Season Speculation, Trade Ideas & Discussion Pt. 1

[King4Day]

I had no idea that former Suns legend, Emeka Okafor, is playing for the 76ers

[ATTL]

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Goodbye, Hawk

[Kerrsed]

WOW.

RIP Connie.

Was such a nice man. I met him on at least 5 different occasions and always took the time to talk to whoever wanted to listen. Somewhere in my valuables i have a basketball card that i got autographed by The Hawk the last time i saw him. Sad day.

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[thamadkant]

I had no idea that former Suns legend, Emeka Okafor, is playing for the 76ers

To mentor Jahil.

I don't think 76ers are giving up on him easily.

He has lost weight and looks nimble down low. Still a good shot blocker.

[NTB]

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[Kerrsed]

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Easy solution to both, Bring TJ off the bench. Start JJ (Who is a better rebounder) and Warren becomes that "dominant scorer" that he needs next to Ulis/Daniels/Len.

But the biggest issue is at C. Chandler is done. Sure, blah blah blah he is a veteran voice blah blah blah mentoring the bigs blah, ON THE COURT he isnt giving us much. Bender isnt a C (Too soft) and Chriss, while he has been trying, hasnt looked good there and has gotten destroyed in both games against the opposing C's. If Len isnt part of our future and isnt going to start, we need to look at obtaining a C that can rebound/defend, and can start for us (for at least a season). We are really missing Big Sauce right here and now.

[NTB]

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Easy solution to both, Bring TJ off the bench. Start JJ (Who is a better rebounder) and Warren becomes that "dominant scorer" that he needs next to Ulis/Daniels/Len.

But the biggest issue is at C. Chandler is done. Sure, blah blah blah he is a veteran voice blah blah blah mentoring the bigs blah, ON THE COURT he isnt giving us much. Bender isnt a C (Too soft) and Chriss, while he has been trying, hasnt looked good there and has gotten destroyed in both games against the opposing C's. If Len isnt part of our future and isnt going to start, we need to look at obtaining a C that can rebound/defend, and can start for us (for at least a season). We are really missing Big Sauce right here and now.

Chandler still gives you 11.5 rebounds. Well, that's the only thing he brings nowadays but still.

I'd try Bledsoe - Booker - Jackson - Warren - Chandler(Len) lineup before giving up on small ball. I don't know if it would be considered as small ball with Chandler though. And bench unit really needs a scorer there.

[MathiasPW]

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Easy solution to both, Bring TJ off the bench. Start JJ (Who is a better rebounder) and Warren becomes that "dominant scorer" that he needs next to Ulis/Daniels/Len.

But the biggest issue is at C. Chandler is done. Sure, blah blah blah he is a veteran voice blah blah blah mentoring the bigs blah, ON THE COURT he isnt giving us much. Bender isnt a C (Too soft) and Chriss, while he has been trying, hasnt looked good there and has gotten destroyed in both games against the opposing C's. If Len isnt part of our future and isnt going to start, we need to look at obtaining a C that can rebound/defend, and can start for us (for at least a season). We are really missing Big Sauce right here and now.

This is exactly what he will do. It seems a bit as a created scene to justify starting Jackson, which seems to be a promise made to him in exchange to all that Celtics mess during the draft.

[NTB]

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[Kerrsed]

I'd be more than interested in talking to Detroit again about Drummond. They were ready to use him to further improve their team in the offseason, and he provides everything we need.

Facts are that according to basketball-reference.com:

He lead the league in:
-Offensive Rebounds
-Total Rebounds
-Offensive Rebound Pct
-Defensive Rebound Pct
-Total Rebound Pct
-Defensive Rating

And also rated highly in these other aspects:
-Defensive Win Shares (#3)
-Steal Pct (#11)
-Steals Per Game (#17)
-Field Goal Pct (#16)
-Steals (#13)
-Defensive Rebounds (#3)
-2-Pt Field Goals (#15)
-Defensive Box Plus/Minus (#7)

The kid really has no major injury history at all (which is AMAZING for a big in this day and age). The biggest knock on him is his FT shooting, which is a problem for most dominant bigs. But he has been working on his FT shooting form in the offseason and seems to have found something that works for him (Only pre-season game so far he went 6/8).

I would be more than fine doing something based around Bledsoe/Chandler/Dudley for Drummond/Bradley. Detroit betters their PG spot by a lot, and also sets the Boban free against the League. They also save a ton of money (Drummonds owed $23M/$25M/$27M/$28M over the next 4 seasons).

Say what you want, but Drummond is still a top 10 C in this league, and we could have a legit shot at getting him if we wanted. And yes, i know some of you will be all like, "But Kerrsed, we can get Ayton in the draft!!", but we can cross that bridge when we reach it. You dont want to pigeon hold our team for an entire season on the hopes that we land in a good enough spot to have a mystical ping pong ball land in our favor to draft a guy that im sure every other team ahead of us will also be looking at. If we dont get Ayton, then from early mocks we are looking at a PF (Bagley/Jackson Jr/Carter/Williams) or SF (Porter/Doncic) AND we would have passed on a top 10 C in Drummond.

Yup, Big Daddy Kerrsed is back on the Drummond bandwagon! CHOO CHOO MOTHER EFERS, CHOO CHOO!

[Kerrsed]

Chandler still gives you 11.5 rebounds. Well, that's the only thing he brings nowadays but still.

I'd try Bledsoe - Booker - Jackson - Warren - Chandler(Len) lineup before giving up on small ball. I don't know if it would be considered as small ball with Chandler though. And bench unit really needs a scorer there.

Sorry, i just dont see Chandler getting up 11.5 rebounds a game this season. I think he will dip well below 10 a game. Thats my prediction.

[bwgood77]

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Easy solution to both, Bring TJ off the bench. Start JJ (Who is a better rebounder) and Warren becomes that "dominant scorer" that he needs next to Ulis/Daniels/Len.

But the biggest issue is at C. Chandler is done. Sure, blah blah blah he is a veteran voice blah blah blah mentoring the bigs blah, ON THE COURT he isnt giving us much. Bender isnt a C (Too soft) and Chriss, while he has been trying, hasnt looked good there and has gotten destroyed in both games against the opposing C's. If Len isnt part of our future and isnt going to start, we need to look at obtaining a C that can rebound/defend, and can start for us (for at least a season). We are really missing Big Sauce right here and now.

This is exactly what he will do. It seems a bit as a created scene to justify starting Jackson, which seems to be a promise made to him in exchange to all that Celtics mess during the draft.

Yeah looks fairly obvious he is setting the table for TJ to come off the bench, at least at some point.

[bwgood77]

Chandler still gives you 11.5 rebounds. Well, that's the only thing he brings nowadays but still.

I'd try Bledsoe - Booker - Jackson - Warren - Chandler(Len) lineup before giving up on small ball. I don't know if it would be considered as small ball with Chandler though. And bench unit really needs a scorer there.

Sorry, i just dont see Chandler getting up 11.5 rebounds a game this season. I think he will dip well below 10 a game. Thats my prediction.

Per game is kind of a useless barometer not knowing his minutes. I doubt he will avg as many per game, but probably will avg a good # per 36, partially because he won't play a ton. I don't care if he plays but the veteran presence helps, especially if Chriss is out thee, but would help with JJ and Booker as well....and Bender, if he was somehow out there with him.

[Kerrsed]

Re-reading through all the news reports and Drummond to the Suns chatter, i still think it could be possible while keeping Bledsoe.

Something like Our 1st/Bender/Chandler for Drummond. I know people are going to hate that as it seems like a good 90% of the board already hate Drummond, and 100% of the board loves our 1st round pick, but oh well. I think it could actually help us win games for once.

Bledsoe/Booker/JJ/Chriss/Drummond
Ulis/Daniels/JonesJr/Warren/Len
James/Milsap/Dudley/Bennett/BigSauce

Knight (IR)

Our 18/19 salary would stay at the $70M mark Where it currently would be with no trades as Chandlers $13.5M, Benders $4.6M, and our 1st round picks salary around $5M = roughly Drummonds $24M. That means we would still have the cash to go after someone in FA while also retaining the players we want to keep.

I just see our future C spot as very bleak. Len was supposed to be our man, but season after season he has been inconsistent and couldnt russell the starting spot away from Father Time (Chandler). While he has looked good so far this season, once again its only been 2 games of pre-season and it shouldnt take the threat of the Suns not giving him a new offer to finally step up and play. Soon Chandler will be gone and Len also, leaving us with pretty much Big Sauce, and as much as i love the guy, he is not a starting 5.

[SideSwipe]

Re-reading through all the news reports and Drummond to the Suns chatter, i still think it could be possible while keeping Bledsoe.

Something like Our 1st/Bender/Chandler for Drummond. I know people are going to hate that as it seems like a good 90% of the board already hate Drummond, and 100% of the board loves our 1st round pick, but oh well. I think it could actually help us win games for once.

Bledsoe/Booker/JJ/Chriss/Drummond
Ulis/Daniels/JonesJr/Warren/Len
James/Milsap/Dudley/Bennett/BigSauce

Knight (IR)

Our 18/19 salary would stay at the $70M mark Where it currently would be with no trades as Chandlers $13.5M, Benders $4.6M, and our 1st round picks salary around $5M = roughly Drummonds $24M. That means we would still have the cash to go after someone in FA while also retaining the players we want to keep.

I just see our future C spot as very bleak. Len was supposed to be our man, but season after season he has been inconsistent and couldnt russell the starting spot away from Father Time (Chandler). While he has looked good so far this season, once again its only been 2 games of pre-season and it shouldnt take the threat of the Suns not giving him a new offer to finally step up and play. Soon Chandler will be gone and Len also, leaving us with pretty much Big Sauce, and as much as i love the guy, he is not a starting 5.

The old chatter, or is there something new?

[SideSwipe]

Easy solution to both, Bring TJ off the bench. Start JJ (Who is a better rebounder) and Warren becomes that "dominant scorer" that he needs next to Ulis/Daniels/Len.

But the biggest issue is at C. Chandler is done. Sure, blah blah blah he is a veteran voice blah blah blah mentoring the bigs blah, ON THE COURT he isnt giving us much. Bender isnt a C (Too soft) and Chriss, while he has been trying, hasnt looked good there and has gotten destroyed in both games against the opposing C's. If Len isnt part of our future and isnt going to start, we need to look at obtaining a C that can rebound/defend, and can start for us (for at least a season). We are really missing Big Sauce right here and now.

This is exactly what he will do. It seems a bit as a created scene to justify starting Jackson, which seems to be a promise made to him in exchange to all that Celtics mess during the draft.

Yeah looks fairly obvious he is setting the table for TJ to come off the bench, at least at some point.

Might be, but it could also be a matter of rotation times. TJ starts, goes out at at 6 mins left replaced by Jackson, but back at 3 mins replacing Booker.

Given Len's early look, how about a Booker, Jackson, Warren, Bender, Len lineup? Mostly, I am really interested in seeing what Booker, Jackson, Warren can do together in the back-court.

[Waylay13]

Something like Our 1st/Bender/Chandler for Drummond. I know people are going to hate that as it seems like a good 90% of the board already hate Drummond, and 100% of the board loves our 1st round pick, but oh well. I think it could actually help us win games for once.

There are about 5 players out there that would even think of parting with our 1st and Drummond isnt even close to being one them. The issue with Drummond is that he packs the lane making problems for most of the modern offensives out there. The suns had two major issues last year defense and passing and while Drummond help in rebounding which might help on the defense he surely doesnt help in the passing area.

[Kerrsed]

The old chatter, or is there something new?

Old chatter. We've been linked to him 2 offseasons in a row now, with a lot more info being out there this past offseason. He is a top big and fits our timeline. Brings 2 things that we currently lack majorly, Rebounding and Defense.

There are about 5 players out there that would even think of parting with our 1st and Drummond isnt even close to being one them. The issue with Drummond is that he packs the lane making problems for most of the modern offensives out there. The suns had two major issues last year defense and passing and while Drummond help in rebounding which might help on the defense he surely doesnt help in the passing area.

Only 2 major issues? I clearly remember rebounding being another major issue as well. So with Drummond you knock 2 out of the 3 out of the park by getting one of the best rebounding and defensive bigs in the game. Passing? Sorry, but in my eyes, the lack of passing falls on our guards. To me, to discredit a C for lack of passing or assists would be like, not wanting a top tier PG because of his lack of Blocks or rebounds. Thats not their game. Sure, you might have a few bigs in the league that are known as GREAT passers, but look at the teammates they are playing with. Now, look at who Drummonds been playing with. Seriously, who is the best player the Pistons have had on the team in the past 5 seasons? The easy answer to that is.....DRUMMOND! But since we are talking about teammates that he would be passing the ball to, who has been the Pistons second best player? Are you struggling to figure it out, because i know i am! You also have to take into context the system that they play in. Is their system to give it to Drummond in the paint, back the opponent down, then kick it out to someone else? Or is it to find a shot and then throw it in to Drummond for a high percentage FG? I dont know the answer to this as i havent watched enough Detroit basketball to give a definitive answer.

And because he his a beast in the paint, your automatically going to pass because he packs the lane? Really? THATS WHAT C's are supposed to DO!! THATS WHY WE CURRENTLY DONT GET NO DAMN REBOUNDS BECAUSE WE END UP HAVING WHOEVER IS PLAYING C SITTING AT THE TOP OF THE DAMN KEY ON OFFENSE! And dont you want a big presence in the paint "Packing the lane" on defense?

Pick your poison.

[King4Day]

Is Gary Harris that good that he warranted a 4 year 82 mill contract? Seems like a ton.

[bwgood77]

This is exactly what he will do. It seems a bit as a created scene to justify starting Jackson, which seems to be a promise made to him in exchange to all that Celtics mess during the draft.

Yeah looks fairly obvious he is setting the table for TJ to come off the bench, at least at some point.

Might be, but it could also be a matter of rotation times. TJ starts, goes out at at 6 mins left replaced by Jackson, but back at 3 mins replacing Booker.

Given Len's early look, how about a Booker, Jackson, Warren, Bender, Len lineup? Mostly, I am really interested in seeing what Booker, Jackson, Warren can do together in the back-court.

I'd be happy to try that if we end up dealing Bledsoe at some point. Or I wouldn't mind seeing it anyway at times. I think with Booker, Jackson and Bender that's plenty of passing.

Yeah, I thought about having all those guys start and then just subbing out TJ first so he could come back in earlier. You want to make sure you get off to a good offensive start too, and TJ is easily our most consistent guy offensively. Bledsoe and Booker can be off, and TJ is usually good. If Bledsoe and Booker get going, TJ can come out and come back in with 2nd unit, but if others are cold and TJ is hot, ride him.