Are Rookie Free Agents Being Considered?

[Irish]

Steve Kerr's video report on suns.com was mostly "same old, same old" about Lopez, Tucker and Strawberry. But he finished with a very interesting item about their being able to scout guys at Las Vegas and that there are a couple of guys they are interested in. Naturally, he refused to name who these guys are.

The fact that they are even considering rookie free agents is a shift in strategy. Going into free agency we were given the imporession that it would all be veterans.

From all indications, their initial plan was to try to sign Brent Barry, Tyrone Lue, and Brian Skinner. Barry was viewed as a three point specialist, Lue a backup PG who could shoot, and Skinner as the fourth inside guy.

From what I can tell, Barry and Lue got a lot more money than anyone expected. But then the Suns got Banres who was expected to get more than Barry and Lue received. Adding Barnes has pushed Diaw back to the inside, which has made it even less likely that Skinner will choose to return.

Geting an experienced big willing to be the 5th guy on the inside may prove to be difficult. There aren't that many guys and most of them are available for a reason. Marks is not that exciting, but neither is anybody else. So this MAY mean the Suns could consider a rookie free agent instead.

Who? One guy who had a good camp was Charles Rhodes. He is a free agent and is expected to be invited to the Mavs camp, but the Mavs already have 13 guys under contract.

http://www.star-telegram.com/287/story/786991.html

(Donn) Nelson said Charles Rhodes, a bruising 6-8, 245-pound forward from Mississippi State, and JaJuan Smith, a 6-2 guard from Tennessee, will likely be invited to fall training camp.

"Rhodes is real athletic and showed really good promise," Nelson said. "Smith is a guy we have our eye on. The rest are open for discussion."

RHODES: 6.8" 245 He has a standing reach of 8'11" 33.5" verticle leap (OK but not great) but a 3.13 3/4 court sprint (very fast)
http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-pre...s.php?year=2008&sort2=DESC&draft=&pos=&sort=6

Las Vegas - 19 minutes a game, 10.8 ppg, 64.5% shooting, 77.8% free throw shooting, 6.0 rpg (0316 per minute).
College, 7.8 rpg, 17.4 ppg, and 56.2% shooting.

Here is some DX comments: http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Charles-Rhodes-1126/

It may be they have someone else in mind, but IMHO Rhodes appears to be the type of guy the Suns could look at for the deep roster slot.

 

[mojorizen7]

Where's Danny Fortson?

 

[Mainstreet]

Right now I don't see the Suns front line hurting too much with Shaq, Lopez, Stoudemire, Diaw, Barnes and Hill. Of course I like Skinner but maybe the Suns want to add another shooter or a PG. I really haven't followed the summer league much but I can see the Suns going this direction as well. I will be glad when the Suns find out more about Dragic. If Dragic doesn't come over, I could see the Suns adding a veteran PG as well as a rookie/ FA PG.

 

[Irish]

Right now I don't see the Suns front line hurting too much with Shaq, Lopez, Stoudemire, Diaw, Barnes and Hill. Of course I like Skinner but maybe the Suns want to add another shooter or a PG. I really haven't followed the summer league much but I can see the Suns going this direction as well. I will be glad when the Suns find out more about Dragic. If Dragic doesn't come over, I could see the Suns adding a veteran PG as well as a rookie/ FA PG.

One report was that the Suns wanted another physical big since they fear Shaq will lose games from injuries as he usually does. So far the Heat are the only team rumored to be looking at Skinner, but I'd be surprised if he returns to the Suns.

Right now the Suns have 11 guys under contract. I've been operating under the assumption that they will add a PG and a big. You may be right that they would take an NBA PG in addition to Dragic. Personally, I'm not counting on Dragic coming over this year, but I sure hope I'm wrong.

In any case, I was intrigued by Kerr's comments about really liking some rookie free agents. IMHO, Rhodes is the kind of Milsap, Maxiell, Bass type undersized power guy off the bench the Suns could use. Skinner would be better, but without upside.

 

[Mainstreet]

In any case, I was intrigued by Kerr's comments about really liking some rookie free agents. IMHO, Rhodes is the kind of Milsap, Maxiell, Bass type undersized power guy off the bench the Suns could use. Skinner would be better, but without upside.

I think one of my obsessions over the years is wanting the Suns to collect big men (going back to losing the coin flip for Kareem). However, after watching the Suns go the past four years without a legitimate backup for Nash, I am now obsessing about PGs. I would welcome a player like Rhodes if I were sure the Suns are not going to ignore the need for a PG again.

 

[Irish]

Where's Danny Fortson?

Danny Fortson will live on in Suns' lore as one of the purest thugs of all time. The sad part is that he was once a good player, but by the time he destroyed Zarko's career he was an injury racked shadow of his former self.

It is hard to believe, but he was the #10 in the 1997 draft (one pick behind T-Mac). He was immediately traded to Denver. His first year he averaged 10.2 ppg and 5.6 rpg. In his second year he played only 50 games, but averaged 11.0 ppg and 11.6 rpg.

2001-02 with GS he had his best year: 11.2 ppg and 11.7 rpg in 77 games. He had only 17 games in 2002-03 and was traded to the Mav
s along with Jamison.

In his one year in Dallas (2003-04), he played in only 56 games. He rebounded well, but averaged only 11.2 minutes per game. He was then traded to Seattle where he played in 62, 23, and 14 games before leaving basketball after the 2006-07 season.

I don't know his direct history, but it looks like he lost his skills and became a thug to compensate. I'm not how it relates to anything.

 

[AceP]

We only have 11 players in roster, one additional FA signing is very probable, or even two. But I guess Kerr is still trying to to get a trade done involving Diaw and/or Barbosa. So FAs has to wait longer, probably close to training camp.

 

[Irish]

I find it hard to believe that they will get Dragic, but clearly they are not giving up. In any case, I suspect the Suns will end up with Cassell. I'm not happy with that, but they may think he's got one more year out of him.

I know it is popular to say the Suns WILL trade Barbosa and Diaw for a top PG. I just don't see it.

For example, one proposal had the Suns getting Hinrich in exchange for Diaw. This would leave the Bulls with no point guard to back up Rose (Duhon went to the Knicks). Their third most assists was from Larry Huges at 3.1 apg. I simply cannot see the Bulls doing that deal.

Barbosa is easier to trade, but the number of serious PG's available is pretty small. Frankly, Barbosa is too good to give up for a third string PG and that's what is available.

 

[shazaam6]

Since they think Dragic is their point guard after Nash, it would be a waste to trade Barbosa or Diaw for another top point guard. All they need is someone for this year to back Nash up if they can't get Dragic.

 

[Irish]

Since they think Dragic is their point guard after Nash, it would be a waste to trade Barbosa or Diaw for another top point guard. All they need is someone for this year to back Nash up if they can't get Dragic.

I'm OK with Diaw for Hinrich, but it is extremely unlikely to happen. I just don't see anybody worth trading for and I agree that trading for someone who could end up as the third string PG makes little sense.

I have not givien up on the Suns finding somebody in free agency who can play for a year.

 

[Hat]

I the PG's I'd like them to pursue are Pargo, Williams and possibly AlienHead (aka Cassell). I don't think Cassell will want to come here, and more likely stay with Boston or an East Coast team.

Pargo maybe a bit more than Sarver can chew, but it will be well worth it IMO.

 

[Suns_fan69]

Carlos Arroyo is another guy I'd like the suns to make a run at. He's probably a longshot based on a number of factors but I always thought he was underrated in Orlando.

 

[Mainstreet]

Carlos Arroyo is another guy I'd like the suns to make a run at. He's probably a longshot based on a number of factors but I always thought he was underrated in Orlando.

We agree. He caught my eye when he played in Utah. IMO he would be the perfect fit to back up Nash based upon skills, experience, age and hopefully affordability. Maybe he is just a journeyman PG but that's all the Suns need. Also he doesn't seem like a turnover machine. Optimally he could back up Nash while Dragic learns the system (whatever that is anymore).

I wouldn't be disappointed if the Suns signed Jason Williams as an alternative.

 

[Irish]

I'd say Arroyo is the best of the lot, which is why I'm surprised he is still "available". Like with Pargo, I can't quite seem either coming to be a stop gap for the minimum but I hope I'm wrong.

 

[Irish]

http://mavscourtsideview.blogspot.com/2008/07/rhodes-weighing-european-offers.html

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Rhodes weighing European offers


Charles Rhodes isn’t a training camp lock. The rugged forward is mulling over various European offers and hasn’t committed to a tryout with the Mavs yet.

But the Mississippi State product has impressed everyone so far.

“We see Rhodes as an athletic, tenacious 4-5 type that can shoot the mid-range shot and is a very good rebounder,” Rick Carlisle said.

Rhodes (6-8, 245) averaged nearly 10 points and 5 boards during summer league, and shot 62 percent. Rhodes has been compared favorably to Brandon Bass, last year’s summer league find.