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JCSunsfan

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I found an article at Arizona Sports by By Kellan Olson dated 4-18-16 that pertains to the Suns salary cap space going forward as well as cap implications for other teams. It is based upon a reported $92M cap for 2016-17. I thought it was an interesting read.

See more at the link below.





It should be noted Tucker's contract is partially guaranteed for next season; 3.8 million is reportedly not. I think the Suns will keep Tucker for the price.

http://arizonasports.com/story/634357/phoenix-suns-projected-salary-cap-space-for-2016-free-agency/

Anyone know when we would have to commit on Tucker's contract? I would think that deal would make him very tradeable.
 

overseascardfan

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Anyone know when we would have to commit on Tucker's contract? I would think that deal would make him very tradeable.
Supposedly there was interest from TOR but I can't imagine PHX keeping him when they knew the goal was to get the #1 pick.
 
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JCSunsfan

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So, a little mental exercise here. Let's just assume that LeBron decides to consider leaving in free agency. I know he is not, and I am not sure I would want him, but its the off-season, so we are speculating here. He looks at the Suns roster vs. the Cleveland roster. Who would you rather have in these comparisons? Forget salaries. Just who do you want to play along side?

Kevin Love or Devin Booker
Kyrie Irving or Eric Bledsoe
Tristan Thompson or Tyson Chandler
Iman Shumpert or Brandon Knight
Channing Frye or Mirza Teletovic
JR Smith or TJ Warren
Timofey Mozgov or Alex Len
Mo Williams or Archie Goodwin (or the top 5 pick from this year's draft)

I am sure there are alot of varied opinions on this. Interested in your take.
 

elindholm

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If James leaves Cleveland again, it will be to go to an instant contender. Zero chance he considers Phoenix.
 

sunsfan88

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If James leaves Cleveland again, it will be to go to an instant contender. Zero chance he considers Phoenix.

Yea next we can start talking about Durant signing with the Suns since he prefers Bledsoe and the Suns roster rather than Westbrook, Ibaka and co.
 

Mainstreet

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If Lebron left Cleveland again I think he would likely go back to Miami. Bouncing around a lot may not help his legacy. However, I'm sure any player can be enticed by the right situation.
 
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JCSunsfan

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Its just a comparison of rosters. Anyone have comment on that?
 

ColdPickleNachos

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So, a little mental exercise here. Let's just assume that LeBron decides to consider leaving in free agency. I know he is not, and I am not sure I would want him, but its the off-season, so we are speculating here. He looks at the Suns roster vs. the Cleveland roster. Who would you rather have in these comparisons? Forget salaries. Just who do you want to play along side?

Kevin Love or Devin Booker
Kyrie Irving or Eric Bledsoe
Tristan Thompson or Tyson Chandler
Iman Shumpert or Brandon Knight
Channing Frye or Mirza Teletovic
JR Smith or TJ Warren
Timofey Mozgov or Alex Len
Mo Williams or Archie Goodwin (or the top 5 pick from this year's draft)

I am sure there are alot of varied opinions on this. Interested in your take.

I think the Suns win a lot of those match-ups, but only if you factor in future trajectory. If I was LeBron and wanted to win now, the Cavs would be a much better option.

As much as I love Booker, he's not the player that Love is right now, and his best years are not on the right timeline for a player like LeBron.

Bledsoe would be more fun to play with, I think, but he's not as talented as Irving. Irving is immensely talented, though his ball-hogging and lack of defense are huge negatives. Bledsoe's injuries are also a huge negative though.

I think Thompson offers more than Chandler at this point, and he should get better as Chandler declines.

Knight is basically a less talented Irving. He's better than Shumpert, but he wouldn't be more fun to play alongside.

Mirza and Frye are similar. I think Mirza is better at this point, but Frye is more likely to be judicious in his shot selection.

JR Smith is probably better than TJ at this exact moment. He also knows how to play a very definable role. Warren is better to have for the Suns, but not for a team that wants to compete next year.

I'll take Len over Mozgov, but I'm not sure how much of that is because Len is better than Mozgov, and how much of it is that I really want Len to be better than Mozgov.

I wouldn't want to play with Archie, and the top 5 pick is really hard to predict at this point. So I'll grade this one for the Suns because I'm a homer.
 

AzStevenCal

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I think the Suns win a lot of those match-ups, but only if you factor in future trajectory. If I was LeBron and wanted to win now, the Cavs would be a much better option.

As much as I love Booker, he's not the player that Love is right now, and his best years are not on the right timeline for a player like LeBron.

Bledsoe would be more fun to play with, I think, but he's not as talented as Irving. Irving is immensely talented, though his ball-hogging and lack of defense are huge negatives. Bledsoe's injuries are also a huge negative though.

I think Thompson offers more than Chandler at this point, and he should get better as Chandler declines.

Knight is basically a less talented Irving. He's better than Shumpert, but he wouldn't be more fun to play alongside.

Mirza and Frye are similar. I think Mirza is better at this point, but Frye is more likely to be judicious in his shot selection.

JR Smith is probably better than TJ at this exact moment. He also knows how to play a very definable role. Warren is better to have for the Suns, but not for a team that wants to compete next year.

I'll take Len over Mozgov, but I'm not sure how much of that is because Len is better than Mozgov, and how much of it is that I really want Len to be better than Mozgov.

I wouldn't want to play with Archie, and the top 5 pick is really hard to predict at this point. So I'll grade this one for the Suns because I'm a homer.

Good post. And I agree (probably why I think it's a good post).
 

Mainstreet

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So, a little mental exercise here. Let's just assume that LeBron decides to consider leaving in free agency. I know he is not, and I am not sure I would want him, but its the off-season, so we are speculating here. He looks at the Suns roster vs. the Cleveland roster. Who would you rather have in these comparisons? Forget salaries. Just who do you want to play along side?

Kevin Love or Devin Booker
Kyrie Irving or Eric Bledsoe
Tristan Thompson or Tyson Chandler
Iman Shumpert or Brandon Knight
Channing Frye or Mirza Teletovic
JR Smith or TJ Warren
Timofey Mozgov or Alex Len
Mo Williams or Archie Goodwin (or the top 5 pick from this year's draft)

I am sure there are alot of varied opinions on this. Interested in your take.

I will give my thoughts.

Devin Booker over Kevin Love but I don't think Lebron makes this choice. Quality bigs over quality smalls. However, I think Booker will become the better player and very soon.

Eric Bledsoe over Kyrie Erving but Bledsoe needs to be healthy. I think Bledsoe is the better teammate and PG.

Tristan Thompson over Tyson Chandler. Thompson has youth going for him.

Brandon Knight over Iman Shumpert. Knight is the better player even with flaws.

Mirza Teletovic over Channing Frye. I like Mirza as he can do more with the ball.

TJ Warren over JR Smith. Warren wins with youth and upside. I've never been a fan of Smith.

Alex Len is better than Timofey Mozgov now and into the future. Also Len is younger.

The #5 pick in the draft lands a top PG. Give me Jamal Murray in the draft. Mo William is at the tail end of his career at age 33. Archie Williams is a player you keep because he will just keep getting better.

However, Lebron is in a win now so he is not looking long term. He may not make these choices especially choosing Booker over Love.
 

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Yes, I think we offer a better supporting cast, but no, I don't think there is a snowballs chance LeBron even considers coming here. Only way he leaves Cleveland is if some sure fire title contender does a helluva job recruiting him, we certainly don't qualify.

Mainstreet, I do think you're overrating Len... or underrating Mozgov. Len should become the better player but he isn't there yet. Mozgov is better on offense and better as an interior defender, all Len has on him is rebounding. I also think you're overrating Thompson dramatically. He is just a guy, a replacement level big earning stupid money. I do think LeBron would pick him over Chandler but only because LeBron did some really shady forcing of Cleveland's hand to give his agent buddy another win on a big contract but I wouldn't take Thompson over any of our current bigs... and none of them really excite me, and on his current contract I wouldn't take Thompson over basically anyone in the league.
 

Mainstreet

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Yes, I think we offer a better supporting cast, but no, I don't think there is a snowballs chance LeBron even considers coming here. Only way he leaves Cleveland is if some sure fire title contender does a helluva job recruiting him, we certainly don't qualify.

Mainstreet, I do think you're overrating Len... or underrating Mozgov. Len should become the better player but he isn't there yet. Mozgov is better on offense and better as an interior defender, all Len has on him is rebounding. I also think you're overrating Thompson dramatically. He is just a guy, a replacement level big earning stupid money. I do think LeBron would pick him over Chandler but only because LeBron did some really shady forcing of Cleveland's hand to give his agent buddy another win on a big contract but I wouldn't take Thompson over any of our current bigs... and none of them really excite me, and on his current contract I wouldn't take Thompson over basically anyone in the league.

You make an excellent point about Thompson's salary. However, Chandler is overpaid as well and he is older. I will give you this point based on the difference in salary. I still like Len over Mozgov.

Obviously I meant Archie Goodwin not Archie Williams in my previous post.
 

AzStevenCal

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You make an excellent point about Thompson's salary. However, Chandler is overpaid as well and he is older. I will give you this point based on the difference in salary. I still like Len over Mozgov.

Obviously I meant Archie Goodwin not Archie Williams in my previous post.

I think Phrazbit is right about most of his post but with the Len/Mozgov comparison I think it's partly because Len has had to play out of position for much of this season. Hopefully we find or develop a real set of starting forwards and Len moves back to center where he belongs. Even if Timofey is better than him right now, I don't expect that advantage to last for long.

As for Chandler versus Thompson, I don't like much about Thompson's game or that entire contract situation. But on the court I'd give him the edge the first half of this season and I'd give Chandler the edge the second half. Personally I'd rather have Chandler for 3 more seasons at his salary than Thompson for 4 more years at his but it's certainly arguable.
 
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JCSunsfan

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Yes, I think we offer a better supporting cast, but no, I don't think there is a snowballs chance LeBron even considers coming here. Only way he leaves Cleveland is if some sure fire title contender does a helluva job recruiting him, we certainly don't qualify.

Mainstreet, I do think you're overrating Len... or underrating Mozgov. Len should become the better player but he isn't there yet. Mozgov is better on offense and better as an interior defender, all Len has on him is rebounding. I also think you're overrating Thompson dramatically. He is just a guy, a replacement level big earning stupid money. I do think LeBron would pick him over Chandler but only because LeBron did some really shady forcing of Cleveland's hand to give his agent buddy another win on a big contract but I wouldn't take Thompson over any of our current bigs... and none of them really excite me, and on his current contract I wouldn't take Thompson over basically anyone in the league.


No. I am not suggesting we sign LeBron or that we could. I am suggesting that one superstar type player would put us into the top 5 seeds in the west.

Let's just sign both Durant and LeBron and call it a summer. Just think on that roster a minute.

No not serious.
 

Phrazbit

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You make an excellent point about Thompson's salary. However, Chandler is overpaid as well and he is older. I will give you this point based on the difference in salary. I still like Len over Mozgov.

Obviously I meant Archie Goodwin not Archie Williams in my previous post.

Yeah, Chandler is older but I think if on a team that was competing for something he could be a provide a lot of help, I know he is a older than Thompson but IMO we're comparing a guy who has a solid track record as a top 10 center to a dude who probably wouldn't start on many teams unless LeBron is the defacto GM. I don't know if Chandler will continue as a guy who could be leaned upon in a playoff series but I know Thompson isn't the type of player I'd really care about regardless of the situation. He is an 8th man quality player, via LeBron and the stooge LeBron has turned into an agent.

I wonder how many people LeBron has pulled in his wake the heights they probably couldn't sniff on their own. Brian Windhorst is an NBA reporter who's main credential for years was that he went to LeBron's high school, LeBron's agent is one of his crew, whom prior to latching onto James was apperantly selling t-shirts, then you have an assortment of NBA players like Thompson, Mo Williams, Larry Hughes, Danny Gibson, Delonte West; whom at some point mascaraded as serious talent basically because of the gravity LeBron pulls on the court... or in West's case because he supposedly shlubbed LeBron's mom.

I think Phrazbit is right about most of his post but with the Len/Mozgov comparison I think it's partly because Len has had to play out of position for much of this season. Hopefully we find or develop a real set of starting forwards and Len moves back to center where he belongs. Even if Timofey is better than him right now, I don't expect that advantage to last for long.

As for Chandler versus Thompson, I don't like much about Thompson's game or that entire contract situation. But on the court I'd give him the edge the first half of this season and I'd give Chandler the edge the second half. Personally I'd rather have Chandler for 3 more seasons at his salary than Thompson for 4 more years at his but it's certainly arguable.

Len shows flashes, no question he should be better but what separates the two the most is that Mozgov plays with a lot of energy, while Len still has nights where he just doesn't inject himself into the game. I know a lot of people dish out the line the our guards don't get him involved but that is the way of life for centers all over the league. There are not many who have teams trying to run plays through them and when the Suns did force a lot of action his way this year he was reeeeeeeally inefficient on offense.

I do want to see what he does with better guys around him, especially how he might look with Bledsoe and Booker out there together. For as much as people rip Bledsoe it was him who was most responsible for Plumlee getting to pretend to be a legit starting caliber player for a while. They had a good synergy, hopefully Bledsoe and Len can get a similar flow.
 

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The Spurs are reportedly going to pursue Kevin Durant in free agency. What is bothersome, I'm sure they have a legitimate chance at doing so. They signed LaMarcus Aldridge in the last free agency period. The Spurs have a history of being a stable, winning franchise. The Suns lack the track record to attract top free agents although they came close with Aldridge.

Jerry Colangelo was successful with the Suns because he had the same ability to lure top free agents because of the environment he provided.
 
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JCSunsfan

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The Spurs are reportedly going to pursue Kevin Durant in free agency. What is bothersome, I'm sure they have a legitimate chance at doing so. They signed LaMarcus Aldridge in the last free agency period. The Spurs have a history of being a stable, winning franchise. The Suns lack the track record to attract top free agents although they came close with Aldridge.

Jerry Colangelo was successful with the Suns because he had the same ability to lure top free agents because of the environment he provided.

To play what position? LMA is the pf. Kahwi is the sf. Cannot see Kahwi playing the 2. LMA moves over toe C so that KD can play pf. Both would be out of position. I suppose the best answer would be to move Kahwi to the 2.

Just don't see it.
 

Mainstreet

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To play what position? LMA is the pf. Kahwi is the sf. Cannot see Kahwi playing the 2. LMA moves over toe C so that KD can play pf. Both would be out of position. I suppose the best answer would be to move Kahwi to the 2.

Just don't see it.

If you have a chance to pursue a star like Durant, you make it work. Positions do not seem to be cast in cement in today's NBA. You provided a scenario where it might work. Of course, LMA is not fond of playing center.
 

AzStevenCal

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The Spurs are reportedly going to pursue Kevin Durant in free agency. What is bothersome, I'm sure they have a legitimate chance at doing so. They signed LaMarcus Aldridge in the last free agency period. The Spurs have a history of being a stable, winning franchise. The Suns lack the track record to attract top free agents although they came close with Aldridge.

From what I watched it sounds like this is all outsider speculation and I don't see it happening. Durant just isn't a Spurs type of player IMO. He's much more like Harden than his PR people have led us to believe. The Spurs look for players that are "over themselves" and that's not Durant IMO.
 

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From what I watched it sounds like this is all outsider speculation and I don't see it happening. Durant just isn't a Spurs type of player IMO. He's much more like Harden than his PR people have led us to believe. The Spurs look for players that are "over themselves" and that's not Durant IMO.

I'm sure this is all speculation at this point but I bet the Spurs make the call. The thing is with the Spurs, they tend to mold players to fit their system. The lure of a championship would be very strong with the Spurs.
 

AzStevenCal

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I'm sure this is all speculation at this point but I bet the Spurs make the call. The thing is with the Spurs, they tend to mold players to fit their system. The lure of a championship would be very strong with the Spurs.

I was talking about his mental makeup when I said he isn't their type of guy. Apparently they have an interview process designed to ferret out those players that still think they are special. Players such as Durant, Westbrook, Wall, Irving and Lillard (as examples) could easily fit into the style of game the Spurs play but I don't see any of them fitting it from the standpoint of emotional makeup. I'd worry more about them targeting Anthony Davis, Devin Booker or Karl Anthony Towns in a few years, those guys would probably fit in seamlessly.
 

Mainstreet

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I was talking about his mental makeup when I said he isn't their type of guy. Apparently they have an interview process designed to ferret out those players that still think they are special. Players such as Durant, Westbrook, Wall, Irving and Lillard (as examples) could easily fit into the style of game the Spurs play but I don't see any of them fitting it from the standpoint of emotional makeup. I'd worry more about them targeting Anthony Davis, Devin Booker or Karl Anthony Towns in a few years, those guys would probably fit in seamlessly.

The players you mention in the last sentence would be the type of players the Spurs would target however I think the system helps make a variety of players embrace it. Maybe it's because the Spurs are good at targeting players but I think a lot has to do with coaching and selling their system to the players.

The way players play for the Spurs has almost become an art form in the way they execute. Although certain players may not fit the Spurs now, some will mature and seek a championship as time goes on. I think Cousins would be a terrible fit for the Spurs but on the other hand, I can also see him finding a home with the Spurs. IMO, Cousins is almost begging for a team that will make him accountable and provide a family type environment.
 

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