Free Agency 2020

[WhyAlwaysMe]

The odds of us finding a legit replacement for Paul if he misses significant time is very slim. Even someone like Augustine probably isn't anything more than a band-aid that could cover for a game here or there.

If Paul misses a large chunk of the season we will be screwed no matter what IMO.

Same thing if Booker misses a ton of time. I think Paul should be load-managed given his age and history of breaking down when he has too many miles on the tires.

Paul plays 60 of 72 and we are in good shape, but we should sit him strategically (against really bad opponents or in schedule losses), and for this strategy to work we need to have a NBA caliber starting PG so we can still compete.

 

[Evil Ash]

George Hill can be that replacement. At least enough of one to get by with.

For a short span? Sure. A long time out? Not likely.

And I say that as someone in favor of a possible trade

 

[1Sun]

And I think Paul should be load managed, so the Suns need to find a Hill/Augustin type guy to spot start and play 20 mpg.

Fair point, but that then gives us 6 point guard sized players on the roster (Paul, Hill/Augustin, Payne, Carter, Okobo and Alexander). That looks too dangerously like the disastrous 2014-15 roster for my liking...

 

[Proximo]

This. Especially if we don't fill our other holes.

I really think a third guard is our number one hole.

Yes we need another 3 and 4, but we need a scoring combo guard more.

 

[Mainstreet]

Suns need a third point guard behind Paul and Payne. Carter is not a true point guard. Neither is Okobo.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

Same thing if Booker misses a ton of time. I think Paul should be load-managed given his age and history of breaking down when he has too many miles on the tires.

Paul plays 60 of 72 and we are in good shape, but we should sit him strategically (against really bad opponents or in schedule losses), and for this strategy to work we need to have a NBA caliber starting PG so we can still compete.

Hill or Augustine would be very nice to have if we are planning to do this. Or even if we aren't it can't be a bad idea to get another dependable PG in here.

 

[1Sun]

I really think a third guard is our number one hole.

Yes we need another 3 and 4, but we need a scoring combo guard more.

We already have too many point guard sized players, though (Paul, Okobo, Carter, Payne and Alexander).

 

[JCSunsfan]

We need a wing. Especially if Cam is going to be spending time at pf.

I am nervous about pf. We could be ok there but it’s a lot to put on a rookie and Saric is almost starting material but not quite.

 

[Proximo]

Fair point, but that then gives us 6 point guard sized players on the roster (Paul, Hill/Augustin, Payne, Carter, Okobo and Alexander). That looks too dangerously like the disastrous 2014-15 roster for my liking...

Okobo needs to be cut.

Alexander is a 2 guard - and is end of bench / g league.

 

[Mainstreet]

Let the Knicks and Carmelo Anthony unite.

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[WhyAlwaysMe]

I think Mikal and Cam are ready to play 65-70 of the 96 3/4 minutes, tilted more to the 3, so we only need to squeeze 25-30mpg out of the rest of the orange. Saric/Smith should be able to take the balance of the 4 minutes. Noel as back-up 5 at the BAE would be perfect.

Then we can use our MLE on the best guard. Or Millsap I suppose if you’re bearish on Saric/Smith at the 4.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Let the Knicks and Carmelo Anthony unite.

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ha! The Knicks. Jesus.

 

[1Sun]

Okobo needs to be cut.

Alexander is a 2 guard - and is end of bench / g league.

I agree, but it looks like Okobo is here to stay, whether we like him or not...

 

[WhyAlwaysMe]

Fair point, but that then gives us 6 point guard sized players on the roster (Paul, Hill/Augustin, Payne, Carter, Okobo and Alexander). That looks too dangerously like the disastrous 2014-15 roster for my liking...

Alexander is 2-guard sized imo. Okobo can bounce. Carter is tough enough to guard 2s even tho he’s small. Paul can bother anyone with his defensive IQ.

 

[1Sun]

I think Mikal and Cam are ready to play 65-70 of the 96 3/4 minutes, tilted more to the 3, so we only need to squeeze 25-30mpg out of the rest of the orange. Saric/Smith should be able to take the balance of the 4 minutes. Noel as back-up 5 at the BAE would be perfect.

Then we can use our MLE on the best guard. Or Millsap I suppose if you’re bearish on Saric/Smith at the 4.

That rotation gets completely destroyed at the 4, and also gets abused at the 3 when Bridges is not on the court. It can't compete.

 

[WhyAlwaysMe]

I really think a third guard is our number one hole.

Yes we need another 3 and 4, but we need a scoring combo guard more.

Agreed, although like I’ve said I think a stagger or Paul/Booker makes this less dire.

 

[Proximo]

I agree, but it looks like Okobo is here to stay, whether we like him or not...

Nah, If we get Hart in that deal. He will get cut.

Maybe just Hill gets him cut.

 

[1Sun]

Alexander is 2-guard sized imo. Okobo can bounce. Carter is tough enough to guard 2s even tho he’s small. Paul can bother anyone with his defensive IQ.

Alexander is 6'3", though he does have long arms. Of that group, he is the only one potentially strong enough to guard a back-up like, say, KCP.

 

[WhyAlwaysMe]

Alexander is 6'3", though he does have long arms. Of that group, he is the only one potentially strong enough to guard a back-up like, say, KCP.

6’ 4” with 6’ 8” span and he’s 200 lbs

 

[JCSunsfan]

Nah, If we get Hart in that deal. He will get cut.

Maybe just Hill gets him cut.

Maybe we send Okobo in the deal.

 

[Proximo]

Maybe we send Okobo in the deal.

Yeah, that's possible too, but I think they have less use for him than we do.

 

[JCSunsfan]

6’ 4” with 6’ 8” span and he’s 200 lbs

He’s a Marcus Smart type body.

 

[WhyAlwaysMe]

He’s a Marcus Smart type body.

Smart is 6’ 3” 220 I think. He’s a truck.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Smart is 6’ 3” 220 I think. He’s a truck.

Ok. A young Marcus Smart

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

Ok. A young Marcus Smart

According to his college page he was also 220 then as well.