Looking for a backup big

[George O'Brien]

One of the implications of trading Jake is that the illusion that Jake might serve as the Suns backup big man is eliminated. It was pretty clear he did not fit D'Antoni's style. As recently as three seasons ago he was the starting center on a playoff team, but late in his past season D'Antoni would use McCarty rather than bring in Jake.

Curiously enough, the bottom four guys on last season's team were inside guys and all are gone: Jake, McCarty, Outlaw, and Shirley. Since it seems likely that Hunter will be gone, the Suns will have lost five bigs while adding just one and a deep bench guy in Lucas Tischer.

One of the implications of the JJ contract situation is that the Suns may not be prepared to use their LLE for a fringe big guy - at least not yet. The guys would be the most interesting pickup would also be guys who would want long term contracts and minutes. The Suns won't be able to offer either.

I'm not sure if there are any guys willing to play for veteran minimum worth having, but I suspect that is all the Suns will be able to do.

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

The Suns are supposedly going to sign Pat Burke. He immediately replaces Jake in that bench spot. From what I can remember, he had a pretty good outside shot too.

Shirley never played, so that doesn't really matter and will probably line up with Tischer.

Thomas will take over for the role Hunter had, except he will be consistant and play like 30 minutes a game.

I wouldn't be surprised if McCarty came back on a minimum deal. Of course he isn't an inside player like you said so that doesn't really matter.

Outlaw also never played, and he only played inside because he can only make layups.



What I am trying to say is that they Suns have already vastly improved their bigs from last season. Thomas will be much more effective than Hunter, and from what I remember of Burke he may get some time since he can shoot.

We could use some more big bodies, but at this point they will only be there for fouls - not meaningful production

 

[SirStefan32]

Am I the only one who thinks Hunter will be back?

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Am I the only one who thinks Hunter will be back?

No I also believe Hunter will be back.

 

[scotsman13]

i think that hunter will be back to. i think that the suns will give hunter the LLE for 5 year deal with opt out in 2 years.

 

[Joe Mama]

You guys are more optimistic than I am. I accepted that Hunter will not be returning almost as soon as the season ended. I still believe that. In fact now that the Phoenix Suns are apparently going to spend much more than they had anticipated on JJ I think that makes it even more likely that Hunter won't be back.

Joe Mama

 

[George O'Brien]

I thought so too, but Bickley's article makes it clear that avoiding paying much luxury tax is a big deal for the Suns this season.

 

[coloradosun]

I think we just checkmated Atlanta and they will not extend their offer to JJ. There is no sense to now, why wait for Phoenix to match now. I think they will now either extend an offer to Chandler or Curry. They can pick up Watson for the point, that is a sure thing. They need to address the center position with either the Bulls center or Pashulia. They need sure things right now because the pickins' are slim.

I think Hunter may have entertained an offer from Atlanta as well if JJ would have ended up there. His options are dwindling, Philly (backup to Dalembert not much difference to backing up Thomas), Dallas (may not be available if the Mavs deal Finley to Orlando and get back either Cato or Battie). His limited offensive skills make him a perpetual backup and I have got to imagine he would prefer playing backup deep into the playoffs vs. a lottery team.

 

[Joe Mama]

I think we just checkmated Atlanta and they will not extend their offer to JJ. There is no sense to now, why wait for Phoenix to match now. I think they will now either extend an offer to Chandler or Curry. They can pick up Watson for the point, that is a sure thing. They need to address the center position with either the Bulls center or Pashulia. They need sure things right now because the pickins' are slim.

I think Hunter may have entertained an offer from Atlanta as well if JJ would have ended up there. His options are dwindling, Philly (backup to Dalembert not much difference to backing up Thomas), Dallas (may not be available if the Mavs deal Finley to Orlando and get back either Cato or Battie). His limited offensive skills make him a perpetual backup and I have got to imagine he would prefer playing backup deep into the playoffs vs. a lottery team.

First, is there a reason you are doing all of your posts in bold now?

Atlanta has nothing to lose by making their offer to JJ. They are so far under the salary cap that they can have that offer on the table and still make other offers to free agents like the ones you mentioned.

Orlando is not going to take Michael Finley. We spell this out yesterday, and today one of the Orlando GM's said they had absolutely no interest in Finley with three years left on his contract. Besides, there are many other teams that will have room to sign Hunter to a deal starting at $2-3 million.

Joe Mama

 

[SirStefan32]

Does anyone know how much of the MLE Raja Bell is getting?

I don't know, but if I am in charge of the team, spending some extra money to have Hunter back up Thomas and Stoudemire, sounds pretty damn good to me.

Now that Jake is gone, with Bo and McCarthy probably not returning, I really think that they need to make sure Steve is back in Phoenix next year.

 

[Joe Mama]

Does anyone know how much of the MLE Raja Bell is getting?

I don't know, but if I am in charge of the team, spending some extra money to have Hunter back up Thomas and Stoudemire, sounds pretty damn good to me.

Now that Jake is gone, with Bo and McCarthy probably not returning, I really think that they need to make sure Steve is back in Phoenix next year.

I honestly don't think it matters how much they gave Bell. They just aren't going to commit the $2-3 million over the next 4-5 seasons to keep Hunter. Last season Hunter averaged about 14 minutes per game. Next season I expect Kurt Thomas to average around 30 minutes per game at least. I don't expect that anybody backing up the 4/5 will be getting more than a handful of minutes per game. They'll use someone they can get for the minimum.

Joe Mama

 

[Errntknght]

IMO, Hunter is almost certain to be gone. I don't think he has any particular interest in playing for the Suns and for him it makes perfect sense to get every dollar he can. After his treatment by D'Antoni I think another team would have an easy time wooing him away for the same money the Suns offered though I suspect he'll get a bit more. Heck, he is a useful backup C on most teams in the league so why would they have trouble paying him 2 milion per annum?

 

[wilecoyotesupergenius]

i think that hunter will be back to. i think that the suns will give hunter the LLE for 5 year deal with opt out in 2 years.

FYI....

...The MLE can be for a maximum of 5 years (and can be used every year). The LLE (the "One Million" exception valued at this year around $1.7) can only be used every other year...and the contract can be a MAXIMUM of 2 years in length. Since it has been reported that Raja Bell's deal starts between $4.25 and $4.5, it uses most of the MLE. That leaves only the $1.7 LLE...which is only 2 years in length. He may indeed still sign it (it is probably his best scenario for increasing his value for future contracts)...but with other suitors that have long term MLE available...it's looking less likely. Athletic 7' centers are overvalued...so someone is bound to give him what he wants...especially if they think it will "weaken" the Suns.

 

[asudevil83]

Bells contract starts at $4.25mil.

The club scored the NBA’s first free agent hit of the summer Friday, agreeing to terms with Raja Bell, a defensive-oriented off guard.

The Suns used $4.25 million of their $5-million mid-level exception to the salary cap to sign Bell. The deal comes out to nearly $25 million over five years.

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/index.php?sty=44050