Ayton in kokokovs offense

[AzStevenCal]

To be realistic though, what are the chances we end up doing anything really earthshaking with that cap space?

I am like 95% sure Kemba Walker isn't coming here. All the insider talk is that he wants to stay in Charlotte, where he gets to be "the man" and gets the biggest payday. Irving is staying in Boston. Every other FA PG is either restricted or will likely be overpaid. I wouldn't mind Rubio, but I don't see anyone else who is really worth holding out for.

The other superstars available - Durant, Leonard, Butler, Klay, Cousins - aren't coming here.

I'm not convinced Kemba is a bad target. It's impossible to tell what a player is thinking when the money difference is so large. And I can't see any reason for Charlotte to give him that contract so who knows what he'll do once traded or free.

As for superstars, I wouldn't count on any of them but if one were to come, I think it would be Durant. Too much of a long-shot to plan around it but I could see him deciding to go somewhere like Phoenix in an attempt to improve public perception about him.

 

[SirStefan32]

To be realistic though, what are the chances we end up doing anything really earthshaking with that cap space?

I am like 95% sure Kemba Walker isn't coming here. All the insider talk is that he wants to stay in Charlotte, where he gets to be "the man" and gets the biggest payday. Irving is staying in Boston. Every other FA PG is either restricted or will likely be overpaid. I wouldn't mind Rubio, but I don't see anyone else who is really worth holding out for.

The other superstars available - Durant, Leonard, Butler, Klay, Cousins - aren't coming here.

While I tend to agree with you, I do think that if Ayton and Booker look as good as we expect them to look this year, and some other folks do a decent job, Phoenix may be an attractive FA destination.

 

[Hoop Head]

That would be best but I'm confused, why would you include Goran in your options list. I don't see how he can be our point guard of the future?

Right now, for everyone else in this league, it's a sellers market when it comes to PG's. So we are likely going to have to overpay but not all overpays are created equal. I'd make the Milwaukee pick available for someone that wouldn't kill us at the point but I'd go no higher for the Dinwiddie's out there.

I see Dragic a little differently than Kemba and Lillard. I'm ok trading for Dragic but since he's older he should cost less. He's more of a stop gap, perhaps the best stop gap PG option. I know I listed them a little ways away from each other, with a few sentences in between, but I guess I wasn't clear. With Dragic we can focus on developing his backup the next 2 years. He would give us that option, which should be something to consider. We don't want to be in this position again in 2 years if we don't resign him.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Dragic hurts our capspace next year too much.

Definitely a concern of mine. Would his two year contract inhibit our ability to sign a long-term solution pg?

 

[AzStevenCal]

I see Dragic a little differently than Kemba and Lillard. I'm ok trading for Dragic but since he's older he should cost less. He's more of a stop gap, perhaps the best stop gap PG option. I know I listed them a little ways away from each other, with a few sentences in between, but I guess I wasn't clear. With Dragic we can focus on developing his backup the next 2 years. He would give us that option, which should be something to consider. We don't want to be in this position again in 2 years if we don't resign him.

Okay, that makes sense. And he makes sense for us but only if Miami is really trying to move him. If we have to pry him away, he'll cost too much IMO.

 

[Hoop Head]

I could see Dragic and Booker running an offense like Utah did last year with Rubio and Mitchell, both running high pick and rolls. The key to theirs was how Mitchell would typically initiate the first and then kick it to Rubio if he had no good options. Rubio would then facilitate a little quick in a halfcourt set.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Dragic is the only player who could walk right in to Igor's offense and run it seamlessly.

But that should not be our primary concern.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I see Dragic a little differently than Kemba and Lillard. I'm ok trading for Dragic but since he's older he should cost less. He's more of a stop gap, perhaps the best stop gap PG option. I know I listed them a little ways away from each other, with a few sentences in between, but I guess I wasn't clear. With Dragic we can focus on developing his backup the next 2 years. He would give us that option, which should be something to consider. We don't want to be in this position again in 2 years if we don't resign him.

If you go Dragic you’re really hoping either okobo or Melton develop or a stud pg is available upon expiration of dragic a contract (hoping we have adequate space).

 

[AzStevenCal]

If you go Dragic you’re really hoping either okobo or Melton develop or a stud pg is available upon expiration of dragic a contract (hoping we have adequate space).

Agreed. If we believe in Okobo and/or Melton as a future starter, a smart short term PG answer is the way to go. Which means Dragic or Beverley to me although watching Pat play in a Suns uniform isn't going to be a lot of fun for me.

 

[Hoop Head]

If you go Dragic you’re really hoping either okobo or Melton develop or a stud pg is available upon expiration of dragic a contract (hoping we have adequate space).

For sure. We could also swing a deal somehow to get a PG in the lottery next year. That would only give him one year to be ready but it may work better than Melton or Okobo. I think we will know if they can be the answer towards the end of this season.

We have the Bucks pick and our own for next year's draft, if the Bucks pick conveys and we don't trade either for a PG this year. Our own pick should be in the lottery also. I haven't looked at the upcoming draft class but there should be a couple of lottery talent PG's available.

 

[Superbone]

Understand, I don’t hate the prospect of bringing dragic back (though I’m certainly not enthusiastic about it). What makes my nauseous is the thought that he would be our pg, thereby taking up valuable cap space, until he’s 39-40.

I think you'll get over it after our first championship.

 

[Mainstreet]

I see Dragic a little differently than Kemba and Lillard. I'm ok trading for Dragic but since he's older he should cost less. He's more of a stop gap, perhaps the best stop gap PG option. I know I listed them a little ways away from each other, with a few sentences in between, but I guess I wasn't clear. With Dragic we can focus on developing his backup the next 2 years. He would give us that option, which should be something to consider. We don't want to be in this position again in 2 years if we don't resign him.

Also if the situation worked out with Dragic, his next contract should be much more reasonable and the Suns might decide to keep him.

 

[taz02]

I guess it depends on how the suns feel about Melton/Okobo. If we are waiting for them to develop, Dragic makes perfect sense. If we are trying to replace them that's a different story.

Is there a scenario where we send a pick along with some offsetting salary to Miami, leaving us with 10-15m in cap space next summer?

 

[SirStefan32]

I guess it depends on how the suns feel about Melton/Okobo. If we are waiting for them to develop, Dragic makes perfect sense. If we are trying to replace them that's a different story.

Is there a scenario where we send a pick along with some offsetting salary to Miami, leaving us with 10-15m in cap space next summer?

I doubt Miami would take on salary. My guess is that they would want expiring contracts.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

To get an idea as to what Ayton's presence does for the offense just look at the plays at 5:20 and 5:33 in the following video. On the first one Ayton rolls to the basket and both Ayton's and Anderson's defenders follow Ayton, leaving Anderson wide open for three. On the 2nd play Ayton is sitting under the basket and Anderson drives all the way from the three point line to the basket because the guy guarding Ayton wouldn't step out. It's only preseason and Ayton is already having a big enough of an effect on the opposing defense that he is getting guys open looks just by being on the floor.

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[BC867]

To get an idea as to what Ayton's presence does for the offense just look at the plays at 5:20 and 5:33 in the following video. On the first one Ayton rolls to the basket and both Ayton's and Anderson's defenders follow Ayton, leaving Anderson wide open for three. On the 2nd play Ayton is sitting under the basket and Anderson drives all the way from the three point line to the basket because the guy guarding Ayton wouldn't step out. It's only preseason and Ayton is already having a big enough of an effect on the opposing defense that he is getting guys open looks just by being on the floor.

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Ah, the benefit of big-ball. Or is it big balls?

 

[AzStevenCal]

Ah, the benefit of big-ball. Or is it big balls?

We are benefitting from having a GOOD big man after decades of just having big men. In today's game, a plodder is just a waste of a roster spot but good big men are still priceless.

 

[Yuma]

To get an idea as to what Ayton's presence does for the offense just look at the plays at 5:20 and 5:33 in the following video. On the first one Ayton rolls to the basket and both Ayton's and Anderson's defenders follow Ayton, leaving Anderson wide open for three. On the 2nd play Ayton is sitting under the basket and Anderson drives all the way from the three point line to the basket because the guy guarding Ayton wouldn't step out. It's only preseason and Ayton is already having a big enough of an effect on the opposing defense that he is getting guys open looks just by being on the floor.

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I noted that on the Anderson play when I saw it. That guy knew if he left Ayton it was lob city!

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I noted that on the Anderson play when I saw it. That guy knew if he left Ayton it was lob city!

Yup that gravity that Ayton showed was amazing. I can’t recall having anyone quite like that. Not even Barkley or amare.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

Yup that gravity that Ayton showed was amazing. I can’t recall having anyone quite like that. Not even Barkley or amare.

He will also get a bunch of easy assists because guys trying to cheat for double teams. The assist to Canaan for three is a good example. Can't wait to see him and Booker get acclimated to one another because they will be a deadly duo.

 

[Phrazbit]

Why couldnt he be? I know the guy is 32 but he's not oft injured so there really isnt any reason he shouldnt have another 6-8 yrs? Stockton played until 41. NOT SAYING HE'S JOHN STOCKTON PEOPLE! Just an example that he could play that long. Now if injuries start popping up that different but for now he averages probably around 75 games played a season.

I rip on Dragic a lot, but I'd actually be okay with bringing him in if he agreed to drop his option year as a condition of the trade... but I'm pretty sure that won't happen.

That said.

You're wildly overrating him. He is not and never has been a passing point guard he also is a terrible defensive player. Those 2 abilities allowed Stockton to have a long career. Goran on the other hand is a transition player who relies almost entirely on his quickness to create offense. Goran losing one step will make him a league average player, Goran losing 2 steps will probably mark the end of his career.

 

[Western Font]

I'm not convinced Kemba is a bad target. It's impossible to tell what a player is thinking when the money difference is so large. And I can't see any reason for Charlotte to give him that contract so who knows what he'll do once traded or free.

As for superstars, I wouldn't count on any of them but if one were to come, I think it would be Durant. Too much of a long-shot to plan around it but I could see him deciding to go somewhere like Phoenix in an attempt to improve public perception about him.

I think KD wants positive public perception, but he’s way too defensive with his burner social media accounts and podcast appearances. My big question with him is whether he is setting his sights on 7+ rings.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I think KD wants positive public perception, but he’s way too defensive with his burner social media accounts and podcast appearances. My big question with him is whether he is setting his sights on 7+ rings.

I'm not sure what you're saying here. Are you suggesting he will join the next super team to pursue those rings or that he'll stay with the Warriors and continue to collect the jewelry? And if he stays because he wants those 7 rings, will he be content knowing that Curry, Green and Thompson will then have 8 rings? Anyway, I highly doubt he joins the Suns but he seems a more likely possibility than the other superstars.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Yeah KD is the “most likely” (and I say that placing likelihood at 5%) superstar to join the suns only because he’s the least likely to want to be alpha dog and have his own team. But there’s no need for him to bolt a good, cushy, insulated and protected situation with GS.

 

[SirStefan32]

Yeah KD is the “most likely” (and I say that placing likelihood at 5%) superstar to join the suns only because he’s the least likely to want to be alpha dog and have his own team. But there’s no need for him to bolt a good, cushy, insulated and protected situation with GS.

Eh, I don't know man, I have a feeling Warriors will lose Green or Thompson at some point soon, and Iggy and Livingston are getting older. Depending on how good Booker and Ayton get this year, along with a couple of other factors (finding a competent point guard, JJ and/or Bridges looking like good players), that might be a more appealing situation.