How good is Booker?

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

If a team other than the Lakers had the #2 pick I think they would have passed on Ball in favor of Fox if they were after a PG. Ball can't shoot and in today's NBA a player that can't shoot will only get your team so far. The Lakers seemed to be the only team at the top of the draft that was completely sold on Ball. He's a good playmaker who was taken in a draft that didn't have great players at the very top of the class. Fultz, Jackson, Fox, Tatum, and Ball were all figured to be pretty even. Philly wouldn't have taken him because they already had Simmons and didn't need to add a PG that can't shoot, of course Fultz ended up becoming a PG who can't shoot but that's a different issue. The Celtics wouldn't have taken him either because he wouldn't be a good fit there and they claimed that Tatum was always their choice like the Suns have said with Jackson. That's 3 teams that would have passed on him, if Sacramento had the choice between Fox or Ball I think they would have stayed with Fox since he was clearly better than Ball each time UCLA met Kentucky. Add in how Ball was injured and didn't work out for the top teams and I think he'd slip past Fultz, Fox, Tatum, and Jackson, maybe further. That would have put him at #5. So yeah, I think it's pretty easy to see that he may have slipped down the board a bit if his dad didn't do the job he did on selling him to the Lakers.

This is 100% conjecture on your part. Ball went exactly where expected and where he was projected to go all year even before the lottery played out in the lakers favor. The suns were rumored to be VERY interested in him. Of course they said they had jj as their #1 all along, that’s GM speak 101 after the draft plays out that they took him. Literally everything you typed other than the celtics wanting Tatum is made up.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Booker is good enough that the Suns only lost by 10 last night, instead of 46.

Unfortunately for Los Suns, the rest of the league is now wise to him. And if the Suns don't stop this "let's look like the Washington Generals every night so we can get the 1st pick...again," he will test the market. Couple that with Sarver's role as CTO (Chief Turd Officer), who will never pay up to retain Booker, and you have Booker in L.A., or NYC, or OKC.

Good news is he can’t test the market for many years still.

 

[Hoop Head]

This is 100% conjecture on your part. Ball went exactly where expected and where he was projected to go all year even before the lottery played out in the lakers favor. The suns were rumored to be VERY interested in him. Of course they said they had jj as their #1 all along, that’s GM speak 101 after the draft plays out that they took him. Literally everything you typed other than the celtics wanting Tatum is made up.

Of course it's conjecture, I originally said I don't think he would have been taken #2 overall without Lavar hyping him up. It's an opinion. Are we not allowed to share those? The draft isn't going to be redone and Lavar isn't going away so we don't know what would happen without him. This isn't new, it's been discussed before. I'm sure it was discussed here if you want to dig through the forum when all of the top players were being discussed. There was quite a bit of talk before the draft about how far Lonzo would fall if the Lakers decided to pass on him.

Here's one article questioning if Philly would also pass on him if LA did, of course it was written before Philly traded up for the #1 pick but it does talk about his weaknesses and explains why teams would pass on him.

http://www.nbcsports.com/philadelph...rs-i-dont-know-how-they-could-pass-lonzo-ball

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Of course it's conjecture, I originally said I don't think he would have been taken #2 overall without Lavar hyping him up. It's an opinion. Are we not allowed to share those? The draft isn't going to be redone and Lavar isn't going away so we don't know what would happen without him. This isn't new, it's been discussed before. I'm sure it was discussed here if you want to dig through the forum when all of the top players were being discussed. There was quite a bit of talk before the draft about how far Lonzo would fall if the Lakers decided to pass on him.

Here's one article questioning if Philly would also pass on him if LA did, of course it was written before Philly traded up for the #1 pick but it does talk about his weaknesses and explains why teams would pass on him.

http://www.nbcsports.com/philadelph...rs-i-dont-know-how-they-could-pass-lonzo-ball

That’s one of many. I’d be surprised if many on this board share your opinion that lavars antics POSITIVELY impacted his draft status. Whether he would’ve slid or not is open to debate (I say he wouldn’t have made it past the suns), but the notion that Lavar’s insanity sold him to the lakers is, in and of itself, insane imo.

I mean the lakers had to address whether Lavar would negatively affect their opinion of drafting Lonzo and you’re suggesting his idiocy helped to CONVINCE them to draft him?!? I’m sorry I see zero logic behind that one.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Lonzo has been a projected top 1-5 pick since he was in HS. Suggesting otherwise is purely revisionist history.

And Ouchie is right, the biggest concerns about Lonzo weren't his play but the circus around him. It's still a concern of course I'd still take on Deng's contract for him as would probably about 10 other NBA teams. He's certainly not a bust like some have said. Sure his shooting has been awful but Fox, JJ, DSJ, etc have all been almost if not as bad while performing worse in other parts of the game.

 

[Willie D]

Good news is he can’t test the market for many years still.

He's a RFA after next season. I don't see how that is "years to come." I don't think you can understate the crush of a young man's brain knowing his boss is doing everything he can to run his team like Mr. Kruger ran his business on "Seinfeld." That S+++ wears on people. Any sort of "hometown discount" he might have intoned in his rookie year is weighing on him.

 

[Chaplin]

He's a RFA after next season. I don't see how that is "years to come." I don't think you can understate the crush of a young man's brain knowing his boss is doing everything he can to run his team like Mr. Kruger ran his business on "Seinfeld." That S+++ wears on people. Any sort of "hometown discount" he might have intoned in his rookie year is weighing on him.

It is? How do you know that? You seem to have some unique insight on Devin Booker.

 

[hsandhu]

It is? How do you know that? You seem to have some unique insight on Devin Booker.

Literally every bit of reporting from those that cover suns close, bordow/gambo, is that booker will sign extension. They are pretty certain, I'm guessing booker told them directly.
And would you expect a 21 year old, who is getting 13th pick money, to pass up on a guaranteed 150 million?? When he signs the extension he is locked in for 6 more years.

Guys like they one you responded to are just pulling their ideas out of thin air instead of using any actual reporting.

 

[elindholm]

He's a RFA after next season. I don't see how that is "years to come." I don't think you can understate the crush of a young man's brain knowing his boss is doing everything he can to run his team like Mr. Kruger ran his business on "Seinfeld." That S+++ wears on people. Any sort of "hometown discount" he might have intoned in his rookie year is weighing on him.

If Sarver, McDonough, or whoever balks at offering Booker a maximum contract, then the Suns have a crisis on their hands. I can't believe they'd be that stupid, but they've surprised me before.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Not one player EVER has not taken the first max extension even those in less than desirable situations. He'll re-up and if things aren't better by year 4 he'll demand a trade.

You take care of the financial end then worry about the personal stuff in your late 20's.

 

[Mainstreet]

He's a RFA after next season. I don't see how that is "years to come." I don't think you can understate the crush of a young man's brain knowing his boss is doing everything he can to run his team like Mr. Kruger ran his business on "Seinfeld." That S+++ wears on people. Any sort of "hometown discount" he might have intoned in his rookie year is weighing on him.

Let me say it another way, the Suns can catch match any offer for Booker when he becomes a RFA and thus retain his rights for years to come. Booker will get the max.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

Let me say it another way, the Suns can catch match any offer for Booker when he becomes a RFA and thus retain his rights for years to come. Booker will get the max.

And I think Booker is smart enough to let the Suns offer it because we can lock him in for an extra year and that first big contract is all about capitalizing on the biggest contract possible.

 

[Mainstreet]

And I think Booker is smart enough to let the Suns offer it because we can lock him in for an extra year and that first big contract is all about capitalizing on the biggest contract possible.

Agree, although there is always the possibility Booker could become disenchanted with the Suns if they do not make marked improvement and he wants out. He is young enough where he could make most of the money back.

Of course this is a reach but he might be willing to forego the extra year and ask the Suns to trade him. The Suns would not have to do it but we have seen something similar happen in the Joe Johnson situation.

“Joe Johnson made us aware of his personal desires which just didn't fit our model of building a team. We're sorry to see Joe leave and we wish him nothing but the best in Atlanta,” Suns President and General Manager Bryan Colangelo said. “Despite losing Joe, we are pleased that we have acquired a young, talented player in Boris Diaw, two first round draft picks and additional flexibility to keep our building process moving forward.”

http://www.nba.com/suns/news/johnson_traded_050819.html

IMO, this is one of the reasons the Suns have moved their rebuild timeline to this summer. They want Booker to remain happy in Phoenix.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

He's a RFA after next season. I don't see how that is "years to come." I don't think you can understate the crush of a young man's brain knowing his boss is doing everything he can to run his team like Mr. Kruger ran his business on "Seinfeld." That S+++ wears on people. Any sort of "hometown discount" he might have intoned in his rookie year is weighing on him.

RESTRICTED

There’s a reason not many RFA’s move teams.

 

[SirStefan32]

There is no way that Booker even becomes a restricted free agent. He will sign the extension this summer.

 

[Errntknght]

The best way to keep Booker happy here is to draft one of the top players coming out this year and we are particulary in need of a front court player. My guess is that Doncic overlaps too much with Book, for him to be that guy. Even moving Doncic to SF doesn't work that well for us, with TJ there and Josh Jackson looking better and better. If we're picking 4/5 and Doncic is there it will hard not to take him but I think we'd be best served by going with Bamba or JJ or some other big who comes on strong at the end of the season. Now if there some bigs, like John Collins last year, who we could nab with Miami or Mil pick, maybe then take Doncic if he's clearly the BPA. If the Mil pick transfers that would give us two shots later. I haven't looked beyond the top 7 guys yet this year so I've no idea who the possibilities are, if any. Of course, identifying those guys is not a given and McD/scouts have not been great at finding front court players.

 

[SirStefan32]

The best way to keep Booker happy here is to draft one of the top players coming out this year and we are particulary in need of a front court player. My guess is that Doncic overlaps too much with Book, for him to be that guy. Even moving Doncic to SF doesn't work that well for us, with TJ there and Josh Jackson looking better and better. If we're picking 4/5 and Doncic is there it will hard not to take him but I think we'd be best served by going with Bamba or JJ or some other big who comes on strong at the end of the season. Now if there some bigs, like John Collins last year, who we could nab with Miami or Mil pick, maybe then take Doncic if he's clearly the BPA. If the Mil pick transfers that would give us two shots later. I haven't looked beyond the top 7 guys yet this year so I've no idea who the possibilities are, if any. Of course, identifying those guys is not a given and McD/scouts have not been great at finding front court players.

Before they got Payton, I thought Doncic might make sense. Play him at his natural position, and have the SF guard the opposing PG. Right now, I cannot envision how he fits unless JJ or Warren go bye-bye. They have got to get some PF/C help.

 

[unseenaz]

Before they got Payton, I thought Doncic might make sense. Play him at his natural position, and have the SF guard the opposing PG. Right now, I cannot envision how he fits unless JJ or Warren go bye-bye. They have got to get some PF/C help.

Ayton is the answer. if we get the top pick, great. if not, do whatever it takes within reason to get him

 

[SirStefan32]

Ayton is the answer. if we get the top pick, great. if not, do whatever it takes within reason to get him

I tend to agree. The only bad thing I keep seeing are references to his less-than-stellar work ethic/ motor. No idea as to what that's about, but watching him a few games, he looked damned good to me.

 

[Matt L]

Before they got Payton, I thought Doncic might make sense. Play him at his natural position, and have the SF guard the opposing PG. Right now, I cannot envision how he fits unless JJ or Warren go bye-bye. They have got to get some PF/C help.

Honestly, if they are picking 1 or 2 and have the Heat pick in the 11-16 range (these are a lot of ifs) i think it would make sense to draft Doncic and then use the Heat pick, Bucks pick and Warren to move up to 6-7-8 to draft Bamba or that kid from Michigan State or Porter depending on who falls.

I realize this is extreme wishful thinking but maybe a team would do it, especially if we threw in a pick in the 2019 draft (hopefully top 5 protected)

 

[JCSunsfan]

I still think Doncic is a potential bust. He has highly developed skills and great IQ. But physically he has limitations and his shooting is not exceptional. He might one of those players that peaks at a young age. Of all the players in the top 7, he scares me the most.

 

[3rdside]

Honestly, if they are picking 1 or 2 and have the Heat pick in the 11-16 range (these are a lot of ifs) i think it would make sense to draft Doncic and then use the Heat pick, Bucks pick and Warren to move up to 6-7-8 to draft Bamba or that kid from Michigan State or Porter depending on who falls.

I realize this is extreme wishful thinking but maybe a team would do it, especially if we threw in a pick in the 2019 draft (hopefully top 5 protected)

That’s the trade I’ve been thinking of - Insta-team albeit with rookies.

Nice work.

Pick Doncic, trade up in the draft and grab bamba. We’d be super young but sorted (in theory) at all positions.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[SirStefan32]

I still think Doncic is a potential bust. He has highly developed skills and great IQ. But physically he has limitations and his shooting is not exceptional. He might one of those players that peaks at a young age. Of all the players in the top 7, he scares me the most.

His shooting is over-hyped, for sure. He will struggle with his shot for a year or two.

 

[Cheesebeef]

His shooting is over-hyped, for sure. He will struggle with his shot for a year or two.

So... he’s not a good shooter... and he’s limited athletically... and historically Euro players have been super hit or miss that high in the draft?

THATS what we’ve suffered for all season?! Sounds like a great number 1 pick in a loaded draft.

 

[SirStefan32]

So... he’s not a good shooter... and he’s limited athletically... and historically Euro players have been super hit or miss that high in the draft?

THATS what we’ve suffered for all season?! Sounds like a great number 1 pick in a loaded draft.

He is a good shooter, but to listen to some scouts (or read), you'd think he was a Steve Nash-level shooter. Problem with a lot of people is that they exaggerate the faults of the players they don't like, and do the same thing with the qualities of those they like. I try my best to be objective.

Additionally, remember that even good shooters struggle in the NBA for the first year or two, for the most part. I think Doncic will be a good player. He will be far better than his detractors claim, but probably not as good as his biggest fans think.