2020 Offseason Speculation, free agency, summer trades (keep draft prospect talk in draft thread)

[lilfishi22]

Name a contract that Tyler could have been traded for without second round picks?

I get not keeping Tyson and Rivers was stupid - I think Tyler has zero value except for like Kevin Love

Schroder? Reggie Jackson? Teague? I don't know

Fact is, our once glorious treasure trove of assets is now a mostly empty cupboard with a couple of pieces of stale biscuits lying about. We damn near gave away all of our 2nd round picks and one of our best trade assets (TJ Warren) for cash and now another asset is crossed off the list. We did nothing with Chandler's contract after paying/carrying him for 4 seasons. We did nothing with Rivers who could've helped. And now the spiritual contract of Knight, who we metaphorically carried the corpse of for all 5 seasons has turned into....nothing

We're at the point where our only assets to trade now are our own future 1st rounders and actually good rotation players (which we need to field a team). This team better HOPE that we've changed the image of the Phoenix Suns because we now have all this cap space with pretty poor history of attracting good FA. So if the plan was about preserving cap space, here you go; now do something productive with it.

Also some assets that we should have traded(Baynes and Saric), who are both most likely going to walk away this summer.

Oh yeah totally forgot about those guys. We should've definitely done something with them, especially Baynes unless we wanted to keep them on after this season.

Also there was a bit of rhetoric about how there's no needle moving trades out there and that being a justification for not making any trades at all. I don't agree with that. Not every trade will be a needle mover and most trades unless it's for a starter level player aren't moving the needle but that doesn't excuse us from not making trades to get incrementally better.

[lilfishi22]

The 14-15 season was such a turning point for the suns. So many things like keeping dragic happy or simply not making this Knight trade after the dragic trade would really have changed the course of history.

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Trading for Knight was such a panic move. You knew when McD said we got the best player on deadline day it was a pure emotion play.

I do remember when we got IT in that cheap deal it was pretty much universally lauded though. What a weird **** season that was.

The IT signing was a good signing in a vacuum. We got decent value for him in that signing. Problem was that, he wasn't what we needed at that time when we needed stability, not another mouth to feed. And while we got him for good value, it was Boston who truly got MVP level value from him. Such a shame that we rarely maximize player value. Like Tyler Johnson for example, the Heat got the most value out of him because he played fairly well then but they also offloaded him before his $19m salary kicked in.

[Slim Charless]

Why do I have the feeling that JJ is helping out the Lakers again?

If the Lakers sign Tyler Johnson, it helps out the Clippers, Nuggets, and Rockets.

Another ex-Suns player bought out to join Lebron? hmmmm

I want the clips to take it b/c **** Laker fans and also clip fans have crapped on alot, not much as us but still. So im down for the LAL to waste a roster spot on TJ's bum ass

[Desertfox]

Just so we are clear here, JJ traded Anderson, Warren, Melton, Jackson, and 3 2nds, for TJohnson and Carter...

At least we get to see how the Sun's version of the Rockets looks like, since Diallo will be the starting center. I would totally pick up Bender right now, but we all know JJ loves those empty slots.

[Slim Charless]

I don't think he helped. It just another nail in the coffin for those expiring assets which JJ had and couldn't use.

Name a contract that Tyler could have been traded for without second round picks?

I get not keeping Tyson and Rivers was stupid - I think Tyler has zero value except for like Kevin Love

Schroder? Reggie Jackson? Teague? I don't know

Fact is, our once glorious treasure trove of assets is now a mostly empty cupboard with a couple of pieces of stale biscuits lying about. We damn near gave away all of our 2nd round picks and one of our best trade assets (TJ Warren) for cash and now another asset is crossed off the list. We did nothing with Chandler's contract after paying/carrying him for 4 seasons. We did nothing with Rivers who could've helped. And now the spiritual contract of Knight, who we metaphorically carried the corpse of for all 5 seasons has turned into....nothing

We're at the point where our only assets to trade now are our own future 1st rounders and actually good rotation players (which we need to field a team). This team better HOPE that we've changed the image of the Phoenix Suns because we now have all this cap space with pretty poor history of attracting good FA. So if the plan was about preserving cap space, here you go; now do something productive with it.

I've brought this up once or twice but if Philly tanks and they move on from their guys. I would think Ben Simmons would love to come here. Booker and him are boys and I'm guessing he would have a good time in Scottsdale as well. We might be one of the teams at the top of his list. Idk what we'd use to get him besides Oubre and whatever pick we get-i don't think thatd be enough

[sunskerr]

Simmons and Ayton is a big no no pairing, unless Ayton can start being a respectable shooter from 3. Just like how Rubio is giving us headaches with his lack of spacing. We’ll win more games with Simmons, but it’s clear he needs 4 shooters around him.

[lilfishi22]

Name a contract that Tyler could have been traded for without second round picks?

I get not keeping Tyson and Rivers was stupid - I think Tyler has zero value except for like Kevin Love

Schroder? Reggie Jackson? Teague? I don't know

Fact is, our once glorious treasure trove of assets is now a mostly empty cupboard with a couple of pieces of stale biscuits lying about. We damn near gave away all of our 2nd round picks and one of our best trade assets (TJ Warren) for cash and now another asset is crossed off the list. We did nothing with Chandler's contract after paying/carrying him for 4 seasons. We did nothing with Rivers who could've helped. And now the spiritual contract of Knight, who we metaphorically carried the corpse of for all 5 seasons has turned into....nothing

We're at the point where our only assets to trade now are our own future 1st rounders and actually good rotation players (which we need to field a team). This team better HOPE that we've changed the image of the Phoenix Suns because we now have all this cap space with pretty poor history of attracting good FA. So if the plan was about preserving cap space, here you go; now do something productive with it.

I've brought this up once or twice but if Philly tanks and they move on from their guys. I would think Ben Simmons would love to come here. Booker and him are boys and I'm guessing he would have a good time in Scottsdale as well. We might be one of the teams at the top of his list. Idk what we'd use to get him besides Oubre and whatever pick we get-i don't think thatd be enough

Philly won't tank. They have the pieces to compete, they just aren't fitting right. If anything they'll move on from one of Embiid or Simmons and Simmons us probably the odd man out. I have no idea what it would take to get him but I'd imagine it will be near a king's ransom. They will be looking to get good value back for trading one of the key pieces in The Process.

I really have doubts that Oubre has as much value as some here might think he has. I think it's one of those cases where he's worth more to us than to others because of what we lack (scoring outside of Book/Ayton) and I just don't get the sense that other teams are exactly enamored with him. I don't know who leaked to the media that we were fielding expression of interests but either we're way overvaluing Oubre or the offers from other teams show just how much interest they have in him.

[bwgood77]

Another ex-Suns player bought out to join Lebron? hmmmm

Well, you haven't been watching him this year if you think he'd help the Lakers, though he probably would get more open shots and play harder if he got regular playing time. But he certainly wasn't helping us much, so who cares?

I don't think he helped. It just another nail in the coffin for those expiring assets which JJ had and couldn't use.

Those expiring assets are not worth what they used to be. Everyone is already preparing to have a lot of cap space for 2021, except for the ones who already built contenders, but even some of those. I'm glad we didn't take on bad money (which is what people would have wanted, something that went past 2021). Most teams with those contracts that expire in 2021 will just let them expire if they think the player is more useful than Johnson. I think some of the teams, like the Warriors, got under the tax at the trade deadline to avoid the repeater tax.

I'd prefer the cap space.

[lilfishi22]

Just so we are clear here, JJ traded Anderson, Warren, Melton, Jackson, and 3 2nds, for TJohnson and Carter...

At least we get to see how the Sun's version of the Rockets looks like, since Diallo will be the starting center. I would totally pick up Bender right now, but we all know JJ loves those empty slots.

Let's not forget we also got back Sarver's favorite type of player

[bwgood77]

Just so we are clear here, JJ traded Anderson, Warren, Melton, Jackson, and 3 2nds, for TJohnson and Carter...

At least we get to see how the Sun's version of the Rockets looks like, since Diallo will be the starting center. I would totally pick up Bender right now, but we all know JJ loves those empty slots.

The Brandon Knight trade, giving up an unprotected first and then signing him for 5 years, $70 million, which turned into Ryan Anderson and then Tyler Johnson really set us back. If we could have gotten a better player with whatever space we had, that would have been better. Even just staying pat with Bledsoe and IT would have been fine and adding pieces at other positions.

The very worst, though, was trading 2 1sts and Bogdan for Chriss, after drafting Bender, and then the next year we drafted Jackson.

Also, the Chandler and Dudley signings were terrible, as well as all those euros he tried like Mike James, Sonny Weems and Zoran Dragic.

[lilfishi22]

Well, you haven't been watching him this year if you think he'd help the Lakers, though he probably would get more open shots and play harder if he got regular playing time. But he certainly wasn't helping us much, so who cares?

I don't think he helped. It just another nail in the coffin for those expiring assets which JJ had and couldn't use.

Those expiring assets are not worth what they used to be. Everyone is already preparing to have a lot of cap space for 2021, except for the ones who already built contenders, but even some of those. I'm glad we didn't take on bad money (which is what people would have wanted, something that went past 2021). Most teams with those contracts that expire in 2021 will just let them expire if they think the player is more useful than Johnson. I think some of the teams, like the Warriors, got under the tax at the trade deadline to avoid the repeater tax.

I'd prefer the cap space.

It's not just Johnson, it's Chandler, it's Rivers, it's Korver. They took a gamble with Johnson thinking that if he doesn't pan out on the court, he'd at least be an expiring contract which should have some trade value. Instead they went 0-2 on both counts.

[Slim Charless]

Schroder? Reggie Jackson? Teague? I don't know

Fact is, our once glorious treasure trove of assets is now a mostly empty cupboard with a couple of pieces of stale biscuits lying about. We damn near gave away all of our 2nd round picks and one of our best trade assets (TJ Warren) for cash and now another asset is crossed off the list. We did nothing with Chandler's contract after paying/carrying him for 4 seasons. We did nothing with Rivers who could've helped. And now the spiritual contract of Knight, who we metaphorically carried the corpse of for all 5 seasons has turned into....nothing

We're at the point where our only assets to trade now are our own future 1st rounders and actually good rotation players (which we need to field a team). This team better HOPE that we've changed the image of the Phoenix Suns because we now have all this cap space with pretty poor history of attracting good FA. So if the plan was about preserving cap space, here you go; now do something productive with it.

I've brought this up once or twice but if Philly tanks and they move on from their guys. I would think Ben Simmons would love to come here. Booker and him are boys and I'm guessing he would have a good time in Scottsdale as well. We might be one of the teams at the top of his list. Idk what we'd use to get him besides Oubre and whatever pick we get-i don't think thatd be enough

Philly won't tank. They have the pieces to compete, they just aren't fitting right. If anything they'll move on from one of Embiid or Simmons and Simmons us probably the odd man out. I have no idea what it would take to get him but I'd imagine it will be near a king's ransom. They will be looking to get good value back for trading one of the key pieces in The Process.

I really have doubts that Oubre has as much value as some here might think he has. I think it's one of those cases where he's worth more to us than to others because of what we lack (scoring outside of Book/Ayton) and I just don't get the sense that other teams are exactly enamored with him. I don't know who leaked to the media that we were fielding expression of interests but either we're way overvaluing Oubre or the offers from other teams show just how much interest they have in him.

Tank was a bad use of the word. I mean that their season goes down the drain-2nd round loss or something similar. I'm worried about Oubres value too. I honestly believe that if Simmons had to leave Philly we'd be one of his top choices. Idk how we'd have enough to get w/o using Booker or Ayton tho

[Slim Charless]

Simmons and Ayton is a big no no pairing, unless Ayton can start being a respectable shooter from 3. Just like how Rubio is giving us headaches with his lack of spacing. We’ll win more games with Simmons, but it’s clear he needs 4 shooters around him.

Well we'd have Booker so there's one but I'd like to move him to PF if we got him. He can still run the offense and at the 4 his lack of shooting wouldnt kill us as badly. Then sign a shooter for PG, and we'd have Booker, whoever we sign at point and hopefully a fully on point Cam Johnson. Having the defense and playmaking of one the leagues biggest stars would be massive and hopefully get us some more love from the refs. Plus that makes Booker happy as a bonus

[Qwigglez]

I'm still a bit upset that we didn't utilize Ty Johnson's expiring contract. I get that not many teams if any wanted expiring contracts since this summer's free agents aren't exactly top tier, but we could have gotten something. I mean we could have maybe at least explored trading for Drummond. I get the fit isn't exactly there, but we are one of the worse 3PT shooting teams in the entire league, so perhaps we could have played to our strength a bit better and play inside. All it would have taken was Ty Johnson, Frank Kaminsky, and maybe one of Okobo or Carter, and a 2nd round pick. Hell, we could have stolen Luke Kennard too. Instead we flush another asset down the toilet. Even Reggie Jackson would have been a huge upgrade to our bench!

Last I checked our newfound starting lineup (that I been promoting since before the season I feel) of Rubio, Booker, Oubre, Bridges, Ayton is supposedly leading the league in plus/minus. That goes to show we should probably improve our bench unit. We didn't do that. Even with a healthy Baynes, Saric, and Frank I still don't feel that's enough. What our bench needs is some scoring, none of which those three guys are really good at (Frank is decent).

Just a bit peeved right now. The slight glimmer of hope I have is that we are still one of six teams that have some solid cap space this summer. Not many players to really look forward to though. We are likely going to try and go after guys that have been overlooked or need a second chance or want an opportunity to make more, likely can be had for cheap ($5 mil or less). Even veteran help off the bench would be nice too. These are the guys on that list for me: Denzel Valentine, Justin Holiday, Pat Connaughton, Allonzo Trier, Nerlen Noels, Mario Hezonja, Bryn Forbes, DJ Augustin. Jordan McRae.

More notable free agents that I think will cost some money that I think we should pursue would be: Christian Wood, Serge Ibaka, Davis Bertrans, Bogdan Bogdanovic. I guess I could see the Suns making enough space to make room for Anthony Davis if for some reason his marriage with Lebron James takes a turn in the next 5 months.

[thamadkant]

Just so we are clear here, JJ traded Anderson, Warren, Melton, Jackson, and 3 2nds, for TJohnson and Carter...

At least we get to see how the Sun's version of the Rockets looks like, since Diallo will be the starting center. I would totally pick up Bender right now, but we all know JJ loves those empty slots.

James Jones has NOT proven anything except that he is willing to help Lebron James.


Oubre was a LUCKY trade from a botched Dillon Brooks trade attempt.

James Jones also gave away Jackson, Warren, Melton for nada... now ALL three of those players are playing good minutes for Playoff teams.

If the Suns fire James Johnson now... there is NO impact to the team, because he hasn't done anything positive.

if the Suns dont re-sign Saric, that is another strike on James Jones...
If Baynes leaves for nothing... another strike...

Rubio is a good player, but signing him for 3 years might bite him on the butt as well, as he has really high mileage as he has played professional since he was 14 years old (note: Doncic also has played since he was 14), Rubio should have been offered a 2 year deal with the 3rd year as team option at the very worst.

[bwgood77]

I don't think he helped. It just another nail in the coffin for those expiring assets which JJ had and couldn't use.

Those expiring assets are not worth what they used to be. Everyone is already preparing to have a lot of cap space for 2021, except for the ones who already built contenders, but even some of those. I'm glad we didn't take on bad money (which is what people would have wanted, something that went past 2021). Most teams with those contracts that expire in 2021 will just let them expire if they think the player is more useful than Johnson. I think some of the teams, like the Warriors, got under the tax at the trade deadline to avoid the repeater tax.

I'd prefer the cap space.

It's not just Johnson, it's Chandler, it's Rivers, it's Korver. They took a gamble with Johnson thinking that if he doesn't pan out on the court, he'd at least be an expiring contract which should have some trade value. Instead they went 0-2 on both counts.

No, I think they really thought he would help this season nd be a guy who had played on tough teams and bring toughness and some leadership to some extent, like he kind of did last year. I don't think they were thinking of trading him, but hoping he could help us get better and maybe a hopeful playoff run.

[bwgood77]

I kind of hope we go after Millsap on a 1 year contract and draft a PF. That's probably our best FA bet. And then hope we have some money in 21 to spend on someone else, though there will be a lot of competition, however, hopefully whoever we draft this coming summer will be a big contributor. I'm not sure if those rumors about exploring Oubre's value were true, but he might be a great trade asset once some teams strike out in FA. Not sure who exactly I'd trade him for though.

[lilfishi22]

Those expiring assets are not worth what they used to be. Everyone is already preparing to have a lot of cap space for 2021, except for the ones who already built contenders, but even some of those. I'm glad we didn't take on bad money (which is what people would have wanted, something that went past 2021). Most teams with those contracts that expire in 2021 will just let them expire if they think the player is more useful than Johnson. I think some of the teams, like the Warriors, got under the tax at the trade deadline to avoid the repeater tax.

I'd prefer the cap space.

It's not just Johnson, it's Chandler, it's Rivers, it's Korver. They took a gamble with Johnson thinking that if he doesn't pan out on the court, he'd at least be an expiring contract which should have some trade value. Instead they went 0-2 on both counts.

No, I think they really thought he would help this season nd be a guy who had played on tough teams and bring toughness and some leadership to some extent, like he kind of did last year. I don't think they were thinking of trading him, but hoping he could help us get better and maybe a hopeful playoff run.

Still 0 of 2. Overall the only asset play he made which went well is the Ariza for Oubre trade which in all honesty was probably a fluke

[DirtyDez]

Just so we are clear here, JJ traded Anderson, Warren, Melton, Jackson, and 3 2nds, for TJohnson and Carter...

At least we get to see how the Sun's version of the Rockets looks like, since Diallo will be the starting center. I would totally pick up Bender right now, but we all know JJ loves those empty slots.

James Jones has NOT proven anything except that he is willing to help Lebron James.


Oubre was a LUCKY trade from a botched Dillon Brooks trade attempt.

James Jones also gave away Jackson, Warren, Melton for nada... now ALL three of those players are playing good minutes for Playoff teams.

If the Suns fire James Johnson now... there is NO impact to the team, because he hasn't done anything positive.

if the Suns dont re-sign Saric, that is another strike on James Jones...
If Baynes leaves for nothing... another strike...

Rubio is a good player, but signing him for 3 years might bite him on the butt as well, as he has really high mileage as he has played professional since he was 14 years old (note: Doncic also has played since he was 14), Rubio should have been offered a 2 year deal with the 3rd year as team option at the very worst.

Re-singing Saric to justify a bad trade is worse then cutting your losses (unless we’re talking about signing him for next to nothing). Baynes will need to prove he can be durable before we bring him back. Everything else is hard to argue, yeah.

[bwgood77]

It's not just Johnson, it's Chandler, it's Rivers, it's Korver. They took a gamble with Johnson thinking that if he doesn't pan out on the court, he'd at least be an expiring contract which should have some trade value. Instead they went 0-2 on both counts.

No, I think they really thought he would help this season nd be a guy who had played on tough teams and bring toughness and some leadership to some extent, like he kind of did last year. I don't think they were thinking of trading him, but hoping he could help us get better and maybe a hopeful playoff run.

Still 0 of 2. Overall the only asset play he made which went well is the Ariza for Oubre trade which in all honesty was probably a fluke

If we could have gotten Dillon Brooks it would have been a good trade (Ariza was worthless) and he would have been cheap and allowed us not to have to give up Melton and probably could have waited to trade TJ or not trade him at all.