overpaid, greatly hindering any and all flexibility we could have.

II. What are the main problems with this team?

In my opinion, interior defense, perimeter defense, a lack of shooters, and a lack of a RELIABLE bench. We have ONE interior defender(Shaq), one and a half perimeter defenders(Bell and Hill), three shooters(Nash, Bell, and Giriceck...Barbosa is too streaky), and two of the most inconsistent guys in the league in Barbs and Diaw as our best bench players.

Do we try to solve these problems through Free Agency? Through the draft? Through trades?

III. Let's take a look at Free Agency first and foremost.

We're over the cap next year, so we have the MLE that we can split(contracts starting at 5 mill per yearish), and as many minimum contracts as we want. We can't use the Bi-Annual exception because we just used it on Hill last year.

That doesn't give us a lot of room to sign quality Free Agents, but I went ahead and attempted to make a list of Unrestricted Free Agents that we could potentially make a run at this year.

PG/Combo Guards:
Eddie House(I loved him when he was in Phoenix)
Sam Cassell(He'd add some much needed leadership to the bench)
Chris Duhon(A legit backup point)
Tyronn Lue(Not a terrible choice for a backup PG)
Jason Williams(I almost envision him as being the perfect D'Antoni PG if his knees let him)
Carlos Arroyo(I think he'd be a good backup Point)

SG/SF:
Eduardo Najera(High energy guy, love his game)
Matt Barnes(tailor made for our system)
Mickael Pietrus(athletic defender, okay offensive guy)
Quinton Ross(cheap defender)
Bonzi Wells(he's an offensive weapon when he wants to be)
Michael Finley(we saw in this series that he can still contribute)
Ruben Patterson(great perimeter defender, not a bad scorer)
Gerald Green(we could use some youth, he's got potential)
Kareem Rush(shooter)

PF/C:
PJ Brown(He spurned us once, but w/e, I'd like to have him)
Dikembe Mutombo(he's still got it, he'd be a great backup C)
Jamaal Magloire(he's probably on his last legs, but he's okay at D)
Chris Anderson(fantastic energy big man, very active)
KURT THOMAS(I WANT KURT THOMAS BACK!!!!!)
Theo Ratliff(defensive C)
Kwame Brown(I hate him, but he's not an atrocious post defender)

There are more valuable players out there, but they're mostly Restricted Free Agents/waaaay out of our price range. I realize most of those are never going to happen, but that's the pool that's available and ready to contribute, IMO.

IV. The Draft.

Our draft situation in the future is obviously bleak due to our complete mismanagement of our future assets. From DraftExpress.com, here are our draft assets:

Suns
Credits:

[albasuna]

Theres some nice info in your post, at first I thought our future just looked like armageddon but it seems with still have some nice options. But before anything else, first things first... win game 4.

[dm17415]

I was reading the Bucks forum and they are open to trading Redd, Yi and #7 for Amare. Trading Amare would be a huge step back, despite his weaknesses we won't be able to find another big man like him so i am not sure if i would trade him.

[Mr. Sun]

I was reading the Bucks forum and they are open to trading Redd, Yi and #7 for Amare. Trading Amare would be a huge step back, despite his weaknesses we won't be able to find another big man like him so i am not sure if i would trade him.

Amare doesn't need to be traded. When Nash and Shaq come off the books we will be serious contenders for top rate talent.

[Frank Lee]

Anyone is tradable....wait until Amare issues his ultimatums before you predict 'Standandamire' does not get traded. He is one more loss and two more interviews from a verbal body slam to D'Ant (likely deserved).

I won't be surprised with any off season move. Jeezus...who wouldathunk we could get The Great Mason for Mr Versatile?

[garrick]

Trading Redd for Amare solves nothing. Now if you could get Redd without losing Amare that would be fantastic but then again Redd is a pretty bad defender so unless he has a newfound desire to play defense I don't think he is a viable option.

[eastsidecrossover]

WOW that was a long post. Some good stuff, and things I have been thinking of. I forgot that the suns love Duhon and that he was a FA. We need a back up really bad because yet again, MD has run him into the ground. We need to find a stud at #15. And I am all about trading barbs. He is so one demintional that it really hurts our team at times, especially in the playoffs. Nash is horriendes on D, and barbosa is not even a better optoin. If we can get a higher pick with him, or a solid role player who plays D, and not as soft mentally, I am good with that.

We need some youth to take some weight off of our vets/starters. Problem is, we have to have a coach that will see this and play his bench more. That means MD has to go because he will never do that.

[chrice]

If we want to change roster, we need to change owner. As long as we have Sarver, we're going to be content with a mediocre playoff roster. Our window is closing, and when Nash and Shaq are gone, we may very well end up being one of those teams that barely makes the playoffs, and fishing the draft with #20 picks.

[nba_addict]

Where the Suns will go from here is limited to two directions: (1) rebuild now by getting younger or (2) one more run on the title. To go status quo with this line-up and coaching staff will make no sense for the Suns. One cant even assure that Grant Hill will back next season given the Suns being eliminated in the first round this year (which is most likely). Its hard to assume Skinner will be back for cheap contract as well. Giricek is fine but I dont think he is the priority guy for signing next year.

Pietrus is one of the guys id like the Suns to run with whether to rebuild or not go for one more run. The guy is still young. His value might be low right now but I think its not because he is a not fit to the GS system but rather he was misused by Don Nelson.

[Biff]

We desperately need a dribble-penetrator. Sadly, we're kinda saddled with what we have for now. We can make small moves, but that's not going to do much.

While Barbosa has a good contract, he plays terrible at the times we need him the most it seems. I'm not entirely sure if he's worth keeping around even with his great contract.

Diaw- I like his versatility but he's way too much money.

Steve- I don't see him coming back as motivated next year. I think his production will likely take a big hit next year.

Shaq- he's still big and can score and rebound well, but the rest of our team is too bad defensively to make up for his lack of lateral movement.

Amare- one dimensional. I love his offensive game, but his mental lapses on defense and rebounding make it very frustrating. His bball IQ isn't superstar level. I also worry about his knees. I really wish we would have traded him for KG. I still wouldn't object to trading him.

Raja- I love Raja, but Mike has also run him into the ground. He was more injury prone this year and I don't think that's going to get any better as he gets older.

Hill- Had he not been injured I honestly think we would have won games 1 and 2. I don't know if he repeats his health level next season. 70 games is a lot for that broken down body.

I'd like to keep the 2 rookies, the rest aren't really that important, just fillers.

I can only dream of this team with KG....

Nash, Bell, Hill, Marion, KG

A team that would have been able to make up for Nash's defensive liabilities.

[co_laper]

Amare can't leave! He's young enough where you can build a team around him.

The key IMO is getting a new coach that emphasize defense. Having such a coach will help Amare tremendously.

I would say the Suns should replace Kerr but i really doubt that happens. He said it himself, if the Shaq trade fails, he's an idiot. if it works, he's a genius. He can't honestly say he's NOT an idiot if the Suns lose out in the 1st round.

Anyways, i think coaching change is the most important part. U have to look first at what an experienced defensive coach can bring to a Phoenix team. Avery Johnson turned around a sucky Dallas team defensively into a pretty good one in one single season. I'd say if the Suns can turn into a better defensive team, that's already good enough. It's not like they're an extremely bad team right now. If the Suns met any other team right now, it'd probably be a tighter contest. This Suns team just isn't build properly to take out the Spurs. Yes, i'm biased.

[nba_addict]

I agree. Amare should not be traded if the Suns is looking to rebuild. This offseason Amare should abandon those 3pt shooting drills and focus his training on how to improve his defense and avoid foul troubles.

If Suns looks to rebuild I hate to say but I think the Suns management has the moral obligation to deal Nash, Bell and Shaq to contenders. Its gonna be difficult for the Suns fans to see Nash end up somewhere.

[davidse]

not a suns fan, but here's what i would do -

1. use nash to get rid of diaw's contract.

logical destinations - cleveland and ny. two teams who have the huge expiring contracts, the motivation, and would probably sweeten in even further with some nice young players (don't expect the knicks' lottery pick though imo).

2. barbosa and bell should each get you some nice draft picks with expiring contracts.

3. amare - you hope that the team that lands beasly is a team that would rather win early than late (i can see miami, chicago, golden state and some others falling into that category).
so you try to orchestrate an amare/beasly swap, where you either get expiring contracts with beasly, or you need to be compensated with another future pick/s if he's attached to unwanted contracts.


4. either way, the end result would beshaq, beastly, 15th pick, possible other picks, and pretty much nothing but expiring deals.

one season passes - you add another top lottery pick to the mix, you have about 20 mil in cap space to use, and a 20 mil expiring deal in shaq (unless you can unload him earlier for a few contracts - most of whom are expiring).


if your g.m. knows what he's doing - you'll be back with the elite in no time.


avoid facing reality and true rebuilding - and it'll be a decade before you have any chance to stay with the west's new YOUNG elite.


just my 2 c's - all in good faith.
g.l.

[TASTIC]

would have been a lot easier with the picks we gave to SEA

...and a lot easier this postseason with KT

[thamadkant]

not a suns fan, but here's what i would do -

1. use nash to get rid of diaw's contract.

logical destinations - cleveland and ny. two teams who have the huge expiring contracts, the motivation, and would probably sweeten in even further with some nice young players (don't expect the knicks' lottery pick though imo).

2. barbosa and bell should each get you some nice draft picks with expiring contracts.

3. amare - you hope that the team that lands beasly is a team that would rather win early than late (i can see miami, chicago, golden state and some others falling into that category).
so you try to orchestrate an amare/beasly swap, where you either get expiring contracts with beasly, or you need to be compensated with another future pick/s if he's attached to unwanted contracts.


4. either way, the end result would beshaq, beastly, 15th pick, possible other picks, and pretty much nothing but expiring deals.

one season passes - you add another top lottery pick to the mix, you have about 20 mil in cap space to use, and a 20 mil expiring deal in shaq (unless you can unload him earlier for a few contracts - most of whom are expiring).


if your g.m. knows what he's doing - you'll be back with the elite in no time.


avoid facing reality and true rebuilding - and it'll be a decade before you have any chance to stay with the west's new YOUNG elite.


just my 2 c's - all in good faith.
g.l.

I had a similar offer with the Beasley/ No.1 pick for Stoudemire.

But I'd ask for another decent player with the pick...Stoudemire's season stats should be leverage.

And Suns tanking 2008-2009 is moot... the pick is unprotected... will just benefit Sonics..

[rsavaj]

^^Except we keep our 09 pick, so it wouldn't help the Sonics

[The Hypnotoad]

We need to get Ron Artest somehow. If Sarver doesn't complain about it salary wise i think we could get him. Maybe our two 1st rounders of this years draft? Is that allowed since they'll both make around 3-4 mil so thats about 7-8 mil right there for him. If we could get the Kings to take Diaw..... doubtful though. I don't know but Artest would replace Marions stats fairly well. It'd give Hill more resting time during the year if he comes back. Plus it'd allow us to defend the Spurs better. I know Artest says he doesn't want to leave Sacramento cause he's mentally in a good place, but Phoenix isn't that far from there so it wouldn't be that much of a lifestyle change for him. Make it happen Suns!

[thamadkant]

What I would do..

Inquire to Clippers about Ross + their pick for Barbosa + Hawks pick.
It may seem like a bad trade for the Suns, but I am assuming the Clippers pick will be top 5. Obviously a draft day trade.

If not, let's assume Clippers get outside top 5, maybe 7~8 pick. Then I'd inquire about Barbosa for Ross + Pick 7/8.

Why Ross?.
Shut down defender at the PG/SG. Bowen like but more athletic.
The pick?
DJ Augustin should be available, if not a swing man that will give Hill a lot of rest, assuming Hill comes back (doesnt retire).




Trading for Artest, doesnt solve the defender at the PG/SG. Artest can guard SG/SF. But is not quick enough for the PG spot.


If the pick was top 5, the Suns can get OJ Mayo + Ross for Barbosa and Hawks pick. Why would they trade a top 5 pick?
Barbosa has shown he is a 20 point scorer, OJ Mayo is not proven and will have less impact than Barbosa in the next 2 seasons, Barbosa > OJ Mayo for the next 2 seasons.
And Clippers will plan to make the playoffs to keep Brand.

Bell should be coming off the bench next season if the Suns want to preserve him as a big contributor. I think off the bench, he will have more energy during second half of the game where Suns usually lose leads when the other team goes 10+ point runs. Bell with less playing time will have more energy come those times.

[thamadkant]

Will sound crazy but...


O'Neal + Barbosa

for

Arenas + Haywood


Wizards is a better team without Arenas.
With O'neal, Wizards have a legit threath in the middle. They've seen the Suns play with him, O'Neal can be the Wizard's answer to the Howards, Boshs, Ilgauskas etc. He will not dominate them, but will be a HUGE impact interior wise. With Jamison, Butler, Stevenson, Mason etc. That team should be good in the East, not to mention Barbosa and O'Neal.

new lineups.

Suns:
C: Haywood
PF/C: Stoudemire
SF/PF: Diaw
PG/SG: Arenas
PG: Nash

Bench:
SG/SF: Bell
PG/SG/SF: Hill
SG/SF: Giricek
PF/C: Skinner
PG/SF/C: Hawks Pick
PG/SG: Strawberry
SG/SF: Tucker


Wizards:
C: O'Neal
SF/PF: Jamison
SF/SG: Butler
SG/SF: Stevenson
PG: Barbosa

Bench:
SF/PF/C: Blatche
SF/PF: Songalia
SG: Mason
PG/SG: Daniels
PG/SG/SF/PF/C: Wizards Pick

[b-ball forever]

^^Arenas and Haywood for Barbs and fat ass??

I'd do that in a heartbeat