Official Free Agent Thread: What to do with our cap space

[bwgood77]

All the stuff Amin al Hassin has said about the reputation of the organization and of Sarver is concerning. It is clear al Hassin has an axe to grind but there have been other reports like the "Sarver was a hardliner in the CBA negotiations." The Bledsoe negotiations, Dragic situation. I wonder if agents fear steering their top guys to the Suns?

Well, if we give the biggest offer, the agent gets the biggest commission, so I doubt it.

[saintEscaton]

Well stating the obvious, but it needs to be said. We aren't going to land a marquee FA this coming off season with the current state of our team. If we throw a max at Tobias and he realizes that he fits in perfectly that could be an offer he cant refuse although I think there will be significant competition for an under the radar commodity such as him

[Revived]

Would LOVE Millsap in PHX even though I know he's old and might get overpaid.

He's the type of All Star veteran leader/stretch 4 presence that's worth overpaying for. It will be hard to see him leaving such a good thing in Atlanta though.

[In Len We Trust]

Millsap is literally Markieff Morris with great defense and rebounding. Best fit for this team in the league. No way he leaves the Hawks unfortunately. They can pay him and there's no reason for him to leave.

[Young gun 6]

Max DJ, Sign some shooters and bring back a nash or marion or someone who can help with leadership and control. Try sign Thibs or an Assistant who can assert control and emotion.

We badly need some experience and non thugs to help develop Len, Goodwin, Warren, Knight instead of them being mentored by Tucker and the Morris twins. Couldn't think of much worse just not sure who the guys are who could possibly put this team together chemistry wise.

[toucansma]

Max DJ, Sign some shooters and bring back a nash or marion or someone who can help with leadership and control. Try sign Thibs or an Assistant who can assert control and emotion.

We badly need some experience and non thugs to help develop Len, Goodwin, Warren, Knight instead of them being mentored by Tucker and the Morris twins. Couldn't think of much worse just not sure who the guys are who could possibly put this team together chemistry wise.

DJ Strawberry J/K. Deandre would be an amazing pickup but I don't see the Clippers letting him go without a heck of a fight. Nash at this point would be a coach and not even sure if he would do that. Ashame, I bet he would be a really good coach. Look at how Kidd is commanding the Bucks now. Marion wants to retire, and based on his last few years from a leadership in Phoenix, would not be the best guy to bring back.

The thing I wonder with the Suns defense, doesn't Mike Longabardi run Thibs system? I guess it must be in the execution of that system if so.

What do you do with Bledsoe? Trade?

[sunskerr]

Can anyone tell me what is the point of holding onto Marcus Thornton and Danny Granger? Is it because we only have 14 players and Barron on a 10 day (essentially 13)?

[Tahleron]

Millsap, Tobias or Draymond

Millsap brings in a great work ethic and fits in everywhere
Tobias is a great shooter and big shot maker
Draymond is an ok shooter, but his defense is amazing (legit DPOY candidate)

[jredsaz]

All the stuff Amin al Hassin has said about the reputation of the organization and of Sarver is concerning. It is clear al Hassin has an axe to grind but there have been other reports like the "Sarver was a hardliner in the CBA negotiations." The Bledsoe negotiations, Dragic situation. I wonder if agents fear steering their top guys to the Suns?

Well, if we give the biggest offer, the agent gets the biggest commission, so I doubt it.

But thats the problem. Suns would need to over pay for a lesser player. Thats my fear. Will players like Greg Monroe or Jimmy Butler, who would be maxed out by any number of teams, be steered to the Suns? Im somewhat concerned about it at this point.

[jcsunsfan]

My offseason plan:
1. Renounce Thornton, and Brandan Wright. No need to keep their bird rights, so this is a no brainer.

2. Draft Isaiah Taylor PG Texas. Probably the faster player in the draft, can be a one man fast break. Decent distributor and actually played in a 3 guard system last season and still managed 4apg. Quickness and speed help him on defense and he should be a solid drive and kick and pick and roll type player. Biggest weakness is his jumper, hopefully Hornacek can help turn him into a better shooter.

3. Draft Brandon Ashley PF Arizona. A little undersized at 6'8'', but has a good wingspan (7'1''), has the potential to become a solid stretch 4 in the league. Good value as a second round pick.

3. Sign Tristan Thompson to approx 4 year, $48m deal. I know he turned down 4/$53m in the offseason, but I think he'll regret that. His numbers have gone down and he's been forced into a bench role and has now seen Cleveland bring in Mozgov AND Kendrick Perkins as bigs in addition to Kevin Love. The Markieff Morris deal is likely going to set the market for tier 2 big men, just like the Kyle Lowry deal was the benchmark for tier 2 PGs last offseason, so at 4/48 he's getting good money. What does he bring basketball wise? Good rebounding and an ability to finish at the rim. He's a force on the offensive glass averaging 3.5ORPG for his career. Young (23), athletic, strong rebounder and ability to score in the paint is what this team is craving.

4. Sign Henry Sims to approx 3 year, $15m deal. Another big man who rebounds at a good clip, is still young (24) and helps bring some size. Not going to play major minutes, but a solid rotation player. He's restricted, but with Joel Embiid, Nerlens Noel and JaVale McGee on the 76ers roster, there's almost no chance they match.

5. Re-sign Gerald Green. Don't overpay, I'd say I'd max out at maybe 2/$14m, but I think he offers some scoring punch off the bench, and while he makes some boneheaded plays, it's hard to doubt that his shooting and finishing at the rim have been a major boon to our team most nights. I wouldn't be surprised if he gave the Suns a bit of a discount as a result of reviving his career in Phoenix and the coaches putting him in a situation to thrive.

6. Re-sign Brandon Knight to a deal at about 4/$53m.

This would be my roster:
Bledsoe/Taylor
Knight/Green/Goodwin/Bullock
Tucker/Morris/Warren
Morris/Thompson/Ashley
Len/Sims

I know a lot of people are going to come at me with pitchforks because there isn't enough playing time to Archie and Warren. I disagree. Archie SHOULD be able to become our 3rd guard next season, I wouldn't expect Taylor to play too much as a rookie considering who is ahead of him in the guard rotation. If Archie Goodwin, in his 3rd season can't beat out Gerald Green then none of us have any business complaining.

As for TJ, while I like his skillset and what he brings, the team has committed a lot of money to the two guys ahead of him on the depth chart. I hope he develops and is able to beat them out for more playing time, but it doesn't look like the Suns are going to move Marcus or PJ any time soon.


So, there you have it. That's my plan. A strong young team that will likely post a winning record, if not challenge for a playoff spot and TONS of room for growth together.

Why on Gods green earth would you pay Gerald Green 2/14 and have him be a bench warmer behind Archie Goodwin? That would be a disaster. Just let Green go. We have no use for him because he is an atrocious defender and I swear he is getting even worse. Archie Goodwin is a better player than Green right NOW. He will be miles ahead of him next year.

Also Wright > Sims

Yikes. I agree with ILWT. This summer we make a choice. Archie or Green. The two occupy the same space on this roster. Archie is probably better even now.

[bwgood77]

All the stuff Amin al Hassin has said about the reputation of the organization and of Sarver is concerning. It is clear al Hassin has an axe to grind but there have been other reports like the "Sarver was a hardliner in the CBA negotiations." The Bledsoe negotiations, Dragic situation. I wonder if agents fear steering their top guys to the Suns?

Well, if we give the biggest offer, the agent gets the biggest commission, so I doubt it.

But thats the problem. Suns would need to over pay for a lesser player. Thats my fear. Will players like Greg Monroe or Jimmy Butler, who would be maxed out by any number of teams, be steered to the Suns? Im somewhat concerned about it at this point.

I honestly don't think it will make that big of difference. However, we never get top guys anyway, so I'm sure some will surmise that is the reason in the future. Maybe the FO will even say that when people ask why they didn't sign a really good free agent....all Dragic's fault.

[rsavaj]

Don't re-sign Green, let Granger and Thornton expire.

Try your hardest to get a max SF, whether it's Leonard, Butler or Green. Then re-sign Knight and Wright. Find a young backup PG; I think we'd be doing Archie a huge disservice if we try to turn him into a combo guard. Grab Looney with the 13th pick for some defense and rebounding. Bring up Alec Brown. Maybe draft a young PG with your 2nd round pick to fill out your 3rd string.

Bledsoe/PG/PG
Knight/Goodwin/Bullock
SF/Tucker/Warren
Morris/Morris/Looney
Len/Wright/Brown

See if this young team shows some growth. If not....get ready for trade deadline fireworks.

Obviously, it would be great to consolidate that squad into one real star, but I don't see that happening. Cousins remains a pipe-dream, IMO.

When's Bogdan supposed to come over?

[RunDogGun]

Can anyone tell me what is the point of holding onto Marcus Thornton and Danny Granger? Is it because we only have 14 players and Barron on a 10 day (essentially 13)?

There isn't. If Thornton couldn't come out and hit his shots against the team that traded him, there isn't much point playing him over Goodwin and Bullock. I say we try and buy him(them) out, and pick up some of the young guys we have in a similar system from the DLeague. Bring in A Brown now. We can always send him down to the Jam to get minutes.

[RunDogGun]

Don't re-sign Green, let Granger and Thornton expire.

Try your hardest to get a max SF, whether it's Leonard, Butler or Green. Then re-sign Knight and Wright. Find a young backup PG; I think we'd be doing Archie a huge disservice if we try to turn him into a combo guard. Grab Looney with the 13th pick for some defense and rebounding. Bring up Alec Brown. Maybe draft a young PG with your 2nd round pick to fill out your 3rd string.

Bledsoe/PG/PG
Knight/Goodwin/Bullock
SF/Tucker/Warren
Morris/Morris/Looney
Len/Wright/Brown

See if this young team shows some growth. If not....get ready for trade deadline fireworks.

Obviously, it would be great to consolidate that squad into one real star, but I don't see that happening. Cousins remains a pipe-dream, IMO.

When's Bogdan supposed to come over?

2016
If we get a solid SF, I would rather start Tucker at the four. If we grab a solid SF, they will most likely take a number of shots, so who gives up their touches? Move Morris back to the bench with his brother to bring points off the bench.

[RunDogGun]

Well, if we give the biggest offer, the agent gets the biggest commission, so I doubt it.

But thats the problem. Suns would need to over pay for a lesser player. Thats my fear. Will players like Greg Monroe or Jimmy Butler, who would be maxed out by any number of teams, be steered to the Suns? Im somewhat concerned about it at this point.

I honestly don't think it will make that big of difference. However, we never get top guys anyway, so I'm sure some will surmise that is the reason in the future. Maybe the FO will even say that when people ask why they didn't sign a really good free agent....all Dragic's fault.

Or maybe players will say, "Why would I go to PHX, I like the respect I get from the refs?"

[kennydorglas]

But thats the problem. Suns would need to over pay for a lesser player. Thats my fear. Will players like Greg Monroe or Jimmy Butler, who would be maxed out by any number of teams, be steered to the Suns? Im somewhat concerned about it at this point.

I honestly don't think it will make that big of difference. However, we never get top guys anyway, so I'm sure some will surmise that is the reason in the future. Maybe the FO will even say that when people ask why they didn't sign a really good free agent....all Dragic's fault.

Or maybe players will say, "Why would I go to PHX, I like the respect I get from the refs?"

We need to do something about it. This is really ridiculous and happens against ANYONE, home/away games.

[RunDogGun]

I honestly don't think it will make that big of difference. However, we never get top guys anyway, so I'm sure some will surmise that is the reason in the future. Maybe the FO will even say that when people ask why they didn't sign a really good free agent....all Dragic's fault.

Or maybe players will say, "Why would I go to PHX, I like the respect I get from the refs?"

We need to do something about it. This is really ridiculous and happens against ANYONE, home/away games.

Jeff needs to take the fine, and say something. Point out exact examples, of getting mugged on one end and the next play getting called for a touch foul. I would have pictures ready for the press conference. Then I would say that it seems as if the league would rather become the WWF, than show young basketball players that a foul is a foul.

If I was Jeff, I would also point out the illegal screens BEFORE we play that team that does so many of them. Dray Green, Noah, Duncan, and many others are not only always moving on their screens, they often shove and push the ones they are trying to screen. It's beyond obvious, and the good shooters make those shots, because they are so wide open. Right after I pointed it out, I would tell my team to make sure they don't do the same illegal screens, because the refs will be looking for it. Noah and DGreen should foul out of every game, if they were called for them.

[kennydorglas]

Or maybe players will say, "Why would I go to PHX, I like the respect I get from the refs?"

We need to do something about it. This is really ridiculous and happens against ANYONE, home/away games.

Jeff needs to take the fine, and say something. Point out exact examples, of getting mugged on one end and the next play getting called for a touch foul. I would have pictures ready for the press conference. Then I would say that it seems as if the league would rather become the WWF, than show young basketball players that a foul is a foul.

If I was Jeff, I would also point out the illegal screens BEFORE we play that team that does so many of them. Dray Green, Noah, Duncan, and many others are not only always moving on their screens, they often shove and push the ones they are trying to screen. It's beyond obvious, and the good shooters make those shots, because they are so wide open. Right after I pointed it out, I would tell my team to make sure they don't do the same illegal screens, because the refs will be looking for it. Noah and DGreen should foul out of every game, if they were called for them.

Yeah, apparently some teams are allowed to play dirty and above the rules (like Seattle in NFL)
I dont think people realize how much this impacts in the game.

For them, foul = good defense, they're allowed to hug, push people when crashing the boards, reach like crazy.
For us, good defense = foul, little contact is an and-1, if they try to crash the O-reb, it's a loose ball foul.

When they do it to us (all the time), we just start chucking 3's... because they dont call anything against them.

Just think about how much all of this happened to us in this year. A LOT.

[RunDogGun]

We need to do something about it. This is really ridiculous and happens against ANYONE, home/away games.

Jeff needs to take the fine, and say something. Point out exact examples, of getting mugged on one end and the next play getting called for a touch foul. I would have pictures ready for the press conference. Then I would say that it seems as if the league would rather become the WWF, than show young basketball players that a foul is a foul.

If I was Jeff, I would also point out the illegal screens BEFORE we play that team that does so many of them. Dray Green, Noah, Duncan, and many others are not only always moving on their screens, they often shove and push the ones they are trying to screen. It's beyond obvious, and the good shooters make those shots, because they are so wide open. Right after I pointed it out, I would tell my team to make sure they don't do the same illegal screens, because the refs will be looking for it. Noah and DGreen should foul out of every game, if they were called for them.

Yeah, apparently some teams are allowed to play dirty and above the rules (like Seattle in NFL)
I dont think people realize how much this impacts in the game.

For them, foul = good defense, they're allowed to hug, push people when crashing the boards, reach like crazy.
For us, good defense = foul, little contact is an and-1, if they try to crash the O-reb, it's a loose ball foul.

When they do it to us (all the time), we just start chucking 3's... because they dont call anything against them.

Just think about how much all of this happened to us in this year. A LOT.

If we were losing by twenty plus, it would just be an irritant for. Suns fan watching the game, but losing so many games by less than the free throw differential margin, makes it a serious issue. In the end, we've lost at least ten games this year from the line alone.

That Chicago game was ridiculous. The bear hug no call to finish the second quarter, and the full on grab by Noah to end the third. Both no calls, both clear fouls. That was four more free throws we got screwed out of.

[jcsunsfan]

Its about the players not the team. Play Archie more. He's gets to the line with ease.