2014 Free Agents

[JCSunsfan]

http://www1.realgm.com/article/229958/Previewing-The-2014-NBA-Free-Agent-Class

We might as well start the discussion now. While we talk about the draft we will also have the opportunity to sign a quality free agent. That could move us up into conference contention by next year.

I do believe that LeBron will change teams next year. His likely destinations would be Cleveland or the Lakers. He could be the hero at home with a slew of young talent if he returned to Cleveland and I am not sure about how LeBron and Kobe would coexist.

Of course leBron would be the perfect addition to this team but the chances of him coming here are nil.

Anyone else. Honestly Bledsoe looks like one of the better options in free agency. I am hoping he shows himself more than worthy of a max contract because we might have to pay that to keep him anyway.

 

[JS22]

Maybe Lebron will want to pair up with his buddy Bledsoe and embrace the challenge of finally bringing a championship to Phoenix.

Dreaming is free, right?

 

[sunsfan88]

Monroe is about the only one I would even consider spending top dollar on other than our own Bledsoe.

But I'm not even sure about Monroe because he's a huge defensive liability.

 

[slinslin]

Monroe is being brought up on every message board but he is far from a star player.

I'd try to pick up Evan Turner. He is just coming into his own and would fit well as starting SF.

If we could draft Randle and sign Turner that would be fine.

 

[SirStefan32]

I don't agree with Slin often, but I agree that Evan Turner would be a good pick up.

Ed Davis might be interesting as well, for the right price.

 

[Hoop Head]

Has anyone considered that Bledsoe and Lebron might team up somewhere? It's been reported that they are good friends and Lebron has a history of taking a pay cut and also relocating to play with his friends. I'm not saying it will happen but I'd say there is at least a small possibility of it happening. That might have been one of the reasons Bledsoe didn't sign an extension here before the season. It's reported he asked for the max and maybe he did but that could have been a move on his part of asking for something he knew he wouldn't get so he didn't receive any backlash this year. If Lebron leaves Miami after this season I'm pretty sure he would like to avoid all the negative press he had during "The Decision" which was built up over an entire season prior to it happening. Things could be happening behind the scenes with him and his friends but quietly so there isn't the same media circus.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Has anyone considered that Bledsoe and Lebron might team up somewhere? It's been reported that they are good friends and Lebron has a history of taking a pay cut and also relocating to play with his friends. I'm not saying it will happen but I'd say there is at least a small possibility of it happening. That might have been one of the reasons Bledsoe didn't sign an extension here before the season. It's reported he asked for the max and maybe he did but that could have been a move on his part of asking for something he knew he wouldn't get so he didn't receive any backlash this year. If Lebron leaves Miami after this season I'm pretty sure he would like to avoid all the negative press he had during "The Decision" which was built up over an entire season prior to it happening. Things could be happening behind the scenes with him and his friends but quietly so there isn't the same media circus.

Maybe you're right about them teaming up and the reason he didn't sign the contract was to keep his cap hold as low as possible so we could sign Lebron to the max plus maybe add another player before inking him. I'm not suggesting it's likely but who knows. Maybe he feels betrayed by his Cleveland homies and figures that bringing Phoenix their first ever NBA Championship will do more to further his legend. And then again, maybe we have a better chance of signing Marvin the Martian. Although I don't know if we have enough Illudium Q-36 to keep him happy.

Steve

 

[JCSunsfan]

You have to admit though that it would be at least possible to make a case to a top free agent like LEBron now. That's progress.

 

[Cheesebeef]

You have to admit though that it would be at least possible to make a case to a top free agent like LEBron now. That's progress.

if we had Colangelo running the team, I'd say there's a chance...even a better then longshot chance.

but he's not, so I think it's a pipedream.

still like our future tho.

 

[Griffin]

It just occurred to me that this past off-season the Suns didn't sign any free agents (undrafted rookies don't count). I don't remember that ever happening before in Phoenix.

They still managed to completely remake the roster with only five players returning from last season.

 

[PhxGametime]

The FA class has 3 SF's to keep an eye on: Gordon Hayward, Rudy Gay (PO), and Evan Turner. Along with possibly multiple SF's in 2014 Draft...

With LeBron James and Kevin Durant, as the NBA's 2 brightest stars, adding a SF than score and has the size/athleticism to make those 2 work on both ends of floor would be my ideal plan.

P.J. Tucker could be top reserve; Plumlee, Len, Kravtsov, and Frye are capable at Center. With Morris Twins and Frye spreading the court - Bledsoe, Dragic, Green, Goodwin, Smith, and Christmas in the backcourt... the Suns add semi-star SF and watch out!

With Okafor's expiring; the Suns could let it expire or (IF) the Suns' continue hot start, I could see Team adding a star SF or PF with expiring and Pick(s).

 

[SirStefan32]

The FA class has 3 SF's to keep an eye on: Gordon Hayward, Rudy Gay (PO), and Evan Turner. Along with possibly multiple SF's in 2014 Draft...

With LeBron James and Kevin Durant, as the NBA's 2 brightest stars, adding a SF than score and has the size/athleticism to make those 2 work on both ends of floor would be my ideal plan.

P.J. Tucker could be top reserve; Plumlee, Len, Kravtsov, and Frye are capable at Center. With Morris Twins and Frye spreading the court - Bledsoe, Dragic, Green, Goodwin, Smith, and Christmas in the backcourt... the Suns add semi-star SF and watch out!

With Okafor's expiring; the Suns could let it expire or (IF) the Suns' continue hot start, I could see Team adding a star SF or PF with expiring and Pick(s).

I still don't understand the obsession with Gay and Hayward. Both of them are grossly overrated.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I still don't understand the obsession with Gay and Hayward. Both of them are grossly overrated.

You won't find much obsession for Gay on this board, in fact I think I was the only guy here that liked his game. I love the fact he can score in close games (he's very effective at that) and he can guard up and down. I don't think he's a front line star but I put him in that Joe Johnson role/level. If he's your 3rd best player, you're in great shape. If he's your 2nd best player, you're a solid playoff team. If he's your star, you're in trouble but I do like him as a Robin if you're got a Batman or two.

Steve

 

[JCSunsfan]

You won't find much obsession for Gay on this board.

Steve

Nope. No Gay obsessions here.

 

[JS22]

Nope. No Gay obsessions here.

Well, remember Andrew & Shaq?

 

[PhxGametime]

I wouldn't touch Carmelo Anthony but also didn't want to list LeBron in 3 top FA SF's available because I'm not positive he'll be available, realistic, and the entire post was about making LeBron work on both ends.

Nicolas Batum, Maurice Harkless, Harrison Barnes, Chandler Parsons, Jeff Green, DeMar DeRozan, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Andre Iguodala, Arron Afflalo, Tyreke Evans, Terrence Ross, Danilo Gallinari, Wesley Matthews, and Jimmy Butler are other options via Trade...

Just in case I mention Hayward or Gay too much heh.

 

[elindholm]

Nicolas Batum, Maurice Harkless, Harrison Barnes, Chandler Parsons, Jeff Green, DeMar DeRozan, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Andre Iguodala, Arron Afflalo, Tyreke Evans, Terrence Ross, Danilo Gallinari, Wesley Matthews, and Jimmy Butler are other options via Trade...

None of those are #1 or probably even #2 guys. The Suns can get role players on their own. If they can't get a star in free agency, it's better to pass, bide their time, and keep relying on the draft.

 

[sunsfan88]

Batum is overpaid, Harkless is part of the youngsters that Orlando is grooming their high on him it would take a lot to trade him, Barnes is good but on a cheap contract for some time so can't see them trading him, Parsons is an option especially since he has struggled since they added Dwight, Green is overpaid, DeRozan is overpaid, Igoudala is overpaid, I would like Afflalo, Bobcats ain't trading MKG same reason as ORL not trading Harkless unless great dael comes, Ross same as ORL and CHA, Galinari is injury prone and overpaid, Matthews is is like Afflalo and I wouldn't mind, Butler same as ORL, CHA and TOR situations.

My favorite to trade for out of that list would be Harrison Barnes though.

 

[JCSunsfan]

None of those are #1 or probably even #2 guys. The Suns can get role players on their own. If they can't get a star in free agency, it's better to pass, bide their time, and keep relying on the draft.

Bledsoe probably has more likelihood of being a #1 or #2 than any of those players. Our focus will probably be on keeping him.

I don't see us building a Miami or Boston (Garnett, Pierce) type of team unless we really get lucky. I can see us becoming more like Memphis putting together alot of good players that work well together.

 

[elindholm]

Bledsoe probably has more likelihood of being a #1 or #2 than any of those players. Our focus will probably be on keeping him.

I agree. So far he looks like he's mentally ready to assume ownership of the team. Dragic is already an afterthought.

I can see us becoming more like Memphis putting together alot of good players that work well together.

Unfortunately there's almost no chance of winning a title that way, but I agree that the Suns appear to be headed in a similar direction, if all goes well.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I agree. So far he looks like he's mentally ready to assume ownership of the team. Dragic is already an afterthought.



Unfortunately there's almost no chance of winning a title that way, but I agree that the Suns appear to be headed in a similar direction, if all goes well.

It will really depend on getting a #1 type player. But those are just so rare: LeBron, Kobe, Durant, Duncan, Chris Paul, Garnett (in his prime) are the only guaranteed ones. Maybe Dwayne Wade belongs on this list.

There are those that have the possibility: Rose, Love, Curry, George, maybe Harden.

Sometimes the biggest problems are the players that THINK they are #1 players: Carmelo, Dwight, Joe Johnson (a few years ago).

IF Bledsoe continues to develop and becomes our version of a #1 player, its alot easier to add #2 and #3 players. But Bledsoe has to score consistently and at clutch time, make everyone around him better, play better than average defense, and stay healthy.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I agree. So far he looks like he's mentally ready to assume ownership of the team. Dragic is already an afterthought.

yup. I really think the Suns could continue to rebuild the team if they sold Dragic high. This team is going to be Bledsoe's team, IMO and Dragic at this point just gets in the way of making that happen. And on a pretty good contract and playing pretty good ball, they could get a decent haul in return for him.

 

[sunsfan88]

They should keep Dragic to take the pressure off Bledsoe imo. When playing with Dragic, Bledsoe has much more energy throughout the whole game and is much better on the defensive side also.

The Suns as a team are more dangerous when they have more than just one shot creator.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I don't think there's a bonanza in the waiting if we trade Dragic. I like him but I don't think there's a line forming to acquire Goran and I can't see us getting much more than an average player and a protected 1 for him. We might get lucky and get some team's "Bledsoe" but that doesn't happen often.

Steve

 

[sunsfan88]

I don't think there's a bonanza in the waiting if we trade Dragic. I like him but I don't think there's a line forming to acquire Goran and I can't see us getting much more than an average player and a protected 1 for him. We might get lucky and get some team's "Bledsoe" but that doesn't happen often.

Steve

If NY continues to struggle, we could maybe get Shumpert for him. I don't know if that would be a good deal for us or not but I have heard Shumpert has a lot of potential and Suns have had interest in him in the past.