Season Speculation, Trade Ideas & Discussion Pt. 6

[lilfishi22]

In isolation I get it but it's no different to guys like Len or Canaan being signed short-term and nobody celebrates that.

I think there's a weird obsession with winning trades (even if it doesn't make an actual difference).

I think the first point is super important. It cost us very little to get a good look at him and while Payton is no world beater, he's probably not a guy that would be available mid-season as a FA. But yes, winning trades is also nice

[darealjuice]

I gave it a B. I don't mind kicking the tires a bit and the value was good, but it does feel like a short-sighted move and I've never been too high on Payton. The bottom is really tight, and an extra win or two brought on by this trade could be the difference between #7 and #3 odds when it's all said and done. I'm not sure the rights to Payton in RFA is worth that potential drop. Payton hasn't looked like a long-term option for Orlando and probably won't here, but he's a big improvement on anyone we've had so far and could easily get us a couple extra wins in the last 25 games.

[lilfishi22]

I gave it a B too but not because of anything anti-tank related. I gave it a B because he wasn't my first choice of PG's and I would've paid a little more for a guy like Dinwiddie. From a value standpoint it's a good trade.

[Mulhollanddrive]

Have we looked at the FA market for PGs and not liked our chances?

[RunDogGun]

WELL, HERE IS OUR REMADE 2014 DRAFT PHOTO!

The following are some T.J. Warren pre-draft interview quotes from Wednesday, one day before the 2014 NBA Draft. Warren attended North Carolina State, and is a talented 2014 NBA draft prospect:

Question: Of this draft class, who would you like to be drafted alongside?

T.J. Warren: Elfrid Payton. Me and Elfrid met like two months ago, we were preparing for the draft. Just getting familiar with him and with his game, he’s a great player.
Read more at http://www.insidehoops.com/tj-warren-predraft-interview-062614.shtml#Jh2f8ghDGuFcq8ar.99

Yeah, i came across this pic of the two also:

Is that Warren’s only dress shirt?

[RunDogGun]

One thing that i forgot all about is look who is Frye's new coach.





C'mon thats gotta be a bit awkward!

Totally, who plays “I’ve got your nose”? Frye looks like he is about to say Champ’s line, “I miss your scent.”

[Christine-In-AZ]

Gave it a "B". Good to get a close look at his game/He's still very young...may not have really "launched" his game yet

Negatives for me are the same as many have already voiced...

-Might add 3 or 4 or 5 wins to the season total, which could easily turn #2 slot to #7 this year.
-What do you pay him to keep him? Especially difficult question if you don't see him as your long-term starter.
-Might have easily signed him without giving up the pick. More picks = more chances for luck to land.


A killer trade for me, given clues by what actually went down at the DL, would have been...

PHX out: Heat '18 pick, PHX 2nd round, (additional 2nd if Miami's pick ends up later than say? #17)
PHX in: Ntilikina

ORL out: Payton
ORL in: PHX 2nd round

NYK out: Ntilikina
NYK in: Payton, Heat '18 pick, (additional Suns 2nd if Miami pick is a late "1")

[theSUNalsoRISES]

In respect to acquiring elfrid hurting our lottery odds. I think this acquisition if it works out, helps us not being tied down to taking a point guard in this draft. As much as I like dionic and young, if we arent forced into getting a guard adding someone like bagley or JJJ to our core makes us a much more interesting team. With this trade, we can now take the Best available. We are in a better position if elfid turns into our starting pg of the future, that's for sure even if it cost us a few spots in the draft.

[Waylay13]

In respect to acquiring elfrid hurting our lottery odds. I think this acquisition if it works out, helps us not being tied down to taking a point guard in this draft. As much as I like dionic and young, if we arent forced into getting a guard adding someone like bagley or JJJ to our core makes us a much more interesting team. With this trade, we can now take the Best available. We are in a better position if elfid turns into our starting pg of the future, that's for sure even if it cost us a few spots in the draft.

I agree that we need the flexibility on opening up who we pick is important.

[thamadkant]

Suns should hire best shooting coach money can buy and have them spend the off season with all the players... Especially Jackson, Warren and Payton.... Bender and Chriss too lol.


Not everyone can be Curry.

But just shoot a decent percentage at open 3pt attempts is good enough. Just make sure they shoot it at game speed... As in under pressure, quick spotup and release... Unguarded.

A thousand hours should help them all improve enough. Do that multiple off seasons and in a few years most should be experts at open shots.

[thamadkant]

If Suns draft a PF... I think you have to trade one of Bender or Chriss or it will lead to one sulking and wanting out... That has been the problem since McD came in board... Hoarding players at specific positions that alienate and frustrates players.

[kennydorglas]

So now we are two non-bigman who shoots over .500 in 2P%?
That's nice.

Just bring Bamba to patrol our paint and we'll be fine.

[kennydorglas]

Suns should hire best shooting coach money can buy and have them spend the off season with all the players... Especially Jackson, Warren and Payton.... Bender and Chriss too lol.


Not everyone can be Curry.

But just shoot a decent percentage at open 3pt attempts is good enough. Just make sure they shoot it at game speed... As in under pressure, quick spotup and release... Unguarded.

A thousand hours should help them all improve enough. Do that multiple off seasons and in a few years most should be experts at open shots.

I was watching that Steve Nash series where he helps some high school ballers to improve their game.
Cant help but wonder what he'd do in that role with our team instead of GSW.

Obviously a pipe dream, but who knows?

[bwoolf2]

Suns should hire best shooting coach money can buy and have them spend the off season with all the players... Especially Jackson, Warren and Payton.... Bender and Chriss too lol.


Not everyone can be Curry.

But just shoot a decent percentage at open 3pt attempts is good enough. Just make sure they shoot it at game speed... As in under pressure, quick spotup and release... Unguarded.

A thousand hours should help them all improve enough. Do that multiple off seasons and in a few years most should be experts at open shots.

I was watching that Steve Nash series where he helps some high school ballers to improve their game.
Cant help but wonder what he'd do in that role with our team instead of GSW.

Obviously a pipe dream, but who knows?

screw it Nash should be the next head coach worked out with Kerr in GS... Cant be any worse than what we have seen...

[bwgood77]

The team should be a lot more fun to watch. I guess I shouldn't have said "more fun"...they should be watchable. I am happy for that reason. There is also a chance he takes a major step and the change of scenery will do him good, like it did for Oladipo or Harris.

His shooting numbers have already had a massive uptick this year which is encouraging. People have talked about the low volume but it's still consistent with his volume in other years, but at least he is hitting the shots and finishing.

Maybe it will invigorate him.

It scares me a little because it reminds me of the Knight deal..trading for a pending RFA. Though I don't think he will get an offer in free agency, or not a double digit per year one, so perhaps he would be worth hanging onto for $5-7 million a year or something. I don't know that there will be much in free agency and if we don't draft Doncic or Young, we would likely take a PG later who wouldn't be ready to start.

There is also Knight to consider. If we re-sign Payton, and Knight is healthy and we draft a PG with like the Miami pick, the PG situation still will likely not be ideal.

At least the draft will play out before free agency which should provide a clearer approach.

[WeekapaugGroove]

Have we looked at the FA market for PGs and not liked our chances?

It's not exactly an inspiring group available. Paul isn't coming here, bradley and smart aren't really pgs and hell even lin just picked up his option. Its a thin group left. I thought they might look at elf in FA so this gives them a first hand try out.

I'd bet next years pg comes from the draft or a trade but payton can be a fall back if nothing pans out.

[AtheJ415]

I don't think Elfrid will be all that expensive. Not many teams need PGs, certainly not those who have cap space (LAL, Dallas). With Lou Williams, a borderline all star getting 8 mil per year, I can't imagine Elfrid getting more than 7. Also, despite getting him, if we think Trae Young is the best guy available, we better take him.

[AtheJ415]

We should definitely have a hair contingency in Elfrid's deal if we keep him. It is just absurd. It bounces up and down in front of his face as he runs. That has to impact concentration. There is no way it doesn't.

[JMac1]

Trae Young or JJJ for me.

[AtheJ415]

I will also say I really liked Elfrid in the draft. His shooting has held him back. It will be telling if he can continue this season's numbers going forward. If he can, he is a difference-maker.