Frontcourt Depth

[Griffin]

Which of these players is most likely to wear a Suns uniform at the start of next season?

 

[Yuma]

From what I've seen so far this offseason, I missed the last few Rocky Mountain Summer League games, I'd say it's Amare, Jake, and the Matrix again. However, if Lampe continues to improve, he could push Jake by year's end. This year, however, we have depth off the bench with a "second" team of Barbosa, Q\JJ, Zarko, Lampe, and Vroman. Jacobsen is our utility guy, bridging the first and second teams. Aside from the center spot, I think we will be one of the deepest teams in the west this year!

 

[Yuma]

From what I've seen so far this offseason, I missed the last few Rocky Mountain Summer League games, I'd say it's Amare, Jake, and the Matrix again. However, if Lampe continues to improve, he could push Jake by year's end. This year, however, we have depth off the bench with a "second" team of Barbosa, Q\JJ, Zarko, Lampe, and Vroman. Jacobsen is our utility guy, bridging the first and second teams. Aside from the center spot, I think we will be one of the deepest teams in the west this year!

Oops, didn't see the poll, but it looks like we will get a wild card if we pick anyone up. Probably won't matter who it is, really.

 

[Griffin]

From what I've seen so far this offseason, I missed the last few Rocky Mountain Summer League games, I'd say it's Amare, Jake, and the Matrix again. However, if Lampe continues to improve, he could push Jake by year's end. This year, however, we have depth off the bench with a "second" team of Barbosa, Q\JJ, Zarko, Lampe, and Vroman. Jacobsen is our utility guy, bridging the first and second teams. Aside from the center spot, I think we will be one of the deepest teams in the west this year!

I'm guessing too that Jake will be getting the most starts at the beginning of the season, regardless of who we pick up, unless a major trade is in the works. But if they add another player, i'm hoping it's someone with some upside rather than a veteran. Although, of the players I listed there isn't much upside to be found.

 

[George O'Brien]

It is not certain that the Suns will only take one guy. Right now they have only twelve players and can put up to three on IR. This means they could add JP and/or Traylor plus Scott Williams. Williams might not get off IR, but he would be available for practice and in the locker room where his experience could be very valuable. At the same time, if there are some injuries, he would be a lot better than some 10 day wonder.

 

[Errntknght]

I picked JP mainly because he's young... at least, if he worked out he'd be around for a while. I don't think I've ever seen him play but there are rumors he's a competent defender... so that's something.

If I thought there was much chance Corie had anything left in the tank I'd have gone with him. He drove Skiles nuts because he missed all kinds of defensive assignments, and I always liked him for that (driving Skiles nuts, not missing assignments). He couldn't defend screens nor patrol the paint but if you needed someone to bump, hold, elbow and frustrate a big Corie was your man. He saved our butts in that playoff series against the Spurs with his defense on DRobinson. Scotty never figured out how to use him and sent him packing the next year - I always enjoyed the fact that when Skiles got another job, Corie was waiting there to haunt him.

 

[Bada0Bing]

I picked Traylor just because I've heard he has been talking to the Suns and I haven't heard this about the other guys. I haven't seen much of JP, but I looked at his numbers a few weeks ago and was surprised. His offensive numbers sucked, but I liked his rebounds and blocks. I think he would be a nice fit. We've got enough scorers, so we need a guy like JP to rebound, block shots, and play D.

 

[George O'Brien]

It is rumored that Traylor will bet $1.6 million from the Cavs. It looks like he will be off the board by early this week.

 

[NJYAJ09]

Almost certain it will be JP


Hes a good defender, and a very good shot blocker, but other then that..

 

[George O'Brien]

Almost certain it will be JP


Hes a good defender, and a very good shot blocker, but other then that..

Caro's article included a small item on JP

Atlanta's Joel Przybilla, another restricted free agent, is a possibility, but only if he showed he has fully recovered from last season's knee injury.

Actually, JP is an unrestricted free agent because the Hawks did not give him qualifying offer. Hoopshype has him listed as an RFA, but the other boards have him as unrestricted.

The Suns worked out JP a few weeks ago. It is not clear if they have given him a complete physical. This past season he was in only 17 games for the entire season. He had nagging injuries before: only 32 games in 2002-03 although some of that was DNP's.

During his last "healthy year" (2001-02) he played in 71 games and actually started 62. His numbers were not wonderful, but in 15.9 minutes he averaged 4 rpg and had an impressive 1.66 blocks per game. He rarely shot and had only 2.7 ppg, but made 53.5% of his shots. (42.2% for free throws, he was one of the worst free throw shooters in the NBA). His big problem was 2.8 fouls per game in only 15.9 minutes.

How good could he be if he was healthy? He was the #9 pick in the 2000 draft (Etan Thomas was taken 12th and Magloire was taken 19th). The reason was that he had a great sophomore season at Minnesota:

-----------------MIN FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG TPG BPG SPG PPG
99-00 Minnesota 30.4 61.3 0.0 49.5 8.4 2.4 3.7 3.9 0.8 14.2

There is a high risk he will get re-injured, but for a minimum contract I think he is worth the risk.

 

[elindholm]

There is a high risk he will get re-injured, but for a minimum contract I think he is worth the risk.

Heck, for a minimum contract, virtually anyone is worth the risk. But the Suns need someone they honestly believe they'll be able to count on, rather than one or two cheap flyers who might just happen to pan out.

 

[sunsfn]

Przybilla would be an okay choice at this time. If they sign two players, I would think Hunter would be a good choice. He is young, big and can run the floor. Maybe he can block a few shots and help out. Both players are young and for the minimum they would be worth signing to see if one of them can someday be a decent player.

 

[NJYAJ09]

Signing JP and Scott Williams would work... we could keep Williams on the IR, and he could sorta be a coach/mentor to the younger players.