2016 Summer moves

[JCSunsfan]

2015 Summer moves

Oops. type. It should be 2015. Sorry.


Ok. So, thoughts on what should happen this summer. Let's assume we make the playoffs.

Assessment.

Guard rotation: To me, Knight and Bledsoe seem to look good together. Knight can pass, but is a good shooter and a decent defender. There is a really nice balance with the only weakness being turnovers. Add Archie as the third guard and I like that rotation for the future.

I think we have to let Green walk. It's Archie's time. As far as Bullock and Thornton, they are bench or trade fodder. I do not think anything really needs to be done with the guard rotation.

Center: Len is coming into his own. Next year should be super. Wright does a very nice, efficient job of backing him up. He is an ideal backup on a championship type team. He produces, doesn't hurt you, doesn't make mistakes and is content with his role. We could stand to add depth at C if we want to use Wright at PF. Resign Wright, add C depth, maybe with a draft pick or FA.

Forwards: As good as the Morris twins are, they are in the way. At the SF position, the long-term potential of Warren is greater than Marcus. He can score more often and more efficiently. I believe he will rebound as well, or better, and will be a better defender. Warren has the potential to be a star starter. PJ's future is off the bench.

Same with the PF position. Markieff is playing very well, but I believe he is at his ceiling. If this team is going to move up to contender level, we need a better starting pf. Kieff would be a super backup, but somehow I doubt he will be happy with that. We do not have an adequate backup either.

Its probably the moment to sell high on the MoBros. If we could package the two, and maybe a pick for an all-star level pf, that would be the move I would like to make, even if it was part of a sign and trade.

I want a player who has a versatile offensive game, but not necessarily a big time scorer. He needs to be an efficient scorer. He needs to be a good rebounder and a solid defender. And yes, I just described LMA. Portland will offer him a max deal, we could too. Doubt he will move. Is there a younger version of him anywhere?

Then let PJ and TJ handle the sf spot. PJ starts at the beginning of the season but TJ moves into the role as he develops.

Our only real task then would be to pick up a backup PF through free agency or the draft.

I think we are a star pf away from being an eventual contender. This team would take a couple of years together to get there, but the personnel would be in place.

 

[Mainstreet]

IMO, the Suns would have solved most of their front line issues, particularly on offense, if they could have traded for (and kept) Enes Kanter. Len and Kanter would have been potent.

 

[Suns_fan69]

If we let Green go, IMO we need to replace him with someone who can knock down open 3's consistently, and unfortunately Archie isn't that guy quite yet. I'd love to see what Bullock can do, he supposedly has a good stroke and a decent defender, but he can't seem to sniff the court.

 

[Mainstreet]

If we let Green go, IMO we need to replace him with someone who can knock down open 3's consistently, and unfortunately Archie isn't that guy quite yet. I'd love to see what Bullock can do, he supposedly has a good stroke and a decent defender, but he can't seem to sniff the court.

I'm not sure Archie will not be ready next season but I agree the Suns definitely need more 3 point shooters.

 

[leclerc]

They also need a backup point guard who can shoot. He doesn't need to do much except shoot it. A Kerr or some other little #4 white guy.

 

[hcsilla]

Jason Terry (he is not white, though).

 

[leclerc]

If he can wear #4 I'm okay with Jason Terry. He's not my first choice though.

The most important thing is getting better up front. We need a big boy with Alex Len and let the Morris brothers walk along with Gerald Green. Open a window and let the air in.

Someone please remind me what draft picks we have this summer...

 

[overseascardfan]

Honestly, I think PHX needs to pull out all the stops to bring in Love if he opts out. He is exactly what we need from the PF spot, plus he's young enough to build around (3 years younger than Aldridge). I don't feel there is a big in the draft that will help Day 1 except for Okafor and he ain't a PF. Guys like Turner, Portis, Lyles or Wood are guys that will take at least a couple of years away from contributing.

I think Aldridge will stay in POR as that team is young and built to contend for the next few years with him, Lilliard, Batum, etc. Love will be playing 3rd fiddle to James & Irving unless he leaves to go somewhere else. He would be the man here with Len and Knight as other pieces to build with, plus Bledsoe unless he is dealt to clear up more cap room to make Love an offer he can't refuse. The twins if they are still on the roster will come off the bench which is a role they are better suited for.

Aside from Love & Aldridge, there really isn't much else in the PF FA market unless PHX is willing to take a chance on a young, unproven guy with potential like Tristan Thompson or Ed Davis and hope they develop into a star.

 

[devilalum]

Honestly, I think PHX needs to pull out all the stops to bring in Love if he opts out. He is exactly what we need from the PF spot, plus he's young enough to build around (3 years younger than Aldridge). I don't feel there is a big in the draft that will help Day 1 except for Okafor and he ain't a PF. Guys like Turner, Portis, Lyles or Wood are guys that will take at least a couple of years away from contributing.

I think Aldridge will stay in POR as that team is young and built to contend for the next few years with him, Lilliard, Batum, etc. Love will be playing 3rd fiddle to James & Irving unless he leaves to go somewhere else. He would be the man here with Len and Knight as other pieces to build with, plus Bledsoe unless he is dealt to clear up more cap room to make Love an offer he can't refuse. The twins if they are still on the roster will come off the bench which is a role they are better suited for.

Aside from Love & Aldridge, there really isn't much else in the PF FA market unless PHX is willing to take a chance on a young, unproven guy with potential like Tristan Thompson or Ed Davis and hope they develop into a star.

IMO this kind of thinking is counterproductive. PHX is not currently a desired NBA destination. The only way the Suns are going to get better is to make smart trades, draft well and develop their young talent. They might pick up a role player in free agency but I hope they do so more intelligently than they did last summer. The last year has been a mess. Hopefully they have a better plan and are anticipating possible obstacles better than before.

I would like to see the Suns draft a big man, resolve their free agents quickly and then just tell the team we aren't going to make anymore changes until the deadline. We're going to step back and see what we've got. If you guys can come together and show steady improvement we'll leave it alone. Basically they need to call, "The Wolf."

 

[AzStevenCal]

Honestly, I think PHX needs to pull out all the stops to bring in Love if he opts out. He is exactly what we need from the PF spot, plus he's young enough to build around (3 years younger than Aldridge). I don't feel there is a big in the draft that will help Day 1 except for Okafor and he ain't a PF. Guys like Turner, Portis, Lyles or Wood are guys that will take at least a couple of years away from contributing.

I think Aldridge will stay in POR as that team is young and built to contend for the next few years with him, Lilliard, Batum, etc. Love will be playing 3rd fiddle to James & Irving unless he leaves to go somewhere else. He would be the man here with Len and Knight as other pieces to build with, plus Bledsoe unless he is dealt to clear up more cap room to make Love an offer he can't refuse. The twins if they are still on the roster will come off the bench which is a role they are better suited for.

Aside from Love & Aldridge, there really isn't much else in the PF FA market unless PHX is willing to take a chance on a young, unproven guy with potential like Tristan Thompson or Ed Davis and hope they develop into a star.

Maybe but I don't think we have any other talent that's ready to contend right now either so I'm fine with a work in progress big man (or three). If we had kept Goran, I'd think Love would be a great pickup but I don't think he's what this group needs. We need a vocal leader and we need some power down low. I don't see Kevin in either role.

Steve

 

[SirStefan32]

Maybe but I don't think we have any other talent that's ready to contend right now either so I'm fine with a work in progress big man (or three). If we had kept Goran, I'd think Love would be a great pickup but I don't think he's what this group needs. We need a vocal leader and we need some power down low. I don't see Kevin in either role.

Steve

I agree on both counts. I do think Love would be a good PF to play next to Len, but he would be a terrible fit with out guards. If Dragic were here, it would be different, but neither Bledsoe nor Knight would be good fit for Love. I still think Love will go to the Lakers.

 

[overseascardfan]

IMO this kind of thinking is counterproductive. PHX is not currently a desired NBA destination. The only way the Suns are going to get better is to make smart trades, draft well and develop their young talent. They might pick up a role player in free agency but I hope they do so more intelligently than they did last summer. The last year has been a mess. Hopefully they have a better plan and are anticipating possible obstacles better than before.

I would like to see the Suns draft a big man, resolve their free agents quickly and then just tell the team we aren't going to make anymore changes until the deadline. We're going to step back and see what we've got. If you guys can come together and show steady improvement we'll leave it alone. Basically they need to call, "The Wolf."

Not quite sure how trying to lure a superstar can be considered counterproductive as that is what this team is missing and they have to at least try, and FA is the best avenue of approach to get that superstar. As for PHX not being a desired destination, you throw enough money at a player, the destination becomes more appealing. The problem with this year's draft is that after the Top 5, the talent levels off and PHX is most likely going to land around 10 if they are lucky in the lottery. As for making trades, the only pieces PHX has that are tangible are Bledsoe and the twins that would fetch any kind of return, Knight & Len would be my keepers to build around, so trade options are very limited.

 

[devilalum]

Not quite sure how trying to lure a superstar can be considered counterproductive as that is what this team is missing and they have to at least try, and FA is the best avenue of approach to get that superstar. As for PHX not being a desired destination, you throw enough money at a player, the destination becomes more appealing. The problem with this year's draft is that after the Top 5, the talent levels off and PHX is most likely going to land around 10 if they are lucky in the lottery. As for making trades, the only pieces PHX has that are tangible are Bledsoe and the twins that would fetch any kind of return, Knight & Len would be my keepers to build around, so trade options are very limited.

Like last year when they cleared money to pursue Lebron. :laugh: All it did was delay us pursuing reality and make the Suns a big joke. To make an offer to Love they'd have to clear a bunch of cap and piss off the rest of the roster. I can't imagine that putting the team through the ringer year after year like this does much for team chemistry which IMO is pretty much non-existent and the moment.

 

[SweetD]

I see Millsaps as about the only option. Love and LMA are almost impossible to get.

The Morri are locked up and can be used in a trade, but there still are not that many PF that will fit. I could see trading EB in two-three years, if Knight keeps getting better and is resigned.

 

[devilalum]

I see Millsaps as about the only option. Love and LMA are almost impossible to get.

The Morri are locked up and can be used in a trade, but there still are not that many PF that will fit. I could see trading EB in two-three years, if Knight keeps getting better and is resigned.

The Suns pretty much locked themselves into the Morris brothers with that crazy contract they signed last summer. Sure Keef has trade value but he's not gonna get you a better PF in return and what team is going to acquire him without his brother? The whole league knows about their weird bond thing. IMO they're untradable unless you're willing to take pennies on the dollar.

 

[AzStevenCal]

The Suns pretty much locked themselves into the Morris brothers with that crazy contract they signed last summer. Sure Keef has trade value but he's not gonna get you a better PF in return and what team is going to acquire him without his brother? The whole league knows about their weird bond thing. IMO they're untradable unless you're willing to take pennies on the dollar.

I think you're wrong. IMO Keef earns that contract by himself or will when the cap jumps. If he was picking up 3 or 4 more boards a game he'd be one of the league's biggest stars. He leads the league in field goal percentage on go ahead shots in the 4th quarter (I think I have that right, maybe it's last 5 minutes though). That along is worth spending money on. If he was playing next to the Len of 2017 I think we'd have a much greater appreciation of his game.

Steve

 

[devilalum]

I think you're wrong. IMO Keef earns that contract by himself or will when the cap jumps. If he was picking up 3 or 4 more boards a game he'd be one of the league's biggest stars. He leads the league in field goal percentage on go ahead shots in the 4th quarter (I think I have that right, maybe it's last 5 minutes though). That along is worth spending money on. If he was playing next to the Len of 2017 I think we'd have a much greater appreciation of his game.

Steve

I guess I wasn't clear. I like Keef. I don't want the Suns to trade him. I just think he is untradable because of the weird twin situation. I know if I was a GM I would be worried about separating him from his brother. The reason he took less was so his bother could get more. There must be some expectation that they stay together.

 

[Mainstreet]

I think you're wrong. IMO Keef earns that contract by himself or will when the cap jumps. If he was picking up 3 or 4 more boards a game he'd be one of the league's biggest stars. He leads the league in field goal percentage on go ahead shots in the 4th quarter (I think I have that right, maybe it's last 5 minutes though). That along is worth spending money on. If he was playing next to the Len of 2017 I think we'd have a much greater appreciation of his game.

Steve

This is why I don't fret paying Marcus his salary. The Suns should keep both players unless something extraordinary comes along. The Suns should be looking to add bigs to go with what they have.

 

[overseascardfan]

Maybe but I don't think we have any other talent that's ready to contend right now either so I'm fine with a work in progress big man (or three). If we had kept Goran, I'd think Love would be a great pickup but I don't think he's what this group needs. We need a vocal leader and we need some power down low. I don't see Kevin in either role.

Steve

Oh, I still say one of those 3 should be the pick if PHX lands #10 - #14 (Portis, Wood, Turner would be my order of preference) but PHX could use an upgrade at the starting PF position (rebounding & defense) over Markieff next season. Love or Aldridge may not be the vocal leader or dominant low post player but their rebounding and ability to space the floor would really help. Ed Davis would provide both rebounding and defense who could develop if given steady playing time.

A vocal, true post threat just isn't available in FA or in a trade that I can see, at least not from the PF position.

 

[iLLmatiC]

Trade everyone not named Len, TJ Warren, Brandon Knight, and possibly Archie Goodwin.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Oh, I still say one of those 3 should be the pick if PHX lands #10 - #14 (Portis, Wood, Turner would be my order of preference) but PHX could use an upgrade at the starting PF position (rebounding & defense) over Markieff next season. Love or Aldridge may not be the vocal leader or dominant low post player but their rebounding and ability to space the floor would really help. Ed Davis would provide both rebounding and defense who could develop if given steady playing time.

A vocal, true post threat just isn't available in FA or in a trade that I can see, at least not from the PF position.

I like Wood but not at our pick, he's far too big a risk IMO. I might gamble on Loony but I'd prefer Portis or Kaminsky if either is there. Myles is also a huge risk but I think he has a better chance of paying off than Christian does. Anyway, I'd like to stay with one of the safer options with our first pick and gamble on our second. Someone like Beejay Anya. He's probably gone late in the first round just on the strength of his nearly 8 foot wingspan but I would consider giving up our second and Cleveland's 2016 1st if he's still there late in the first round.

My point wasn't that we have to find our leader this season. I just don't think we contend until we gain some experience, upgrade our talent level a bit and add some talent and muscle down low. Love is the kind of player I'd want to add to a team that is almost there. And we ain't. Besides, I'm still hoping for a lottery miracle that lands us Okafor or Towns.

Steve

 

[slinslin]

We are not going to turn around in this summer..

Draft day will be key and next season we will still be rebuilding..

KJ McDaniels is one of the more interesting FAs.

 

[BC867]

This is why I don't fret paying Marcus his salary. The Suns should keep both players unless something extraordinary comes along. The Suns should be looking to add bigs to go with what they have.

With the outrageous behavior the Suns have had to deal with from the twins following Marcus' demotion from the starting lineup, can you imagine doing the same to Markieff and keeping them here?

Any talk of strengthening our starting PF position has to include moving the twins to a new team -- a fresh opportunity.

And because of having signed them to a contract where they chose the disbursement from a group offer, this weakens the Suns' bargaining power in seeking a trade.

The gimmick of the 2nd Dragic was a throw-in. Such is not the case with the Morris's.

 

[Mainstreet]

With the outrageous behavior the Suns have had to deal with from the twins following Marcus' demotion from the starting lineup, can you imagine doing the same to Markieff and keeping them here?

Any talk of strengthening our starting PF position has to include moving the twins to a new team -- a fresh opportunity.

And because of having signed them to a contract where they chose the disbursement from a group offer, this weakens the Suns' bargaining power in seeking a trade.

The gimmick of the 2nd Dragic was a throw-in. Such is not the case with the Morris's.

I'm more worried why the Suns did not go after a center like Enes Kanter. He is playing well for OKC. Today he had 21 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists in helping beat Toronto. The Suns couldn't cough up a first round pick or whatever for a young center?

 

[Phrazbit]

I'm more worried why the Suns did not go after a center like Enes Kanter. He is playing well for OKC. Today he had 21 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists in helping beat Toronto. The Suns couldn't cough up a first round pick or whatever for a young center?

If Utah wanted a pick that would be converted in the near future then no, the Suns probably didn't want to cough up a pick. And the bigger problem I'm sure is the contract situation, Kanter is about to be a free agent, unless they promised him the starting job over Len, which would not be a pleasant way to reward Len for his improvement, then keeping Kanter happy would be tough.