Suns Acquire Isaiah Thomas- 4 years, 27 million

[Moochiefried]

Even for a back up point guard, 6 million isn't that absurd these days. However, we just picked up a guy who was averaging 20 and 6 last season on pretty efficient percentages. Never know how things will have played out with Dragic and Bledsoe a year from now, having Thomas gives us plenty of options on how we want to handle our business moving forward. If McDonough's past moves are any indication, I would suspect there could be something else big coming on the horizon. Regardless, another good asset to play around with. I'm excited to see what McD can pull off with all the moveable pieces on the roster.

[Revived]

Fact:

We could have the best guard play in the entire NBA.

For 96 minutes, we can beat any backcourt's 1/2.

Fact:

We also could have the worst big men play in the conference maybe entire NBA.

[bwgood77]

Fact:

We could have the best guard play in the entire NBA.

For 96 minutes, we can beat any backcourt's 1/2.

Fact:

We also could have the worst big men play in the conference maybe entire NBA.

True, but what do you suggest we do? There are no good bigs out there....the ONE who is available we are trying to trade Dragic and the twins for and it's not working.

I wish we would have at least tried to get Asik just to have some solid D in the middle.

[rsavaj]

So excited! http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2014/ ... -be-wanted

[rsavaj]

http://www.sactownroyalty.com/2014/5/23 ... iah-thomas

[garycarnivals]

Fact:

We could have the best guard play in the entire NBA.

For 96 minutes, we can beat any backcourt's 1/2.

I can't believe how many people think this is a bad/confusing move, especially for his price.

Do people not realize that Bledsoe and Dragic start together with Dragic playing the SG role? Everyone is automatically assuming this signing means Bledsoe is out.

Depth is very important, as we saw with the Spurs. This is a great move for the Suns.

[jcsunsfan]

Fact:

We could have the best guard play in the entire NBA.

For 96 minutes, we can beat any backcourt's 1/2.

I can't believe how many people think this is a bad/confusing move, especially for his price.

Do people not realize that Bledsoe and Dragic start together with Dragic playing the SG role? Everyone is automatically assuming this signing means Bledsoe is out.

Depth is very important, as we saw with the Spurs. This is a great move for the Suns.

iT is more of a replacement for Goran than Bledsoe. Same offense, same assists, similar defense.

Those two are interchangeable parts.

[Revived]

I wouldn't hate signing Thomas as much if we didn't draft yet another PG in the top 20 of the draft.

Why not trade Ennis to Toronto on draft night?

[mybloodisorange]

You guys make a good point about using a 3 guard rotation for the 1 and 2 spot. That gives coach more matchup options having 3 starter quality players covering our 2 positions; plus added insurance if Eric goes down again. Ennis will be assigned to the d league to develop where he can actually get minutes.

The only problem is with the 3 set by Tucker/Warren/Marcus that means Green will probably play as the backup guard at the 2. I guess what I'm saying is that if we don't make a trade and nobody gets injured Goodwin will be the odd man out so to speak. What do you guys think the rotation will look like?

[NTB]

I wouldn't hate signing Thomas as much if we didn't draft yet another PG in the top 20 of the draft.

Why not trade Ennis to Toronto on draft night?

How would they know they will get Isaiah Thomas for that price?

[Gorilla Warfare]

I wouldn't hate signing Thomas as much if we didn't draft yet another PG in the top 20 of the draft.

Why not trade Ennis to Toronto on draft night?

Why not draft Embiid would have been the better fit at number 1 instead of Wiggins because they knew LeBron was coming back? Oh wait, they didn't know he was coming back...

[Ghost]

Pretty great value contract for IT! I also love the Tucker deal.

You guys are absolutely loaded at the 1. Like seriously, Phoenix has a handful of point guards that are better than Detroit's starter . I'm sure you'll be getting a few calls from around the league this summer.

[nevetsov]

Similar money to what LB received when he was a leading sixth man candidate. looks like a great deal.

[aIvin adams]

I wouldn't hate signing Thomas as much if we didn't draft yet another PG in the top 20 of the draft.

Why not trade Ennis to Toronto on draft night?

I'm surprised to find anyone besides Gambo who doesn't like this signing.

I assume everyone has already offered fact-based reasons to like the IT contract. I won't try to come up with any more.

So... Just trust Ryan, my friend. Trust the golden GM.

[GrantHill]

So... Just trust Ryan, my friend. Trust the golden GM.

I'm always wondering why we can't critizes any decisions by our management anymore simply because McDonough is our GM? He nailed a few things like the Scola trade or the Goodwin pick but that doesn't mean he's untouchable. Len looks like a terrible decision even after one summer-league game by Nerlens Noel. I didn't understand how we drafted Warren and Ennis when we locked up mediocre players like Tucker and Thomas. Again I like both players but not at the cost of playing time for our young guys. Again, I like Thomas and Tucker but they won't do anything for us. They won't be the difference between a late lottery pick and a playoff seed yet we locked them up to MLE-deals. And I simply don't want average players on MLE on this team when we have no real superstar in place. Just because there contracts are fair it doesn't mean that you should sign the player.

Our roster had some weaknesses especially at the big positions and now we let Frye go (reasonable after the contract he received) and didn't improve even a little bit at rebounding or our interioir defense. No, Frye's loss will be huge just wait and see.

And please guys, don't bring up the 'would you rather be a tanking team instead of competing for the playoffs' thing. This team right now is not better than last years team and looking at how other teams improved, I don't see how we can sneak in the top 8.

[PhxSuns1]

So... Just trust Ryan, my friend. Trust the golden GM.

I'm always wondering why we can't critizes any decisions by our management anymore simply because McDonough is our GM? He nailed a few things like the Scola trade or the Goodwin pick but that doesn't mean he's untouchable. Len looks like a terrible decision even after one summer-league game by Nerlens Noel. I didn't understand how we drafted Warren and Ennis when we locked up mediocre players like Tucker and Thomas. Again I like both players but not at the cost of playing time for our young guys. Again, I like Thomas and Tucker but they won't do anything for us. They won't be the difference between a late lottery pick and a playoff seed yet we locked them up to MLE-deals. And I simply don't want average players on MLE on this team when we have no real superstar in place. Just because there contracts are fair it doesn't mean that you should sign the player.

Our roster had some weaknesses especially at the big positions and now we let Frye go (reasonable after the contract he received) and didn't improve even a little bit at rebounding or our interioir defense. No, Frye's loss will be huge just wait and see.

And please guys, don't bring up the 'would you rather be a tanking team instead of competing for the playoffs' thing. This team right now is not better than last years team and looking at how other teams improved, I don't see how we can sneak in the top 8.

I don't get it. Have you even seen Isaiah Thomas play? Even once? Calling him an average player causes me to speculate that the answer to that is a definite "NO", because anyone who has watched him play would never call him an "average player". There is just no way. He has his deficiencies, sure. But he is anything but an average player. The man averaged 20 points, 6 assists, and a top 5 PER amongst ALL point guards in the NBA. If he was a couple inches taller he would be a guaranteed max contract. Isaiah Thomas at under 7 million per year is quite possibly the best contract in the entire National Basketball Association.

Also, re: Tucker. He is much more valuable to this team than an "average player". Sure, his statistics and one-on-one offensive ability is average at best, but you need guys like Tucker to win basketball games. Someone who will lock down the opposing teams best player. Someone who will dive into the stands to save a ball. Someone who will risk their body for a rebound. Calling PJ Tucker an average player is an ignorant, street ball perspective. Tucker's defense, hustle, heart, etc singlehandedly won us multiple games last season.

[Revived]

Why is it that Isaiah Thomas is such a stud and yet nobody else except for like 2-3 other teams wanted him?

Is the Suns FO the only smart FO in the NBA?

Some of you are acting as if Isaiah Thomas is a good consolation prize for not getting LeBron lmao.

[GrantHill]

I don't get it. Have you even seen Isaiah Thomas play? Even once?

Yes, I haven seen him play. I like his toughness and shot making ability but some of you guys need to see behind the youtube highlight videos. He is definitley undersized which causes some problems on the defensive end and we don't have the bigs to make up for it. Besides Plumlee we don't have the interior defenders we lacked last season.

Also Thomas played on a terrible terrible team in Sacramento and he's not the first guy to put up big numbers on a team that sucks. PPG is such a horrible way to evaluate a player since it doesn't include all the freedom he had when he played and all the terrible shots he took.

Also, re: Tucker. He is much more valuable to this team than an "average player". Sure, his statistics and one-on-one offensive ability is average at best, but you need guys like Tucker to win basketball games. Someone who will lock down the opposing teams best player. Someone who will dive into the stands to save a ball. Someone who will risk their body for a rebound. Calling PJ Tucker an average player is an ignorant, street ball perspective. Tucker's defense, hustle, heart, etc singlehandedly won us multiple games last season.

So you are calling me ignorant because my opinion is different than yours? I love Tucker as a player but players like him, these 'hustle, energy guys' can be found in any draft. Just look at how the Spurs picked up Kyle Anderson late in the first round. Draymond Green and Jae Crowder were drafted in the second round. Sure, these type of players are nice but not at MLE-type money.

There are two big problems with these signings. It will mean much less playing time for the young guys we just drafted the last two years (Goodwin, Ennis and Warren) and we gave out these MLE-type contracts to players that won't put us over the top as other teams improved dramtically.

Just look at how much money we will have left for someone like Kevin Love next summer ones we extend Dragic, Bledsoe and the Morris twins. These contracts are good value for a team that already has a superstar in place and not for one that's lacking such a star player.

[Sunsdeuce]

So... Just trust Ryan, my friend. Trust the golden GM.

I'm always wondering why we can't critizes any decisions by our management anymore simply because McDonough is our GM? He nailed a few things like the Scola trade or the Goodwin pick but that doesn't mean he's untouchable. Len looks like a terrible decision even after one summer-league game by Nerlens Noel. I didn't understand how we drafted Warren and Ennis when we locked up mediocre players like Tucker and Thomas. Again I like both players but not at the cost of playing time for our young guys. Again, I like Thomas and Tucker but they won't do anything for us. They won't be the difference between a late lottery pick and a playoff seed yet we locked them up to MLE-deals. And I simply don't want average players on MLE on this team when we have no real superstar in place. Just because there contracts are fair it doesn't mean that you should sign the player.

Our roster had some weaknesses especially at the big positions and now we let Frye go (reasonable after the contract he received) and didn't improve even a little bit at rebounding or our interioir defense. No, Frye's loss will be huge just wait and see.

And please guys, don't bring up the 'would you rather be a tanking team instead of competing for the playoffs' thing. This team right now is not better than last years team and looking at how other teams improved, I don't see how we can sneak in the top 8.

I don't get it. Have you even seen Isaiah Thomas play? Even once? Calling him an average player causes me to speculate that the answer to that is a definite "NO", because anyone who has watched him play would never call him an "average player". There is just no way. He has his deficiencies, sure. But he is anything but an average player. The man averaged 20 points, 6 assists, and a top 5 PER amongst ALL point guards in the NBA. If he was a couple inches taller he would be a guaranteed max contract. Isaiah Thomas at under 7 million per year is quite possibly the best contract in the entire National Basketball Association.

Also, re: Tucker. He is much more valuable to this team than an "average player". Sure, his statistics and one-on-one offensive ability is average at best, but you need guys like Tucker to win basketball games. Someone who will lock down the opposing teams best player. Someone who will dive into the stands to save a ball. Someone who will risk their body for a rebound. Calling PJ Tucker an average player is an ignorant, street ball perspective. Tucker's defense, hustle, heart, etc singlehandedly won us multiple games last season.

Tucker also single handedly lost us games. No one can forget his ball hogging fast break that cost us the game! Don't make him out to be something he isn't. He is a hardworking under skilled player. Saying tucker is an above average player is ignorant. He does do a lot of boneheaded streetball stuff especially when he has the ball in his hand (but doesn't have the ability). I will never take away the fact that he busts his butt on defense but that does not mean is an outstanding defender. I think most people here will agree he has below average iq on the offensive side of the ball.

Again, he is a vERY hard working player but that doesn't mean he is an above average player. Lou Amundsen busted his butt every game too but that doesn't mean he is above average.

[PhxSuns1]

I don't get it. Have you even seen Isaiah Thomas play? Even once?

Yes, I haven seen him play. I like his toughness and shot making ability but some of you guys need to see behind the youtube highlight videos. He is definitley undersized which causes some problems on the defensive end and we don't have the bigs to make up for it. Besides Plumlee we don't have the interior defenders we lacked last season.

Also Thomas played on a terrible terrible team in Sacramento and he's not the first guy to put up big numbers on a team that sucks. PPG is such a horrible way to evaluate a player since it doesn't include all the freedom he had when he played and all the terrible shots he took.

Also, re: Tucker. He is much more valuable to this team than an "average player". Sure, his statistics and one-on-one offensive ability is average at best, but you need guys like Tucker to win basketball games. Someone who will lock down the opposing teams best player. Someone who will dive into the stands to save a ball. Someone who will risk their body for a rebound. Calling PJ Tucker an average player is an ignorant, street ball perspective. Tucker's defense, hustle, heart, etc singlehandedly won us multiple games last season.

So you are calling me ignorant because my opinion is different than yours? I love Tucker as a player but players like him, these 'hustle, energy guys' can be found in any draft. Just look at how the Spurs picked up Kyle Anderson late in the first round. Draymond Green and Jae Crowder were drafted in the second round. Sure, these type of players are nice but not at MLE-type money.

There are two big problems with these signings. It will mean much less playing time for the young guys we just drafted the last two years (Goodwin, Ennis and Warren) and we gave out these MLE-type contracts to players that won't put us over the top as other teams improved dramtically.

Just look at how much money we will have left for someone like Kevin Love next summer ones we extend Dragic, Bledsoe and the Morris twins. These contracts are good value for a team that already has a superstar in place and not for one that's lacking such a star player.

I believe the "stats on a bad team" thing is overrated when your efficiency is good. Its not about the YouTube highlights. Watch him play full games. He is one of the better scoring guards in the league. Great playmaker. Great leader. Great hustle. He is far far far from the "average" player.

I didn't mean to call YOU ignorant, per se, but just the notion that players who have average offensive ability are average players overall. You can find hustle players in the draft, sure, but name everyone who hustles, plays with heart, plays defense, and shoots a decent clip from the 3 like Tucker who will not yield a similar contract? You mention Draymond Green. He will yield the same contract, if not a better one due to age, than PJ Tucker. The point is, he was very important to our team last year, and no hustle player in this years draft is going to replace what he brought us (which includes chemistry).