2020 Preseason Speculation - Lineup battles underway

[NTB]

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

[Barkley6]

So glad that the Suns kept it tidy with their RFAs. No drama and both signed team friendly deals at fair market value. Seems like a long time since we could say that. Every RFA situation has had me holding my breath since JJ.

[bhawk]

So glad that the Suns kept it tidy with their RFAs. No drama and both signed team friendly deals at fair market value. Seems like a long time since we could say that. Every RFA situation has had me holding my breath since JJ.

That's what happens when you don't have Bledsoe and Rich Paul around.

[WeekapaugGroove]

Fair deal for Dario. Basically MLE money and he's kind of the definition of a mid level player.

We could see an even improved Dario now that he feels stable and in a good place. From what I've gathered about him his emotions can impact his play. He struggled in Minnesota partly because he was down about being traded and never liked his situation with the wolves. I also think he was pressing a little when he first got to Phoenix because he wanted to prove himself and because of his pending FA.

Funny how things work because I think him getting a little banged up early in the bubble and then ultimately moving to the bench was a blessing in disguise. It allowed more offense to be run through him and that small ball 5 role where he can get the opposing big out on the perimeter really benefited his skill set.

Sent from my SM-G986U using RealGM mobile app

[NTB]

Read on Twitter

[Sreister]

Read on Twitter

With Moore on the roster, does that make Nader expendable? If so, any team looking to shed salary in terms of a backup PG? I don't quite feel comfortable with our backup PG situation, can we send Nader and Okobo to someone who can cut those guys and shed their backup PG to us? Seems like a hard situation to find, though.

[Flying Colors]

Awesome, minus Rubio, we more or less kept the bubble Suns intact while upgrading most of our weak points. Dario will make a run at 6MOTY.

[bwgood77]

Minutes/rotation stuff has a tendency to work itself out. I'm sure someone we have penciled in now is banged up early.

I could see them add another guard but realistically they could play with the current group.

For sure starters
Paul
Booker
Bridges
Ayton

Then one of Cam Johnson or Crowder (I expect Crowder) the one who doesn't will get big minutes off the bench

Then Saric is for sure in the rotation and I'd guess Carter is too to some degree.

Assuming they probably play 10 at least early in the year that leaves two probably 10ish minute slots for some combo of Payne, Smith, Moore, Nader

That's absolutely a workable group and the most professional team the suns have rolled out in years.

Sent from my SM-G986U using RealGM mobile app

So your first 7 are for sure rotation players and I think Moore probably would get the next most minutes, followed by Carter, then maybe Payne, then Smith.

I could see Moore coming in when Booker or Paul sits. Moore may not be a traditional PG but has played it and with Booker handling the ball so much they could be a good combo.

Then Carter next, maybe either if then the second of Booker and Paul sits (sometimes Monty doesn't stagger guys when he should and we put in a bench unit that leaves us without one of our best players in there)...or I won't be surprised if he puts Payne (or another PG we may sign), Carter and Moore all in there together. He seemed to love those Payne (or Okobo), Carter, Jerome lineups where one was actually a SF with two bigs sometimes, which seemed inexplicable.

Moore had played between 21 and 32 minutes though for the Pelicans until last year when they completely changed their roster and went young, but then they struggled without him and did a lot better when he returned:

Read on Twitter

[bwgood77]

I would literally j*zz if we get George Hill.

Is he that good looking? He is a weird one for me. I really liked him and mentioned getting him a couple years ago when we didn't have a PG, then he was awful for awhile, then he was really good with the Bucks.

I think we only get him if he gets bought out (maybe he has...I'm behind) and probably is fine with less money since he still got most of his money in a buyout.

A lot of contenders might be after him though if that's the case.

[bwgood77]

Len>Damian Jones tbh

Yes, way better. Maybe he wanted more money, like at least the BAE and we didn't want to waste it on him.

[WeekapaugGroove]

I haven't always agreed with Jones methods to get to this point but I always thought his main goal was to build a team around Booker and Ayton and the end result looks good.

Lots of shooting, versitlity, hard working type guys who know their roles. Well also helps adding a top PG who can make their life easier.

Are Ayton and Booker good enough to be the top dogs on a contender? We don't know but over the next two years we're going to find out because this appears to a group of players who fit around them.

Sent from my SM-G986U using RealGM mobile app

[NTB]

I would literally j*zz if we get George Hill.

Is he that good looking? He is a weird one for me. I really liked him and mentioned getting him a couple years ago when we didn't have a PG, then he was awful for awhile, then he was really good with the Bucks.

I think we only get him if he gets bought out (maybe he has...I'm behind) and probably is fine with less money since he still got most of his money in a buyout.

A lot of contenders might be after him though if that's the case.

He may not be that good I didn't follow him tbh but he is a veteran PG who knows how to run a team coming from bench. Better option than Carter/Payne/Okobo IMO. It is not the end of the world if we don't get any more backup PG tho since we can stagger CP3 and Booker so when CP3 sits Booker can play some PG.

[bwgood77]

Allonzo Trier? I didn't want him last season, but with our roster this year I think he would fit pretty well as a scorer of the bench.

I watched him a lot at AZ. He is kind of one of those guys that will look like he is nervous dribbling the ball and not paying close attention and will get a dumb turnover, sometimes at a crucial time. I was always nervous. Kind of like the way Okobo plays after he makes one mistake and lets it get into his head.

For example, as bad of a rap as Mannion got this year, he was FAR more confident and poised with the ball and gave me a lot more comfort bringing the ball up. Of course Trier is more of a 2. Not sure I'd want him even though he can be good at times.

[bwgood77]

Anyone else still feel like we need another signing? I Like what we've done so far, but I can't help but feel we need a little insurance. I'd love to add a ball handling guard, or a big man that crashes the boards well.

Maybe as the money continues to dry up, someone will be willing to take a small deal to come play in PHX?

Yes, because I think we have 13 with Saric, leaving two more spots since Ty'Shon is a 2 way. That leaves one signing and Okobo or two signings. I think if we go after Napier or someone like that, or possibly try an offer sheet with McLaughlin (that Minny probably matches), then we let Okobo go and sign one more wing or maybe another combo guard or stretch PF.

Or wait for a buyout like Hill. Presti will probably try to trade him for a first for awhile though, or at least a second.

[bwgood77]

Anyone else still feel like we need another signing? I Like what we've done so far, but I can't help but feel we need a little insurance. I'd love to add a ball handling guard, or a big man that crashes the boards well.

Maybe as the money continues to dry up, someone will be willing to take a small deal to come play in PHX?

Yes, because I think we have 13 with Saric, leaving two more spots since Ty'Shon is a 2 way. That leaves one signing and Okobo or two signings. I think if we go after Napier or someone like that, or possibly try an offer sheet with McLaughlin (that Minny probably matches), then we let Okobo go and sign one more wing or maybe another combo guard or stretch PF.

Or wait for a buyout like Hill. Presti will probably try to trade him for a first for awhile though, or at least a second.

[bwgood77]

Anyone else still feel like we need another signing? I Like what we've done so far, but I can't help but feel we need a little insurance. I'd love to add a ball handling guard, or a big man that crashes the boards well.

Maybe as the money continues to dry up, someone will be willing to take a small deal to come play in PHX?

We need a PG and probably another SG/SF.

Not sure about adding another two-way contract. It's probably better to have that roster spot open waiting for some interesting player being waived.

Another wing? Really? Even with the 6 we have currently?

Not sure I'd call Booker and Moore wings as much. I think of Moore as more of a guard 2 and sometimes 1 (very rarely 3), and Booker a 1/2 primary or secondary initiator.

[WeekapaugGroove]

Minutes/rotation stuff has a tendency to work itself out. I'm sure someone we have penciled in now is banged up early.

I could see them add another guard but realistically they could play with the current group.

For sure starters
Paul
Booker
Bridges
Ayton

Then one of Cam Johnson or Crowder (I expect Crowder) the one who doesn't will get big minutes off the bench

Then Saric is for sure in the rotation and I'd guess Carter is too to some degree.

Assuming they probably play 10 at least early in the year that leaves two probably 10ish minute slots for some combo of Payne, Smith, Moore, Nader

That's absolutely a workable group and the most professional team the suns have rolled out in years.

Sent from my SM-G986U using RealGM mobile app

So your first 7 are for sure rotation players and I think Moore probably would get the next most minutes, followed by Carter, then maybe Payne, then Smith.

I could see Moore coming in when Booker or Paul sits. Moore may not be a traditional PG but has played it and with Booker handling the ball so much they could be a good combo.

Then Carter next, maybe either if then the second of Booker and Paul sits (sometimes Monty doesn't stagger guys when he should and we put in a bench unit that leaves us without one of our best players in there)...or I won't be surprised if he puts Payne (or another PG we may sign), Carter and Moore all in there together. He seemed to love those Payne (or Okobo), Carter, Jerome lineups where one was actually a SF with two bigs sometimes, which seemed inexplicable.

Moore had played between 21 and 32 minutes though for the Pelicans until last year when they completely changed their roster and went young, but then they struggled without him and did a lot better when he returned:

Read on Twitter

Yeah I agree Moore is a pretty good bet to get regular playing time and I agree they may not even really play a traditional backup PG.

The stagger question is interesting because I could see them doing it with Paul and Booker especially if they want to let Devin run some point for short stretches and both Carter and Moore really good fits to play next to him in those lineups.

I ranked Carter slightly ahead of Moore partly because I don't think they signed him to that contract to not play. And he's a much more versitle player than people might think, because of his strength and mentality you can get away with him guarding much bigger players for short stints. Plus even just using him for little 5 minute bursts per half where you need some energy and have Carter come in and press and just be a pain in the ass is useful.

Sent from my SM-G986U using RealGM mobile app

[NTB]

I haven't always agreed with Jones methods to get to this point but I always thought his main goal was to build a team around Booker and Ayton and the end result looks good.

Lots of shooting, versitlity, hard working type guys who know their roles. Well also helps adding a top PG who can make their life easier.

Are Ayton and Booker good enough to be the top dogs on a contender? We don't know but over the next two years we're going to find out because this appears to a group of players who fit around them.

Sent from my SM-G986U using RealGM mobile app

Exactly. HUGE 2 years for Booker and Ayton. They have no excuses now. I couldn't even imagine that we could build this roster around them. JJ provided everything they need. It is time for Booker and Ayton to provide now.

[bwgood77]

Don’t how to share an IG post but Jae Crowder posted on his story a FaceTime call between him, Booker and CP3. Love it!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Probably good to at least add a link to his profile in these cases though it should be easy to find for most unless they don't have instagram (I imagine many don't - I know many don't have twitter).

[NTB]

Anyone else still feel like we need another signing? I Like what we've done so far, but I can't help but feel we need a little insurance. I'd love to add a ball handling guard, or a big man that crashes the boards well.

Maybe as the money continues to dry up, someone will be willing to take a small deal to come play in PHX?

Yes, because I think we have 13 with Saric, leaving two more spots since Ty'Shon is a 2 way. That leaves one signing and Okobo or two signings. I think if we go after Napier or someone like that, or possibly try an offer sheet with McLaughlin (that Minny probably matches), then we let Okobo go and sign one more wing or maybe another combo guard or stretch PF.

Or wait for a buyout like Hill. Presti will probably try to trade him for a first for awhile though, or at least a second.

We have 14 with Saric.