2018 Free Agency and Trade Discussion continued

[King4Day]

They have two guys they have to make a decision on. $10m on the books for two guys who haven't really shown the consistent impact to just be on the roster when you're looking to get max cap space.....?

Personally I think it makes zero sense to not pick up a young high pick rookie contract options before the season really starts in our scenario when they've only played 2 years under Earl Watson and then Triano trying to take over without a training camp. A brand new coach should get more time with them...and they are young. The Magic may have made a mistake with Hezonja. Maybe not, but you can't give up that soon on potential talent, particularly in our situation. They have both shown some good signs at times.

I mean so many teams have cap space and we are pretty much guaranteed to have near $20 million IF we keep Shaq and Reed after this season (more like $23 if we don't) and then we can be near $29-$32 if we stretch Knight.

Then of course you subtract our draft pick...which may be about $5-7 million.

I doubt we will get a max guy...but if we can get a guy to agree we can dump contracts then. It will be easier to dump contracts next summer without giving up significant compensation since so many teams have cap space.

I think it would be dumb not to pick up the option on Chriss or Bender unless you already decided you would trade them. And they probably have more trade value if you do pick up the option because the team wouldn't have an expiring but a young player they could try out for a year and a half and have RFA rights.

I do not think it is "dumb" not to pick up the option on Chriss or Bender. I think it is a legit option.

There is too much money invested (around $10M) in a couple of end of the bench players.

I know that you have talked about Hezonja as a lottery pick who his team did not pick up his TO. But what about Okafor? And what about Thomas Robinson? Or our beloved Kendall Marshall? I am naming off the top of my head.

It is not crazy to admitt an error (or a couple of errors) and bring better players to the roster.

Personally I am not sure about the decision yet. We have training camp and preseason games to evaluate Bender and Chriss.

I would like to watching them play way better basketball and pick up both their options, but if they do not show improvement I would be OK with parting ways with one or both of them.

I am gonna trust Kokoskov about this decision. Hopefully McDonough trusts in him too.

I feel you have to take a chance. They aren't getting paid a killing and at the worst, they are a couple of expiring/movable contracts the following year. We need to see if Igor can instill life into them first. It's worth committing one more year to both of them IMO.

[BobbieL]

Pretty good list of free agents. Not sure why Melo is on the list. But it doesn't include Rubio. Having cap space next summer will be very important. This could be why one of the options are not picked up for Bender and Chriss. Granted, I think both should be picked up. And the way the team is set up -- the players the Suns might need more might be on the cheaper end if you will: Kemba, Goran, Rubio Rozier. That is if the improvement/growth of Booker, Ayton, Jackson, Bridges, even Warren happen.

Read on Twitter

[Gorilla Warfare]

Our whole squad hasn't even shared the floor yet, and people already want to trade half of them away...

Its only because we pretty much all know we likely won’t be any better than the 11th best team in the West with our current roster.

So we should trade a young asset for a veteran that might get us to 10th?

Absolutely. 10th place is better than 11th place.

[bwgood77]

They have two guys they have to make a decision on. $10m on the books for two guys who haven't really shown the consistent impact to just be on the roster when you're looking to get max cap space.....?

Personally I think it makes zero sense to not pick up a young high pick rookie contract options before the season really starts in our scenario when they've only played 2 years under Earl Watson and then Triano trying to take over without a training camp. A brand new coach should get more time with them...and they are young. The Magic may have made a mistake with Hezonja. Maybe not, but you can't give up that soon on potential talent, particularly in our situation. They have both shown some good signs at times.

I mean so many teams have cap space and we are pretty much guaranteed to have near $20 million IF we keep Shaq and Reed after this season (more like $23 if we don't) and then we can be near $29-$32 if we stretch Knight.

Then of course you subtract our draft pick...which may be about $5-7 million.

I doubt we will get a max guy...but if we can get a guy to agree we can dump contracts then. It will be easier to dump contracts next summer without giving up significant compensation since so many teams have cap space.

I think it would be dumb not to pick up the option on Chriss or Bender unless you already decided you would trade them. And they probably have more trade value if you do pick up the option because the team wouldn't have an expiring but a young player they could try out for a year and a half and have RFA rights.

I do not think it is dumb not to pick up the option on Chriss or Bender. I think it is a legit option.

There is too much money invested (around $10M) in a couple of end of the bench players.

I know that you have talked about Hezonja as a lottery pick who his team did not pick up his TO. But what about Okafor? And what about Thomas Robinson? Or our beloved Kendall Marshall? I am naming off the top of my head.

It is not crazy to admitt an error (or a couple of errors) and bring better players to the roster.

Personally I am not sure about the decision yet. We have training camp and preseason games to evaluate Bender and Chriss.

I would like to watching them play way better basketball and pick up both their options, but if they do not show improvement I would be OK with parting ways with one or both of them.

I am gonna trust Kokoskov about this decision. Hopefully McDonough trusts in him too.

I trust Kokoskov too but I don't think you should force him into a premature decision without getting to see them in many games. If it's clear cut to him, fine.

But they have both shown some nice things at times. Bender has shown he can hit 3s at above a league avg rate as a 7 footer and defend on the perimeter fairly well. Chriss has shown many great things, was 2nd rookie all team, has had a game saving block as well as many other nice blocks and athletic plays as well as showing he has the ability to be a decent shooter at times.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

Personally I think it makes zero sense to not pick up a young high pick rookie contract options before the season really starts in our scenario when they've only played 2 years under Earl Watson and then Triano trying to take over without a training camp. A brand new coach should get more time with them...and they are young. The Magic may have made a mistake with Hezonja. Maybe not, but you can't give up that soon on potential talent, particularly in our situation. They have both shown some good signs at times.

I mean so many teams have cap space and we are pretty much guaranteed to have near $20 million IF we keep Shaq and Reed after this season (more like $23 if we don't) and then we can be near $29-$32 if we stretch Knight.

Then of course you subtract our draft pick...which may be about $5-7 million.

I doubt we will get a max guy...but if we can get a guy to agree we can dump contracts then. It will be easier to dump contracts next summer without giving up significant compensation since so many teams have cap space.

I think it would be dumb not to pick up the option on Chriss or Bender unless you already decided you would trade them. And they probably have more trade value if you do pick up the option because the team wouldn't have an expiring but a young player they could try out for a year and a half and have RFA rights.

I do not think it is dumb not to pick up the option on Chriss or Bender. I think it is a legit option.

There is too much money invested (around $10M) in a couple of end of the bench players.

I know that you have talked about Hezonja as a lottery pick who his team did not pick up his TO. But what about Okafor? And what about Thomas Robinson? Or our beloved Kendall Marshall? I am naming off the top of my head.

It is not crazy to admitt an error (or a couple of errors) and bring better players to the roster.

Personally I am not sure about the decision yet. We have training camp and preseason games to evaluate Bender and Chriss.

I would like to watching them play way better basketball and pick up both their options, but if they do not show improvement I would be OK with parting ways with one or both of them.

I am gonna trust Kokoskov about this decision. Hopefully McDonough trusts in him too.

I trust Kokoskov too but I don't think you should force him into a premature decision without getting to see them in many games. If it's clear cut to him, fine.

But they have both shown some nice things at times. Bender has shown he can hit 3s at above a league avg rate as a 7 footer and defend on the perimeter fairly well. Chriss has shown many great things, was 2nd rookie all team, has had a game saving block as well as many other nice blocks and athletic plays as well as showing he has the ability to be a decent shooter at times.

Quese's shotblocking is marvelous. He's improved as a rebounder. But the shot hasn't developed, his ballhandling, shot-creating skills are nil, and he's an awful, awful finisher. Plus he's kind of a space cadet on defense. I think he can improve the shot and the defense, but I'm doubtful that the finishing and the playmaking elements will never develop. If he could just get solid defensively, shoot the 3 at 35% and finish at the rim, he'd be great. No reason not to keep extending him chances at this point.

[jcsunsfan]

Pretty good list of free agents. Not sure why Melo is on the list. But it doesn't include Rubio. Having cap space next summer will be very important. This could be why one of the options are not picked up for Bender and Chriss. Granted, I think both should be picked up. And the way the team is set up -- the players the Suns might need more might be on the cheaper end if you will: Kemba, Goran, Rubio Rozier. That is if the improvement/growth of Booker, Ayton, Jackson, Bridges, even Warren happen.

Read on Twitter

And which one solves our pg problem?

[BobbieL]

I do not think it is dumb not to pick up the option on Chriss or Bender. I think it is a legit option.

There is too much money invested (around $10M) in a couple of end of the bench players.

I know that you have talked about Hezonja as a lottery pick who his team did not pick up his TO. But what about Okafor? And what about Thomas Robinson? Or our beloved Kendall Marshall? I am naming off the top of my head.

It is not crazy to admitt an error (or a couple of errors) and bring better players to the roster.

Personally I am not sure about the decision yet. We have training camp and preseason games to evaluate Bender and Chriss.

I would like to watching them play way better basketball and pick up both their options, but if they do not show improvement I would be OK with parting ways with one or both of them.

I am gonna trust Kokoskov about this decision. Hopefully McDonough trusts in him too.

I trust Kokoskov too but I don't think you should force him into a premature decision without getting to see them in many games. If it's clear cut to him, fine.

But they have both shown some nice things at times. Bender has shown he can hit 3s at above a league avg rate as a 7 footer and defend on the perimeter fairly well. Chriss has shown many great things, was 2nd rookie all team, has had a game saving block as well as many other nice blocks and athletic plays as well as showing he has the ability to be a decent shooter at times.

Quese's shotblocking is marvelous. He's improved as a rebounder. But the shot hasn't developed, his ballhandling, shot-creating skills are nil, and he's an awful, awful finisher. Plus he's kind of a space cadet on defense. I think he can improve the shot and the defense, but I'm doubtful that the finishing and the playmaking elements will never develop. If he could just get solid defensively, shoot the 3 at 35% and finish at the rim, he'd be great. No reason not to keep extending him chances at this point.

I think Chriss at this point might be on a path to being Amir Johnson. Long career if he learns his role. Defense, shot blocking, rebounding, finishing at the rim. If he hits the three pointers at that 35% clip, so be it.

Dudley had a good Pod with Woj and he said last year, the coaching change really was tough. New routine, new practice, etc. So, in some ways, the development of Bender and Chriss really is still in year 1 and not entering year 3

It was a good pod what I listened too. Woj asked Dudley about how teams are built. Dudley said two ways: OKC and GSW where you draft and hope to hit on three guys like each team did. Or you acquire talent and other players follow.

Suns obviously did the first way. And I think with Booker, Jackson, Bridges and Ayton, they have the core needed. So, over the next few years - it will be about growth, player develpment and strategic, targeted player acquisition (e.g how the Warriors got Iggy and Bogut)

The second way is acquiring talent and Dudley liked how the Raptors went for it with Kawhi. As a healthy happy Kawhi is a top 5 player. He mentioned how the Suns had a chance to take the same risk with basically the Josh pick for Kyrie and didn't.

He never said - but my guess, he would have liked the team to take the risk to get the talent. As once you get talent, other players followe. Dudley did say, that players will play in Phoenix - its a great place to play

So here is hoping those "Core 4" but with WArren, OKobo, Chriss, Bender develop and the free agents follow.

[BobbieL]

Pretty good list of free agents. Not sure why Melo is on the list. But it doesn't include Rubio. Having cap space next summer will be very important. This could be why one of the options are not picked up for Bender and Chriss. Granted, I think both should be picked up. And the way the team is set up -- the players the Suns might need more might be on the cheaper end if you will: Kemba, Goran, Rubio Rozier. That is if the improvement/growth of Booker, Ayton, Jackson, Bridges, even Warren happen.

Read on Twitter

And which one solves our pg problem?

Thats why I mentioned the PGs and Rubio in the first line. Because to me, if those players I listed develop, Rubio will be the right player to match with them. The second name would be Goran

[bwgood77]

Pretty good list of free agents. Not sure why Melo is on the list. But it doesn't include Rubio. Having cap space next summer will be very important. This could be why one of the options are not picked up for Bender and Chriss. Granted, I think both should be picked up. And the way the team is set up -- the players the Suns might need more might be on the cheaper end if you will: Kemba, Goran, Rubio Rozier. That is if the improvement/growth of Booker, Ayton, Jackson, Bridges, even Warren happen.

Read on Twitter

And which one solves our pg problem?

Thats why I mentioned the PGs and Rubio in the first line. Because to me, if those players I listed develop, Rubio will be the right player to match with them. The second name would be Goran

How ironic it would be if our "Big" final free agent signing to complete the team was Goran Dragic?

[BobbieL]

And which one solves our pg problem?

Thats why I mentioned the PGs and Rubio in the first line. Because to me, if those players I listed develop, Rubio will be the right player to match with them. The second name would be Goran

How ironic it would be if our "Big" final free agent signing to complete the team was Goran Dragic?

Rubio is still higher on my list but you are correct, that would be ironic. But when I look at the roster , and again, if Durant, Klay want to play here, you find a way. But I don't seem coming to Phoenix. Rubio seems "realistic" - the need, the Igor connection, maybe only want low 20's per year - which the Suns can easily obtain in cap space.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

How ironic it would be if our "Big" final free agent signing to complete the team was Goran Dragic?

Dreadful. Dragic is aging, and his defense is at this point highly suspect (based on what I watched in last year's playoffs). If Knight surprises this season, then he's the better option due to his superior shooting, youth and contract.

Cutting through all the circular transactions, we traded Knight for Dragic straight up. I can't see the FO going back on that decision.

If Knight isn't the guy, and Shaq and Okobo don't shine, there are plenty of better fits in next year's free agency.

[Revived]

Durant has come a long way from the likable "you're the real MVP" to where he is now. The dude can't say anything positive. He's a dick through and through. Just stay quiet and be humble. You know what you did and fans don't like you because of it. Don't make people hate the person as much as the player though. That's what it feels like he's doing now.

Read on Twitter

[bwgood77]

How ironic it would be if our "Big" final free agent signing to complete the team was Goran Dragic?

Dreadful. Dragic is aging, and his defense is at this point highly suspect (based on what I watched in last year's playoffs). If Knight surprises this season, then he's the better option due to his superior shooting, youth and contract.

Cutting through all the circular transactions, we traded Knight for Dragic straight up. I can't see the FO going back on that decision.

If Knight isn't the guy, and Shaq and Okobo don't shine, there are plenty of better fits in next year's free agency.

Well I'd rather leave Knight out of it. I expect little from Knight. Anything he gives that doesn't provide negative value to the team will be a plus at this point.

I don't want Dragic either though. He'd be 33 going into next year.

I think Okobo can be better than Knight fairly easily in time. It shouldn't be too hard based on the last time we saw Knight where his advanced #s were among the worst in the league.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

How ironic it would be if our "Big" final free agent signing to complete the team was Goran Dragic?

Dreadful. Dragic is aging, and his defense is at this point highly suspect (based on what I watched in last year's playoffs). If Knight surprises this season, then he's the better option due to his superior shooting, youth and contract.

Cutting through all the circular transactions, we traded Knight for Dragic straight up. I can't see the FO going back on that decision.

If Knight isn't the guy, and Shaq and Okobo don't shine, there are plenty of better fits in next year's free agency.

Well I'd rather leave Knight out of it. I expect little from Knight. Anything he gives that doesn't provide negative value to the team will be a plus at this point.

I don't want Dragic either though. He'd be 33 going into next year.

I think Okobo can be better than Knight fairly easily in time. It shouldn't be too hard based on the last time we saw Knight where his advanced #s were among the worst in the league.

TBH, I expect Shaq to be our most effective PG this year.

[bwgood77]

Dreadful. Dragic is aging, and his defense is at this point highly suspect (based on what I watched in last year's playoffs). If Knight surprises this season, then he's the better option due to his superior shooting, youth and contract.

Cutting through all the circular transactions, we traded Knight for Dragic straight up. I can't see the FO going back on that decision.

If Knight isn't the guy, and Shaq and Okobo don't shine, there are plenty of better fits in next year's free agency.

Well I'd rather leave Knight out of it. I expect little from Knight. Anything he gives that doesn't provide negative value to the team will be a plus at this point.

I don't want Dragic either though. He'd be 33 going into next year.

I think Okobo can be better than Knight fairly easily in time. It shouldn't be too hard based on the last time we saw Knight where his advanced #s were among the worst in the league.

TBH, I expect Shaq to be our most effective PG this year.

I definitely like him, but if he can't shoot at his age it might be hard to keep him on the floor too many minutes unless he somehow improves it.

[King4Day]

Anyone think it's safe to say we would have nabbed Capella if we offered him the max? (Had we drafted Doncic instead of Ayton)

Read on Twitter

[sunskerr]

Anyone think it's safe to say we would have nabbed Capella if we offered him the max? (Had we drafted Doncic instead of Ayton)

Read on Twitter

I wouldn't want to spend max money on any center. That includes Ayton too.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

Well I'd rather leave Knight out of it. I expect little from Knight. Anything he gives that doesn't provide negative value to the team will be a plus at this point.

I don't want Dragic either though. He'd be 33 going into next year.

I think Okobo can be better than Knight fairly easily in time. It shouldn't be too hard based on the last time we saw Knight where his advanced #s were among the worst in the league.

TBH, I expect Shaq to be our most effective PG this year.

I definitely like him, but if he can't shoot at his age it might be hard to keep him on the floor too many minutes unless he somehow improves it.

Tenacious defensive PGs are an even rarer commodity than PGs shooting over 40% from 3. As long as he keeps turnovers low and keeps playing D the way he has, he'll earn his PT. Knight will take that PT as long as he's merely respectable on defense and not trying to do too much on the other end. Just based on what we've seen so far, Shaq's the best PG on the roster from a +/- perspective. God, I hope BK kills it this year, because he's our only chance of having an advantage over other teams at that position.

[rcc8884]

Thats why I mentioned the PGs and Rubio in the first line. Because to me, if those players I listed develop, Rubio will be the right player to match with them. The second name would be Goran

How ironic it would be if our "Big" final free agent signing to complete the team was Goran Dragic?

Rubio is still higher on my list but you are correct, that would be ironic. But when I look at the roster , and again, if Durant, Klay want to play here, you find a way. But I don't seem coming to Phoenix. Rubio seems "realistic" - the need, the Igor connection, maybe only want low 20's per year - which the Suns can easily obtain in cap space.

I think Rubio is (almost) the perfect player to pair with Booker in the backcourt, but if it cost 20mil per year? I would want to stay away from that. He would be turning 29 at the beginning of next season and it would most likely be 3-4 years at 20mil. Now if it is 3 years at around 15mil per? I can get behind that

[Revived]

Anyone think it's safe to say we would have nabbed Capella if we offered him the max? (Had we drafted Doncic instead of Ayton)

Read on Twitter

I wouldn't want to spend max money on any center. That includes Ayton too.

Would you have drafted him first overall if it was your choice?