2021 Playoff and Offseason Speculation - the playoffs. PLAYOFFS????

[Wilber85]

I tried to tell y’all about this team. But I’m crazy. Lol. Enjoy

My buddy bet me $500 suns will be top 4 in Conference. I said 5-8. I took that bet!

I was not confident in Chris Paul and his contract.

[bwgood77]

I am concerned we are on that Minnesota trajectory, bad to mediocre then make a try to make the playoffs trade (CP3 is their Jimmy Butler) in our case we don't even make the playoffs then the trade blows up in our face and we go back to the bottom or mediocrity.

I kept saying this while the trade was being talked about. That maybe we get a taste of the playoffs one year or possibly two, CP3 is gone, we regress again, miss the playoffs, and Booker wants out.

I really hope they have a post CP3 plan. I really do not like trying to take short cuts when you are not ready if it very well could cost you long term. That's why I thought it wiser to keep Rubio, especially when you can keep a first rounder and use Oubre to trade for another piece that fits our core.

Anyway, we did what we did. We'll see what happens.

Too bad we have to say this in this manner after every JJ move.

JJs made decent moves at times, but sometimes they take a while to see. The Cam trade and not taking Clarke. That looked like an obvious bad move. Now it appears a neutral move at worse, and I imagine a lot of people would rather have Cam...maybe even me, a really big Clarke supporter.

Adding Payne.

Getting Rubio. And according to rumors we thought we were going after Rozier, which sounds about right, but then it came out that we were also going after Brogdon, which would have been the best fit actually, but he likely preferred Indy...so we got Rubio.

Now Baynes/Ty Jerome you could argue was good or bad. Baynes helped us compete and seemed to help Ayton improve on defense and play with aggression..offensively he had a long good stretch last year people forget....until the end of the bubble when Baynes wasn't playing.

Though at the time I thought we should have kept the pick and re-signed Holmes as backup...the pick could have been used to take (or was used to take) Desmond Bane.

At least we took a step to be more competitive.

Now like last year's draft pick, we didn't make the obvious pick in Haliburton, which would have drastically helped us in games like last night when we had one primary ball handler.

We only have 3 primary ball handlers...CP3, Book and Payne. That's fine, and even one being out is fine, but having two out makes us way too vulnerable when Paul sits. And we have two great creators of their own shots in Book and Paul, but this put extra pressure on Paul. Mikal has gotten better at that, but he was cold last night.

This makes it very tough when you play a scrappy tough team like OKC with a solid vet like Horford..he is like their CP3 leading the young guys...these guys are 7-8 for a reason..they play very hard....that's not much different than Denver's record when we played them. OKC just beat Portland too.

OKC will fade when teams gather their footing, but they are playing teams tough...I see it in the box scores daily. They also beat the Nets.

We played like crap. Monty has made inexplicable blunders in 3 straight games.

But when you miss 3 of 8 rotation players including your star and 2 out of 3 of your primary ball handlers it won't be easy against anyone....especially if you have a long shooting stretch going 0-16 from 3.

[bwgood77]

I tried to tell y’all about this team. But I’m crazy. Lol. Enjoy

My buddy bet me $500 suns will be top 4 in Conference. I said 5-8. I took that bet!

I was not confident in Chris Paul and his contract.

Anyone betting 1-4 when this team has proven nothing for 5 years (really 10, but guys on this team, 3-5 years)....is fooling themselves. The only way that happens is if a team has major injuries or COVID problems, like Denver. But Jokic already had it.

Dallas has been killed by it, so that has helped us.

I figured 5 at the very best if everything went right, but knew it wouldn't...so probably more like 7-10, depending on the little things.

[cberry78]

I kept saying this while the trade was being talked about. That maybe we get a taste of the playoffs one year or possibly two, CP3 is gone, we regress again, miss the playoffs, and Booker wants out.

I really hope they have a post CP3 plan. I really do not like trying to take short cuts when you are not ready if it very well could cost you long term. That's why I thought it wiser to keep Rubio, especially when you can keep a first rounder and use Oubre to trade for another piece that fits our core.

Anyway, we did what we did. We'll see what happens.

Too bad we have to say this in this manner after every JJ move.

JJs made decent moves at times, but sometimes they take a while to see. The Cam trade and not taking Clarke. That looked like an obvious bad move. Now it appears a neutral move at worse, and I imagine a lot of people would rather have Cam...maybe even me, a really big Clarke supporter.

Adding Payne.

...

But when you miss 3 of 8 rotation players including your star and 2 out of 3 of your primary ball handlers it won't be easy against anyone....especially if you have a long shooting stretch going 0-16 from 3.

Just on this last part, considering that we've tried (fairly successfully) to run the offense through Saric as a Point Forward since the bubble last year, I think it's safe to say that we were without 3 of our 4 best ball handlers/distributors last night against OKC.

Being that shorthanded in the creation aspect of basketball puts any team at a disadvantage.

[bwgood77]

Too bad we have to say this in this manner after every JJ move.

JJs made decent moves at times, but sometimes they take a while to see. The Cam trade and not taking Clarke. That looked like an obvious bad move. Now it appears a neutral move at worse, and I imagine a lot of people would rather have Cam...maybe even me, a really big Clarke supporter.

Adding Payne.

...

But when you miss 3 of 8 rotation players including your star and 2 out of 3 of your primary ball handlers it won't be easy against anyone....especially if you have a long shooting stretch going 0-16 from 3.

Just on this last part, considering that we've tried (fairly successfully) to run the offense through Saric as a Point Forward since the bubble last year, I think it's safe to say that we were without 3 of our 4 best ball handlers/distributors last night against OKC.

Being that shorthanded in the creation aspect of basketball puts any team at a disadvantage.

Yeah, I had originally added Saric, but despite all that talk, he really only averaged 1.9 apg last year, 1.75 in the bubble and 1 apg this year.

Ayton actually averages 1.8 this year 2+ before this last game.

But I more mean a guy that handles and can dribble around and survery the court, then a stationary guy that looks for shooters. His absence hurts, but moreso because we have to play Frank so much.

[bwgood77]

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[KLEON]

Wish we could pull off a Gasol type steal for Beal

[Wilber85]

Wish we could pull off a Gasol type steal for Beal

Ayton , Crowder, Saric for Beal

Cavs buy out Drummond.

Drummond signs with Suns. Lol . JK. Imagine that though

CP3
Booker
Beal
Bridges
Drummond

[Barkley6]

Was looking at the Suns cap situation for next year and it's....not great.

Before free agency, we'll be spending the same amount ($126m) but have 5 players who are coming off the roster...which means we'll have to fill out 5 slots with minimal money. I don't love that. We did a REALLY good job of it this year, but I'm not necessarily confident that we can always find guys like Galloway willing to take a minimum deal.

The issue that I think we're going to run into, is players that I personally like as depth guys, like Galloway, Cam Payne, Nader, Kaminsky aren't going to re-sign for the minimum. Kind of wish we had given Carter's contract to Payne instead, but I understand why they didn't.

Hopefully we find a way to keep our depth while also adding another piece or two from the outside.

[Revived]

I don’t understand how Saric is out again tomorrow. The league’s quarantine period is 10 days and its now been well over 10 days since Saric entered protocol. League recently announced only 1 player has tested positive in the last 2 weeks.

And Saric is obviously not the one that tested positive since he’s with the team and was on the bench in the last game.

I don’t understand what their holding him out when he a) doesn’t have covid and b) well past the league’s quarantine period

[Mjee]

I tried to tell y’all about this team. But I’m crazy. Lol. Enjoy

My buddy bet me $500 suns will be top 4 in Conference. I said 5-8. I took that bet!

I was not confident in Chris Paul and his contract.

Clearly you were the smarter one ....

However I am happy with CP3 ... we just gotta figure out how to mesh our guys !!! And more importantly get everyone healthy (book, Cpayne, and Dario)

You still might lose and owe ... but I think you Gucci

[bwgood77]

This is a very good, very entertaining breakdown of Bridges' game this season.

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[bwgood77]

Who do yall think will make the All Star team for us? CP or Book?

I think it depends on play from both from here on out. Could be neither, either/or but not both. Bigs are easier if Ayton started dominating. Lebron/AD, Jokic, maybe Gobert.

Towns may have not played enough and surprisingly, Zion likely won't make it.

But Ayton isn't consistently good enough either.

Neither Booker or Paul are consistent though.

Bridges doesn't quite have the game either but if he elevates to a better 3 pt shooting. worse rebounding Marion type, don't count him out soon either.

IMO he has overall been our most consistent, best player this season.

[bwgood77]

Haha so much negative stuff about CP3 on the start of this thread but he's been playing awesome since Booker went down. Do people seriously think Rubio is better? Lol

CP is a good substitution for Book but not a great complimentary backcourt partner with Booker. team is okay with either playing but together there doesn't seem to be any multiplying effect that makes the team significantly better.

C'mon, CP3 makes the players better far moreso than Booker. Just look at history...last year he takes OKC to tied for the 4th seed in tough west and Booker elevates no one. We have multiple players upping our game this well.

I feel we are much better with a lineup like last night than with Booker instead of Paul. Looks at his 14 and 12 assist 1st halfs in recent games, getting others going. He is MUCH better with Ayton, finding Bridges on cuts, etc. His court vision and ast/to ratio is far better, and he is more clutch down the stretch.

The only knock is the slow pace, but he's still effective running it despite the fact we would likely take advantage more against defenses not set and see better Ayton play, especially running and finishing fast breaks with big dunks like he did a lot last year with Rubio...along with some Bridges slams (Oubre had some last year).

And then his 3 pt shooting is off to a slow start.

I think Booker can learn a lot from Paul over the next 2 years. SGA benefitted...Bledsoe probably too.

Anyway, I would love to see him go into coaching after his career and see Monty hire him if he is still here when Paul retires. I bet he's a head coach someday too.

[bwgood77]

In this moment Booker for Beal would be great. Maybe we need Minesota to recieve Booker and give the pick to Washigton.

Although I wouldn't oppose the trade, there is almost 0 chance we trade Booker. Beal is REALLY balling though, and is playing with Westbrook which has to be far harder than playing with Book. He is far better off ball and with quick shooting...a better in game long range shooter, and can also take over if needed.

But Book is younger.

Also, you'd really want him in the west? I do think the TWolves would probably be a trainwreck, and they would likely have to send Edwards/Culver and a pick to Washington to receiver Booker from us. (at least)..maybe not Culver because he has sucked, but Edwards and filler.

However, if Booker were to go to Minnesota now, he would be playing with Rubio. I'd probably stagger DLo with Rubio/Booker. It would probably make them better...play DLo as 6th man and start Rubio/Booker/Beasley/PF (Layman?)/Towns. Could throw Okogie in there but would be small.

[lilfishi22]

I love Beal, I think the guy is a stud and I've wanted him on the team for ages (including calling for a Booker/Beal swap a while back). The guy really needs to be on a new team to be truly appreciated but Booker isn't really that far off from Beal.

I would say the past 3 seasons has been Beal coming into his own without much interference from Wall and in that time, he's been on 26/5/5 line on solid efficiency. Booker in that same time frame where he's been his own man has put up a similar 26/4/6 line on better efficiency. Granted, Beal has had more impact on both sides of the court.

For me, there isn't really overwhelming reasons to make that trade. I would give the Beal a slight advantage when it comes to fit, maturity and readiness to win over Booker but Book could get there as soon as this season if not the next so making the trade and dealing with a potential PR disaster just doesn't seem worth it.

[Saberestar]

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[cberry78]

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[King4Day]

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I can't imagine we're interested in Reddick. I know we're erratic with the 3ball but adding Reddick won't really help much more.

If we're going for both, I imagine it'd be Smith, Saric, and Carter for Ball and Reddick. I'm not sure if the money would work though. We'd have to absorb about 6mil and change into cap if we have it.

Would people do that?

I'd MAYBE be OK with Ball for Saric straight up. I'm content with Frank as a backup big and that would allow Smith to get some minutes.
Ball can be the backup PG.

[Saberestar]

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I can't imagine we're interested in Reddick. I know we're erratic with the 3ball but adding Reddick won't really help much more.

If we're going for both, I imagine it'd be Smith, Saric, and Carter for Ball and Reddick. I'm not sure if the money would work though. We'd have to absorb about 6mil and change into cap if we have it.

Would people do that?

I'd MAYBE be OK with Ball for Saric straight up. I'm content with Frank as a backup big and that would allow Smith to get some minutes.
Ball can be the backup PG.

Ball is a RFA this summer and we have Saric on a nice deal for the next couple of seasons...I wouldn't do it.

I would like JJ Redick on the team and he is close to CP3 and Moore, but his salary is too high. I can't see it.