2018-19 Season | Point Guard Discussion

[JCSunsfan]

I'm not saying the Nets will trade Dinwiddie but when he was extended, he became a more valuable trade asset.

The Nets will likely continue their current path but it's not impossible they cash in an asset(s) to improve their team. A young player and a first round pick might get their attention.

Nets are more likely to trade DAR than Dinwiddie IMO. But they can play together.

 

[Mainstreet]

Nets are more likely to trade DAR than Dinwiddie IMO. But they can play together.

I guess it depends upon who becomes available and not just with the Nets. I'd prefer a point guard that can distribute and shoot good enough to keep defenses honest. The ability to play defense wouldn't hurt either. I'm not looking for a big name.

Rubio might work.

 

[slinslin]

Dinwiddie is a curious case to me

He had a similiar hot start last year and people talked about him. Then he finished the season barely shooting 30% from 3 and overall terrible efficiency.

But yeah the Nets are way more likely to move Russell.

In fact I think they have no appetite of matching a sizable offer because it is risky. Russell is inconsistent and still not efficient.

I am considering him because of his connection to Booker but as intriguing as it sometimes seems it is always scary to think about it because I am not sure how well their playstyles mesh.

In the end I would be willing to make the gamble on Russell because as long as he can be decent on defense it should work. I think Russell and Booker can work as shared playmakers well and I like that Russell is a pretty good 3pt shooter and has good size and of course is still very young with LOTS of room to get better and better.

 

[Errntknght]

Who is this guy posing as slinslin? Ten posts in a row without denouncing anyone as an idiot... not to mention, fairly rational.

 

[Suns_fan69]

Dinwiddie is a curious case to me

He had a similiar hot start last year and people talked about him. Then he finished the season barely shooting 30% from 3 and overall terrible efficiency.

But yeah the Nets are way more likely to move Russell.

In fact I think they have no appetite of matching a sizable offer because it is risky. Russell is inconsistent and still not efficient.

I am considering him because of his connection to Booker but as intriguing as it sometimes seems it is always scary to think about it because I am not sure how well their playstyles mesh.

In the end I would be willing to make the gamble on Russell because as long as he can be decent on defense it should work. I think Russell and Booker can work as shared playmakers well and I like that Russell is a pretty good 3pt shooter and has good size and of course is still very young with LOTS of room to get better and better.

I think the big win with Russell would be allowing Booker to rest while still having a shot creator to share the court with the bench unit. Essentially a Crawford replacement, though he would be a less effective passer from what I remember seeing. Worth a gamble for sure if the price is right.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Dinwiddie is a curious case to me

He had a similiar hot start last year and people talked about him. Then he finished the season barely shooting 30% from 3 and overall terrible efficiency.

But yeah the Nets are way more likely to move Russell.

In fact I think they have no appetite of matching a sizable offer because it is risky. Russell is inconsistent and still not efficient.

I am considering him because of his connection to Booker but as intriguing as it sometimes seems it is always scary to think about it because I am not sure how well their playstyles mesh.

In the end I would be willing to make the gamble on Russell because as long as he can be decent on defense it should work. I think Russell and Booker can work as shared playmakers well and I like that Russell is a pretty good 3pt shooter and has good size and of course is still very young with LOTS of room to get better and better.

What is the world coming to? I find myself agreeing a lot with Slin lately. I, too, think Russell and Booker could play together. They can both play off the ball and they both can distribute. You almost get a little Isiah/Dumars or Lillard/CJM vibe going. How is DAR as a defender though? If he is not at least an average defender, I don't think it can work. We are probably better off just trying to develop Melton offensively.

 

[Mainstreet]

Only want to vent for a moment from a fan's perspective.

How can the Suns go two seasons in a row without finding a starting caliber point guard.

They had opportunities last summer in free agency and came away with Ariza. There may have been opportunities in the first round of the 2018 draft as well not to mention trades.

Of course there are explanations to be found but it almost seems like the Suns decided not to make a committed effort to win this season after saying otherwise.

Ironically the Suns have divested themselves of key scouts heading into the upcoming draft so if tanking for an early draft pick is their mission, their effort seems less than expected. And they don't even have an official general manager.

More likely the Suns are waiting for the right opportunity to cash in their draft assets for a player while fans dream about the draft. This seems to be the most supported strategy from comments I have read.

The most frustrating thing for me is I feel like a passenger on a runaway train.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Only want to vent for a moment from a fan's perspective.

How can the Suns go two seasons in a row without finding a starting caliber point guard.

They had opportunities last summer in free agency and came away with Ariza. There may have been opportunities in the first round of the 2018 draft as well not to mention trades.

Of course there are explanations to be found but it almost seems like the Suns decided not to make a committed effort to win this season after saying otherwise.

Ironically the Suns have divested themselves of key scouts heading into the upcoming draft so if tanking for an early draft pick is their mission, their effort seems less than expected. And they don't even have an official general manager.

More likely the Suns are waiting for the right opportunity to cash in their draft assets for a player while fans dream about the draft. This seems to be the most supported strategy from comments I have read.

The most frustrating thing for me is I feel like a passenger on a runaway train.

I think this, or something similar, was carved into stone when we made the decision a few years ago to bottom out. This is part of that process. Yes, we could have improved our point guard situation but at what cost? Even with an average point guard, we still aren't ready to win more than we lose. Sure, a 35 to 40 win team would be a lot more fun to watch but not if it in any way reduces our chances to become a real contender. I for one would hate to settle for mediocrity if greatness is just a few more bumps away. With our not so patient owner perhaps we should not have gone down this path in the first place but we did, and so, here we are.

 

[1Sun]

John Wall has opted for season ending surgery on his heel, so his value will never be lower. While it would be a major risk, I think the Suns at least have to consider offering up a buy-low package of, say, Ryan Anderson, the Wizards' choice of Okobo or Melton and the Milwaukee pick. Even with the large contract and health risk, I don't think we could do better on the free agent market in 2019. Thoughts?

 

[Mainstreet]

For what it is worth, it appears Wall is not a target of the Suns.

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[JCSunsfan]

For what it is worth, it appears Wall is not a target of the Suns.

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Hmm. Bone spurs. Wonder how that impacts a player long term. Might be a buy low moment for Wall. Just sayin.

 

[Mainstreet]

I think this, or something similar, was carved into stone when we made the decision a few years ago to bottom out. This is part of that process. Yes, we could have improved our point guard situation but at what cost? Even with an average point guard, we still aren't ready to win more than we lose. Sure, a 35 to 40 win team would be a lot more fun to watch but not if it in any way reduces our chances to become a real contender. I for one would hate to settle for mediocrity if greatness is just a few more bumps away. With our not so patient owner perhaps we should not have gone down this path in the first place but we did, and so, here we are.

The Suns have been bumping a long the bottom for years now. I'm not sure the plan has changed much.

I guess the Suns are holding out hope for a management position rather than achieving mediocrity first.

 

[1Sun]

Hmm. Bone spurs. Wonder how that impacts a player long term. Might be a buy low moment for Wall. Just sayin.

Especially when the alternative is either paying $20-25 million per season for Ricky Rubio, Terry Rozier or D'Angelo Russell or waiting (likely forever) for Okobo, Melton or Ja Morant to develop into a viable NBA starting point guard.

 

[Mainstreet]

Hmm. Bone spurs. Wonder how that impacts a player long term. Might be a buy low moment for Wall. Just sayin.

I guess a team with a lot of salary space and going nowhere might take a chance on Wall.

Although Wall is a much better player, his contract feels like a much worse version of Brandon Knight's salary.

 

[1Sun]

I guess a team with a lot of salary space and going nowhere might take a chance on Wall.

Doesn't that pretty much describe the Suns to a T?

 

[SactownSunsFan]

Any reason why we let Elfrid Payton walk? Despite the dumb hair (which he cut) he seemed to have a pretty well-rounded game, and in the least a competent starting PG. Better than any PG we have on the roster now and what he had a chance at signing in FA last off-season.

 

[1Sun]

Any reason why we let Elfrid Payton walk? Despite the dumb hair (which he cut) he seemed to have a pretty well-rounded game, and in the least a competent starting PG. Better than any PG we have on the roster now and what he had a chance at signing in FA last off-season.

And what we have a chance at signing in 2019...

 

[SirStefan32]

Any reason why we let Elfrid Payton walk? Despite the dumb hair (which he cut) he seemed to have a pretty well-rounded game, and in the least a competent starting PG. Better than any PG we have on the roster now and what he had a chance at signing in FA last off-season.

They wanted the cap space to sign free agents, which turned out to be Ariza.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Any reason why we let Elfrid Payton walk? Despite the dumb hair (which he cut) he seemed to have a pretty well-rounded game, and in the least a competent starting PG. Better than any PG we have on the roster now and what he had a chance at signing in FA last off-season.

Well. He played good for us for about a month and then totally checked out. We have had players do that for us lately. Bledsoe, Chandler, Payton, Ariza. In hindsight, we should have signed him. You have to wonder what went on behind the scenes to produce those results.

 

[JCSunsfan]

So. Guard pursuit this summer. We need a pure pg or a combo guard to take pressure off of Booker. So here are options.

Kyrie--Would love him but he is probably staying with Boston.
Kemba--Throw him the max, but it looks like Charlotte is going all in on Kemba.
Russell--Intriguing. Gettable I think. Should be a consideration.
Rozier--Also gettable, has managed the starting position well.
Rubio--Has limitations but also has a relationship with our coach. Would like better shooting.
Collison--Meh. Has some intriguing qualities.
Teague--Meh. Not killing it in Minny.
Beverly--Older, injury prone. Doesn't seem to fit
Brogdon--I like him a lot, but his a RFA that will probably be unconditionally matched.
McConnell--Good player but not starter quality.
Rose--Dark horse idea, has had very few healthy seasons but a remarkable talent and remaking himself. Major competitor.

SG's who could play along side Booker.

Jimmy Butler--hmmm. Yeah, theoretically it could work.
Klay Thompson--pipe dream but interesting. Too much like Booker, but wouldn't it be fun to steal him from the Warriors. NOt reality of course, but fun thought.

 

[GatorAZ]

I would rather see D’Lo Russell play with the team for a few months before signing him to an offer sheet. Like they did with Payton even if it means Okobo/MIL pick.

 

[AzStevenCal]

So. Guard pursuit this summer. We need a pure pg or a combo guard to take pressure off of Booker. So here are options.

Kyrie--Would love him but he is probably staying with Boston.
Kemba--Throw him the max, but it looks like Charlotte is going all in on Kemba.
Russell--Intriguing. Gettable I think. Should be a consideration.
Rozier--Also gettable, has managed the starting position well.
Rubio--Has limitations but also has a relationship with our coach. Would like better shooting.
Collison--Meh. Has some intriguing qualities.
Teague--Meh. Not killing it in Minny.
Beverly--Older, injury prone. Doesn't seem to fit
Brogdon--I like him a lot, but his a RFA that will probably be unconditionally matched.
McConnell--Good player but not starter quality.
Rose--Dark horse idea, has had very few healthy seasons but a remarkable talent and remaking himself. Major competitor.

SG's who could play along side Booker.

Jimmy Butler--hmmm. Yeah, theoretically it could work.
Klay Thompson--pipe dream but interesting. Too much like Booker, but wouldn't it be fun to steal him from the Warriors. NOt reality of course, but fun thought.

Nice list. I'd love Kemba, would be okay with Russell, wouldn't hate Brogdon or McConnell and could tolerate Rubio if the price was right. No way on Rozier, and I think it's a huge overstatement to say he's managed the starting position well but regardless, I wouldn't want him as a starter at any price. As for Rose, I fully expect him to disappear when he finally gets another big contract - the team that pays him major money will deserve the hell they'll likely get. Collison or Teague on the cheap might work for a short term fix. And a big no to Butler and yeah, Thompson is a pipe dream.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I would rather see D’Lo Russell play with the team for a few months before signing him to an offer sheet. Like they did with Payton even if it means Okobo/MIL pick.

For chemistry and fit? We already know what he can do but sure, it would be nice to know he wanted to be here and that he got along with his teammates.

He's not my kind of person (from what little I know of him) and not really my kind of player but our options aren't great. If he shows interest, he's probably our most reasonable target now or in the offseason.

 

[JCSunsfan]

For chemistry and fit? We already know what he can do but sure, it would be nice to know he wanted to be here and that he got along with his teammates.

He's not my kind of person (from what little I know of him) and not really my kind of player but our options aren't great. If he shows interest, he's probably our most reasonable target now or in the offseason.

For the record, I expect these guys to be different people at 23 or 24 than they were at 19. There is a whole lot of maturing that happens through that stage in life. He is worth a look.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I would rather see D’Lo Russell play with the team for a few months before signing him to an offer sheet. Like they did with Payton even if it means Okobo/MIL pick.

Interesting idea. There could be some free agency implications by trading for him first.

DAR's cap hold would be 9.1 million. If we buyout, waive, and stretch Anderson; let Jackson go; resign Oubre and Holmes; and still maintain our first rounder cap hold--we still would have around $22 million to spend on a free agent. Trading for DAR now means we can retain him for his cap hold even if we actually have to pay more for him in the end. I would not mind giving up Melton or Okobo for him, you can only carry so many young pg's anyway.