2016-17 Phoenix Suns Preseason Thread

[LukasBMW]

Wonder how Sacremento are feeling about the Chriss trade. Chriss looks like a perfect fit next to Cousins.

Skal looked decent in summer league. I thought that maybe it would turn out to be a good trade for both teams. Especially if BB or the other pick ended up doing well.

That said, Skal hasn't done much in preseason. Meanwhile Chriss has looked great.

Just another reason for Boogie to change shades of purple and head east one state.

[Frank Lee]

Sign Len and it increases his value as a trade chip. That's the only reason to ink him up now.

Or.. it doesn't.

Yeah, I don't see that happening without Len raising his game. It might even make him untradeable.

True and true again. I think he puts up or packs up....the league is full of mediocre centers

[jcsunsfan]

Wonder how Sacremento are feeling about the Chriss trade. Chriss looks like a perfect fit next to Cousins.

Skal looked decent in summer league. I thought that maybe it would turn out to be a good trade for both teams. Especially if BB or the other pick ended up doing well.

That said, Skal hasn't done much in preseason. Meanwhile Chriss has looked great.

Just another reason for Boogie to change shades of purple and head east one state.

I am just not sure he would help.

[AtheJ415]

I'd wait and see on Len. Not a fan of inking him yet.

Question for the board: Is anyone else happier about signing Tyson, given Len's struggles? It's nice to know we're still solid at that position despite Len's mediocrity.

Bender's evident potential as a shotblocker is also reassuring. What Len gives us is a true center who does a good job controlling the defensive glass and clogging the paint on defense. He's also a solid finisher on the move who can punish a defense (somewhat inconsistently) that doesn't step out. On defense, though, he doesn't have active hands, he's a bit lumbering, and he doesn't get off the ground to block shots often. On offense, he's straight bad in the post. No touch.

I'd wait to see what happens this summer with Len. I don't think I'd move him for a pick, as we'd have to replace him sooner rather than later. Better just to see if we can get a reasonable RFA deal.

Warren's the one giving me heartburn right now. He's looked very mediocre in preseason. It's starting to look like Ryan's first two drafts weren't that great, with his most recent two yielding the majority of the haul.

Question back to you. What, based on Chandler's play last year at all, makes you say we are solid at center because of him?

[AtheJ415]

I'd be looking to move Chandler for a youngster or a pick and Tucker for a pick.

Try to sign somebody like Tarczewski, who can be a solid backup in this league and better fits our future window.

[Villalobos]

maybe Vlade/Vivek can be suckered into swapping Tyson for WCS in a win-now move.

[LukasBMW]

I agree that the center spot is a concern. Hamstring injuries are tough and Tyson has been battling them since last year. That's not a good sign. I think he can still be effective as heatlhy, but banking on him playing the entire season seems far fetched.

I think Len will struggle against the physical guys.

Chriss may be able to see some duty at the 5 now, but you risk him getting into foul trouble early.

I think that right now, the 5 spot is our biggest weakness. If we can find a way to upgrade it without losing too much, maybe we really do fight for a playoff spot. Otherwise, we need to gamble on a healthy Chandler and a consistent/motivated Len. Odds on the latter are not in our favor.

[letsgosuns]

This is probably the worst crop of big men I have ever seen in the NBA. Guys like Mozgov, Plumlee, and Robin Lopez all have big contracts and they flat out suck. In the 1990's, they would be third or fourth string or not even be in the league. They are that terrible. So in reality, Idk what the Suns need to do at the center position. There is no one really out there that exists anyway that is an upgrade over what the Suns already have.

Would Noel and/or Okafor be an upgrade? Idk. I do not even consider Noel a true center anyway. I think he is a power forward playing center. Just like I never considered Amare a center and I never will. He was a power forward. Now Cousins has the best statistics in the league among centers, but how good can he possibly be if he has not even led to the Kings to more than 33 wins in 6 years. Is that his fault? Who knows, but he has to be held accountable for never improving players around him.

The two best teams in the league today, the Warriors and Cavaliers, do not even have top ten centers. Pachulia and Varejao? Whatever. I watched Len punish Pachulia while he was on the Bucks and Varejao is more interested in flopping than playing defense. The only center listed on the Cavaliers roster is Tristan Thompson which is a complete joke because he is a power forward. So when you put this into perspective, I think Chandler and Len are more than adequate in today's NBA if the players around them are great.

[Saberestar]

I am excited about our future starting five:
Bledsoe, Booker, Warren, Bender and Chriss.

No center, no problem.

[Frank Lee]

What, based on Chandler's play last year at all, makes you say we are solid at center because of him?

Chandler might be the most one dimensional center in the league.... and that dimension has deteriorated.

[bwgood77]

I am excited about our future starting five:
Bledsoe, Booker, Warren, Bender and Chriss.

No center, no problem.

Traditional centers are a thing of the past, for the most part..

On another note. Chriss is 2nd in PPG in the preseason for rookies. I bet no one can name off the top of their head or guess who is 1st.

Spoiler:

Troy Williams

[Frank Lee]

I am excited about our future starting five:
Bledsoe, Booker, Warren, Bender and Chriss.

No center, no problem.

Traditional centers are a thing of the past, for the most part..

On another note. Chriss is 2nd in PPG in the preseason for rookies. I bet no one can name off the top of their head or guess who is 1st.

Spoiler:

Troy Williams

and thus the argument that preseason means jackdiddly is supported

[LukasBMW]

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/243621/Bulls-Acquire-Michael-Carter-Williams-From-Bucks-For-Tony-Snell

Michael Carter Williams sucks. Safe to say the Bucks really really lost the Brandon Knight trade.

Brandon Knight sucks. Safe to say the Suns lost the Brandon Knight trade.

The Lakers will suck this year and probably suck again next year. Safe to say Philly could really win the Knight trade by a large margin.

[bwgood77]

I am excited about our future starting five:
Bledsoe, Booker, Warren, Bender and Chriss.

No center, no problem.

Traditional centers are a thing of the past, for the most part..

On another note. Chriss is 2nd in PPG in the preseason for rookies. I bet no one can name off the top of their head or guess who is 1st.

Spoiler:

Troy Williams

and thus the argument that preseason means jackdiddly is supported

No, Troy Williams is a legit cornerstone part of a future big 3. They actually already have a full roster so I wonder if they will cut someone else to keep him.

[bwgood77]

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/243621/Bulls-Acquire-Michael-Carter-Williams-From-Bucks-For-Tony-Snell

Michael Carter Williams sucks. Safe to say the Bucks really really lost the Brandon Knight trade.

Brandon Knight sucks. Safe to say the Suns lost the Brandon Knight trade.

The Lakers will suck this year and probably suck again next year. Safe to say Philly could really win the Knight trade by a large margin.

Yes, Philly won that trade by a landslide. MCW for that Lakers pick? And the Bucks could have just simply taken the pick. Instead they have Tony Snell.

[LukasBMW]

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/243621/Bulls-Acquire-Michael-Carter-Williams-From-Bucks-For-Tony-Snell

Michael Carter Williams sucks. Safe to say the Bucks really really lost the Brandon Knight trade.

Brandon Knight sucks. Safe to say the Suns lost the Brandon Knight trade.

The Lakers will suck this year and probably suck again next year. Safe to say Philly could really win the Knight trade by a large margin.

Yes, Philly won that trade by a landslide. MCW for that Lakers pick? And the Bucks could have just simply taken the pick. Instead they have Tony Snell.

They have to be kicking themselves over that.

There is a very good chance that pick is 4-8 this year.

Next year it is totally unprotected.

All the unrestricted free agents probably resign with their home teams. Many of the other top guys are restricted. I don't see LA ending up with a big star next year.

[lilfishi22]

I'd wait and see on Len. Not a fan of inking him yet.

Question for the board: Is anyone else happier about signing Tyson, given Len's struggles? It's nice to know we're still solid at that position despite Len's mediocrity.

Bender's evident potential as a shotblocker is also reassuring. What Len gives us is a true center who does a good job controlling the defensive glass and clogging the paint on defense. He's also a solid finisher on the move who can punish a defense (somewhat inconsistently) that doesn't step out. On defense, though, he doesn't have active hands, he's a bit lumbering, and he doesn't get off the ground to block shots often. On offense, he's straight bad in the post. No touch.

I'd wait to see what happens this summer with Len. I don't think I'd move him for a pick, as we'd have to replace him sooner rather than later. Better just to see if we can get a reasonable RFA deal.

Warren's the one giving me heartburn right now. He's looked very mediocre in preseason. It's starting to look like Ryan's first two drafts weren't that great, with his most recent two yielding the majority of the haul.

Good question. I still say no. I wasn't a fan of the signing at the time and so far, little has been done to change my mind about it. Is it good to have a serviceable C to back up an inconsistent and sometimes outright struggling Len? No question about it. But does it have to be a 33-34 year old vet centre on $13m a year who in all honesty is better served (and likely was sold on) a competing team?

I haven't looked in the FA or D-League pools and it's likely there's no C better than Chandler in those pools but it just doesn't seem like it's the right partnership.

[Damkac]

I am excited about our future starting five:
Bledsoe, Booker, Warren, Bender and Chriss.

No center, no problem.

Traditional centers are a thing of the past, for the most part..

If Embiid will stay healthy then maybe him and KAT will give back glory to the center position

[lilfishi22]

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/243621/Bulls-Acquire-Michael-Carter-Williams-From-Bucks-For-Tony-Snell

Michael Carter Williams sucks. Safe to say the Bucks really really lost the Brandon Knight trade.

Brandon Knight sucks. Safe to say the Suns lost the Brandon Knight trade.

The Lakers will suck this year and probably suck again next year. Safe to say Philly could really win the Knight trade by a large margin.

I don't like this trade for the Bulls. Snell is a solid 3 and D guy. MCW does nothing for me.

[nevetsov]

^adding yet another guard with an unreliable shot.