Season Speculation, Free Agency & Trade Ideas: Our Johnson is finally working

[Qwigglez]

Morant only reminds me of Westbrook, I cant really see any other PG comparison to be honest. What separates Westbrook though is his aggressive competitiveness, if Morant has that, then we draft him. You can’t really gauge that though based off stats. If we were to draft him though, then I take the Kings approach with Bagley. Have him come off the bench. Sign Rubio, and if we can’t get Rubio then Collison.

[Blonde]

Westbrook was one of the best defensive players in college basketball. I haven’t seen anything close to that with Morant. He might be fine on that end but I’m not confident about it. I really question how he’ll look when he doesn’t have the ball in his hands for every possession and he can’t flex on c-tier talent all game. Still, no doubt he should be heavily in the mix for our pick, but he’s far from a sure thing.

[WeekapaugGroove]

Westbrook was one of the best defensive players in college basketball. I haven’t seen anything close to that with Morant. He might be fine on that end but I’m not confident about it. I really question how he’ll look when he doesn’t have the ball in his hands for every possession and he can’t flex on c-tier talent all game. Still, no doubt he should be heavily in the mix for our pick, but he’s far from a sure thing.

Westbrook was way stronger physically than Ja as a college player. But Ja is on another level as a distributor and scorer at this level.

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[jcsunsfan]

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Notice that Morant's teammate failed to convert what should have been an easy shot. Imagine what his assist numbers would be on a team with real finishers.

Nah. Morant is the real deal. The Suns should take him. He is more athletic than Trae Young but not quite the shooter. He is DeAaron Fox but more of a distributor. And I do not get the knock on Morant's defense. That seems pretty good.

Agreed, Morants' going to be a star for sure. Who really cares if he doesn't blow everyone away in his first year in the NBA, his numbers are unbelievable and his talent and athletic ability is insane.

If he even develops halfway along the lines of De Aaron Fox, Then we have an all star caliber point guard. A lot of his projections and comparisons have been comparable to Westbrook anda taller Iverson or a Super athletic De Angelo Russell.

I'd take any of those guys and be happy for it. I mean honestly, the last time that we had a guard with similar talent and athleticism was K.J.

Pay attention to the similiar style of play and skillset:

KJ: https://youtu.be/Eiv0uBVuwiw .( similar style of play and athleticism).

KJs' college stats: https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/kevin-johnson-1.html .



I personally see the Westbrook comparisons, and think he's got a little bit of Derrick Rose mixed in too......

Westbrook: https://youtu.be/JhsIbXBI2Tk .

Westbrooks' college stats: https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/russell-westbrook-1.htm .

Ja Morant: https://youtu.be/3-17JhQTrjs . (Similar ridiculous athleticism and aggressiveness).

https://youtu.be/cK_I74A0wfI .

Also comparing Morant to Rose:

Derrick Rose: https://youtu.be/ser5xS85IsI .

Rose's college stats: https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/derrick-rose-1.html .

And now Morant:

https://youtu.be/hLd00X79ygY . Morant is also the only player in over 20 years to average over 20 points and 10 assists.

Ja Morants' college stats: https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/temetrius-morant-1.html .

The closest player that he matches up to stat wise in this group is KJ, And he ended up pretty good for us I'd say.

The point is, he's comparable in athleticism, talent and aggressiveness to all of the players mentioned above, and absolutely has the trajectory to become a star.


The only real difference is in that Morant is more of a distributor by choice than primarily a scorer first as Westbrook, Rose, and De Angelo Russell are.

Yes, he needs to improve his shooting some, but he's working on it, and he has a strong work ethic, so he'll be fine.

And a distributor and team leader is what we need most anyways.

You know. I think you nailed. The closest NBA comparison to Ja is Kevin Johnson. Athleticism, driving ability, distribution, speed, shooting. All very similar.

[Qwigglez]

After watching the Blazers game live, I really don’t think we are that far off from being a fun competitive team like the Nets, Kings, and Mavs are.
I would really be more interested in giving up our 2019 pick along with our 2021 pick if needed if it lands us a high caliber player. We can’t keep rolling out rookies, plus we have been hitting well on every other pick. This is the other pick where we don’t draft well lol.

[sunskerr]

Yeah I think we'd make strides just by getting rid of Crawford and Jackson, and having Warren back from injury.

[Blonde]

Lonzo’s value seems to have tanked, and now he’s out for the season. I wonder if at this point a straight Josh for Lonzo swap makes sense. I’m probably at the point where I don’t expect either to be long term answers anywhere, but we play better with Josh off the court...

[Damkac]

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2824568-malcolm-brogdon-on-milwaukee-ive-never-lived-in-a-city-this-segregated
Not sure if this inceases Suns chances to get Brogdon?

[Bogyo]

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2824568-malcolm-brogdon-on-milwaukee-ive-never-lived-in-a-city-this-segregated
Not sure if this inceases Suns chances to get Brogdon?

If we get lucky and draft Zion, we shoudl do everything in our power to get him, even by overpaying. Maybe even without Zion. This guy just never seems to take a bad shot, and is smart with the ball, used to playing with other stars, early in his prime, so basically checks all the boxes for me. I could see us throwing a 4/80 at him if we clear enough capspace, and I'd be OK with that.

[BobbieL]

After watching the Blazers game live, I really don’t think we are that far off from being a fun competitive team like the Nets, Kings, and Mavs are.
I would really be more interested in giving up our 2019 pick along with our 2021 pick if needed if it lands us a high caliber player. We can’t keep rolling out rookies, plus we have been hitting well on every other pick. This is the other pick where we don’t draft well lol.

this is where I am at -- no more rookies

If its not Zion - trade the sucker.. Jackson too if thats what it takes and I think it will,. Would rather keep Oubre and Tyler Johnson at this point.


I wonder if Bender is earning a spot on next years roster at the 4 position with his play recently.

[Qwigglez]

At least we aren’t the absolute worst in this timeframe

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[Barkley6]

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2824568-malcolm-brogdon-on-milwaukee-ive-never-lived-in-a-city-this-segregated
Not sure if this inceases Suns chances to get Brogdon?

Dont really see Phoenix as a bastion of tolerance and integration my guy.

[Ghost of Kleine]

Lonzo’s value seems to have tanked, and now he’s out for the season. I wonder if at this point a straight Josh for Lonzo swap makes sense. I’m probably at the point where I don’t expect either to be long term answers anywhere, but we play better with Josh off the court...

Weird to be sure, but what if the trade is actually Warren for Lonzo and some other piece? I mean, they're both being held out for quite a bit believe???

[Djedefre]

Throw as much money as you can create at Kemba. Overpay and overpay violently.

[King4Day]

Throw as much money as you can create at Kemba. Overpay and overpay violently.

It'll have to be max. It wouldn't be an overpay IMO. Especially since we can only offer 4 years.
The best we can hope for is that Jones convinces Kemba agent to sit down and listen to what we can offer.

[SunsLyf3]

Lonzo’s value seems to have tanked, and now he’s out for the season. I wonder if at this point a straight Josh for Lonzo swap makes sense. I’m probably at the point where I don’t expect either to be long term answers anywhere, but we play better with Josh off the court...

Weird to be sure, but what if the trade is actually Warren for Lonzo and some other piece? I mean, they're both being held out for quite a bit believe???

Troy Daniels and TJ Warren makes too much sense. Those are the type of players you need next to Lebron.

[Saberestar]

Lonzo’s value seems to have tanked, and now he’s out for the season. I wonder if at this point a straight Josh for Lonzo swap makes sense. I’m probably at the point where I don’t expect either to be long term answers anywhere, but we play better with Josh off the court...

Weird to be sure, but what if the trade is actually Warren for Lonzo and some other piece? I mean, they're both being held out for quite a bit believe???

Troy Daniels and TJ Warren makes too much sense. Those are the type of players you need next to Lebron.

Troy Daniels can not be traded.
He is gonna be an UFA.

[LukasBMW]

Kemba is exactly the type of guy we need. Vet, yet still only 28. Humble. Hard working. No distractions.


The only thing with Kemba is that if he leaves the Hornets, he probably does so with the intent to join a contender so he can make the playoffs. But the Warriors, Nuggets, OKC, Houston, and Blazers already have star point guards.

Maybe he stays east?

Lonzo would just be a mess. The sideshow isn't worth it.

Eventually the Suns might be able to actually sell our team as a "destination city" with great weather during the NBA season, yet still close enough to LA to spend time there in the offseason and all this without the Lakers drama and pressure.

[AtheJ415]

Westbrook was one of the best defensive players in college basketball. I haven’t seen anything close to that with Morant. He might be fine on that end but I’m not confident about it. I really question how he’ll look when he doesn’t have the ball in his hands for every possession and he can’t flex on c-tier talent all game. Still, no doubt he should be heavily in the mix for our pick, but he’s far from a sure thing.

Westbrook was way stronger physically than Ja as a college player. But Ja is on another level as a distributor and scorer at this level.

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Yeah I don't get the Westbrook comparison at all. They are both great athletes, but Westbrook frankly wasn't all that good in college. Jerryd Bayless was better. Westbrook was just a crazy raw athlete. Ja is an offensive dynamo. His only weak spot on offense is the jumper, but it still projects to be passable at the NBA level. I also don't get why so many assume he won't be a good defender in the NBA. He has the physical tools and has to carry a crazy offensive load on a bad team. Many guys (Lonzo, for instance), come into the NBA and play better defense than they did in college. Morant's passing is one of the best in a number of years and I don't get why so many, given his athletic upside and vision, would want to pass on him.

Zion is the clear #1. But Morant should easily be in that #2 discussion for us along with Barrett and Reddish / Culver. Booker being a good passer does not mean you get a non-passing PG who only plays D. You want and need multiple playmakers. You shouldn't volunteer for the Rockets situation with Harden and Bev when you can get Harden and Paul. The latter is much better, as was the backcourt in OKC, as was plenty of others.

[BobbieL]

Lonzo’s value seems to have tanked, and now he’s out for the season. I wonder if at this point a straight Josh for Lonzo swap makes sense. I’m probably at the point where I don’t expect either to be long term answers anywhere, but we play better with Josh off the court...

Weird to be sure, but what if the trade is actually Warren for Lonzo and some other piece? I mean, they're both being held out for quite a bit believe???

Troy Daniels and TJ Warren makes too much sense. Those are the type of players you need next to Lebron.

Lakers without Ball I think are 3-14 over these last 19 games. He has been very good for them. I don’t see Ba as an option. I think they keep him.