My reasonable offseason wishlist....

[Goldfield]

I think the Suns are very close to a championship level team. Youth being the biggest stepping stone. After this deep playoff run we should be much more ready to do battle next year.

It is obvious we need more help upfront with size. Amare is on his way to greatness but he needs help around him. We cannot continue to use 6'7" Marion to play PF. I do think Amare should play 75% of his time at the 5. That said we need to find a TRUE center that can play solid min's when we need size upfront. (I think the Suns should look long & hard at a sign & trade for Dalembert. He plays with fire similar to Amare and is a good defesive player which this team needs in a bad way. Although I like the guy, I think we could use Q & Voshkul as bait. It is alot easier to find solid 2/3's then big's.)

I really dont think Hunter will be back. I would like him to return but he is gunna opt for the money and play elseware.

Big's with even alittle talent are hard to find. They are over paid but are important if your gunna fight with guys like Duncan in the playoffs.

I Also think the Suns need to find a guy that can play solid min's at the 4 spot. A guy that isnt undersized and can play some defence. (IMO the perfect guy would be Chris Anderson, he is all hustle, an athlete that plays hard on both sides of the ball. He would spell Amare well and add toughness down low. Maybe Milos Vujanic & our first or 2 second round picks?)

5-Amare/Dalembert
4-Amare/Anderson
3-Marion/JJ
2-JJ/JimJackson/Barbosa
1-Nash/Draft pick? Barbosa

We would still have our 2 cap exemtions to add veteran help.

 

[Chaplin]

Q for Dalembert has so many problems with it...

First of all, the Sixers have no need for Q, but they DO have a need for Samuel Dalembert.

Secondly, even I think the odds are good, we need to figure out what's going to happen with JJ first. If he DOES leave, then Q has a lot more value to the team.

 

[Goldfield]

JJ will be matched 100% They would be better off overpaying like crazy than letting him walk.

Philli seems not to like Dalembert much. I think we could make a deal work... Q's stock will be good after the season him & the Suns had.

 

[Kolo]

Even if the Sixers were willing to do a sign and trade w/ Dalembert (instead of just matching the offersheet, which they will do), they could get a hell of a lot more than Q. Richardson for him.

I think the Suns will draft the BPA (hopefully an athletic big man) in the draft and sign a veteran point guard in free agency (Steve Blake, maybe Damon Stoudemire) and not tinker much more than that. If D'Antoni isn't even willing to play Jake Voskhul at all, I can't see them being able to afford a better option at center in free agency.

Edit--and signing Amare and Joe Johnson to long-term deals is a given, in my opinion. They'll match any offersheet Johnson signs--and if they can't afford it, I think they'd match it and dump another salary.

Edit #2--Chris Anderson has a player option and has said he'll opt out of his contract. I think he'd fit in here as well.

 

[fordronken]

JJ will be matched 100% They would be better off overpaying like crazy than letting him walk.

Philli seems not to like Dalembert much. I think we could make a deal work... Q's stock will be good after the season him & the Suns had.

You're mistaking Philly for Jim O'Brien, who, as it turns out, is no longer in Philly. Here's how I think the phone call went between Billy King and Mo' Cheeks:

King: So...Mo', you got fired.
Cheeks: Yeah. Lemme tell you, I'd love to coach in Philly. I have a lot of reasons I think I can help that team that I'd love to tell you about.
King: What do you think about Dalembert?
Cheeks: I like him.
King: You're hired.

 

[sunsfn]

It is not the Phillys that did not like Dalambert, it was the coach. He has been fired and now the new coach will play him. The G.M. has said he will match any offers and they plan on signing him.

The suns do need another big man or two, but it is unlikely they will find them in the draft. That is to say, someone that will help them next year. They may go big in the draft, but I do not think there is anyone there that can help them much next year.

I believe trading Q is an option because they will sign or match on JJ.
However, Q could be a very good player off the bench if they can get a starter at center/forward somewhere. The problem is the total $$$$$!!

The suns do not want to go into next year without a chance to go all the way, and holding them back is a couple bigs that can play some defense.

I also think there is a good chance the suns get Hunter back.

I look for McCarty, & Bo to be gone. Shirley has another year, and Voskuhl has another year. That does not mean they will be here, but with the probable number of players increasing to 14, Shirley and Voskuhl could be here unless they are used in a trade. Barbosa will be improved a lot next year and the suns will keep him I am sure.
I really hope they do not trade JJackson.

 

[lancelet's cousin]

Trading away Marion or Q doesn't help the payroll.

Sarver doesn't have the cash to sign a starting quality big, keep all 5 of our current starters, and find a bench. He has stated that he intends to turn a profit. He already has the philosophy of leaving 3 roster spots empty for the extra cash. Considering that they just turned a modest profit this year after going 62-20 with two starters on a rookie salary, he'll have to find bargain basement players that fit our system better than other's (like Hunter). Dalembert has some of the worst hands I have ever seen. I doubt he will be worth the money in our system.

I have said all along that we will match any offer for JJ. But I think the reports of Michael Redd calling the Bucks in an excited state because they won the lottery tells me he will accept the max deal from them and re-sign. That makes JJ a little more expensive. If Cleveland throws a max contract at him I don't think Sarver will match.

And when has BC used the words, "we'll match any offer for JJ"?
He said signing him is our #1 priority in the offseason. The "we'll match any offer" strategy is dangerous. We don't want to look like we are taking millions away from JJ by manipulating the market. That isn't going to work with every RFA.

Unless this unexpected playoff run changed Sarvers mind about turning a profit, he might not be able to afford to spend too much on Amaré and JJ.

I pray he stays, but it is not 100%. I hope we keep our core and tinker with the bench. I don't want drastic changes.

I say we can stay basically the we are and let Duncan get old. Amaré and JJ improving like they should will be enough, IMO. If we can afford to keep JJ.

And you guys in Arizona need to start selling out every game!

 

[elindholm]

Sarver doesn't have the cash to sign a starting quality big, keep all 5 of our current starters, and find a bench.

Unless the new CBA results in dramatic changes to salary-cap rules, the size of Sarver's wallet has nothing to do with this.

 

[asudevil83]

if we really need a C and Q is the bait, then i think the best thing we are going to be able to get for him is Kwame.

i've suggested a Kwame/Hayes for Q/Voskul.....which works for both teams.

 

[lancelet's cousin]

Sarver doesn't have the cash to sign a starting quality big, keep all 5 of our current starters, and find a bench.

Unless the new CBA results in dramatic changes to salary-cap rules, the size of Sarver's wallet has nothing to do with this.

Then I must be confused on how the economics of the NBA works. If Sarver intends to make money, how can it not have something to do with it? David Stern isn't going to pay JJ. The Suns made a modest profit with two of their top players on rookie salary. He got an extra $8 million in sponsors and made it to the WCF. And home playoff games make around $1 million each for the teams.

He's going to have to do much better than that to turn a profit next year with JJ and Amare getting several million more.

The amount of money he has is important because he must worry about the bottom line, and he clearly does. I don't know how a new CBA will give him more money, except the luxury tax part. If he matches a possible max contract for JJ , he won't be turning a profit. That might not bother Cuban, but it would hurt Sarver. He doesn't have the money to lose money.

 

[elindholm]

If Sarver intends to make money, how can it not have something to do with it?

I must have misunderstood your post before. What I meant was, Sarver can't go out and offer $10 million a year to, whoever, Kwame Brown, because the CBA prevents it. Even if he had 100 times as much money as he does, he still couldn't do it. But sure, a payroll of $55 million is tougher to support than one of $45 million.

Most sports franchises lose money, but people still buy them all the time, for higher and higher prices. Most likely, the financial advantages come from the eventual resale of the franchise for a profit, plus complicated tax advantages that come from deferring costs -- stuff that people like us, without eight-figure investments, don't have to worry about.

The point is, if Sarver is really concerned about the team being in the black every year, he shouldn't have bought it in the first place. That's a stupid reason to own a team. His judgment has been questionable in some ways (mainly behavior during games), but there's no evidence that he's stupid. So I'm assuming that he's playing by the same rules as most owners (most, not all), which means spend reasonably compared to your peers, turn a profit if you can, but most of all put a winning product on the floor.

 

[lancelet's cousin]

I hope your right. I'm sure he can swallow losing money for 2-3 years. That's my hope. I would just feel better with JC (& Cotton) in this situation.

I've never really grown on Sarver-not yet. But I guess that's to be expected when the old owner is a living legend.

Edit to add-I don't mean Cotton as coach again (although he would be due for another stint by now ), I just can't help but wonder if he were still around if JC would have sold the Suns.

 

[jandaman]

I think we keep the current players, since it would take a JJ or a Marion for Chandler/Dalembert + Other players to make it happen.


We have Hunter, he should be starting, he is perfect for the suns line-up, since he doesnt need a lot of touches to be effective. he is also a great shot blocker.
he just needs minutes and a bit more weight.


What we should do. We need a reliable player off the bench that can give Amare/Marion/Hunter a rest and impact in both the defensive and offensive end. I wish we had an Horry-type player, he would be do so much good for the suns.

But there are some other players who could do that, they usually are around taller than 6'9, atheletic, good basketball IQ and can score a bit.

Al Harrington would be the super-ideal for that description, so that can't happen since he's a starter and a star in the making.

Swift is another option, imagine how many dunks the suns could have during the season. He is a FA and is a possibility for a sign and trade.




We can trade Q... but we need to keep JJ locked up with the suns, if not we sign and trade him to get our "Horry-like" player.

 

[asudevil83]

I think we keep the current players, since it would take a JJ or a Marion for Chandler/Dalembert + Other players to make it happen.


We have Hunter, he should be starting, he is perfect for the suns line-up, since he doesnt need a lot of touches to be effective. he is also a great shot blocker.
he just needs minutes and a bit more weight.


What we should do. We need a reliable player off the bench that can give Amare/Marion/Hunter a rest and impact in both the defensive and offensive end. I wish we had an Horry-type player, he would be do so much good for the suns.

But there are some other players who could do that, they usually are around taller than 6'9, atheletic, good basketball IQ and can score a bit.

Al Harrington would be the super-ideal for that description, so that can't happen since he's a starter and a star in the making.

Swift is another option, imagine how many dunks the suns could have during the season. He is a FA and is a possibility for a sign and trade.

We can trade Q... but we need to keep JJ locked up with the suns, if not we sign and trade him to get our "Horry-like" player.

you'd probably be pretty suprised at what hawks fans would be willing to party with Harrington for. they really dont see much of anything from him. some are even talking trading him for Kwame. i wouldnt know if that's the concensus within everyone in the Hawks, but that's just what some think of him.

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

Most sports franchises lose money, but people still buy them all the time, for higher and higher prices. Most likely, the financial advantages come from the eventual resale of the franchise for a profit, plus complicated tax advantages that come from deferring costs -- stuff that people like us, without eight-figure investments, don't have to worry about.

Yep. You don't buy an NBA franchise hoping for it to be a cash cow. Sarver bought this team because in 10 years he can sell is for twice as much as he paid most likely - especially if the league goes international. He definitely bought it to make a profit, I just can't imagine he wants to make an annual profit from it.

The Suns don't know how much money they have made on the season yet, those numbers aren't usually out until July or so IIRC. There still has to be the league audit to evaluate the BRI to see if the escrow and luxury taxes kick in. They probably have a decent idea though - and if their idea is that they are in the black or better - Sarver better be very pleased. The Suns haven't made money in sooo long (besides last years salary dump).

 

[Joe Mama]

Yep. You don't buy an NBA franchise hoping for it to be a cash cow. Sarver bought this team because in 10 years he can sell is for twice as much as he paid most likely - especially if the league goes international. He definitely bought it to make a profit, I just can't imagine he wants to make an annual profit from it.

The Suns don't know how much money they have made on the season yet, those numbers aren't usually out until July or so IIRC. There still has to be the league audit to evaluate the BRI to see if the escrow and luxury taxes kick in. They probably have a decent idea though - and if their idea is that they are in the black or better - Sarver better be very pleased. The Suns haven't made money in sooo long (besides last years salary dump).

Yep, the idea is to stay out of the luxury tax. If they stay away from the luxury tax they shouldn't ever be far into the red as long as they have a decent team.

I've said all season that contravened it to be playing more, but I disagree with the ideas of throwing him into the starting lineup. There's just really no reason to do it most nights. They just need to play him off the bench 20-30 minutes per game depending on the matchup.

Quite frankly I'm not even sure Hunter will be back. It wouldn't surprise me if some stupid team out there offered him a contract starting at $4 million per season. Look at what they did last year with the big men.

Joe Mama

 

[lancelet's cousin]

You guys make me feel much better Plus I just remembered JC still gets final say.

I didn't know it was quite that complex. Good to know it is.

And I wouldn't be suprised at a good offer for Hunter either. Even though you would think an experienced GM would understand the he is only adequate to a running team like ours. But I know athletic big men cause GM's to make bad decisions.

About Hunter: I didn't even know this guy existed before the Suns picked him up. I wonder what other 7-footer is floundering in another system and would benefit from a runnning team? Seeing Hunter play here makes me wonder if having a radically different system allows us to pick up other players like that, even at different positions.

 

[lancelet's cousin]

I was going to ask if anyone had a link to how all this works, but I found a great couple of excellent sites. They are all found here. Great resource. T

CBA FAQ
Luxury Tax Analysis
[
Very well written and researched. So staying under the luxury tax is more important than keeping a low payroll. According to this even making bad decisions should result in a profit if you are under the luxury tax.

Direct link to NBA economist

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

The Larry Coon stuff is great, but will be outdated this summer with the new CBA. I really hope he writes a new piece this summer.

I never really liked Rosenbaum's piece, but that is just personal preference.

 

[Mainstreet]

I've always thought JJ might be gone since the Suns did not sign him before he became a RFA. The reason? I thought JJ would command too high a price on the open market. However, I always thought the Suns would never just let him walk. I think the Suns would do a sign and trade rather than give him away for nothing. Yes, I think the Suns will match any offer for JJ.

However, I have had some change of thought regarding Shawn. I've always been an avid Marion fan and never thought of trading Shawn. However, it seems that Shawn's verbal comments lately indicate to me he may be be getting frustrated in the role the Suns have cast for him. I'm starting to see some cracks in the wall unless the the Suns can shore-up their inside.

Actually now, I'm beginning to think Shawn might be more likely to be traded than JJ (unless JJ's contract offer is too rich). Also, I think JJ is more valueable to the Suns at this stage in their careers because he is more versitable and can play the PG position when needed.

What I would like is for the Suns to keep their core players including JJ and Shawn but add a bench through the draft, FA, or trade. I just don't know if this is possible without the trade of a key player.

 

[elindholm]

However, I have had some change of thought regarding Shawn. I've always been an avid Marion fan and never thought of trading Shawn. However, it seems that Shawn's verbal comments lately indicate to me he may be be getting frustrated in the role the Suns have cast for him. I'm starting to see some cracks in the wall unless the the Suns can shore-up their inside.

No one likes losing, especially at this stage in the season. Even so, I think you're right. It isn't the comments to the media so much, since those are easily distorted, but more his play over the last three games.

Actually now, I'm beginning to think Shawn might be more likely to be traded than JJ (unless JJ's contract offer is too rich). Also, I think JJ is more valueable to the Suns at this stage in their careers because he is more versitable and can play the PG position when needed.

I have that sense too. Also, since Johnson's game is more fundamentally sound than Marion's, he has more room for improvement.

Still, I agree that a major trade is quite unlikely this summer. It makes more sense to give this group at least another year to see what their potential is.

 

[sunsfn]

You guys make me feel much better Plus I just remembered JC still gets final say.

I do not think JC has the final say anymore.
Bryan C is running the team and JC is certainly advising when any important decisions have to be made, but Sarver has the final say when it comes to money. I think he will lean on JC for advice, but it was Sarver that limited the team to 12 players instead of adding 1 or 2 extra to help in practice and keep on I.L.
Hopefully this year has changed his mind so that he would pay to get a couple players that can help this team go all the way next year.