The 2016 Offseason Thread

[lilfishi22]

I think top 50 is a little high. It means, at worst, he's the 3rd best player on any team in the league. I love Booker as much as anyone Suns fan and what he's done at 19 years old in this day and age is amazing but I think his hype is certainly at a higher level than his current level of production. For me, a top 50 player has to be proven on the highest level and I'm certain I'll find other players on the list who I don't believe is deserving of a top 50 ranking but I just don't think Booker is there just yet.

That said, I don't think he's necessarily that far off from cementing his place in the top 50 list. If he takes another step forward this season in his skills and development, continues to be confident whether he's on or off the court and continues to be productive, I think he's a top 50 player for sure.

[OGBAH]

http://www.inquisitr.com/3518992/nba-trade-rumors-cousins-suns-bledsoe-bender-warren-kings/

[RunDogGun]

http://www.inquisitr.com/3518992/nba-trade-rumors-cousins-suns-bledsoe-bender-warren-kings/

I'm not sure if that would be the trade, since Bledsoe and DeMarcus are friends.

[Jdiddy701]

Suns could get Cousins if they wanted. They need to.


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[letsgosuns]

I do not believe that Cousins rumor for a second. The report also says that the Suns want to move Bledsoe and keep Knight. That is the opposite of what we heard all offseason. It also makes no sense whatsoever to trade for Cousins while still keeping Len and Chandler. There have been trade rumors involving everybody on the Suns and they all turn out to be false. Like many others have said in the past, if you hear about it in a rumor, then it is not real because McDonough operates in total secrecy and no one sees his trades coming.

[lilfishi22]

Now hear me out before you burn me at the stake.

From a long term perspective, Knight may be the better option. He doesn't get points as easily as Bledsoe does (efficiency), his defense is well behind and his passing is a step behind (Ast/TO). But, Knight is also two years younger and hasn't had a history of concerning knee injuries.

If we assume both are close to their peak (not so far fetched), then going forward, Bledsoe may not be the guy you want to rely on as your star. Looking at Bledsoe's career, his pattern of alternating healthy year and injury year is definitely concerning and with his play style and age, you have to question how long he will last. When I think of his play style and injuries, Derrick Rose's name inevitably jumps to mind. Both are hyper athletic, with the style to match and both have had series injuries that have impacted their career. Not to say their style is what caused the injuries, although that's more than likely, their style will definitely be affected by the injuries more so than a primarily skill-based player like Nash, Stockton or even Chris Paul.

So I understand the narrative that the reason we would get Cousins is because we have Bledsoe and they are mates. But if the choice is between Cousins/Knight/Booker and Bledsoe/Knight/Booker, you'd know which choice I'd make.

[Djedefre]

If we assume both are close to their peak (not so far fetched), then going forward, Bledsoe may not be the guy you want to rely on as your star.

I think exactly the opposite. Bledsoe is ideal to keep for more than one thing: a) he is rare two-way player on our team and pretty much the only one at guard spots; b) has proven that he could play starting PG and be efficient; c) his age is perfect - probably at a career peak, capable of delivering on a daily basis for 2,3 years more while being a mentor to a guy like Fultz/SmithJr (as we all expect to land another top5 pick in upcoming draft) and preparing him to take over. Injuries are certainly a major concern, but that Knight-or-Bled dilemma is totally wrong. Knight's undefined game and hanging between the two guard positions make him a perfect Lou Williams or Jamal Crawford, but certainly not a star or a future cornerstone.

[bigfoot]

So Bledsoe, Warren, Bender for Cousins? We have four centers now? Only guaranteed two years of Cousins. Give up three years of Bledsoe, seven years of Warren, and nine years of Bender? Hasn't taken his team to the playoffs or had a winning season ever. Has documented problems on his current team. Has missed a lot of games over his first six years.

Guaranteed Cousins is getting $30M+ in two years at the age of 28 and that assumes he will stay with the Suns. If we aren't competing with Cousins he is not staying around Phoenix. Does this lineup even move the needle toward the playoffs and keeping Cousins around ...

Knight / Ulis
Booker / Barbosa / Goodwin / Jenkins
Chriss / ?? / Tucker
Dudley / ??
Cousins / Chandler / Len / Williams

I say hell no!!!

[bwgood77]

If we assume both are close to their peak (not so far fetched), then going forward, Bledsoe may not be the guy you want to rely on as your star.

I think exactly the opposite. Bledsoe is ideal to keep for more than one thing: a) he is rare two-way player on our team and pretty much the only one at guard spots; b) has proven that he could play starting PG and be efficient; c) his age is perfect - probably at a career peak, capable of delivering on a daily basis for 2,3 years more while being a mentor to a guy like Fultz/SmithJr (as we all expect to land another top5 pick in upcoming draft) and preparing him to take over. Injuries are certainly a major concern, but that Knight-or-Bled dilemma is totally wrong. Knight's undefined game and hanging between the two guard positions make him a perfect Lou Williams or Jamal Crawford, but certainly not a star or a future cornerstone.

I agree about Bledsoe and would never do the Cousins trade, but more because of Bender and Warren. I'm afraid of Bledsoe's injury and think we likely need to draft our PG of the future in this next draft, since there are like 5-10 good ones. Bledsoe we have for 3 more years which is the right time for the future PG to develop and take over the spot in case of injury, or Ulis can play if it is within the next year or so.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

If we assume both are close to their peak (not so far fetched), then going forward, Bledsoe may not be the guy you want to rely on as your star.

I think exactly the opposite. Bledsoe is ideal to keep for more than one thing: a) he is rare two-way player on our team and pretty much the only one at guard spots; b) has proven that he could play starting PG and be efficient; c) his age is perfect - probably at a career peak, capable of delivering on a daily basis for 2,3 years more while being a mentor to a guy like Fultz/SmithJr (as we all expect to land another top5 pick in upcoming draft) and preparing him to take over. Injuries are certainly a major concern, but that Knight-or-Bled dilemma is totally wrong. Knight's undefined game and hanging between the two guard positions make him a perfect Lou Williams or Jamal Crawford, but certainly not a star or a future cornerstone.

I agree about Bledsoe and would never do the Cousins trade, but more because of Bender and Warren. I'm afraid of Bledsoe's injury and think we likely need to draft our PG of the future in this next draft, since there are like 5-10 good ones. Bledsoe we have for 3 more years which is the right time for the future PG to develop and take over the spot in case of injury, or Ulis can play if it is within the next year or so.

We may already have our PG of the future.

As regards Cousins - just pick him up in FA in two years, and keep the young talent. We'll be a more attractive option with Warren and Bender than without them.

[bwgood77]

Now hear me out before you burn me at the stake.

From a long term perspective, Knight may be the better option. He doesn't get points as easily as Bledsoe does (efficiency), his defense is well behind and his passing is a step behind (Ast/TO). But, Knight is also two years younger and hasn't had a history of concerning knee injuries.

If we assume both are close to their peak (not so far fetched), then going forward, Bledsoe may not be the guy you want to rely on as your star. Looking at Bledsoe's career, his pattern of alternating healthy year and injury year is definitely concerning and with his play style and age, you have to question how long he will last. When I think of his play style and injuries, Derrick Rose's name inevitably jumps to mind. Both are hyper athletic, with the style to match and both have had series injuries that have impacted their career. Not to say their style is what caused the injuries, although that's more than likely, their style will definitely be affected by the injuries more so than a primarily skill-based player like Nash, Stockton or even Chris Paul.

So I understand the narrative that the reason we would get Cousins is because we have Bledsoe and they are mates. But if the choice is between Cousins/Knight/Booker and Bledsoe/Knight/Booker, you'd know which choice I'd make.

Knight is not a PG. He has no court vision, cannot make the right pass (once in a blue moon he can), and is the last guy you want with the ball in his hands at the end of the game. I'd rather have Ulis play PG RIGHT NOW than Knight. Our PG of the future hopefully comes out of the next draft. Knight is a 6th man who can fill in at PG if absolutely need be, but he isn't leading you anywere.

[NTB]

http://www.nba.com/suns/blog/suns-players-reveal-hidden-talents-nba-mount-rushmores

[Maystack]

Len with those nunchuks. Can totally see him practicing in his living room watching Bruce Lee films.

According to google translate, Mirovina means pension? Maybe he means he's got an oldschool game?

[bwgood77]

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[NTB]

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[Damkac]

Len with those nunchuks. Can totally see him practicing in his living room watching Bruce Lee films.

According to google translate, Mirovina means pension? Maybe he means he's got an oldschool game?

IIRC Len had Bruce Lee's picture on his twitter.

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Lakers "The Kobe Effect"

[letsgosuns]

These trade rumors are not even well thought out. Why anybody thinks the Suns are willing to give up on Bender months after drafting him is ridiculous. Put into perspective how much the team wanted Bender. They drafted him over Chriss. Then think about how they traded three draft picks and the rights to Bogdan Bogdanovich to get Chriss. So obviously they are very high on Bender.

[Qwigglez]

If we were to trade for Cousins, Bledsoe/Len/Chriss and 2 Miami picks is the best I'd offer. Not willing to give up Booker/Bender.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

If we were to trade for Cousins, Bledsoe/Len/Chriss and 2 Miami picks is the best I'd offer. Not willing to give up Booker/Bender.

I'm just not willing.

Patience.

[Qwigglez]

^Booker/Cousins is almost Kobe/Shaq.