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

[RunDogGun]

Let's end this once and for all, which FA have said they won't come to PHX? If you have no answer, then please stop using this as fact. As for your lineup...Bog hasn't come over, and there is no guarantee he will want to leave Europe, and according to you and others, he won't want to come to PHX anyways.

Next, since you are so well versed in what other teams plans are, how do we go about following those plans? Maybe trade away a good starting center to open up room for younger centers with talent? We did that in the Gortat trade. So what is the hang up, starting Tucker instead of Warren? But Dray Green is the same type of player as Tucker, he just shoots more and has more usage. But you are ok with GS choosing to start him?

Some of you guys need to stop your 2k15 playing. Bummer,we just don't suck enough as some of these other young teams and draft super high. Btw,GS had been drafting that high for eighteen years,and only just now has it somewhat paid off. You can't even handle waiting a season or two, yet you want to follow GS?

Warren is getting minutes, but he isn't better on defense as Tucker. Tucker has earned his starting spot. Also, didn't you just rip me for thinking if Wright plays well we should start him for the first few games of Len's return, but then you want Wright to start over Keef?

Now back to the topic, what are we going to do with our cap space,which has nothing to do with Who is starting this season. Oh wait,we can't do anything, because ever FA has publicly said they would never come to PHX because ....blah, blah, blah.

[Jdiddy701]

I hope by us being known for great medical staff, Kevin Durant will think about Phoenix come next offseason. His injury is terrible and never wish for anything like that but the injury could help us signing him.


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[RunDogGun]

I hope by us being known for great medical staff, Kevin Durant will think about Phoenix come next offseason. His injury is terrible and never wish for anything like that but the injury could help us signing him.


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There is no way that happens' didn't you hear,every FA hates PHX, verified by a constant repeating of that statement on our forum.

[letsgosuns]

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/23 ... 5M-In-2017

So now the salary cap could be 90 million in 2016 and 105 million on 2017. I really hope that does not destroy the league. It is one thing to have no salary cap in baseball because you have to pay 25 active players and can have a 40 player roster. Or to have a 143 million dollar salary cap in football because you have to dress 46 players and have a 53 player roster. However to have a 105 million dollar salary cap when you only need to have at least 13 players on your roster is crazy. You could legitimately have 4 players making 20 million dollars on your team and still have 25 million dollars available to fill out the rest of the team. If people thought it was unfair what Miami did with Wade, Lebron, and Bosh, this could go to a whole other level.

You could have players build super teams with four or maybe even five superstars together. It would ruin competition. If every team in the league has tons of cap space available, why would any player choose to go to a smaller market over a bigger market. Hypothetically a team like the Lakers in 2017 could sign multiple superstars overnight. They only have a little over 5 million dollars committed to their cap the year the cap could become 90 million dollars. 85 million dollars in cap space. That is unheard of. They could sign four superstars and fill out the team with minimum contracts. This increase in the cap could be detrimental to having any parody in the league.

[Mulhollanddrive]

Use it.

We already have Bledsoe, Markieff, Marcus on only 28m in 2018.

That means they can be players 4-6 and we can still acquire 3 stars @ 15-20m each. (Would need to use Bird Rights in the meantime to get us over 70m).

If we can't attract them immediately, putting together a group of players filling out positions 4-10 on a roster who are 25 and under on excellent contracts is a good positioning move.

That's what I think McD has been planning and hinting at.

Personally, while it's rationale, I'd shoot for elite talent with those assets. You simply need a top 50 player of all-time to win championships, so whether it's this year or in 3 years, why not aim for it asap.

[Flying Colors]

we really should offer rookie max to somebody, they will never be this "cheap" again

[In Len We Trust]

This is unbelivable. Who is NOT going to get a max this summer now?

Off the top of my head: Millsap, Harris, Matthews, Gasol, Dragic, Lebron, Love, Aldridge, Leonard, Butler, Jordan, Draymond, are all probably getting it this summer. The next 5 years of the NBA are going to be very weird from a management standpoint.

[Mulhollanddrive]

In theory everything done now will be 40% cheaper in 3 years.

[Flying Colors]

This is unbelivable. Who is NOT going to get a max this summer now?

Off the top of my head: Millsap, Harris, Matthews, Gasol, Dragic, Lebron, Love, Aldridge, Leonard, Butler, Jordan, Draymond, are all probably getting it this summer. The next 5 years of the NBA are going to be very weird from a management standpoint.

i guess it can't be helped, with the pie getting bigger, everyones to make sure piece gets bigger as well, these next 2 or 3 years are really going to change the landscape of the NBA completely, flipping everything on its head

[In Len We Trust]

This is unbelivable. Who is NOT going to get a max this summer now?

Off the top of my head: Millsap, Harris, Matthews, Gasol, Dragic, Lebron, Love, Aldridge, Leonard, Butler, Jordan, Draymond, are all probably getting it this summer. The next 5 years of the NBA are going to be very weird from a management standpoint.

i guess it can't be helped, with the pie getting bigger, everyones to make sure piece gets bigger as well, these next 2 or 3 years are really going to change the landscape of the NBA completely, flipping everything on its head

Yup, and the Knicks, Lakers, and Nets all benefit from this the most.

[Revived]

The Suns have handled Brandon Knight's absence well, even if it meant offensive struggles until Saturday. They are 4-1 since Knight went out with an ankle sprain.

http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/2015/03/22/game-preview-suns-mavericks-orange-slices/25191417/

[RunDogGun]

This is unbelivable. Who is NOT going to get a max this summer now?

Off the top of my head: Millsap, Harris, Matthews, Gasol, Dragic, Lebron, Love, Aldridge, Leonard, Butler, Jordan, Draymond, are all probably getting it this summer. The next 5 years of the NBA are going to be very weird from a management standpoint.

i guess it can't be helped, with the pie getting bigger, everyones to make sure piece gets bigger as well, these next 2 or 3 years are really going to change the landscape of the NBA completely, flipping everything on its head

Which will lead to another lockout, and millionaires complaining about not getting enough money, all while prices will increase on fans. Stars will continue to get special treatment, and the league will continue towards a WWF type of entertainment, and less of a skilled sport.

[Frank Lee]

This is unbelivable. Who is NOT going to get a max this summer now?

Off the top of my head: Millsap, Harris, Matthews, Gasol, Dragic, Lebron, Love, Aldridge, Leonard, Butler, Jordan, Draymond, are all probably getting it this summer. The next 5 years of the NBA are going to be very weird from a management standpoint.

i guess it can't be helped, with the pie getting bigger, everyones to make sure piece gets bigger as well, these next 2 or 3 years are really going to change the landscape of the NBA completely, flipping everything on its head

Which will lead to another lockout, and millionaires complaining about not getting enough money, all while prices will increase on fans. Stars will continue to get special treatment, and the league will continue towards a WWF type of entertainment, and less of a skilled sport.

Jeezus RDog... you bark and ankle bite on anyone putting down this season.... then you tree up the NBA Apocalypse ?
Get back on your leash

[RunDogGun]

I'm just speaking frankly, thought you'd appreciate it. I guess not. Do you disagree that the league caters to the stars?

[Frank Lee]

I do appreciate and expect it.... and BTW, was not disagreeing with your prophetic view. The players union can write their own ticket as everyone is making money on the backs of the fan. And player collusion is unstoppable.

[Revived]

considering very few FAs will want to play for Mo, Larry, and Curly, there is no point to waste money over paying for more marginal scraps.

I look for one option to be selling high on Bled, scuttling the MoBros, and create a very lean payroll with a roster full of youngsters. May be try a true rebuild for a change.

These stooges need a PR make over... from roster to arena

Yea and for what its worth (if anything?), ESPN ranks Suns as the #18 ranked FO in the NBA

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/12541 ... nbaTwitter

[nevetsov]

First off, I like the way we have finally committed to developing the youth by getting them consistent minutes. Archie, Len, Warren and even the Morrii (if you count them as youth) are all rotation players and will continue to be into next season. Each have the potential to play a big part in our future. We aren't contending in the immediate future given the strength of the west or salary cap implications, so we may as well construct a core that will peak within the next 3-5 years when the dust has settled. Anything that accelerates development or complements the existing core is gravy.

My take is we are committing to Bled, Tucker and the Morrii in the short term, while rounding out the rotation with the aforementioned youth. I see the depth chart next year as:

Bledsoe
Tucker, Goodwin
Marcus, Warren
Markieff
Len
... With options on Wright and Knight.

To round out the roster, we need:
1) A competent, ready to play backup PG. good shooter, defender, low turnover, happy in his role.
2) 2 legitimate bigs that can play and are happy to absorb a bench role.
3) Veterans that can help coach the best out of the youth while not demanding playing time over them.

* I see us retaining Wright on a big, 2 year deal (3rd year team option) or perhaps longer if we can arrange for it to decrement significantly over the life of the deal. Basically, we pay him big while Len is still on his rookie deal (2 more years) so that when Len's extension is due in 2017, we will have the opportunity to assess our options at C moving forward. This handles part of need 2).

* Knight is a little more complex given He will likely cost in the order of $14m per. I think that prices him out of our backup PG range so I think we explore a sign and trade to help shore up the above needs. Given It will be a buyers market, we can't expect dollar for dollar. But I'd be happy with something like this because it fills all 3 above needs:

SAC in: Knight
IND in: SAC 1st, SAC PF as filler
PHX in: David West ($12m exp), Darren Collison ($5m x2)

1) We get a ready made backup PG (one of the best in the business) who excels at P'n'R too (Wright says about time). We draft a PG to develop for 2 years, backup Bled for his final 2 years. Reassess the PG spot in 2019.

2) We get a very reliable 4th big.

3) West will also provide veteran leadership to not only our young bigs, but also TJ Warren (good friends). West and Granger (and also Collison I think) played together in IND and can all assume mentoring roles to Markieff, Marcus and the rookie PG respectively. Marcus has even had a few Granger-esque games this season, but like many young players he has lacked the consistency. I'm sure Granger can give him some pointers. If the Morrii can become 80% of peak Granger/ West, then that's a pretty good start.

* Archie Continues to learn from PJ and the torch is passed when both their deals run out in 2017. We can kick the tyres on Bullock and even have Bogdan to back up Archie if he assumes the starting mantle earlier.

2015-16 Suns

Bledsoe, Collison, 2015 1st
Tucker, Goodwin, Bullock
Marcus, Warren, Granger
Markieff, West
Len, Wright, Brown (2014 2nd)

Not much change, but stability is a good thing when you're dealing with a team this young.

[Mulhollanddrive]

Depends what our goal is.

We'd only have Alex Len under 26 in the starting line up, and Dragic for Collison and West doesn't improve the team from 2014.

So it comes back to what are we committing to 100%? Positioning, contending, rebuilding, conbuilding, 8th seed, championship?

Are we using championship blue prints, like 3 All-Stars (including a top 50 GOAT) with top 10 O and D Rating, or do we plan to re-write with a 'ahead of the times' strategy like we have tried?

[Qwigglez]

I'm interested in seeing what Kevin Love does after this season. I don't think he's truly happy in Cleveland and might end up pulling a Dwight Howard. We'll see how far they go in the playoffs first. If Atlanta/Chicago shut Cleveland down in the 2nd round he might be gone. Though I could see the Cavs easily making the Finals though.

[Saberestar]

First off, I like the way we have finally committed to developing the youth by getting them consistent minutes. Archie, Len, Warren and even the Morrii (if you count them as youth) are all rotation players and will continue to be into next season. Each have the potential to play a big part in our future. We aren't contending in the immediate future given the strength of the west or salary cap implications, so we may as well construct a core that will peak within the next 3-5 years when the dust has settled. Anything that accelerates development or complements the existing core is gravy.

My take is we are committing to Bled, Tucker and the Morrii in the short term, while rounding out the rotation with the aforementioned youth. I see the depth chart next year as:

Bledsoe
Tucker, Goodwin
Marcus, Warren
Markieff
Len
... With options on Wright and Knight.

To round out the roster, we need:
1) A competent, ready to play backup PG. good shooter, defender, low turnover, happy in his role.
2) 2 legitimate bigs that can play and are happy to absorb a bench role.
3) Veterans that can help coach the best out of the youth while not demanding playing time over them.

* I see us retaining Wright on a big, 2 year deal (3rd year team option) or perhaps longer if we can arrange for it to decrement significantly over the life of the deal. Basically, we pay him big while Len is still on his rookie deal (2 more years) so that when Len's extension is due in 2017, we will have the opportunity to assess our options at C moving forward. This handles part of need 2).

* Knight is a little more complex given He will likely cost in the order of $14m per. I think that prices him out of our backup PG range so I think we explore a sign and trade to help shore up the above needs. Given It will be a buyers market, we can't expect dollar for dollar. But I'd be happy with something like this because it fills all 3 above needs:

SAC in: Knight
IND in: SAC 1st, SAC PF as filler
PHX in: David West ($12m exp), Darren Collison ($5m x2)

1) We get a ready made backup PG (one of the best in the business) who excels at P'n'R too (Wright says about time). We draft a PG to develop for 2 years, backup Bled for his final 2 years. Reassess the PG spot in 2019.

2) We get a very reliable 4th big.

3) West will also provide veteran leadership to not only our young bigs, but also TJ Warren (good friends). West and Granger (and also Collison I think) played together in IND and can all assume mentoring roles to Markieff, Marcus and the rookie PG respectively. Marcus has even had a few Granger-esque games this season, but like many young players he has lacked the consistency. I'm sure Granger can give him some pointers. If the Morrii can become 80% of peak Granger/ West, then that's a pretty good start.

* Archie Continues to learn from PJ and the torch is passed when both their deals run out in 2017. We can kick the tyres on Bullock and even have Bogdan to back up Archie if he assumes the starting mantle earlier.

2015-16 Suns

Bledsoe, Collison, 2015 1st
Tucker, Goodwin, Bullock
Marcus, Warren, Granger
Markieff, West
Len, Wright, Brown (2014 2nd)

Not much change, but stability is a good thing when you're dealing with a team this young.

I really like this plan, it would be a great offseason in my opinion.

Another option....If we play great with Knight the last 10 games of the season it would be a good move to resign him , and then play at PG and SG always two of Bledsoe, Knight and Goodwin.