2019 season speculation including trade ideas

[darealjuice]

Crazy to see someone talking about how mediocre and topped out this team is when we've only seen them play one game with the #1 pick in last year's draft lol. I guess having to see Frank start at center for almost half of the season is starting to wear people down.

I am actually pleased with how Frank has played - and he will be fine when he is a back up 4 along Baynes coming off the bench with DA starting.

Saric I think will be better next to Ayton at the 4.

The team is better, more competitive, better to watch. Things take time

Frank has done what you'd expect from him. He's not a rim protector, and he's not someone that plays above the rim. The missed lay-ups and shoddy (albeit improving) 3-point shooting have made him a bit frustrating to watch, but he's been better than most expected.

Ayton's going to change a lot for this team. Pick and rolls become a lot more effective when it's Ayton rolling to the rim instead of Kaminsky. He'll bring a big improvement for our god awful rebounding with Ayton and Baynes out, and he's the inside presence on offense that this team needs when our outside shots stop falling. Hopefully that first game against the Kings was representative of how he'll be playing defense this year too.

[darealjuice]

Crazy to see someone talking about how mediocre and topped out this team is when we've only seen them team play one game with the #1 pick in last year's draft lol. I guess having to see Frank start at center for almost half of the season is starting to wear people down.

Yeah, I mentioned a lot lies on him. But the thing is I think Baynes is a game changer for us. A big one. Of course Ayton is too. Not sure about our future at PF and long term at PG.

As for the PG discussion, I think we likely obviously keep Jerome at backup, Okobo at 3rd string and let Carter go...he will be a RFA I believe..not sure if he will be picked up but Okobo certainly has far more upside being a couple years younger, a better passer, and in the long run probably a more effective defender with his length and quickness. I imagine the shooting keeps coming around...already 40% from 3. Per 36 for ast/to is 9.1/1. Also finishes at the rim at over 57% which isn't great but Carter is at 40%.

I do think Bridges can be a real impact player with his defense, cutting and ability to finish at the rim at a high rate (over 70%). Also just a high IQ player and shooting over 50% from 3 in December.

I think they're both game changers, and having both available makes us much stronger.

I don't even think the franchise knows where the back-up PG situation is yet. Jerome has been a bit up and down so far, but you kind of expect that from a rookie coming off a multi-week injury that kept him from being able to stay in game shape. Okobo has looked good this year in his limited minutes, and Carter is a fun defense/energy guy with a developing 3-point shot. Tough to say if any of them are the solution after Ricky, but we do have time to figure that out considering he's just getting into his best years.

I'm a believer in Bridges, just wish he didn't mess with his shot so much after college. He's starting to be more confident with it though, so hopefully he can get back to the 3-and-D role he was supposed to have. Would love to see more development with his handle, but that'll take time.

[hollywood6964]

What are you talking about?

No growth chances? Look at the average age of our core players.

Sub-par playmaking? We signed one of the best playmaking PG in the whole league and are currently ranked top 3 in team assists.

The Suns are finally turning into a team. You can't jump from 19 wins to 60 in one off-season.

I think everyone is forgetting about running being banged up for a while and maybe had been too. And then ayton not playing. This is making a huge difference when we have no real backup pg and have to play a bench of in saric, and a seat warmer like kaminsky. Really there's only a big hold in the backup pg spot. This team will be good when reasonably healthy.

So you like Kaminsky at backup PF?

Whew, major typos in my quick phone post.....but no, I really don't. You know that. Anyone knows that. But, you can stagger minutes, because these guys don't need to play-make, and you can play small at times (as most teams have a small lineup these days they like to employ), with Oubre n Bridges at the sf n pf. and in that case you can play Kaminsky a few minutes here n there against weak front lined teams, or bench lineups, garbage time, etc.

However you can't fake no pg on this team, because we do need a playmaker pretty much at all times, and without rubio, we are trash. Even with Rubio, there's a gaping, brazzers sized hole when he takes a seat. Back-up pg is of the utmost priority.

[bwgood77]

I think everyone is forgetting about running being banged up for a while and maybe had been too. And then ayton not playing. This is making a huge difference when we have no real backup pg and have to play a bench of in saric, and a seat warmer like kaminsky. Really there's only a big hold in the backup pg spot. This team will be good when reasonably healthy.

So you like Kaminsky at backup PF?

Whew, major typos in my quick phone post.....but no, I really don't. You know that. Anyone knows that. But, you can stagger minutes, because these guys don't need to play-make, and you can play small at times (as most teams have a small lineup these days they like to employ), with Oubre n Bridges at the sf n pf. and in that case you can play Kaminsky a few minutes here n there against weak front lined teams, or bench lineups, garbage time, etc.

However you can't fake no pg on this team, because we do need a playmaker pretty much at all times, and without rubio, we are trash. Even with Rubio, there's a gaping, brazzers sized hole when he takes a seat. Back-up pg is of the utmost priority.

I think we should stagger and always have Rubio or Booker on the floor, and maybe have Booker play more with Jerome and Baynes and Ricky play quite a bit with Bridges and Ayton (when he gets back). I think Kaminsky will look a lot better when he gets back to backup PF...hopefully they have Diallo as backup C until Ayton gets back instead of going small with like Cam Johnson at the 4 and Kaminsky at the 5 (before Ayton gets back).

[bwgood77]

Even both of these link to same article, I will post both tweets since they have different intros about what is in articles. Hopefully people took advantage of cyber week where you could subscribe for a year for $2 a month.

Read on Twitter

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[Barkley6]

I think everyone is forgetting about running being banged up for a while and maybe had been too. And then ayton not playing. This is making a huge difference when we have no real backup pg and have to play a bench of in saric, and a seat warmer like kaminsky. Really there's only a big hold in the backup pg spot. This team will be good when reasonably healthy.

So you like Kaminsky at backup PF?

Whew, major typos in my quick phone post.....but no, I really don't. You know that. Anyone knows that. But, you can stagger minutes, because these guys don't need to play-make, and you can play small at times (as most teams have a small lineup these days they like to employ), with Oubre n Bridges at the sf n pf. and in that case you can play Kaminsky a few minutes here n there against weak front lined teams, or bench lineups, garbage time, etc.

However you can't fake no pg on this team, because we do need a playmaker pretty much at all times, and without rubio, we are trash. Even with Rubio, there's a gaping, brazzers sized hole when he takes a seat. Back-up pg is of the utmost priority.

Elie Okobo needs to get another shot IMO. He isn't always flashy but he takes good care of the ball (his assist turnover ratio is over 9), he's a willing passer and a capable scorer who isnt a defensive liability. For 18 minutes a night, I think he's worth a run of games.

[hollywood6964]

So you like Kaminsky at backup PF?

Whew, major typos in my quick phone post.....but no, I really don't. You know that. Anyone knows that. But, you can stagger minutes, because these guys don't need to play-make, and you can play small at times (as most teams have a small lineup these days they like to employ), with Oubre n Bridges at the sf n pf. and in that case you can play Kaminsky a few minutes here n there against weak front lined teams, or bench lineups, garbage time, etc.

However you can't fake no pg on this team, because we do need a playmaker pretty much at all times, and without rubio, we are trash. Even with Rubio, there's a gaping, brazzers sized hole when he takes a seat. Back-up pg is of the utmost priority.

I think we should stagger and always have Rubio or Booker on the floor, and maybe have Booker play more with Jerome and Baynes and Ricky play quite a bit with Bridges and Ayton (when he gets back). I think Kaminsky will look a lot better when he gets back to backup PF...hopefully they have Diallo as backup C until Ayton gets back instead of going small with like Cam Johnson at the 4 and Kaminsky at the 5 (before Ayton gets back).

Cam at the 4 is a mistake. I don't know how Monty doesn't get that.

I'm not high on what I've seen from Jerome, the kid cannot dribble and is painfully slow, which then leaves booker with the ball, and then other teams employ a trap, or simply a good defender, then we all know what happens there.....

I really like Baynes with rubio, and just in the starting lineup in general. His floor spreading and defense is just too perfect with rubio and on paper with ayton to leave behind on the bench. and it's not like he's going to be better coming off the bench. He's not much of a rebounder, and he won't get many open 3's without Rubio out there, and with the pick n roll with rubio n ayton, he can leak out to the 3 pt line n tee of all day. He also can make up for aytons lack of defense; he's just perfect for that lineup.

[hollywood6964]

So you like Kaminsky at backup PF?

Whew, major typos in my quick phone post.....but no, I really don't. You know that. Anyone knows that. But, you can stagger minutes, because these guys don't need to play-make, and you can play small at times (as most teams have a small lineup these days they like to employ), with Oubre n Bridges at the sf n pf. and in that case you can play Kaminsky a few minutes here n there against weak front lined teams, or bench lineups, garbage time, etc.

However you can't fake no pg on this team, because we do need a playmaker pretty much at all times, and without rubio, we are trash. Even with Rubio, there's a gaping, brazzers sized hole when he takes a seat. Back-up pg is of the utmost priority.

Elie Okobo needs to get another shot IMO. He isn't always flashy but he takes good care of the ball (his assist turnover ratio is over 9), he's a willing passer and a capable scorer who isnt a defensive liability. For 18 minutes a night, I think he's worth a run of games.

when we're healthy, I wouldn't mind giving him some minutes. Because then he won't have to do as much, which is is not capable of doing. with more health, he can just run a simple offense, and have a lot more help. The problem with Elie is that his shot is a set shot, and a "fling" shot, so it's low in elevation and once he's starting the shot, he's committed to it, there's no last second pass, and no real pump fake. He's easy to guard. So it's tough fro him to run an offense. And wit his limited driving ability, accompanied with no "pull up J", only that slow, set fling shot, he's just so limited offensively.

[Saberestar]

Not surprises here, Kevin Love prefers to be traded to a contender.

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[Wilber85]

Love ends up on the following

Clippers
Mavericks
Rockets

[Dual]

Not surprises here, Kevin Love prefers to be traded to a contender.

Read on Twitter

What contender can give something usefull to Cleveland?
I'm curious.

[Saberestar]

Not surprises here, Kevin Love prefers to be traded to a contender.

Read on Twitter

What contender can give something usefull to Cleveland?
I'm curious.

They can work with a third team if needed. Not that difficult to do.

The Nuggets can be a nice team for him. Paul Millsap + two lottery protected first round picks for Love.
Love/Grant/Jokic/Plumlee would be a great frontcourt.

[Crives]

Do we forgive DA if he learned how to shoot during his suspension? Would be funny if spending his time with the suns coaching staff during this suspension is good for his long term development.

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?s=21

[bwgood77]

Part of one of Gina's articles...

It took more than 20 games, but Rubio has finally been added to the players’ “Valley Boyz” group chat. “I’m official,” Rubio said Saturday. Seems appropriate for the man who is brilliantly setting up his teammates.

Rubio enters Sunday ranked third in the NBA in assists per game (8.9), behind MVP contenders LeBron James (10.7) and Luka Doncic (9.2). Before Saturday, Rubio was third in assist-to-turnover ratio (4.79) among players who have appeared in at least 15 games (teammate Elie Okobo, coincidentally, is first at 9.50). In Rubio’s six games since returning from back spasms, he has compiled 63 assists against 10 turnovers.

“I don’t take for granted what he does with the ball,” Williams said. “… We need it every night.” Williams has been impressed with Rubio’s patience in holding the ball as a play develops, comparing it to a quarterback making the linebacker bite while making his reads. The coach added that Rubio has been required to deliver different types of passes now compared with training camp and the preseason, trading lobs to Ayton for bounce passes to Frank Kaminsky and Dario Saric.

[javilugar]

If the Suns don´t want to make big moves, i propose two players that can improve the team.

Juancho Hernángomez: As I wrote before, he is young, can play the 3 and 4, can shoot, can defend, has heart, he´s a fighter, and underrated, cheap and good chemistry with Ricky. And he needs an opportunity to show the player he is. In Denver there are two many players in his positions and his role is less than secundary.

Tornike Shengelia: He plays in Spain. He played in the Nba but he was too much young and inmature. Now he is 28 years old, mature, plays hard, can shoot, can rebound and sure he is cheap. Please, take a look to his highlights , he could fit very well.

[Wilber85]

Do we forgive DA if he learned how to shoot during his suspension? Would be funny if spending his time with the suns coaching staff during this suspension is good for his long term development.

Read on Twitter

?s=21

he was only 15/24 on that video! Not that good.

[Crives]

Do we forgive DA if he learned how to shoot during his suspension? Would be funny if spending his time with the suns coaching staff during this suspension is good for his long term development.

Read on Twitter

?s=21

he was only 15/24 on that video! Not that good.

I mean, he’s only going to shoot in a game if he’s this wide open...

[Dual]

If the Suns don´t want to make big moves, i propose two players that can improve the team.

Juancho Hernángomez: As I wrote before, he is young, can play the 3 and 4, can shoot, can defend, has heart, he´s a fighter, and underrated, cheap and good chemistry with Ricky. And he needs an opportunity to show the player he is. In Denver there are two many players in his positions and his role is less than secundary.

Tornike Shengelia: He plays in Spain. He played in the Nba but he was too much young and inmature. Now he is 28 years old, mature, plays hard, can shoot, can rebound and sure he is cheap. Please, take a look to his highlights , he could fit very well.

If Denver will make a move, I would love us as third team taking Juancho. It would be perfect.

[Ghost of Kleine]

Not surprises here, Kevin Love prefers to be traded to a contender.

Read on Twitter

What contender can give something usefull to Cleveland?
I'm curious.

They can work with a third team if needed. Not that difficult to do.

The Nuggets can be a nice team for him. Paul Millsap + two lottery protected first round picks for Love.
Love/Grant/Jokic/Plumlee would be a great frontcourt.

I could see the Mavericks or Denver being a possibility. Maybe something along the lines of:

Denver/ Cleveland/Phoenix:

http://www.espn.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=qm3thba . (***Phoenix adds a lottery protected future first).

They might not need a 3rd team, But I'd still offer and try and somehow get Grant and/or Morris.

And if it's Dallas, And they need a 3rd team to add a sweetener, Then maybe something along these lines:
Dallas/Cleveland/ Phoenix:

https://basketball.realgm.com/tradechecker/saved_trade/7254134 .

Now If we don't want to give include Saric for Kleber, Then we instead offer a future lottery protected first perhaps. But I really do lovr the idea of possibly getting back Kleber and Brunson for added depth. Even at the cost of Saric and Kaminsky if necessary. Later, in free agency or trade, we can target a 3 point shooting 4/5 using Johnson's expiring ( maybe Betrans)? Or perhaps Danilo Gallinari or Serge Ibaka ( on a slightly cheaper deal for 1 year)?

[bwgood77]

More stuff from Gina which I posted the link to above

Bryant, who played for the Suns from 1996-98, had been praised around the NBA for developing Steven Adams and Domantas Sabonis during his time with the SuperSonics/Thunder from 2007-19. He has been working closely with Deandre Ayton since the summer, including during Ayton’s 25-game suspension for violating the league’s and NBPA’s anti-drug policy that ends next week. Williams appreciates the way Bryant views defense, stresses physicality and possesses an “unmatched” work ethic.

What did you learn about each guy during those early weeks?

Deandre is unbelievably talented. Does he have to learn the game more? Yes. But that’s with any young player. He has the tools to be a great player, but you have to work at it every single day. Aron Baynes, I’m learning from him, really. He’s been in the league for a while. … Frank, just trying to keep working with him and keep his confidence up. Same thing with Cheick. Keep these guys’ confidence up. That’s the biggest thing.

What are you most expecting to see from the players in the early season?

How are we gonna compete? That’s the biggest thing right there. You gotta compete. You’ve got to put 48 minutes of competing basketball on the floor. We can never quit. We have to be a grimy, grimy group. That’s what I’m looking for. No quit. Forty-eight minutes of hard, grind-it-out basketball. If we see that as coaches, (we can live with), “Hey, they beat us.” But we can’t have no letdown. Not one minute. Not two minutes. Not no minutes. We’ve got to play hard for 48 minutes of basketball. That’s what we’re looking for.