BobbieL wrote:jredsaz wrote:AtheJ415 wrote:
Next offseason will depend on this offseason, but it is very doable to get to max if we dump Dudley or Chandler. The key is Book waiting the one offseason to extend. Also, plenty of those guys listed are straight UFA, like Kemba, who is an obvious fit here. Also, PG, our needed position, has a ton of guys and not many teams who need one, depressing the market further. The point is not that we should project the specific star that is likely to sign here. All I know is that the odds of getting a star who fits are drastically higher next offseason than this offseason.
I never said Booker, Jackson, and Ayton don't need to win games. What I said is that the urgency to win games is not so immediate and great that we should lock our cap space up for 3-4 years on role players at big salaries in an effort to win 1 offseason earlier given the giant opportunity cost. The idea that we need to spend big money on role players to win with a bunch of 20 year olds at the expense of a potential max offering next offseason is one of the worst thoughts i have read. It has 0 logic.
I am fine signing a role player to a 1 year deal to maintain the cap space next year. That is fine. Signing role players in any manner that impacts our cap next offseason, which is our best chance to max anybody in FA in probably the next decade, is beyond stupid. I mean look at the role player deals teams have made that are similar to your proposition trying to win now with youth. It cost LA Russell and will probably cost them Ball to dump Deng. It cost us a huge amount of cap space for Dudley, which we wish we didn't have right now. Chandler too. Only Reddick has really worked in the manner you mention, and that is just because it was for 1 year.
Who is this max free agent man?! Klay isn't leaving. Kawhi is on his way to LA with PG. Middleton, Harris, Kemba, are all good but would be over paid max guys. Love and Gasol could really back fire on a long max deal. RFAs like Russel you have to pay for. And Booker is signing his extension as soon as he is able.
Deng, Mozgov, Dudley and Chandler were awful signings and everyone called it at the time. That is not what I am proposing at all.
My point is they aren't winning a ring in the next few years regardless of who they sign. Honestly, they need to make sure they structure their cap so that in three or four years from know the only contracts they have locked in are Booker, Jackson, and Ayton. That's when a signing like your talking about could actually push them over the top. Until then it's about putting together a team that can start learning how to win basketball games. If we can land that guy through trade I'm all about it. If they can get in in FA great, maintain flexible short term deals to keep that an option. But waiting until next year and maxing out Kemba Walker isn't a franchise changing move.
I agree that the team needs to have the cap right for Booker Jackson and Ayton in four years
I also do think the players need to learn how to win games in the playoffs. I believe the Warriors got to the playoffss in 13 and 14 before going on this great run 15 -18. Yes, they had talent but they also made the playoffs and losing he;lped make them better. Trading for Bogut in 13, signing Iggy in 14. The Suns need that kind of move - a Bogut type signing this offseason.
So when I think of adding veterans - unless they are younger like Favors or Smart --- I am wanting veterans with two years left on their deals in most cases to help bridge the gap as Chriss, Bender, Jackson and Ayton mature. I don;'t know what Knight has left in the tank but with two years left on his deal - he fits that timeline. Maybe it seems stupid to give up a first round pick to help facilitate a move with Chandler or Dudleys contract but those things are spent money and would rather not extend the pain byt stretching those deals - plus the Suns don't need more rookies at this point
Its a fine line - I want my cake and eat it too - but I think this team needs win some games and push for the 8th spot this season. Not stupid long term signings - over pays on one years unless the right player comes along. Its why Dragic for two years - could be a very good option.
I still believe that if we cant find a way to trade up BEFORE the draft, we will end up making a trade with the Hornets for Kemba. I believe they are the ones that gave a promise to Shai and will be moving Walker. Will be around #16 & Warren. Warren is an upgrade over all their starting SF's, and Kemba is easily an upgrade over any PG that we have had in the past 7 years. Kemba gets paid about $250K more than Warren this upcoming season. Provides 20+ points, solid 3 point shooting, veteran playmaking and leadership, and decent defense for the PG position. I also believe will we end up using what capspace we have to go after a PF like Favors or Randle for semi cheap or McD may try to risk it for the biscuit and hit a grand slam by trying to sign Cousins.
Booker is expecting McD to go all out, and has repeated him numerous times in numerous interviews. Like it or not, Kemba would help in that aspect, and while some here clamber for Dragics return, the fact is that Kemba is younger, more easily attainable, and had a better season last year (Both offensively and Defensively) than Dragic. Kemba is an all-star now 2 years in a row, but will be looking for a major payday soon. But is that one addition enough for Booker and what he expects McD to do with all the BIG CHANGES talk? I dont think so, i think instead of using that capspace to take on a dead contract like Deng or Parsons for a pick, he is going to throw it at a guy like Cousins. While Gordons name has been thrown about a lot in regards to us, i think Orlando matches whatever he is offered 100% (Thank God). Cousins on the other hand is the mystery man. Coming back from injury, does the Pelicans sink that much money into retaining him, or spends that to improve their roster in other ways. Suns would be adding a great defender that can hit the 3 if need be, and one of the best passing bigs in the league (Averaging 5.5 Assists) to Igors pass heavy system. Either its going to be phenomenal...or its going to fail hard, its all depending on Cousins health.
But when all is said and done, this is the starting 5 i think McD will be going after: Kemba/Booker/Jackson/Cousins/Ayton. If it happens, it will be GLORIOUS.....or a trainwreck.
