Season speculation, free agency, and trade ideas: #ValleyBoyz rise up

[lilfishi22]

Im sorry, but no way the Suns get Simmons on anything close to that deal. There is no way the Suns would get Simmons while also keeping Booker/Ayton/Bridges. Suns would have to give up multiple future 1sts with little to no protection.

If you look at said thread on the Trade Board, it was created by a Suns fan and damn near every post in it is from Suns fans, besides a few posts sprinkled here and there bringing the reality to the thread with posts basically saying no way in hell.

As someone mentioned, Suns might be able to get away with doing a 3-way and somehow netting the Sixers Beal in return, but its still going to cost a pretty penny for the Wizards to give him up.

Yeah we're talking about a near AD level type offer.

[Ghost of Kleine]

Out of all of the potential offseason moves we can make, signing Conley is the scariest. Really hope we don’t go down that path and I will be really surprised if we do.

Just curious man, Why do you find that scenario to be scary for us?

To much risk for the reward for me. I am not messing around with an aging player coming off an Achilles injury that only makes $5m less then wall next year. If he reinjures his Achilles all of the years of losing for our draft picks could go to waste with the Amt of dead money we will have.

That's cool man, Nothing wrong with having differing perspectives I think.

I guess for my part, I just don't see it as such a scary risk due to a couple of considerations, Those being:

First, With him only being 31 yrs old, I personally think he fits our timeline nicely given his balanced blend of veteran tenure and playoff experience, While still having put up great numbers for the grizzlies last year. Also his passing and leadership would be a very welcome commodity on our young team.

I mean just this season he was averaging: 21 points/ 6 assists/ and 3 rebounds. Also, in a trade with Tyler Johnsons' expiring, along with TJ Warren/ We maintain our cap space, AND given the current front office instability in Memphis, Conley being unhappy with their coach being fired, their proclivity to rebuild, along with the size of Conleys' contract (*** and recent injury) also being a determining factor to his value, It really shouldn't cost us anything more than an expiring( T. Johnson) and a young promising player( Warren) to make the deal happen.

This would not only allow us to keep our lotto pick this year ( Morant or Clarke?), Or possibly trade back, ***IF a good deal is there? But it also allows us to focus the entirety of our cap space in free agency on depth at the power forward and other positions(perimeter shooting??) Maybe Aminu/Beverly or perhaps Gibson/ Collison?

And then, in another season or so, When he becomes that huge expiring, Maybe trade him for a big name max player on a comparable contract( Griffin perhaps?). I'm sure either Detroit or even Orlando might prefer a guard of Conleys' ( or Lowrys') caliber compared to what they would currently have for next season perhaps?


I also like the idea of him being able to possibly be mentor a Morant/ Garland/ or Coby White ( or whoever really) for a season or two, until that prospect is ready to take over. And again, Then you just can decide to flip him in a trade for that big piece.


However, IF the Achilles injury is just too much of an unacceptable risk to consider, As my previous trade proposals suggested, The money in a trade for Lowry also matches up nearly perfectly too. And he becomes an expiring same as Tyler Johnsons' contract would expire too next season, And also offers similiar production to boot.

So those are my basic reasons for seeing Conley ( or Lowry) as the most realistic option and best overall fit for our teams' needs currently. But also, with perspective for a bigger plan to hopefully materialize from either players' acquisition. So acceptable risk at least from my perspective. But again, I respect your differing perspective equally as well.

[Blonde]

I’d have no problem dealing Bridges + our first and more for Simmons. But look, it’s not happening.

[Crives]

Just curious man, Why do you find that scenario to be scary for us?

To much risk for the reward for me. I am not messing around with an aging player coming off an Achilles injury that only makes $5m less then wall next year. If he reinjures his Achilles all of the years of losing for our draft picks could go to waste with the Amt of dead money we will have.

That's cool man, Nothing wrong with having differing perspectives I think.

I guess for my part, I just don't see it as such a scary risk due to a couple of considerations, Those being:

First, With him only being 31 yrs old, I personally think he fits our timeline nicely given his balanced blend of veteran tenure and playoff experience, While still having put up great numbers for the grizzlies last year. Also his passing and leadership would be a very welcome commodity on our young team.

I mean just this season he was averaging: 21 points/ 6 assists/ and 3 rebounds. Also, in a trade with Tyler Johnsons' expiring, along with TJ Warren/ We maintain our cap space, AND given the current front office instability in Memphis, Conley being unhappy with their coach being fired, their proclivity to rebuild, along with the size of Conleys' contract (*** and recent injury) also being a determining factor to his value, It really shouldn't cost us anything more than an expiring( T. Johnson) and a young promising player( Warren) to make the deal happen.

This would not only allow us to keep our lotto pick this year ( Morant or Clarke?), Or possibly trade back, ***IF a good deal is there? But it also allows us to focus the entirety of our cap space in free agency on depth at the power forward and other positions(perimeter shooting??) Maybe Aminu/Beverly or perhaps Gibson/ Collison?

And then, in another season or so, When he becomes that huge expiring, Maybe trade him for a big name max player on a comparable contract( Griffin perhaps?). I'm sure either Detroit or even Orlando might prefer a guard of Conleys' ( or Lowrys') caliber compared to what they would currently have for next season perhaps?


I also like the idea of him being able to possibly be mentor a Morant/ Garland/ or Coby White ( or whoever really) for a season or two, until that prospect is ready to take over. And again, Then you just can decide to flip him in a trade for that big piece.


However, IF the Achilles injury is just too much of an unacceptable risk to consider, As my previous trade proposals suggested, The money in a trade for Lowry also matches up nearly perfectly too. And he becomes an expiring same as Tyler Johnsons' contract would expire too next season, And also offers similiar production to boot.

So those are my basic reasons for seeing Conley ( or Lowry) as the most realistic option and best overall fit for our teams' needs currently. But also, with perspective for a bigger plan to hopefully materialize from either players' acquisition. So acceptable risk at least from my perspective. But again, I respect your differing perspective equally as well.

I agree, if he’s healthy he would be a great fit, even if he’s overpaid. I just think Achilles injuries are too scary to mess with. I think there are a lot more options at point without the risk of losing 1/3rd of our cap which would probably result in us losing Book. I think I would even prefer to just run with Tyler at point (hopefully we do better then just Tyler)

[LukasBMW]

I don't want Simmons. I don't care how talented he is. Why?

1. He's a Rich Paul client.
2. He'd want to be the #1 guy. F-that. This is Bookers team.

[DirtyDez]

I don't want Simmons. I don't care how talented he is. Why?

1. He's a Rich Paul client.
2. He'd want to be the #1 guy. F-that. This is Bookers team.

hard to believe a guy taking 12 shots a game is too alpha for this team...

As for the Klutch Sports connection;

[Kerrsed]

Im actually fine going after Conley if the price is right. I'd rather much have Conley over Lowry. Matter of fact i dont think i would touch Lowry at all. With Conley you have him for at least 2 seasons, Lowry could be a very expensive 1 year rental. I also like the fact that Conley has stuck with a small market team in Memphis and hasnt shown one bit of being disgruntled about it. That makes me believe he would be fine coming to Phoenix and if we want he would be fine re-signing with us. Lowry has reared his ugly head a few times with the Raptors and comes off to me as the type of guy that would try to bail on the Suns the first chance he gets.

Those things right there are huge for me when it comes to trading for a guy at an older age who you are expecting to run your offense and pretty much lead your team. Suns need some stability and the last thing we need is to bring in a new "Leader" for only one or two seasons and then once again start over the process of finding someone to run the offense. To me, Conley would give us however remaining years he has left in his career. I cant say the same with Lowry.

After all of that i havent even got to fit yet. Once again, i have Conley as the better fit with our team. Sure, on paper Lowry might seem like the better PG (Better defender, more assists, better rebounder), but Conley has experience getting the ball into a good big man in the post. He's also made sub-par SG's look great and has set them up for great open looks from 3.

I totally think a guy like Conley is the way to go, and we know that he is on the block so it could take less to obtain him than what Toronto would be looking for for an expiring Lowry. Grizz already looked to trade him prior to the deadline. Conley himself has even talked recently (as late as a few days ago) about wanting to compete and not wanting to be a part of "another long-term rebuilding effort". Suns arnt looking to rebuild for the foreseeable future. We already have all the youngsters we really need for years to come. Grizz just fired their coach and demoted their GM, so the roster isnt the only rebuilding effort thats going to be happening in Memphis.

I'd offer up Warren/Johnson and a pick swap. Give them our 1st (even if its as high as #2; just as long as its not Zion at #1). Give them the Bucks 1st as well if need be, but Conley and their pick (#8) could easily fill our team needs. Thats an experienced team leader running the offense, and hopefully a solid all around PF in Clarke. I would consider that an amazing offseason and hopefully we could still re-ink Oubre/Holmes/Jackson.

Conley/Okobo
Booker/Jackson
Oubre/Bridges
Clarke/?????
Ayton/Holmes

[Kerrsed]

Reason #4,732 to not trade for Lowry:

Read on Twitter

[Kerrsed]

.....and Sunskerr, how DARE you +1 my post and then have the NERVE to undo it!

[Saberestar]

Reason #4,732 to not trade for Lowry:

Read on Twitter

Well, seriously, if Lowry is traded this summer and he is happy with the Suns as a destination we need to trade for him.

Look, not too many good players want to play for the Suns. We need to get whoever is comfortable and happy about being on a rebuilding team and with Sarver as a owner.

We do not have a lot of money, so we are not gonna overpay for someone like Rubio or Collison...so our options are gonna be limited.

If Lowry ( or Conley) wants to play for the Suns we would be very lucky. We are talking about a veteran All Star who is a good defender and has a superhigh basketball IQ.

Perfect fit for our young team. We need someone like him.

[bigfoot]

Reason #4,732 to not trade for Lowry:

Read on Twitter

Well, seriously, if Lowry is traded this summer and he is happy with the Suns as a destination we need to trade for him.

Look, not too many good players want to play for the Suns. We need to get whoever is comfortable and happy about being on a rebuilding team and with Sarver as a owner.

We do not have a lot of money, so we are not gonna overpay for someone like Rubio or Collison...so our options are gonna be limited.

If Lowry ( or Conley) wants to play for the Suns we would be very lucky. We are talking about a veteran All Star who is a good defender and has a superhigh basketball IQ.

Perfect fit for our young team. We need someone like him.

Both make over $30M next year. To make the money work in a trade we would have to give up Tyler Johnson, TJ Warren, and then a draft pick or two to get either Lowry or Conley. Seems like a lot for one year of Lowry. Two years of Conley maybe.

[BobbieL]

Reason #4,732 to not trade for Lowry:

Read on Twitter

Well, seriously, if Lowry is traded this summer and he is happy with the Suns as a destination we need to trade for him.

Look, not too many good players want to play for the Suns. We need to get whoever is comfortable and happy about being on a rebuilding team and with Sarver as a owner.

We do not have a lot of money, so we are not gonna overpay for someone like Rubio or Collison...so our options are gonna be limited.

If Lowry ( or Conley) wants to play for the Suns we would be very lucky. We are talking about a veteran All Star who is a good defender and has a superhigh basketball IQ.

Perfect fit for our young team. We need someone like him.

Both make over $30M next year. To make the money work in a trade we would have to give up Tyler Johnson, TJ Warren, and then a draft pick or two to get either Lowry or Conley. Seems like a lot for one year of Lowry. Two years of Conley maybe.

I think thats a lot to give up for Conley. I kind of like the idea of Collison with Johnson and Warren over just Conley in fact. I am going with the theory good quantity over one Quality. And I am not sure Conley, though he fits next to Booker.

But the Suns do need a PG thats for sure and one that can shoot pretty decently as well. Thats probably why, and I l have been on the Rubio train - but his shooting percentage is lower than others. Beverley shoots higher.

[Saberestar]

Reason #4,732 to not trade for Lowry:

Read on Twitter

Well, seriously, if Lowry is traded this summer and he is happy with the Suns as a destination we need to trade for him.

Look, not too many good players want to play for the Suns. We need to get whoever is comfortable and happy about being on a rebuilding team and with Sarver as a owner.

We do not have a lot of money, so we are not gonna overpay for someone like Rubio or Collison...so our options are gonna be limited.

If Lowry ( or Conley) wants to play for the Suns we would be very lucky. We are talking about a veteran All Star who is a good defender and has a superhigh basketball IQ.

Perfect fit for our young team. We need someone like him.

Both make over $30M next year. To make the money work in a trade we would have to give up Tyler Johnson, TJ Warren, and then a draft pick or two to get either Lowry or Conley. Seems like a lot for one year of Lowry. Two years of Conley maybe.

Tyler Johnson, Josh Jackson and one or two of Spalding, Fredette, Okobo or Melton would be enough to make salaries work.

It does not seem too much for me. Look at our package...it is not a big deal IMO for a PG who can be a truly game changer.

[Crives]

Well, seriously, if Lowry is traded this summer and he is happy with the Suns as a destination we need to trade for him.

Look, not too many good players want to play for the Suns. We need to get whoever is comfortable and happy about being on a rebuilding team and with Sarver as a owner.

We do not have a lot of money, so we are not gonna overpay for someone like Rubio or Collison...so our options are gonna be limited.

If Lowry ( or Conley) wants to play for the Suns we would be very lucky. We are talking about a veteran All Star who is a good defender and has a superhigh basketball IQ.

Perfect fit for our young team. We need someone like him.

Both make over $30M next year. To make the money work in a trade we would have to give up Tyler Johnson, TJ Warren, and then a draft pick or two to get either Lowry or Conley. Seems like a lot for one year of Lowry. Two years of Conley maybe.

Tyler Johnson, Josh Jackson and one or two of Spalding, Fredette, Okobo or Melton would be enough to make salaries work.

It does not seem too much for me. Look at our package...it is not a big deal IMO for a PG who can be a truly game changer.

And what if Conley aggregates his Achilles again? Now we have just given up significant assets to tie up 1/3rd of our cap.

[BobbieL]

Both make over $30M next year. To make the money work in a trade we would have to give up Tyler Johnson, TJ Warren, and then a draft pick or two to get either Lowry or Conley. Seems like a lot for one year of Lowry. Two years of Conley maybe.

Tyler Johnson, Josh Jackson and one or two of Spalding, Fredette, Okobo or Melton would be enough to make salaries work.

It does not seem too much for me. Look at our package...it is not a big deal IMO for a PG who can be a truly game changer.

And what if Conley aggregates his Achilles again? Now we have just given up significant assets to tie up 1/3rd of our cap.

Thats why I think the Suns need to improve the roster but not at the K-Klub level for Free Agents and probably not for the contracts of Lowry and Conley. A PF like Aminu plus a PG like Beverley or Collison (possibly Rubio but his lack of shooting is a concern though I do think he would imrpove the team) are smart sensible smaller moves - that may not make headlines like the K-KLub but will improve the team and win more games. The Suns already do not have enough good players to give up for Conley. Now Jrue, thats another story.

[Crives]

Tyler Johnson, Josh Jackson and one or two of Spalding, Fredette, Okobo or Melton would be enough to make salaries work.

It does not seem too much for me. Look at our package...it is not a big deal IMO for a PG who can be a truly game changer.

And what if Conley aggregates his Achilles again? Now we have just given up significant assets to tie up 1/3rd of our cap.

Thats why I think the Suns need to improve the roster but not at the K-Klub level for Free Agents and probably not for the contracts of Lowry and Conley. A PF like Aminu plus a PG like Beverley or Collison (possibly Rubio but his lack of shooting is a concern though I do think he would imrpove the team) are smart sensible smaller moves - that may not make headlines like the K-KLub but will improve the team and win more games. The Suns already do not have enough good players to give up for Conley. Now Jrue, thats another story.

Exactly. If we really want a vet pg, worst case we should easily be able to waive Tyler and sign Rubio for half the cost.

Look I love Conley, I just think he is too much of a risk to take on with his Achilles.

[darmani]

Have you not learned anything from the Chandler, Dudley and Ariza signings? Don't you know what happens with highly paid veterans who spent most of their careers on contenders, when they are put in a position where they have nothing to play for? Well... they become whatever Chandler, Dudley and Ariza were when they played for the Suns. Conley and Lowry wouldn't be any different.

[BobbieL]

And what if Conley aggregates his Achilles again? Now we have just given up significant assets to tie up 1/3rd of our cap.

Thats why I think the Suns need to improve the roster but not at the K-Klub level for Free Agents and probably not for the contracts of Lowry and Conley. A PF like Aminu plus a PG like Beverley or Collison (possibly Rubio but his lack of shooting is a concern though I do think he would imrpove the team) are smart sensible smaller moves - that may not make headlines like the K-KLub but will improve the team and win more games. The Suns already do not have enough good players to give up for Conley. Now Jrue, thats another story.

Exactly. If we really want a vet pg, worst case we should easily be able to waive Tyler and sign Rubio for half the cost.

Look I love Conley, I just think he is too much of a risk to take on with his Achilles.

I wish Tyler Johnson had a smaller salary but I doubt I would stretch him at this point. He has value to me more than the extra cap space. I think the Suns can get some cap space if they need - trade back in the First; trade out of the first altogether; maybe move an OKobo or Melton (its nominal I get), but of course Jackson and or Warren can be moved.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

Thats why I think the Suns need to improve the roster but not at the K-Klub level for Free Agents and probably not for the contracts of Lowry and Conley. A PF like Aminu plus a PG like Beverley or Collison (possibly Rubio but his lack of shooting is a concern though I do think he would imrpove the team) are smart sensible smaller moves - that may not make headlines like the K-KLub but will improve the team and win more games. The Suns already do not have enough good players to give up for Conley. Now Jrue, thats another story.

Exactly. If we really want a vet pg, worst case we should easily be able to waive Tyler and sign Rubio for half the cost.

Look I love Conley, I just think he is too much of a risk to take on with his Achilles.

I wish Tyler Johnson had a smaller salary but I doubt I would stretch him at this point. He has value to me more than the extra cap space. I think the Suns can get some cap space if they need - trade back in the First; trade out of the first altogether; maybe move an OKobo or Melton (its nominal I get), but of course Jackson and or Warren can be moved.

DJ Augustin busting Kyle's @$$ last night. Conley is $30 million, meaning you have to dump Tyler in the deal. Bottom line: We should find a better deal than Conley/Lowry.

Anyone think Tyler Johnson might consider opting out, say, if we're discussing something like 4 years/$50 million? Is $9 million extra in cap space worth it for us? Is the additional security of $31 over 3 years worth it to Tyler? I see no reason why we wouldn't do whatever maneuvering is necessary in order to offer Kemba a max deal if the alternative is Conley or Lowry.

Also, Anthony Davis is available. Is there truly no way he would consider PHX? Is there another team at the top of the lotto willing to offer a top pick? And if that's the case, isn't there a possibility that we could wrangle Lonzo Ball, the #11 and more on draft night in a deal involving our pick?

These, plus Ja Morant, are just to begin the list of preferable alternatives.

[alamin330]

Ben Simmons can't shoot. Phoenix suns can't shoot. Not a good match. Simmons is the most overrated all-star in the nba. The Nets just showed us why.
Mike Conley vs Suns hurt his ankle in the 4th quarter came back in the same 4th quarter to help defeat the suns and prevent booker from winning his first 50 point game. Grizzlies were already eliminated from playoffs. That is not the sign of a veteran who will not come in and compete. Ariza, Chandler and Dudley are scrubs. Suns tried to make them something they're not.
TJ, Tyler and a future draft pick for Conley and Suns are back in the playoffs