Season Speculation, Trade Ideas and Discussion

[TeamTragic]

So, just a thought, and on the fence if i would actually pull the trigger on this one, but.....

A few Spurs fans on the trade board seem rather unimpressed with Aldridge and are having a bit of buyers remorse. His numbers are down this season (even though he played great for them last season). Some believe its due to Pop's insistence to start Gasol next to him and it has turned Aldridge more into a pick-and-pop player.

So the poster was looking for offers for Aldridge and i was thinking something along the lines of:

Bender(or Chriss)/Len/Knight/2018 1st for Aldridge/Murray

I would be fine losing out on re-signing Len, They would use Knight as trade bait, Bender or Chriss would be difficult for us to lose, but they are 2 youngsters vying for the same spot, and the 1st would also be in the year that we have Miami's 1st (2018), so we would still have a draft pick that year.

We know that our FO was impressed with Murray pre-draft, but man, Bledsoe/Booker/Warren/Aldridge/Chandler, if LaMarcus could even play just as good as he did last season, i think our team would look a whole hell of a lot different. 3 years on his deal (along with Chandler) give us that window, and allow us to bring Chriss or Bender along more slowly behind a seasoned Vet. Imagine if Chriss could pick up some of Aldridges defensive instincts while also retaining his Amare-like athleticism.

Now i have no idea if that package could net us Aldridge on the trade board let along in real life, but who would be ok with something like this?

Bender for LMA? I'm sorry but we are moving in a different direction. There is no point in trying to compete this season. We need to clear out some players and see what happens in FA. We are obviously getting a high pick in the draft.

[lilfishi22]

So, just a thought, and on the fence if i would actually pull the trigger on this one, but.....

A few Spurs fans on the trade board seem rather unimpressed with Aldridge and are having a bit of buyers remorse. His numbers are down this season (even though he played great for them last season). Some believe its due to Pop's insistence to start Gasol next to him and it has turned Aldridge more into a pick-and-pop player.

So the poster was looking for offers for Aldridge and i was thinking something along the lines of:

Bender(or Chriss)/Len/Knight/2018 1st for Aldridge/Murray

I would be fine losing out on re-signing Len, They would use Knight as trade bait, Bender or Chriss would be difficult for us to lose, but they are 2 youngsters vying for the same spot, and the 1st would also be in the year that we have Miami's 1st (2018), so we would still have a draft pick that year.

We know that our FO was impressed with Murray pre-draft, but man, Bledsoe/Booker/Warren/Aldridge/Chandler, if LaMarcus could even play just as good as he did last season, i think our team would look a whole hell of a lot different. 3 years on his deal (along with Chandler) give us that window, and allow us to bring Chriss or Bender along more slowly behind a seasoned Vet. Imagine if Chriss could pick up some of Aldridges defensive instincts while also retaining his Amare-like athleticism.

Now i have no idea if that package could net us Aldridge on the trade board let along in real life, but who would be ok with something like this?

I think value-wise it's fair. Pops might be able to simplify things and maximise the talents of those players, it's just whether he has the patience or not. Knight is a Pops guy imo.

That said, I think I'll pass on this trade. We might have to give up more for Cousins but I think Cousins takes us further. He's younger, more talented and imo, is a better fit with us. Aldridge is still balling but he's on the wrong side of 30 and I don't think he makes us a contender today or in the future.

[lilfishi22]

I would make this trade. I think it would be fair for both sides.

Knight and that 2018 pick do not have too much value IMO (we have that Miami pick in 2018 too).

Len and Chriss (I prefer Bender over him) for Aldridge and Murray is a good trade for us.

Aldridge is gonna play a lot of minutes at C the next few years ( more weight and age ) so no need to pay Len nearly $20M per year to be a backup.

Aldridge doesn't want to play C. That's the ONLY reason we signed Chandler.

[TeamTragic]

I would make this trade. I think it would be fair for both sides.

Knight and that 2018 pick do not have too much value IMO (we have that Miami pick in 2018 too).

Len and Chriss (I prefer Bender over him) for Aldridge and Murray is a good trade for us.

Aldridge is gonna play a lot of minutes at C the next few years ( more weight and age ) so no need to pay Len nearly $20M per year to be a backup.

Aldridge doesn't want to play C. That's the ONLY reason we signed Chandler.

How ironic would it be if we got LMA via trade? I really think this franchise needs a priest to exorcise the demons.

[lilfishi22]

That would be a t-t-t-terrible look for us. A guy we missed out on in FA and now we're giving up a part of our future (Chriss/Bender and pick) for an older version of the guy we went for in FA two years ago.

[kennydorglas]

Hell NO for Aldridge.
lol

[RaisingArizona]

f aldridge

[phnart]

Now that we're almost to Christmas, I have a few questions that consistently bug me about this team:

1. Does Watson know how to coach?
2. Outside of Ulis, do we have an actual point guard?
3. Does Chriss know how to play basketball?
4. Does Alex Len understand that he could be really, really rich with a little consistency?
5. Does Robert Sarver actually believe McDonough is still the guy?

My answer to each of these is probably "No" right now, but I hope I am wrong.

[lilfishi22]

Now that we're almost to Christmas, I have a few questions that consistently bug me about this team:

1. Does Watson know how to coach?
2. Outside of Ulis, do we have an actual point guard?
3. Does Chriss know how to play basketball?
4. Does Alex Len understand that he could be really, really rich with a little consistency?
5. Does Robert Sarver actually believe McDonough is still the guy?

My answer to each of these is probably "No" right now, but I hope I am wrong.

My take

1. Does Watson know how to coach? No. But for a losing team that also has veterans, he's held the team together well
2. Outside of Ulis, do we have an actual point guard? No. No. No.
3. Does Chriss know how to play basketball? Plays on pure instincts and talent. Knowing how to play takes time and experience
4. Does Alex Len understand that he could be really, really rich with a little consistency? I get the feeling he cares more about being consistent and fitting in than a pure money grab
5. Does Robert Sarver actually believe McDonough is still the guy? On the surface, yes. I'd like to believe that.

[carey]

Now that we're almost to Christmas, I have a few questions that consistently bug me about this team:

1. Does Watson know how to coach?

Define coach. Motivate and teach? Yes. Game plan and strategize? Not remotely from what I've seen.

2. Outside of Ulis, do we have an actual point guard?

Define point guard. Steve Nash-like distributor? No. Marbury like scorer & kick-out? Yes. Just not enough shooters to make that successful.

3. Does Chriss know how to play basketball?

Define play. He does things on the basketball court, so... yes? He's just not effective at anything yet, so... also no?

4. Does Alex Len understand that he could be really, really rich with a little consistency?

Yes, and yet...

5. Does Robert Sarver actually believe McDonough is still the guy?

Can't answer this one. Starting to lean towards no. I think you'll have your answer by February. If there's a flurry of a moves then McDonough is trying to save his job. If nothing happens then he's waiting to the off-season knowing he's safe.

[thamadkant]

Suns without Aldridge = 20 - 25 win team
But with youth...

Suns with Aldridge = 35 - 40 win team
But older...

[blacksun]

I wouldnt trade Bender, Chriss, or 2018 1st, alone for Aldridge. He could in the end be better than any of those players will ever be, but Aldridge is 31 years old(!). And he didnt pick us last summer. No thanks.

[ATTL]

Marbury vs bledsoe, who ya got?

[OGBAH]

Marbury vs bledsoe, who ya got?

Starbury

[carey]

Marbury vs bledsoe, who ya got?

Even with the bad knees I'd say Bledsoe. 20/5/5 is no joke and if he was shooting 38 to 40% from 3 he'd be in conversation for an all-star nod. However, his turnovers are still to high and he makes so many boneheaded plays out there I really wonder if he just doesn't grasp basketball X's and O's. I think he relies on instinct and his prodigious physical gifts. Plus, though I think his defense is overrated he is a better defender than Marbury from what I remember during his Suns years.

[lilfishi22]

Marbury vs bledsoe, who ya got?

I take Starbury. He's not quite as efficient a scorer as Bledsoe but he's a much better passer and playmaker. Starbury owns a career 2.53 Ast/TO ratio while Bledsoe has been a very pedestrian 1.6. In Starburies best season, he had a 3.0 Ast/TO ratio on 9.3apg whereas Bledsoe's best season, he didn't even crack 1.8. Bledsoe is a better defender as well, which does factor into this but PG defense imo is less important than team defense

For a PG, I value being able to run the team and making plays. Being able to score with the best of them, even without being the most efficient, is a bonus.

[Zelaznyrules]

Marbury vs bledsoe, who ya got?

I take Starbury. He's not quite as efficient a scorer as Bledsoe but he's a much better passer and playmaker. Starbury owns a career 2.53 Ast/TO ratio while Bledsoe has been a very pedestrian 1.6. In Starburies best season, he had a 3.0 Ast/TO ratio on 9.3apg whereas Bledsoe's best season, he didn't even crack 1.8. Bledsoe is a better defender as well, which does factor into this but PG defense imo is less important than team defense

For a PG, I value being able to run the team and making plays. Being able to score with the best of them, even without being the most efficient, is a bonus.

I've never been a Marbury fan so my first thought was Bledsoe, easily. But upon reflection, today's game is made for Stephon. He'd be incredible in this NBA so yeah, Marbury.

[lilfishi22]

I've never been a fan of his either but in today's NBA, he'd absolutely kill it. A guy who's legit in the iso and having great court vision and ability to make plays for others would be huge today.

[Zelaznyrules]

I've never been a fan of his either but in today's NBA, he'd absolutely kill it. A guy who's legit in the iso and having great court vision and ability to make plays for others would be huge today.

And the rules preventing re-direct on the perimeter would make him lethal. Same for Iverson.

[thamadkant]

Marbury would be like Lillard...

Baron Davis would be a superstar today too.

Heck Keith Van Horn too.