2014 Free Agents

[Mainstreet]

I don't know how I feel about Hayward, he hasn't been all that impressive when I've watched him and rumors are he's after a huge payday. I guess I'd be fine with it given that it's a safe bet that Jeff will have had a lot of input on that decision. He certainly knows Gordon's game a lot better than I do. I think it would signal the end for either Tucker or Green if not both of them unless we really do end up parting ways with Bledsoe (or even Goran).

Obviously I am not impressed by Hayward. I guess if Hornacek wants him, I'd be alright with it. Afterall, the coaching is not good in Utah and maybe many of the players want out.

The Suns need to keep Green and Tucker if at all possible.

 

[slinslin]

This year is when we can still sign a major FA.

In 2015 our caproom will be gone with the extensions for Bledsoe, Morris and Dragic very likely opting out in 2015 for a bigger deal.

 

[sunsfan88]

This year is when we can still sign a major FA.

In 2015 our caproom will be gone with the extensions for Bledsoe, Morris and Dragic very likely opting out in 2015 for a bigger deal.

Bledsoe won't be a FA in 2015.

Green will be though.

 

[Catlover]

Bledsoe won't be a FA in 2015.

Green will be though.

His point was that our cap room will be gone because by that time we will have had to give out big contracts to Bledsoe and others (or lose them) and he's right. We'll hopefully give Eric the max this offseason and we'll probably have to give Goran a nice raise when he takes his player option.

 

[slinslin]

I can't wait for free agency.. we can go a lot of ways..

Obviously forward positions are our biggest concern in my opinion. We could really use an upgrade as a SF/G or F/C.

We could even go for the big star like Lebron or Carmelo or for the aging stars Dirk and Pau or potential stars like Monroe and Turner or good players like Deng and so on.

I hate the idea of getting older but Dirk and Pau would be cool. Pau at center, Dirk at PF.

 

[Mainstreet]

I can't wait for free agency.. we can go a lot of ways..

Obviously forward positions are our biggest concern in my opinion. We could really use an upgrade as a SF/G or F/C.

We could even go for the big star like Lebron or Carmelo or for the aging stars Dirk and Pau or potential stars like Monroe and Turner or good players like Deng and so on.

I hate the idea of getting older but Dirk and Pau would be cool. Pau at center, Dirk at PF.

Yes to Lebron but I don't see it. I've never been a fan of Carmelo but I could live with it if that is want McDonough wants. I don't see Dirk leaving Dallas. In regard to Pau, it would depend on the contract but I would prefer if the Suns went with a young rising star.

 

[Cheesebeef]

i could live with Melo if McDonough and Horny think it will work. As much crap as I give Melo, this is the first time in his entire career that he's going to miss the playoffs. He's taken a team to the WCF before, he almost took that woeful Knicks team to the ECF last year. The guy's got a lot of talent and when coached by a good HC in Karl had some success. Maybe he just needs a change of scenery and the type of talent we have on this team.

I don't know...I trust our FO to make the right decision there either way.

 

[HooverDam]

I'd only want Melo if the Suns were committed to playing him at the 4 where he's beast. I know BC will come in and moan the lack of traditional size, but that's where Melo is best. When Melo tears it up, its when he's at the 4, out quicking guys and staying near the basket.

Put him at the 3 and he ends up putting up too many awful long 2's and being less efficient.

Obviously having him at the 4 is a disadvantage on defense. Though hopefully if Len grows into a rim protector and the Suns have a long/tall defender at the 3, they can make up for that. Someone like a superior PJ Tucker at the 3, someone in the mold of a Shawn Marion/Gerald Wallace type. Though PJ can hold down that fort for the time being.

 

[slinslin]

Chandler Parsons is another interesting candidate if he is a RFA.

Would much rather give him a big contract than Hayward.

 

[Covert Rain]

I'd only want Melo if the Suns were committed to playing him at the 4 where he's beast. I know BC will come in and moan the lack of traditional size, but that's where Melo is best. When Melo tears it up, its when he's at the 4, out quicking guys and staying near the basket.

Put him at the 3 and he ends up putting up too many awful long 2's and being less efficient.

Obviously having him at the 4 is a disadvantage on defense. Though hopefully if Len grows into a rim protector and the Suns have a long/tall defender at the 3, they can make up for that. Someone like a superior PJ Tucker at the 3, someone in the mold of a Shawn Marion/Gerald Wallace type. Though PJ can hold down that fort for the time being.

Huh? Melo is a very tiny 4 and that means playing small ball again. No thank you. We will get murdered on the boards.

No Melo. No more small ball. It's pointless and will never net a title IMO.

 

[HooverDam]

Huh? Melo is a very tiny 4 and that means playing small ball again. No thank you. We will get murdered on the boards.

No Melo. No more small ball. It's pointless and will never net a title IMO.

Thats silly platitudes. The Heat have won titles with LeBron at the 4. Melo has consistently played his best when at the 4.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Thats silly platitudes. The Heat have won titles with LeBron at the 4. Melo has consistently played his best when at the 4.

I don't think you can compare anything a team with easily the best player in the game (and one of the best of all time, if not THE best of all time when all is said and done) as proof that a team with Melo at the 4 can work to net anyone a title.

 

[Superbone]

I don't think you can compare anything a team with easily the best player in the game (and one of the best of all time, if not THE best of all time when all is said and done) as proof that a team with Melo at the 4 can work to net anyone a title.

Plus, LeBron has the body of a lineman.

 

[Covert Rain]

Thats silly platitudes. The Heat have won titles with LeBron at the 4. Melo has consistently played his best when at the 4.

How does that matter? LeBron is one of the best all around players and hardly one dimensional. Not to mention for every LeBron at the 4 I can name a ton of undersized 4's that have not done squat when played out of position.

I don't see how that comparison is any indication whatsoever that it would work. I guarantee there are more examples of it not working.

I don't think you can compare anything a team with easily the best player in the game (and one of the best of all time, if not THE best of all time when all is said and done) as proof that a team with Melo at the 4 can work to net anyone a title.

 

[Mainstreet]

I think it's all about gathering several star quality players and then add them to a strong supporting cast. I don't think Melo need play the PF position to be effective. If the Suns could sign Melo, if he makes the choice to be a FA, then re-sign Bledsoe and have a good draft, then they would be on their way.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Coaches play small ball because it often works.

Fans don't like it because it sometimes doesn't.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I have no real interest in Carmelo but I'd hope he'd be our four if we went after him. He's too big of a liability at small forward defensively. And I disagree with the people that say we'd be playing small ball. He's the same height as Brandon Bass and just watching Melo he appears to be a better player as a power forward than a small forward. He'd easily be our most physical player from day one. He's a hybrid forward as it is and he averaged 8 rebounds a game despite spending time on the wings. Eight isn't great but it's not bad for that style of play. It's not an ideal choice but if I had to watch Carmelo play basketball on my team I'd much rather he be doing it from the power spot.

Steve

 

[Covert Rain]

Coaches play small ball because it often works.

Fans don't like it because it sometimes doesn't.

Define "plays small ball" and "often works". Those are pretty broad statements. Do coaches sometimes shuffle in small units for short periods? Sure they do. Does it sometimes work as a spark in games? OK.

I think what I am referencing as well as others is there are no teams in the NBA that have shown a tremendous amount of success (meaning titles) when using small ball as their primary lineup. To me that shows the opposite of "works".

 

[Absolute Zero]

C - H - E - M - I - S - T - R - Y

Let's not forget about that, when thinking about adding this free agent or that

 

[PhxGametime]

I'd prefer Luol Deng at the PF spot if they went small. Though he'd probably play at SF, as well. IMO, he fits into the way Suns are having ball in Bledsoe/Dragic hands; and he can catch and shoot, drive, or pull up off of their penetration; is solid defensively; decent passer, ball handler, etc.

He might not be a great rebounder but he is unrestricted FA, so the Suns wouldn't use assets to acquire him thus using Draft Picks in which fashion they choose. Jordan Hill is also unrestricted FA...

 

[HooverDam]

How does that matter? LeBron is one of the best all around players and hardly one dimensional. Not to mention for every LeBron at the 4 I can name a ton of undersized 4's that have not done squat when played out of position.

I don't see how that comparison is any indication whatsoever that it would work. I guarantee there are more examples of it not working.

My point is: more or less any style can win in the NBA if you have great players and run that style effectively. Perimeter oriented teams have won the title, so have interior oriented teams. Big teams have won the title, so have small teams.

Look at Melo's shot charts, he's better near the bucket. He plays nearer to the bucket when he's forced to be a PF. Watch USA Basketball, while at the 4 Melo is often dominant. At the 3 he's often a ball stopper who shoots up long 2's.

Melo isn't particularly "under sized" for the 4 in today's NBA. Melo+a center is only going to cost you against a very small number of teams (i.e. Memphis), most nights it'd work out just fine.

Its very frustrating when people rely on tradition instead of actual analysis for where a player should play. Zach Low wrote a piece back in '12 about how Melo is often better at the 4 (but will likely to continue to split time between the 3 and 4):

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/can-carmelo-anthony-really-play-power-forward-and-should-he/

Bleacher Report had a similar piece

Thats not to say he should NEVER play the 3. But lets say he was on the Suns, that means between your 3 small positions (Dragic, Bledsoe, Melo) you have 0 guys who have been excellent outside shooters over their careers. You're going to get into major spacing issues w/ Melo, Dragic and Bledsoe all wanting to drive from the outside all the time. At the 4 Melo can start lower and allow guys like PJ Tucker to spread the floor w/ corner 3's while playing SF.

If defense is the worry, there's not much that can be done there. Melo is a minus defender no matter where he plays. Like Amare, he's not really interested in defense. Note: in my initial post on this I said it would best if the Suns had a rim protector at the 5 and a swiss army knife Gerald Wallace/Shawn Marion type at the 3 to help make up for Melo on defense.

 

[slinslin]

Melo gets a lot of undeserved criticism. That New York roster was and is a mess and Woodson not a good coach in my opinion.

Melo would work well for us, no matter if at the 3 or 4. He was great in Denver.

If we keep Frye, who I think will definitely opt out, then Melo at the 3 would be a great match for him. Frye does not occupy the space that Melo likes to operate unlike Melo and Amare.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Melo gets a lot of undeserved criticism. That New York roster was and is a mess and Woodson not a good coach in my opinion.

Melo would work well for us, no matter if at the 3 or 4. He was great in Denver.

If we keep Frye, who I think will definitely opt out, then Melo at the 3 would be a great match for him. Frye does not occupy the space that Melo likes to operate unlike Melo and Amare.

why do you think Frye will definitely opt out?

 

[slinslin]

He is not getting younger and with his medical condition can he really wait 1 more year to sign his possibly last contract?

 

[Mainstreet]

My point is: more or less any style can win in the NBA if you have great players and run that style effectively. Perimeter oriented teams have won the title, so have interior oriented teams. Big teams have won the title, so have small teams.

This is how I feel as well although I have always coveted a talented big man since the Suns lost the Kareem coin flip. The Suns have been short changed in this area over the years.

I think Dragic, Bledsoe and Melo could do it for the Suns if they could strengthen their front line and add more depth.