2014 Official FA Thread

[NaturalBuns]

We came up short last season due to us not having a true go to guy. A real star. We need to put all these damn role players out of the way until we get that star. I mean we already have a ton of good role players, why are we discussing more? We need a damn star first and foremost! Maybe after we obtain one then we can start to entertain the idea of who we need to get to surround our star and who we need to get to replace some of our lost players. The star needs to come first.

SMDH @ all this McBob talk.

We came up short because we missed a important guy for half a season.
Suns are in the playoffs if they had a healthy season.

All the teams in the west can beat each other.
It doesn't matter if your stacked,fundamental,star drivin.
I think just tweaking the roster would get the suns into the playoffs in which then anything can happen

[PhxSunsFan1234]

We came up short last season due to us not having a true go to guy. A real star. We need to put all these damn role players out of the way until we get that star. I mean we already have a ton of good role players, why are we discussing more? We need a damn star first and foremost! Maybe after we obtain one then we can start to entertain the idea of who we need to get to surround our star and who we need to get to replace some of our lost players. The star needs to come first.

SMDH @ all this McBob talk.

We came up short because we missed a important guy for half a season.
Suns are in the playoffs if they had a healthy season.

All the teams in the west can beat each other.
It doesn't matter if your stacked,fundamental,star drivin.
I think just tweaking the roster would get the suns into the playoffs in which then anything can happen

I think you have it mixed up. If Bledsoe were healthy, would they have made the playoffs? More than likely yes. But they wouldn't have been a 2 or 3 seed. They still would have been 7 or 8 seed. You're content with being a 7 or 8 seed? The NBA playoffs is one of the only sports where the best team usually wins more often than not. There's a reason why there's only been what, 9 or 10 NBA champions in 30 years. The best teams win because of the playoff format. So no, anything can't happen.

[lilfishi22]

I don't think tweaking the roster is enough because I don't think we don't have that core of stars yet. Without the Bledsoe injury, we're a playoff team, I have little doubt about that. But we're not going to be high seeded playoff team. We still need that other star player, preferably a big man, to give us some more size and versatility on offense.

[NaturalBuns]

We came up short last season due to us not having a true go to guy. A real star. We need to put all these damn role players out of the way until we get that star. I mean we already have a ton of good role players, why are we discussing more? We need a damn star first and foremost! Maybe after we obtain one then we can start to entertain the idea of who we need to get to surround our star and who we need to get to replace some of our lost players. The star needs to come first.

SMDH @ all this McBob talk.

We came up short because we missed a important guy for half a season.
Suns are in the playoffs if they had a healthy season.

All the teams in the west can beat each other.
It doesn't matter if your stacked,fundamental,star drivin.
I think just tweaking the roster would get the suns into the playoffs in which then anything can happen

I think you have it mixed up. If Bledsoe were healthy, would they have made the playoffs? More than likely yes. But they wouldn't have been a 2 or 3 seed. They still would have been 7 or 8 seed. You're content with being a 7 or 8 seed? The NBA playoffs is one of the only sports where the best team usually wins more often than not. There's a reason why there's only been what, 9 or 10 NBA champions in 30 years. The best teams win because of the playoff format. So no, anything can't happen.

All your pointing out is we need Duncan,Kobe,lebron,magic,mj.
Also kerrsed said due to not having a star is why we fell short.
But you can't ignore we missed Bledsoe and in the final games that mattered final 3-4 dragic got hurt he wasn't even really able to play

[bwgood77]

I don't think tweaking the roster is enough because I don't think we don't have that core of stars yet. Without the Bledsoe injury, we're a playoff team, I have little doubt about that. But we're not going to be high seeded playoff team. We still need that other star player, preferably a big man, to give us some more size and versatility on offense.

Exactly. If all the western teams were healthy this year, we probably get the 8th seed (maybe the 7th). OKC, Memphis, GS and LAC all had injuries to one of their two best players that kept them out for a significant amount of time. Aldridge was out for awhile too. We probably finish ahead of Dallas and maybe Portland if all teams are healthy.

A bunch of teams behind us are also younger and will get better and of course a healthy Pelicans team with an improving Anthony Davis could make a huge jump pretty soon.

They should actually make an offer for Love. Tyreke, Anderson and a pick or something.

[SunsFanSSOL]

I think we miss the playoffs again next year if we stay put, or just end up drafting rookies. The West keeps getting better.

[bigfoot]

Pau and Deng are role players at this point in their careers.

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Gasol at 17pts 10rbds 3.5ast 1.5blks is a role player. So Tim Duncan is a role player too? SMH.

[bigfoot]

My real gripe is with money. I've said this in the past but why on Earth are we debating whether to give Bledsoe a max deal or not when we're talking about Deng and/or Pau at $10m a piece?

Lock Bledsoe up and IF we still have money, then we can negotiate with Pau/Deng. But you don't throw these kinds of deals around until you've secured your core guys.

No you lock up Pau or Deng or Melo or some other free agent first. Then sign or match Bledsoe. That way the Suns can go over the salary cap. If we sign Bledsoe first we will not be able to offer FAs very much because his cap hold is small right now.

[WeekapaugGroove]

Pau and Deng are role players at this point in their careers.

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Gasol at 17pts 10rbds 3.5ast 1.5blks is a role player. So Tim Duncan is a role player too? SMH.

Duncans a freak of nature and even at this age is a much better defender than gasol.

Gasols numbers weren't bad last year but he'll be 34 next season and I just don't know how much he has left in the tank. At the right price sure he's an OK signing but at this point in his career he's more of a complimentary player than a guy who's going to carry you deep into the playoffs. Those days are behind him.

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[Kerrsed]

Marc J. Spears: One NBA team prez said Heat prez Pat Riley appeared nervous about keeping LeBron in his long, odd presser & more teams will make a pitch now Twitter @SpearsNBAYahoo - See more at: http://hoopshype.com/rumors.htm#sthash.KI1RgZVh.dpuf

[lilfishi22]

My real gripe is with money. I've said this in the past but why on Earth are we debating whether to give Bledsoe a max deal or not when we're talking about Deng and/or Pau at $10m a piece?

Lock Bledsoe up and IF we still have money, then we can negotiate with Pau/Deng. But you don't throw these kinds of deals around until you've secured your core guys.

No you lock up Pau or Deng or Melo or some other free agent first. Then sign or match Bledsoe. That way the Suns can go over the salary cap. If we sign Bledsoe first we will not be able to offer FAs very much because his cap hold is small right now.

My point was less about the timing of the signing but rather the priority of locking up our stars first before throwing significant money at role players.

[drewsprocket]

I think we miss the playoffs again next year if we stay put, or just end up drafting rookies. The West keeps getting better.

I agree. At best we make it into the 8th seed. So much depends on rim protecting and another star player. It'd be nice to be able to find both in one person but that's sort of the elusiveness of the whole thing...

I think our rim protectors will improve over time with Plumlee and Len...they just need to be able to sustain their effectiveness each the game without missing too many plays and not make dumb fouls.

My hope is that McD has something up his sleeve and is targeting players not explicitly on the block to trade for - we have sooo many tradeable pieces ever. I want to see if he has another Bledsoe like transaction in the works.

[gaspar]

Pau and Deng are role players at this point in their careers.

Sent from my SM-N900V using RealGM Forums mobile app

Gasol at 17pts 10rbds 3.5ast 1.5blks is a role player. So Tim Duncan is a role player too? SMH.

Mike D'Antoni. Pau's stats last year were meaningless. The Lakers were better on both ends of the court with Gasol on the bench. He's 34 and declining fast. Just look at his performance in the playoffs in 2011-2013 or his efficiency in last couple years.

Pau's TS% in last 7 years:
.639
.617
.593
.589
.547
.512
.522

The trend is clear. Pau IS a role player at this point in his career. He is a terrible defender, and I mean TERRIBLE. And besides passing his offense isn't that great either. On a good team he's a 10-12 ppg guy. We have plenty of them on the roster for much cheaper.

He also made it clear that he doesn't want to play on a running team. All this talk about signing Pau makes me wanna club baby seals.

[bwgood77]

Pau and Deng are role players at this point in their careers.

Sent from my SM-N900V using RealGM Forums mobile app

Gasol at 17pts 10rbds 3.5ast 1.5blks is a role player. So Tim Duncan is a role player too? SMH.

Mike D'Antoni. Pau's stats last year were meaningless. The Lakers were better on both ends of the court with Gasol on the bench. He's 34 and declining fast. Just look at his performance in the playoffs in 2011-2013 or his efficiency in last couple years.

Pau's TS% in last 7 years:
.639
.617
.593
.589
.547
.512
.522

The trend is clear. Pau IS a role player at this point in his career. He is a terrible defender, and I mean TERRIBLE. And besides passing his offense isn't that great either. On a good team he's a 10-12 ppg guy. We have plenty of them on the roster for much cheaper.

He also made it clear that he doesn't want to play on a running team. All this talk about signing Pau makes me wanna club baby seals.

Is there anyone you'd target other than Love? (or Melo, LeBron, Bosh) I assume you would go for Love since you said McD would trade Dragic or Bledsoe for him in a heartbeat (or something like that).

[gaspar]

Is there anyone you'd target other than Love? (or Melo, LeBron, Bosh) I assume you would go for Love since you said McD would trade Dragic or Bledsoe for him in a heartbeat (or something like that).

Well, it's hard to tell who's available via trade. Al Horford is the obvious choice if possible. I'd much rather give $20M per year to Melo or Bosh than $10M to Pau or Deng.

[Ryu]

I think we miss the playoffs again next year if we stay put, or just end up drafting rookies. The West keeps getting better.

So we do.

Remember, we would be a playoff team easily if wasn`t Bledsoe`s injury.

[DirtyDez]

I think we miss the playoffs again next year if we stay put, or just end up drafting rookies. The West keeps getting better.

So we do.

Remember, we would be a playoff team easily if wasn`t Bledsoe`s injury.

Memphis was without Gasol, Warriors w/o Bogut & Iggy, Portland w/o LMA and OKC/LAC dealt with major injuries. I think if everyone was fully healthy we would've made it over Dallas yet they took the champs to game 7. The west mane.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

I prefer Frye to Pau. Plain and simple.

Edit: You know what, not plain and simple. I'd rather play Frye, Markieff, Plumlee, or Len any minutes that would be given to Pau. Not interested. Pau is a terrible fit.

[Qwigglez]

I gag every time someone suggests Pau to PHX.

Why the hate for Pau? I get the Lakers hate and it would take me a bit to get past that, but the dude can still play and would be a GREAT addition for the right price...We want a rebounder, a low post scorer, a good passer and someone who can get to the line and knock them down - he ticks ALL those boxes. He can still block the odd shot and is a great locker-room guy, unless he prices his way out of our range there's no reason to not look at him.

The real issue is the money - I mean I think a good 'deal' from our point of view is 3yr $30m, but he's probably going to want - and likely get - something like 3yr $40m or someone may even offer 4yr $50 - both of which are too much.

A lot depends on Bledsoe and how much he goes for and obviously whether Frye opts in and what Tucker wants.

He's not my first option, probably not in my top 3 to be honest - but he IS attainable and he may want to come here.

Agree on all this. Plus, giving Pau that sort of deal, gives Len ample time to develop, and with Pau most likely declining Len's role on the team would get bigger, and eventually take over the role of Pau as the low post scorer, rebounder, passer, etc. Len would greatly improve learning behind Gasol as well, his footwork, technique, etc.
I find it hard to believe Suns fans wouldn't even consider Gasol...

[Qwigglez]

Also consider the Suns training staff effect on Pau Gasol and what it could do. Worked on Nash, Hill, McDyess, Shaq, and... whoever else, lol.