bwgood77 wrote:Ghost of Kleine wrote:bwgood77 wrote:
I'd be surprised if Clarke isn't the better defender. And I really like Kleber. Kleber can hit 3s on occasion - 33%, but he's 27 and didn't make it to the NBA until 26 where he shot 31%.
I think Kleber will probably be retained, though maybe not if they end up with Zion or Clarke.
Clarke will very likely be cheaper too.
Exactly, that's why I am all for still picking Morant at #2 or 3, if he's there and we are too. THEN.....trading Jackson and the Milwaukee pick for a later pick in his range of the first round.
Walking out of the draft with Both Morant and Clarke smells like a big win for us, would ultimately be cheaper than what we might find in free agency anyways.
And at least in the draft, we wouldn't be bidding against other teams for a desired positional player.
Then in free agency, using the additional cap space from moving Jackson to pick up Collison, Joseph, or even Beverly to mentor Morant for a season or two, until he's ready to take over.
Lastly, in the 2nd round, We can pick up Eric Paschall (unguaranteed contract) and release Holmes IF he's not cheap!!!
With our Exception, we can pick up another sharpshooter.
I seriously doubt Clarke will last as long as you expect, though I know you expect or want us to trade for multiple picks and draft a couple high first rounders every year as well as some guys in the 2nd.
I think it's unlikely we pick more than one player in the 1st and one in the 2nd, if we even keep the pick. I think we will because rookie contracts are so valuable. I really hope we are looking at Clarke if we land 4 or 5 through 7. I might consider Garland at 4.
I still have to study the draft more.
I know people don't want a role player with a high pick but I love a player like Bridges and to get another similar but likely a better defender because he can rim protect and guard multiple positions, as well as bigs inside is big.
I'm still ok with Tyler Johnson, Melton and Okobo next year, but would try to use what cap space we have for a PG if we get Clarke. If we draft 5-7 we likely will have $10 million even if we keep Oubre which I expect us to.
I just think that given our poor league image and not being a destination for most free agents. Also considering that we currently (post Tyler Johnson trade) have much money to work with either, it's reasonable as one of our few options left ,
That we spend one more draft to develop assets( players)organically (similar to the Denver nuggets)and as you said .......rookie contracts are valuable, as they're low cost and easily tradable. But also bring great value in trades these days.
Also, IF we land outside the top 3 of the draft, And Zion, Morant, And Barrett are gone.......
Then I'm all for using our lottery pick on Clarke in that scenario. and then just picking up Tre Jones in the 2nd round for point guard depth.
Additionally, as you mentioned, Clarke is already 22 yrs old and plays a mature game. So I'm not so worried about the rookie adjustment and development issues with him.
Also Eric Paschall is also 22 yrs old, plays a mature game, has played on a well coached championship team under Jay Wright, is 6'9 255 lbs. He's currently leading his team in the tournament again this year too.
And he has played alongside Bridges on their way to the championship. So he has a championship pedigree. And would be familiar with Bridges, and fit seamlessly with him again.
Also, He is a big time clutch player and has a great attitude. A natural leader on the court.
He's also shooting 53% on his 2 point shots/ 36% on his threes/ and 76% on his free throws.
You guys should check him out for sure. He'd be great for added front court depth, with our 2nd round pick.
Point being, Clarke and Paschall are both tenured, expeirenced college players with mature games, and in the instance of Paschall, it would be a very low risk high reward asset for the suns to get in the 2nd round.
Finally, the reason that I'm for this, is because we have basically hamstringed ourself in free agency, are not a free agent destination, and have a very poor league image currently as well.
I just want to make sure that we add some positive additions to our roster (that are experienced and having a winning attitude) as insurance in case we strike out in free agency.
And i know that we need veteran leadership to add to our team, but I just don't see who we're going to realistically be able to add in free agency with the small amount of cap space that we have left.
And i haven't yet seen anything of good measure from our front office, to instill me with any confidence in their cryptic plans.
