Trade and free agency speculation

[Revived]

One guy I haven’t seen mentioned much is TJ McConnell.

Sixers just drafted Shamet and they have Fultz healthy already. Their PG depth goes Simmons/Fultz/Shamet/McConnell now. I don’t even think they will try to resign him at season’s end because of such strong depth at PG position.

McConnell looks to be odd guy out. He’s a former Wildcat as well so that should make Sarver happy. He’s on an expiring deal so 76ers won’t be asking much for him.

Really talented passer, good court vision and always plays hard. He can get guys involved which is precisely what we need on this team now with so many versatile scorers.

I think he’s a good fit next to Booker in a starting role until Okobo’s ready.

[Hesh]

Darren Collison might be obtainable while Okobo learns the ropes. Pacers could be determined to upgrade their PG position since Collison will be expiring and is on the wrong side of 30 (31 in 2 months). They might be looking to get a PG that could be part of their future who instantly makes them better right now so they could make a deeper playoff run.

[Saberestar]

I would be OK with McConnell or Darren Collison. Both are pretty solid.

[SlovenianDragon]

Okobo needs a good PG mentor in front of him to learn the ropes from. He’s a 2nd rd pick who is learning how to play a whole new position because he played SG his whole life until last season so it doesn’t make sense to throw him into the fire like that.

I wouldnt want that either. But the options we have is disgusting. Thats why I would rather just keep and start Knight. I really think the kid will bounce back while Okobo grows to take over.

Why do people want to stick with Knight? Because the pgs every1 is suggesting are poop.

Stick with what we got this season lets see what happens next year.

[King4Day]

Just reading some comments in the General Boards Marcus Smart thread. Him going to Indy does seem to make sense. Could be why they let Lance walk (to get more cap space).
I hope they offer enough where Boston can't match and also don't make a deal with them. I'd rather see them helped as little as possible as they enter elite status in the league.

[BobbieL]

I would not be happy giving Van Fleet something like 4/40 or more. When Gambo mentioned 4/50 yesterday - literally could have driven off the road. I was thinking more like 3/20. Maybe 3/25 with a team option in year 3. But I still think too much. I would pay Smart 4/50 over Van Fleet. And in todays cap world - not sure many teams are giving FVF - that much money

The idea of Lowry for Knight/Chandler would be better would be better than Van Fleet. Grant need to replace Knight but I know Lowry is smart, tough and would make the team (probably) better over the next two years.

Collison - he might be pretty good because they just drafted Holiday and also have Joseph. I would take Corey Joseph. A lot of PG is more buying time for Okobo and to see how Knight truly is. I am not sure the Suns need a long term answer

Again, the Suns don't really have much cap space to get two positions. The key for Ryan is can he move Chandler or Dudley/Daniels for a player that allows cap space to be used on a second player. Granted, if you move Chandler, release Williams - hello Zaza Pachulia!

[Fo-Real]

I think because he missed a whole season, some people have short term amnesia and forgot exactly how awful of a basketball player Brandon Knight was.

I’ve never seen it in my lifetime where a horrible basketball player suffers an ACL injury and then becomes better afterwards.

But that’s just me...

True and false, he and Bledso actually started out pretty hot and were a decent duo. Play waned and then Bled went down and he not only did not step up but regressed. But he and Bled had some good games together before the drama and bull took over.

[BobbieL]

Bobby Marks article from ESPN. About the Suns, mentions creating the 15m in cap space waiving Williams but also discusses using the expirings of Dudley and Chandler

If the Pacers lose Thad Young and cannot do something like Al Jefferson for Marvin Williams - what about Dudley for Collison or Cory Joseph. One year stop gap at PG; Pacers get a stretch 4 keeping cap flexibility.

I also thought of a three way deal: Pacers get Faried if they want more rebounding; Nuggets get Dudley to save some money and the Suns still get the PG

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[Wilber85]

You guys want to win now but yet are discussing PGs to run our team such and lock them in long term:

TJ McConnell
Fred VanVleet
Cory Joseph
Etc.

What are you guys doing? How will these PG's make us better? They are all 2nd unit guards.

We aren't going to be a top contender this year. We need to either run with what we have and sign a few veterans. Stand PAT for next year Free Agency or trade for a decent PG such as Beverly, Lowry, etc. I would also rather have Shroeder than any PG you have mentioned if we are going after one.

[jredsaz]

If the board is so okay with Smart at the 1, why not just start Mikal Bridges there? He can defend 1-4 as well, and is at least a shooter offensively.

Hey! Dont lump me in with the board. Those Smart people are crazy.

[Fo-Real]

Is there a chance in hell that the Suns have interest in Zach Lavine?

[jredsaz]

How about we just give Tyreke Evans some money and have him be our 6-6 220lb PG?

Wondering if that is our best option to be honest. I dont like that he has played in 4 playoff games over 9 seasons BUT it looks like he has matured. Super talented guy.

[BobbieL]

If the board is so okay with Smart at the 1, why not just start Mikal Bridges there? He can defend 1-4 as well, and is at least a shooter offensively.

Hey! Dont lump me in with the board. Those Smart people are crazy.

Marcus Smart has a skillset for teams with more shooters. Tough defender, competes, does a lot of positive things. But, his ability, or lack thereof - would probably not be the best fit with this team. Especially with Knight and the ??? that is Knight.

But if we knew Knight was going to be a mid to high teens scoring; and if say Dudley got in shape and was better player - who needs a guy like Ilysova as much if Dudley can play. I just think the Suns need more scoring but I appreciate Smarts game and play.

[Waylay13]

If the board is so okay with Smart at the 1, why not just start Mikal Bridges there? He can defend 1-4 as well, and is at least a shooter offensively.

Personally I would put Josh Jackson on the 1s. I think he is a touch quicker and better on ball defender over Mikal who is a better off ball defender. Use Josh to bring the ball up the court and pass the ball to Booker to run the play. Jackson can deal with the on ball defender.

[Saberestar]

Say bye bye to Danuel House.

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[sunsfever68]

Please please do not tie up money into a bench guy like VanFleet 4/50 or 4/40 would be insane.

We will need all the money in the world to lock up Jackson and maybe Bender (if he develops like he should) or Chriss if he develops. Don't overcommit money we can't afford to spend (even tho Chandler/Dudley/Knight gone off books soon)

Pat Beverly is fine by me. I"d resign him to a 2-3 year extension for 7-9M a year if he'd take that after this season.

[BobbieL]

How about we just give Tyreke Evans some money and have him be our 6-6 220lb PG?

Wondering if that is our best option to be honest. I dont like that he has played in 4 playoff games over 9 seasons BUT it looks like he has matured. Super talented guy.

I wouldn't be against this. If there are three options: Van Fleet 3/27; Smart 4/50 or say Evans 3/32 - go with Evans. The Grizz can only off the MLE - which is basically 3/27. The Suns can up that a bit and still probably have enough to give Mbah A Moute 5-6 for a one year deal. That is taking into account Dudley, Daniels and Chandler are on the roster.

Not bad upgrades - solid player on offense and a solid wing defender in MOute

[bwgood77]

From my calculations, if Phoenix renounces all cap holds except Booker next offseason, we are looking at $66.37 million:

Knight: 15.6 mil
Warren: 10.8 mil (and isn't it a bit weird Warren's deal dips in this offseason? I think the FO knew that when it offered it to him).
Jackson: 7 mil
Bender 5.8 mil
Chriss: 4.07 mil
Reed (if kept 1.6 mil)
Ulis: 1.6 mil
Shaq: 1.6 mil
Williams: 5.5 mil

Ayton: 7.9 mil
Bridges: 3.4 mil
Okobo: 1.5 mil

If we renounce some of these guys now (Williams I think is likely, so that removes 5.5), and 2 of Reed, Ulis, and Shaq, that adds another 3.2, for 8.7 million additional saved, bringing the total to 66.37-5.5, or 60.87 million.

$60.87 million with a projected cap of $108 million, meaning we are looking at $48 million roughly at that point. A rookie max will be about $28 million IIRC, so we are just shy of 2 of those and could stretch or trade Knight to make that happen. We could also trade Warren.

Or we could trade Warren who holds value in the league so shouldn't require a dump off, and then attach picks to move Knight early (not ideal, but it is if it gets us to an additional max), but move both. That would lead to $26.4 additional million, bringing our cap space to $74.4 million, enough for 1 full supermax and 1 additional really close to full supermax or rookie max.

It's not as hard as it seems. Knight is the only trouble spot and if he plays better next year we might be able to trade him as a then expiring or we could stretch him. Really just not keeping the nonessential guards aside from 1 and then, once FA hits have a deal lined up for Warren and Knight so you know what it would cost to move them. Don't move either until you have the agreement with the FA target. I think a team would want Warren and would deal a pick for him. Knight will probably cost multiple picks but that could be worth it frankly.

http://www.shamsports.com/capulator?id=6985687425b332d303089c111486009

Here is a shams with your moves applied. Leaves just under $30 mil in space. Where did I go wrong?

Looks like he is talking about declining Jackson's option, Bender's, Chriss', Shaq, and I guess getting rid of our 1st rounder...but that still only adds about $22 million more, and I there is little chance we decline all of our rookie scale contracts that can be declined.

I guess if you add Knight's salary to the $22 I just mentioned and your $30, you get to the number he had, but that is trading picks to dump Knight and declining options on Jackson, Chriss, Bender and trading our first rounder.

Nothing we'd likely do before FA. You only do those types of things if you have a guy lined up and we wouldn't.

[WeekapaugGroove]

Is there a chance in hell that the Suns have interest in Zach Lavine?

They did like him coming out of college and I think they would have picked him had the wolves not drafted him one spot earlier. The problem is he really sucked when the wolves tried him at pg early in his career so I can't see the suns giving him big money knowing he needs to mostly play off the ball.

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[bigfoot]

I think it's a big mistake to go after a long term PG like Smart or Van Vleet. If we desperately need defense at the PG spot then we should just keep Harrison. He's a hustler, was very pesky on defense, and had a good steal rate. Really his defensive numbers match up pretty favorably to Smart and he is much better offensively. Check out the player comparison below

http://bkref.com/tiny/akG4M

Just run with Knight/Harrison/Okoko at the PG and save our cap space for 2019 !!!