Free Agency and the Draft

[George O'Brien]

In evaluating players, I think it is important to incorporate the free agency plan with the draft plan.

For example, it would not make sense for the Suns to draft a guard if they intend to pursue a free agent guard like Kobe or Brent Barry. Right now the Suns have four guards under contracts and the rights to a fifth in Vujanic. Drafting a guard would make six, which might make sense if Eisley is to be cut. But to further sign a free agent would mean paying for seven guards.

By contrast, the Suns currently have four big men under contract: Stoudemire, Voskuhl, Lampe and While. If White goes to the Bobcats, that would leave three. But if the Suns drafted a big, planned to sign a free agent center and re-sign McDyess, that would give the Suns six. The Suns had six inside guys this past season, but only because they carried only four guards.

It is less of a problem taking a big than a guard because there is not a necessity to sign both a free agent center and McDyess. The same could be said about not brining Vujanic over. None the less, I think it makes sense to assume that if the Suns are going to sign a free agent big man, they will draft a guard; but if they are going to pursue a free agent guard they wil draft a big man.

 

[Dylan]

I think when the expansion draft is done, we will have a real feel.
If White is gone, or Eisley, then I think we're going for Kobe and will
draft a big guy from Europe and re-sign Dice. Don't make sense to
unload White if we aren't going for Kobe.. his value increases by the
day as he gets closer to the end of his contract.
If neither White or Eisley are gone, then there are so many options
I cannot keep track!

 

[Dylan]

I agree that it will be draft a big /sign a guard or vice versa.
The logjam at guard is huge. Vujanic, and what the Suns know
about his plans, has got to be a real factor in all of this.

 

[Joe Mama]

Looking at it this way may even be too simple. Don't forget that in the expansion draft it's possible that the Phoenix Suns and other teams and up with players that have been taken by the bobcats and traded to a third team. For example there is the good chance Shawn Bradley will end up on a team other than the Mavericks for the bobcats after the expansion draft.

If Howard Eiseley is not on the Phoenix Suns roster after the expansion draft I don't think we will be worrying about the #7 draft pick. That seems pretty unlikely however.

The Phoenix Suns need help and depth at virtually every position. They are going to take the best player available regardless of position if they keep their draft pick. It really doesn't make much sense to take a big player based on immediate need because it doesn't look like any of the big man are ready to contribute significantly this next season. Of course we heard that when the Suns drafted Amare Stoudemire.

Joe Mama

 

[Mainstreet]

I would like to keep J. White unless he is included in a deal that can significantly improve the Suns (not just losing his contract and a draft pick).

As has been previously noted, his contract expires after this coming season and he actually can play, at least as a role player, on this team. If he had better hands he would be a hot commodity as a center in the NBA. I'm not sure there are too many available centers that are that much better. As a matter of fact, in the center deprived NBA, White should have value as player.

That being said, the Suns definitely need to strengthen their front line with a veteran C/PF type player as they need a stronger defensive presence and shot blocker inside. I like Foyle a lot but is he that much better than White?

The player that needs to be traded of course is Eisley and his contract. I do not want to give up draft picks to move Eisley. I don't know if adding Jacobson would do it. I keep hoping there might be this Stanford connection with Golden State. Also I keep thinking there must be some way to package a trade with San Antonio this year to get our future first round pick back (to gain trading flexibility).

 

[Mainstreet]

Just a side note, I like Golden State (Foyle), Boston (three first round picks) and San Antonio (get our first rounder back for maximum trade flexibility) as preferred trading partners.

I sure many others have their own thoughts on what teams with whom they would like the Suns do a trade. Of couse sign and trades may factor with free agency.