Season Speculation, Trade Ideas & Discussion Pt. 4

[Bogyo]

I think we are going to have to revisit the timeline plan. With Booker emergence not being an anomaly, we might not be picking top 5, so trading for or signing a top flight player a little older might have to suffice.

People talk trash about us, but we are like the 11th pick right now and Booker was missing for 3 weeks. We are only going to get better being so young.

Also, last night I saw an offensive scheme for the first time ever. Booker to Len to corner three. Booker to Len to TJ and vice versa... pick and roll via Booker. Booker ISO when needed......Just saying it looked organized last night.

Could be the case if everybody improves further, but too early to tell.

Also factor in that we have had the easiest (or one of the easiest) schedule in the league, and we won 4 games by 3 points or less, and 2 of those came on buzzer beaters against the Grizzlies without Conley. If 2 of those bounces go the other way we're sitting on the 3rd pick right now with an 11-25 record.

[SideSwipe]

Anyone else think that Tyreke Evans might be a great #1 next to Booker? We could look at giving Memphis a combo of #2's, or maybe the Milwaukee #1 if there is another asset coming back. Memphis needs youth and athleticism to get out of their current slump. If Evans doesn't look like he'll stick around when his deal is up, they may move him. Meme doesn't have the $ to commit to Evans since they have Conley at the spot.

Evans brings size, versatility, scoring and distribution to the #1 spot. I think he could be had relatively cheaply given his production. It would give us a chance to try before we buy. I would make the move sooner rather than later. Canaan has done great for us, but Evans would be an improvement. The concern would be is his current performance fools gold and will he stay healthy?

[Qwigglez]

Also the question I have. Do you really think Booker is a #1 option?

He is averaging 25 points as a 21 year old. The sky is the limit. He makes it look so damn easy out there. I'd say yes.

[Qwigglez]

I think we are going to have to revisit the timeline plan. With Booker emergence not being an anomaly, we might not be picking top 5, so trading for or signing a top flight player a little older might have to suffice.

People talk trash about us, but we are like the 11th pick right now and Booker was missing for 3 weeks. We are only going to get better being so young.

Also, last night I saw an offensive scheme for the first time ever. Booker to Len to corner three. Booker to Len to TJ and vice versa... pick and roll via Booker. Booker ISO when needed......Just saying it looked organized last night.

Could be the case if everybody improves further, but too early to tell.

Also factor in that we have had the easiest (or one of the easiest) schedule in the league, and we won 4 games by 3 points or less, and 2 of those came on buzzer beaters against the Grizzlies without Conley. If 2 of those bounces go the other way we're sitting on the 3rd pick right now with an 11-25 record.

We also lost several close games. Plus the players having to adjust to a new coach and kind of new system. Booker, under JT is 10-14 record wise. Perhaps, had Booker not been injured, Suns could have won 3 out of the 6 games we lost without him, and we could have been 16-20.

To Jmac1 though, imagine if we had just fired Earl Watson over the off-season, how different this team may look with Bledsoe at the helm. I know a lot of people are happy he is gone, but we just gave up a 20/6/5 player for an expiring contract and a future pick. Or imagine we made the draft day trade of Bledsoe/JJ for Irving.

As far as trade talks go, I know the Hornets aren't doing so well, but I'm not sure if Kemba is really the guy I want on our team. I'd prefer Schroder because he's younger and the fact that Kemba has never averaged more than 6 assists a game.

[JMac1]

Also the question I have. Do you really think Booker is a #1 option?

At the rate he is going at 21....hell yea!

[JMac1]

I think we are going to have to revisit the timeline plan. With Booker emergence not being an anomaly, we might not be picking top 5, so trading for or signing a top flight player a little older might have to suffice.

People talk trash about us, but we are like the 11th pick right now and Booker was missing for 3 weeks. We are only going to get better being so young.

Also, last night I saw an offensive scheme for the first time ever. Booker to Len to corner three. Booker to Len to TJ and vice versa... pick and roll via Booker. Booker ISO when needed......Just saying it looked organized last night.

Could be the case if everybody improves further, but too early to tell.

Also factor in that we have had the easiest (or one of the easiest) schedule in the league, and we won 4 games by 3 points or less, and 2 of those came on buzzer beaters against the Grizzlies without Conley. If 2 of those bounces go the other way we're sitting on the 3rd pick right now with an 11-25 record.

We also lost several close games. Plus the players having to adjust to a new coach and kind of new system. Booker, under JT is 10-14 record wise. Perhaps, had Booker not been injured, Suns could have won 3 out of the 6 games we lost without him, and we could have been 16-20.

To Jmac1 though, imagine if we had just fired Earl Watson over the off-season, how different this team may look with Bledsoe at the helm. I know a lot of people are happy he is gone, but we just gave up a 20/6/5 player for an expiring contract and a future pick. Or imagine we made the draft day trade of Bledsoe/JJ for Irving.

As far as trade talks go, I know the Hornets aren't doing so well, but I'm not sure if Kemba is really the guy I want on our team. I'd prefer Schroder because he's younger and the fact that Kemba has never averaged more than 6 assists a game.

It’s sad....the Bledsoe situation. I thought he and Book would be solid.

[RaisingArizona]

Also the question I have. Do you really think Booker is a #1 option?

[bwgood77]

I honestly think we need to pick our poison between JJ/Warren and Chriss/Bender. Then we need to trade the other 2 plus a pick for someone that can play the Robin to Booker's Batman. I have no idea who that is though. We probably need to wait until after the lottery to see if we'll be one of the teams that snags Trae Young or Doncic.

I don't think any of those guys have enough trade value, or are good enough to dispose of their counterpart to make such decisions on them, and obviously Warren is going nowhere this year.

If we hope to go anywhere and Booker is a Batman, we need more Batmans and our best chance of finding those are in the draft.

You just went through 3 top 10 picks and said that those players don't have any value and then turned around and said that the draft is our best opportunity to find another good player. I would argue that trade is at least equivalent. Third is FA.

Yes, I said I don't think they have the type of trade value to net someone making it worth giving up on two of them and gambling on the ones being kept the keepers long term. Constant roster and coaching turnover is the type of thing that could eventually make Booker disgruntled.

Also, you talk about the Suns being unpopular with nba free agents and agents due to reputation.

Well one thing certain to make it worse in that regard would be to trade away a guy that signed an early extension at nice value because he wanted to be in Phoenix. Not that he can be traded this year anyway.

I just don't think Jackson, Chriss and Bender hold much trade value at the moment yet I still believe they can all potentially turn into worthwhile players for us. If we theoretically could get an all star type for them I'd listen, but I think it's doubtful at the moment.

[bwgood77]

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[bwgood77]

I've been a bit out of touch as I've been travelling all month and missing most games. Can someone fill me in on the following?

1. Why do we think James was cut? I know he was a ball stopper (but he was also a spark plug sometimes). Was it just that the ball wasn't moving enough?
2. What makes Caanan so special that we replaced James for him? Has he really improved since his earlier NBA days that he's a good player now? Does he pass? Defend? Shoot?
3. What are the lineup expectations when Booker returns?

Thanks!

I think the ball wasn't moving enough and he was a very poor shooter. It also always seemed like the rest of the players really didn't like playing with him, but I could be wrong on that.

Canaan is a better 3 pt shooter and seems to be a more willing passer. Triano has alluded to the fact that Bender is a lot more comfortable now without all the overdribbling (obviously a reference to James).

I guess you got the answer to 3...just moving Jackson back to the bench. Reed coming back pretty soon too.

[King4Day]

I've been a bit out of touch as I've been travelling all month and missing most games. Can someone fill me in on the following?

1. Why do we think James was cut? I know he was a ball stopper (but he was also a spark plug sometimes). Was it just that the ball wasn't moving enough?
2. What makes Caanan so special that we replaced James for him? Has he really improved since his earlier NBA days that he's a good player now? Does he pass? Defend? Shoot?
3. What are the lineup expectations when Booker returns?

Thanks!

I think the ball wasn't moving enough and he was a very poor shooter. It also always seemed like the rest of the players really didn't like playing with him, but I could be wrong on that.

Canaan is a better 3 pt shooter and seems to be a more willing passer. Triano has alluded to the fact that Bender is a lot more comfortable now without all the overdribbling (obviously a reference to James).

I guess you got the answer to 3...just moving Jackson back to the bench. Reed coming back pretty soon too.

Cool thanks.
Do you forsee us moving/cutting Monroe soon? Who's minutes will Reed take (if anyone)?

[jredsaz]

I don't think any of those guys have enough trade value, or are good enough to dispose of their counterpart to make such decisions on them, and obviously Warren is going nowhere this year.

If we hope to go anywhere and Booker is a Batman, we need more Batmans and our best chance of finding those are in the draft.

You just went through 3 top 10 picks and said that those players don't have any value and then turned around and said that the draft is our best opportunity to find another good player. I would argue that trade is at least equivalent. Third is FA.

Yes, I said I don't think they have the type of trade value to net someone making it worth giving up on two of them and gambling on the ones being the keepers long term. Constant roster and coaching turnover is the type of thing that could eventually make Booker disgruntled.

Also, you talk about the Suns being unpopular with nba free agents and agents due to reputation.

Well one thing certain to make it worse in that regard would be to trade away a guy that signed an early extension at nice value because he wanted to be in Phoenix. Not that he can be traded this year anyway.

I just don't think Jackson, Chriss and Bender hold much trade value at the moment yet I still believe they can all potentially turn into worthwhile players for us. If we theoretically could get an all star type for them I'd listen, but I think it's doubtful at the moment.

I would not advocate trading Booker after an extention. I am arguing that extention starts the clock on him wanting out. Also, I would argue our first, the MIA 1sts, and the Mil 1st do have trade value.

If an all star calibur player become available via trade it is a legitimate option. Booker wants to win. Adding another two projects in late June may not be the beat plan.

[bwgood77]

I've been a bit out of touch as I've been travelling all month and missing most games. Can someone fill me in on the following?

1. Why do we think James was cut? I know he was a ball stopper (but he was also a spark plug sometimes). Was it just that the ball wasn't moving enough?
2. What makes Caanan so special that we replaced James for him? Has he really improved since his earlier NBA days that he's a good player now? Does he pass? Defend? Shoot?
3. What are the lineup expectations when Booker returns?

Thanks!

I think the ball wasn't moving enough and he was a very poor shooter. It also always seemed like the rest of the players really didn't like playing with him, but I could be wrong on that.

Canaan is a better 3 pt shooter and seems to be a more willing passer. Triano has alluded to the fact that Bender is a lot more comfortable now without all the overdribbling (obviously a reference to James).

I guess you got the answer to 3...just moving Jackson back to the bench. Reed coming back pretty soon too.

Cool thanks.
Do you forsee us moving/cutting Monroe soon? Who's minutes will Reed take (if anyone)?

I guess Reed would have to take Daniel's minutes, as long as they don't want to reduce JJ's any more. I have no idea about Monroe. McD seems to take as long as possible to do things in hopes a good offer will come along, sometimes when in might be better to cut bait sooner (not saying there is necessarily any reason to cut bait here though).

[Wilber85]

Also the question I have. Do you really think Booker is a #1 option?

It was a question.

Look at the Contenders out there and their #1's

KD - Steph (not sure who u consider)
Lebron
Harden
Westbrook
Kawai Leonard

Is Booker equivalent to those? Can we build a championship team around him as our #1. I like the answers some of y'all posted and appreciate the feedback.

[bwgood77]

You just went through 3 top 10 picks and said that those players don't have any value and then turned around and said that the draft is our best opportunity to find another good player. I would argue that trade is at least equivalent. Third is FA.

Yes, I said I don't think they have the type of trade value to net someone making it worth giving up on two of them and gambling on the ones being the keepers long term. Constant roster and coaching turnover is the type of thing that could eventually make Booker disgruntled.

Also, you talk about the Suns being unpopular with nba free agents and agents due to reputation.

Well one thing certain to make it worse in that regard would be to trade away a guy that signed an early extension at nice value because he wanted to be in Phoenix. Not that he can be traded this year anyway.

I just don't think Jackson, Chriss and Bender hold much trade value at the moment yet I still believe they can all potentially turn into worthwhile players for us. If we theoretically could get an all star type for them I'd listen, but I think it's doubtful at the moment.

I would not advocate trading Booker after an extention. I am arguing that extention starts the clock on him wanting out. Also, I would argue our first, the MIA 1sts, and the Mil 1st do have trade value.

If an all star calibur player become available via trade it is a legitimate option. Booker wants to win. Adding another two projects in late June may not be the beat plan.

When mentioning trading a guy who signed an extension I was talking about how it would not help our reputation if we traded Warren, who signed a nice value contract extension early because he wanted to be here. Because it seemed you had maybe earlier suggested trading him to accommodate Jackson but have also seemed concerned about our reputation among free agents/player agents. It wouldn't look good to get him to sign that value deal extension and then try to deal him shortly thereafter. Not that we can trade Warren this year anyway.

Like I mentioned before, I'm not too worried about Booker wanting out...I mean the guy is the center of the Suns with his friends on the team. I mean he's got everything going for him. If he signs his max we wouldn't have to consider a trade of him (if for some reason he did want out) until 2022 at the very earliest. Of course it would be nice to make the playoffs before then.

[NTB]

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[bwgood77]

Also the question I have. Do you really think Booker is a #1 option?

It was a question.

Look at the Contenders out there and their #1's

KD - Steph (not sure who u consider)
Lebron
Harden
Westbrook
Kawai Leonard

Is Booker equivalent to those? Can we build a championship team around him as our #1. I like the answers some of y'all posted.

WeekapaugGroove answered your question well. Can he be a #1 scoring option? It appears with the way his efficiency improving, if it continues, yes. Now can he be your best player? Yes, he is our best player....can he be the best player on a good playoff team? Of course it would be better if he was like our 3rd best player but that's probably not too realistic. It will all depend on the team you put around him. It will make it a hell of a lot easier if he becomes average on the defensive side.

As for that list, no, Booker isn't equivalent to those. Many think he can become our version of Harden though.

Currently there is a pretty divisive debate over who is more valuable between him and Donovan Mitchell, so that appears to be what many think is his equivalent right now.

[WeekapaugGroove]

As far as reassessing the "timeline" I think part of that plan to be good by 2019 or 2020 would start by being better next year so I'm not sure making moves to do that would really be a deviation of the plan. I absolutely think they will need to assess the roster and be more active this summer than they have been the previous two years. But before they can start making the plan the big domino that needs to fall is the lottery and draft. Say they finally get some luck and jump into the top 3 that will be a key factor in what they decide to do next. Now say the opposite happens and they end up like 9th and don't love anyone in that range well then maybe you do package that pick with some assets and go get a veteran (this is still a risk because as we're seeing with guys like Mitchell and Kuzma good players can be found later on).

[TeamTragic]

Also the question I have. Do you really think Booker is a #1 option?

I mean not as long as we have Knight. Maybe Booker can learn how to play real basketball.

[WeekapaugGroove]

Memphis is having a rough rough season and I've seen people on here and in the media wonder if they will blow it up and move Gasol and/or Conley. While I don't think this core will ever be a top 4 team in the west again I don't think they should blow it up yet. The main reason being they owe Boston their 2019 1st rounder top 8 protected then the protection goes down until it's totally unprotected in 2021. I just don't think they can blow it up and risk that it takes years to build back up and potentially lose a top 5 pick in 2021. IMO they are much better off doing a little mini tank this year by not bring Conley back until he's fully healthy and flipping Evans for something at the deadline. Get a good pick this coming year then try to make some minor additions this summer and really try to compete next season so that 2019 pick conveys somewhere in the late lotto or high teens. If they get to the summer of 2019 and that pick is conveyed and not hanging over their heads and they don't feel that group can go any further then maybe you go scorched earth and blow it up.