2020 Preseason Speculation - Lineup battles underway

[phx#7]

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Well hopefully they don't eliminate the age limit for 22 and it delays to 23.

Those draft picks in the coming years will be important since we will likely have 3-4 big contracts going forward and will need as many cost controlled draft picks as possible, and it's a lot easier to find solid players on the cheap in the draft than in the bloated FA market.

Well we did just acquire the president of the NBAPA, maybe we can ask him to make sure it gets pushed back...

[Flying Colors]

So were going all in for these next 2 years, hope we can make it count, and I hope everyone can stay healthy

[bwgood77]

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After seeing other "insiders" as of late, I appreciate Gambo a little....well, more than I did.

[phx#7]

I can live with this deal. It's probably better for OKC than it is for us (unless CP3 stays very healthy and very productive) but Presti didn't bend Jones and Bower over like I was worried about. I really hope Rubio finds a good home on a contender (who knows, maybe he'd come back after his deal is up?) and I hope Oubre gets his $$$ somewhere (glad it wasn't with us, even though there is much to like about his game). I think Jerome can turn it around and be a productive player, but not worried about him or Lecque being thrown in here at all. I think a top shelf FO wouldn't have needed to include that pick, but with the protections it's not so bad (at least I say that now...).

Regardless, what's done is done. Giddy up boys, how long has it been since we could all get this excited about an upcoming Suns season? If we get Gallo or Grant (Bertans is just a bench role guy IMO), we keep Saric, we shore up backup playmaker a bit (don't want us to be counting on Payne bubble performance as our fallback plan for an injured CP3), and we have a healthy year....I don't want to jinx it so I'll just say I'm very much looking forward to this season.

In a vacuum I'm not big on the deal. The only reason I got onboard with the CP3 move was it potentially leading to another big move we may have had a hard time pulling off without him(ie him attracting Gallo or some other quality player).

[sunsbg]

Is Lecque anything worth getting excited about?

Absolutely insane dunker, not much else there yet to excited about.

Watch on YouTube

I remember seeing that. Dude has some hops.

Let's say, you got a guy with hops, but no shooting and one with shooting but no hops in Lecque and Jerome. Hope that works for you though.

[matt131]

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[El Hespiritu]

Congratulations to all who wanted this trade to be done.
I really expect it turns out to be good for the team.

Wherever the wind takes me, from now on you'll have at least one person more in the world that will be happy for any future PHX success.

It has been barely a year but this franchise and this fandom touched my heart.

I should introduce myself at OKC thread but I'm not in the mood right now... some duel period to deal with.

Wish you nothing but the best.

[Saberestar]

Amazing. I love it.

So many options now, wow.

[Saberestar]

Deleted.

[WeekapaugGroove]

My take on the Booker aspect of this. I've been one to downplay that in the past because frankly with the length of his deal he didn't have leverage, and at 4 years he really still doesn't. Plus before last year he wasn't actually accomplished or good enough to have that leverage. BUT every year that changes, when he hits the two years left point he absolutely will have the leverage to make things uncomfortable. So the next two years are important. Now the **** secret of star players playing GM is if they get it wrong they still end up leaving.

The main reason I like the potential Paul deal is I truly think it's a wonderful basketball fit. A three man game with booker Ayton and Paul with shooting around them would be a thing of beauty that could succeed against good teams. Plus no small issue is they HAVE to understand what they really have in Ayton and I think Paul helps with that. This is an important season for Deandre because he's extension eligible next summer and if there's any doubt after this year they might have to quietly explore trades.

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I like the fit, but if he can stay healthy I would not look to trade him after this year...we can't keep shuffling the point guards and continuity and one reason Paul agreed to come here is to be close to his family, and heck, they might move to Scottsdale for all we know.

I think you hope he stays healthy and hope you find that PG of the future. Perhaps if he is healthy, he even sticks around one more year on the cheap...but I imagine he will be about done at 37....or at least 38...I think that would be two more years after this contract.

Also, there is a chance Booker learns from Paul how important the competitiveness and play on the defensive side of the ball is more important than the offensive side, because, as coaches always say, your shots won't always fall, but you can be consistent with the defensive pressure to give other teams' problems.

I think that is one big way Paul helps teams is helping set the tone on defense. I think Ricky was good at this too, but Paul is better.

My main reasoning to mention this, I think with defense AND watching Paul's IQ as primary ball handler after watching Ricky, there is a pretty good chance we won't need that PG in the future, or at least what you would consider a regular primary ball handling smaller guard to guard other PGs, but Booker can be the primary ball handler, or work as the PG, while we have 3 defensive shooting wings along with Ayton, post Paul.

I was actually referring to Ayton when I mentioned trades in that post.

Now I really think Paul helps Ayton a ton and it's all good... But if for some reason Ayton is meh this year you at least need to have the conversation of moving him before you get to the point of paying him. Again I think Ayton could be a monster with Paul for multiple reasons and if he is cool then extend him.

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[dremill24]

Is the Room Exception enough to to entice DJ Augustine?

Depth is going to be paramount. Paul is obviously a risk, and lets be real, theres going to be all sorts of games missed for COVID this season. Jones's job is not done.

[bwgood77]

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Only mentions Cam after Andrew brings it up.

Talks about how C being in the trade isn't a big deal

Next day, refutes cam is in the trade after Gambo denies it

Perhaps they all have the same source. Who knows

He could easily just be using Gambo's (and Leezus") tweets as sources, or for all we know, Cam has never even been considered whatsoever. I'm sure OKC asked and we said no...I'm sure they asked about Bridges too.

I could have probably easily said I know things and repeated what these guys said and half the forum would have believe I had some real insider knowledge.

Not saying anyone doesn't have "insider" knowledge, but if they do it's probably like 3rd hand off a player who has limited info.

And it's entertaining, but worth mostly taking as a grain of salt until Shams or Woj reports...which is when we all knew the real details of what it was...we heard nothing about a 22 pick, Lecque, etc.

[Flying Colors]

So what are the moves you would all do now that we have Paul, how do you think our draft changes? Are we looking into drafting our PG of the future that Paul can mentor for the next two years?

[Slim Charless]

Jerami Grant is definitely preferred over anyone else IMO, I just thought Gallinari was the easier target to acquire since he and CP3 seem to enjoy each other's company in OKC.

I think a lot depends on two things
1) will the Suns be an over the cap team or do they wait until after Sunday

2) Are the Suns bringing back Saric as that eats into the 18m of cap space.

If Saric is back, hard to think they have money for Grant unless a guy like Cam Payne is not back.

I'd rather have Grant than Saric. What does Saric do that Grant cannot? Plus, Grant is infinitely better and much more switchable defender.

[WeekapaugGroove]

Congratulations to all who wanted this trade to be done.
I really expect it turns out to be good for the team.

Wherever the wind takes me, from now on you'll have at least one person more in the world that will be happy for any future PHX success.

It has been barely a year but this franchise and this fandom touched my heart.

I should introduce myself at OKC thread but I'm not in the mood right now... some duel period to deal with.

Wish you nothing but the best.

Ricky was a delight and it was great having you guys around the board. Wish him and y'all nothing but the best.

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[Spin Move]

I think this is a good short term win as we should make the playoffs and it keeps booker happy, the only thing of real value we gave up is the 2022 pick which likley would have been in the 20's anyway with young players developing and Paul in the fold. We keep #10 this does change the dynamic a bit, but I still go PG get someone who can learn from Chris Paul for 2 year before he retires. maybe wing with losing Oubre but as we already have Johnson and Bridges I don't think we need to much help there. If your going to trade for Chris Paul this is decent value to get him for. For next season this is a great trade. For the long term we shall see.

[BobbieL]

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The thoughts from Gambo make sense
Oubre didn't play in the bubble
CP3 is an upgrade over Rubio but I was a big fan of Rubio - but hey

Keeping the 10th pick and possibly getting Saric back and a guy like Wood or GAllo or Bertans

[alamin330]

Here’s the reason why Chris Paul won’t decline as rapidly as a lot of you fear: he’s never depended on his athleticism and doesn’t have chronic injury. His IQ only gets better and his game declines very slowly

[BobbieL]

Jerami Grant is definitely preferred over anyone else IMO, I just thought Gallinari was the easier target to acquire since he and CP3 seem to enjoy each other's company in OKC.

I think a lot depends on two things
1) will the Suns be an over the cap team or do they wait until after Sunday

2) Are the Suns bringing back Saric as that eats into the 18m of cap space.

If Saric is back, hard to think they have money for Grant unless a guy like Cam Payne is not back.

I'd rather have Grant than Saric. What does Saric do that Grant cannot? Plus, Grant is infinitely better and much more switchable defender.

Sorry - its actually Saric + another PF OR Grant.

[WeekapaugGroove]

So what are the moves you would all do now that we have Paul, how do you think our draft changes? Are we looking into drafting our PG of the future that Paul can mentor for the next two years?

If they feel a PG is the BPA then sure but another wing or versitle big could help too. Just take the best prospect.

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