Grizzlies @ Suns Tuesday game thread 12-31-2024

[how_sweet_it_is]

We know the eye test doesn’t match the numbers but KD is averaging 28/7/4 on 51/41/84. The Suns would be downright foolish to not be seriously considering moving him even if it’s not a superstar level return. He could get hurt again any minute (hell he’s gone down in a layup line)! You have to salvage assets out of this debacle.

The problem is that superstar status gives a player a de facto no trade clause. Kevin Durant probably has enough power to break a trade by refusing to report.

 

[GatorAZ]

The problem is that superstar status gives a player a de facto no trade clause. Kevin Durant probably has enough power to break a trade by refusing to report.

True. He can make things difficult but he’s also shown a propensity to getting happy feet. The new team could promise him another year on his contract.

 

[Yuma]

I think JJ gets blamed here for a lot of things he may not be responsible for. But regardless, I think it's time to replace most, if not all, of the decision makers.

IDK NBA as well as the NFL front office guys. I totally agree with this. Watching how the Chargers just did this with a way better GM, and a proven coach. Coach Bud might be OK, but there is a true disconnect between the players we get versus the strengths of the coaches. It is just like having a GM just pick guys without having seen the team he is drafting for. We have no overall identity in which to blue print what to do with players and coaches. Gotta figure that out first.

 

[Hoop Head]

IDK NBA as well as the NFL front office guys. I totally agree with this. Watching how the Chargers just did this with a way better GM, and a proven coach. Coach Bud might be OK, but there is a true disconnect between the players we get versus the strengths of the coaches. It is just like having a GM just pick guys without having seen the team he is drafting for. We have no overall identity in which to blue print what to do with players and coaches. Gotta figure that out first.

Budenholzer has worn both hats, coach and GM. Maybe he's the fall back plan? He was seen regularly scouting with JJ before the draft. That was the first time I saw JJ scouting since we landed the #1 pick.

 

[95pro]

I believe that keeping Damion Lee is a waste of money. He doesn't seem to do anything useful. He could be released, cut, waived, whatever is appropriate.

And we still have a roster spot open too. So doing that we would have two spots.

 

[95pro]

Damion Lee is James Jones 2.0. He's a wing shooter who has 1 skill, shooting, and brings nothing else to the table. I wouldn't even say he's a good locker room guy given how lifeless and lethargic this team is as a whole. A good locker room guy doesn't allow those sort of traits to persist. Lee should have been cut last year when he was dealing with his injury. It's not like the Suns, or NBA, doesn't do that regularly with fringe players like Lee.

The Suns waived Frank when he was hurt and before that they waived Isaiah Canaan right after he injured his leg and was looking at a long recovery. The Knicks just did the same with Landry Shamet also. It's not something that poisons the free agent well, is my main point.

There’s been some positives said about Lee but I don’t see his leadership anywhere. I’m not sure why he’s still on the team.

Canaan was paid even though he was hurt. The suns lived up to his contract iirc.

I also heard the same for Kaminsky being akin to Lee. But he was cut and was more useful imo. Can you imagine having him on this group with the cast of centers we have. Least he could shoot from outside.

 

[clyde2tw]

The roster construction of last season was all wrong. Starting from trading for Beal, then throwing Camara into the Ayton deal, then sign the min deals with Lee, Yuta, Bol, etc. who didn't pan out. Okogie, Gordon, Eubanks were good enough for the money though. Lee opted out with Suns promise to sign him again, which saved a couple mil. bucks for the club.

 

[95pro]

The roster construction of last season was all wrong. Starting from trading for Beal, then throwing Camara into the Ayton deal, then sign the min deals with Lee, Yuta, Bol, etc. who didn't pan out. Okogie, Gordon, Eubanks were good enough for the money though. Lee opted out with Suns promise to sign him again, which saved a couple mil. bucks for the club.

Jones got rid of two we drafted; Jalen Smith and Camara. They could have been useful by now if we were into developing our own guys. They’re not world beaters but we would have forward/center depth with some youth and athleticism.

 

[Yuma]

Jones got rid of two we drafted; Jalen Smith and Camara. They could have been useful by now if we were into developing our own guys. They’re not world beaters but we would have forward/center depth with some youth and athleticism.

Pair them with Oso and Ryan, and it's not the best, but it is a nice young rotation at center and forward.