OT: State of the Suns

[Sun Scorched]

Because the off-season can be a turbulent time for us fans, specifically those wondering if any additional moves or trades are possible, I have pulled together the Suns' salary information and will update as we officially sign players.

Let this be an open forum to ask questions about or challenge the Suns' financial situation or to discuss potential moves and signings.

Refer back to this post for the most recent information. I will also post the official signing information for our players as it hits the wire.



As you can see, the TPE created from the Stoudemire Sign & Trade keeps us ever so cleverly above the new salary cap. Since the TPE counts against the cap (like a player would) this means that the Suns retain the use of their Mid-Level and Bi-Annual exceptions. Very important for our off-season.

Channing Frye - 5-year, $30m deal starts at $5.17m in year 1 with annual 8% (max) increases. Signed using the Suns' Mid-Level exception.

Hakim Warrick - 3-year, $12m deal starts as $3.70m in year 1 with annual 8% (max) increases. Acquired via S&T with Chicago, thus reducing the Stoudemire TPE by $3.70m. Final year is a team option that I have at $6m in order to bridge the gap from the reported 3-year, $12m deal to the 4-year, $18m deal, inclusive of the team option.

[Miklo]

Good idea for a thread - so now I assume we can use the MLE on Frye (which I believe could more than cover the 5yr 30mil since with increases, year 1 would be below MLE. But then what do we do with Warrick?

[TXSun]

with the trade exception we are netting on the amare deal, what other players are available for us besides david lee?

[BVPN]

with the trade exception we are netting on the amare deal, what other players are available for us besides david lee?

Any bad contracts really. IMO, we should use it to absorb Monta Ellis and ask for AR as well.

[Fo-Real]

??? Gortat... or David West????

[Sun Scorched]

I do like West as an option. He's an 18 & 8 guy on a declining salary scale. You know he can play the pick and roll and he could thrive in a faster/more fluid system.

[Fo-Real]

Gortat and Bass, possibley pietris if they will take back Barbs???? just brainstorming!!

[Sun Scorched]

I should point out that Warrick's deal could include the 10.5% increases which are max with early bird FAs. I just don't know what his status is after the recent trades.

If Chicago has his early bird (or simple bird) rights, it would decrease his year 1 salary marginally.

[raff]

Very good idea for a thread Sun Scorched.

I do like West as an option. He's an 18 & 8 guy on a declining salary scale. You know he can play the pick and roll and he could thrive in a faster/more fluid system.

+1. I'd like to see what West could do here in Phoenix. He has a nice little jumper around the rim, high FT shooter. Is it reasonable that NO would let him go?

[KJ7]

Good thread!

Honestly, the best thing to do is hope that a team gets themselves into trouble cap-wise. Desperate teams are the ones that TPE's are best used on. The more desperate the situation, the better a player you get, it's that simple.

Because of that reason I say we wait and see. I would also like to see how this team goes. There are a lot of X-Factors in this team ... it's not like we are gonna win the championship or anything so lets at least get a third of the way thru the season before we start to realise who is filling roles and how isn't.

For once lets be in the driving seat of a trade rather feeling forced into trades.

Also potentially we could re-sign JRich for 8m per season and still be 11m under the cap. If we arent gonna sign Melo (which I doubt we will) then that should be enuff to get the next best FA available.

[grumpysaddle]

then that should be enuff to get the next best FA available.

Which is nobody next year.

[KJ7]

Gortat and Bass, possibley pietris if they will take back Barbs???? just brainstorming!!

Wow, had exactly the same thought in a different thread but just broken into 2 trades:

1.LB for Nelson
2.Pietrus/Gortat/Bass for portion of TPE

If the option for Pietrus is "team" then I might throw them a draft pick. If its "player" then just straight up. They might have to throw us a pick for Gortat just because the length of the contract. Bass doesn't excite me too much but I haven't seen him play a lot to be honest.

Orlando just got Duhon so might not be fussed about letting Nelson go espec if it means getting rid of a bad contract and getting them under the lux tax.

[WTFsunsFTW]

They bought duhon to back up nelson.. I dont see them selling him off...

[KJ7]

They bought duhon to back up nelson.. I dont see them selling him off...

You'd be surprised what teams do when they are in the lux tax zone. Espec if Lebron goes to Miami and they feel there is less chance of winning the title.

[chrice]

Wait is Sarver still owner? If so, we're screwed. I hated the Frye signing. Yea he was a bargain at 2.5M, but you don't pay someone who had one of the biggest choking performances ever with a long contract and certainly not with a pay increase. Both him and Warrick I felt could have been had for less. If anything, Lou deserved the raise the most.

I can't see NO dropping West for cheap, they're desperate to keep CP3 and will do everything they can to get/keep talent around him. Would be nice though.

Overpaid contracts are basically what we're going to have to try for with the TPE. That and even a high risk/reward player like that pot head Beasley; which I'm sure we could have with our remaining cap space for free.

[Biscotti]

Reasonable options

- I like Beasley for near nothing.
- I like the potential for Iggy
- Al Jefferson would be our first low post threat in what seems forever.
- AK47 is certainly better than Warrick IMHO.
- Brandan Wright would be okay.
- Marvin Williams playing the 4 would be better than Warrick.
- Is Jason Thompson available? and for what?

[RunSunRun]

I agree with the wait and see approach. I have a feeling many teams will panic to cut payroll this year because of the potential lockout and the dynasty forming in Miami. The trade deadline could net us some great players if we play our cards right and use our assets.

Just wish we had a GM though, haha

[DRK]

I think our only realistic hope for a championship is when the LeBron, Wade,Bosh dynasty ends. In the meantime, we should be trying to stock up young talent and draft picks. No point trying to contend for a championship now.

[grumpysaddle]

I think our only realistic hope for a championship is when the LeBron, Wade,Bosh dynasty ends. In the meantime, we should be trying to stock up young talent and draft picks. No point trying to contend for a championship now.

Screw that mentality. If all teams say that, then Miami just walks to a championship. They have 3 players, the rest of their team will be scrubs. Get one or two of them in foul trouble... there's no way they can win. Basically teams should be attacking each of them when they are playing defense. They can't help the team if they aren't on the floor.

Also... no one even knows if this will even work out in the first place. I can see it imploding on itself.

[Sun Scorched]

- Is Jason Thompson available? and for what?

This. For the longest time, I've wanted this.