The 2016 Offseason Thread

[Barkley6]

[list=][/list]

Not sure if this has been discussed, but what would you think about offering Mo Harkless? He'd fit in with our youth movement, and would likely push PJ Tucker to a similar role of Dudley, Barbosa where it's less about basketball and more about personality. Gives us another young piece to work with and for Coach Watson to develop. The beauty of it too is that it makes either him, or TJ Warren potentially available in a future trade without robbing the SF position of talent.

If our depth chart looked like:

PG- Bledsoe, Ulis, Goodwin
SG- Booker, Knight, Barbosa
SF- Warren, Harkless, Tucker
PF- Dudley, Bender, Chriss
C- Len, Chandler, Williams

I'd be pretty excited with that.

Further, the added competition at every position for playing time can only help bring out the best in these players, one of the biggest issues I had with the D'Antoni era was no one was pushing our starters in practice, Shawn Marion never felt like he was going to lose minutes to Piatkowski, but with this group you're going to have competitive practices, where everyone is being pushed and everyone is fighting for minutes, which can only make the team better.

Blazers are pretty high on harkless.

Yep, but it kind of is going to depend on the Crabbe situation. Not saying they WILL match, but if they DO match, we should definitely offer Harkless as that likely means he is available.

[Saberestar]

Dario Saric may not actually join the Philadelphia 76ers this season, according to a league source.

"He makes 1.5 million Euros ($1.66 million US) playing in Turkey," said the source Thursday night. "It's a comfortable living. Why come over and risk that and go back to the rookie-scale contract when you've completed two-thirds of not having to be on the rookie scale? This is before the draft."

Saric would be due $9 million over the next four seasons based on being the No. 12 overall pick. If he plays a third season in Turkey, he wouldn't be subject to the rookie scale and would probably make more than twice that amount.

What a joke is that rule..the NBA needs to change that, makes no sense. The player can be wait whatever he wants, but his salary needs to be always the same for the first few years in the league.

[DirtyDez]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/RealGM/status/751463092165369857[/tweet]

[darealjuice]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/RealGM/status/751463092165369857[/tweet]

Salesman eh? (why isn't the tweet showing up?)

Gotta take the 'mobile' out of the URL

[JMac1]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/RealGM/status/751463092165369857[/tweet]

Salesman eh? (why isn't the tweet showing up?)

Gotta take the 'mobile' out of the URL

One day fans will learn to not put all of their faith into athletes, they are people too. The fans care more than the players.

Don't know if I mentioned it, but my enlightenment came when I went to two Bucs' playoff games in Tampa (2005 and 2007). After the game, while I waited for a player to come out and go to dinner, not one player I saw exiting the building seemed disappointed to the level of the fans, most where ho hum with the loss (not saying the weren't in the locker room). I then realized they knew they were playing a game for millions of dollars and going on a long vacation to spend their money.

After the game while at dinner I asked, "man nobody was tripping over the loss?" The player said "yea, I mean its football."( He was actually laughing about getting knocked on his ass on one play ). That happened on both occasions. I told myself, damn if they don't care too much, why should I?

Durant and Nash do not give a hoot what we think. They are sitting there laughing and enjoying life, like they should. Doesn't matter who wins the title to me, either way it wasn't going to be us at the end of the day, so no skin off of our backs.

It would be good for the league if everyone had their own teams like the players from the 80's but the players today don't care, so all we can hope for in the future is we can become the Heat and Warriors. I am hoping Booker and some of the other guys can build that foundation and KAT and some other beast would want to team up here and not in MInny to build a super team based on the buddy system.

[NavLDO]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/RealGM/status/751463092165369857[/tweet]

Salesman eh? (why isn't the tweet showing up?)

Gotta take the 'mobile' out of the URL

One day fans will learn to not put all of their faith into athletes, they are people too. The fans care more than the players.

Don't know if I mentioned it, but my enlightenment came when I went to two Bucs' playoff games in Tampa (2005 and 2007). After the game, while I waited for a player to come out and go to dinner, not one player I saw exiting the building seemed disappointed to the level of the fans, most where ho hum with the loss (not saying the weren't in the locker room). I then realized they knew they were playing a game for millions of dollars and going on a long vacation to spend their money.

After the game while at dinner I asked, "man nobody was tripping over the loss?" The player said "yea, I mean its football."( He was actually laughing about getting knocked on his ass on one play ). That happened on both occasions. I told myself, damn if they don't care too much, why should I?

Durant and Nash do not give a hoot what we think. They are sitting there laughing and enjoying life, like they should. Doesn't matter who wins the title to me, either way it wasn't going to be us at the end of the day, so no skin off of our backs.

It would be good for the league if everyone had their own teams like the players from the 80's but the players today don't care, so all we can hope for in the future is we can become the Heat and Warriors. I am hoping Booker and some of the other guys can build that foundation and KAT and some other beast would want to team up here and not in MInny to build a super team based on the buddy system.

And why would Booker or KAT care more Durant/Curry/Lebron, etc.?? Because they haven't lived the $30M/yr life long enough yet, but it's sad to say, that Booker, if be 'balls out' and becomes a 'max'-type player, will eventually get to that state..."why should I worry too much about a loss?? I'm still going home to my 12 Bdrm/15 Bath/2 Swimming pool-8000SqFt Mansion on 5 Acres, and can go anywhere I want be an instant draw to any number of fans....especially the 23YO little hotties that would give them any attention they wanted.

Yeah, it's crap attitude to have as a fan to understand that that is how many...not all, mind you...but many veteran pro athletes look at life. And sorry, but inflation does not account for the exponential raise in contracts. Like you alluded JMac, back in the 70s/80s, those guys weren't making Millions...they were making hundreds of thousands--6 figures, not 8.

"Steelers offensive linemen of the 1970s made well under $100,000 annually and the highest paid on the team, Bradshaw, made about $400,000 in his best payday. "

http://www.mcmillenandwife.com/70salarycap.html

"Bradshaw signed a 5 year contract with the Steelers after being the #1 overall draft selection in 1970. There was a $110,000 signing bonus that was paid over ten years and a rookie salary of $25,000 that increased $5,000 per season. The entire value of the contract was $285,000."

http://www.answers.com/Q/What_was_Terry_Bradshaw's_rookie_salary

Imagine that...1970--#1 Overall Draft Pick, signed a $285,000/5yr Contract. By Comparison...

"#1 overall pick Jared Goff who will earn approximately $27,946,656 over his rookie contract with the Los Angeles Rams."

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jasonbelzer/2016/04/29/2016-nfl-draft-1st-round-rookie-salary-projections/#211354447036

So Goff will earn about 97 times the amount that Bradshaw earned. Nobody can convince me that the buying power of $285,000 in 1970 is anywhere NEAR as close s $28M in 2016...

Yep, it's a different "ballgame" (pun intended) all-together now then back then in the 70s/80s...

[Jarlaxle0204]

Jared Dudley, Suns forward with Doug & Wolf (7/8)

Suns forward Jared Dudley explains the biggest factory that convinced him to come back to Phoenix. Dudley describes the good things he sees in the Suns roster.

http://arizonasports.com/player/?a=323147

I could listen to Dudley just talk about random things all day. Such a straight shooter. He always feels genuine which is sometimes tough in sports.

[thamadkant]

Suns dont need anymore solid players.... They actually have too many solid players.


They need that superstar or two that you give the ball to when the other team's defense tightens up and the team is within a couple of baskets.

Bledsoe aint it... And Knight aint it either.

But to be fair those players are top 20 NBA players... Which the Suns dont have.

[thamadkant]

I think McD's moves are almost Sarver's...

I like Dudley... But McD traded him away. I think it was Sarver's idea to bring him back. Duds is a very good role player and locker room presense so bot too hard to sell.

Barbosa is a head scratcher.. But another Sarver-esque move IMO. Again McD's arms didnt need to be twisted.


We all have to remember McD's contract is expiring either... So I think Sarver has the stronger say in direction of who to sign at the moment, McD cant really argue or convince Sarver to "trust" him too much with the team's structure... No playoffs, poor fan reactions and poor records have accompanied McD so far.
He has done a tremendous job drafting though... So Sarver most likely left him to govern over that regards.


But I think the couple of signings so far are Sarver endorsed and influenced.

No playoffs could see McD ousted.... Or demoted to draft scouting director or something similar.


When Dragic was on the Suns.. I mentioned they resembled the Iggy and Lawson led Nuggets..

Well with the current team.. They still remind me of that Nuggets team. Except the league has adjusted so at best Suns can win 45-50 games if luck is on their side... But just not really good enough to mingle with the top 5 or 6 West teams.

[BobbieL]

Suns dont need anymore solid players.... They actually have too many solid players.


They need that superstar or two that you give the ball to when the other team's defense tightens up and the team is within a couple of baskets.

Bledsoe aint it... And Knight aint it either.

But to be fair those players are top 20 NBA players... Which the Suns dont have.

Hence - draft two guys in Chriss and Bender instead of using all your picks at 4, 13, 28 and Bogdan to have four guys. Meaning, go for the top flight talent. NBA is about that top flight talent. I like the odds of Booker or Chriss being top flight over four guys even contributing.

Two, sign guys like Barbosa and Dudley this year and if you hit it like the Blazers did in 2015/2016 - that's good. But otherwise, you are establishing your core players and they are improving. Kind of like how the Warriors had to suck for so long. They draft Ellis who became Bogut, they draft Curry, Barnes and Klay. Used free agency for Iguodala. Traded for David Lee at one point just to build up their roster. But it was a4 to 5 year process.

Finally, by being smart with Dudley and Barbosa and not going apes**t crazy on say a Harrison Barnes or Chandler Parsons, you have kept your cap space for next year. And if by some chance, maybe Tyson Chandler is traded, or even not, you have plenty of cap space next summer. Especially if the cap is not as high meaning some teams over spent this summer thinking next summer was higher.

I think the last three weeks have been well thought and show a plan for the long term. I like it

[JMac1]

Suns dont need anymore solid players.... They actually have too many solid players.


They need that superstar or two that you give the ball to when the other team's defense tightens up and the team is within a couple of baskets.

Bledsoe aint it... And Knight aint it either.

But to be fair those players are top 20 NBA players... Which the Suns dont have.

In due time, in due time. Just talked to my Laker buddy and he said he does not want any part of Westbrook, why? He said you won't have enough to beat GS, so why have Westbrook there stunting Ingram's and D's growth? He said he should go to SAS for the next 3-5.

He does want his team to make the playoffs and start being competitive (lower seed) in the next few years and get that experience so when the other monster teams start getting into their early 30's his guys will be ready to start making their run.

I agree 100 percent. Enjoy the growth and building for the next 3-5 and then start the run. Hopefully Booker is that go to guy, if not, hopefully we will require one that is the right age between now and then.

[NavLDO]

Suns dont need anymore solid players.... They actually have too many solid players.


They need that superstar or two that you give the ball to when the other team's defense tightens up and the team is within a couple of baskets.

Bledsoe aint it... And Knight aint it either.

But to be fair those players are top 20 NBA players... Which the Suns dont have.

Patience, 1UPZ, patience...Booker is getting there. And I may be the sole member of the "Warren-is-a-future-All-NBAer" club, but I really do believe that Warren is better than many give credit for. Add a little D to his game and he is a legit top 5 SF in this league in 2-3 years. Then, Len put on quite a performance in the last 2 and a half months of last season as well, and believe he's a legit starting NBA Center by year's end--maybe never an All-Star, but a solid starting Center.

Point is, we've got some REALLY young guys, and add in Bender, Chris, and Ulis, and I have a hard time believing that at LEAST one, if not two, become 'stars' within the next 5 years, and honestly believe Warren is one.

[NTB]

http://www.nba.com/suns/now

Live press conference

[bwgood77]

Not sure if this has been discussed, but what would you think about offering Mo Harkless? He'd fit in with our youth movement, and would likely push PJ Tucker to a similar role of Dudley, Barbosa where it's less about basketball and more about personality. Gives us another young piece to work with and for Coach Watson to develop. The beauty of it too is that it makes either him, or TJ Warren potentially available in a future trade without robbing the SF position of talent.

If our depth chart looked like:

PG- Bledsoe, Ulis, Goodwin
SG- Booker, Knight, Barbosa
SF- Warren, Harkless, Tucker
PF- Dudley, Bender, Chriss
C- Len, Chandler, Williams

I'd be pretty excited with that.

Further, the added competition at every position for playing time can only help bring out the best in these players, one of the biggest issues I had with the D'Antoni era was no one was pushing our starters in practice, Shawn Marion never felt like he was going to lose minutes to Piatkowski, but with this group you're going to have competitive practices, where everyone is being pushed and everyone is fighting for minutes, which can only make the team better.

I did a mock offseason that took place like the few days before real free agency started (finished up a couple days into free agency), and I still had a roster spot at the end, and he was one of the few guys left, so I gave him an offer. The fact that he can guard 1-4 is impressive. I was hesitant and at the time, he was one of the few guys left after crazy deals were thrown around everywhere. viewtopic.php?f=340&t=1460118&start=31#start_here

He ended up getting another second shorter bigger per year offer, and accepted that and it got matched (I think), so I didn't get him.

But I think in real life, to get a defensive wing would be a good thing. But since we signed Dudley and since Chriss and Bender will probably turn into decent perimeter defenders (Bender already is), I'm not sure it is necessary. Had we not signed Dudley I might have. I wouldn't be against it though, as long as it wasn't too outrageous, especially if Tucker is gone. His shooting is terrible though.

But the rumor is that Portland will match anything that isn't outrageous on him, so it probably wouldn't work out unless we really overpaid and made him among the highest paid guys on the roster. So probably not worth it, but he is one of the only guys I'd still be potentially looking at if I was them, and possibly Quincy Acy.

[letsgosuns]

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/242777/Rudy-Gay-Requests-Trade-From-Kings

[Saberestar]

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/242777/Rudy-Gay-Requests-Trade-From-Kings

I am not interested at all.

[Qwigglez]

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/242777/Rudy-Gay-Requests-Trade-From-Kings

Knight/Booker/Warren/Tucker/Chandler for Gay/Cousins

[letsgosuns]

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/242777/Rudy-Gay-Requests-Trade-From-Kings

I am not interested at all.

I would do a Knight and Tucker trade for Gay. I am not a big fan of Gay but I would love to get out of Knight's contract and Gay's contract next year is a player option. With the salary cap going up again and him being in the middle of his prime, I think he will opt-out and try to get the biggest contract he can. That would give the Suns another 13.6 million in cap space next season instead of paying Knight. Plus as many people speculated, why did the Suns sign Barbosa? Booker, Bledsoe, Goodwin, Ulis, and Barbosa are enough guards. Knight is going to want starters minutes and I do not see how he is going to get them. Too many guards on the roster.

[sunsbum]

Cards are falling in sac, is boogie worth taking a look at? If ever i was going to trade Len, boogie would be one of the few guys I would let him go for. I dont know if I would actually pull the trigger on cousins but this is one of the rare times (me personally) I kick the dust off the trade machine, and I NEVER get involved in fantasy trade talk.

[LukasBMW]

Sacramento (on paper) is horribly bad now. If they trade Gay for scraps, who do they have left other then Boogie?