Post#278 » by MrMiyagi » Sat Jan 4, 2014 4:18 am
Right now I think our team is pretty solid. I think that our two biggest needs this season have a starting 3 man and a back-up center. I like that Len is looking ready to get practicing and get some playing time so it looks like the latter will be taken care of. I love PJ, but we really need someone who can be a threat on offense at the 3. Which is why I think that Hayward would be a great addition to the Suns. I think he'd be able to bring a lot more versatility to what the Suns can throw on the court. He'd be able to play the spot up shooter role that PJ has done when Bledsoe and Dragic are on the court together, he'd help alleviate some of the pressure off Bledsoe when he's running the offense while Dragic sits and he could even be a facilitator if we decide to sit both of those guys for a stint in a game. Plus I think he keeps with the make a push for the playoffs now mentality while still being young enough to keep our upward future trajectory going.
In order to get Hayward, we need to see what he'll bring us in order to determine the overlap. So our rotation would be along the lines of:
Dragic/Ish/Christmas
Bledsoe/Green/Goodwin
Hayward/PJ/Marcus
Frye/Markieff
Plumlee/Len
We now have a glut of guys who play the 2 and 3 spot. So some combination of Marcus, PJ, Green and Goodwin would probably be what we send over to the Jazz along with any number of draft picks. Now, all of these players have been playing well for us and have there own merits to be on this team, but if we get Hayward, we won't have the minutes to let the flourish. PJ has been a fan-favorite and brings tough defense, nice outside shooting and offensive rebounding. Green similarly has brought defense and 3 point shooting (more prolifically than PJ) as well as some great athleticism. Marcus also has been a pretty effective 3 point shooter while providing size and rebounding and has the versatility to play the 3 and 4 given a matchup. And then Archie has shown a great ability to get to the rim and has the most potential out of all these players due to his athleticism and his youth.
It should also be noted that Ish and Christmas are also available, but due to lack of playing time, they aren't being evaluated as bigger assets to be dealt, more like potential sweeteners if Utah like one or are needed to make the money work.
What, in my opinion, makes most sense for Utah to want would be Goodwin. They are a team that is still quite a way off from being formidable. They have a point guard of the future with Burke (21yo), a wing in Burks(22yo), and two young bigs who are still developing with Favors(22yo) and Kanter(21yo). Archie could potentially be a good fit. But there is no guarantee with a 19 year old guard who currently struggles shooting the ball, so they'd probably want another, more consistent player.
To me this comes down to Green and PJ. I think Marcus is a big reason why Markieff has improved across the board this season and we shouldn't mess with their dynamic. Between PJ and Green, I say that Green is probably the guy to give and who Utah would rather have. Losing Hayward, they'd need to replace the scoring and seeing as they have Favors and Kanter who grab the boards (or at least should) they probably need floor spacing more than rebounding. Although PJ has shot a better percentage from 3 (43%), Green has been shooting a good 38% and on more than double the attempts. Plus I think PJ adds some offensive rebounding to our bench that has been lacking.
So the players being exchange would be Green and Goodwin for Hawyard. Now seeing that Utah would probably still feel a little uneasy with this trade, as Hayward has been their best player this year and Archie is pretty unproven and Green may not flourish in Utah, they'll at least want one draft pick, more likely two from us. I would probably give them Minnesota's/Washington's pick (depending on if one is protected) and Indiana's. This gives Utah more assets to bring in young talent or potentially catapult them up a few spots on draft day to grab their target (Jabari Parker anyone?).
Giving us:
Dragic/Ish/Christmas
Bledsoe/PJ
Hayward/Marcus
Frye/Markieff
Plumlee/Len
I know this is a long post but just a few more things to add, we might have to take another player back since we're sending about $1 million more over then we're getting back. Also I know Goodwin is oozing with potential and it's fun to imagine him turning into a superstar (which might happen) but it could also be 5 years before he gets comfortable on the NBA level, making him 24 and off his rookie deal, so we may even be able to get him back if we still like him and he "underachieved". Not to mention we still have potentially 2 draft picks to either make another move or grab some talent in the backend of the draft. Also rotationally, we upgraded a backup 2/3 for a starting 2/3, since Goodwin only gets 10 mpg, keep that in mind. Overall I think this deal would be pretty good for both teams. Thoughts?
SHAZAM!
Suns traded Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder and 4 1st round picks and a swap so some Vegas Bookies would like us.