2014 Official Suns Free Agent/Trade/Transaction Thread

[Qwigglez]

I remember Chandler being young, I thought maybe he was 28 though. I still wouldn't want him though, mainly because I feel like we need a scoring wing player who can handle the rock.

[INFORMER-93]

Thad Young is a huge liability on the glass and defending the low post.

Because he's a small forward playing power forward.

[Puff]

Thad Young is a huge liability on the glass and defending the low post.

Because he's a small forward playing power forward.

Which twosome is more talented?

The Morris Twins or Young and Turner

?

I have somewhat got on the Young and Turner bandwagon but am not really convinced.

[Ring_Wanted]

Frye-Miles-Young-Len would be a sweet PF/C rotation with no clear weakness neither in physical terms nor skill wise (obviously beyond not having an Aldridge/Love/Griffin etc).

Thad Young is a huge liability on the glass and defending the low post. Love, Aldridge, Griffin, Z-Bo, Lee, Duncan, Dirk etc. would eat him alive in a play-off series.

Besides that hot streak in December when he was shooting threes at an unsustainable rate Thad has been very mediocre his whole career.

Oh, and Frye/Miles/Pau/len wouldn't be bad either. And probably cheaper to assemble.

Pau is exactly the kind of player McDonough said he won't trade for.

All those players have limitations individually, but as a rotation, they can give you what you need at any given time. Until Kevin Love or another top PF/C actually becomes available, I think that's the best a team in our position can do, having a solid rotation of players who can complement each other and who are not bad contracts so there is still room to upgrade.

And yeah, I know Pau is old and that McD has said he wants under 25 stars, etc. Still, it doesn't mean a player like him couldn't help us this season and again, if you can get him on the cheap, I don't see why you don't go for it considering how he would give the Suns a better chance to make the playoffs (and has experience winning there), and is expiring, so no compromising the future here.

I am not advocating giving up on the recent #5, or mortgaging the future in a KG/Pierce fashion. But in my opinion we have a number of disposable pieces and the team is in the playoff race, so if the decision is between making a move now or standing pat while waiting for Bledsoe and risk becoming the #9-11 seed in the west, I say pull the trigger and take advantage of teams looking to move productive players, as long as it meets two of these criteria: cheap to acquire, low impact on cap flexibility, good fit going forward (age and kind of game).

[asudevil]

I feel like the suns are in an odd position.

a.) they can make a trade for a piece that propels them deeper into the playoffs by trading their "sell high" assets...Okafor/Morri Bros/Green/Tucker/picks to land that extra piece/pieces.

or

b.) selling high on those same pieces to add to the rebuild process. What we have can be used to take a bad, unproductive contract off a teams hands while adding picks that can improve our rebuilding process.

Part of me wants us to make a move to push for the playoffs and enjoy the unexpected ride, while the other part of me wants to stockpile young assets and picks and give up on the season and let Bledsoe recover while we build around him.

I'm leaning towards the unload for future assets part because i know that this team cant contend this year or next or the following, and mortgaging the present is better for the future, but not good for the current moral of the players and fanbase.

The idea of making the playoffs is tempting, but what is the ultimate goal? contending, and sacrificing assets and picks for a run at the playoffs just seems like a waste.

[Ring_Wanted]

Obviously depends on the assets you are moving. Len, Was and Phx picks in 2014 plus LAL 2015 should be out of reach barring something major.

But if you can get somebody like Gasol while offering the Lakers little more than L-tax savings from Okafor, or making a three way trade where LAL gets something more like Portland's pick via Charlotte, with the twins and Meeks going to the Bobcats, I think you can afford to make a move. I am in for an scenario like this one.

Making the playoffs is an obvious move forwards and in my opinion it clearly helps to put us in the conversation for The Next Disgruntled Superstar. Especially when the alternative would be getting a late lotto pick, since we are late to the tank party.

You are not getting Kevin Love, or any other player of that caliber who is in charge of his own destiny contract wise, if you can't offer tangible chances at success to said player, along with assets to the former team.

It gets down to a matter of how expensive would be the player who would help us this season, both in terms of present and future assets including cap space/flexibility, and in my opinion there is a number of players who could be available that meet the requirements to make real sense for the 2013-14 and forward Suns.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

I don't think there's any reason whatsoever to pursue Pau Gasol. Let's not.

Don't underestimate the value of a late lotto pick. The higher your top pick, the higher you may be able to move up. If we have #12 and #17, and the team sitting at #8 wants to move back, we're in optimal position. I know we're looking at the playoffs, and that may be best both for the development of our players and for making us attractive to free agents, but I really hope we get that Minnesota pick. If we have four picks in the first round, I'd be shocked if we didn't make multiple trades on draft day.

[WeekapaugGroove]

Obviously depends on the assets you are moving. Len, Was and Phx picks in 2014 plus LAL 2015 should be out of reach barring something major.

But if you can get somebody like Gasol while offering the Lakers little more than L-tax savings from Okafor, or making a three way trade where LAL gets something more like Portland's pick via Charlotte, with the twins and Meeks going to the Bobcats, I think you can afford to make a move. I am in for an scenario like this one.

Making the playoffs is an obvious move forwards and in my opinion it clearly helps to put us in the conversation for The Next Disgruntled Superstar. Especially when the alternative would be getting a late lotto pick, since we are late to the tank party.

You are not getting Kevin Love, or any other player of that caliber who is in charge of his own destiny contract wise, if you can't offer tangible chances at success to said player, along with assets to the former team.

It gets down to a matter of how expensive would be the player who would help us this season, both in terms of present and future assets including cap space/flexibility, and in my opinion there is a number of players who could be available that meet the requirements to make real sense for the 2013-14 and forward Suns.

This is pretty the strategy I support. I'm cool with a win now type deal if the price is right. I'm also cool dealing minor assets for guys like Thad who not only help this yr but are under contract for next season too. But with that said I would be completely fine them not trading any of their 1st rounders and waiting to see who comes available in the summer when bigger deals are more likely to go down. Heck I'm not even opposed to using all the 1st rounders if a deal doesn't materialize. The odds of mid round picks becoming starters is about 1 in 3 so if you use all 3 or 4 chances are some pick will hit.


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[Ring_Wanted]

Yeah, I prefer making the playoffs this year and losing Minni's pick instead of missing the playoffs and having one extra 1stR so I may have the chance to trade up.

As a fan other times I've found myself wanting the opposite, but not now. I want to see this team in a playoff series.

If nothing else, we'll have more info about what to do with some of the current pieces, and if it's true that having one more 1stR is nice and opens more trade scenarios, I wouldn't just ditch the impact of being a playoff team means to the rest of the league.

Besides, I don't think it's really going to matter who makes the playoffs among Dallas, Phoenix, Memphis and Denver, I can't see the Wolves surpassing three of them, weak schedule remaining nonwithstanding, unless something major happened. It's possible, but I don't even consider this a factor when thinking about making the playoffs.

Also, I don't know if trading up will even be an option next draft, at least into the range where everybody will want to be picking.

Again, anything can happen (yeah, even winning the lotto from #13), but to me these are no reasons to prefer being left out of the playoffs.

[bwgood77]

I feel like the suns are in an odd position.

a.) they can make a trade for a piece that propels them deeper into the playoffs by trading their "sell high" assets...Okafor/Morri Bros/Green/Tucker/picks to land that extra piece/pieces.

or

b.) selling high on those same pieces to add to the rebuild process. What we have can be used to take a bad, unproductive contract off a teams hands while adding picks that can improve our rebuilding process.

Part of me wants us to make a move to push for the playoffs and enjoy the unexpected ride, while the other part of me wants to stockpile young assets and picks and give up on the season and let Bledsoe recover while we build around him.

I'm leaning towards the unload for future assets part because i know that this team cant contend this year or next or the following, and mortgaging the present is better for the future, but not good for the current moral of the players and fanbase.

The idea of making the playoffs is tempting, but what is the ultimate goal? contending, and sacrificing assets and picks for a run at the playoffs just seems like a waste.

True, I don't know that trading picks and stuff for someone who doesn't move the needle much makes sense at all. I would rather retain our assets and hope to make a home run with one or two of the picks or a huge trade or a big free agent signing later while our young guys continue to grow.

No matter what we do this year, even if we squeeze into the playoffs, our odds of getting past the first round are extremely low. We'd likely be meeting OKC and looking at a sweep. I know we have played people tough, and I think we would be a tough team to beat in the playoffs, but I can't see us getting more than a game or two at this point..

[bwgood77]

I don't think there's any reason whatsoever to pursue Pau Gasol. Let's not.

Don't underestimate the value of a late lotto pick. The higher your top pick, the higher you may be able to move up. If we have #12 and #17, and the team sitting at #8 wants to move back, we're in optimal position. I know we're looking at the playoffs, and that may be best both for the development of our players and for making us attractive to free agents, but I really hope we get that Minnesota pick. If we have four picks in the first round, I'd be shocked if we didn't make multiple trades on draft day.

You never know who you can get at 12 and 17 either. OKC ended up with Lamb and Adams with picks around those, and this year's draft, by all accounts is deeper. If we trust McD with picks, and want to watch a young team grow, why now watch a young team grow and compete for years instead of trading a bunch of assets for someone who is older who doesn't make us that much better long term and really doesn't make us a true contender now either.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

Yeah, I prefer making the playoffs this year and losing Minni's pick instead of missing the playoffs and having one extra 1stR so I may have the chance to trade up.

As a fan other times I've found myself wanting the opposite, but not now. I want to see this team in a playoff series.

If nothing else, we'll have more info about what to do with some of the current pieces, and if it's true that having one more 1stR is nice and opens more trade scenarios, I wouldn't just ditch the impact of being a playoff team means to the rest of the league.

Besides, I don't think it's really going to matter who makes the playoffs among Dallas, Phoenix, Memphis and Denver, I can't see the Wolves surpassing three of them, weak schedule remaining nonwithstanding, unless something major happened. It's possible, but I don't even consider this a factor when thinking about making the playoffs.

Also, I don't know if trading up will even be an option next draft, at least into the range where everybody will want to be picking.

Again, anything can happen (yeah, even winning the lotto from #13), but to me these are no reasons to prefer being left out of the playoffs.

Well, I'm not sure Pau Gasol moves the needle for us, and I'm not sure we don't make the playoffs with this current squad. So it just seems pointless. I'd rather have Frye and Len take the minutes that Pau would get - regardless the consequences. Pau 2014 is not Pau 2010.

Ideally, Minnesota would be the 9th best team in the west, and we would be the 8th. But we don't need to tank to achieve our long-term objectives.

[Sunsdeuce]

Yeah, I prefer making the playoffs this year and losing Minni's pick instead of missing the playoffs and having one extra 1stR so I may have the chance to trade up.

As a fan other times I've found myself wanting the opposite, but not now. I want to see this team in a playoff series.

If nothing else, we'll have more info about what to do with some of the current pieces, and if it's true that having one more 1stR is nice and opens more trade scenarios, I wouldn't just ditch the impact of being a playoff team means to the rest of the league.

Besides, I don't think it's really going to matter who makes the playoffs among Dallas, Phoenix, Memphis and Denver, I can't see the Wolves surpassing three of them, weak schedule remaining nonwithstanding, unless something major happened. It's possible, but I don't even consider this a factor when thinking about making the playoffs.

Also, I don't know if trading up will even be an option next draft, at least into the range where everybody will want to be picking.

Again, anything can happen (yeah, even winning the lotto from #13), but to me these are no reasons to prefer being left out of the playoffs.

Well, I'm not sure Pau Gasol moves the needle for us, and I'm not sure we don't make the playoffs with this current squad. So it just seems pointless. I'd rather have Frye and Len take the minutes that Pau would get - regardless the consequences. Pau 2014 is not Pau 2010.

Ideally, Minnesota would be the 9th best team in the west, and we would be the 8th. But we don't need to tank to achieve our long-term objectives.

First off, does anyone know the details on the minny pick? Like does it turn into two second round picks after a certain time frame?
Second, I am thinking long term here but I dont want to just to make the playoffs just to get booted in the first round. Either we are contenting for a trophy or we are not. Pau is no longer a dominate force like when the lakers won. I would rather see minnesota make the playoffs. I dont believe in moral victories or "learning to be a winning culture". You either have the right players to contend or you dont.
This team needs a major splash, meaning star player to be a contender. Right now the Suns are the cute and enjoyable team but no one is talking long playoff run for the suns and for good reason. The good thing is we have a very bright GM and he has a vision for this team. There are a few things I know he has his eyes on. I know that he knows that Tuckers position absolutely needs to be upgraded, the power forward position needs upgrading, and he is eyeing ways to get a star player.

After all my rambling the whole point is that our GM is smart enough to not make a trade for a half year rental on Pau because it would lead to nothing(no playoff run, no championship, no improvement). He has his eye on the bigger picture here.

[Sunsss]

I don't understand the philosophy behind the "contend or tank" thing. You can't go from a 25 win team to a 60+ win team in a season. There's nothing wrong with being #7 or #8 seed. You never know what's gonna happen in the playoffs. Injuries might happen. And it may sound stupid, but you can't win a championship without going into the playoffs. So I say let those guys play out the season and experience the playoff atmosphere if they clinch a spot.

[Qwigglez]

I don't recall the last No 6-8 team to make it to the NBA Finals, or even the Conference Finals, but that's just because I have bad memory, does anyone know?

[JDLAW]

The Houston Rockets won 2 championships from the 6th seed. The Knicks made the finals from the 8th seed - do not recall the year. It has been done.

[Ring_Wanted]

The Knicks was in 98.

Contender/no contender. Usually you don't go from the #5 pick to contender, it' a progression, and it starts by making the playoffs. I brought up Pau's name because he is an expiring contract while still useful, and on a losing team whose incentive could be saving tax money. I think he could be had on the cheap, and we need what he still provides, even if we all know he is not the same player he was on his title teams.

What I am proposing is a cheap move aiming to improve our chances to make the playoffs. I aknowledge there is no guarantee, If somebody comes up with a better option that doesn't compromise future assets in a relevant manner, I am all ears. Now, standing pat is an option too, but I think we are going to really struggle for the rest of the season if we can't get help at least in one of the two main areas of need. I want no part of being a 9-11 seed in the west.

[JJ13]

How about nuggets knocking off Seattle from the 8th seed...personal favorite - don't think they got to conf finals though

[WeekapaugGroove]

I look at it like this. If you build a dead end roster like they did the past two yrs with overpaid roll players then it's annoying to chase the 8 seed. If you go young like the suns did this yr and the guys overachieve then it's fine to chase those bottom seeds. And frankly at this point there's such a slim chance the suns can pick in the top 6 in the draft then why not keep trying to win. I just wouldnt mortgage the future to do (and the suns won't).

It also depends on your franchise. Places like Milwaukee or Utah almost have to exclusively build through the draft because no good fa will go there. This isn't true in Phoenix. We might not have the fa appeal of ny or la but we are in that next tier of destinations.

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[Bogyo]

How about nuggets knocking off Seattle from the 8th seed...personal favorite - don't think they got to conf finals though

Nope, they got beat by the Jazz next round. I was at a cpl games in both series, as I was living in Boulder. I might still have the Mount Mutumbo towels that were handed out. And I will have the memory forever when Dikembe blocked 3 shots in the first posession of the game any everyone went ****