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

[Ghost of Kleine]

Matt Petersen (@TheMattPetersen) Tweeted:
In light of Saric injury, Suns under contract next season:

Bigs: Ayton, Saric (torn ACL), J. Smith

Wings: Bridges, Crowder, C. Johnson

Guards: Booker, Carter

Free agents:

Paul (player option)
Payne
Craig
Kaminsky
Nader
Moore
Galloway
Alexander

Read on Twitter

?s=20

[BobbieL]

Whispering:

(By trading Mikal to Cleveland for the #3)

You're the draft guy. How would Jalen Suggs look on this team? I say pretty good, learning behind Chris for a couple years.

If that were to happen ( Worst case scenario) Suggs would be an ideal floor general to apprentice to Paul. He's fast, strong, a fierce competitor with a high basketball IQ and is a true floor general with great poise. He's often compared to Chauncy Billups/ Brandon Roy due to his build and firey competitiveness. He'd be an absolute steal for us. To me a 6'4 version of Van Vleet or Lowry personally.

Overall though, I think we'd choose to move Saric and Crowder in order to resign Bridges at a more lucrative amount if necessary. But IF we did anticipate not resigning Bridges, AND look to trade him in this draft for a top pick in the 4-8 range, His consensus value it seems?

I might press the Warriors for their 7th and 14th picks together in exchange for Bridges and the 29th. In that capacity, We could plan to take someone like:

7- Jalen Johnson or Scottie Barnes at 7.
14- Davion Mitchell or Jared Butler at 14.
**Jalen Johnson has the potential to become a bigger version of Paul Peirce. And Scottie Barnes has the potential to be a bigger Draymond Green with elite passing and a relentless motor. And Davion Mitchell has great intensity, May be the very best defensive point guard in the draft, And is lightning quick with tough demeanor and great decision making. And Jared Butler is also an elite defender with really good efficiency as a 3 level scorer. ** IF his reported heart condition isn't serious, Then he'd be my 2nd choice behind Mitchell. IF it is however, Then after Mitchell, I'm considering Shariffe Cooper or Ayo Dosunma with no regrets.

** We could also consider Moody or Keon Johnson to replace Bridges, As both would be hard nosed defenders with elite potential. But IF we looked to trade Bridges for a pick in the 6-8 range, I'm looking to extract maximum value for sure! And elite potential to add to our core. For me, that's a trade with GS for the 7 and 14th picks to secure Davion Mitchell and one of Johnson or Barnes (* If Kuminga doesn't fall two spots)??

IDK.

IF this happened-and again I don't want it to. I'd rather just get the primo prospect. Our biggest hole, provided we replace Mikael with a resigned Craig along with Cam holding things down is a CP3 replacement. So....I'd want Suggs if I'm giving up Bridges. All comparisons I've seen say either Jason Kidd or Chauncey Billups. That's just what I want replacing Chris, a leader who knows how to handle a team with many important parts.

If we give him up, we'd have to get Suggs imo.

I am not trading Mikal for the number 3 pick even if its Suggs
The Suns are in a prime position to win - as BWG pointed out - if the Paul contract is reasonable - its staggered pretty nicely where its really just the one year - -the Suns finally have a team that can win. Lets play this thing out for 3-5 year

And if the Suns are good - they will be able to get a good solid PG. As good as Paul this year -maybe not. But Bridges, Booker and Ayton as your core still in their primes - they will be fine.

[Frank Lee]

GoK, you are getting that fever again.... trying to deal off Bridges? Wtf dude. This is a run back yr. CP is the only bigmoney deal that isn’t locked in. DA and Bridges both have another yr on rook deals. Huge bargains. Worry about the tax shite in 2023 if you need to. Nuts to tinker with this roster with what is going on. Especially the starters. This core could be here 3 more yrs. And it is an easy pay for Sarver if he’s toying with 80-90% capacity crowds every night. Not hard to imagine. The Valley is crazy behind this team right now

[Saberestar]

GoK, you are getting that fever again.... trying to deal off Bridges? Wtf dude. This is a run back yr. CP is the only bigmoney deal that isn’t locked in. DA and Bridges both have another yr on rook deals. Huge bargains. Worry about the tax shite in 2023 if you need to. Nuts to tinker with this roster with what is going on. Especially the starters. This core could be here 3 more yrs. And it is an easy pay for Sarver if he’s toying with 80-90% capacity crowds every night. Not hard to imagine. The Valley is crazy behind this team right now

Absolutely.

We are not trading one of our most important players when we are a contender.

Bridges will be a Sun for a long long time. James Jones and Sarver are gonna extend him, this is an easy call.

[Ghost of Kleine]

GoK, you are getting that fever again.... trying to deal off Bridges? Wtf dude. This is a run back yr. CP is the only bigmoney deal that isn’t locked in. DA and Bridges both have another yr on rook deals. Huge bargains. Worry about the tax shite in 2023 if you need to. Nuts to tinker with this roster with what is going on. Especially the starters. This core could be here 3 more yrs. And it is an easy pay for Sarver if he’s toying with 80-90% capacity crowds every night. Not hard to imagine. The Valley is crazy behind this team right now

Nah! I was just answering that post as to his question that IF the worst case scenario happened ( Which it absolutely won't) how Suggs would fit to sustain our continued success, Or at the very least extract maximum value out of a horrendous situation. For the record, I absolutely don't see it happening at all. We'll for sure move other contracts around to come up with any necessary difference in monetary market value.

Bridges loves it here with this group. This is his home with us, And I do strongly expect him to resign with us for around 16-18 per ( with some incentive bonuses for added value) and our championship run will continue. So apologies if I gave the wrong impression. I was just replying to a hypothetical was all. The draft for me is no longer important, Other than for the purpose of supplementing cheap cost controlled depth/ tradable talent for our 3rd string unit.

Although I would hope that we choose to use our two way spots to locate and develop that talent via the GLeague to later add to our core once more developed and polished, Or to build up their value to be used in a trade for an up and coming established veteran impact player at whatever position is most needed post Paul.

My really crazy idea would be to procure some underrated high end talent on our two way: Any of EJ Onu, Ibou Badji or Vrenz Bleijenbergh perhaps and build up their value during Paul's tenure here ( 3 more years)?? And then at their peak percieved value, Flip them with some other players in a deal for a Ja Morant ( dream scenario), Bradley Beal or Donovan Mitchell or another high end veteran guard perhaps? But some up and coming established talent to help carry the mantle once Paul moves into a front office role alongside Jones for us!

[Ghost of Kleine]

GoK, you are getting that fever again.... trying to deal off Bridges? Wtf dude. This is a run back yr. CP is the only bigmoney deal that isn’t locked in. DA and Bridges both have another yr on rook deals. Huge bargains. Worry about the tax shite in 2023 if you need to. Nuts to tinker with this roster with what is going on. Especially the starters. This core could be here 3 more yrs. And it is an easy pay for Sarver if he’s toying with 80-90% capacity crowds every night. Not hard to imagine. The Valley is crazy behind this team right now

Absolutely.

We are not trading one of our most important players when we are a contender.

Bridges will be a Sun for a long long time. James Jones and Sarver are gonna extend him, this is an easy call.

Ohh I completely agree!
Bridges wants to be here and I strongly believe that he'll accept a deal in the 16 - 18 per year range. Something like 72 for 4. Or even 64 over 4 with benchmark incentives. I think that along with Paul, They'll both be willing to give us a slight discount in interest of keeping our championship team in tact and being able to make any necessary upgrades towards our immenent dynasty!!!
So no worries, Our core will stay together. If anything changes at all, Saric and Crowder will be moved before Bridges or Paul is let go!

[Ghost of Kleine]

If that were to happen ( Worst case scenario) Suggs would be an ideal floor general to apprentice to Paul. He's fast, strong, a fierce competitor with a high basketball IQ and is a true floor general with great poise. He's often compared to Chauncy Billups/ Brandon Roy due to his build and firey competitiveness. He'd be an absolute steal for us. To me a 6'4 version of Van Vleet or Lowry personally.

Overall though, I think we'd choose to move Saric and Crowder in order to resign Bridges at a more lucrative amount if necessary. But IF we did anticipate not resigning Bridges, AND look to trade him in this draft for a top pick in the 4-8 range, His consensus value it seems?

I might press the Warriors for their 7th and 14th picks together in exchange for Bridges and the 29th. In that capacity, We could plan to take someone like:

7- Jalen Johnson or Scottie Barnes at 7.
14- Davion Mitchell or Jared Butler at 14.
**Jalen Johnson has the potential to become a bigger version of Paul Peirce. And Scottie Barnes has the potential to be a bigger Draymond Green with elite passing and a relentless motor. And Davion Mitchell has great intensity, May be the very best defensive point guard in the draft, And is lightning quick with tough demeanor and great decision making. And Jared Butler is also an elite defender with really good efficiency as a 3 level scorer. ** IF his reported heart condition isn't serious, Then he'd be my 2nd choice behind Mitchell. IF it is however, Then after Mitchell, I'm considering Shariffe Cooper or Ayo Dosunma with no regrets.

** We could also consider Moody or Keon Johnson to replace Bridges, As both would be hard nosed defenders with elite potential. But IF we looked to trade Bridges for a pick in the 6-8 range, I'm looking to extract maximum value for sure! And elite potential to add to our core. For me, that's a trade with GS for the 7 and 14th picks to secure Davion Mitchell and one of Johnson or Barnes (* If Kuminga doesn't fall two spots)??

IDK.

IF this happened-and again I don't want it to. I'd rather just get the primo prospect. Our biggest hole, provided we replace Mikael with a resigned Craig along with Cam holding things down is a CP3 replacement. So....I'd want Suggs if I'm giving up Bridges. All comparisons I've seen say either Jason Kidd or Chauncey Billups. That's just what I want replacing Chris, a leader who knows how to handle a team with many important parts.

If we give him up, we'd have to get Suggs imo.

I am not trading Mikal for the number 3 pick even if its Suggs
The Suns are in a prime position to win - as BWG pointed out - if the Paul contract is reasonable - its staggered pretty nicely where its really just the one year - -the Suns finally have a team that can win. Lets play this thing out for 3-5 year

And if the Suns are good - they will be able to get a good solid PG. As good as Paul this year -maybe not. But Bridges, Booker and Ayton as your core still in their primes - they will be fine.

I agree. It was just a discussion on a hypothetical about a worst case scenario situation. Our core will absolutely remain together. I'm really only about 10 % concerned with Sarver paying the repeater tax once Paul's ( resigning deal) AND the max contracts kick in. But I'll again go on record to say that either Saric or Crowder OR BOTH will be moved to create cap flexibility to keep our core together before we'll let Bridges or Paul leave.

That's why I strongly believe that we'll target another BPA wing player at 29 ( Trey Murphy 3rd) and also why we've been quietly working out two way guards in the undrafted pool range. So that we have that extra depth and positional versatility in case we need to move Crowder, etc. But Paul and Bridges will remain for sure! Our dynasty is emerging now. And Sarver won't make the same mistake again!

[Slim Charless]

GoK, you are getting that fever again.... trying to deal off Bridges? Wtf dude. This is a run back yr. CP is the only bigmoney deal that isn’t locked in. DA and Bridges both have another yr on rook deals. Huge bargains. Worry about the tax shite in 2023 if you need to. Nuts to tinker with this roster with what is going on. Especially the starters. This core could be here 3 more yrs. And it is an easy pay for Sarver if he’s toying with 80-90% capacity crowds every night. Not hard to imagine. The Valley is crazy behind this team right now

Absolutely.

We are not trading one of our most important players when we are a contender.

Bridges will be a Sun for a long long time. James Jones and Sarver are gonna extend him, this is an easy call.

Ohh I completely agree!
Bridges wants to be here and I strongly believe that he'll accept a deal in the 16 - 18 per year range. Something like 72 for 4. Or even 64 over 4 with benchmark incentives. I think that along with Paul, They'll both be willing to give us a slight discount in interest of keeping our championship team in tact and being able to make any necessary upgrades towards our immenent dynasty!!!
So no worries, Our core will stay together. If anything changes at all, Saric and Crowder will be moved before Bridges or Paul is let go!

This is more of a 'what if' scenario. Just something to talk about. I'm sure Sarver has learned his lesson and will pony up for our guys.

Still, it needed to be talked about. Just in case.

[Slim Charless]

Sarver would be a damned fool if he makes the mistake of losing a key young player on a contender over penny pinching again. He said out loud that he will pay to keep the band together, I'll believe that until he mades the same dumb ass mistake again. Bridges is a big part of this team's success on defense and has shown continued development on offense. He works hard, he wants to be great, and he's a winner. Pay the man, he's only going to be more expensive next offseason. Same thing with CP3. Pay him until he doesn't want to/can't play anymore.

Sarver has seen an empty stadium for years, now he's selling nose bleed tickets to playoff games for $500 a pop like hot cakes. It's a no brainer.

There's no reason we can't bring this team back next year. Chris Paul chose to come here, and it led to his first Finals appearance. We have Cam Payne's Early Bird Rights, and Torrey Craig should be available for a minimum contract. Saric will be out for most/all of the year, but ideally the coaching staff had Stix ready to step into the rotation next year anyways. We'd still be able to add a solid rotation player with the MLE and fill out the roster with the BAE and minimum contracts.

Nothing Sarver's done in the last 10 years makes me think he'll pay 115M for 4 players (30 a piece for DA, CP3 and Booker + 25 for Mikal). I hope I'm wrong and he's learned his lesson. Guess we'll find out soon enough.

Depending on how long the CP3 contract is, lets say 3 years, he would only be paying the 4 of them that much for 2 years and the second year Crowder, Carter and Saric come off (over $23 million), then the next year, Paul comes off too...suddenly those 3 are $85 million based on your #s or a little more with increases. I don't think Bridges gets quite $25 million anyway.

Really? I think he asks for 30 and settles for 27ish.

[bwgood77]

Nothing Sarver's done in the last 10 years makes me think he'll pay 115M for 4 players (30 a piece for DA, CP3 and Booker + 25 for Mikal). I hope I'm wrong and he's learned his lesson. Guess we'll find out soon enough.

Depending on how long the CP3 contract is, lets say 3 years, he would only be paying the 4 of them that much for 2 years and the second year Crowder, Carter and Saric come off (over $23 million), then the next year, Paul comes off too...suddenly those 3 are $85 million based on your #s or a little more with increases. I don't think Bridges gets quite $25 million anyway.

Really? I think he asks for 30 and settles for 27ish.

No, doubtful. A max isn't even 30 anyway. That wouldn't be reasonable because no one gets paid that much outside of offensive initiators or #1 options.

[saintEscaton]

The Suns aren't a dynasty or even close to being one. Come on now. People need to calm the f*ck down. Let's see if we're even a title contender next year or in the running to sign an All-Star level talent if we win it all this year

[bwgood77]

Can't wait to see the GB responses if someone posts a thread with Perkins saying we could be a dynasty.

[Ghost of Kleine]

The Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) Tweeted:
The Suns: 13-0 in games they take a double-digit lead this postseason.

Most consecutive wins when leading by 10+ pts in a postseason in the last 20 years: 15 by '19-20 Lakers & '14-15 Warriors.

More from @BrettDHuston in the #NBAFinals Data Day No. 2:

https://t.co/xbjnWdLpMi

Read on Twitter

?s=20

This team is definitely very special. And if they can ever just learn to carry that killer instinct and constant sense of urgency, We'll definitely have a potential dynasty for our franchise.

[irish22022]

Sarver would be a damned fool if he makes the mistake of losing a key young player on a contender over penny pinching again. He said out loud that he will pay to keep the band together, I'll believe that until he mades the same dumb ass mistake again. Bridges is a big part of this team's success on defense and has shown continued development on offense. He works hard, he wants to be great, and he's a winner. Pay the man, he's only going to be more expensive next offseason. Same thing with CP3. Pay him until he doesn't want to/can't play anymore.

Sarver has seen an empty stadium for years, now he's selling nose bleed tickets to playoff games for $500 a pop like hot cakes. It's a no brainer.

There's no reason we can't bring this team back next year. Chris Paul chose to come here, and it led to his first Finals appearance. We have Cam Payne's Early Bird Rights, and Torrey Craig should be available for a minimum contract. Saric will be out for most/all of the year, but ideally the coaching staff had Stix ready to step into the rotation next year anyways. We'd still be able to add a solid rotation player with the MLE and fill out the roster with the BAE and minimum contracts.

Anyone know how much money is made on a finals game with tickets that price?

Am I right in thinking Scalpers are the ones clipping joe pub. The whole buy resell online market is throwing things way outta whack. Sarver sold the ticket once... no telling how many hands it goes through before the turnstiles. But was it really 500 bones for an up top back row seat? They are $680 now.

Sarver is make 25 mil per home game right now

[thamadkant]

The Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) Tweeted:
The Suns: 13-0 in games they take a double-digit lead this postseason.

Most consecutive wins when leading by 10+ pts in a postseason in the last 20 years: 15 by '19-20 Lakers & '14-15 Warriors.

More from @BrettDHuston in the #NBAFinals Data Day No. 2:

https://t.co/xbjnWdLpMi

Read on Twitter

?s=20

This team is definitely very special. And if they can ever just learn to carry that killer instinct and constant sense of urgency, We'll definitely have a potential dynasty for our franchise.

A streak of wins when leading by, 10 is such an arbitrary stat... Like one those of cringe stats like most points in a quarter by 22 year old wihh out a 3pter made.... It's just useless. I'm a stats and data guy but arbitrary stats is what an analyst would market to his or her boss to justify a pay rise... It's so subjective and manufactured

[DRK]

Watch on YouTube

This video sums up Mikal.

[thamadkant]

A bad game from Ayton is 10 points 11 rebounds 4 assists 3 steals and 2 blocks

[Barkley6]

The Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) Tweeted:
The Suns: 13-0 in games they take a double-digit lead this postseason.

Most consecutive wins when leading by 10+ pts in a postseason in the last 20 years: 15 by '19-20 Lakers & '14-15 Warriors.

More from @BrettDHuston in the #NBAFinals Data Day No. 2:

https://t.co/xbjnWdLpMi

Read on Twitter

?s=20

This team is definitely very special. And if they can ever just learn to carry that killer instinct and constant sense of urgency, We'll definitely have a potential dynasty for our franchise.

A streak of wins when leading by, 10 is such an arbitrary stat... Like one those of cringe stats like most points in a quarter by 22 year old wihh out a 3pter made.... It's just useless. I'm a stats and data guy but arbitrary stats is what an analyst would market to his or her boss to justify a pay rise... It's so subjective and manufactured

I agree, it's starting to get like baseball where they're like "DID YOU KNOW he is a .535 hitter in night games against foreign born left handed pitchers in the month of June?"

BUT what I DO enjoy about this stat is that in 13 of our 14 playoff wins, we have had a 10+ lead. That tells me two things:
1. We can play with anybody, and beat anybody
2. When we get a lead, we close

That's the mark of a championship caliber team.

[BobbieL]

Chris Paul is not going anywhere
He will be a Phoenix Suns player next year
Why would he leave this team? Its only going to get better

Mikal showed why he will get paid this offseason too
Cam Johnson is only going to get better
Cameron Payne -- I am like 85% sure he is back - will only get better
Ayton will get better
Booker will get better

This is a damn good team!

[Barkley6]

Can't wait to see the GB responses if someone posts a thread with Perkins saying we could be a dynasty.

I don't know if anyone could be a dynasty in today's NBA, tbh.
Bucks, Nets, Philly, Atlanta all look very tough in the East
Lakers, Clippers, Jazz, Nuggets and possibly Warriors all look very tough out West.

And that's not accounting for possible offseason moves by Dallas and the Knicks.

The point I'm making is that parity is as strong in the league as it's been in a very long time.

However, I think with the right moves, the Suns CAN position themselves to be the odds on favorite to win it all the next 2-3 years. The thing that has stood out to me more than anything about this team is how literally any and everyone who has ever played in the league (minus maybe Mark Jackson) says they love their style of play, are fun to watch, that they are unselfish, share the ball, no egos, etc.

That goes a long way to attracting FAs. And there just might be some guys who say, yeah, I'll take less money or a lesser role to be a part of that. I think this is a different scenario than a 'super team' for a few reasons:
1. One of our stars is a pass first PG
Not many super teams in the last 20 years have featured a distributor of the caliber of CP3. The league has shifted its focus to scoring guards like Curry and Lillard, and while those guys certainly do get assists, they are not in the same mold as Paul in terms of creation.

2. Booker is a willing and able facilitator
Our second star, while not necessarily known for his creation is a guy who is going to move the ball and use the attention he draws to get teammates involved. And he does it with deliberation. It's not Plan B to him scoring, its Plan A2.

3. Everyone has a role to play, and Monty trusts everyone to play it.
This isn't a, "come ride the coattails of our stars" scenario. This is, if you come, you're going to work toward winning, you're going to be called upon to show up and be counted, and when you are called upon you better perform. That has a lot of appeal to guys in the league, who don't necessarily want to ride the bench or play 12 minutes a night to spell a star. Monty gives guys 2nd and 3rd chances in the rotation, and if you're putting in the work, you're going to get a chance to show it. When you look at the end of our bench, guys 10-13, Carter (60 games), Kaminsky (47 games) and Galloway (40 games) all got decent opportunities to showcase themselves. Nader (24 games) probably would have as well had he not missed so much time with injury.

I would not at all be surprised if a good caliber FA told their agent, 'get me to Phoenix, I'll play for the MLE'

The two guys who I have in mind when I say that are Richuan Holmes and Evan Fournier.

Holmes has history here, and when you look at the contracts given out to FA Cs in the last couple seasons, aside from Vucevic and Valenciunas, they are all $13m/season or less, the MLE is right about $10m. Would Holmes take a few million less to play a big (albeit bench) role (especially now with Saric out) on a title contending team? He could very easily work himself into a 6th man conversation, and I would love to see a Holmes/Payne screen roll duo.

Evan Fournier just strikes me as such a James Jones type player. Smart, very good defender, versatile offensive weapon. He didn't really impress in Boston after the trade, and had some injury/COVID issues which limited his impact, so his value is probably lower than it would be otherwise. He's not really played on a winning team yet (3 1st round exits). Granted he's a guy who might command a lot more on the open market, but DeRozan and Oladipo are probably going to get the big money, and Fournier could be left deciding if he wants to make a little more and play for OKC, Toronto or Charlotte, or come to Phoenix and try to win a championship.

Do I think either of those things will necessarily happen? No. But would I be surprised if they did? Also, no.