Season Speculation, Trade Ideas & Discussion 3: About Last Knight

[DRK]

Suns
C: Okafor / Bogut (Expiring) / Williams
PF: Chriss / Bender
SF: Wiggins / Warren
SG: Booker / FA
PG: Williams (Expiring) / Ulis


Draft
Ball


Sign
FA Center

That team would be giving up 150 points per game next season.

[jcsunsfan]

Okafor is, has been, and will always be a horrible defensive player. His offense will never offset it.

[Qwigglez]

Sometimes I get mad that I work graveyard shift, but I'm hoping to later wake up to a message that starts with... Suns trade... and then something good happens from there.

[Fo-Real]

Sometimes I get mad that I work graveyard shift, but I'm hoping to later wake up to a message that starts with... Suns trade... and then something good happens from there.

.....Brandon Knight for...... A.N.Y...T.H.I.N.G!

[Zelaznyrules]

I don't really care if we trade anyone this February, as long as we find a way to draft Ball and Markkanen. I know Lauri's numbers are slipping but the guy is clearly tired and look at how much his troubles parallel UA's troubles. When he's got fresh legs, they are a real threat to win it all. When he's playing tired, they are a threat to lose in the first round. Him and Ball, winners. Jackson too.

[carey]

What's your plan to acquire a 2nd top 10 pick? What do you do with Chriss/Bender with Markkanen aboard?

[jcsunsfan]

Yeah. I am not sure a trade at the deadline is that big of a concern of mine. I suppose if we get something for PJ it would be good. If they have already decided on not extending Len, it would be good to trade him now. I am fine with resigning Len for what he is. I think his destiny is a decent defensive starting center. He is not star material.

[Jarlaxle0204]

I know this is highly unlikely but I'm just having fun here.

If we were to land the #1 pick and Philly had #2 and #4 (Lakers), do you think they'd be interested in trading both picks for our #1 and next year's Miami pick?

I feel like Fultz is perfect for them, whereas I would prefer Ball or Jackson on this team. The idea of somehow drafting Ball AND Jackson is seriously making my pants tight.

Ball/Ulis
Booker/Barbosa
Jackson/Warren
Bender/Chriss
Len/Williams

I really like the look of that team. Tighten up the Center position in either next year's draft or free agency (or by trading Bledsoe/parts) and look for a younger backup SG and the rebuild is basically done. Play, grow, and learn to compete from there.

[SideSwipe]

I know this is highly unlikely but I'm just having fun here.

If we were to land the #1 pick and Philly had #2 and #4 (Lakers), do you think they'd be interested in trading both picks for our #1 and next year's Miami pick?

I feel like Fultz is perfect for them, whereas I would prefer Ball or Jackson on this team. The idea of somehow drafting Ball AND Jackson is seriously making my pants tight.

Ball/Ulis
Booker/Barbosa
Jackson/Warren
Bender/Chriss
Len/Williams

I really like the look of that team. Tighten up the Center position in either next year's draft or free agency (or by trading Bledsoe/parts) and look for a younger backup SG and the rebuild is basically done. Play, grow, and learn to compete from there.

Then add Adebayo to that mix too, if we are really fantasizing... Ball, Booker, Jackson, Chriss, Adebayo..would be an absolutely ridiculous transition team.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

I don't really care if we trade anyone this February, as long as we find a way to draft Ball and Markkanen. I know Lauri's numbers are slipping but the guy is clearly tired and look at how much his troubles parallel UA's troubles. When he's got fresh legs, they are a real threat to win it all. When he's playing tired, they are a threat to lose in the first round. Him and Ball, winners. Jackson too.

When things are going bad, it's not unusual to think that the draft is full of gold. Come this time next year, guys who were believed to be future stars are languishing on your bench, bricking jumpers, looking lost.

Not desperate for a second pick in this year's draft.

[sunsbum]

We need to trade Bledsoe NOW, spend the rest of the year getting Knights value up and trade him sometime this off season or next year.

[thamadkant]

That's a ridiculous notion.

You DO NOT pick for fit or need when your team is a 20 win team.

I personally agree, but if you look at the sentiment from last year people wanted Bender because of fit.

And so did the FO, they overlooked 3 guards and picked 2 PFs for need.

Thats because the PFs were better than the guards.


Kris Dunn is 23 years old this year and looks mediocre at best... The Wesley Johnson of 2016.

Buddy Hield can still be OK but has not been the scorer as expected.... But with confidence could be a JR Smith like player.

[thamadkant]

Suns
C: Okafor / Bogut (Expiring) / Williams
PF: Chriss / Bender
SF: Wiggins / Warren
SG: Booker / FA
PG: Williams (Expiring) / Ulis


Draft
Ball


Sign
FA Center

That team would be giving up 150 points per game next season.

And score 151 hopefully...

Thats my Houston Rockets v2 plan of attack... Shoot 35 3pters a game and run and gun all 48 minutes.

[Zelaznyrules]

I don't really care if we trade anyone this February, as long as we find a way to draft Ball and Markkanen. I know Lauri's numbers are slipping but the guy is clearly tired and look at how much his troubles parallel UA's troubles. When he's got fresh legs, they are a real threat to win it all. When he's playing tired, they are a threat to lose in the first round. Him and Ball, winners. Jackson too.

When things are going bad, it's not unusual to think that the draft is full of gold. Come this time next year, guys who were believed to be future stars are languishing on your bench, bricking jumpers, looking lost.

Not desperate for a second pick in this year's draft.

I've always been a college basketball fan and this class impresses me. Yes, I've been wrong on a few of them through the years but most of the time, the drafts that looked great this late in the season have turned out to be very good drafts.

[Zelaznyrules]

What's your plan to acquire a 2nd top 10 pick? What do you do with Chriss/Bender with Markkanen aboard?

I see no major problem with a long term starting front court of Chriss, Bender and Markkanen. Sure, it won't be the most stout defensive team but it will present matchup problems that will be difficult for teams to overcome as all 3 are very mobile. I'm hoping that a trade of Chandler and/or Tucker will land us enough to package with a Miami pick for a shot at Lauri. I'm really torn on this as a Wildcat fan, I'm hoping he gets that spring back in his step so we can advance in the tourney but as a Suns fan I'm hoping he'll struggle just enough to slide to the bottom of the lottery.

[TeamTragic]

We need to trade Bledsoe NOW, spend the rest of the year getting Knights value up and trade him sometime this off season or next year.

I'm actually onboard for this. Bledsoe is beasting this season and deserves to play on a winning team. That's what you call respect.

[bwgood77]

What's your plan to acquire a 2nd top 10 pick? What do you do with Chriss/Bender with Markkanen aboard?

I see no major problem with a long term starting front court of Chriss, Bender and Markkanen. Sure, it won't be the most stout defensive team but it will present matchup problems that will be difficult for teams to overcome as all 3 are very mobile. I'm hoping that a trade of Chandler and/or Tucker will land us enough to package with a Miami pick for a shot at Lauri. I'm really torn on this as a Wildcat fan, I'm hoping he gets that spring back in his step so we can advance in the tourney but as a Suns fan I'm hoping he'll struggle just enough to slide to the bottom of the lottery.

I doubt we get a 2nd lottery pick. People plan for this here every year. I can't see any bad team trading a lottery pick (why would they?). Also, they keep talking about not wanting to add TOO much youth and we already have a ton.

In the Ringer's last ranking, Lauri was up to like 5 and on DX he is like 7. Any team needing a 7 foot stretch 4/5 will snag him though. His skillset is what the NBA is all about. He could maybe work with our bigs though because he is a better rebounder/worse shot blocker and has more muscle to bang inside. Still not much D though.

[Zelaznyrules]

What's your plan to acquire a 2nd top 10 pick? What do you do with Chriss/Bender with Markkanen aboard?

I see no major problem with a long term starting front court of Chriss, Bender and Markkanen. Sure, it won't be the most stout defensive team but it will present matchup problems that will be difficult for teams to overcome as all 3 are very mobile. I'm hoping that a trade of Chandler and/or Tucker will land us enough to package with a Miami pick for a shot at Lauri. I'm really torn on this as a Wildcat fan, I'm hoping he gets that spring back in his step so we can advance in the tourney but as a Suns fan I'm hoping he'll struggle just enough to slide to the bottom of the lottery.

I doubt we get a 2nd lottery pick. People plan for this here every year. I can't see any bad team trading a lottery pick (why would they?). Also, they keep talking about not wanting to add TOO much youth and we already have a ton.

In the Ringer's last ranking, Lauri was up to like 5 and on DX he is like 7. Any team needing a 7 foot stretch 4/5 will snag him though. His skillset is what the NBA is all about. He could maybe work with our bigs though because he is a better rebounder/worse shot blocker and has more muscle to bang inside. Still not much D though.

As do I. And I doubted we'd get a second lottery pick last season too, now I just wish we'd traded into this draft instead. I think Lauri's NBA future far exceeds that of Chriss. I've seen too little of Bender to be comfortable saying one way or the other about him. But yeah, I doubt we get a second high pick again this season although adding a late first round pick or two for Tucker and Chandler opens the door a bit.

[TeamTragic]

I see no major problem with a long term starting front court of Chriss, Bender and Markkanen. Sure, it won't be the most stout defensive team but it will present matchup problems that will be difficult for teams to overcome as all 3 are very mobile. I'm hoping that a trade of Chandler and/or Tucker will land us enough to package with a Miami pick for a shot at Lauri. I'm really torn on this as a Wildcat fan, I'm hoping he gets that spring back in his step so we can advance in the tourney but as a Suns fan I'm hoping he'll struggle just enough to slide to the bottom of the lottery.

I doubt we get a 2nd lottery pick. People plan for this here every year. I can't see any bad team trading a lottery pick (why would they?). Also, they keep talking about not wanting to add TOO much youth and we already have a ton.

In the Ringer's last ranking, Lauri was up to like 5 and on DX he is like 7. Any team needing a 7 foot stretch 4/5 will snag him though. His skillset is what the NBA is all about. He could maybe work with our bigs though because he is a better rebounder/worse shot blocker and has more muscle to bang inside. Still not much D though.

As do I. And I doubted we'd get a second lottery pick last season too, now I just wish we'd traded into this draft instead. I think Lauri's NBA future far exceeds that of Chriss. I've seen too little of Bender to be comfortable saying one way or the other about him. But yeah, I doubt we get a second high pick again this season although adding a late first round pick or two for Tucker and Chandler opens the door a bit.

Bledsoe is worth a first round pick in the upcoming draft. I can see Minnesota/New Orleans pulling the trigger.

[sunsbum]

I doubt we get a 2nd lottery pick. People plan for this here every year. I can't see any bad team trading a lottery pick (why would they?). Also, they keep talking about not wanting to add TOO much youth and we already have a ton.

In the Ringer's last ranking, Lauri was up to like 5 and on DX he is like 7. Any team needing a 7 foot stretch 4/5 will snag him though. His skillset is what the NBA is all about. He could maybe work with our bigs though because he is a better rebounder/worse shot blocker and has more muscle to bang inside. Still not much D though.

As do I. And I doubted we'd get a second lottery pick last season too, now I just wish we'd traded into this draft instead. I think Lauri's NBA future far exceeds that of Chriss. I've seen too little of Bender to be comfortable saying one way or the other about him. But yeah, I doubt we get a second high pick again this season although adding a late first round pick or two for Tucker and Chandler opens the door a bit.

Bledsoe is worth a draft pick in the upcoming draft. I can see Minnesota/New Orleans pulling the trigger.

I could see that middle group of Sac, Dallas, NO possibly trading for bled. For me its not even about respect for him, its about getting the best value and right now hes probably higher than he'll ever been in terms of worth. I am not worried about having vets on the team anymore because A.) next year Booker will be in his 3rd year and is ready to take on that role...even at 21. B.) We still have and will have Dudley and Ronnie Price along with Watson who seems to if nothing else connect with his players.