Eric Gordon, yes or no?

[Arizona's Finest]

I hope all the people saying "go after Mayo" realize that's a pipe dream. I haven't heard one item that says the Sums will go that route. I have read the "backup" plan is sign Shannon Brown. So Eric Gordon or Shannon Brown is your choice.

I'll take Gordon at the max. The new CBA make the years and money much more palatable.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

And to answer the OP I would leave Frye, Chillz, Lopez, and even Dudley out there as well as Lakers 2013 1st rounder.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

i like that too, walk away and try and snag Harden

That's my back up plan. But I hope people realize that Harden and Gordon have similar ceilings. People just fawn over Harden more because of a) ASU b) his best season was his most recent whereas Gordon was injured all last year.

 

[SunsTzu]

That's my back up plan. But I hope people realize that Harden and Gordon have similar ceilings. People just fawn over Harden more because of a) ASU b) his best season was his most recent whereas Gordon was injured all last year.

That's not why I fawn over him. He is a much better play maker and draws fouls at a superstar rate which is why his efficiency is incredibly high. Gordon is a better volume scorer, but Harden is better at pretty much everything else.

 

[Phrazbit]

I am not sold on Harden as a max player but I'd take him in a heartbeat over Gordon. A way more well rounded player and one who isnt a strong bet to miss 30+ games per year.

However, I dont think we will get him. Unlike the Hornets, the Thunder are ran by an excellent GM. If they cant work out an extension for him that fits their long term plans they will trade him. I dont see anyway he actually becomes a RFA. I'd bet they extend him on their own and trade him partway through the 2013-2014 season.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

I think you guys a undervaluing how mich of a better shooter Gordon is than harden. I agree with Harden having a better body, playmaking, and ability to get to line, but Gordon is just good at the rim and a + shooter. Go talk to Clipper fans about Gordon. Guy has tons of game.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

BTW I've seen it go back and forth but can we sign Gordon and still have Max money next year if we amnesty the right player and/or make a smart trade or 2?

I could see Harden play point forward at the 3 and with Dragic/Marshall's at 6'4 still have decent size 1-3. You draft a PF top 5 next year and all of a sudden you have a interesting team here.

 

[Phrazbit]

I think you guys a undervaluing how mich of a better shooter Gordon is than harden. I agree with Harden having a better body, playmaking, and ability to get to line, but Gordon is just good at the rim and a + shooter. Go talk to Clipper fans about Gordon. Guy has tons of game.

I agree, he is a better shooter, but Harden is still a good shooter an much better at every single other aspect. And Gordon's injury history cannot be ignored.

Its not even close in my mind, if I had to pick one to give a max deal to its Harden in a landslide, and i hate ASU and thought Harden would bust.

 

[SunsTzu]

However, I dont think we will get him. Unlike the Hornets, the Thunder are ran by an excellent GM. If they cant work out an extension for him that fits their long term plans they will trade him. I dont see anyway he actually becomes a RFA.

I don't see anyway they trade him as they gear up for a title shot and if they don't offer him at least as much as what other teams will offer him next year I don't see him signing either.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

I agree, he is a better shooter, but Harden is still a good shooter an much better at every single other aspect. And Gordon's injury history cannot be ignored.

Its not even close in my mind, if I had to pick one to give a max deal to its Harden in a landslide, and i hate ASU and thought Harden would bust.

Agreed. Different Maxs for a RFA (Gordon) vs a UFA (Harden) no?

NVM: Hardens a RFA too. Did everyone else know Blake Griffin is too? Damn shoot high. Clips may match but this is Donald Sterling and if Paul bounces....

 

[Phrazbit]

I don't see anyway they trade him as they gear up for a title shot and if they don't offer him at least as much as what other teams will offer him next year I don't see him signing either.

Thats why I think they extend him for their title run and then trade him partway through the next year.

Either way, there isnt a chance they lose him for nothing.

 

[Phrazbit]

Agreed. Different Maxs for a RFA (Gordon) vs a UFA (Harden) no?

Harden would be a RFA. Same max. But, like I said, I dont think the Thunder let it get that far, they'll either extend him or trade him... or a combination of both. They are not going to let themselves get hamstrung like the Hornets have.

 

[SunsTzu]

BTW I've seen it go back and forth but can we sign Gordon and still have Max money next year if we amnesty the right player and/or make a smart trade or 2?

I could see Harden play point forward at the 3 and with Dragic/Marshall's at 6'4 still have decent size 1-3. You draft a PF top 5 next year and all of a sudden you have a interesting team here.

No max money next year unless the Suns can either ship Frye and Gortat without taking back money and/or stretch some of their recent signings. I also don't like the idea of playing Harden at SF at all with that line-up.

As far as shooting goes they are pretty similar. Gordon does it on higher volume so I don't have a problem with people thinking he's better, but I think they are pretty similar in that regard.

To me Harden could potentially be the 2nd best player on a contending team, I don't feel the same for Gordon.

 

[SunsTzu]

Agreed. Different Maxs for a RFA (Gordon) vs a UFA (Harden) no?

NVM: Hardens a RFA too. Did everyone else know Blake Griffin is too? Damn shoot high. Clips may match but this is Donald Sterling and if Paul bounces....

Griffin has made 2 all-star teams already so he is in line for the new Derrick Rose super max. I really would have a hard time offering that up for a big man that is as poor a defender as Amare. Granted he rebounds more but I don't ever see him being a capable defender.

 

[Absolute Zero]

 

[Phrazbit]

The more we talk about his the more I hope New Orleans matches and its over with. Assuming we dont do something dumb like offer Mayo 10 million a year.

I'd love Lou Williams for half of what we've offered Gordon.

 

[SunsTzu]

I'd love Lou Williams for half of what we've offered Gordon.

Really? I thought you were against Crawford, Williams is basically a younger Crawford. I think Jerryd Bayless would be cheaper and more productive if that's the type of player you're looking for.

I'd like to bring back Brown and/or Redd or make runs at T. Williams and Lee if they can be had for reasonable deals.

 

[Phrazbit]

Really? I thought you were against Crawford, Williams is basically a younger Crawford. I think Jerryd Bayless would be cheaper and more productive if that's the type of player you're looking for.

I'd like to bring back Brown and/or Redd or make runs at T. Williams and Lee if they can be had for reasonable deals.

Williams on a reasonable contract is young, reasonably talented, and a moveable asset. Crawford is old, and now horrible at every single part of being an NBA player. The deal the Clippers gave him is probably the stupidest of the summer.

I'd be totally fine with Bayless on a 1 year deal too.

 

[Joe Mama]

Williams on a reasonable contract is young, reasonably talented, and a moveable asset. Crawford is old, and now horrible at every single part of being an NBA player. The deal the Clippers gave him is probably the stupidest of the summer.

I'd be totally fine with Bayless on a 1 year deal too.

I feel like you and I have been on the same page throughout much of this free agency, but I don't think Williams at $7-8 million seems either reasonable or wise.

Joe

 

[Phrazbit]

I feel like you and I have been on the same page throughout much of this free agency, but I don't think Williams at $7-8 million seems either reasonable or wise.

Joe

I was thinking more like 6 mil for 3 years.

 

[JCSunsfan]

One Hornets poster suggested Warrick, a resigned Brown, and the LA Laker 1st for a sign and trade. As long as it is the 2013 pick, I would be all over that.

Warrick is just using cap anyway, if we have Gordon, we do not need Brown, and the pick will likely be #28 at best.

Something can be worked out here.

 

[mojorizen7]

One Hornets poster suggested Warrick, a resigned Brown, and the LA Laker 1st for a sign and trade. As long as it is the 2013 pick, I would be all over that.

Warrick is just using cap anyway, if we have Gordon, we do not need Brown, and the pick will likely be #28 at best.

Something can be worked out here.

Aren't you worried about this though?

Eric Gordon
missed 55 gms last season
missed 26 gms in '11
missed 20 gms in '10

Various injuries.

 

[Joe Mama]

I was thinking more like 6 mil for 3 years.

I guess I just don't see an upside to Williams at anything more than a fairly small contract. The chance that he has positive trade value at $6 million per season aren't very good IMO.

 

[jbeecham]

One Hornets poster suggested Warrick, a resigned Brown, and the LA Laker 1st for a sign and trade. As long as it is the 2013 pick, I would be all over that.

Warrick is just using cap anyway, if we have Gordon, we do not need Brown, and the pick will likely be #28 at best.

Something can be worked out here.

What's the motivation for Shannon Brown? He's a free agent so he'd have to either want to go to NO or he'd have to be getting paid significantly more money there than any other team would be offering.

The only players I'd be willing to give up in a S&T would be Warrick & Childress & preferably BOTH. I'd be willing to throw in a Lakers 2nd rd pick or 2. Ultimately though, I'd be just fine with NO matching the offer sheet and the Suns just re-signing Brown. Mayo is a decent option but I think the market for him will end up being too high.

 

[Cheesebeef]

The only players I'd be willing to give up in a S&T would be Warrick & Childress & preferably BOTH.

LOL... that's very generous of you to offer our two most worthless players and our worst contract in return for NO's best player at this point.