The One And Only Offseason Thread 5: Dinnertime!

[JTrain]

I'm worried that even if we do re-sign Bledsoe he's going to be way out of shape next season. Judging from instagram it seems like he's done a lot of partying a very little working out. Good thing that it seems like Archie, the Morris twins, Len, Plumlee and Green have been hitting the gym.

Gerald? I haven't seen anything about him.

[Revived]

I heard the Morris twins have a huge party in AZ this weekend. Open party. Anyone here going?

[Jdiddy701]

^ it was last weekend. Markieff and Marcus will be resigned pretty soon. Just waiting... Sign them to a 10 year contract. Both will have breakout season.


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM Forums

[Nando88]

Can you tell us how you really feel about the Morris twins? Lol


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM Forums

[TASTIC]

I'm curious what others think - let's say Warren starts the first 3 games while Tucker is suspended and we go either 2-1 or 3-0.

Warren plays outstanding for a rookie, ie better than anticipated D, 55% from the field 75% at the line and averages 16pt 6reb 1stl and a very good +/- score in around 30min - and he meshes well with the starters.

Does he stay in the starting lineup once PJ's back or do we make Tucker earn it back?

After his off-season I think a reality check like a rookie starting ahead of him would be great...If Warren flies out of the gate I keep him in there until Tucker earns it back. I like that 2nd unit of

Thomas
Green
Tucker
Mook
Len

3x shooters, 2x solid defenders (PJ/Len) and a rim protector. Little small at the 4 but Tolliver can help there too.

[nevetsov]

^yeah, that's a really solid bench. IT would have a field day with all that space. In spurts I think PJ and Marcus are interchangeable at the forward spots. Both can hit the three (PJ from the corner), and between them there's enough toughness to not get totally beasted on the boards (PJ has a knack for getting inside for offensive boards). As long as Len can alter a few shots and keep his hands up for those oops.

[nevetsov]

When/ if Archie and BB are blooded to the NBA game, could easily see them replacing Bledsoe and Green respectively.

Goran/ Archie/ TJ/ Chief/ Len

IT/ BB/ PJ/ Mook/ Plumlee

That could be dynamite in 5 years.

[bwgood77]

At this point, I cannot even think of any stars the Suns could be targeting in a trade and/or free agency. The only big name free agent I know of for 2015 is Lamarcus Aldridge, and he will be 30 years old next year and seeking a max contract. I am not really interested in that. There are basically no stars available besides him. So the Suns need to keep the only two star type players they have in Bledsoe and Dragic and hope that some of the young players turn into stars. That is basically where they are at, unless McDonough has something up his sleeve to trade for a star no one one would be expecting. I would not put it passed him. He has already shown his ability to make trades out of nowhere for some big names.

There are not any other stars, but there is Millsap, especially if we wanted insurance with Kieff going into RFA (if we haven't extended him for whatever reason). I think we will keep them unless they just regress or really want a ton of money, so it wouldn't make too much sense then unless we wanted them to come off the bench. I know some here don't care for Millsap because he didn't play real well against the Lakers in the 2010 playoffs or whatever or think he gets dominated in the west because everyone is so much bigger. This past year though he was the 2nd best stretch four easily.

I think Millsap is pretty good, but he also is going to be 30 next summer like Lamarcus Aldridge, so I think the Suns would rather keep Markieff since he is nearly five years younger than Millsap.

Yeah, I think this makes the most sense IF we realize Dragic NEEDS to play with a stretch four and we feel like the twins are more effective when they play off the bench to make the second unit really strong. A second unit of IT, Green, Warren, Mook and Kieff or perhaps Len in there with Warren starting next year while Len plays with second unit and Tucker is traded.

Or if Green starts and Warren is ready to start our lineup looks like this next year after trading Tucker in the offseason.

Dragic
Green
Warren
Millsap
Plumlee/Len

IT
Goodwin
Mook
Kieff
Len/Plumlee

Ennis
Sharpshooting 2 we draft
Tucker if we don't trade him
Tolliver
Center we draft

Or bring Bogdanic over and draft a sharpshooting 3 with one of our picks.

If we keep Bledsoe and trade Tucker/release Green to create the cap space for Millsap our lineups are even better, or trade Tucker and Goodwin if we want to keep Green and Green is in that second unit. Tough bench.

[bwgood77]

I'm curious what others think - let's say Warren starts the first 3 games while Tucker is suspended and we go either 2-1 or 3-0.

Warren plays outstanding for a rookie, ie better than anticipated D, 55% from the field 75% at the line and averages 16pt 6reb 1stl and a very good +/- score in around 30min - and he meshes well with the starters.

Does he stay in the starting lineup once PJ's back or do we make Tucker earn it back?

After his off-season I think a reality check like a rookie starting ahead of him would be great...If Warren flies out of the gate I keep him in there until Tucker earns it back. I like that 2nd unit of

Thomas
Green
Tucker
Mook
Len

3x shooters, 2x solid defenders (PJ/Len) and a rim protector. Little small at the 4 but Tolliver can help there too.

It would be nice even if Warren just starts the second half of the year and our lineup looks like that.

[aIvin adams]

I'm curious what others think - let's say Warren starts the first 3 games while Tucker is suspended and we go either 2-1 or 3-0.

Warren plays outstanding for a rookie, ie better than anticipated D, 55% from the field 75% at the line and averages 16pt 6reb 1stl and a very good +/- score in around 30min - and he meshes well with the starters.

Does he stay in the starting lineup once PJ's back or do we make Tucker earn it back?

After his off-season I think a reality check like a rookie starting ahead of him would be great...If Warren flies out of the gate I keep him in there until Tucker earns it back. I like that 2nd unit of

Thomas
Green
Tucker
Mook
Len

3x shooters, 2x solid defenders (PJ/Len) and a rim protector. Little small at the 4 but Tolliver can help there too.

I'd still bring him off the bench. In her scenario, the Rabbit would draw the focus of team scouts and I think it would be better to ease him into the job of nba scorer.

But whoever starts, I do love that scenario.

[bigfoot]

Hey Warren as a bench scorer ala Barbosa works for me. He could put up 16 pts from the bench just as easily. A bench of

IT
Green
Warren
Marcus
Len

Has a lot of scoring punch between IT, Green, and Warren.

Honestly would there be that much drop off from??

Bledsoe
Dragic
PJ
Kief
Plumlee

I imagine 5-on-5 practices are gonna be pretty challenging. This doesn't even include Goodwin or Ennis.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

Yeah, I think this makes the most sense IF we realize Dragic NEEDS to play with a stretch four and we feel like the twins are more effective when they play off the bench to make the second unit really strong. A second unit of IT, Green, Warren, Mook and Kieff or perhaps Len in there with Warren starting next year while Len plays with second unit and Tucker is traded.

... Tough bench.

I just can't imagine Kieff backing up Millsap. The Morrises would be very expensive back-ups, and Kieff would be overqualified. Kieff could play next to Frye, but playing him next to Millsap doesn't seem to make a ton of sense, IMO. Not to mention the skill set of the starting 4 and the back-up 4 would be nearly identical in this scenario, which isn't optimal. That is all to say that I like Millsap, but if you bring him in, I think you have to move the Morrises. Wouldn't surprise me in the least if Kieff is paid nearly the same as Millsap in FA, and surely he'll expect the role that comes with that kind of contract.

[nevetsov]

Hey Warren as a bench scorer ala Barbosa works for me. He could put up 16 pts from the bench just as easily. A bench of

IT
Green
Warren
Marcus
Len

Has a lot of scoring punch between IT, Green, and Warren.

Honestly would there be that much drop off from??

Bledsoe
Dragic
PJ
Kief
Plumlee

I imagine 5-on-5 practices are gonna be pretty challenging. This doesn't even include Goodwin or Ennis.

Not enough D in the first lineup, not enough offense in the second. I like PJ next to Green and Bledsoe next to Warren.

Or PJ next to Warren.

[RunDogGun]

I'm curious what others think - let's say Warren starts the first 3 games while Tucker is suspended and we go either 2-1 or 3-0.

Warren plays outstanding for a rookie, ie better than anticipated D, 55% from the field 75% at the line and averages 16pt 6reb 1stl and a very good +/- score in around 30min - and he meshes well with the starters.

Does he stay in the starting lineup once PJ's back or do we make Tucker earn it back?

After his off-season I think a reality check like a rookie starting ahead of him would be great...If Warren flies out of the gate I keep him in there until Tucker earns it back. I like that 2nd unit of

Thomas
Green
Tucker
Mook
Len

3x shooters, 2x solid defenders (PJ/Len) and a rim protector. Little small at the 4 but Tolliver can help there too.

I really don't think there is any way TJ gets the start from Hornacek. It will either be Green at the three and IT gets the point start if we still don't have Bledsoe signed, or McMo starts at the three with his brother at the four.

[bwgood77]

Yeah, I think this makes the most sense IF we realize Dragic NEEDS to play with a stretch four and we feel like the twins are more effective when they play off the bench to make the second unit really strong. A second unit of IT, Green, Warren, Mook and Kieff or perhaps Len in there with Warren starting next year while Len plays with second unit and Tucker is traded.

... Tough bench.

I just can't imagine Kieff backing up Millsap. The Morrises would be very expensive back-ups, and Kieff would be overqualified. Kieff could play next to Frye, but playing him next to Millsap doesn't seem to make a ton of sense, IMO. Not to mention the skill set of the starting 4 and the back-up 4 would be nearly identical in this scenario, which isn't optimal. That is all to say that I like Millsap, but if you bring him in, I think you have to move the Morrises. Wouldn't surprise me in the least if Kieff is paid nearly the same as Millsap in FA, and surely he'll expect the role that comes with that kind of contract.

I agree it doesn't make a whole lot of sense, but we kind of have to see how the starting lineup works this year with Kieff in it and if not having a stretch four hurts the team badly. Many seem to think it will. I think it will hurt, but I'm willing to reserve judgement until I see it.

I want to keep the twins, but I'm not sure what they will command in free agency if we don't extend them and whether or not McD wants to tie up all our cap space for the foreseeable future with what we have.

Even if we lose the twins, we could have a lineup of

Bledsoe
Dragic
Tucker/Warren
Millsap
Plumlee/Len

IT
Green or Goodwin? Green starts if we lose Bledsoe
Warren/Tucker
Tolliver or 1st round draft pick
Len/Plumlee or 1st round draft pick

Ennis
Goodwin
Bogdanovic for future
2nd 1st rounder this year or within the next couple of years

[Revived]

Lakers and Rockets have interest in Dragic/Bledsoe next summer if they hit free agency - Per Wiretap.

[Flying Colors]

Lakers and Rockets have interest in Dragic/Bledsoe next summer if they hit free agency - Per Wiretap.

Lakers and Rockets can go eat a dick

[Jarlaxle0204]

I'm curious what others think - let's say Warren starts the first 3 games while Tucker is suspended and we go either 2-1 or 3-0.

Warren plays outstanding for a rookie, ie better than anticipated D, 55% from the field 75% at the line and averages 16pt 6reb 1stl and a very good +/- score in around 30min - and he meshes well with the starters.

Does he stay in the starting lineup once PJ's back or do we make Tucker earn it back?

After his off-season I think a reality check like a rookie starting ahead of him would be great...If Warren flies out of the gate I keep him in there until Tucker earns it back. I like that 2nd unit of

Thomas
Green
Tucker
Mook
Len

3x shooters, 2x solid defenders (PJ/Len) and a rim protector. Little small at the 4 but Tolliver can help there too.

I really don't think there is any way TJ gets the start from Hornacek. It will either be Green at the three and IT gets the point start if we still don't have Bledsoe signed, or McMo starts at the three with his brother at the four.

I agree that there's no way TJ gets the start but it's too bad. I really think this kid has a chance to be good. I worry that he won't ever get to see the court this year. Too many players in front of him.

[LukasBMW]

TJ will get some burn.

We didn't acquire any new major pieces and still don't have a go-to guy or superstar.

Even if Bledsoe sticks around, while our back court is loaded, our 3 position is weak. Green is a 2/3, Tucker is a role player, and Marcus is going to get lots of time at the 4 since we are thin on the front line.

We won't be a contender and at best, we will be a 5-8 seed. They are going to get Archie and TJ on the floor this year.

[bwgood77]

Lakers and Rockets have interest in Dragic/Bledsoe next summer if they hit free agency - Per Wiretap.

I think the original plan was for them to have all 2 year contracts so they could make a run at the 2016 free agents, so I think that's why they didn't pursue Bledsoe this summer to a long deal. But I imagine some in the organization have decided that they can't just wait around for stars and then keep striking out or they will go nowhere.

I imagine he knows who would give him a max or near max deal next summer, and I think Sacramento would if they don't want to keep Gay and want Cousins to be happy. Bledsoe would probably like to keep him too.

I wonder who he'd choose between LA, Hou with Harden and Howard, or Sacramento with his buddie Cousins.

I also wouldn't be surprised if he took the QO and had a suspect injury to remove that risk if he already has a handshake deal with those teams. If he does that, we should just trade them to one of those teams for something if we can. Protection on pick removed, Stauskas? (doubtful), McLemore?, Beverly?

This is the only way I think he takes the QO. If he has already agreed to take a max next summer with somebody. He may even try to negotiate a higher QO, but at that point, I don't see why the Suns would do it, because they'd have to know he is only taking it because at this point he obviously wants to walk.

I still think we agree to something, but if someone has told him they will give him the max, and he wants to leave, then I'm sure that's what he will do.