2019 season speculation including trade ideas

[BobbieL]

Reading a lot of positive things about Rubio these couple days. Granted I am sure a year ago read them about Ariza. But - I do think Rubio will help the team a lot. Good having a true PG on the roster.


Now I also was pushing pretty hard for him for two years so I am a little biased in the hope he delivers. A good PG and better shooters will help Booker and Ayton so much on the offensive side of the ball.

[lilfishi22]

I've figured Oubre would start even though I don't think he should. What gives you that idea from media day though? Did they say that or is it due to the coverage (ie, someone like Sidery would write as if Oubre is definitely going to start because of his infatuation with him).

He would have never got paid that amount to come off the bench. I technically understand what you're saying though, but Oubre was a big part of setting the culture going forward, or else they'd only have Ayton and Booker coming back from last season (in the starting lineup) with no real identity to grow from

I think a number of 6th men have been paid well, and I don't think that should determine anything regarding playing time or who starts. I think they just had to pay him a certain amount to come to an agreement.

I think there is a good chance he starts even if Bridges outplays him in camp, though it wouldn't surprise me if Bridges started at some point, or just beat him out and started to begin the year.

They may decide ultimately his energy off the bench is important. I think Rubio will provide it with the starters. Not sure who would off the bench if Oubre isn't there. Baynes will provide toughness, but not the kind of team energy I'm talking about like Oubre does. I think him and Tyler Johnson play well together.

I think Bridges should start too because he's a low usage guy who defends well and I think that's a little more important for our starting line up than another ball handler/shot creator. Our focus should be maximising (offensively and defensively) Booker and Ayton and adding Oubre to that mix would take some of our offensive focus away from those two. Bridges imo fits that mold better Oubre. I get the arguments for Oubre starting and I certainly get the argument for Bridges off the bench too and I'm not adamant that Bridges starts but I would like to see that because I think he fits better.

Ultimately, I just want to run the best rotations that win games and if Oubre makes sense in achieving that, then that's fine

[Crives]

Read on Twitter

4 wings last year down to a none.... Hopefully injuries are not serious... maybe this is good long term and gives Cam some time to shine.

[lilfishi22]

Read on Twitter

4 wings last year down to a none.... Hopefully injuries are not serious... maybe this is good long term and gives Cam some time to shine.

It was 3 wings for most of last season and arguably 2 if you consider TJ was out for half the season and JJ was a negative whenever he touched the hardwood. There was only about 18 games when we legit had 4ish wings with Bridges, Oubre, healthy TJ.....and JJ. In the final stretch of last season we were down to a rookie in Bridges (who admittedly was pretty good for a rook) and JJ. That's a ghastly wing rotation.

Not saying Cam is better than TJ but at least he's a healthy body *knock on wood* you can plug in and should be able to hit some shots for you.

[darealjuice]

Crazy we're only a week away from Suns preseason basketball. I really hope that Bridges and Oubre's injuries don't linger into the season. I want to see Cam play in a Suns jersey, but it'd be a shame to force Cam into a bigger role than he's ready for on opening night.

Nice to see that Monty said Jerome has stood out. Rubio is going to be a really good mentor for him early in his career. Hope he's able to carve out a role early in the season.

[suns12345]

For anyone interested, listen to the last 2 minutes of Brian Windhorsts hoop collective podcast.

Its a preview of the western conference and of course they dont touch on the suns in the body of the podcast, but in the last minute or so Windhorst talks about how he thinks the suns will be better than people expect

[Saberestar]

please stop with the Ayton shooting 3 narrative. The dude is showed he has an almost unstoppable/blockable jump hook, and a nice touch anywhere within 10 feet. Stay closer to the basket and rebound. Hone those skills first. We'll have enough perimeter bombers. Its the inside out game is what Ayton should look to perfect, and develope into a PnR weapon w/Rubes.

Things are finally getting close to happening. I like the second unit's chances to be very disruptive.... I see TJo, Bridges, one of TGerome or CamJo, Diallo and Baynes. Its likely going to take a while to see what combinations work, but we have so much more BBIQ, shooting, versatility, and playmaking now. Also like the fast pace focus. Good ballers can run breaks, and we have added 4-5 dudes that just know how to play.

This roster is 10X better than last years opener, from coach on down.

No one is stopping Ayton from shooting threes this sesson. He loves the idea and Monty is OK with that...so it is a done deal already.

Hopefully he is decent from there since day one. I would say that just 30% on a couple tries per game would be good enough to spread the floor and be effective.

[jcsunsfan]

please stop with the Ayton shooting 3 narrative. The dude is showed he has an almost unstoppable/blockable jump hook, and a nice touch anywhere within 10 feet. Stay closer to the basket and rebound. Hone those skills first. We'll have enough perimeter bombers. Its the inside out game is what Ayton should look to perfect, and develope into a PnR weapon w/Rubes.

Things are finally getting close to happening. I like the second unit's chances to be very disruptive.... I see TJo, Bridges, one of TGerome or CamJo, Diallo and Baynes. Its likely going to take a while to see what combinations work, but we have so much more BBIQ, shooting, versatility, and playmaking now. Also like the fast pace focus. Good ballers can run breaks, and we have added 4-5 dudes that just know how to play.

This roster is 10X better than last years opener, from coach on down.

No one is stopping Ayton from shooting threes this sesson. He loves the idea and Monty is OK with that...so it is a done deal already.

Hopefully he is decent from there since day one. I would say that just 30% on a couple tries per game would be good enough to spread the floor and be effective.

Correct. The Ayton shooting three narrative is from Ayton and Monty themselves—not manufactured by fans. It’s not stopping.

[Frank Lee]

Ayton shot 4 threes last yr.
His shooting % drops consistantly, almost drastically the further away he gets from the basket.... 73% at the rim, 41% from 10-16 ft, 30% from deep mid range. He has so much more to work on in year two than to focus on trying to be a 35% 3pt threat for 1-2 shots a game. You know, being a roller, improving his mid range%, establishing and keeping his position, playing the inside out game with the multitude of shooters we have now, dribble driving.... and just running the floor. (not even mentioning defense) 3pt shooting is a luxury he can develope over time, but it shouldnt be a priority. His strength is his athleticism and size, coupled with a feathery touch. At least now we should have the ballers who can deliver the ball where he needs it.

This thinking is falling into the narrative of today's NBA. I think its safe to say, the rest of the league will be delighted to have Ayton shoot threes. I dont think its an effective strategy. Me? Id rather he goes inside and kicks out to the true shooters we have, as well as trailing the break to get fed dunks. Amare feasted on that. His off ball movement near the rim should be rewarded with more opportunities with the additions we made.

as far as what Ayton and Monty says, I think you can trace this 3pt hooplah to one interview or comment from DA... and what is Monty going to say but 'yeah, sure'. Remember he also said he was born to be a PF, or something like that.

Has that article /interview been posted ?

I do like the talk of picking up the pace. He can beat 90% of the centers up and down the court. Speed kills.

[sunsbg]

Ayton shot 4 threes last yr.
His shooting % drops consistantly, almost drastically the further away he gets from the basket.... 73% at the rim, 41% from 10-16 ft, 30% from deep mid range. He has so much more to work on in year two than to focus on trying to be a 35% 3pt threat for 1-2 shots a game. You know, being a roller, improving his mid range%, establishing and keeping his position, playing the inside out game with the multitude of shooters we have now, dribble driving.... and just running the floor. (not even mentioning defense) 3pt shooting is a luxury he can develope over time, but it shouldnt be a priority. His strength is his athleticism and size, coupled with a feathery touch. At least now we should have the ballers who can deliver the ball where he needs it.

This thinking is falling into the narrative of today's NBA. I think its safe to say, the rest of the league will be delighted to have Ayton shoot threes. I dont think its an effective strategy. Me? Id rather he goes inside and kicks out to the true shooters we have, as well as trailing the break to get fed dunks. Amare feasted on that. His off ball movement near the rim should be rewarded with more opportunities with the additions we made.

as far as what Ayton and Monty says, I think you can trace this 3pt hooplah to one interview or comment from DA... and what is Monty going to say but 'yeah, sure'. Remember he also said he was born to be a PF, or something like that.

Has that article /interview been posted ?

I do like the talk of picking up the pace. He can beat 90% of the centers up and down the court. Speed kills.

I defended this point last season - let Ayton play like Shaq, rather than Channing Frye, expecially on a team with good outside shooters I think it works, but supposedly big men should only shoot 3s, set screens and block shots in today's NBA. Sad.

[Saberestar]

Read on Twitter

What the **** is happening with Bridges? Another Warren story coming??

[matt131]

Read on Twitter

What the **** is happening with Bridges? Another Warren story coming??

Read on Twitter

[lilfishi22]

Ayton shot 4 threes last yr.
His shooting % drops consistantly, almost drastically the further away he gets from the basket.... 73% at the rim, 41% from 10-16 ft, 30% from deep mid range. He has so much more to work on in year two than to focus on trying to be a 35% 3pt threat for 1-2 shots a game. You know, being a roller, improving his mid range%, establishing and keeping his position, playing the inside out game with the multitude of shooters we have now, dribble driving.... and just running the floor. (not even mentioning defense) 3pt shooting is a luxury he can develope over time, but it shouldnt be a priority. His strength is his athleticism and size, coupled with a feathery touch. At least now we should have the ballers who can deliver the ball where he needs it.

This thinking is falling into the narrative of today's NBA. I think its safe to say, the rest of the league will be delighted to have Ayton shoot threes. I dont think its an effective strategy. Me? Id rather he goes inside and kicks out to the true shooters we have, as well as trailing the break to get fed dunks. Amare feasted on that. His off ball movement near the rim should be rewarded with more opportunities with the additions we made.

as far as what Ayton and Monty says, I think you can trace this 3pt hooplah to one interview or comment from DA... and what is Monty going to say but 'yeah, sure'. Remember he also said he was born to be a PF, or something like that.

Has that article /interview been posted ?

I do like the talk of picking up the pace. He can beat 90% of the centers up and down the court. Speed kills.

I'm not against Ayton shooting the 3, I just think making it *the* focus of his offensive development in the short term is misguided. I think if it's like a little side project he's set for himself, that's perfectly fine and if he's good enough then go ahead and shoot 1-2 three's a game but his ball handling to me is the most important offensive improvement I want to see from him. He needs to at least be able to put the ball on the floor confidently from the elbow in. Being a triple threat (he already has a decent mid range shot and passing for a 2nd yr big) is what makes Jokic, KAT, Embiid, AD and Blake the 5 best bigs in the NBA today. The 3PT shooting is just an extension of their shooting ability but it's their ability to put the ball on the floor and/or pass it which makes them so dangerous.

Right now, I'd much rather he work on his ball handling ability because that is the most elementary offensive skill of his. We rarely saw much of that in college and in his one rookie season so it's what I want it see the most from him.

[suns12345]

https://on.nba.com/2oCXxBB

Ty Jerome turning heads

[Crives]

ESPN has us as the 3rd worst team.... boy I can’t wait for the season to start.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/27644721/nba-power-rankings-training-camp-edition-breakout-candidates-all-30-teams

[Maze]

He would have never got paid that amount to come off the bench. I technically understand what you're saying though, but Oubre was a big part of setting the culture going forward, or else they'd only have Ayton and Booker coming back from last season (in the starting lineup) with no real identity to grow from

I think a number of 6th men have been paid well, and I don't think that should determine anything regarding playing time or who starts. I think they just had to pay him a certain amount to come to an agreement.

I think there is a good chance he starts even if Bridges outplays him in camp, though it wouldn't surprise me if Bridges started at some point, or just beat him out and started to begin the year.

They may decide ultimately his energy off the bench is important. I think Rubio will provide it with the starters. Not sure who would off the bench if Oubre isn't there. Baynes will provide toughness, but not the kind of team energy I'm talking about like Oubre does. I think him and Tyler Johnson play well together.

I think Bridges should start too because he's a low usage guy who defends well and I think that's a little more important for our starting line up than another ball handler/shot creator. Our focus should be maximising (offensively and defensively) Booker and Ayton and adding Oubre to that mix would take some of our offensive focus away from those two. Bridges imo fits that mold better Oubre. I get the arguments for Oubre starting and I certainly get the argument for Bridges off the bench too and I'm not adamant that Bridges starts but I would like to see that because I think he fits better.

Ultimately, I just want to run the best rotations that win games and if Oubre makes sense in achieving that, then that's fine

I agree.I think Oubre is more of a 6th man.He can be a black hole on offense.I like his energy, but at the same time, I think Suns fans tend to overrate him a lil bit

[lilfishi22]

I think a number of 6th men have been paid well, and I don't think that should determine anything regarding playing time or who starts. I think they just had to pay him a certain amount to come to an agreement.

I think there is a good chance he starts even if Bridges outplays him in camp, though it wouldn't surprise me if Bridges started at some point, or just beat him out and started to begin the year.

They may decide ultimately his energy off the bench is important. I think Rubio will provide it with the starters. Not sure who would off the bench if Oubre isn't there. Baynes will provide toughness, but not the kind of team energy I'm talking about like Oubre does. I think him and Tyler Johnson play well together.

I think Bridges should start too because he's a low usage guy who defends well and I think that's a little more important for our starting line up than another ball handler/shot creator. Our focus should be maximising (offensively and defensively) Booker and Ayton and adding Oubre to that mix would take some of our offensive focus away from those two. Bridges imo fits that mold better Oubre. I get the arguments for Oubre starting and I certainly get the argument for Bridges off the bench too and I'm not adamant that Bridges starts but I would like to see that because I think he fits better.

Ultimately, I just want to run the best rotations that win games and if Oubre makes sense in achieving that, then that's fine

I agree.I think Oubre is more of a 6th man.He can be a black hole on offense.I like his energy, but at the same time, I think Suns fans tend to overrate him a lil bit

I think he's pretty overrated by Suns fans and imo would suit the 6th man role a lot more because we'll be lacking offensive creation off the bench while I think we're lacking defense and shooting in the starting line up.

[Maze]

I think Bridges should start too because he's a low usage guy who defends well and I think that's a little more important for our starting line up than another ball handler/shot creator. Our focus should be maximising (offensively and defensively) Booker and Ayton and adding Oubre to that mix would take some of our offensive focus away from those two. Bridges imo fits that mold better Oubre. I get the arguments for Oubre starting and I certainly get the argument for Bridges off the bench too and I'm not adamant that Bridges starts but I would like to see that because I think he fits better.

Ultimately, I just want to run the best rotations that win games and if Oubre makes sense in achieving that, then that's fine

I agree.I think Oubre is more of a 6th man.He can be a black hole on offense.I like his energy, but at the same time, I think Suns fans tend to overrate him a lil bit

I think he's pretty overrated by Suns fans and imo would suit the 6th man role a lot more because we'll be lacking offensive creation off the bench while I think we're lacking defense and shooting in the starting line up.

I 100% agree.He's fiery and has a "swagger" about him, so there you have it....

[MilotheSlayer]

I haven't heard a thing about Frank the Tank. Wonder if they try and run a smaller second unit out there? Jerome, Johnson, Johnson, Bridges/Oubre/Saric, and Baynes.

[LukasBMW]

We shouldn't have traded TJ for scraps.