Next season...

[Bert]

Assuming we take either Fultz, Ball or Jackson; how do you guys see the roster shaping out next year?


IMO we still need to move Brandon Knight (HATER ALERT) and if we draft a PG then it's pretty much assumed that we will move Bledsoe.

Or if we draft Jackson we will keep Bled... Still leaves us with several questions. Keep Chandler? Move Len? Guard rotation? What to do with Ulis, Bender, Jones... What's Warrens role on this team? 6th man or starter?

So basically, who would you like to see moved, for whom and what's your starting 5 for next year? I got so caught up in who to draft I just looked at the roster and thought, well regardless who we draft we still have a lot of work to do after that...


Really, the main point of this thread is for you all to reassure me that Brandon Knight wont be on this team next year.

 

[Chaplin]

Next best thing to Brandon Knight being traded...

Steve Albert is retiring from doing the Suns play-by-play.

 

[Mainstreet]

A part of me thinks the Suns will go in win-now mode without making major changes. Keeping Bledsoe and drafting Jackson would be a step towards this direction. I think the Suns will keep Chandler and sign Williams. Keeping Len might be determined my the market price in free agency. I do not expect the Suns to over-pay for him.

If the Suns draft a PG and trade Bledsoe, this will create an interesting situation. Would the Suns start a rookie PG over Ulis? I'm doubting it so this might create another conflict at PG.

Brandon Knight needs to get traded perhaps as part of a bigger trade. The Suns might use Warren or picks in such a trade.

So many things hinge on who the Suns draft.

 

[SirStefan32]

Oh wow! Great news that Steve is retiring.

As to the roster, it's really hard to predict what will happen, or even suggest what should happen. If they end up with Jackson, it will be very different than if they end up with one of the PGs.

One thing is for certain- Knight cannot be on the roster next year. If they have to waive him, waive him.

If we draft one of the PGs, Bledsoe needs to go. His value is as high as it will get, so the time to trade him will be this summer. Ulis should be the backup PG. I would like to add a defensive swingman- a 3 and D type of a guy to back up Booker.

Forwards depend on who we draft. If it's Jackson, let him and Warren battle for the starting spot. I wonder if TJ would be happy leading the second unit with Ulis, Bender, Williams, and whoever our backup SG ends up being. I think he would be extremely effective in that role. I can see him being a top scorer off the bench in the league for years to come.

As far as Centers go, if Len is retained, he needs to start and play until he fouls out every night. He has to learn. If Chandler insists on staying, I would honor his request as long as he is OK being a backup. If Len is offered more than $12-14M per season, the Suns should let him go. Give Bender some minutes at 5. At the end of the day, I'd prefer to give Chandler a chance to win another ring and free up the playing time for any combination of Len, Williams, and Bender.

 

[SirStefan32]

A part of me thinks the Suns will go in win-now mode without making major changes. Keeping Bledsoe and drafting Jackson would be a step towards this direction. I think the Suns will keep Chandler and sign Williams. Keeping Len might be determined my the market price in free agency. I do not expect the Suns to over-pay for him.

If the Suns draft a PG and trade Bledsoe, this will create an interesting situation. Would the Suns start a rookie PG over Ulis? I'm doubting it so this might create another conflict at PG.

Brandon Knight needs to get traded perhaps as part of a bigger trade. The Suns might use Warren or picks in such a trade.

So many things hinge on who the Suns draft.

Of course they would! If you have a potential star on your team, of course you start them over a second-round pick who is 5'8. This is coming from someone who likes Ulis.

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

Really, the main point of this thread is for you all to reassure me that Brandon Knight wont be on this team next year.

I was looking for some encouraging news on this front, but this article is the best I could do:

http://www.spox.com/de/sport/ussport/nba/1704/News/phoenix-suns-ryan-mcdonough.html

I don't speak German at all, but I like to imagine it says the Suns are in active negotiations to trade Brandon Knight for Dirk Nowitzki.

 

[Mainstreet]

Of course they would! If you have a potential star on your team, of course you start them over a second-round pick who is 5'8. This is coming from someone who likes Ulis.

Wasn't Isaiah Thomas drafted 60th?

Just saying, things are not always so clear. A rookie PG may not be ready to start if the Suns trade Bledsoe.

 

[Mainstreet]

I was looking for some encouraging news on this front, but this article is the best I could do:

http://www.spox.com/de/sport/ussport/nba/1704/News/phoenix-suns-ryan-mcdonough.html

I don't speak German at all, but I like to imagine it says the Suns are in active negotiations to trade Brandon Knight for Dirk Nowitzki.

Unfortunately, it's not. It's all about the Suns and the draft.

Try Google Translate.

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

Unfortunately, it's not. It's all about the Suns and the draft.

Try Google Translate.

Hahaha. I'm very aware of Google Translate and (unfortunately) very aware that the article was not about trading Brandon Knight for Dirk. I was just making a (clearly effective) joke.

 

[pokerface]

I don't want BK traded unless we're targeting a free agent and need to free up money. But I don't see that as the case because we are under the cap and have some money to spend. If Len is not resigned (I hope) and Barbosa is waived then even more money will be freed up and then there will even be a less need to trade Brandon for the time being.

I'm not a BK fanboy by any stretch but I see next season as a transition season so I don't think we are pressed into dumping him just yet. If we can unload him without damaging our assets too badly then do it.

 

[Mainstreet]

I don't want BK traded unless we're targeting a free agent and need to free up money. But I don't see that as the case because we are under the cap and have some money to spend. If Len is not resigned (I hope) and Barbosa is waived then even more money will be freed up and then there will even be a less need to trade Brandon for the time being.

I'm not a BK fanboy by any stretch but I see next season as a transition season so I don't think we are pressed into dumping him just yet. If we can unload him without damaging our assets too badly then do it.

I'd rather trade Knight even if it is for another player to sit on the end of the bench.

 

[Yuma]

I'd rather trade Knight even if it is for another player to sit on the end of the bench.

I am not THAT opposed to Knight. He IS better than the average bench sitter in the NBA. He's proved he could do it in the Eastern Conference. Maybe that's where he shines?

 

[Mainstreet]

I am not THAT opposed to Knight. He IS better than the average bench sitter in the NBA. He's proved he could do it in the Eastern Conference. Maybe that's where he shines?

I'm not opposed to trading Knight. However, He did not seem that enthused to play for the Suns last season. JMHO.

 

[pokerface]

I'm not opposed to trading Knight. However, He did not seem that enthused to play for the Suns last season. JMHO.

I don't think we've gotten any straight answers about Knight

 

[Mainstreet]

I don't think we've gotten any straight answers about Knight

I think the absence of answers is the answer. Knight is not in the Suns plans as near as I can tell.

 

[Bert]

I am not THAT opposed to Knight. He IS better than the average bench sitter in the NBA. He's proved he could do it in the Eastern Conference. Maybe that's where he shines?

Here's the thing about Brandon Knight....

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[Yuma]

Here's the thing about Brandon Knight....

You must be registered for see images attach

This isn't Fooseball!

 

[Sunburn]

I am not THAT opposed to Knight. He IS better than the average bench sitter in the NBA. He's proved he could do it in the Eastern Conference. Maybe that's where he shines?

He pretty much shut himself down when we shut down Bledsoe. Didn't wanna prove himself. Just went full butt-hurt because we hadn't played him to that point and shut himself down. And I'm glad he did because Ulis stepped up in his place. End the Knightmare.

 

[JS22]

Of course they would! If you have a potential star on your team, of course you start them over a second-round pick who is 5'8. This is coming from someone who likes Ulis.

Would be an interesting situation. Look at Ulis's last month and a half of the season. If he was 6'0+ people would be talking him up as the next great PG in the NBA. I would almost rather keep Bledsoe, draft Jackson, and see where Ulis is in 2 years. Should be a lot stronger with an improved game.

 

[SirStefan32]

Would be an interesting situation. Look at Ulis's last month and a half of the season. If he was 6'0+ people would be talking him up as the next great PG in the NBA. I would almost rather keep Bledsoe, draft Jackson, and see where Ulis is in 2 years. Should be a lot stronger with an improved game.

He may get stronger, but he is not getting taller. There is also a limit on how strong a 5'8 dude can get without starting to lose quickness. Teams will always be able to shoot over him, post him up, etc.

I like Ulis, but he has a certain ceiling. Player's height does play a factor. If Ulis was five inches taller, damn right we'd talk about him as being the point guard of the future. It is also true that he would not have been a second round pick if he were 6'3. Same is true of Williams. I like him, but he has a ceiling. Greg Monroe demonstrated just how easy it is to destroy him- you can shoot over him, you can post him up- he is simply too short to do anything. Again, I like both of those guys, but they are what they are- solid contributors in the second unit. There is absolutely zero shame in that- second units are extremely important. It is, however, very silly to debate whether or not rookies with extremely high potential should start over guys like that.

 

[sunsfan88]

Would be an interesting situation. Look at Ulis's last month and a half of the season. If he was 6'0+ people would be talking him up as the next great PG in the NBA. I would almost rather keep Bledsoe, draft Jackson, and see where Ulis is in 2 years. Should be a lot stronger with an improved game.

Yeah and if IT was 6'0+, he would be winning MVPs and be a top 3 player in the league and a future lock as hall of famer.

 

[Mainstreet]

Would be an interesting situation. Look at Ulis's last month and a half of the season. If he was 6'0+ people would be talking him up as the next great PG in the NBA. I would almost rather keep Bledsoe, draft Jackson, and see where Ulis is in 2 years. Should be a lot stronger with an improved game.

I think you make a valid point even if some want to downplay Ulis for some reason.

The Suns did a sign and trade for Isaiah Thomas when he was with the Kings after he agreed to a 4 year, 28 million dollar contract.

Obviously IT was not any good because he was short, came cheap and he was drafted 60th in the second round draft.

Everyone knows that 5'9" players cannot start in the NBA. (sarcasm)

Doesn't the same apply with Ulis?

I do think the Suns like Jackson if he is there although I'm all for drafting BPA. It could be Jackson might be BPA.

 

[SirStefan32]

I think you make a valid point even if some want to downplay Ulis for some reason.

The Suns did a sign and trade for Isaiah Thomas when he was with the Kings after he agreed to a 4 year, 28 million dollar contract.

Obviously IT was not any good because he was short, came cheap and he was drafted 60th in the second round draft.

Everyone knows that 5'9" players cannot start in the NBA. (sarcasm)

Doesn't the same apply with Ulis?

I do think the Suns like Jackson if he is there although I'm all for drafting BPA. It could be Jackson might be BPA.

But, that the thing- I don't want the Suns to be the current Celtics! Even if Ulis turns out to be as good as IT (which is a big if), that's not how you win in the playoffs. They are getting beat by the number 8 seed that can't shoot. Good teams will abuse a 5'9 dude in a best of seven series. How many 5'9 guys had long, successful careers? Spud Webb, IT, Boykins, Damon Stoudemire, Nate Robinson, Bogues, Avery Johnson. If we go further back, we get Murphy and Martin who were damn good, successful players, but that was decades ago. There is a reason 5.9 guys rarely make it, and almost never win championships. That's not downplaying Ulis. That's reality.
I like the kid- he and Williams are two of my favorite players in the league. That, however, doesn;t change the reality that they are limited to being good bench players.

 

[Mainstreet]

But, that the thing- I don't want the Suns to be the current Celtics! Even if Ulis turns out to be as good as IT (which is a big if), that's not how you win in the playoffs. They are getting beat by the number 8 seed that can't shoot. Good teams will abuse a 5'9 dude in a best of seven series. How many 5'9 guys had long, successful careers? Spud Webb, IT, Boykins, Damon Stoudemire, Nate Robinson, Bogues, Avery Johnson. If we go further back, we get Murphy and Martin who were damn good, successful players, but that was decades ago. There is a reason 5.9 guys rarely make it, and almost never win championships. That's not downplaying Ulis. That's reality.
I like the kid- he and Williams are two of my favorite players in the league. That, however, doesn;t change the reality that they are limited to being good bench players.

I think having Ulis backing up Bledsoe is an argument to be made for the Suns not drafting a PG with their first pick. I'm just saying they have options.

If Bledsoe goes down to injury or walks after two years, Ulis is solid insurance. For example, if the Suns really like Jackson as BPA there is no reason to panic and draft a PG. The Suns presently have their own first round picks plus the Miami picks to acquire one later if need be.

However, in my previous post I was making the argument that Ulis' talent should not be minimized and he should not automatically be considered as a career backup PG because of height. I underestimated IT's ability to be a starter and I do not want to underestimate Ulis because of the same reason... height.

 

[Carolinacacti]

Ulis is a backup PG with some defense that works on bigger guards. Limit his minutes an he will help the second unit and first unit.