Free Agency 2018

[Mainstreet]

So your entire reasoning with keeping or not keeping Payton is about whether he cut his hair or not? Really?

The issue is really unobstructed vision. No I would not invest in a player that does not do whatever he can do to improve his game.

So how do you feel about keeping Payton with the haircut he displayed at the end of last season?

 

[Chaplin]

The issue is really unobstructed vision. No I would not invest in a player that does not do whatever he can do to improve his game.

So how do you feel about keeping Payton with the haircut he displayed at the end of last season?

This again? This question has been asked and answered over and over again.

I didn’t like Triano and I’m not a fan of McD, but I still give them at least some credit to tell the guy if hey TRULY thought it was a problem.

Instead, since someone sitting at home in Tempe in front of their Chromebook says his hair must be the problem, we’ll then it must be.

I don’t care if he stays with the team or not as long as they attempt to improve the team and the position. But I wouldn’t make the decision based on something that 100% would have been addressed 4 months ago.

 

[Mainstreet]

This again? This question has been asked and answered over and over again.

I didn’t like Triano and I’m not a fan of McD, but I still give them at least some credit to tell the guy if hey TRULY thought it was a problem.

Instead, since someone sitting at home in Tempe in front of their Chromebook says his hair must be the problem, we’ll then it must be.

I don’t care if he stays with the team or not as long as they attempt to improve the team and the position. But I wouldn’t make the decision based on something that 100% would have been addressed 4 months ago.

So why bother asking me the question if you don't care.

 

[Hoop Head]

One reason I don't want Payton to return is a good portion of Suns fans will reserve judgement until he's seen because they want to know if he cut his hair or not before saying it was a good or bad signing. If a player's hair determines whether it's a good or bad signing then it's a bad signing, IMO. It could become an issue again down the line even if they did cut it now so why bother.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Instead, since someone sitting at home in Tempe in front of their Chromebook says his hair must be the problem, we’ll then it must be.

It wasn't just fans sitting in front of their Chromebooks. I heard it mentioned several times by the announcing crews of other teams. One that stood out was the last time we played Memphis, Brevin Knight talked quite a bit about how much it impacted his game.

And then there's the video of him blocking his own shot with his hair. I simply don't know how someone can watch him play with any regularity and not see the impact.

 

[JCSunsfan]

So your entire reasoning with keeping or not keeping Payton is about whether he cut his hair or not? Really?

I don't think that is exactly it. I think Mainstreet and I would be similar here. Payton's play at the end of the year did not justify us keeping him. So all things being the same, we should let him walk. However, we think there is a chance that the hair was an issue. If he indeed cut his hair, it would be worth a look to see if it actually makes a difference.

No guarantees, but I would be interested to see if it had an impact.

 

[JCSunsfan]

One reason I don't want Payton to return is a good portion of Suns fans will reserve judgement until he's seen because they want to know if he cut his hair or not before saying it was a good or bad signing. If a player's hair determines whether it's a good or bad signing then it's a bad signing, IMO. It could become an issue again down the line even if they did cut it now so why bother.

That's fair. I am a bit greedy though. If there is value there, I would like to find a way to reap it.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Oh my lord... both sides are back to the hair?!

I love this board.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I really did not intend this to go back to the hair. What I wanted to know is if anyone has changed their thoughts about Elfrid because of Kokoskov. He seems to really have an impact upon pg's in particular and their shooting. Elfrid can be a decent defender, and he is a very good passer. If Igor can get him shooting well, he could be a very good asset (that we presently control). Let Igor worry about the hair.

 

[Hoop Head]

I really did not intend this to go back to the hair. What I wanted to know is if anyone has changed their thoughts about Elfrid because of Kokoskov. He seems to really have an impact upon pg's in particular and their shooting. Elfrid can be a decent defender, and he is a very good passer. If Igor can get him shooting well, he could be a very good asset (that we presently control). Let Igor worry about the hair.

Igor coached him some in Orlando and that should give him some insight on Payton and if he's reached his potential or if he ever will. If the Suns keep him then it's probably because Igor said he could work with him and get more from him then we've seen and if we let him walk then it's because he doesn't feel confident he can be a starting PG in the NBA. We don't need backups, we have a lot of options there already so retaining Payton to be a backup would be foolish and a waste of cap space and a roster spot.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Igor coached him some in Orlando and that should give him some insight on Payton and if he's reached his potential or if he ever will. If the Suns keep him then it's probably because Igor said he could work with him and get more from him then we've seen and if we let him walk then it's because he doesn't feel confident he can be a starting PG in the NBA. We don't need backups, we have a lot of options there already so retaining Payton to be a backup would be foolish and a waste of cap space and a roster spot.

I agree about the backup thing. I have been saying the same thing. Unless we can get away with paying him back up money.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I really did not intend this to go back to the hair. What I wanted to know is if anyone has changed their thoughts about Elfrid because of Kokoskov. He seems to really have an impact upon pg's in particular and their shooting. Elfrid can be a decent defender, and he is a very good passer. If Igor can get him shooting well, he could be a very good asset (that we presently control). Let Igor worry about the hair.

Dude quit on the team... going into a contract offseason to boot.

If neither team nor his own wallet motivate, thems be two MASSIVE red flags for my tastes.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Dude quit on the team... going into a contract offseason to boot.

If neither team nor his own wallet motivate, thems be two MASSIVE red flags for my tastes.

OK. Yeah. I was just hoping there was something else going on behind the scenes that accounted for the play toward the end rather than just quitting on the team.

 

[Phrazbit]

Elfrid Payton's hair... an always hilarious topic.

I don't know if it hurt him or not... but I don't know how anyone could have watched this guy and not know that Payton had to adjust his game for it. The guy literally had to tilt his head back while he trotted down the court. Does cutting it off matter? I dunno. Good chance he is the same player whether he has to tilt his head 30 degrees backwards or not... but I do know... his stupid hair forced him to tilt his head back.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Elfrid Payton's hair... an always hilarious topic.

I don't know if it hurt him or not... but I don't know how anyone could have watched this guy and not know that Payton had to adjust his game for it. The guy literally had to tilt his head back while he trotted down the court. Does cutting it off matter? I dunno. Good chance he is the same player whether he has to tilt his head 30 degrees backwards or not... but I do know... his stupid hair forced him to tilt his head back.

He did have to do this. I noticed it a lot.

 

[Hoop Head]

Here's a list of PG's available in Free Agency this summer, it's not looking good. Chris Paul is #1, IT is #2, Payton is #3, Rondo is #4, and then a bunch of restricted backups. We're going to need to trade for a PG this summer if this team hopes to compete. Rondo wouldn't be a bad get if he didn't have attitude issues but I wouldn't gamble on him with this young roster and a new head coach.




https://hoopshype.com/2018/04/22/nba-free-agency-2018-point-guards/

 

[JCSunsfan]

Need a starting pg who can shoot, if your pick is Ayton.

 

[Hoop Head]

Need a starting pg who can shoot, if your pick is Ayton.

Trading for Kemba actually makes a lot of sense now. He'd be expiring on the wrong side of 30 by the time Jackson and Ayton are looking to get paid also. I'm not sure what it would take, #16 and #31 should be a good start though.

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

Need a starting pg who can shoot, if your pick is Ayton.

http://www.espn.com/nba/statistics/player/_/stat/3-points/sort/threePointFieldGoalsMade/seasontype/2

James Harden, Paul George, and Kyle Lowry are the only players who made more 3s last year than Kamba Walker...

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I think we need to be patient. Don’t go selling the farm yet. Slow and steady. Let this team win 35 games next year. Get some seasoning. Then go for the big splash move.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I think we need to be patient. Don’t go selling the farm yet. Slow and steady. Let this team win 35 games next year. Get some seasoning. Then go for the big splash move.

I think Booker's extension is going to move up our timetable some isnt it?

 

[Mainstreet]

I think Booker's extension is going to move up our timetable some isnt it?

Agree.

As I understand it the Suns will need to sign a top free agent before they sign Booker because of CAP implications.

Booker will likely be signed last.

 

[Hoop Head]

Agree.

As I understand it the Suns will need to sign a top free agent before they sign Booker because of CAP implications.

Booker will likely be signed last.

I think that's why they'll make a move this year, or before next offseason. Why not make a run at the playoffs? Booker's extension will be factored into the salary cap when the 2019 offseason starts and even though we'll have Dudley and Chandler coming off the books, it's Booker's contract that will more than likely cap us out.

This year is about building chemistry and establishing some continuity with our guys. We'll be more competitive in the 2019-2020 season if we can have virtually all of the pieces in place this year. I don't think the playoffs will happen this year but I wouldn't be surprised if we do add a good PG like a Kemba Walker type of player.

Even getting swept wouldn't be the worst thing. The Pelicans got valuable playoff experience this year and so did the Timberwolves even though they were out in the 2nd and 1st rounds, respectively.

Minnesota will probably be in the top half of the West this year because of their guys getting postseason experience. We need to make a move for a Jimmy Butler type of player to help be a leader while our young guys get familiar with one another.

 

[Mainstreet]

I think that's why they'll make a move this year, or before next offseason. Why not make a run at the playoffs? Booker's extension will be factored into the salary cap when the 2019 offseason starts and even though we'll have Dudley and Chandler coming off the books, it's Booker's contract that will more than likely cap us out.

This year is about building chemistry and establishing some continuity with our guys. We'll be more competitive in the 2019-2020 season if we can have virtually all of the pieces in place this year. I don't think the playoffs will happen this year but I wouldn't be surprised if we do add a good PG like a Kemba Walker type of player.

Even getting swept wouldn't be the worst thing. The Pelicans got valuable playoff experience this year and so did the Timberwolves even though they were out in the 2nd and 1st rounds, respectively.

Minnesota will probably be in the top half of the West this year because of their guys getting postseason experience. We need to make a move for a Jimmy Butler type of player to help be a leader while our young guys get familiar with one another.

I think the Suns will make a run at the playoffs as well next season.

I'm not saying they make it, but why not?

Let's say the Suns draft Ayton and add him to the core of Booker, Jackson and Warren. Then the Suns add a quality player through trade or free agency plus another veteran or two. It's not too shabby especially considering how the Jazz made the playoffs this season without Gordon Hayward. Mitchell and Gobert were their two primary players.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I think the Suns will make a run at the playoffs as well next season.

I'm not saying they make it, but why not?

Let's say the Suns draft Ayton and add him to the core of Booker, Jackson and Warren. Then the Suns add a quality player through trade or free agency plus another veteran or two. It's not too shabby especially considering how the Jazz made the playoffs this season without Gordon Hayward. Mitchell and Gobert were their two primary players.

How about this. The Suns draft Ayton.

They trade for Malcom Brogdon. Maybe TJ, Chriss, the 16, 31, whatever.

Then they sign Paul George in free agency.

Brogdon
Booker
Jackson
George
Ayton

Bench
Knight, Ulis
Daniels
Bender
Williams
Chandler
Dudley

Defense, offense, speed, versatility.