The 2016 Offseason Thread

[NavLDO]

It's great Suns are finally rebuilding instead of chasing that 8th spot. It's terrible year for trying to being competitive. If you don't have very young, developing team or your team isn't named Warriors or Cavaliers, then you are in very bad spot.

I think we can fight for a 7th-8th seed.
Warriors / Spurs / Clippers
after that I don't think any team is overly dominating in the West. Not sure how the Thunder will play out without Durant. Grizzlies are interesting with the addition of Parsons but they don't have a bench at all, any injuries to their man guys they could be done like last season. Blazers really had a surprise season and I'm not sure they can duplicate it again, they didn't really nail anything in free agency, and I'm not sure how much better Lillard/McCollum can play. Dallas is meh, they always have a high roster turnover and Bogut/Barnes I think will get exposed. Did the Rockets get better without Dwight, I'm not so sure. Jazz/Pels/Wolves should be fun. After the first three teams, I think the West is very balanced and I don't see anyone winning over 50 games... as of now at least.

If I read it right, I believe his point is that the way the team is being built--Duley/Barbosa--are not signings of middling talent that are in their mid-to-late 20s that MAY play well enough to get the 7th-8th seed...they are proven Vets that will provide some quality minutes on the floor, and at the same time, be an excellent "locker room" presence for our young guys.

So I don't think his point was about whether we'll make the playoffs or not; it's of a comment in the WAY McD is building the team.

[Kjdills13]

http://www.sportsrageous.com/nba/nba-rumors-phoenix-suns-trading-eric-bledsoe-dragan-bender-2017-first-round-pick-russell-westbrook/33559/

This article talks about trading
Bledsoe, bender, 1st for Westbrook
What are your guys thoughts.

[NavLDO]

I think people will be shocked at how much better the Suns will be next season. Do not forget what Markieff did to the team last year. He destroyed the season. He was actively tanking games. When your starting power forward is purposely trying to lose, you are going to suck. He is gone now and the Suns have a fresh outlook.

This year the Suns have two rookie power forwards with enormous talent and potential instead of a disgruntled, mediocre power forward. They have a rising star in Booker at shooting guard. They are much deeper. Hornacek is gone and everybody is praising Watson. I disagree with the opinion that the Suns will be a bottom five team. I am not saying they are going to make the playoffs but I do not envision them playing as bad as so many people are predicting.

So, you are saying to expect a 12-14, late-lotto team next year??? Yeah, that will go over well on this board...

If that happens because Booker averages 17-18 pts a game and Bender, Chris, Ulis, Warren, Len, Bledsoe, and even Knight are the main reasons and not Barbosa, Dudley, Chandler and PJ, then who cares? There is nothing you can do about it and you should be happy.

At some point if the young talent is winning, that's a good thing. You can't have a good roster and still expect the #1 pick.

The problem would come if we were fighting for a playoff seed and they drastically reduced the young guys playing time to make that push.

Don't forget, we got two top ten picks this year.

-- yes, those of us that go beyond just the end result, of course, we'll be fine with it; it's the types that will come out of the woodwork saying we are "treadmilling" because, yet again, we miss the playoffs and have a 'treadmilling',late-lotto pick team like we've had 4 of the last 6 years, or something to that effect. It's THOSE posters I'm talking about...

[Mulhollanddrive]

I don't think there was anyone last season who wasn't happy to see us win when Booker and Len played well.

There was really no point though winning late games because of Teletovic and Tucker.

It'll be the same again this season for alot of people.

[bigfoot]

http://www.sportsrageous.com/nba/nba-rumors-phoenix-suns-trading-eric-bledsoe-dragan-bender-2017-first-round-pick-russell-westbrook/33559/

This article talks about trading
Bledsoe, bender, 1st for Westbrook
What are your guys thoughts.

I think about how the Suns got screwed by McDyess and the Lakers by Howard. Suns give up a Bledsoe who is signed for three more years on a very good contract, Bender who could be a great player, and a draft pick for a probable one year rental. Probably not a good idea.

[Mulhollanddrive]

If Westbrook only played 15% of games, would you trade for him?

So that's why you have to figure out before you trade for him whether he's here for 1 year or 1 + 5 years.

[dremill24]

Yeah if Russ was on a 3-4 year deal I'd do it in a heartbeat but since it makes no sense for him not to wait until free agency to re-sign..we therefore have no assurances he'd actually do so.

[King4Day]

http://www.sportsrageous.com/nba/nba-rumors-phoenix-suns-trading-eric-bledsoe-dragan-bender-2017-first-round-pick-russell-westbrook/33559/

This article talks about trading
Bledsoe, bender, 1st for Westbrook
What are your guys thoughts.

If he'll commit, then sure. If not, then stay as far away from him as possible.

[Kjdills13]

Also do we have the lakers pick next year I was reading that we traded it to the 76ers?
people keep saying we have two first round picks where did the second

[Mulhollanddrive]

Traded for Knight 18 months ago, we have 2 Miami picks in 2018 / 2021 though.

[Kjdills13]

Traded for Knight 18 months ago, we have 2 Miami picks in 2018 / 2021 though.

OK that is what I thought somebody mentioned we have two first this year and it threw me

[Mulhollanddrive]

Personally I'd love to see a team swing the from fences.

Make a Godfather offer for a Cousins (for example) and then trade for Westbrook.

You may be left with Westbrook and Cousins and 13 scrubs but you're also a 2017 FA like Griffin away from being the 3rd best team in the league.

[BobbieL]

It's great Suns are finally rebuilding instead of chasing that 8th spot. It's terrible year for trying to being competitive. If you don't have very young, developing team or your team isn't named Warriors or Cavaliers, then you are in very bad spot.

I think we can fight for a 7th-8th seed.
Warriors / Spurs / Clippers
after that I don't think any team is overly dominating in the West. Not sure how the Thunder will play out without Durant. Grizzlies are interesting with the addition of Parsons but they don't have a bench at all, any injuries to their man guys they could be done like last season. Blazers really had a surprise season and I'm not sure they can duplicate it again, they didn't really nail anything in free agency, and I'm not sure how much better Lillard/McCollum can play. Dallas is meh, they always have a high roster turnover and Bogut/Barnes I think will get exposed. Did the Rockets get better without Dwight, I'm not so sure. Jazz/Pels/Wolves should be fun. After the first three teams, I think the West is very balanced and I don't see anyone winning over 50 games... as of now at least.

If I read it right, I believe his point is that the way the team is being built--Duley/Barbosa--are not signings of middling talent that are in their mid-to-late 20s that MAY play well enough to get the 7th-8th seed...they are proven Vets that will provide some quality minutes on the floor, and at the same time, be an excellent "locker room" presence for our young guys.

So I don't think his point was about whether we'll make the playoffs or not; it's of a comment in the WAY McD is building the team.

I agree. Its about building a team. Dudley and Barbosa are the "Anti Morris" twins. Possibly even Chandler wasn't the vet mentor they were looking for. Barbosa will come in, maybe play, maybe not play, but be a positive guy in the locker room. Dudley will be more vocal I am guessing, and play more. But this is just not about the game, its about the locker room, practice, the plane, preparing yourself physically and mentally. Booker, Warren, Bender, Len, Chriss - all will benefit from strong locker room guys

And the cost for these players - nominal in todays NBA. Smart shrewd moves - that with a healthy Bledsoe, Knight and Warren - this team might be like the Blazers last year. Or if not that level, the Jazz, showing improvement. All the while, keeping your cap space open for next year. The Suns still have like 3m to take on to get to the floor - patience.

[charley barkles]

It tells us you are either ridiculous or angry.

Definitely not angry (love the signings of Dudley and LB) and I don't think it's ridiculous to think that 2nd group would probably outscore our first unit.

Not sure what crawled up your ass though. Sorry if sharing my opinion offended you.

Nothing had to crawl up my ass to disagree with you. Ridiculous means not serious and angry means you don't like the team so you will say something negative just to be express your frustration. Obviously something crawled up
your ass.


If you actually think those guys will beat the starters is your opinion, but that means I never have to seriously consider it going forward.

What if I said the Cleveland Browns are better than the Arizona Cardinals and meant it, then anything I say after that about football would not be respected, opinion or not, as if you didn't know. Then again maybe you don't.

Lol good example bro.

Peace.

[King4Day]

Nothing crazy here. Just a review of the Barbosa signing.
He seems to think we might make more moves.

Phoenix Suns

1. Agreed to sign guard Leandro Barbosa to a reported two-year, $8 million deal

The Suns' reunion tour rolls on. After agreeing to bring Jared Dudley back to Phoenix last week, now the Suns are adding Barbosa for a third time.

Unlike the Dudley deal, this one doesn't make as much sense on basketball grounds. Coming off an impressive NBA Finals, Barbosa still has some value as a source of offense off the bench. However, Phoenix didn't really need shot creation in the backcourt with Eric Bledsoe, Devin Booker and Brandon Knight all better with the ball in their hands. And Barbosa seems to duplicate the skills of Archie Goodwin, who's entering the make-or-break final season of his rookie contract. So there may be more moves to come.

At worst, however, Barbosa will contribute in the locker room, where he has been a beloved source of joy throughout his NBA career. And the Suns maintained flexibility with a short-term deal with the second year not fully guaranteed.

http://espn.go.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/16836608/2016-nba-free-agency-best-worst-deals-day-6

[King4Day]

I agree. Its about building a team. Dudley and Barbosa are the "Anti Morris" twins. Possibly even Chandler wasn't the vet mentor they were looking for. Barbosa will come in, maybe play, maybe not play, but be a positive guy in the locker room. Dudley will be more vocal I am guessing, and play more. But this is just not about the game, its about the locker room, practice, the plane, preparing yourself physically and mentally. Booker, Warren, Bender, Len, Chriss - all will benefit from strong locker room guys

And the cost for these players - nominal in todays NBA. Smart shrewd moves - that with a healthy Bledsoe, Knight and Warren - this team might be like the Blazers last year. Or if not that level, the Jazz, showing improvement. All the while, keeping your cap space open for next year. The Suns still have like 3m to take on to get to the floor - patience.

Barbosa gets to teach them what it's like to win a title and lose in the finals too. Might be pretty valuable during frustrating losses.

That remaining space would go well to sign Amar'e. Give him a one year 5mil deal and then maybe trade Goodwin (as I sense that's the direction we're headed) to wrap up the offseason.

[Villalobos]

iirc Amare was whining about his role on the Heat last year. Seems like a bad fit on a rebuilding team.

[King4Day]

I want to see the players succeed, but this isn't the year to win. Hopefully the young guys can grow and we get one more down year, in order to get a top 7 pick. Then go from there.
If we remain healthy, I agree with some that we'll make a push for the playoffs. Just too much talent. It'll come down to how many minutes Watson wants to give to the kids.

If we're out of it by the deadline, I would expect us to deal Barbosa to a contender, along with Tucker. Even if it's only for a couple of 2nd's, it's something. It's also what we should have done with Teletovic last offseason.
I wonder if we didn't get Chriss as well, would Mirza have been more of an important signing?

[King4Day]

iirc Amare was whining about his role on the Heat last year. Seems like a bad fit on a rebuilding team.

Doesn't surprise me. He would have a solid role with us. He'd be starting and he'd be adored by the fans. Another way to get people to show up, without damaging the long term goal.

[JMac1]

So, you are saying to expect a 12-14, late-lotto team next year??? Yeah, that will go over well on this board...

If that happens because Booker averages 17-18 pts a game and Bender, Chris, Ulis, Warren, Len, Bledsoe, and even Knight are the main reasons and not Barbosa, Dudley, Chandler and PJ, then who cares? There is nothing you can do about it and you should be happy.

At some point if the young talent is winning, that's a good thing. You can't have a good roster and still expect the #1 pick.

The problem would come if we were fighting for a playoff seed and they drastically reduced the young guys playing time to make that push.

Don't forget, we got two top ten picks this year.

-- yes, those of us that go beyond just the end result, of course, we'll be fine with it; it's the types that will come out of the woodwork saying we are "treadmilling" because, yet again, we miss the playoffs and have a 'treadmilling',late-lotto pick team like we've had 4 of the last 6 years, or something to that effect. It's THOSE posters I'm talking about...

I knew that. I was explaining why they shouldn't.