Season Speculation, Trade Ideas & Discussion Pt. 2

[grumpysaddle]

The only city I'd be okay with the Suns moving to would be San Diego, for selfish reasons, so I could go to games. Haha. But, I still wouldn't want that. Suns should always be a Phoenix franchise.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

The only city I'd be okay with the Suns moving to would be San Diego, for selfish reasons, so I could go to games. Haha. But, I still wouldn't want that. Suns should always be a Phoenix franchise.

If they moved to San Diego, I... I... I don't know what I'd do. Probably just

[JJ13]

One reason McD may be holding back on Bled trade is to give the team some time to gel after Watson and see where the biggest needs are. Bender wasn't nearly as valuable before Watson's departure. Maybe McD is being smart and giving time for the dust to settle. At this point I'd rather keep giving minutes to the players we have (aside from DJJ, Daniels) and get the best draft pick. I'd be ok including Tyson for the right deal. With Len becoming a UFA, only position I'd be willing to swap out minutes for is Center. So bring on Okafor, Maker or Hernangomez...whichever one comes with the higher draft pick

[JJ13]

Oh and one name I forgot, Domantus Sabonis ...he's been filling in since Turner's been injured. Averaging 13pt / 11 rb

[Walt_Uoob]

This SI article's Bledsoe-to-Spurs suggestion got me thinking about that December 15th date when more contracts become trade-able. The Spurs probably still aren't a likely destination, but they have a lot of guys who aren't trade-able yet, so McD might have reason to believe there will be a few more realistic bidders in December/January. And I guess in that case, might as well wait till the trade deadline, sadly.

ANDREW SHARP: ERIC BLEDSOE TO THE ... SPURS

Why it should happen: Listen. I have spent several years of my NBA writing life trying to get Eric Bledsoe out of Phoenix and onto a fun, young team that could use his talents to vault themselves to meaningful winning. We're closer than ever to seeing Eric Bledsoe on the Nuggets or Bucks, so this should be easy, right?

But see, it's not easy. The days of Bledsoe to the Bucks dreams were a simpler time, a time before the KD Warriors roamed the earth, and before Kawhi Leonard had turned into an offensive and defensive death machine just as the rest of the Spurs core got old. So with apologies to Milwaukee and Denver, we can't afford to put Eric Bledsoe on a hipster team that will probably top out as a fifth seed.

Bledsoe is not a perfect player, but San Antonio gets the best out of everyone, and the Spurs would unleash the best basketball of career. Throwing him on the perimeter next to Dejounte Murray's 8-foot arms and Kawhi Leonard would make San Antonio better equipped than anyone in the NBA to harass the Warriors on the perimeter. Kawhi needs help, and the Warriors need competition. Offensively, he'd inject some athleticism that's been missing at the guard spots since Tony Parker's early days. Pop would use Bledsoe in all kinds of strange ways, and it would work really well, and it would be as baffling as watching the Rudy Gay renaissance that's clearly coming over the next few months.

Now... Would any of this be enough to help the Spurs actually beat the Warriors in a playoff series? Probably not. But it would be fun as hell to watch them try.

Why it won't happen: 1) It's tough to make the salaries work without including Tony Parker, 2) the Suns wouldn't want any young Spurs asset besides Dejounte Murray, and 3) the Spurs are not trading Dejounte Murray.

https://www.si.com/nba/2017/10/27/nba-trade-rumors-thunder-pelicans-suns-paul-george-demarcus-cousins

[Cutter]

The question I have is, assuming McD doesn't move Bledsoe soon, how long does he have him sit home before feeling pressure to reinsert him in the line-up? If we can't get good trade value for him and feel we need to hold on to him and rebuild his value, that will be a cluster-F of epic proportions.

[phnart]

There is no pressure to trade him. The Suns are under the cap, so money isn't an issue and the young guys, the "future," need to play. Eric Bledsoe hasn't proven that he can lead himself out of a beauty shop, let alone lead a basketball team.

Sent from my SM-G955U using RealGM mobile app

[Cutter]

I assume Suns are paying him something like $177K per game to sit at home. Isn't it some sort of rule violation to sit a healthy player like that just because management is pissed at him? Hell, we let Kieff and Marcus Morris both play after they beat the crap out of an innocent citizen. I guess lying about being at the hair salon is worse than an assault charge.

[bwgood77]

This should probably be it's own thread because I'm sure speculation will run for a while.

I mentioned this earlier but will again - Why do we assume Sarver would be more likely to keep the team in Phoenix than a new owner? He's not from here and frankly isn't well liked here I don't see why he would have any loyalty keep the team here. This isn't a Herb Kohl situation with Milwaukee where he was a local guy and former senator with a huge motivation to keep the team in Milwaukee. I think an arena deal does get done at some point regardless of who's the owner and hell it might have a better chance of getting public money if someone more well liked than Sarver is pushing for it and someone with deeper pockets that would contribute more to the building of it.

Plus I really do expect we see the NBA expand in the next few years; that is so much more financially lucrative for owners than moving a team. It's been a long time since the last expansion, 32 is a number that makes sense and if you put the teams in Seattle and Vegas you could even up the conference by getting cities like Memphis and probably New Orleans (maybe Minnesota) in the East. This could also be where it would makes sense to cut the season down a few games.

Well Sarver was born and grew up in Tucson and went to Univ of Arizona and started his bank in Tucson so where do you expect he might move them to? I don't know if he's always been a Suns fan but if he's been an NBA fan I'm guessing it was the Suns growing up. I mean I know he acquired a few banks in San Diego and was CEO of another one, but then he became Chairman and CEO off Western Alliance Bancorporation in 2002 and still holds that position (it's HQ are in Phx). He's also a Director at Meritage Homes and owns another business at Univ of AZ.

He's pretty firmly planted in Phoenix right now it seems. He'd have to move it and somewhat abandon all these other things as well. I doubt he'd abandon everything....perhaps if he sold he might move on from some or all of these things but doubtful.

[bwgood77]

I assume Suns are paying him something like $177K per game to sit at home. Isn't it some sort of rule violation to sit a healthy player like that just because management is pissed at him? Hell, we let Kieff and Marcus Morris both play after they beat the crap out of an innocent citizen. I guess lying about being at the hair salon is worse than an assault charge.

No. There is a video of WOJ on espn saying this could drag out for quite some time if Phx doesn't have an offer they like, because they are playing well. He didn't seem to think that would be any kind of NBA issue. The ONLY place I've seen that brought up was on the General Board first and then since then, on the Suns board.

[lilfishi22]

I'm okay with Sarver, but I'm a rare duck.

Same. He's made his mistakes but the hate is way too strong. Most of his mistakes were made a decade ago.

As much meddling as Sarver as done in the past with personally making trades, I feel he's been relatively hands off through these past few seasons. Sarver is far from what anyone would call a good owner but I'd rather have him than Vivek who's not only super hands in making moves, he's also been very hands on with coaching

[jcsunsfan]

I assume Suns are paying him something like $177K per game to sit at home. Isn't it some sort of rule violation to sit a healthy player like that just because management is pissed at him? Hell, we let Kieff and Marcus Morris both play after they beat the crap out of an innocent citizen. I guess lying about being at the hair salon is worse than an assault charge.

It certainly seems that Bledsoe is happy to be home. He hasn't complained to the players association. They can let him come back to games, but they do not have to play him. He can sit on the bench the whole game. I doubt he really wants to do that.

[phx#7]

I assume Suns are paying him something like $177K per game to sit at home. Isn't it some sort of rule violation to sit a healthy player like that just because management is pissed at him? Hell, we let Kieff and Marcus Morris both play after they beat the crap out of an innocent citizen. I guess lying about being at the hair salon is worse than an assault charge.

No. There is a video of WOJ on espn saying this could drag out for quite some time if Phx doesn't have an offer they like, because they are playing well. He didn't seem to think that would be any kind of NBA issue. The ONLY place I've seen that brought up was on the General Board first and then since then, on the Suns board.

Of course it's not a rule. There is nothing in the contract about playing time and this isn't the first time it's happened. Tim Thomas was sent home after playing a few games and the Bulls waited until after the deadline to waive him in case they were able to use him in a trade.

Bledsoe's getting paid, if playing was so important to him he shouldn't have gone public.

[Phystic]

http://www.espn.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=ycckomdw

Just a horrible trade for the Cavs. Love and IT for Bledsoe Chandler and Chriss? What am I missing that makes that even slightly worth it for them?

[lilfishi22]

I assume Suns are paying him something like $177K per game to sit at home. Isn't it some sort of rule violation to sit a healthy player like that just because management is pissed at him? Hell, we let Kieff and Marcus Morris both play after they beat the crap out of an innocent citizen. I guess lying about being at the hair salon is worse than an assault charge.

I thought it was a mutual decision for them to stay away from each other.

[NavLDO]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/sports/wp/2017/10/31/five-ripples-of-the-nets-eye-popping-sale-price-around-the-nba-and-beyond/?utm_term=.95c6bc63df17

YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

I'm praying it won't happen. This would most certainly mean relocation. Enjoy rooting for the SuperSonics...

Why would that happen? Because of a few poor seasons while Sarver was in charge? No one associated with the NBA is blind to the fact that Sarver is a huge factor in our woes, be it winning to attendance. This 'crowd' will be revitalized with a new owner.

Not to mention, Phoenix is the 5th largest City, and 12th largest Metropolitan Area in the U.S. Then add in Tucson, which is just 110 miles away, with another million or so people, that's a lot fans for the NBA to lose.

Anything is possible, of course, but I can't see that happening.

[TeamTragic]

The Seattle suns has a nice ironic ring to it

If Sarver no longer owns this team then I have no issues rooting for the Seattle SUNS.

I'd be done with the NBA if the Suns moved out of Arizona.
I'd buy as much Phoenix Suns merch as I could before it was gone and have my memories.

This franchise could actually contend once more under new ownership. You already know what will happen under Sarver.

I'd be done with the NBA if the Suns moved out of Arizona.
I'd buy as much Phoenix Suns merch as I could before it was gone and have my memories.

I would move there with you if I don't stay in Cali

[NavLDO]

http://bkref.com/tiny/rj84Y

See that big 'goose egg' under GS for Len? Compare them when they both have close to equal starts, like last year...

http://bkref.com/tiny/l1jr3

...or maybe more than 6 games. Notice how Len has better Offensive Numbers in your example? Do we believe that to be true, as well.

And as you've just shown, Len is NOT a "GREAT" backup C...he actually sucks at it. He's much better when he starts. Go through his career games, as I have, and you'll see this to be true, as opposed to just basing it off 6 games from the bench.

Wow, that ORtg comparison. Quite a difference.

I know. That's what 67% shooting does for you. He NEVER takes shots outside of 3 ft...like EVER. 97% of his shots are within 3 ft (and he still misses 33%...makes you wonder, lol)

[bigfoot]

See that big 'goose egg' under GS for Len? Compare them when they both have close to equal starts, like last year...

http://bkref.com/tiny/l1jr3

...or maybe more than 6 games. Notice how Len has better Offensive Numbers in your example? Do we believe that to be true, as well.

And as you've just shown, Len is NOT a "GREAT" backup C...he actually sucks at it. He's much better when he starts. Go through his career games, as I have, and you'll see this to be true, as opposed to just basing it off 6 games from the bench.

Wow, that ORtg comparison. Quite a difference.

I know. That's what 67% shooting does for you. He NEVER takes shots outside of 3 ft...like EVER. 97% of his shots are within 3 ft (and he still misses 33%...makes you wonder, lol)

That's such a crazy, stupid statement to make because all you need to do is compare Alex Len's numbers from within 3 ft. They absolutely suck for a center. Chandler obviously dominates Len on the offensive side and is clearly his equal rebounding and playing defense. You just can't get over the fact that old Tyson Chandler is better than Len.

[NavLDO]

YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

I'm praying it won't happen. This would most certainly mean relocation. Enjoy rooting for the SuperSonics...

That would be the icing on the cake. Sarver destroys the team and then sends the Suns to Seattle.

I know where he lives though...

I know a few folks who would love to have the Sun (singular) 'sent' to Seattle.

A name change would be in order...like, the Seattle Mist.