Risk/Reward

[gleonard1]

I feel like if the Suns are going to stick with Nash, we need to take a chance with someone.
With the current roster, we don't have too many trade chips that we would be willing to give up - Nash, Gortat, Dudley, Frye. We do have Brooks, Pietrus and Lopez, but Brooks is a RFA who I don't really want to overpay for, and Pietrus and Lopez are worth a late first each. Packaged together, they might be able to get us a starting quality SG, but even with that I'm not sure how far this team would go (2nd round exit maybe).
With that said, who are some low or high risk/high reward players you would be willing to take a chance on? Whether the risk is in the contract/health/age/potential/etc.

High risk (in no particular order):
Gilbert Arenas - Gilbert, Clark/VC, Childress, Warrick swap
+ves: Let our medical warlocks do their work and put him in at SG; Nash, Hill could/should keep him in line; 21ppg for career. With Chill, Warrick gone he is only 9m more expensive (heh, only) and we would still have cap space for 1 max contract.
-ves: huge contract, absolute nutcase, chucker, slightly undersized at SG.
Baron Davis - Davis, Jamison/VC, Warrick, Pietrus
+ves: similar to Arenas - have the warlocks fix him up, and hope he thrives in his role and takes pressure off Nash; another former 20ppg scorer; thrives in uptempo system (see GS); Jamison would fit at PF and is an expiring.
-ves: nutcase (though not as bad), chucker, undersized at SG, contract.
Elton Brand - Brand, Meeks/VC, Lopez swap might do it.
+ves: we get a good scorer who can pick/pop, pick/roll, post up. Acceptable defender.
-ves: contract, Philly would only do it if they move Iggy first.
Rip Hamilton - Not sure what trade would get him here. Rip, Maxiell, prot. 1st/VC, Lopez maybe?
+ves: Excellent shooter, good defender, good off of screens and spot ups. Would be perfect next to Nash.
-ves: contract.
Others:
Bargnani (would score well in the system (20ppg scorer in Tor), compliments Gortat, but bad rebounder, bad help defender, long contract).
Iggy (excellent defender, distributor, but may take too much to get him).
Oden (just threw him in...obvious +ves/-ves)

Low risk (in no particular order):
Michael Redd - +ves: excellent shooter, should sign cheap -ves: bad defender, lower reward
Brandon Rush - +ves: simple Lopez/Rush swap should do it, good defender, shooter, young -ves: will he be boom or bust?
JR Smith - +ves: shooter, athletic, fits the system -ves: could end up in bidding war with Chicago, bad defender, dumb as a rock.
T-Mac - +ves: cheap, showed he can still play decently (averaged 12.9/4.5/3.9 in Jan) -ves: health, more low risk/low reward
Anthony Parker - +ves: excellent defender, 3pt shooter -ves: won't push us over the top (more low reward).
Anthony Randolph - +ves: young, athletic, could explode in our system -ves: boom or bust.

Any others you guys can think of? I'm interested in what you think could push us into WCF/Finals.
Remember - this is if these players fulfill the possible reward/potential that they have.

P.S. yes, I am clutching at straws with this thread. The board is dead these days

[Sun Scorched]

I like the thought you put into this. Not as far off as some might think.

I've always thought that Baron Davis would do well here WITH Nash. Those guys are friends and Jamison fills a gap. Plus we could unload a contract or two.

[gleonard1]

I like the thought you put into this. Not as far off as some might think.

Exactly. If we're keeping Nash, what is the point of wasting his final years on a mediocre team. Why not take a couple risks and go for it.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7Od4H9uIJ8[/youtube]

[GrantHill]

Sean Williams, Jeff Pendergraph and Kelenna Azubuike could be some low risk/high reward players. Won't bring us over the top but could be some nice additions.

[gleonard1]

Good point. Sean Williams, from the interviews he had when he worked out for the Suns, sounds like he could potentially be a steal if he reaches his potential.

[JasonDaPsycho]

A real high risk high reward will be Carlos Boozer or David Lee.

[NashtyNas]

I'm sorry but there's no way in HELL we're bailing Orlando out (or Cleveland, or CHI, or anyone) for that matter. I do like the idea of sending VC to Cleveland for Jamison/Sessions (and letting Brooks walk) but other than that most of those ideas are absolutely not happening (especially with $arver running the show).

I agree Sean Williams can be a nice addition (in the Lou mould). I would also be fine bringing in JR or Kelenna to fill the offensive void in the wings (mainly SG). They would be excellent additions as go to scorers off the bench at our off guard as we lack such an option. We could still start Dudley there (who provides excellent all around play) and have Smith/Azu come in as a bomber, which has worked very well for us in the past (see: Barbosa).

I'm not sure we'd be interested in Jamison though, since we already have Frye and now Morris, who project to be very similar to him and are younger.

The only deals I do like are the VC/Lopez for Brand/Meeks or something around VC for Lee. We address major needs of go to low post scoring and overall rebounding (albeit Lee is a terrible defender, so I would absolutely prefer Brand even with his age problem).

I wouldn't mind a VC/Morris for Lee/Wright trade but I'm not sure GS bites.

Nash/Brooks
Dudley/Pietrus
Wright/Chill
Lee/Frye
Gortat/Lopez

Definite playoff team with a 10 deep rotation where all the rotation players could be starters on most teams (outside Lopez, who would still be starter for many teams lacking true C's).

[sunskerr]

VC/ Morris for Lee/Wright is highway robbery. Unless their GM has rocks in his head, they're not biting. I think Baron Davis would be the high risk high reward guy you want. He has two seasons left on his contract, so there'd be definite risk, but he'd fetch us a scoring wing which means we can play dudley off our bench(so we get deeper).

Not saying that I'd advocate a trade for him though.

[GrantHill]

A 32 year old Baron Davis as our starting SG? Sorry, but this is awful.

[Miklo]

I'd be open to any of the guys mentioned in this thread besides Arenas or Baron. Both have turned into pretty much black holes. Baron was once one of the best PG's in the league but he's become a terribly inaccurate passer and an even worse shooter. Arenas is nuts and has to be THE most overpaid player in the league right now. He'll be making just under $20 mil this season, which will cross the 20 threshold the next 2 seasons after.

[doctorfunk]

These trades are not very realistic, teams like Cavs or Det won't kill their cap and to get worse players in return. Jamison is perfect for Cavs as he will give them major salary relief next season.

Also no way Orlando takes Carter back, it already failed once

Brand and Meeks hold way more value than VC and Lopez. 76ers have already a better a more promising center in Spencer Hawes and Brand is still more serviceable player; and still a good PF. Sing and trade with Brooks won't work either as they have their duo of young PG's Lue and Jrue.

one reasonable idea is Bargs
playing PF on both ends next to Gortat would make his flaws less apparent, and maybe in new situation he would give more effort. However I don't see how PHX could get him without giving out Gortat. And while he's maybe worth Gortat straight up his not worth him in PHX situation. Maybe sign and trade Brooks would work, but I doubt it.

[sunskerr]

None of the players are worth pursuing, really(sans Rush). I said I'm not supporting a Davis trade, btw. We're better off standing pat clearly. It's hard to be in the pinch we're in now...why make it worse?

[gleonard1]

I wouldn't mind Bargnani. He gives us everything that Frye gives us except he is a more versatile scorer. Do you think Lopez and Pietrus could get him?

[GrantHill]

No.

[Beas4pres]

my opinion is Brandon Rush is being way overrated from all of you. He is at avg a decent bench player

i say look into for a for sure risk but you mentioned it might be a bidding challenge is

JR SMITH

I know nick young is a RFA but is it possible that we can send someone to WA for him.

(come up with an idea for nick young)

if we got a Nick Young or JR Smith type of scorer I think that would help out for this year and the future especially Nick Young with his age and potential


RUNDOGRUN probably doesnt want Arenas or Sean Williams because of there past. But I would take both of them especially Gilbert is a U of A vet and Sarver loves Arizona guys

[gleonard1]

I dont think I would take arenas, his negatives outweigh his positives by a long shot.
My problem with Davis, Arenas, JR Smith is that they don't play much D. Were trying a new defense oriented approach and I don't think they would take a risk on people that are committed to D. Nash would turn Rush into a good player.
Another option is of course T-Will. Excellent rebounder, defender. Sky high potential, would thrive with our system and Nash. Would only take Lopez to get him.

[GrantHill]

T-Will would be great but I doubt that it would only take Lopez to get him.

[gleonard1]

They badly need a center. We can always throw in a second or two.

[Beas4pres]

what makes you think that we would play T-WILL.. He hasnt proved to anyone he is a capable starting player in the NBA.

we need a starting SG not another BENCH

[GrantHill]

Have you seen his performances in the D-League? Williams is an athletic guard who would fit perfect in our system. He also would bring some youth to our team and we don't have many options. Oh wait let's trade Hakim Warrick!