Season Speculation, Trade Ideas & Discussion Pt. 4

[King4Day]

So people have mentioned trading for George Hill, and after reviewing the Trade Board I think I would consider trading for him because someone mentioned for 2019-20 season he could be cut with only $1mil guaranteed for that season. This is what was holding me back before was taking on that extra year of salary.
I wouldn't mind trading Monroe for Hill and maybe steal a 2nd round pick or two. It's doubtful they would include a 1st, maybe a pick swap where the Suns get the more favorable pick? That's doubtful too though.
Anyway, George Hill essentially expiring next season would be huge for the Suns as we would also have Tyson and Dudley expiring too. We could trade those three for a disgruntled star or simply let them walk and use the cap space on free agents.

On 2nd thought maybe trade Knight for Hill if the Kings would accept. Less money per year for them.

Any idea how Hill is doing this year? Is he someone the Kings would just dump for cap relief?

[WeekapaugGroove]

I wish the NBA would allow teams to use their current cap space to buy out future years on a players contract. Kind of a reverse of the stretch provision they allow teams to do.

For instance the Suns have about $8M in cap space right now. It would be great if they could use that $8M and buy out Knight and take the $8M off the final two years of his deal or they could even buy out Chandler and take that $8M off his next year cap money.

I don't see any downside to this. It helps teams/owners get out from bad deals earlier. For the players they still get all their money and get to move on from a team that doesn't want them anymore and from an overall players perspective it puts more money into the FA pool so other guys get paid. Seems like a win win type situation.

[BobbieL]

So people have mentioned trading for George Hill, and after reviewing the Trade Board I think I would consider trading for him because someone mentioned for 2019-20 season he could be cut with only $1mil guaranteed for that season. This is what was holding me back before was taking on that extra year of salary.
I wouldn't mind trading Monroe for Hill and maybe steal a 2nd round pick or two. It's doubtful they would include a 1st, maybe a pick swap where the Suns get the more favorable pick? That's doubtful too though.
Anyway, George Hill essentially expiring next season would be huge for the Suns as we would also have Tyson and Dudley expiring too. We could trade those three for a disgruntled star or simply let them walk and use the cap space on free agents.

On 2nd thought maybe trade Knight for Hill if the Kings would accept. Less money per year for them.

After this year - Knight is owed $28m; Hill is owed $20m

So for the Kings - they would be losing longer term money but getting cap space in 2018/2019

the deal I liked - that I forget who came up with was: Koufos/Hill for Knight/Monroe

The Kings save like 6-7m through 2020 - but of course, the cap hit in 2019/2020 is 14 when Koufos/Hill alone would be 8m

And you are right - chandler, hill and Dudley all off the books. Suns would take a cap hit in 2018/2019 as Koufos/Hill are 28m but Knight right now is only 14,

[ShawnBronald]

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[WeekapaugGroove]

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I have lot's of problems with this statement. First off George Hill isn't some big time acquisition; he's been pretty bad this year. Goran isn't going anywhere because the Heat are playing well. I'm not sure Jordan really improves this team very much and I worry about him on a team without a decent PG. Kemba sure I'll give him that one and I've been OK trading for him for a while.

More importantly is the Suns are 9 games under .500 so would have to play REALLY well the last half of the year to make even a run at the 8 seed.

This team is better than I expected and I'm fine making a move to get better but it has to be something that would make you better past this final 40 games. Next year is a more realistic target to make a playoff push.

[BobbieL]

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I think the Suns right now are 8 so not sure why Gambo thinks they may not be top 8.

I do wonder what he thinks it would cost to get Kemba or Goran

Chriss, Heat Pick and ???

[Cutter]

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I would take a long look at Dragic if it became known he was available. Yes, I know when he requested a trade there were hurt feelings and pissed off people on all sides. However, time heals all wounds, and I am someone who is over the butt-hurt caused by his departure.

Would you guys return one of the Miami picks (plus filler) in a trade for Goran? Like they always say "the third time's the charm".
I honestly think he would be perfect next to Booker.

[darealjuice]

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Seems like an overreaction to career games by both Bender and Jackson in the same night. It was an impressive win without monster games from Book or Warren, but we've got still 14 games between now and the trade deadline. Let's see if Chriss keeps up his recent play and Bender and Jackson can put together a few games contributing around this level before we start anointing ourselves "too good for a top 8 pick" when we're currently at the 8th worst win percentage. Not to mention Chicago has played well recently and has Lavine coming back, Dallas is starting to play a bit better, and Memphis still has Conley coming back unless they blow things up in the next 30 days, so there's still plenty of potential for movement at the bottom.

Not to say we shouldn't put feelers out there and grab someone on the cheap if possible, but I just want more consistency before we start saying we're ready for the playoffs.

[bigfoot]

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To me I think we stick with our players but make some lineup changes. The biggest move to make is benching Ulis. I'm hoping with five days of practice they can really get Booker ready to run the point more. Still a big question about the starting nod between Bender and Chriss. Really hope that Coach T can develop them to both play 4/5 in a few years.

Booker - Canaan/Ulis
Jackson - Daniels/Reed
Warren - Duds/Daniels/Reed
Bender - Chriss
Chandler - Len/Monroe

[darealjuice]

I think the move that we need to and will make in the next 30 days is finding a trade partner for Greg Monroe. He's wasting away on the bench right now, and it'd be nice to open up some minutes for Bender at the 5 on nights that Chandler is resting instead of playing Monroe. Plus he's off the books this offseason, there has to be a team looking for some big cap relief this offseason and we're in a decent position to eat some cap.

The only problem is that we don't really need more draft capital this year, although I guess you can never have enough if McD wants to wheel and deal this offseason.

[King4Day]

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I would take a long look at Dragic if it became known he was available. Yes, I know when he requested a trade there were hurt feelings and pissed off people on all sides. However, time heals all wounds, and I am someone who is over the butt-hurt caused by his departure.

Would you guys return one of the Miami picks (plus filler) in a trade for Goran? Like they always say "the third time's the charm".
I honestly think he would be perfect next to Booker.

If the Bucks first is what it took to land Bledsoe, then that's all I'd give up in terms of assets. Or the worst of those picks.

[bigfoot]

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I think the Suns right now are 8 so not sure why Gambo thinks they may not be top 8.

I do wonder what he thinks it would cost to get Kemba or Goran

Chriss, Heat Pick and ???

Under Coach T the Suns have played .410 basktball. Not great but not bad either. But the thing that may be going unnoticed is the improvement in play. It was a mess the first two months of the season. Now we are starting to see solid basketball, real plays, and growth in the young players. I would image this trend will continue as the season progresses. So would we be happier picking 9-10 or pushing hard for playoffs and maybe picking 13-15. The chase to make the playoffs will be very hard; 25-15 over the remainder of the season gets us a .500 record. Still it is challenge for the young guys and the front office should look to see how best to help the team ... a PG is the biggest need.

[bwgood77]

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Seems like an overreaction to career games by both Bender and Jackson in the same night. It was an impressive win without monster games from Book or Warren, but we've got still 14 games between now and the trade deadline. Let's see if Chriss keeps up his recent play and Bender and Jackson can put together a few games contributing around this level before we start anointing ourselves "too good for a top 8 pick" when we're currently at the 8th worst win percentage. Not to mention Chicago has played well recently and has Lavine coming back, Dallas is starting to play a bit better, and Memphis still has Conley coming back unless they blow things up in the next 30 days, so there's still plenty of potential for movement at the bottom.

Not to say we shouldn't put feelers out there and grab someone on the cheap if possible, but I just want more consistency before we start saying we're ready for the playoffs.

Yeah, I'd like to see it play out a bit. I think other teams will anyway to see where they are at that time too. We are still five games out of the 8 seed, while only being 4.5 out of the worst record, despite playing better. And we still have played the 4th easiest schedule in the west, while the 8 toughest schedules overall (based on records of competition) have been played by Dallas, Utah, Memphis, LAL, Philly, Charlotte, Chicago and Sacramento. The 8th seeded Pelicans have played the 10th toughest overall.

It's exciting to be playing better and to get a win against OKC but Gambo seems to too easily forget that three of our last four games prior to that we lost by 23, 13 and 14, and the one win in the last 4 prior to OKC required an 8 point crazy comeback in the last minute and a half against the worst team in the league.

[bwgood77]

I think the move that we need to and will make in the next 30 days is finding a trade partner for Greg Monroe. He's wasting away on the bench right now, and it'd be nice to open up some minutes for Bender at the 5 on nights that Chandler is resting instead of playing Monroe. Plus he's off the books this offseason, there has to be a team looking for some big cap relief this offseason and we're in a decent position to eat some cap.

The only problem is that we don't really need more draft capital this year, although I guess you can never have enough if McD wants to wheel and deal this offseason.

Yeah, Hill seems to make sense based on need, etc, but I don't know what or if he has plans for cap space this summer, or maybe just wants to keep it to absorb contracts and pick up assets. I'm not real excited about the prospects of Hill but think he can be a solid vet PG if/when engaged.

[Qwigglez]

I would honestly prefer a 3 way trade where the Heat get Kemba, Suns get Dragic, and the Hornets get whatever they want, most likely Monroe. Though if they prefer Knight and an extra pick then I'm for that too
I prefer Dragic for several reasons. Though he's older than Kemba, he's far more efficient. He is taller and his defense is better, and he's a more natural leader. Dragic hasn't had any major injury concerns and his game isn't predicated on his athleticism where I feel Kemba's quickness may decline in a few years. Dragic is familiar with Phoenix and even though we had a falling out I think he would be welcomed back with open arms and his love for the city hasn't changed either. I think Dragic also fits our team very well and chemistry would be on point.

I don't think we need to give up any of our young players, if so then forget about it. We have plenty of future first to give up. I'd be willing to let go of the 2018 Miami pick as well as the Bucks pick if we were to trade Knight. If it was for Monroe, then the Miami pick and our 2nd rounder should be fine.

I wouldn't want DJ because he wouldn't be much help offensively where we are struggling to stay consistent. Dragic can open the floor, make solid reads, and just be a floor general. 3 team trade is the way to go, I could see the Heat definitely doing this deal because they get younger and the flashier player. It all depends on if the Hornets are willing to let Walker go for that price, his value will only decline since he is will be expiring after next season.

[LukasBMW]

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Gambo changes his mind more then some of us on this forum.

None of those guys (Kemba/DeAndre/etc) interest me.

All the guys I really want are not gonna be moved (Myles Turner, KAT, KP, WCS, Fox, Fultz, etc.)

If we make any trades at all, it better be for a "under-the-radar" rookie or younger vet that has potential AND A GOOD ATTITUDE/WORK ETHIC but just hasn't figured it out yet (or gotten the right opportunity).

A Joe Johnson type (when we got him from Boston for cheap) or a Billups type (when Detroit picked him up after everyone else gave up on him).

[bwgood77]

What makes people think Miami would trade Dragic? They are currently the 5 seed and a half game out of the 4 seed. Sure it's pretty tight in the conference but why would a team a half game out of HCA in the first round trade their best player?

[LukasBMW]

Oh yeah...to make the playoffs, we need to finish about 25-15 (.625) (Gives us a 41-41 record)

Come on...really...

I love our effort lately, but...

Washington .575
Minnesota .610
Spurs .659
Cavs .667
Houston .711
Toronto .730
Boston .767
GSW .800

Are we a top 8 team???

[LukasBMW]

What makes people think Miami would trade Dragic? They are currently the 5 seed and a half game out of the 4 seed. Sure it's pretty tight in the conference but why would a team a half game out of HCA in the first round trade their best player?

+ I doubt he would want to come back here.
+ He doesn't fit the timeline

[bwgood77]

Oh yeah...to make the playoffs, we need to finish about 25-15 (.625) (Gives us a 41-41 record)

Come on...really...

I love our effort lately, but...

Washington .575
Minnesota .610
Spurs .659
Cavs .667
Houston .711
Toronto .730
Boston .767
GSW .800

Are we a top 8 team???

We did beat Washington and Minnesota (of course they are the two lower than 62.5% winning %)