My Phoenix Suns summer plan

[Joe Mama]

OK. I don't really have anything yet. This board has just been so dead today. There are so many things the Phoenix Suns can do this summer. It should be one of the more exciting off seasons in quite a while. At least there will be a lot of anticipation.

I'm just so confused. I come up with a different idea for the direction the Phoenix Suns should take each day. Sometimes I change my mind several times per day. I think it's actually easier to come up with list of things I don't think they should do.

1. Don't trade away the draft pick to get rid of White's contract unless they are sure they can get Kobe Bryant. I just don't think there's anybody else in free agency worth it. Of course I haven't seen most of the players in the draft.

2. Don't pass on drafting a great project player just because the team is young. Again, haven't seen most of the young guys play, but surely there will be a guy with great potential even at #7. In other words I don't want them to pass on a guy who will be great in two years to get someone that will be helpful now.

3. Don't throw a huge extension at JJ. If they can sign him right now in the $5-6 million range they should probably do it. Otherwise they should probably wait until he proves himself another season, especially if they bring on somebody like Kobe Bryant. We all saw what happened with JJ when Marbury was around. It would be ashamed to give him a big contract then watch him play poorly because he isn't handling the ball most of the time.

4. If they can't get a top player they shouldn't give out any big contracts. IMO there just isn't anybody worth it. The big men (Marcus Camby, Erick Dampier, Okur, Blount, etc.) are going to get more than they are worth. I realize that the Phoenix Suns are not going to get everybody at market value or below, but I'm not sure any of the above are worth splurging for.

I'm sure I'll think of more later.

Joe Mama

 

[slinslin]

My understanding about resigning JJ is that.

If we wait until 2005 to resign him. He won't count for more than 500% of his last salary against the cap for the first year. That would still be like 10M$ though.
If we have some bad luck JJ will totally break out, we preserved all our capspace this season but can't sign any FAs next year because we need to resign JJ.

There are pro and cons. It depends on the price JJ is asking. If he takes like 6yrs/40M$ I think the Suns need to do that because he could easily be worth much more than that very soon.
If he asks for more they should probably wait and see.

 

[sly fly]

OK. I don't really have anything yet. This board has just been so dead today. There are so many things the Phoenix Suns can do this summer. It should be one of the more exciting off seasons in quite a while. At least there will be a lot of anticipation.

I'm just so confused. I come up with a different idea for the direction the Phoenix Suns should take each day. Sometimes I change my mind several times per day. I think it's actually easier to come up with list of things I don't think they should do.

1. Don't trade away the draft pick to get rid of White's contract unless they are sure they can get Kobe Bryant. I just don't think there's anybody else in free agency worth it. Of course I haven't seen most of the players in the draft.

2. Don't pass on drafting a great project player just because the team is young. Again, haven't seen most of the young guys play, but surely there will be a guy with great potential even at #7. In other words I don't want them to pass on a guy who will be great in two years to get someone that will be helpful now.

3. Don't throw a huge extension at JJ. If they can sign him right now in the $5-6 million range they should probably do it. Otherwise they should probably wait until he proves himself another season, especially if they bring on somebody like Kobe Bryant. We all saw what happened with JJ when Marbury was around. It would be ashamed to give him a big contract then watch him play poorly because he isn't handling the ball most of the time.

4. If they can't get a top player they shouldn't give out any big contracts. IMO there just isn't anybody worth it. The big men (Marcus Camby, Erick Dampier, Okur, Blount, etc.) are going to get more than they are worth. I realize that the Phoenix Suns are not going to get everybody at market value or below, but I'm not sure any of the above are worth splurging for.

I'm sure I'll think of more later.

Joe Mama

Got a beef about your #4...

Sorry, Joe... but mediocre players get big money. And, the Suns can't afford to sit idle. Maybe you're content with a 5 year re-building program, but I want to win now.

If signing Camby or Dampier requires a bit of a premium, then you have to do it. Somebody else will.

 

[George O'Brien]

OK. I don't really have anything yet. This board has just been so dead today. There are so many things the Phoenix Suns can do this summer. It should be one of the more exciting off seasons in quite a while. At least there will be a lot of anticipation.

I'm just so confused. I come up with a different idea for the direction the Phoenix Suns should take each day. Sometimes I change my mind several times per day. I think it's actually easier to come up with list of things I don't think they should do.

1. Don't trade away the draft pick to get rid of White's contract unless they are sure they can get Kobe Bryant. I just don't think there's anybody else in free agency worth it. Of course I haven't seen most of the players in the draft.

I run hot and cold on whether the Suns should use the Cleveland pick to move White. My frustration is that almost every center who is better will require more money - but more importantly will require a long term contract. That means tying up cap space for non-stars.

2. Don't pass on drafting a great project player just because the team is young. Again, haven't seen most of the young guys play, but surely there will be a guy with great potential even at #7. In other words I don't want them to pass on a guy who will be great in two years to get someone that will be helpful now.

I have been pushing for Biedrins for a while because I think he may produce more quickly that the other project big men -- and he plays defense.

3. Don't throw a huge extension at JJ. If they can sign him right now in the $5-6 million range they should probably do it. Otherwise they should probably wait until he proves himself another season, especially if they bring on somebody like Kobe Bryant. We all saw what happened with JJ when Marbury was around. It would be ashamed to give him a big contract then watch him play poorly because he isn't handling the ball most of the time.

I think JJ would bite at at a six year $40 million extension deal.

4. If they can't get a top player they shouldn't give out any big contracts. IMO there just isn't anybody worth it. The big men (Marcus Camby, Erick Dampier, Okur, Blount, etc.) are going to get more than they are worth. I realize that the Phoenix Suns are not going to get everybody at market value or below, but I'm not sure any of the above are worth splurging for.

Right now we are just guessing what these guys are going to be able to command. My guess is that Dampier will get from $8 to $10 million and Camby will get no more than $7 million first year. Other than that, I don't think most of the other guys will get much more than MLE.

If Dampier leaves the Warriors, except for a sign and trade, the only teams that can pay more than MLE are the Hawks, Jazz, Nuggets, Clippers, Spurs, and the Suns. I don't see the Clippers or the Spurs going for another big man. The Jazz seem reluctant to spend big money on free agents and the Hawks are not a real attractive team for any FA.

My guess is that the Nuggets will decide to go for Dampier and dump Camby. This will depress the market for Camby but he might be seen as an alternative to Ostertag in Utah. I would not be shocked if Ostertag went to the Hawks, since he would be playing against Eastern Conference centers the most of the time.

This means that guys like Blount and Foyle are unlikely to find FA opportunties above MLE. Maybe this is too much for these guys, but I don't they are going to get more than that

 

[scotsman13]

The Jazz seem reluctant to spend big money on free agents and the Hawks are not a real attractive team for any FA.

george it isnt that the jazz doesnt want to spend money it is that no one wants to take their money. last year the jazz offered magette and terry offer sheets that got signed. as rfa both of their teams resigned them. but utah also offer brand and miller max type money to come to utah and both said no way after all who wants to put up with a bunch of closed minded people (and yes i do live in utah).

 

[KloD]

I may be off on this, but I have heard/read that the owners are pushing for shorter contracts of 3 or 4 years max in the next talks. When is this current deal over?

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

I may be off on this, but I have heard/read that the owners are pushing for shorter contracts of 3 or 4 years max in the next talks. When is this current deal over?

2005

 

[Joe Mama]

Got a beef about your #4...

Sorry, Joe... but mediocre players get big money. And, the Suns can't afford to sit idle. Maybe you're content with a 5 year re-building program, but I want to win now.

If signing Camby or Dampier requires a bit of a premium, then you have to do it. Somebody else will.

Well, I will bet anyone here the $50 Eric is going to lose to me when the Lakers don't win the championship that the Phoenix Suns do not sign Marcus Camby or Erick Dampier. In fact I don't think they would offer either one of them over the mid-level exception unless it was a short-term deal. It wouldn't surprise me if the Suns make a play for Okur, Blount, or maybe even Foyl ($2-3 million per season).

I actually think Okur might be the hottest center free agent this summer. I mean I think he will get the most interest and maybe even the largest overall contract. It wouldn't surprise me in Phoenix is interested in him. I also think he will be high on Utah's list, and they could make a huge offer. He seems like the kind of guy they would go after.

Joe Mama

 

[elindholm]

Well, I will bet anyone here the $50 Eric is going to lose to me when the Lakers don't win the championship...

LOL, I wouldn't go adding that $50 to your account just yet. The Lakers have looked lousy so far and they're still 2-0.

 

[JJ Slim]

george it isnt that the jazz doesnt want to spend money it is that no one wants to take their money. last year the jazz offered magette and terry offer sheets that got signed. as rfa both of their teams resigned them. but utah also offer brand and miller max type money to come to utah and both said no way after all who wants to put up with a bunch of closed minded people (and yes i do live in utah).

I think part of the problem last year was that everybody assumed that the Jazz would be at the bottom of the standings and nobody wanted to go to a losing team. They proved this year that they can still be competitive even without Malone and Stockton. So this year they may have a better chance of attracting decent players.

 

[Joe Mama]

Well, I will bet anyone here the $50 Eric is going to lose to me when the Lakers don't win the championship...

LOL, I wouldn't go adding that $50 to your account just yet. The Lakers have looked lousy so far and they're still 2-0.

the Lakers are going to get killed by San Antonio in the next round.

Joe Mama

 

[elindholm]

the Lakers are going to get killed by San Antonio in the next round.

Arrghh ... if it weren't for these house construction bills running over, I'd offer double or nothing right now!

I hope you're right, though. It's the pessimism in me that sees the Lakers advancing.

 

[F-Dog]

2. Don't pass on drafting a great project player just because the team is young. Again, haven't seen most of the young guys play, but surely there will be a guy with great potential even at #7. In other words I don't want them to pass on a guy who will be great in two years to get someone that will be helpful now.

I think that drafting a project makes at least as much sense as drafting a player who can help immediately.

If the Suns can stay even moderately healthy, next year's rookie isn't in line for any playing time.

 

[hcsilla]

Joe Mama's plan

1. I disagree. If someone takes White's contract for CLE's pick (which is highly unlikely, IMO) do it! It will pay-off. I'm sure that the Suns can get at least a mid 1st pick back if someone want to dump even a short-term contract. Probably more. Cap room is very valuable. Ask the Jazz!

2. It's OK.

3. I agree.

4. Exactly.

 

[hcsilla]

I have been pushing for Biedrins for a while because I think he may produce more quickly that the other project big men -- and he plays defense.

Small story about Biedrins and the Suns:

I have been in San Antonio to attend NCAA Final Four.

Before the Final I was shopping in the downtown and I realized that Bryan Colangelo entered in the shop where I was.

I try to quote our conversation:

hc: Excuse me, aren't you by chance Bryan Colangelo?

BC: Yes, I'm.

hc: Could you give me a signature please?

BC: Ok.

(While he is writing his name)
hc:I'm a Suns fan from Hungary. Will we get better next season?

BC: Much better. We have very good core players.
(He finished.)
BC: Where are you from?

hc: From Hungary.
He is trying to identify the country.
hc: It's Central-Eastern Europe.

BC: Oh, I have made a 17-day trip in Latvia, Lithuania, etc..

hc: To see Andris Biedrins?

BC: Yes. And Martynas Andriuskevicius. (with pretty good pronunciation)

hc: Did you like them?

BC: Yes. They are soooo young.

hc: Thanks for the signature.

He inclines the head and makes two moves but he turns around:

BC:I look for present for my daughter.

hc: Me too.

He waves good-bye and leaves the shop.



Bryan Colangelo is a very symphatic man, he was open-minded and friendly.

After thinking about his "Yes. They are soooo young." sentence at least 20 times I still can't decide whether he is a real professional communicator or only he always gives a honest answer. Since it was informative but at the same time he didn't say any insider information about them.

All in all one thing is sure: the Suns (as all other teams too, IMO) are intensively scouting european talents.

 

[elindholm]

hc: From Hungary.
He is trying to identify the country.
hc: It's Central-Eastern Europe.



BC:I look for present for my daughter.

hc: Me too.

You were looking for a present for Bryan Colangelo's daughter?

 

[hcsilla]

hc: From Hungary.
He is trying to identify the country.
hc: It's Central-Eastern Europe.



BC:I look for present for my daughter.

hc: Me too.

You were looking for a present for Bryan Colangelo's daughter?

No, me too for my daughters.

 

[Joe Mama]

Joe Mama's plan

1. I disagree. If someone takes White's contract for CLE's pick (which is highly unlikely, IMO) do it! It will pay-off. I'm sure that the Suns can get at least a mid 1st pick back if someone want to dump even a short-term contract. Probably more. Cap room is very valuable. Ask the Jazz!

I'm sorry. I was referring to the Phoenix Suns own draft pick in the lottery.

Joe Mama

 

[hcsilla]

OK, then I agree. 1/7 is too much for dumping of White's 1-year contract.

 

[George O'Brien]

So Young

It would be nice to know what "so young" means. Not ready? Physically undeveloped? Emotionally undeveloped? Unpolished skills?

I am glad Brian went to Europe. It is a danger to only see guys in workouts and tape.

 

[hcsilla]

It would be nice to know what "so young" means. Not ready? Physically undeveloped? Emotionally undeveloped? Unpolished skills?

"My" understanding was not ready, physically undeveloped but talented.

 

[George O'Brien]

"My" understanding was not ready, physically undeveloped but talented.

If you are right, then the likelyhood the Suns would trade down increases dramatically.

 

[hcsilla]

You can find here a small video about Biedrins:

http://www.basketballboards.net/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=88569&forumid=8

 

[slinslin]

I would give up our pick to move Eisley to Charlotte though.
Move the Cavs pick to San Antonio.
Move Johnson, Marion and next years pick to Orlando for TMac and their 2nd rounder.

 

[Chaplin]

I would give up our pick to move Eisley to Charlotte though.
Move the Cavs pick to San Antonio.
Move Johnson, Marion and next years pick to Orlando for TMac and their 2nd rounder.

How is that possible? If we move our pick to Charlotte, isn't it against league rules to trade next year's pick because it's a consecutive first rounder?