free agent options

[elindholm]

So, assuming no trades, the Suns look approximately like this:

Chandler/Len/Williams/(Bender?)
Chriss/Bender/(Jackson/Dudley?)
Warren/Jackson/(Dudley?)
Booker/Barbosa/(Knight?)
Bledsoe/Ulis/(Knight?)

They should have quite a bit of cap space left, not enough for whatever the new max is, but enough to get a pretty big name or alternately a couple of solid role players. Where are the biggest needs?

Should the Suns try to extend Len, or let someone else lure him away?

 

[Folster]

If we trade Dudley, I wouldn't mind bringing in Millsap for a few years but not if he wants max money. I can't imagine there being that many teams with cap space willing to give him a max. I definitely don't want him for the Bird max.

Gambo suggested the Suns could do a sign and trade for Millsap giving up Chandler. I have no idea why Atl would want Chandler considering they'd be rebuilding after trading Howard and losing Millsap.

Overall I think Millsap would be good to have around for the young guys. He's tenacious and a hard worker. With him I think the Suns could compete for the playoffs and that would be good for the young guys.

I see the starting lineup as Bledsoe, Booker, Jackson, Millsap, Chriss.

 

[hcsilla]

Should the Suns try to extend Len, or let someone else lure him away?

I'm not sure at all there will be a market for Len's services. There is no point for the Suns to re-sign him, a few 2nd round picks from a S&T would be probably the max that Len can return on-and off-court.

Retaining Alan Williams seems a more important and tougher task.

 

[pokerface]

So, assuming no trades, the Suns look approximately like this:

Chandler/Len/Williams/(Bender?)

Should the Suns try to extend Len, or let someone else lure him away?

Honestly by your own depth chart where does Len really fit in? Chandler and Williams are better...Bender is more promising and will need minutes. Len is lost in that mix. He doesn't seem as promising or productive.

I'd rather the suns save some money and re-sign Warren. Let Len go.

 

[SirStefan32]

They need some shooters who can defend. Or some defenders who can shoot.

 

[elindholm]

They need some shooters who can defend. Or some defenders who can shoot.

How about Davon Reed?

 

[mojorizen7]

They need some shooters who can defend. Or some defenders who can shoot.

I think they just drafted one.

 

[Folster]

I totally misread this tweet earlier Gambo could have used a comma. Likely 2nd round picks not likely he would be traded.

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[Hoop Head]

Let Len walk and try to bring in a veteran shooting guard. Hopefully they can unload Knight somehow for one or the other, even if it's for someone on a similar contract. I like Barbosa but he should be the 5th guard, 3rd guard off the bench behind Ulis and a SG. Maybe bring in Korver? He's a free agent and the Cavs won't be able to offer him more than the minimum. I haven't looked at many free agents but we don't need a starting caliber PG, SG, SF, or PF.

If both Len and Williams sign elsewhere then we'll need a C/PF but I think we'd be ok there for the season with Chandler, Chriss, and Bender.

 

[GatorAZ]

Get rid of Knight and Dudley. Let Len walk and sign Williams for 2 years.

 

[SirStefan32]

Get rid of Knight and Dudley. Let Len walk and sign Williams for 2 years.

Why do they need to get rid of Dudley?

 

[GatorAZ]

Why do they need to get rid of Dudley?

They don't need to but I want them to. Trade Dudley to a contender and do what you have to do to rid Knight.

Let Len walk and try to bring back Williams on the cheap.

Still have vets; Bledsoe, Barbosa and Chandler

 

[SirStefan32]

They don't need to but I want them to. Trade Dudley to a contender and do what you have to do to rid Knight.

Let Len walk and try to bring back Williams on the cheap.

Still have vets; Bledsoe, Barbosa and Chandler

Yeah, but why? What would be the point of trading a solid role-model for young kids on the roster?

 

[outcent13]

Chris's was on the draft show and said he would be a center this year...asked if he was told that he said yes he would be playing the 5 this year for what that's worth

 

[Mainstreet]

I totally misread this tweet earlier Gambo could have used a comma. Likely 2nd round picks not likely he would be traded.

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I interpreted Dudley as a possible trade to NO for likely a couple of 2nd round picks even with a comma.

 

[GatorAZ]

Yeah, but why? What would be the point of trading a solid role-model for young kids on the roster?

The Suns have plenty of role models who will contribute next year. Unless he just wants to sit in sure he'd welcome a trade.

 

[Hoop Head]

I think Dudley is really happy to be back in Phoenix. I recall reading about how he had a couple of offers and chose Phoenix, for less money, because he loves Phoenix and the Suns organization. If Dudley doesn't want to be traded then you don't trade him. He's a quality vet who has a really good basketball mind. We need vets of all kinds and Chandler is a Center, Dudley is for our Forwards, and Bledsoe and Barbosa are for our Guards. Dudley can still play, he's just not big enough to be our starting PF like the team initially tried him as. He's too slow to be our main SF also but he should be ok playing either role with the 2nd unit.


Here's the Player's Tribune article he wrote about coming back to Phoenix. He's a high character player, veteran, teacher, and role model for the youngsters. This highlights why you don't trade him unless he wants out.

https://theplayerstribune.com/jared-dudley-suns-my-return-to-phoenix/

 

[SirStefan32]

I think Dudley is really happy to be back in Phoenix. I recall reading about how he had a couple of offers and chose Phoenix, for less money, because he loves Phoenix and the Suns organization. If Dudley doesn't want to be traded then you don't trade him. He's a quality vet who has a really good basketball mind. We need vets of all kinds and Chandler is a Center, Dudley is for our Forwards, and Bledsoe and Barbosa are for our Guards. Dudley can still play, he's just not big enough to be our starting PF like the team initially tried him as. He's too slow to be our main SF also but he should be ok playing either role with the 2nd unit.


Here's the Player's Tribune article he wrote about coming back to Phoenix. He's a high character player, veteran, teacher, and role model for the youngsters. This highlights why you don't trade him unless he wants out.

https://theplayerstribune.com/jared-dudley-suns-my-return-to-phoenix/

Yeah, no trading Dudley unless it is absolutely necessary.

 

[Hoop Head]

If the Suns had a choice, I see Chandler going before Dudley also. His deal is bigger, he'd probably get more in return due to the position he plays, and he's more of a known commodity. In addition to being a leader, he's also still able to contribute on the court as we all saw early last year when he was averaging 12 rpg.

Dudley on the other hand is on his 2nd stint here, is more of a fan favorite, and has a good relationship with Sarver. He's one player that I see moving to a front office or coaching role right after he retires. He's got the personality that I could see him being a color commentator also. Sort of like the modern day Majerle. When the Suns screwed up that relationship I think Sarver learned a lot about treating fan favorites. I'm glad that Majerle has done well for himself since then, coaching at GCU, but I can't see Sarver making the same mistake twice.

 

[GatorAZ]

If the Suns had a choice, I see Chandler going before Dudley also. His deal is bigger, he'd probably get more in return due to the position he plays, and he's more of a known commodity. In addition to being a leader, he's also still able to contribute on the court as we all saw early last year when he was averaging 12 rpg.

Dudley on the other hand is on his 2nd stint here, is more of a fan favorite, and has a good relationship with Sarver. He's one player that I see moving to a front office or coaching role right after he retires. He's got the personality that I could see him being a color commentator also. Sort of like the modern day Majerle. When the Suns screwed up that relationship I think Sarver learned a lot about treating fan favorites. I'm glad that Majerle has done well for himself since then, coaching at GCU, but I can't see Sarver making the same mistake twice.

We have one center under contract and 4-5 guys that can play SF. I think if they'd trade Chandler it would've been at the trade deadline last season.

We should be rooting for New Orleans striking out with Holiday and possibly go after Knight.

 

[Mainstreet]

Going back to free agency, here is what the Suns have after the draft.

Center: Chandler, Len (RFA) and Williams (FA)

Power Forward: Chriss, Bender and Dudley

Small Forward: Warren, Jackson and Jones Jr.

Shooting Guard: Booker, Barbosa, and Knight

Point Guard: Bledsoe and Ulis

Second Round Picks: Davon Reed and Alec Peters

There are fourteen players if the Suns keep everyone listed at a position.

I would think the Suns will keep at least one of their second round picks pushing the roster to fifteen if the Suns re-sign Len and Williams.

It looks like the Suns will be looking to trim their roster if the Suns add a free agent. Also the Suns will probably lose one of their centers but I think they should carry at least three centers with Chandler not getting any younger.

I can see the Suns trading Dudley.

Any new thoughts about free agent targets and trades?

 

[Folster]

What are the current roster limits and how does that work with the NAZ Suns?

 

[Hoop Head]

What are the current roster limits and how does that work with the NAZ Suns?

Been curious about that also. We signed Elijah Millsap to a multi year deal towards the end of last season also. Not sure how that will work.

 

[Mainstreet]

I understand free agents can begin reaching verbal agreements with teams starting July 1st, 2017.

The moratorium ends July 6th and teams can officially sign players and make trades.

https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2017/04/key-2017-nba-offseason-dates.html

 

[Mainstreet]

I thought the period for teams to match offers for their own RFAs was shortened to something like 3 days.

Anyone remember?