Official Free Agent Thread: What to do with our cap space

[bwgood77]

Please stop suggesting teams with Knight as your PG. I know he is smart and such, but he has shown consistent bad decision making. You are not getting better BBIQ with Knight over Bledsoe, just better outside shooting, at the expense of worse defense.

Search with "Brandon Knight" and "turnover prone" yields 5680 results on google Any report you read on him always highlights this as a weakness. We'd have to believe he'll improve that dramatically over the years.

http://www.hoopsstats.com/basketball/fa ... 16/245/345

If you're arguing for Bledsoe over Knight with the turnover prone results on google, try Eric Bledsoe and turnover prone. 138,000 results. Not saying I'd take Knight over Bledsoe necessarily but that doesn't help your argument a ton.

But there is probably no use arguing. All signs point to McD wanting to go with two ball handling point guards in the lineup unless we can add a star.

4.870 results when put on "quotes" like the one I did on Knight. Come on, I obviously checked that before posting
My point is that Knight does not solve the issue of PG that has been bothering people (turnovers/bad decisions). I see no reason to start him over Bledsoe on any team reconstruction, except if we get him for a bargain.

Well I actually didn't expect Bledsoe to have as many results, because he's only started a year and a half as opposed to 4 years. But I think arguing about them is kind of pointless because I don't think either will be traded anyway.

[Damkac]

Spoiler:

Suns are currently just "potential" star players, none are proven stars yet... Knight is the closest since he just missed out this season as an All-Star.

McD is doing a Morey pre-Harden days, he was(is) banking on Bledsoe and NOW Knight to explode. He is also banking on Len, Goodwin, Warren to become impact players. Goodwin has the athleticism, size, aggressiveness to become a star, but needs to smarten up real quick. He doesnt even have to be a very good shooter, he just needs to learn how to consistently draw fouls getting to the rim and drawing defense to free-up his team mates for open looks. He just needs to nail open shots at a decent clip to be a starter-level SG, its his overall-basketball on court awareness/IQ that needs to catch up.

He needs to be a good shooter if he is going to play SG. If not, he can only play aside a really good shooting guard, like Knight (if Knight can get back to his Milwaukee #s from deep).

You can't trade too many 3s for 2s in this league and win, unless you have a really elite D like Memphis.

I disagree with Goodwin needing to be a good shooter to play SG.

If he was a good shooter and his penetration ability, you are talking about a legit all-star within the next 2 seasons.

He just needs to have a reliable jump shot that he can hit when open, really good shooters are shooters that nail shots even with just a fraction of a second look at the ring. He doesnt need that IMO.

Give him a jumpshot similar to Wade, Lebron etc, who are "decent" jump shooters and Goodwin would be a 15ppg SG in his 3rd season.. with potential to be 20ppg if he continues to improve and learns how to draw fouls better... IMO.

Archie could be successful with just ok shooting but it depends on who he play with. Lineup with Bledsoe, Archie and Warren wouldn't work unless they improve their shoot.

[bwgood77]

Spoiler:

He needs to be a good shooter if he is going to play SG. If not, he can only play aside a really good shooting guard, like Knight (if Knight can get back to his Milwaukee #s from deep).

You can't trade too many 3s for 2s in this league and win, unless you have a really elite D like Memphis.

I disagree with Goodwin needing to be a good shooter to play SG.

If he was a good shooter and his penetration ability, you are talking about a legit all-star within the next 2 seasons.

He just needs to have a reliable jump shot that he can hit when open, really good shooters are shooters that nail shots even with just a fraction of a second look at the ring. He doesnt need that IMO.

Give him a jumpshot similar to Wade, Lebron etc, who are "decent" jump shooters and Goodwin would be a 15ppg SG in his 3rd season.. with potential to be 20ppg if he continues to improve and learns how to draw fouls better... IMO.

Archie could be successful with just ok shooting but it depends on who he play with. Lineup with Bledsoe, Archie and Warren wouldn't work unless they improve their shoot.

Exactly. There is a zero chance that a Bledsoe/Archie/Warren/Wright/Len lineup would be able to have any space to operate...none can shoot with much range. Sure, I like them all as players, but you have to have the right mix. That is why Monroe doesn't work either with those guys. If you were to play Bledsoe and Archie you would need a 3 and 4 who could pull their defenders out near the 3 pt line or those guys simply wouldn't be able to drive because the middle would be clogged.

[bwoolf2]

If you're arguing for Bledsoe over Knight with the turnover prone results on google, try Eric Bledsoe and turnover prone. 138,000 results. Not saying I'd take Knight over Bledsoe necessarily but that doesn't help your argument a ton.

But there is probably no use arguing. All signs point to McD wanting to go with two ball handling point guards in the lineup unless we can add a star.

4.870 results when put on "quotes" like the one I did on Knight. Come on, I obviously checked that before posting
My point is that Knight does not solve the issue of PG that has been bothering people (turnovers/bad decisions). I see no reason to start him over Bledsoe on any team reconstruction, except if we get him for a bargain.

Well I actually didn't expect Bledsoe to have as many results, because he's only started a year and a half as opposed to 4 years. But I think arguing about them is kind of pointless because I don't think either will be traded anyway.

My issue with Bledsoe isnt his turnovers, its his lack of ability to shoot and most importantly his effort, I went back and watched a handful of random games and when he plays all out he is great, the problem is he takes a ton of plays off, his effort is no where close to being acceptable and his D gets overrated because when he plays hard he is one of the best defenders at the position in the league but he only plays at that level about 50% of the time and floats the rest. Bledsoe is an all league talent just not sure his effort level will ever be high enough to realize that.

[tdjm]

4.870 results when put on "quotes" like the one I did on Knight. Come on, I obviously checked that before posting
My point is that Knight does not solve the issue of PG that has been bothering people (turnovers/bad decisions). I see no reason to start him over Bledsoe on any team reconstruction, except if we get him for a bargain.

Well I actually didn't expect Bledsoe to have as many results, because he's only started a year and a half as opposed to 4 years. But I think arguing about them is kind of pointless because I don't think either will be traded anyway.

My issue with Bledsoe isnt his turnovers, its his lack of ability to shoot and most importantly his effort, I went back and watched a handful of random games and when he plays all out he is great, the problem is he takes a ton of plays off, his effort is no where close to being acceptable and his D gets overrated because when he plays hard he is one of the best defenders at the position in the league but he only plays at that level about 50% of the time and floats the rest. Bledsoe is an all league talent just not sure his effort level will ever be high enough to realize that.

I agree, but I really believe a lot of that is conserving energy. He played like 40 minutes per game after the trade deadline, which is madness. He was one of the league leaders in minutes played this year. After the trade deadline, with Marcus and PJ and most of our other shooting going MIA, he was basically our entire offense AND expected to carry a heavy load on defense. That's not sustainable. If you get him some help and a backup (oh hey Brandon Knight what's up) and ask him to ball hard for 30-32 minutes a night, I think you'd see less coasting.

When Russell Westbrook was going nuts on his binges, the Thunder defense suffered. He'd try and conserve energy on D and make lazy gambles which led to blowbys which his team couldn't handle without Ibaka. I don't think it's reasonable to ask Bledsoe to give max effort for 40 minutes a night on both ends - maybe in a key game here and there, but not every single night. He's going to wear down.

[thamadkant]

Spoiler:

He needs to be a good shooter if he is going to play SG. If not, he can only play aside a really good shooting guard, like Knight (if Knight can get back to his Milwaukee #s from deep).

You can't trade too many 3s for 2s in this league and win, unless you have a really elite D like Memphis.

I disagree with Goodwin needing to be a good shooter to play SG.

If he was a good shooter and his penetration ability, you are talking about a legit all-star within the next 2 seasons.

He just needs to have a reliable jump shot that he can hit when open, really good shooters are shooters that nail shots even with just a fraction of a second look at the ring. He doesnt need that IMO.

Give him a jumpshot similar to Wade, Lebron etc, who are "decent" jump shooters and Goodwin would be a 15ppg SG in his 3rd season.. with potential to be 20ppg if he continues to improve and learns how to draw fouls better... IMO.

Archie could be successful with just ok shooting but it depends on who he play with. Lineup with Bledsoe, Archie and Warren wouldn't work unless they improve their shoot.

I dont disagree with that statement... but when I say Goodwin to be successful or to be a starting level SG he doesnt need to be a very good shooter... I wasnt specifically just talking about on the SUNS.

On the SUNS?... well you cant have Bledsoe, Goodwin, Warren.... unless you have a Dirk Nowitski and a Mehmet Okur as your front court... because without those shooters, that team will resemble a Anthony-Davis-less Hornets..basically terrible.


I know people like Warren... but if the Suns decide to keep Bledsoe, Goodwin, Knight... I think a sharp shooter is better off as the SF....

If Warren becomes a 20ppg type stud-star SF, then obviously, you build around him and you replace Bledsoe, Knight or Goodwin with sharp shooters instead.

Also, I still like Knight's trajectory.... he is a 40% 3pt shooter with the Bucks and improving... if he can do his best Gilbert Arenas impressions and be a long-bomb threat nightly... he may be enough.



Also, I've been pushing heavily for Mirotic on the Suns for the sole reason of myself being aware that Suns need floor stretchers to be effective...

Assuming the stars arent available to be obtained.. I'd trade everyone to have a young upcoming team as below.

C: Len
PF: Mirotic
SF: Warren
SG: Goodwin
PG: Knight

Give them 30+ minutes each and see if any of them turn out to be studs.

[NavLDO]

Spoiler:

I disagree with Goodwin needing to be a good shooter to play SG.

If he was a good shooter and his penetration ability, you are talking about a legit all-star within the next 2 seasons.

He just needs to have a reliable jump shot that he can hit when open, really good shooters are shooters that nail shots even with just a fraction of a second look at the ring. He doesnt need that IMO.

Give him a jumpshot similar to Wade, Lebron etc, who are "decent" jump shooters and Goodwin would be a 15ppg SG in his 3rd season.. with potential to be 20ppg if he continues to improve and learns how to draw fouls better... IMO.

Archie could be successful with just ok shooting but it depends on who he play with. Lineup with Bledsoe, Archie and Warren wouldn't work unless they improve their shoot.

I dont disagree with that statement... but when I say Goodwin to be successful or to be a starting level SG he doesnt need to be a very good shooter... I wasnt specifically just talking about on the SUNS.

On the SUNS?... well you cant have Bledsoe, Goodwin, Warren.... unless you have a Dirk Nowitski and a Mehmet Okur as your front court... because without those shooters, that team will resemble a Anthony-Davis-less Hornets..basically terrible.


I know people like Warren... but if the Suns decide to keep Bledsoe, Goodwin, Knight... I think a sharp shooter is better off as the SF....

If Warren becomes a 20ppg type stud-star SF, then obviously, you build around him and you replace Bledsoe, Knight or Goodwin with sharp shooters instead.

Also, I still like Knight's trajectory.... he is a 40% 3pt shooter with the Bucks and improving... if he can do his best Gilbert Arenas impressions and be a long-bomb threat nightly... he may be enough.



Also, I've been pushing heavily for Mirotic on the Suns for the sole reason of myself being aware that Suns need floor stretchers to be effective...

Assuming the stars arent available to be obtained.. I'd trade everyone to have a young upcoming team as below.

C: Len
PF: Mirotic
SF: Warren
SG: Goodwin
PG: Knight

Give them 30+ minutes each and see if any of them turn out to be studs.

Warren may not be a 'shooter', but he is a 'scorer', so yeah, he could be a guy we build around. If I listed the players, to me, in order of most desired to keep to least desired, it would look like this:

Len
Warren
Goodwin
Bledsoe
Wright
Bogdanovic
Knight
Bullock
Granger
Kieff
PJ
Green
Marcus

Yeah, I know Bogdanovic hasn't shown anything yet, but he's a guy I'd at least like to see for a season before trading him. But overall, we should build around our youth, yet keep Wright and Granger for solid vet leadership. But Len, Warren, and Goodwin, to me, are 'must keeps'; Bledsoe, Wright Bogdanovic, and Knight as 'highly desired'; Bullock and Granger as 'love to see what we could get ot of them'; and the rest as expendable, and should be used as trde fodder to improve our team. But back to the 1st two groups, notice that only one of them is over 26YO--let's build our youth for a couple of seasons, be patient, and see if we can't get into the playoffs by the end of the '16/'17 season, and readjust from there. And part of that isto clean a bit of our house, rather than continue with what we already knows doesn't work, and that is the Morri, PJ, and Green, and trade them for one or two other young guys that we can add to our group to build around.

[RunDogGun]

Green isn't on the roster anymore. I still don't understand the PJ hate. He is by far one of our best defenders, and he can hit the three. He was a vocal leader when we had Frye, so maybe he could be again with Granger and Wright leading the charge. I still have a lot of questions about Len, his health, and the fact that he didn't do any better than Plumlee did in the first half of last year.

I liked that Warren didn't cry about minutes, and I like how he moves without the ball. If he can become a strong defensive player as well, he could be something special.

Goodwin still seems similar to Bledsoe in BBIQ, so that is a concern. He is a good on the ball defender, but seems to lose his man sometimes if he is off the ball. That could be just age, or it could be lack of smarts.

Bullock is such a huge question mark. And Bog won't come over for a full season, if he decides to leave Europe. If we don't get things turned around in the front court, he might choose to stay over there.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

Mo Williams would be a great vet add. He can shoot.

How about: Marcus or PJ and #13 to the Bulls for Taj and #22 (and draft Rondae, of course). Trade Markieff to Toronto for Greivis Vasquez and Pat Patterson.

Bledsoe/Vasquez
Knight/Goodwin
TJ/PJ/Hollis-Jefferson
Gibson/Patterson
Len/Wright

I'd go to battle with that. I wouldn't win the battle, necessarily, but I'd enjoy the fight a lot more, I think.

[NavLDO]

Green isn't on the roster anymore. I still don't understand the PJ hate. He is by far one of our best defenders, and he can hit the three. He was a vocal leader when we had Frye, so maybe he could be again with Granger and Wright leading the charge. I still have a lot of questions about Len, his health, and the fact that he didn't do any better than Plumlee did in the first half of last year.

I liked that Warren didn't cry about minutes, and I like how he moves without the ball. If he can become a strong defensive player as well, he could be something special.

Goodwin still seems similar to Bledsoe in BBIQ, so that is a concern. He is a good on the ball defender, but seems to lose his man sometimes if he is off the ball. That could be just age, or it could be lack of smarts.

Bullock is such a huge question mark. And Bog won't come over for a full season, if he decides to leave Europe. If we don't get things turned around in the front court, he might choose to stay over there.

Understood on Green, but was including him as he is a guy potentially the FO signs. And I have no hate for PJ, but he's a) not young, b) not a star and c) has been on the team for 3 years--3 years of zero playoffs, so some changes need to be made, and he is on the bottom of the list as far of those desirable to keep, when compared to other players on the roster. Having Granger cancels out the need for PJ, IMO, and is $3M cheaper than PJ. Now, if Granger isn't healthy, then fine, drop him and keep PJ.

And do you honestly believe that Len is no better than Plumlee? Sorry, but Plumlee's 1/2 a season was an anomaly, where as Len is still progressing. Plumlee regressed, where as Len progressed. Two completely different set of circumstances. Not to mention, Len is 2" taller and has a 3.5" advantage in wingspan, is a better blocker, better FT shooter, and actually has hands, instead of feet for hands, so in no way is Plumlee comparable to Len--Plumlee's only advantage is relative health.

Goodwin is still younger 2 years in the league to a lot of draft picks coming out this year, so until he is 23 and has shown no improvement, I personally would like to see him stick with the roster.

But understand that Bog MAY not come over, and Bullock hasn't shown anything yet, but I'd rather gamble on a rebuilding team on a couple of youngsters than on a journeyman talent like PJ. PJ hasn't, and will not, make the difference in making us a playoff team--the others might, we just don't now yet.

[RunDogGun]

There are lots of journeymen that are quite useful to any team, it shouldn't exclude a player because they had to search for a niche. Tucker is still one of our best defenders, and can literally guard 1-5 spots.

I'm confused by your interpretation of my Len/Plumlee comment. Are you saying that 6.3/6.6 is better than a 8.1/7.8? That is all I commented on. Moreover, the foul ratio was 3.1-2.3 respectfully. Could be youth, but at the same stage in the league (sophomore season), I don't see why one can't use it as a comparison and a possible concern. Then there is the constant health issue in one of them.

I like Len, but if he can't stay on the court, either health wise or foul trouble, or can't outplay Plumlee, is he really someone to build around?

Goodwin's youth is fine to be slow to judge, and I'm ok with waiting on him, but if people here dislike Bledsoe's BBIQ, I see similar things in Goodwin. So that should be a concern as well, no?

[lilfishi22]

Understood on Green, but was including him as he is a guy potentially the FO signs. And I have no hate for PJ, but he's a) not young, b) not a star and c) has been on the team for 3 years--3 years of zero playoffs, so some changes need to be made, and he is on the bottom of the list as far of those desirable to keep, when compared to other players on the roster. Having Granger cancels out the need for PJ, IMO, and is $3M cheaper than PJ. Now, if Granger isn't healthy, then fine, drop him and keep PJ.

And do you honestly believe that Len is no better than Plumlee? Sorry, but Plumlee's 1/2 a season was an anomaly, where as Len is still progressing. Plumlee regressed, where as Len progressed. Two completely different set of circumstances. Not to mention, Len is 2" taller and has a 3.5" advantage in wingspan, is a better blocker, better FT shooter, and actually has hands, instead of feet for hands, so in no way is Plumlee comparable to Len--Plumlee's only advantage is relative health.

Goodwin is still younger 2 years in the league to a lot of draft picks coming out this year, so until he is 23 and has shown no improvement, I personally would like to see him stick with the roster.

But understand that Bog MAY not come over, and Bullock hasn't shown anything yet, but I'd rather gamble on a rebuilding team on a couple of youngsters than on a journeyman talent like PJ. PJ hasn't, and will not, make the difference in making us a playoff team--the others might, we just don't now yet.

Regarding PJ, I don't see why he should be shipped out because he's not young (hardly old either), not a star and has been one of our longer tenured vets on the team. Like RDG mentioned, he's still by far one of our better defenders, has 3PT range and he's also a guy who understands his role very well. In my view, he's the perfect "vet". He's on a decent contract, he contributes consistently and at times plays above expectations and he's a good locker room guy. As for PJ not being the difference in us making the playoffs, I only partially agree. He's not going to be the difference maker to take us to playoffs, but neither is any one player not named Lebron or Anthony Davis. Bledsoe won't be that guy, Knight won't be that guy is neither is Len. I don't see him as a negative and I think if we were to get better overall, he's the one guy I'd like to see stick because every playoff team needs the one guy who isn't afraid to do the dirty work. I see no reason to move him for your stated reasons.

As for Granger, he's still a big question mark considering he hasn't played close to a full season since the 2012 season where missed "only" 20 games. Could we have a Grant Hill situation here? Possibly but keep in mind, when Hill was signed he wasn't taking minutes away from any young players or productive vets, he was brought in to fill a gap. Granger coming in would take minutes from a productive "vet" in PJ and a developing young player in TJ.

I agree with your assessment of Plumlee vs Len. Plumlee has shown his breakout 1/2 season was a fluke as he hasn't been able replicate the same level of productivity since.

[NavLDO]

Understood on Green, but was including him as he is a guy potentially the FO signs. And I have no hate for PJ, but he's a) not young, b) not a star and c) has been on the team for 3 years--3 years of zero playoffs, so some changes need to be made, and he is on the bottom of the list as far of those desirable to keep, when compared to other players on the roster. Having Granger cancels out the need for PJ, IMO, and is $3M cheaper than PJ. Now, if Granger isn't healthy, then fine, drop him and keep PJ.

And do you honestly believe that Len is no better than Plumlee? Sorry, but Plumlee's 1/2 a season was an anomaly, where as Len is still progressing. Plumlee regressed, where as Len progressed. Two completely different set of circumstances. Not to mention, Len is 2" taller and has a 3.5" advantage in wingspan, is a better blocker, better FT shooter, and actually has hands, instead of feet for hands, so in no way is Plumlee comparable to Len--Plumlee's only advantage is relative health.

Goodwin is still younger 2 years in the league to a lot of draft picks coming out this year, so until he is 23 and has shown no improvement, I personally would like to see him stick with the roster.

But understand that Bog MAY not come over, and Bullock hasn't shown anything yet, but I'd rather gamble on a rebuilding team on a couple of youngsters than on a journeyman talent like PJ. PJ hasn't, and will not, make the difference in making us a playoff team--the others might, we just don't now yet.

Regarding PJ, I don't see why he should be shipped out because he's not young (hardly old either), not a star and has been one of our longer tenured vets on the team. Like RDG mentioned, he's still by far one of our better defenders, has 3PT range and he's also a guy who understands his role very well. In my view, he's the perfect "vet". He's on a decent contract, he contributes consistently and at times plays above expectations and he's a good locker room guy. As for PJ not being the difference in us making the playoffs, I only partially agree. He's not going to be the difference maker to take us to playoffs, but neither is any one player not named Lebron or Anthony Davis. Bledsoe won't be that guy, Knight won't be that guy is neither is Len. I don't see him as a negative and I think if we were to get better overall, he's the one guy I'd like to see stick because every playoff team needs the one guy who isn't afraid to do the dirty work. I see no reason to move him for your stated reasons.

As for Granger, he's still a big question mark considering he hasn't played close to a full season since the 2012 season where missed "only" 20 games. Could we have a Grant Hill situation here? Possibly but keep in mind, when Hill was signed he wasn't taking minutes away from any young players or productive vets, he was brought in to fill a gap. Granger coming in would take minutes from a productive "vet" in PJ and a developing young player in TJ.

I agree with your assessment of Plumlee vs Len. Plumlee has shown his breakout 1/2 season was a fluke as he hasn't been able replicate the same level of productivity since.

We'll have to 'agree to disagree' then on PJ situation, but I hardly feel we are in 'violent disagreement'. As I mentioned, should Granger not work out, then I have no issues with keeping a vet on a decent contract like PJ. What I'd hate to see, as you mentioned, would be having PJ as the starter, Granger subbing in for him, and exactly how many minutes are left for Warren?

I will say this--even though not his preferred position, if PJ were to be primarily a SG, with Granger as our vet SF, then that changes my opinion entirely.

Knight/Goodwin
Bledsoe/PJ/Bullock??
Warren/Granger/Bullock??
(Portis, Lyle, Turner, Harrell, Looney)/Brown??
Len/Wright

After the Morri being charged with assault, they need to be gone, IMO. This isn't like a stupid decision to drive while intoxicated; no malicious intent is involved, but what the Morri did definitely was 'malicious intent'.

I only have Bledsoe at SG for defensive purposes--I don't care one way or the other as to whether he or Knight is handling the ball on offense.

But if your thought is to have:

Bledsoe/Goodwin??
Knight/Goodwin??/Bullock
PJ/Granger/Warren
Etc...

Then yes, I have issue with that. Warren has shown enough to be the primary starter at the 3. Whether fans here want to admit it or not, we are a rebuilding team, and we should expect another season similar to this this one next year; which is fine so long as we are developing Warren, Len, Knight, Bledsoe, and our Rookie PF to be our starters, with Goodwin in a 6th man role, right? That is a young, developing, exciting team, and I have a hard time seeing one of those PFs NOT being selected, especially considering the Morri situation, which makes their availability extremely tenuous).

But if we continue to have PJ as our starter, then IMO, we can expect similar results for this year and beyond. Bottom line is--Warren has star potential that needs developing; PJ is what he is, which should be a bench player. And to have PJ and Granger as bench SFs, to me, is redundant.

[RunDogGun]

PJ could also play the four, so he shouldn't hinder Warren's progress. Also Warren's progress can still happen coming off the bench. We still don't even know if Granger is healthy enough to play, and if he does, he also may slide to the stretch four slot in a few rotations.

But we will see. It sure seems that Jeff relies on PJ often. Our play seemed worse when PJ came off the bench.

[King4Day]

I just read the headline that a few teams that will be interested in Aldridge. Why are we not on that list?
I can't see him choosing Phoenix but it's kinda crazy.

[Saberestar]

I just read the headline that a few teams that will be interested in Aldridge. Why are we not on that list?
I can't see him choosing Phoenix but it's kinda crazy.

Because we have Markieff Morris.

[tdjm]

He'd have to commit to it verbally, and then we'd have to start clearing cap space to sign him. All of those teams are going to start with enough cap space to begin wooing him immediately

[lilfishi22]

We'll have to 'agree to disagree' then on PJ situation, but I hardly feel we are in 'violent disagreement'. As I mentioned, should Granger not work out, then I have no issues with keeping a vet on a decent contract like PJ. What I'd hate to see, as you mentioned, would be having PJ as the starter, Granger subbing in for him, and exactly how many minutes are left for Warren?

I will say this--even though not his preferred position, if PJ were to be primarily a SG, with Granger as our vet SF, then that changes my opinion entirely.

Knight/Goodwin
Bledsoe/PJ/Bullock??
Warren/Granger/Bullock??
(Portis, Lyle, Turner, Harrell, Looney)/Brown??
Len/Wright

After the Morri being charged with assault, they need to be gone, IMO. This isn't like a stupid decision to drive while intoxicated; no malicious intent is involved, but what the Morri did definitely was 'malicious intent'.

I only have Bledsoe at SG for defensive purposes--I don't care one way or the other as to whether he or Knight is handling the ball on offense.

But if your thought is to have:

Bledsoe/Goodwin??
Knight/Goodwin??/Bullock
PJ/Granger/Warren
Etc...

Then yes, I have issue with that. Warren has shown enough to be the primary starter at the 3. Whether fans here want to admit it or not, we are a rebuilding team, and we should expect another season similar to this this one next year; which is fine so long as we are developing Warren, Len, Knight, Bledsoe, and our Rookie PF to be our starters, with Goodwin in a 6th man role, right? That is a young, developing, exciting team, and I have a hard time seeing one of those PFs NOT being selected, especially considering the Morri situation, which makes their availability extremely tenuous).

But if we continue to have PJ as our starter, then IMO, we can expect similar results for this year and beyond. Bottom line is--Warren has star potential that needs developing; PJ is what he is, which should be a bench player. And to have PJ and Granger as bench SFs, to me, is redundant.

That's what's great about PJ, he can guard 1-5 and play 2-4. I liked PJ as a starter at the 2 and 3 this season because we were weak defensively at those spots. But if there are better defensive starters, then I'm happy to see him come off the bench and I think he'll play just as well. PJ has earned his minutes and his role with the team, I want him on the team. If we're talking about minutes at the 3, I'd have PJ at 20, Warren at 18 and Granger playing the rest of the spot minutes. I'd move Granger

My lineup would look like:

Bledsoe/Knight/Goodwin
Knight/Goodwin/Bledsoe/PJ
PJ/Warren/Granger
Kieff/Mook/Wright/PJ
Len/Wright/Kieff

[bwgood77]

I just read the headline that a few teams that will be interested in Aldridge. Why are we not on that list?
I can't see him choosing Phoenix but it's kinda crazy.

Well for one we don't have cap space, and for two, it doesn't help morale and chemistry when you float rumors. The smart teams don't float rumors of who they want...they keep a tight lip and pull a trade out of the blue. If we were to express an interest in Aldridge publicly, players and agents would know that the plan would be to trade guys to clear cap space. It won't be for a lack of McD trying, and I'm sure he is interested.

[Saberestar]

Brandon Knight, acquired from the Bucks in a trade including Plumlee deal, didn’t play much for the Suns this year, appearing in 11 games before being sidelined with an injury to his foot. But he is a restricted free agent, and the team can control what happens next with him. Phoenix was in a similar position with Bledsoe last summer and held out until late in the offseason before finally caving and giving Bledsoe the big contract. Knight was much improved this season, but still won’t be in line for a deal of Bledsoe’s magnitude.

In discussing an extension last year, the Bucks held the line on Knight at $9 million per year, where Knight wanted something in the range of four years and $48 million. It will might take a little more to sign Knight this summer, given his improvement in his time with Milwaukee, and the fact that he could always sign a qualifying offer and become an unrestricted free agent, which would set him up for the summer of 2016 TV-money bonanza.

http://www.sportingnews.com/nba/story/2 ... um=twitter