The 2016 Offseason Thread

[sunsbum]

I stilll cant get over the blazers gm thought process. They struck out ONE year in free agency and so they panic and sign a bunch of mediocre players. Portland fans think that no one wants to come play for them because they are small market. I say players see how good Lillard is and eventually want to team up with him but you cant just give up 4 years because you didnt get dumpy dwight 3 days after FA starts. I dont even know what they are going to do about Harkless. They mind as well match whatever offer he gets since theyve already blown their load on a bunch of role players.

Harkless makes no sense for us. Our roster is set for now.

[saintEscaton]

I actually think the Blazers can make the next jump and compete for a 5th/6th seed because its a toss up after Dubs/Spurs/Clips. They should try to acquire Noel somehow

[jcsunsfan]

I stilll cant get over the blazers gm thought process. They struck out ONE year in free agency and so they panic and sign a bunch of mediocre players. Portland fans think that no one wants to come play for them because they are small market. I say players see how good Lillard is and eventually want to team up with him but you cant just give up 4 years because you didnt get dumpy dwight 3 days after FA starts. I dont even know what they are going to do about Harkless. They mind as well match whatever offer he gets since theyve already blown their load on a bunch of role players.

Harkless makes no sense for us. Our roster is set for now.

It is really tough to move up from the "collecting assets" stage of team-building to the contending level. Teams often piss away though assets in a panic trying to get to the next level. Fan's need to get over the "treadmill" team idea in this stage. It often means being a 6-8 seed for a few years while your young players develop. Its ok to go for a star, but don't destroy your team in hope of getting a star.

[Frank Lee]

As the AG love slowly dies with reality, new affairs are springing up. At least this go around, the odds of success have doubled.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

It is really tough to move up from the "collecting assets" stage of team-building to the contending level. Teams often piss away though assets in a panic trying to get to the next level.

See Magic, Orlando

Fan's need to get over the "treadmill" team idea in this stage. It often means being a 6-8 seed for a few years while your young players develop.

See Warriors, Golden State

[NTB]

https://mobile.twitter.com/Gambo987/status/752966334460272640?p=v

[saintEscaton]

Glad we didn't bring Price back, Ullis could already be an upgrade over him

[NTB]

https://mobile.twitter.com/DaveKingNBA/status/752972942489759744?p=v

[Saberestar]

Well, Price is not gonna play for the Suns next season.
I think that Watson and McDonough have seen enough after his first two games in Summer League and they know that Ulis can be an effective third string PG.

I am happy because I believe big time in Ulis.

[SunsBlood23]

Our guard rotation is still too big with all these players needing playing time. Even though Ulis replaces Price's spot doesn't mean he will get minutes although I hope he does. I see Bled, Knight, and Booker all getting 32 minutes each and that is both guard spot minutes for the whole game. Maybe mins are cut some for Ulis for 8-10 mins or so but as far as I see, Goodwin nor Barbosa are gonna see the floor. Goodwin may complain about his time meaning we have another cancer to deal with for the year like we have the past couple years. I just hope to see both Archie and Tucker or Chandler sent in a package for a heavily protected first or to a team with a high second (Nets).

[JMac1]

The Suns are doing everything right thanks to kid..........

[carey]

I'm fairly certain Goodwin's time is up with the Suns. And even then I'm not sure why we signed Barbosa who will be the back-up PG for a while. I wager it's Ulis' job by the end of the season. Maybe mid-season.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

I'm fairly certain Goodwin's time is up with the Suns. And even then I'm not sure why we signed Barbosa who will be the back-up PG for a while. I wager it's Ulis' job by the end of the season. Maybe mid-season.

My best guess at this point is that it's Ulis's job as soon as he sees his first PT.

[jcsunsfan]

This is just silly. Goodwin was a raw prospect when we drafted him. I'm sure McDonough knew that Archie won't be very productive for the duration of his rookie contract. Suns, like every team in the league have 15 roster spots. There is a place for Archie on this team. He deserves another chance.

You need to look at the situation. We have seven guards under contract ... Bledsoe, Knight, Booker, Ulis, Barbosa, Goodwin, Jenkins

There is no way Goodwin earns minutes over Knight, Booker, or Barbosa at the SG nor Bledsoe at PG. Barbosa has more PG experience and Ulis is a far better floor general than Goodwin. He is not going to get any minutes unless someone gets injured. In fact, he is worse than Jenkins.

http://bkref.com/tiny/l8Ro6

Why would the Suns keep him over Jenkins? They have Jenkins under contract for two years on the cheap with team options both years. That's $1M savings for a better player. Or they could sign Kuric for two years on the cheap with a team option for the second year. People need to get real with Archie's potential. Sure he is athletic but he doesn't defend or shoot well. It doesn't make sense to keep him. Especially when he gets easily disgruntled over playing time.

Are you in my head brah?

I think it is almost guaranteed that the Suns have given Archie's agent permission to join them in a search for a trade. They have probably already told him what they want in return (I am thinking late first, early second, backup sf, etc).

[bwgood77]

I was a fan of the Harkless idea until we drafted two PFs. Not sure I want to sign a guy longterm at that position anymore.

Dudley seems like the perfect stopgap.

That's funny you say it like that. I was a fan of the Harkless idea for a defensive wing and think of him more as a small forward, and thought he could basically alternate with Warren depending on whether we needed more offense or defense, but once we got Dudley, who is primarily more of another wing, I didn't want him. I know Dudley is going to start at 4 and could provide another good stretch guy who can shoot though. And he's a little scrappy defensively.

https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=moe%20harkless%20position

[NavLDO]

I was a fan of the Harkless idea until we drafted two PFs. Not sure I want to sign a guy longterm at that position anymore.

Dudley seems like the perfect stopgap.

But that's just the thing, I don't think he is. Also, with Harkless only being 23, he'll be easily tradable in a couple of years AND can teach our 'nuggets' a thing or two on how to play D. I'd be fine with giving him a $13-$14M per deal for a few years; and if we desire, we can trade him, or if Warren doesn't workout as I hope, he can play the 3.

Harkless is versatile (3 or 4), can play D, and isn't completely horrid on offense, and is likely easier to teach him offense, than other guys Defense.

[NavLDO]

Too me it is very simple. There are few players in the NBA that can shoot .400 for 3 pointers. Goodwin is not even close to .333 which is shooting .500 for 2 pointers and he is a bad free throw shooter at less than .700 which negates his slashing ability. If he has a poor showing in training camp and preseason he should be waived or traded. It is likely he would lose his spot to a player who has earned it by showing they can reliably hit the three and free throws from either the college or european game. No sense in having Goodwin ride the bench this season if he has shown no improvement in his shooting. There are better players to be had on the same cheap contract Archie is under. For example, Kyle Kuric shot .411 from three and .902 from the charity stripe in Europe in over 100 games and Ulis has already shown his ability in the summer league to run the point and play better defense. Archie's days are numbered and rightfully so. If I were a betting person Archie will not be playing for the Suns in 2016/2017.

This is just silly. Goodwin was a raw prospect when we drafted him. I'm sure McDonough knew that Archie won't be very productive for the duration of his rookie contract. Suns, like every team in the league have 15 roster spots. There is a place for Archie on this team. He deserves another chance.

You need to look at the situation. We have seven guards under contract ... Bledsoe, Knight, Booker, Ulis, Barbosa, Goodwin, Jenkins

There is no way Goodwin earns minutes over Knight, Booker, or Barbosa at the SG nor Bledsoe at PG. Barbosa has more PG experience and Ulis is a far better floor general than Goodwin. He is not going to get any minutes unless someone gets injured. In fact, he is worse than Jenkins.

http://bkref.com/tiny/l8Ro6

Why would the Suns keep him over Jenkins? They have Jenkins under contract for two years on the cheap with team options both years. That's $1M savings for a better player. Or they could sign Kuric for two years on the cheap with a team option for the second year. People need to get real with Archie's potential. Sure he is athletic but he doesn't defend or shoot well. It doesn't make sense to keep him. Especially when he gets easily disgruntled over playing time.

True, but Barbosa is essentially n a one year deal, Knight may potentially be traded, or Bledsoe could blow out his knee...AGAIN...I can see both sides of the argument, but unless McD plans on bringing in more talent, and we need the roster space (which even with Williams and Jenkins, we still only have 14), I see no reason to waive him. Part of a trade pkg??? Sure, but no need to waive him at this point.

[bwgood77]

I actually think the Blazers can make the next jump and compete for a 5th/6th seed because its a toss up after Dubs/Spurs/Clips. They should try to acquire Noel somehow

Did you not realize the Blazers WERE the 5 seed this year? They also won their first round matchup and got to the 2nd round and went out against the Warriors. I think they somewhat overachieved relative to talent but think their GM is smart with team chemistry and Stotts is a great coach. Not sure how they can move up. Unless the Grizzlies are not healthy or at full strength, I think they are probably better this year.

And passing OKC is kind of by default, though people might be sleeping on them a little bit if they keep Westbrook. They are not gonna be a pushover.

I think they are a quality team but that the west teams were a little weak outside of the top 3 this past year and I expect a lot of teams to get better. I think the Jazz have a more solid squad than the Blazers, though when Portland's shooters get hot they are tough to stop.

So I do think they will compete for the 5th/6th seed, but that's not really a jump, considering they were the 5 seed last year and the 4 seed the 2 years before (well tied for the 4th two years ago and ended up with 5th seed).

[saintEscaton]

I actually think the Blazers can make the next jump and compete for a 5th/6th seed because its a toss up after Dubs/Spurs/Clips. They should try to acquire Noel somehow

Did you not realize the Blazers WERE the 5 seed this year? They also won their first round matchup and got to the 2nd round and went out against the Warriors. I think they somewhat overachieved relative to talent but think their GM is smart with team chemistry and Stotts is a great coach. Not sure how they can move up. Unless the Grizzlies are not healthy or at full strength, I think they are probably better this year.

And passing OKC is kind of by default, though people might be sleeping on them a little bit if they keep Westbrook. They are not gonna be a pushover.

I think they are a quality team but that the west teams were a little weak outside of the top 3 this past year and I expect a lot of teams to get better. I think the Jazz have a more solid squad than the Blazers, though when Portland's shooters get hot they are tough to stop.

So I do think they will compete for the 5th/6th seed, but that's not really a jump, considering they were the 5 seed last year and the 4 seed the 2 years before (well tied for the 4th two years ago and ended up with 5th seed).

Sorry that was a typo. But I think the Spurs could regress with the lack of back court fire power and age slowing them down, they are regular season juggernauts but still paper tigers.

[NavLDO]

Too me it is very simple. There are few players in the NBA that can shoot .400 for 3 pointers. Goodwin is not even close to .333 which is shooting .500 for 2 pointers and he is a bad free throw shooter at less than .700 which negates his slashing ability. If he has a poor showing in training camp and preseason he should be waived or traded. It is likely he would lose his spot to a player who has earned it by showing they can reliably hit the three and free throws from either the college or european game. No sense in having Goodwin ride the bench this season if he has shown no improvement in his shooting. There are better players to be had on the same cheap contract Archie is under. For example, Kyle Kuric shot .411 from three and .902 from the charity stripe in Europe in over 100 games and Ulis has already shown his ability in the summer league to run the point and play better defense. Archie's days are numbered and rightfully so. If I were a betting person Archie will not be playing for the Suns in 2016/2017.

This is just silly. Goodwin was a raw prospect when we drafted him. I'm sure McDonough knew that Archie won't be very productive for the duration of his rookie contract. Suns, like every team in the league have 15 roster spots. There is a place for Archie on this team. He deserves another chance.

Who is he going to get a chance over? Ulis/bledsoe/knight/booker or barbosa? Archie is done here. A.) hes not that good and b.) he at least deserves a chance to play somewhere else if we arent going to use him. Id much rather fill that spot with a guy like kuric from summer league, cheaper and he actually has an NBA skill thats useful.

True, but he shouldn't be waived. Traded? OK, but not waived. In fact, I'd send him to Prescott; if he doesn't like, tell him to get better, and 'develop' THEN we can bring him back to the big boys.