Why Aren't The Suns Being Talked About As A Max FA Destination?

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[Qwigglez]

It's too bad Lebron doesn't have any ties with the Suns or Phoenix. If you think about it, the Suns are virtually in the same position as the Cavs were pre-Lebron James (2nd time around). They had a young Kyrie Irving, the No 1 pick (Wiggins), and a couple of young prospects. I would say the Suns are in a better position asset wise however, since the Suns have two expiring contracts (Chandler/Dudley), and several 1st round picks.
If Lebron chose Phoenix as his destination of choice he would do so because the front office would be willing to trade whoever to get the team Lebron wants. I could see them dealing Ayton, Jackson and future pick(s) for Kawhi Leonard. Not sure what else they could do after that though.

[rugbyrugger23]

It's too bad Lebron doesn't have any ties with the Suns or Phoenix. If you think about it, the Suns are virtually in the same position as the Cavs were pre-Lebron James (2nd time around). They had a young Kyrie Irving, the No 1 pick (Wiggins), and a couple of young prospects. I would say the Suns are in a better position asset wise however, since the Suns have two expiring contracts (Chandler/Dudley), and several 1st round picks.
If Lebron chose Phoenix as his destination of choice he would do so because the front office would be willing to trade whoever to get the team Lebron wants. I could see them dealing Ayton, Jackson and future pick(s) for Kawhi Leonard. Not sure what else they could do after that though.

You think of would take Ayton + Jackson + Future 1sts for Kawhi to come to PHX?

Even if James was brought in, that wouldn't happen. Kawhi is a major flight risk and that would be an overpay.

Suns need to hold the course. I would look for consolidation trade with #16 + Bucks 1st + taking on bad contract (that matches Knights term) + combining one of Chriss or Bender (not sure either has value) + Warren + Expiring Contracts. Some combination to get another promising youth or much improved draft pick 2018 or 19.

[Qwigglez]

It's too bad Lebron doesn't have any ties with the Suns or Phoenix. If you think about it, the Suns are virtually in the same position as the Cavs were pre-Lebron James (2nd time around). They had a young Kyrie Irving, the No 1 pick (Wiggins), and a couple of young prospects. I would say the Suns are in a better position asset wise however, since the Suns have two expiring contracts (Chandler/Dudley), and several 1st round picks.
If Lebron chose Phoenix as his destination of choice he would do so because the front office would be willing to trade whoever to get the team Lebron wants. I could see them dealing Ayton, Jackson and future pick(s) for Kawhi Leonard. Not sure what else they could do after that though.

You think of would take Ayton + Jackson + Future 1sts for Kawhi to come to PHX?

Even if James was brought in, that wouldn't happen. Kawhi is a major flight risk and that would be an overpay.

Suns need to hold the course. I would look for consolidation trade with #16 + Bucks 1st + taking on bad contract (that matches Knights term) + combining one of Chriss or Bender (not sure either has value) + Warren + Expiring Contracts. Some combination to get another promising youth or much improved draft pick 2018 or 19.

Well it would obviously be pending a physical and Kawhi saying he would love to play in Phoenix with Lebron and Booker. Do I think it's an overpay? Right now, definitely with all things considered.
Suns will hold the course. They will likely go after a big free agent, not sure who yet. Maybe Paul George. Or maybe they make a trade.

[Rocketsbaby]

1) Organization in shambles

2) Cheap Owner

3) Team is too crappy for it to matter and they have young guys that will become expensive down the line on their extensions.


It wouldn't be prudent for Phoenix to spend money on a max free agent. Not gonna do it. Not gonna do it.

[Rocketsbaby]

By renouncing the rights to Alex Len and Elfrid Payton and not picking up the option of Alan Williams and then getting rid of one of Dudley, Chandler or Knight by either stretching or trading (perhaps by attaching picks 16 or 31) the Suns create enough space for a max contract in free agency and have a roster of:

Ayton/Chandler/Bender
James/Chriss/Bender
Warren/Jackson
Jackson/Booker/Daniels
Booker/Knight/Ullis

You were on a roll getting rid of a lot of the bad players on their roster. Keep going you've still got half of them left

[Rocketsbaby]

Whats wrong with PHX? I understand players not going to that losing culture as of late but the location itself is wonderful.

How is Phoenix wonderful? Have you been?

Arizona is wonderful. It's even the ideal location if ever RealGM'ers decide to meetup or something...

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1646162

Oh man this guy wins. Hilarious thread.... that guy was definitely trying to make some commissions by booking a hotel for an event

[Rocketsbaby]

It doesn't have a lot to do with the poor record as even when the Suns were winning they weren't drawing interest in big name FA's, it's a small market so they have to use the draft and/or trades to bring in big stars.

The Suns got Barkley, KJ,Amare, Marion and Kidd via trades.

That's also how they acquired Brandon Knight

[Rocketsbaby]

I always wanted to take a vacation trip to Arizona for like a week. I don't know what's out there besides desert and heat.

You can't be serious. Ever hear of the Grand freaking Canyon?

Pretty sure that's in New Mexico

[Rocketsbaby]

A half century with no titles and desert heat. What more could you want?

Almost every fan in Cleveland would move to Phoenix if given the chance.

That's an understatement. Almost every one in Cleveland would move to Cincinnati if given the chance.

Ever been to Cleveland? Downtown is just one giant pile of dirt. It's like they were going to build something there then just decided not too.. massive piles of dirt everywhere.

But at least it's better than Toledo's Giant billboard when you first come into town that says "Please don't support Human Sex Trafficking"

[TheDavinciCHODE]

They’re the worst team in the NBA and located in Phoenix lol. This isn’t rocket science


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Whats wrong with PHX? I understand players not going to that losing culture as of late but the location itself is wonderful.

I didn’t really mean Phoenix was a bad spot. But if it’s not LA or New York I don’t see why a star would want to sign with such a **** team with a less than ideal marketplace to build their brand


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM mobile app

When was the last time that both New York and LA were

A) good
B) signed a top-tier free agent

Sure, the Lakers managed to trade for Pau in those years, but when was the last time this happened?

Amar'e going to New York in 2010? Does that count? The Knicks weren't that good and Amare was well known around the league to have ticking time bomb knees that nobody wanted.

Has there really been a superstar signing in LA from another team since Shaq? Sure, the Lakers have acquired stars in deals, but as far free agents going there, IDK that many big names.

In recent memory, the biggest free agent signings have been

KD to GSW
The Heatles in Miami
Gordon Hayward to Boston
Lamarcus to the Spurs
Nash to the Suns back in the day?
Lebron back to Cleveland
Horford to Boston
Paul Millsap to Denver

I know I'm really forgetting a bunch but I think this shows that "big names", especially franchise-level talents rarely change teams and if they do it is via trade.

Players want

Money
Winning
Location

I guarantee you if PHX was 41-41 with two budding stars then franchise talents would want to go there over an NYK or LAL team with 0 chance of competing. Especially since by the time free agent stars are at the point in their career when they even have the ability to choose where they go, they are usually smack in their prime with 3-4 peak years left.


I don't understand this pervasive big market myth. If the Warriors were a 20-win team with no hopes of title contention, do you think KD would care about investing money in cutting edge technology? The same thing he can do after a 3 hour flight or via a video conference or 24/7 during the offseason?

New York
LA
Chicago
Toronto
DC


are the top 5 largest markets in North America depending on how you measure. You can maybe even throw DAllas in their for good faith.

And yet, the biggest free agents have gone to

Miami
Boston
San Antonio
San Fran (also a huge city, but nobody wanted to go there 6 years ago)

blah blah blah.

New York and LA surely help, but only if your organization is good and your team is winning.

[Rocketsbaby]

Whats wrong with PHX? I understand players not going to that losing culture as of late but the location itself is wonderful.

I didn’t really mean Phoenix was a bad spot. But if it’s not LA or New York I don’t see why a star would want to sign with such a **** team with a less than ideal marketplace to build their brand


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM mobile app

When was the last time that both New York and LA were

A) good
B) signed a top-tier free agent

Weren't Malik Rose and Jerome James Free Agent signings?

[JHFVF07]

If PHX can create enough space, they could offer the max to CP3, who could be upset with Morey negotiation. Then we hope Ayton is as good as advertised, it would be a hell of a team.

[Celts17Pride]

Big time free agents don't go to teams that haven't started winning no matter how bright the future may look. This is where a team like Philly may benefit because they are young but already have won 50+ games. Big time free agents want to be the piece that puts the team over the top.

Phoenix has to win 44-48 games before free agents start seriously considering them as a destination in my opinion.

[heatwillbeback]

Their owner is one of the true POS in the entire league. Cheap and sold picks when they were good.

I know it was a while ago, but no NBA star should trust Sarver will do what is needed financially to build a winner.

There are rumors he was looking to sell, and if the Suns to be a player in free agency, better hope it happens sooner rather than later.

[devilsadvocate9]

It's funny hearing what people say about PHX.
It's on my list of cities to move to, I visited twice in the last year and it 'seemed' like paradise, and had more pro's then cons

I'd be curious of a poll if people could pick any city on a map where to live (this board can be basketball cities), where would you live and why? (based on economy, culture, real estate market, expenses, weather, activities, etc)

NYC / LA is too expensive and the taxes are insane
Miami is a good fit but is very humid, it rains and is very touristy
Houston / Dallas seem like good cities (I'm visiting Houston for the first time in a few weeks)
I really loved the terrain and hiking of Phoenix, and the dry heat. Also people seemed so nice

[Scalabrine]

I always wanted to take a vacation trip to Arizona for like a week. I don't know what's out there besides desert and heat.

You can't be serious. Ever hear of the Grand freaking Canyon?

Pretty sure that's in New Mexico

[Cavsfansince84]

I always wanted to take a vacation trip to Arizona for like a week. I don't know what's out there besides desert and heat.

You can't be serious. Ever hear of the Grand freaking Canyon?

Pretty sure that's in New Mexico

Its in Arizona or rather on the border of it but still somewhat far from NM.

[TeamTragic]

Because they're the Suns

Enjoy paying CP3 a max contract. You aren't winning a championship.

[King4Day]

I wouldn't be surprised if McDonough tries to get a meeting with Paul George. Would he go there? Probably not. But if there's one thing that McD is good at, it's building a story for why free agents should play there, who come to visit.

Remember, the Suns were in a much worse position a few years ago and nearly convinced Aldridge to play for Phoenix instead of his hometown Spurs. It took a last minute 2nd meeting with Pops to change his mind.
And the year LeBron went back to Cleveland, Phoenix was one of 2 or 3 (Cavs & Miami) teams his agent spoke to.

A lot of good things are starting to happen in the valley. I don't expect big name FA's to come running to play for the Suns just yet, but we're a year or 2 away from being a serious option.

And for those ripping the city, please be polite in your responses. Give your honest takes without mocking a city you think you know a lot about. Every city can be broken down in a negative light for why a player shouldn't want to go there. Just stay on topic please.