2021-22 Season/Offseason Speculation

[bwgood77]

I don't in understand the Chris Paul leaving talk. No one was talking about this all season long and no one expected us to get to the finals. it's one of the first teams that was really competitive where all the players loved him. He has a very close relationship with the coach I think he loves it here.

He had a freak injury in the Lakers series and got COVID. He was unbelievable against the Nuggets with absurd numbers for the series. I can't believe anyone that who watched that series would think that he is done or close to it.

People act as if he was the reason we lost the finals and his turnovers were higher from his absurdly low usual rate but he was still our best player overall the first 3 games and the last one.

The Bucks we're just so good defensively that they forced everyone to have a lot of turnovers.

And Bridges certainly isn't going anywhere. I would say unless it was a superstar trade but his salary isn't enough.

Pretty sure Sarver has learned not to break up a team they got to the Western conference finals that has a young core and those young core guys will only improve with time.

[BobbieL]

I'm open to making some changes this offseason. I can't imagine we'd move on from Paul, but he got outplayed by both Reggie Jackson and Jrue Holiday when the stakes were highest: a surprising amount of unforced errors. Mikal was mostly invisible throughout the playoffs. Crowder committed lots of dumb fouls, didn't box out, didn't recover on shooters, provided no help on the glass, and wasn't a difference maker on defense.

Booker stepped up. Ayton had an uneven series but was so crucial that our whole game plan was designed around keeping him on the floor. Cam Johnson had a great playoffs, just made some foolish errors here and there. Cam Payne balled out and needs to be back as well.

I'm not even suggesting anything in particular. I'm just saying that if this FO does something unexpected to upgrade this roster, I'm not dead set against it. Booker and Ayton are the core, and if they're going to get a championship, they will likely need more help than our current roster provides. We're close, so you don't want to blow it up, but throwing out huge contracts to everyone just to run it back might not be the best way to proceed.

I'm looking at Mikal in particular. I don't know how you give $20 mil to a guy who does so little aside from playing solid positional defense and hitting open threes. He needs to spend time in the weight room if he's ever going to give us anything off the dribble or on the boards. The difference between him and Middleton is simply enormous. FWIW, I'd rather have one Middleton at $30 than two Bridgeses at $15 apiece.

Cam Johnson is the player that will give you Middleton type offense. Granted maybe not ballhandling that Middleton has but the ability to hit the mid range jumper.

Mikal is a good player. Would prefer to keep him as he is a solid guy on the roster.

Mikal was hitting mid range jumpers last night.

Good point.

I am a Bridges fan andf the thought of trading him and a pick for a rookie after waiting years for playoff basketball is mind boggling to me.

When you see the Bucks - you see a TEAM. Giannis is the superstar. Jrue and Holiday are very good all star players. And then you have a bunch of role players: Lopez, PJ, Connaughton, Portis. So this idea that because Bridges might not be a super star so trade him now makes no sense.

If the Suns can get Chris Paul back with Booker - you have the top flight talent; Ayton and Bridges are the next level. Than you have a bunch of complimentary role players to round out the roster of various levels and skill sets.

[kennydorglas]

The moment Mikal hits the market hes going to be overpaid.
So you do the best to keep him off this madness (like GSW did with Draymond) and keep him for a good value deal.

[Slim Charless]

A few names to upgrade Craig and/or Nader:

Jeff Green
Nicolas Batum
Otto Porter Jr
Andre Iguodala
PJ Tucker

There are many more like Carmelo, James Johnson, Millsap, Ojeleye...but I think those that I wrote above are particularly interesting because their two-way ability and experience.

Iguodala - interesting name
name with Batum and PJ

The Suns might have options. My guess PJ goes back to the Bucks - that seems natural fit

If the Suns trade Bridges, I'd love to add Batum. He might see the writing on the wall with that Clipper team and want to jump ship early. If Kawhi is really out all next season I think he might be convinced to leave and ring chase.

[Slim Charless]

Talking to a fellow Suns fan at work, he made a few suggestions

1. If Paul walks, make a run at Simmons (Bridges and picks likely the starting point).
2. Robin Lopez as backup C (this i never thought about but would be open to this). I'm thinking we can nab him for the BAE.

1. If Paul walks, Lillard should be the first choice to replace him. But I dont really want to give up any of our pieces.

2. Lopez is a fine option. But I'd like to see if we could get him on the minimum.

Well Portland isn't gonna trade Dame to us-a team in the division to be cool. We'd have to give Booker or (Ayton, Bridges, Cam, picks).

I don't wanna do that as it makes us worse-much worse actually. I think Dame sticks around for 1 more season anyway. They ship CJ off for maybe Simmons and go from there.

[saintEscaton]

I wouldnt be surprised if Cam Payne is our starting PG in the next season.

I would be shocked lol

We played better with a faster pace. I don't think JJ will make some crazy moves to keep cp3.

Cam Payne is probably the league's best backup PG currently but no way is he starting caliber material. We need fresh blood, there are options in the draft.

[Slim Charless]

Cam Johnson is the player that will give you Middleton type offense. Granted maybe not ballhandling that Middleton has but the ability to hit the mid range jumper.

Mikal is a good player. Would prefer to keep him as he is a solid guy on the roster.

Mikal was hitting mid range jumpers last night.

The number from last night that bothers me with Bridges is 1 3pt attempt. Now some of this is on the guards and coaches but still Mikal is a good 3pt shooter and needs to take it upon himself to get more shots up from 3.

I should note my critism of him is because I really believe in his skill set and have high expectations. But to reach those he needs to force his will on games more.

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I've been saying for weeks that Mikal is the odd man out with getting resigned. Suns need to make a move before it's too late and we can't afford all these guys.

Mikal is great at what he does and has room for improvement..but unless he's taking a major cut. It's not happening here unless aliens have kidnapped the Bobby $arver I know and replaced him.

A top flight rookie to learn from CP3 is what we need to help us make this work. Cam Johnson can start at SF just fine for us. With extra cash we can sign Batum and Dwight Howard or something similar. I don't wanna see some other team steal Bridges from us in 2 years when it's painfully obvious that $arver is not gonna have 3 guys making 30M and a fourth making 25M on the same team......

[SSOL]

Simmons would really thrive here with the ideal spacing being surrounded by 3d guys and perimeter shooters. I'm all in for him and would also consider a package for Dame. Higher on Simmons though due to his plus plus defense

You are higher on Ben Simmons than Lillard? Interesting. I bet the 76ers are not.

[kennydorglas]

I would be shocked lol

We played better with a faster pace. I don't think JJ will make some crazy moves to keep cp3.

Cam Payne is probably the league's best backup PG currently but no way is he starting caliber material. We need fresh blood, there are options in the draft.

Do you see a starting caliber point guard at 29?

[saintEscaton]

We played better with a faster pace. I don't think JJ will make some crazy moves to keep cp3.

Cam Payne is probably the league's best backup PG currently but no way is he starting caliber material. We need fresh blood, there are options in the draft.

Do you see a starting caliber point guard at 29?

Ayo Dosunmu could be a starter someday but not immediately out of the gates if developed behind a vet. Hopefully it's CP3

[BobbieL]

Talking to a fellow Suns fan at work, he made a few suggestions

1. If Paul walks, make a run at Simmons (Bridges and picks likely the starting point).
2. Robin Lopez as backup C (this i never thought about but would be open to this). I'm thinking we can nab him for the BAE.

1. If Paul walks, Lillard should be the first choice to replace him. But I dont really want to give up any of our pieces.

2. Lopez is a fine option. But I'd like to see if we could get him on the minimum.

Well Portland isn't gonna trade Dame to us-a team in the division to be cool. We'd have to give Booker or (Ayton, Bridges, Cam, picks).

I don't wanna do that as it makes us worse-much worse actually. I think Dame sticks around for 1 more season anyway. They ship CJ off for maybe Simmons and go from there.

I think the CJ for Simmons makes a lot of sense. The Blazers need to do something

[saintEscaton]

Simmons would really thrive here with the ideal spacing being surrounded by 3d guys and perimeter shooters. I'm all in for him and would also consider a package for Dame. Higher on Simmons though due to his plus plus defense

You are higher on Ben Simmons than Lillard? Interesting. I bet the 76ers are not.

Simmons and Embiid just don't work because Embiid is a paint clogger messing up his driving lanes and angles of attack despite being a surprisingly good shooter for a center. If we can get a new shooting coach for Ben to make him at least a passable free throw shooter he will remain on the court during the clutch minutes of pivotal games and won't shoot us out of them. His value tanked due to that being his Achille's heal glaringly. He is still a top tier talent and high level star that anyone should be ectastic acquiring for the right price

[WeekapaugGroove]

Simmons would really thrive here with the ideal spacing being surrounded by 3d guys and perimeter shooters. I'm all in for him and would also consider a package for Dame. Higher on Simmons though due to his plus plus defense

You are higher on Ben Simmons than Lillard? Interesting. I bet the 76ers are not.

Simmons and Embiid just don't work because Embiid is a paint clogger messing up his driving lanes and angles of attack despite being a surprisingly good shooter for a center. If we can get a new shooting coach for Ben to make him at least a passable free throw shooter he will remain on the court during the clutch minutes of pivotal games and won't shoot us out of them. His value tanked due to that being his Achille's heal glaringly. He is still a top tier talent and high level star that anyone should be ectastic acquiring for the right price

We'll have to go have a drink sometime since I think you and I are the last two residents of Simmons island


Now I don't really like his fit with Ayton and it would be really hard for the suns to make the money work on a Simmons trade but I do think some franchise could end up happy they get him at a discount this summer. I really hope he ends up on a team that will play up tempo and surround him with shooting.

On the Embiid fit, I actually think it could work because as you mentioned Embiid shoots it well enough.. the huge issue with that is just because you CAN leave Embiid out on the perimeter it doesn't mean you should do that. That's really the issue. He'd actually work well with a guy like KAT who loves playing out there.

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[Slim Charless]

1. If Paul walks, Lillard should be the first choice to replace him. But I dont really want to give up any of our pieces.

2. Lopez is a fine option. But I'd like to see if we could get him on the minimum.

Well Portland isn't gonna trade Dame to us-a team in the division to be cool. We'd have to give Booker or (Ayton, Bridges, Cam, picks).

I don't wanna do that as it makes us worse-much worse actually. I think Dame sticks around for 1 more season anyway. They ship CJ off for maybe Simmons and go from there.

I think the CJ for Simmons makes a lot of sense. The Blazers need to do something

I agree. Problem is Philly probably thinks that they can get the OTHER guy in Portland's backcourt for Simmons. Not CJ.

[PittsburghSuns]

These salaries being thrown around for CP3 is insane. If the guy really wants a ring how much money does one person need? Between his previous contracts and the State Farm Commercials I mean come on these people are nuts.

[BobbieL]

Well Portland isn't gonna trade Dame to us-a team in the division to be cool. We'd have to give Booker or (Ayton, Bridges, Cam, picks).

I don't wanna do that as it makes us worse-much worse actually. I think Dame sticks around for 1 more season anyway. They ship CJ off for maybe Simmons and go from there.

I think the CJ for Simmons makes a lot of sense. The Blazers need to do something

I agree. Problem is Philly probably thinks that they can get the OTHER guy in Portland's backcourt for Simmons. Not CJ.

Well they can't get Lillard for just Simmons. And I have read that some think CJ for Simmons is selling low for Philly

I just think for both teams - they might need to make a change and the Blazers have zero problems scoring the damn ball. They can't defend - Simmons helps that. I think CJ would help scoring and with Simmons such a liability in Q4 - he could help the Sixers

I think its a win- win (granted, I have been pushing for this trade since both teams lost so my opinion is biased!)

[Slim Charless]

You are higher on Ben Simmons than Lillard? Interesting. I bet the 76ers are not.

Simmons and Embiid just don't work because Embiid is a paint clogger messing up his driving lanes and angles of attack despite being a surprisingly good shooter for a center. If we can get a new shooting coach for Ben to make him at least a passable free throw shooter he will remain on the court during the clutch minutes of pivotal games and won't shoot us out of them. His value tanked due to that being his Achille's heal glaringly. He is still a top tier talent and high level star that anyone should be ectastic acquiring for the right price

We'll have to go have a drink sometime since I think you and I are the last two residents of Simmons island


Now I don't really like his fit with Ayton and it would be really hard for the suns to make the money work on a Simmons trade but I do think some franchise could end up happy they get him at a discount this summer. I really hope he ends up on a team that will play up tempo and surround him with shooting.

On the Embiid fit, I actually think it could work because as you mentioned Embiid shoots it well enough.. the huge issue with that is just because you CAN leave Embiid out on the perimeter it doesn't mean you should do that. That's really the issue. He'd actually work well with a guy like KAT who loves playing out there.

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Minnesota is the team that I think should pull the trigger and get him when it's all said and done. Rubio and Ant for Simmons makes a ton of sense. I can also see Chicago for Lavine and maybe the Kings if they give up Fox. He'd look good in Portland next to Dame as well but all of those teams can beat a CJ/Roco package.

[saintEscaton]

Simmons and Embiid just don't work because Embiid is a paint clogger messing up his driving lanes and angles of attack despite being a surprisingly good shooter for a center. If we can get a new shooting coach for Ben to make him at least a passable free throw shooter he will remain on the court during the clutch minutes of pivotal games and won't shoot us out of them. His value tanked due to that being his Achille's heal glaringly. He is still a top tier talent and high level star that anyone should be ectastic acquiring for the right price

We'll have to go have a drink sometime since I think you and I are the last two residents of Simmons island


Now I don't really like his fit with Ayton and it would be really hard for the suns to make the money work on a Simmons trade but I do think some franchise could end up happy they get him at a discount this summer. I really hope he ends up on a team that will play up tempo and surround him with shooting.

On the Embiid fit, I actually think it could work because as you mentioned Embiid shoots it well enough.. the huge issue with that is just because you CAN leave Embiid out on the perimeter it doesn't mean you should do that. That's really the issue. He'd actually work well with a guy like KAT who loves playing out there.

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Minnesota is the team that I think should pull the trigger and get him when it's all said and done. Rubio and Ant for Simmons makes a ton of sense. I can also see Chicago for Lavine and maybe the Kings if they give up Fox. He'd look good in Portland next to Dame as well but all of those teams can beat a CJ/Roco package.

The question should be how good of an offer can we muster up and will the Sixers bite and will the salaries work? I think Ben moves the needle despite his horrendous shooting at the charity stripe and lack of development in midrange/perimeter shooting. He is a modern day Magic Johnson/Lebron lite. Just surround him with shooters and shot makers and you're golden. We have the complimentary pieces to make it all come together into something special

[Slim Charless]

I don't in understand the Chris Paul leaving talk. No one was talking about this all season long and no one expected us to get to the finals. it's one of the first teams that was really competitive where all the players loved him. He has a very close relationship with the coach I think he loves it here.

He had a freak injury in the Lakers series and got COVID. He was unbelievable against the Nuggets with absurd numbers for the series. I can't believe anyone that who watched that series would think that he is done or close to it.

People act as if he was the reason we lost the finals and his turnovers were higher from his absurdly low usual rate but he was still our best player overall the first 3 games and the last one.

The Bucks we're just so good defensively that they forced everyone to have a lot of turnovers.

And Bridges certainly isn't going anywhere. I would say unless it was a superstar trade but his salary isn't enough.

Pretty sure Sarver has learned not to break up a team they got to the Western conference finals that has a young core and those young core guys will only improve with time.

I agree on the 1st part. Me and you have gone back and forth enough times for you to know my opinion on Sarver and Mikal.

Either way, I don't see Chris leaving it makes no sense, even to LAL. I'm not 100% sure they're gonna be better than us next season. They won't be if Bron and AD can't stay healthy that's for sure.

[Adrao]

These salaries being thrown around for CP3 is insane. If the guy really wants a ring how much money does one person need? Between his previous contracts and the State Farm Commercials I mean come on these people are nuts.

This is something I really wonder. Does CP3 needs money or a better team around him?
I wish he would sign a low contract thinking of the ring and giving JJ more space.