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

[Mr-Al]

I think Frank Kaminsky (#13) has a better chance of bringing PHX some good attention than our chances of pulling in a legit All-Star FA.

I was never a huge Kaminsky fan or anything but he's been growing on me the past couple weeks. I think in a weird way there are certain Steve Nash-ian qualities to him that will automatically endear him a lot of fans in Phoenix early on

Not that he's going to be a two-time MVP, but if you're just comparing the two coming out of college, looking at where they're projected to go in the draft and how they're highly skilled players as opposed to athletically reliant players, there are some parallels

[RaisingArizona]

Please try to convince me Cousins isn't a headcase.

Waste of **** time

Any semi-intelligent basketball fan would relish the opportunity of getting a superstar, regardless of their attitude

As if superstars are so easy to come by for the Suns ginolbliflops would pass on Cousins because he's a "headcase"

get over it and convince yourself

When did I ever say I wouldn't want him on the team? I'm just sick of the contradictory statements people make about getting rid of our issues only to bring in another one.

[ATTL]

Cousins is at least one notch below Artest's headcase level.
I'd say he's on par with Barkley pre-Phoenix as a headcase. Charles got in a lot more trouble than Cousins does. I don't think Cousins has been arrested since he came into the league and has demonstrated restraint in heated situations.
I remember ZBo wanting to instigate a fight but Cousins kept a cool head.

[Fo-Real]

Rasheed Wallace..... immensely talented..... headache ****!!

[Damkac]

There are lots of headcases with rings.
But Cousins is not going anywhere so this discussion is pointless.

[lilfishi22]

Cousins is at least one notch below Artest's headcase level.
I'd say he's on par with Barkley pre-Phoenix as a headcase. Charles got in a lot more trouble than Cousins does. I don't think Cousins has been arrested since he came into the league and has demonstrated restraint in heated situations.
I remember ZBo wanting to instigate a fight but Cousins kept a cool head.

That's probably the best comparison

[lilfishi22]

If we are going to talk about going after Cousins, why don't we go ahead and talk about going after Harden, Curry and Anthony Davis?

All of those guys have seen some level of success on their respective teams (AD was very close to making playoffs) whereas the closest Cousins have come to any form of success was last season when the Kings won 29 games. I'm not saying he's easily attainable or even available but there's a chance (more so than the other 3) of him wanting out of Sac-town on his own volition.

[thamadkant]

Cousins is at least one notch below Artest's headcase level.
I'd say he's on par with Barkley pre-Phoenix as a headcase. Charles got in a lot more trouble than Cousins does. I don't think Cousins has been arrested since he came into the league and has demonstrated restraint in heated situations.
I remember ZBo wanting to instigate a fight but Cousins kept a cool head.

Agreed.

And he could be a 6'11 version of Barkley on the Suns, minus the killer instinct and clutchness.

[SideSwipe]

Cousins is at least one notch below Artest's headcase level.
I'd say he's on par with Barkley pre-Phoenix as a headcase. Charles got in a lot more trouble than Cousins does. I don't think Cousins has been arrested since he came into the league and has demonstrated restraint in heated situations.
I remember ZBo wanting to instigate a fight but Cousins kept a cool head.

That's probably the best comparison

Barkley was a handful, but he had a great personality and leadership qualities about him that DMC is still lacking. I see where the comparison is coming from, but I think DMC is missing some key components for a full comparison. DMC still seems to sulk a lot when things aren't going his way. Also for a guy with his talent, he does lack that killer instinct and confidence that Barkley had in spades. That said, he is talented and big. Despite his flaws he is a good player.

[jredsaz]

Why does no one mention the serious negatives to having Thibs?

- He'll run Len and Bledsoe into the ground. Enjoy having Len play 50 minutes for some random OT game in December

- His offensive sets are some of the most predictable ever. I hesitate to even call them plays. Horny is Leonardo DaVinci compared to him

- He'll stick to his veterans. Enjoy seeing Mook and PJ play way too many minutes than they deserve while Goodwin and Warren sit on the bench

- The guy belongs in the Stone Age and won't change for anyone

If Horny does leave, I'd like us to pick up someone young from the college ranks

Like a Brad Stevens type. (hard to find)

I usually agree with you but on this I cant. If the Suns can get Thibs they should get Thibs. Hopefully he is more adept at adapting than Dantoni was but he is a basketball savant like Dantoni none the less. I want a guy like that again.

[jredsaz]

As long as that player has All-Star potential.

We have players 4-15 on a championship team, but no clear big 3.

I do believe Bledsoe could be a number 3. And I will not count out the 23 year old Knight developing into one either. We do not however have a 1 or 2 on the roster. Ill give you that.

[bwgood77]

If we are going to talk about going after Cousins, why don't we go ahead and talk about going after Harden, Curry and Anthony Davis?

All of those guys have seen some level of success on their respective teams (AD was very close to making playoffs) whereas the closest Cousins have come to any form of success was last season when the Kings won 29 games. I'm not saying he's easily attainable or even available but there's a chance (more so than the other 3) of him wanting out of Sac-town on his own volition.

Sure, but these guys are never traded until they are in final years of contracts or unless you have a really good package. It would, at a minimum, probably have to include Knight (who we can't trade until mid season unless it was a S&T but I don't think you can do that with another player) or Bledsoe and in addition to those two, Len and probably a pick at least. They certainly don't need PFs. They have Thompson, Landry and Williams.

But even those packages are unlikely to do it. I don't mind people saying they'd love to trade for Cousins, but constant "We should trade X for Cousins" when it is extremely unlikely just becomes overkill. It would be nice to see more innovative trade ideas that would make sense based on a chemistry standpoint...one that makes sense for both teams. Top 10 players are VERY rarely traded unless they are saying they will leave, and it is near the end of their contract, or a team is up against the cap and going to hit the tax, and that is likely not to happen any more due to the rising cap.

[Jdiddy701]

Nice to see Eric Bledsoe staying in Phoenix for the offseason and spending time with the front office. He was also at LA Fitness a couple hours ago. Lol imagine playing him in person.


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[lilfishi22]

Sure, but these guys are never traded until they are in final years of contracts or unless you have a really good package. It would, at a minimum, probably have to include Knight (who we can't trade until mid season unless it was a S&T but I don't think you can do that with another player) or Bledsoe and in addition to those two, Len and probably a pick at least. They certainly don't need PFs. They have Thompson, Landry and Williams.

But even those packages are unlikely to do it. I don't mind people saying they'd love to trade for Cousins, but constant "We should trade X for Cousins" when it is extremely unlikely just becomes overkill. It would be nice to see more innovative trade ideas that would make sense based on a chemistry standpoint...one that makes sense for both teams. Top 10 players are VERY rarely traded unless they are saying they will leave, and it is near the end of their contract, or a team is up against the cap and going to hit the tax, and that is likely not to happen any more due to the rising cap.

I haven't even thought that far. Only commenting on Cousins on our team and how ridiculous it is to say we're replacing one problem (MoBros) with another.

Like I said, it's very unlikely we're even looking at trading for him or that he's even available but out of those 4 guys, he's most likely to leave his team.

[bwgood77]

Sure, but these guys are never traded until they are in final years of contracts or unless you have a really good package. It would, at a minimum, probably have to include Knight (who we can't trade until mid season unless it was a S&T but I don't think you can do that with another player) or Bledsoe and in addition to those two, Len and probably a pick at least. They certainly don't need PFs. They have Thompson, Landry and Williams.

But even those packages are unlikely to do it. I don't mind people saying they'd love to trade for Cousins, but constant "We should trade X for Cousins" when it is extremely unlikely just becomes overkill. It would be nice to see more innovative trade ideas that would make sense based on a chemistry standpoint...one that makes sense for both teams. Top 10 players are VERY rarely traded unless they are saying they will leave, and it is near the end of their contract, or a team is up against the cap and going to hit the tax, and that is likely not to happen any more due to the rising cap.

I haven't even thought that far. Only commenting on Cousins on our team and how ridiculous it is to say we're replacing one problem (MoBros) with another.

Like I said, it's very unlikely we're even looking at trading for him or that he's even available but out of those 4 guys, he's most likely to leave his team.

I agree he is definitely more likely than the three I mentioned but I was exaggerating only because I think it is overkill to continue to repeatedly talk about trading for guys who are very likely not attainable. Also, if you got my PM, it would be great to get a response.

[letsgosuns]

It is pretty obvious the front office wants Bledsoe to take more of a leadership role and build chemistry with the young guys during this offseason. Definitely a sign the organization is investing a great deal in him and has no interest in trading him. In addition, the Suns are most likely going to re-sign Knight and I expect that to get done quickly but the actual signing will be delayed until they sign all the other free agents. I do not think they will get rid of Tucker but I absolutely believe they will get rid of one or both of the Morris brothers. Whether it is a clear cut salary dump or a trade for other players, I think they are gone. Maybe they can package them and their own pick to move up in the draft. When it comes to free agents, I think re-signing their own guys like Wright and/or Granger is a priority. Perhaps the Suns sign convince Amare to come back and let the training staff help him. I would take him back as a backup. He can still score. Plus I would like to see him play next to a center like Len. The team is also so desperate for a reason for fans to come to the arena and bringing Amare back would be a major draw.

[Mulhollanddrive]

Can we upgrade the starting PF spot (a genuine upgrade), if we keep the Morri?

[Saberestar]

Bledsoe was at US Airways Center on Monday and said he would spend the offseason in Phoenix, where P.J. Tucker, Alex Len, Danny Granger and a stronger-looking Goodwin also have worked out lately.

Booker made Phoenix his first NBA team visit on Monday, following up an interview with Suns brass at May's draft combine. Booker, 18, is the draft's youngest player and did not start at Kentucky, but being the draft's best shooter put the 6-foot-6 guard in top-15 range.

Booker averaged 10.0 points and 21.5 minutes per game with 41 percent 3-point shooting but looks to be more than a pure shooter.

"He made some plays out of the pick-and-roll," Suns General Manager Ryan McDonough said. "When you shoot the ball as well as he does or potentially could, you're able to lift some guys and up-fake and use the ball fake to make plays or create space for your shot. Defensively, he's pretty solid. He's still got a little ways to go there. He's young. He's 18 years old. Physically, he's able to do it. He's strong enough. He's tall enough. He's long enough."

http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/n ... /28330109/

[Mulhollanddrive]

Remember we had nearly every guy in 2013 work out for us and we'd say nice things about them.

Then we select a guy who didn't do a workout because he was injured - Alex Len.

We also hinted we were interested in Mason Plumlee, then ended up trading for his brother!

Lots of red herrings, every single player acquisiton by McDonough has been a surprise.

[thamadkant]

If Noah is attainable, maybe try inquiring. But his offense has degraded so bad this season. You can't beat the Warriors out west without atleast 2-3 players capable of 20 points and defense.