2018-19 Season | Point Guard Discussion

[BC867]

According to Gambo, who we all know has pretty direct sources, that is exactly what happened. And it was Sarver, not Jones.

What is your opinion, guys. Does the Managing investor make the GM decisions on most other NBA teams? Is veto power part of their job? I could see it if he is a basketball expert.

If so, wouldn't it reflect badly on him as the person who hired the GM to run the show, then overrides him?

If not, wouldn't it reflect badly on the Managing investor for not letting the Suns Front Office do its job?

 

[Proximo]

I'm not buying that Shai trade. Seems convenient for Gambo to make that claim now. Why not a month ago, why not before McD was fired? The timing of the "news" is off.

He made it on draft night too.

People blasted him for it, which I don’t understand. You want him to give you a scoop then call him a hack for being wrong when the suns changed their plan at the last minute to make a trade for Bridges instead.

 

[Hoop Head]

What is your opinion, guys. Does the Managing investor make the GM decisions on most other NBA teams? Is veto power part of their job? I could see it if he is a basketball expert.

If so, wouldn't it reflect badly on him as the person who hired the GM to run the show, then overrides him?

If not, wouldn't it reflect badly on the Managing investor for not letting the Suns Front Office do its job?

There is absolutely zero evidence that Sarver nixed the trade for Shai. We don't even know what the trade might have been. For all we know, if it existed, it involved our 1st this year and JJ which would have been an overpay. There's no way to know. It's all conjecture that's conveniently come up 5 months after the draft with zero evidence and the person pushing the narrative was wrong a number of times live during the draft. So his track record in this record is really shoddy at best.

When Sarver deserves blame, blame away. I'll help sharpen the pitchforks. This is not a time to get upset with him over something that may or may not have happened during the draft. If it did, I almost can't blame him for being cautious. McD's record at the draft has been poor and we all know he had a fetish for UK guards, and only 1 of them actually panned out here during his time. We've had Knight, Bledsoe, Goodwin, Booker, and Ulis. The one that worked the best here wasn't even a start UK, Booker.

We know McD has made picks without doing his due diligence before, see Bender and Chriss, and I can see Sarver, Jones, and everyone else groaning if McD popped up and said "Hey I got a trade to get Shai from the Hornet, you know, the PG from Kentucky!" and at that point they ask why he was at the top of his PG draft board and McD starts rambling about Calipari and Wildcats, the wrong kind of Wildcats at that. The blue ones.

 

[Hoop Head]

He made it on draft night too.

People blasted him for it, which I don’t understand. You want him to give you a scoop then call him a hack for being wrong when the suns changed their plan at the last minute to make a trade for Bridges instead.

He didn't say we had a trade for Shai, he said there was a trade with the Suns and Charlotte, disappeared, and then came back and said his source was wrong and it was a trade between LA and Charlotte. He's changed his story multiple times and conveniently deleted tweets that showed he was wrong. He did not announce a trade for Shai though. He said a trade was made, the Suns had that pick, and then backtracked it. If he was lying or covering for himself, who knows, but he didn't announce the Suns made a deal for Shai specifically or mention anything involved other than the draft pick that was on the clock.

 

[1Sun]

In case there are those of you who don't know the history, I believe it is all but a foregone conclusion that Gambo's source with the Suns is Sarver himself. If he reports anything about any action of Sarver or interaction with Sarver, I would tend to believe it.

 

[Proximo]

He didn't say we had a trade for Shai, he said there was a trade with the Suns and Charlotte, disappeared, and then came back and said his source was wrong and it was a trade between LA and Charlotte. He's changed his story multiple times and conveniently deleted tweets that showed he was wrong. He did not announce a trade for Shai though. He said a trade was made, the Suns had that pick, and then backtracked it. If he was lying or covering for himself, who knows, but he didn't announce the Suns made a deal for Shai specifically or mention anything involved other than the draft pick that was on the clock.

I think he did mention it would be for Shai, but even if he didn’t it was obvious to me at the time who the trade was for because both Charlotte and the clippers were highly interested in him going into the draft, as were the suns.

 

[Proximo]

In case there are those of you who don't know the history, I believe it is all but a foregone conclusion that Gambo's source with the Suns is Sarver himself. If he reports anything about any action of Sarver or interaction with Sarver, I would tend to believe it.

Yes. Gambo does have good sources with the suns, despite the way he is bashed by most fans.

 

[Hoop Head]

Yes. Gambo does have good sources with the suns, despite the way he is bashed by most fans.

I will give him credit when it's due but he hasn't broken any news for quite some time. He was caught off guard by the Anderson/Chriss & Knight trade, the Ariza signing, the Dudley trade, McD's firing, Canaan being waived. He also said during Summer League that Reed had ZERO chance of making the team, the Suns were going to waive him once it finished and they were only playing him to showcase him for a new team. That didn't go down like that. Reed was the last guard standing, kept longer than Shaq, who he said would be our starting PG this season when training camp started, he didn't make opening day roster. Gambo also didn't have a clue about Crawford. So these great sources have provided him what, exactly?

 

[Mainstreet]

I will give him credit when it's due but he hasn't broken any news for quite some time. He was caught off guard by the Anderson/Chriss & Knight trade, the Ariza signing, the Dudley trade, McD's firing, Canaan being waived. He also said during Summer League that Reed had ZERO chance of making the team, the Suns were going to waive him once it finished and they were only playing him to showcase him for a new team. That didn't go down like that. Reed was the last guard standing, kept longer than Shaq, who he said would be our starting PG this season when training camp started, he didn't make opening day roster. Gambo also didn't have a clue about Crawford. So these great sources have provided him what, exactly?

IIRC, Gambo was also scrambling to learn about the Suns trade for Bridges during the draft.

 

[Hoop Head]

IIRC, Gambo was also scrambling to learn about the Suns trade for Bridges during the draft.

Gambo really choked during the draft. Maybe it's just who he is, and his personality, but he always comes across like he's the smartest guy in the room who knows all sides of everything so when he was repeatedly wrong on draft night it got to him. You could tell by his tone that he was frustrated because he was in the dark but he was doing a live show. I remember him announcing the Suns selected DiVincenzo only for the feed to go to the commissioner who announced Zhaire Smith as the selection. At that point in the night it was a fitting end to his coverage, basically. Woj and Sham had already posted the trade but Gambo was stubborningly trying to figure out what was going on.

I've heard a number of people try to say whose Gambo's source within the Suns is. McD is the only person who has ever been ruled out, I think. Some have said Sarver, some said Dragic, some said Dudley, some have said Mark West, Hornacek, Majerle, Chambers. I've heard a lot of different names. I think Sarver might feed him some stuff but only what he won't come out and say himself. When Gambo is handling that stuff it's really obvious though.

 

[azsouthendzone]

Suns could have traded up to take Gilgeous-Alexander. Instead they took Bridges. No matter whose fault it is, they will regret that forever. SGA is the poo and he is going to be great. Huge mistake.

 

[SirStefan32]

Suns could have traded up to take Gilgeous-Alexander. Instead they took Bridges. No matter whose fault it is, they will regret that forever. SGA is the **** and he is going to be great. Huge mistake.

I doubt it.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Suns could have traded up to take Gilgeous-Alexander. Instead they took Bridges. No matter whose fault it is, they will regret that forever. SGA is the **** and he is going to be great. Huge mistake.

We really don't know if that's true and even if it is true, we have no idea of what the cost would have been. There's little reason to assume it would have been the same deal that netted us Bridges. And Bridges, when he adds a little muscle, is going to be one of the best 3 and D guys in the league. I was excited when it first leaked that we had made a trade (before the details came out) because SGA just made so much sense for us but I have not been at all unhappy with the rookie we did trade for.

 

[1tinsoldier]

as i believe i mentioned 2 weeks ago, a swap of JJ for Fultz makes sense but i don't know if i'd do it
this writer thinks we should and include our Milwaukee pick too
https://www.metro.us/sports/philadelphia/markelle-fultz-nba-trade-rumors-cavaliers-magic-suns

it makes sense because we need Fultz's position more than JJ's
but we do need JJ's aggression and i believe he's got a better bbiq and has a slightly better chance of getting his act together

i'd have to think hard about a jj for fultz swap straight-up

 

[Hoop Head]

as i believe i mentioned 2 weeks ago, a swap of JJ for Fultz makes sense but i don't know if i'd do it
this writer thinks we should and include our Milwaukee pick too
https://www.metro.us/sports/philadelphia/markelle-fultz-nba-trade-rumors-cavaliers-magic-suns

it makes sense because we need Fultz's position more than JJ's
but we do need JJ's aggression and i believe he's got a better bbiq and has a slightly better chance of getting his act together

i'd have to think hard about a jj for fultz swap straight-up

Fultz is way too much of a gamble for JJ and the Bucks pick. I would do the Bucks pick and filler, that's it. JJ would be off the board completely for Fultz.

 

[overseascardfan]

Fultz is way too much of a gamble for JJ and the Bucks pick. I would do the Bucks pick and filler, that's it. JJ would be off the board completely for Fultz.

Agreed, Fultz value is as low as it gets. The situation with PHI is not salvageable as the players are tired of the drama. Ironically, I've seen Fultz for Ball rumors, but if I was PHX maybe Bender and a pick.

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

Spencer Dinwiddie is still my target. Love this guy. He'll either get an extension on December 8th, or he'll be an unrestricted free agent this offseason.

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

 

[azsouthendzone]

We really don't know if that's true and even if it is true, we have no idea of what the cost would have been. There's little reason to assume it would have been the same deal that netted us Bridges. And Bridges, when he adds a little muscle, is going to be one of the best 3 and D guys in the league. I was excited when it first leaked that we had made a trade (before the details came out) because SGA just made so much sense for us but I have not been at all unhappy with the rookie we did trade for.

Well we do know that Bridges was drafted at 10. SGA was drafted at 11. Ten comes before eleven. So you are right, but.....

I watch pretty much every Suns and Clippers game. I can confidently tell you that SGA will be better than Bridges and what makes it worse is the PG situation on the Suns. If they had that opportunity, whomever screwed it up shouldn't be involved with any decisions moving forward. If that person is the owner well, smh. I think it was that big of a blunder. Just my opinion.

 

[1Sun]

Well we do know that Bridges was drafted at 10. SGA was drafted at 11. Ten comes before eleven. So you are right, but.....

I watch pretty much every Suns and Clippers game. I can confidently tell you that SGA will be better than Bridges and what makes it worse is the PG situation on the Suns. If they had that opportunity, whomever screwed it up shouldn't be involved with any decisions moving forward. If that person is the owner well, smh. I think it was that big of a blunder. Just my opinion.

I still like Bridges more as a prospect, but not enough more to ignore a significant need on the roster.

 

[slinslin]

Well we do know that Bridges was drafted at 10. SGA was drafted at 11. Ten comes before eleven. So you are right, but.....

I watch pretty much every Suns and Clippers game. I can confidently tell you that SGA will be better than Bridges and what makes it worse is the PG situation on the Suns. If they had that opportunity, whomever screwed it up shouldn't be involved with any decisions moving forward. If that person is the owner well, smh. I think it was that big of a blunder. Just my opinion.

The trade for #10 only became available after Bridges was already picked and Zhaire was still on the board, please think!

 

[Western Font]

I love the narrative of Fultz coming to Phoenix and thriving, but that’s why I shouldn’t be GM.

Jackson’s play this year, alongside Bridges’ arrival and Warren’s elevation, doesn’t make me feel he’s as untouchable as I did before the season began. But it’s still easy to imagine JJ as an instant contributor in Philly, while Fultz in Phoenix would have to be seen to be believed.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I love the narrative of Fultz coming to Phoenix and thriving, but that’s why I shouldn’t be GM.

Jackson’s play this year, alongside Bridges’ arrival and Warren’s elevation, doesn’t make me feel he’s as untouchable as I did before the season began. But it’s still easy to imagine JJ as an instant contributor in Philly, while Fultz in Phoenix would have to be seen to be believed.

I think Jj’s an awful fit in Philly. You need shooters alongside Simmons.

 

[JCSunsfan]

The trade for #10 only became available after Bridges was already picked and Zhaire was still on the board, please think!

Gambo was reporting that the Suns had a deal in place with the Charlotte to move up to 11 and draft SGA. He even announced it. Then someone in the Suns front office nixed the trade.

Philly picked Mikal but then when the Suns 16 pick came around and Smith was still on the board, Philly called the Suns back (there had been earlier negotiations) and asked if the Suns were still interested in Bridges.

So here is the question. Who negotiated the trade and who nixed it? Who were the Suns going to give up for the #11 pick. This is the time when people will get all over Sarver for meddling. It was Sarver most likely, but we do not know for sure. But the other question is what were they giving up? What was it that Charlotte would have wanted?

Bender? There were a lot of good feelings about Bender at draft time.
Chriss? He was still an asset.
TJ. He would have been a piece most of us would have traded at that time without too much worry.
2019 Suns pick. I could see that pick being in the mix and someone on the Suns wanting to hold it.
Miami pick. Absolutely. Everyone wanted that asset from us.
Milwaukee pick. Maybe, but it would have taken more.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I went back and re-watched Okobo in the Clippers game. I have to admit, he did look really good. The Clips guards are no defensive slouches.

 

[AzStevenCal]

This is the time when people will get all over Sarver for meddling. It was Sarver most likely, but we do not know for sure.

I think, clearly, it was Sarver or it was Jones if it actually went down the way Gambo reported. And honestly, I don't know which one would be worse. Also, as you mentioned, we don't know what the cost would have been for SGA. Perhaps it was overruled because it required our unprotected pick this season or something like that.