Free Agents (FO should be looking at)

NashtyNas · Post #1 » by **NashtyNas** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 2:29 am

Now, we all know the three positions we lack depth at. The point, the 2-gaurd, and the small forward, especially if we are dangling Diaw and Barbosa as trade bait, which we are. So I came up with a list of free agents (both, restricted and UFA) that are likely options for us, and what they would cost us. I will categorize them by name, FA status, and position. The FA status is UFA unless otherwise specified.

POINT GAURDS

Jason Williams - LLE type contract (4mil/2year), meaning we have to use part of MLE.
Shaun Livingston -Depending on health, LLE type contract (4mil/2year), meaning we have to use part of MLE.
Carlos Arroyo -LLE type contract (4mil/2year), meaning we have to use part of MLE.
Stephon Marbury - LLE type contract (4mil/2year), meaning we have to use part of MLE.
Jannero Pargo - 8mil/2year or so contract (4mil a year). Would have to use most of MLE.
Sasha Vujacic - Probably looking at full MLE, not usefull for us. RESTRICTED, likely to match.
Smush Parker - vet minimum
Sebastin Telfair -LLE type contract (4mil/2year), meaning we have to use part of MLE.
Royal Ivey - (combo gaurd, can play point) - vet minimum. RESTRICTED, unlikely to match.

GAURD FORWARDS:

Kareem Rush - 2mil/year contract (part of MLE)
Devin Brown - 2mil/year contract (part of MLE)
Shannon Brown - vet minimum (if he can get it, or 1mil/yr out of MLE)
Quinton Ross - Vet Minimum
Kelenna Azubuike - 2mil/year contract (part of MLE). RFA unlikely to match (doesnt want to be with the W's)
Matt Barnes - 2mil/year contract (part of MLE)
Mo Evans - 2mil/year contract (part of MLE)
Ricky Davis -4mil/year contract (most of MLE)
Darius Miles -depending on health, vet minimum or 2mil/year
Gordan Giriceck - 3mil/year or more (big chunk of MLE)
Bonzi Wells - 2-3mil/year (big chunk of MLE)

POWER FORWARDS
Brian Skinner - vet minimum
Malik Allen - Vet Minimum
Dermarr Johnson - Vet minimum
Nick Fazekas - Vet Minimum
Sean Marks - vet minimum

At all three positions, if we dont trade Barbosa and Diaw, i would like to sign the following:
Matt Barnes - SF
Bonzi Wells - SG
Livgingston or Jason Williams (depending on health) - PG

Tell me who you would like at each position ?

-SDU- · Post #2 » by **-SDU-** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 2:39 am

you would have to think matt barnes and bonzi wells would be good here because of their ability to hit the 3 post and slash

we need shooters, ones who can surround and score off of amare and shaqs double teams

must must must get shooters

as you dont have many vet minimum players in there, i doubt we get any of them
]
just watch allan houston come to town :-(

DerekPHX · Post #3 » by **DerekPHX** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 2:48 am

I wonder if the suns are courting Livingston with their success in rehabing Amare Stoudemire's knee. Sure its a different injury, but the suns medical staff is world class with experience in tramatic knee injury recovery. They could probably sign him cheap and the gamble could really pay off.

Post #4 » by **rsavaj** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 2:49 am

Alan Houston.

BAH.

BigSkyBlazerFan · Post #5 » by **BigSkyBlazerFan** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 3:16 am

Shaun Livingston could look good in a Suns uniform.

eastsidecrossover · Post #6 » by **eastsidecrossover** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 4:11 am

I agree. Lets put #14 in a suns Uni.

Dermarr Johnson is not a PF man, he is a G/F, always has been.

We have talked about this before, but it is good that you brought it up again sd1306. I personally think your numbers are off b/c I do not think the suns will spend 4 mil on a player. which sucks, but I think the are looking at the vets min.

Giri is not returning b/c he is getting more money back in europe. However, I like two names at the SF position you metioned, Matt Barnes and Ricky Davis. I like that as an optoin at the 3. Guys can play D, Barnes is crazy, Ricky is talented, but inconsistant and does not show up mentelly.

I heard Skinner might not come back, and it is not looking like he will return. Maybe KT is the guy we need to look at.

I would like this.

Livingston
Barns
Skinner/KT

I like the sold vet post guy next to a young Center in Lopez. I like the risk in Livingston, and I like Barns intensity.

Truth is, suns are not going to spend much money at all. Hopefully, some guys fall to us cheap.

eastsidecrossover · Post #7 » by **eastsidecrossover** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 4:14 am

Nash/Livingston/DJ
Bell/Barbs/Tuck
Hill/Barnes/Diaw
Amare/Diaw/ Skinner-KT
Shaq/Lopez/ Skinner-KT

I like that line up

nanoclarkology · Post #8 » by **nanoclarkology** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 4:14 am

The players that stand out to me are Kelenna Azubuike and Livingston

NashtyNas · Post #9 » by **NashtyNas** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 4:27 am

-SDU- wrote:you would have to think matt barnes and bonzi wells would be good here because of their ability to hit the 3 post and slash

we need shooters, ones who can surround and score off of amare and shaqs double teams

must must must get shooters

as you dont have many vet minimum players in there, i doubt we get any of them
]
just watch allan houston come to town

Exactly, thats why i wanted barnes. and he can play defence too, and brings great energy. We were mentally soft and had a breakdown after that first game 1 loss which is a big reason why we lost the series.. We need tough guys that can bring it. Clearly, Allan Houston, Darius Miles, and Tyronn Lue dont fit those needs. I'd much rather have Wells and Barnes with a hardnosed defending PG from the SL (we'll see who that will be). I really wouldn't mind Livingston, Jason Williams or Steph. But if Steph is going to be anything near the cancer he was in NY, then he can go to Boston and do it there, because his history here would get him shot if he does anything like that.

eastsidecrossover · Post #10 » by **eastsidecrossover** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 4:34 am

steph was actually good here. But NY experience scares us all. I love Barnes because he is a hard nose defender who will not back down and get in your face. We need that on our team I think.

I like LIvingston, as I have said a million times by now. I like his length and his talent. He still has a huge upside I think.

PHXfan85 · Post #11 » by **PHXfan85** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 4:51 am

Livingston and Azubuike for sure. I would be really happy if we got both of those guys, but it's not likely. Livingston might be a realistic acquisition since we didn't get Lue. Personally, I'm investing a lot of my excitement for next season in Tucker, Strawberry, and Lopez.

Suns win!

Post #12 » by **TASTIC** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 5:13 am

Id put $$ on DAL getting Barnes...

I want Azubuike, Livingston and Skinner

NashtyNas · Post #13 » by **NashtyNas** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 5:14 am

I am not expecting anything from Tucker, because i dont think he will give anything. If he does, im happy for him and the team and myself because i would enjoy it. Strawberry on the other hand im expecting to get minutes and prove his defence and his combo gaurd skill. if our team stays like this thats likely to happen. im also looking for Lopez to be a 22mpg guy with about 7 rebounds 9 points and 1.5 blocks. I dont think shaq should play more than 25-26 minutes in the season.. that would keep him fresh for the playoffs. Same with hill. Diaw should start and play 25 minutes and give the 23 or 22 left to Hill.

Post #14 » by **TASTIC** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 5:16 am

I see Lopez putting up 5pts 6reb and a block, and I'll be happy

It's Diaw I want to see some passion and hunger out of...he needs to TAKE the starting SF spot, I'd much rather have Hill off the bench

walkingart · Post #15 » by **walkingart** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 5:22 am

Livingston would be great, but he is not going to be cleared to play until after the season starts; thus negating the plan to have Nash sit for 10 to 12 games.

So, I think I will go with JWilliams or Marbury.(whichever wil play for the vet min).

I want Skinner back at the 4, but if eastside is right, I am not sure who my second choice is.

I don't think any of the SF's that I like will fall to us at the vet min, so I hope we sign Livingston as the last guy on the roster.

Nash/Marbury or Williams
Bell/Barbs/DJ
Diaw/Hill/Tucker
Amare/Skinner?
Shaq/Lopez

IR- Livingston

NashtyNas · Post #16 » by **NashtyNas** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 5:43 am

TASTIC wrote:I see Lopez putting up 5pts 6reb and a block, and I'll be happy

It's Diaw I want to see some passion and hunger out of...he needs to TAKE the starting SF spot, I'd much rather have Hill off the bench

Then your looking more at 18mintues from Lopez, which is bad for shaq. i dont think shaq can even handle 30 minutes for 82 games, which is why around 25 seems realistic. Then giving 23-24 to Lopez would easily mean 8-8-1.5 or 8-8-2. 3 more points and 2 more boards in 5 -6 minutes isnt much more to ask. But Lopez, as i hope, should get closer to 28 minutes while shaq gets closer to 22-25.

NashtyNas · Post #17 » by **NashtyNas** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 5:49 am

also tastic, if Barnes goes to Dallas, they really arent out of the playoff picture. Green, Barnes, Howard, Stackhouse, Terry is a solid 6 man wing rotation. Then their point will be Kidd and Jose Barea and probably someone like Darrel Armstrong or Smush. Dirk + Bass and Diop + Dampier. Only weak position seems like C. if they can deal for a better offensive center that can play defence the are set imo.

Post #18 » by **TASTIC** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 5:49 am

Are you completely forgetting we have an All NBA center in Amare?

I see us going with Amare/Diaw/Hill/Bell/Nash a lot

Defensive team of Shaq/Lopez/Hill/Bell/DJ (with Hill and DJ sharing point)

NashtyNas · Post #19 » by **NashtyNas** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 5:54 am

um no im not but this is not the same coach that played amare at C. We all know he is much better at the 4, so if you have 2 decent 5's, why not use them? I doubt Amare will play more than 2 minutes at center on any given night unless SHAQ goes down.

nba_addict · Post #20 » by **nba_addict** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 6:31 am

I go for Wells and Skinner. Then trade Leandro for Ronron.

Suns dream 13.

Nash / Strawberry
Bell / Wells / Tucker
Artest / Hill / Diaw
Amare / Diaw / Skinner
Shaq / Lopez / Skinner