Official Suns Free Agent/Trade/Transaction Thread

[jcsunsfan]

I think adding Dirk would be similar to the Lakers adding Steve Nash or the Nets adding Kevin Garnett. It sure seems like a good idea, but he is not what he once was. Players can keep going longer with their old teams, in old systems with which they are familiar. Put them in a new environment and they look really old really fast.

Look for someone younger.

[NapoleonII]

We need someone like Aldridge, but alas he is untouchable.

We should also be looking at the draft, everyone is saying its thin beyond the top 6-8, but I'm thinking otherwise.

[bigfoot]

I think adding Dirk would be similar to the Lakers adding Steve Nash or the Nets adding Kevin Garnett. It sure seems like a good idea, but he is not what he once was. Players can keep going longer with their old teams, in old systems with which they are familiar. Put them in a new environment and they look really old really fast.

Look for someone younger.

Nash 40, KG 37, Dirk 35. Dirk still has more than a few miles left on him. His game doesn't rely on athleticism and his shooting stroke is as good as Ray Allen 38.

[lilfishi22]

I think adding Dirk would be similar to the Lakers adding Steve Nash or the Nets adding Kevin Garnett. It sure seems like a good idea, but he is not what he once was. Players can keep going longer with their old teams, in old systems with which they are familiar. Put them in a new environment and they look really old really fast.

Look for someone younger.

Nash 40, KG 37, Dirk 35. Dirk still has more than a few miles left on him. His game doesn't rely on athleticism and his shooting stroke is as good as Ray Allen 38.

I don't think it's worth the risk especially when a still productive Dirk would cost no less than $10m a year (an older, more broke down KG makes $12m next season). He's a depreciating asset which I think we should only look at if we can get him at a cheaper price. Dirk just doesn't fit our rebuilding model even though it looks good on paper and as McD has already said, he won't make any major moves that would be detrimental to our long term rebuilding efforts.

[Safety Pickle]

...and probably would defer to Bledsoe/Dragic being the number one/two options.

If he wants to defer to 2 other players, why not stay in Miami with Wade and James?

Because Miami can't afford to pay all three unless they are willing to take pay cuts. Wade is getting older (32yr old in January) and who knows where LeBron is headed? What sucks is if they decide to opt out and then reset their salaries with Miami picking up another superstar in the process.

LeBron $14M
Wade $14M
Bosh $12M
Melo $12M

They've already shown that are willing to take pay cuts to play together. If they win it all this year, what makes you think they wouldn't all resign together?

[bwgood77]

We don't NEED anyone. We are playing pretty damn well. And some of these fantasies are a bit ridiculous.

OKC, best team in the west, just beat SA easily, is going to trade Ibaka? Why?

You can say the same about Bosh (yes, I know he is a free agent if he opts out but is he worth the money for us and why would he decide to leave the place giving him rings?)

Aldridge? Why would he go anywhere?

Love? That is a maybe, but probably not this year, unless they go in a freefall, but they still have so many vets around him, I don't know if they could realistically start a rebuild right now....they would probably say "We have good pieces but maybe with our own pick, we get better".

I mean, if Minnesota doesn't make the playoffs, their own pick which they will still own is better than any pick we could give them...unless Washington fails to make the playoffs...but still, I don't think we have the assets to get the guy, even though I'd love me some Love, always.

[DRK]

Ibaka is not the monster post defender many believe. Just saying.

We know. But he's improved this season, and is an amazing weak-side shot blocker. Exactly what this team needs.

I have to agree with DirtyDez

Right now we need a guy who can be a lone scoring threat on our front line while giving us at least passable defense. Ibaka would give us elite defense but we'd still be missing a scorer who isn't a guard. Every single championship team has had a legit scoring big man threat.

What was Bosh's role on the 2013 Heat Championship team? Stand out at 18 feet and hit jumpers.

Having a "go to post scorer" on the block is not pivotal to a championship team, especially when our offence centers ENTIRELY around the pick and roll. Love isn't a threat as a roll man at all on the pick and roll. He's not athletic, and cant guard a chair. He is an amazing shooter though, again, in an offence that circulates around the pick and roll, his abilities would only allow him to play the role of a very rich man's Channing Frye on offence.


Ibaka however, is a much better defender, an elite weak side shot blocker, alot more athletic than Love, but also has range extending out to 18 feet and above. Most importantly, he can use his athleticism to be the roll man in Pick and Roll situations.

What's more, we are currently 8th in the league in Points Per Game, while starting Channing Frye, Miles Plumlee, and PJ Tucker. So is there really that bit of a need of more offensive firepower?

Look, I'm not saying Love isnt a superstar, and I would be happy with either to be honest. But to pay top dollar for someone who only solves half your problems, and doesnt really fit into our system and philosophy just doesnt sound very intelligent.

[thamadkant]

We don't NEED anyone. We are playing pretty damn well. And some of these fantasies are a bit ridiculous.

OKC, best team in the west, just beat SA easily, is going to trade Ibaka? Why?

You can say the same about Bosh (yes, I know he is a free agent if he opts out but is he worth the money for us and why would he decide to leave the place giving him rings?)

Aldridge? Why would he go anywhere?

Love? That is a maybe, but probably not this year, unless they go in a freefall, but they still have so many vets around him, I don't know if they could realistically start a rebuild right now....they would probably say "We have good pieces but maybe with our own pick, we get better".

I mean, if Minnesota doesn't make the playoffs, their own pick which they will still own is better than any pick we could give them...unless Washington fails to make the playoffs...but still, I don't think we have the assets to get the guy, even though I'd love me some Love, always.

right now, the Suns are very similar to the Nuggets of 2 seasons ago.

Can beat anyone minus the top 3-4 from each conference (top 2 in the east in this case).... I think the gap between Suns and top 4 of the west is significant currently.... especially when defense intensify and these teams lift up to their playoff mode... suns currently are picking off lazy teams and out-hustling many.... in the playoffs, does the Suns have enough talent to offset the intensity?....

[DRK]

Deleted my previous post.

Can't actually delete this post, so here's a new cool song I've been listening to.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgcBFbGRcA0[/youtube]

[lilfishi22]

What was Bosh's role on the 2013 Heat Championship team? Stand out at 18 feet and hit jumpers.

Having a "go to post scorer" on the block is not pivotal to a championship team, especially when our offence centers ENTIRELY around the pick and roll. Love isn't a threat as a roll man at all on the pick and roll. He's not athletic, and cant guard a chair. He is an amazing shooter though, again, in an offence that circulates around the pick and roll, his abilities would only allow him to play the role of a very rich man's Channing Frye on offence.


Ibaka however, is a much better defender, an elite weak side shot blocker, alot more athletic than Love, but also has range extending out to 18 feet and above. Most importantly, he can use his athleticism to be the roll man in Pick and Roll situations.

What's more, we are currently 8th in the league in Points Per Game, while starting Channing Frye, Miles Plumlee, and PJ Tucker. So is there really that bit of a need of more offensive firepower?

Look, I'm not saying Love isnt a superstar, and I would be happy with either to be honest. But to pay top dollar for someone who only solves half your problems, and doesnt really fit into our system and philosophy just doesnt sound very intelligent.

Bosh is a legit scoring threat in the post and he's proven that in his career. He might not be used in that role nearly as much with the championship Heat team but he can still get you points in the paint. Lebron has also become a bigger threat in the post since he's played more 4 with the undersized Heat. But unless you're a team with Lebron in it, it's hard to win it all when you don't have a guy that can create on his own in the paint.

In the last 20 years only 3 teams have gotten to the end without a big man, the Lebron James Heats (because Lebron James/Wade/Bosh), The Pistons (historically epic defense) and the Bulls (because #23). I'm not saying Love or Dirk would solve this point but if only 3 teams managed win without a big man scorer in the last 20 years, what does that tell you? I just think that Love fits the way we play now because he's basically Frye with rebounding and a much better offensive repertoire.

All moot anyway since I'm not advocating a trade for a big man. I want to see where this team goes and to keep developing at they are and build an identity from that.

[le crapaud]

We have to keep in mind that Ryan McDonough has chosen a certain way to do things. Basically he's utilized his great talent evaluating after deciding with Hornacek what type of team he wanted to put on the floor. I like what he's done. I love the method "let's find young players who are not in the good situation to grow" ala Plumlee. It will pay in the long haul because he find those players, he knows them very well and our coaching staff is there to do the development. It's well thought. You get players for nothing and you create value. To me this is the greatest way to be succesfull.

You do that every year, you're pretty much loaded with assets.

[bwgood77]

We don't NEED anyone. We are playing pretty damn well. And some of these fantasies are a bit ridiculous.

OKC, best team in the west, just beat SA easily, is going to trade Ibaka? Why?

You can say the same about Bosh (yes, I know he is a free agent if he opts out but is he worth the money for us and why would he decide to leave the place giving him rings?)

Aldridge? Why would he go anywhere?

Love? That is a maybe, but probably not this year, unless they go in a freefall, but they still have so many vets around him, I don't know if they could realistically start a rebuild right now....they would probably say "We have good pieces but maybe with our own pick, we get better".

I mean, if Minnesota doesn't make the playoffs, their own pick which they will still own is better than any pick we could give them...unless Washington fails to make the playoffs...but still, I don't think we have the assets to get the guy, even though I'd love me some Love, always.

right now, the Suns are very similar to the Nuggets of 2 seasons ago.

Can beat anyone minus the top 3-4 from each conference (top 2 in the east in this case).... I think the gap between Suns and top 4 of the west is significant currently.... especially when defense intensify and these teams lift up to their playoff mode... suns currently are picking off lazy teams and out-hustling many.... in the playoffs, does the Suns have enough talent to offset the intensity?....

Well don't count out the possibility of us knocking off the Blazers or Clippers in a first round 4-5 matchup. One thing about our team is that these young guys have all totally bought in to the defensive system that Longabardi brought. Will vets do the same or play like they are used to? Deng knows it and would do well, but is he really worth the money? Is this team, this year, going to win the championship or a second round series? No, because the teams that have been there and done that before will have the resolve....I wouldn't totally count them out of any game, but I think every team has to take it's lumps in the playoffs before getting through. SA and OKC will NOT lose a second round matchup to a team like us...probably not to anyone, but the Clips and perhaps Portland might have the best chance.

But we will only get better in the coming years by adding picks and free agents and when teams like SA fade, we will be the team that has playoff experience. OKC is going to be tough to beat for awhile as long as they are healthy. SA, I won't count them out until they don't make it, but father time has to get to them at some point, even though they have guys like Leonard and Parker.

I think seeing what this team can do this year and trying to add what we think we might need in the offseason is the best bet, unless we can somehow get Love, which I still think will not happen this year, and at the earliest, happens in July.

[thamadkant]

Playoffs is a different beast altogether.

Players with talent shine through as they rise above the high pressure game.

Can I imagine someone like Green or Frye stepping up nailing 3-4 3pters in a playoff game? (Frye has done it before, but with Stoudemire, Nash, Richardson attracting the defence).... I'm struggling.

Experience is also HUGE come playoff time....

I think Suns may have a chance against Blazers, but they have such a balanced starting 5 that it will still be a mountain climb to overcome them... Aldridge is also "hungry" for playoff success... the guy is currently beasting and I dont think the Suns have someone to contain him.

But Bledsoe and Dragic seems to be a bit too much for Lilard and Matthews.


Clippers... well, they have Chris Paul and to a lesser extent Griffin.... they are THIN upfront though... get Jordan and Griffin in foul trouble and they look fragile.


Against teams like Heat and Thunder who have swarming perimeter defense... well.. wow... I dont even think the Suns could come within 15 points of Heat... Lebron, Wade, Chalmers can shut down any player one on one under playoff pressure.... I really think Only Spurs can beat them, because the Spurs system doesnt rely on one on one.... they find the best shot no matter who it is....


Basically what I'm getting to is.... Suns are good... but are unlikely to beat the elite teams.

I'm fine not making a move as well, because the Suns shouldnt compromise a proper constructed team just to add a big name player....

Okafor healthy and a 3point shooting SF who can create shots would definitely help.... And Len contributing inside would be HUGE.

Next season, assuming they dont make a move now and they offer big contract to Hayward.. and resign Okafor cheap.

C: Plumlee/Okafor/Len
PF: Frye/Morris/Morris
SF: Hayward/Tucker/Green
SG: Dragic/Green/Goodwin
PG: Bledsoe/Dragic/Smith

Is a deep deep team who can overcome some of the elite teams through dept of contributors.

[Ring_Wanted]

But he's improved this season, and is an amazing weak-side shot blocker. Exactly what this team needs.

In my opinion we indeed could use his shotblocking, (who wouldn't?) but I think what we really need is rebounding and low post scoring, and Ibaka is not that. If I had to sell the farm to make a move (I honestly believe that an expiring contract and three picks would be far from close) and I had to decide between Ibaka or Love, I'd go with the later considering what each bring to the table, even if Love doesn't cover all of our needs.

Having a "go to post scorer" on the block is not pivotal to a championship team, especially when our offence centers ENTIRELY around the pick and roll.

I don't know about entirely. For instance, a lot of games seem to begin with getting the ball to Miles in the post to see how he does. The first games he was making his hooks, and even dared to shoot from midrange, but this has not happened consistently as the season progressed, and the team has felt it.

But yeah, teams have won titles without a relevant post scorer. We don't have Jordan, LeBron or Dirk, tho.

This point is not necesarily about Ibaka/Love, but in pick and p/r situations, Serge is mostly a pop player. Of course, he could develop into whatever he wants with his gifts, but that remains to be seen (he has showed ability to learn, that's for sure).

What's more, we are currently 8th in the league in Points Per Game, while starting Channing Frye, Miles Plumlee, and PJ Tucker. So is there really that bit of a need of more offensive firepower?

But to pay top dollar for someone who only solves half your problems, and doesnt really fit into our system and philosophy just doesnt sound very intelligent.

.
To be honest, I have doubts if/when things get hot in the playoffs. We have seen other players, allstars even, do great in the regular season and then make their teams suffer in the postseason because it's not the same game.

I'm not saying the Suns need to change completely what they are doing. I love the way we are playing so far too, but I think there is room for improvement, and if the playoffs are the goal, we need to be able to play a more balanced game if needed. Love would be huge in that regard (Marc Gasol would be a dream too, for me at least), and wouldn't even be a total stranger to our game since the Wolves also run a lot. By the way, I consider rebounding as part of defense. And those outlet passes he sends to Brewer part of the offense (and a really nice way to launch a fastbreak).

He is not a perfect player, and wouldn't solve all our needs at once, but you make him sound like here he'd be indeed a glorified Frye. Come on.

[sunskerr]

That's right. He's not a perfect player, but Love would be perfect for this team (except for the defense). I started out partial to the idea a few days ago. But after thinking about it, I think everyone here would really, really love this guy on the Suns. Obviously the key in any trade scenario (if he's obtainable at all) is to not be the Knicks in the Melo trade. I would have no problem giving 2-3 of those picks that we have this year- minus our own of course. The hard part is dealing the young role players. And even then it might not be enough.

[thamadkant]

Nuggets have a much better offer for Love than the suns.
- Faried, New York pick 2014, Galinari, Nuggets pick 2014...

That doesn't drop Wolves down much at all and fixes their need for a SF..
Pekovic, Faried, Galinari, Martin, Rubio....

[Beetlejuice]

Nuggets have a much better offer for Love than the suns.
- Faried, New York pick 2014, Galinari, Nuggets pick 2014...

That doesn't drop Wolves down much at all and fixes their need for a SF..
Pekovic, Faried, Galinari, Martin, Rubio....

Enticing ...

Only issue is resigning him...

But but
Owner Glen Taylor age 72, GM Flip Saunders 58 (not from asset-hoarding-analytical string of GM-s )
Wolves
2012 31wins
2011 26-40
2010 17wins
2009 15wins
2008 24wins
2007 22 wins
2006 33 wins
2005 44 wins


72y old man who has endured 7 straight seasons of dreadful basketball . Team is hovering around .500 . Rebuild ? That is going to be a tough sell. Human nature comes into play here. That selfish one.

[PZiv]

If its not Kevin Love, what about Nikola Pekovic for Suns?

[thamadkant]

Pekovic doesn't suit the uptempo, hustle and bounce Suns...


And Suns have Plumlee and Len already... Basically suns aren't going to trade for a 15 million dollar a year center when they have 1 capable one for 1/10th the price and another one is a budding rookie.


PF or SF.

[Barkley_34]

Nuggets have a much better offer for Love than the suns.
- Faried, New York pick 2014, Galinari, Nuggets pick 2014...

That doesn't drop Wolves down much at all and fixes their need for a SF..
Pekovic, Faried, Galinari, Martin, Rubio....

I am 100% with you. Nuggets have a much better offer, However I think the trade would not only the best offer. I think the best scenario for Love a team played for him offensively (and i think he wants it, thats amazing he play with bled and dragig). And i look our time in this position.

to have more chance of success in a trade for him, The best shot is the deadline. I think NYK can get worse ... I doubt the denver abdicate the top7 pick