Opening Day Roster for the 2017/18 Season

[SirStefan32]

I honestly don't see any reason to trade Chandler or Dudley. This is a young team and they need veteran leadership. Trading those two to sign these mythical free agents is just wishful thinking. Nobody significant is signing with a non-playoff team. They need to get into playoffs or at least show some serious promise before any notable free agents will sign here.

The other things I see is this desire for more picks. Suns are loaded with young talent. Unless there is an opportunity to acquire a top-3 pick, they don't need to trade for more picks. Bender is 19, Chris, Booker, and Jackson are 20, Ulis is 21. Hell, even Warren, Williams, and Len are only 24. There are also players like Jones and Reed who may not be all that promising, but are still under 23. They don't need more rookies unless they are clear future stars. Play with what you have in order to develop what you already have. This desire to have a roster of 19-25 year old is just silly.

Don't misunderstand me- if a good opportunity comes along, sure, do the trade, but I don't see the point of being set on trading folks just because they are not in their early 20s.

 

[Hoop Head]

I honestly don't see any reason to trade Chandler or Dudley. This is a young team and they need veteran leadership. Trading those two to sign these mythical free agents is just wishful thinking. Nobody significant is signing with a non-playoff team. They need to get into playoffs or at least show some serious promise before any notable free agents will sign here.

The other things I see is this desire for more picks. Suns are loaded with young talent. Unless there is an opportunity to acquire a top-3 pick, they don't need to trade for more picks. Bender is 19, Chris, Booker, and Jackson are 20, Ulis is 21. Hell, even Warren, Williams, and Len are only 24. There are also players like Jones and Reed who may not be all that promising, but are still under 23. They don't need more rookies unless they are clear future stars. Play with what you have in order to develop what you already have. This desire to have a roster of 19-25 year old is just silly.

Don't misunderstand me- if a good opportunity comes along, sure, do the trade, but I don't see the point of being set on trading folks just because they are not in their early 20s.

I think most people want to move Chandler because it's pointless to keep him and have him as our starting Center. He won't be able to contribute when this team is expected to be able to compete and it would be better to try and find a long term solution there then wasting minutes on Chandler. That would allow us to give Len, Bender, and Chriss more time at Center and also bring in someone who is under 30 that could possibly be our Center for the next couple of years, without their talent regressing before our eyes like with Chandler.

It's kind of like hanging onto Nash too long, except Chandler isn't the face of our franchise. It doesn't help anyone to keep him as our starting Center any longer.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Correct. I am glad to have Chandler around. But as a starter, he is in the way of the development of younger guys. I don't think he is necessary.

We do not need more players, we need better players. Chandler is not going to ever be better. Our younger guys have a chance of improving.

SSteph. You are right, we do not need more picks. We need better picks. I would rather have one top three pick. I do not see the point in trading for middling or late first round picks unless we can parlay multiple picks into a top pick.

 

[SirStefan32]

See, I don't think it is pointless to have him as a starter, though I am OK with someone else starting. He is the best Center we have on the roster, and if the Suns want to attract free agents, they'll need to make playoffs first. Chandler gives them the best chance on the court at that position. Not only that, but he gives the team some championship experience. Obviously they aren't gonna be competing for the championship any time soon, BUT they do need to learn how to win. That's where Chandler comes in.

I think people forget that it takes two to trade. The only teams interested in Chandler will be contenders/ playoff teams, and those teams don't have good picks, and if they did, they would likely hang onto them. Even if he doesn't play, Chandler is more valuable to the young Suns than anything he would return in a trade.

 

[Errntknght]

Thanks, Mainstreet, nice to get some tidbits...

 

[Errntknght]

I've never liked having Chandler on the team because he was in Len's way. A guy shouldn't let something like that bother him so much, but I'm fairly sure Len does. It may be too late for shedding Tyson to do any good - in the sense of making Len feel good about continuing with the Suns. Like if he plays well enough this year that we want to resign him, some one else will offer him a deal and he'll prefer going.
Heck, if Sauce was healthy I probably wouldn't feel like it was worthwhile but as it is I think we might as well give Len another chance. Even if the light comes all the way on I don't see Len ever becoming a first rate center - solid starter is his likely ceiling. If he doesn't show signs of getting there this year then let him go because his psyche doesn't seem to allow him to be a backup.

You know there was a time when the team seemed to play better when Len was on the floor - I wasn't the only one that remarked on it. That disappeared when Chandler joined the team. If he could ever get back to that point he'd be worth keeping.

 

[Hoop Head]

NBA TV will have the Suns season preview next Monday, October 9th, at 3:00pm Phoenix time. Also on NBA TV they'll air our first also have a preseason game this Tuesday vs Portland at 7:30pm local time. Thought I'd share that info for those interested.

Personally can't wait to see a game with our young talent. I'm excited for preseason because I doubt they'll play our vet's much also, mainly Chandler. I think Dudley is still on the shelf from his foot surgery. I'm excited to see the new talent also, Jackson, Daniels, and Peters as well as Bender, Ulis, and Chriss. More excited this year for things to start because we added a top draft pick to our team who is NBA ready. Our last high picks were projects, Len, Bender, and Chriss. Jackson will struggle at times like all rookies do but he plays with a chip on his shoulder and seems determined to show everyone that he deserved to be in the discussion to be the #1 overall pick. He's been slighted by most odd's and predictions I've seen regarding Rookie of the Year, most are predicting Ball to walk away with that with Dennis Smith being the most likely to challenge for that.

 

[Mainstreet]

See, I don't think it is pointless to have him as a starter, though I am OK with someone else starting. He is the best Center we have on the roster, and if the Suns want to attract free agents, they'll need to make playoffs first. Chandler gives them the best chance on the court at that position. Not only that, but he gives the team some championship experience. Obviously they aren't gonna be competing for the championship any time soon, BUT they do need to learn how to win. That's where Chandler comes in.

I think people forget that it takes two to trade. The only teams interested in Chandler will be contenders/ playoff teams, and those teams don't have good picks, and if they did, they would likely hang onto them. Even if he doesn't play, Chandler is more valuable to the young Suns than anything he would return in a trade.

Chandler does give the Suns name recognition as a winner. I think teams making a playoff run would like to have him on their roster. If I recall correctly, the Suns asked him if he wanted to be traded last season but he declined. For sure, the Suns need to treat Chandler with respect if they want to attract veteran free agents.

 

[Mainstreet]

@ Errntknght

Unfortunately, I think the only one who has stood in Len's way is Len. It shouldn't take free agency to motivate him.

My concern with Len, I don't want the Suns to invest more time developing him only to see him leave after the season. I'd rather give the time to Bender or Chriss.

 

[Hoop Head]

Chandler does give the Suns name recognition as a winner. I think teams making a playoff run would like to have him on their roster. If I recall correctly, the Suns asked him if he wanted to be traded last season but he declined. For sure, the Suns need to treat Chandler with respect if they want to attract veteran free agents.

It was a mistake for the Suns to sign Chandler. The Suns did it to lure Aldridge here in Free Agency but they should really approach things the other way, meet with the All-Star talent and have him tell you who he'd like to play with and if they sign then go after the role players they want to play with. Luckily Chandler has been a class act while he's been here and accepted the role of mentoring our young players during the rebuild but his presence halted Len's development and left us in a tough position. I'm really surprised there wasn't a team option or even a player option in his contract, signing him for 4 years seemed a bit much at his age but then again us offering 4 guaranteed years is probably why he chose to sign with us.

Come to think of it I don't think any of the signings McD has made have included option years other than Barbosa's 2 year deal, which wasn't so much a team or player option it just had the 2nd year be non-guaranteed. The Morrii, Bledsoe, Knight, Warren, Dudley, Chandler, Williams, Tucker, and IT.

 

[BC867]

@ Errntknght

Unfortunately, I think the only one who has stood in Len's way is Len. It shouldn't take free agency to motivate him.

My concern with Len, I don't want the Suns to invest more time developing him only to see him leave after the season. I'd rather give the time to Bender or Chriss.

I agree. If Len has failed so far because he had to split time with Tyson Chandler, it shows Len's limitations.

 

[pokerface]

Chandler does give the Suns name recognition as a winner. I think teams making a playoff run would like to have him on their roster. If I recall correctly, the Suns asked him if he wanted to be traded last season but he declined. For sure, the Suns need to treat Chandler with respect if they want to attract veteran free agents.

C'mon. I don't think that's on anyones brain.

 

[Mainstreet]

It was a mistake for the Suns to sign Chandler. The Suns did it to lure Aldridge here in Free Agency but they should really approach things the other way, meet with the All-Star talent and have him tell you who he'd like to play with and if they sign then go after the role players they want to play with. Luckily Chandler has been a class act while he's been here and accepted the role of mentoring our young players during the rebuild but his presence halted Len's development and left us in a tough position. I'm really surprised there wasn't a team option or even a player option in his contract, signing him for 4 years seemed a bit much at his age but then again us offering 4 guaranteed years is probably why he chose to sign with us.

Come to think of it I don't think any of the signings McD has made have included option years other than Barbosa's 2 year deal, which wasn't so much a team or player option it just had the 2nd year be non-guaranteed. The Morrii, Bledsoe, Knight, Warren, Dudley, Chandler, Williams, Tucker, and IT.

I'm surprised there wasn't a team option in Chandler's contract as well. Maybe this is what it took to sign him... for financial security. I think we may agree on this.

Derrick Jones Jr. has a team option.

 

[pokerface]

I agree. If Len has failed so far because he had to split time with Tyson Chandler, it shows Len's limitations.

Len has been given playing time. When he does play he gets exposed. He's a fake basketball player...fools gold.

I think the NBA is too fast for him. One thing players say time and time again when they make the jump from college or other countries is the speed of the NBA is the biggest adjustment. Some players can't adjust...

 

[Mainstreet]

C'mon. I don't think that's on anyones brain.

Players do watch how teams treat other players. I have a lot of respect for how Mark Cuban has treated Dirk Nowitzki as he has aged.

Maybe the Suns would have more respect around the league if they had done the same with Nash.

I get this is not the age for loyalty in the NBA but on a close call signing it could make the difference.

In any regard, I think the Suns should do everything possible to project a class image.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Players do watch how teams treat other players. I have a lot of respect for how Mark Cuban has treated Dirk Nowitzki as he has aged.

Maybe the Suns would have more respect around the league if they had done the same with Nash.

I get this is not the age for loyalty in the NBA but on a close call signing it could make the difference.

In any regard, I think the Suns should do everything possible to project a class image.

The Suns gave Steve Nash exactly what he wanted. There was no disrespect there.

 

[SirStefan32]

The Suns gave Steve Nash exactly what he wanted. There was no disrespect there.

Exactly. Nash even publicly stated so and thanked Sarver specifically for accommodating him.

 

[BC867]

Exactly. Nash even publicly stated so and thanked Sarver specifically for accommodating him.

That is true in MVSteve's case. But Mainstreet's comment, "Players do watch how teams treat other players." is a factor when trying to attract free agents.

 

[Mainstreet]

The Suns gave Steve Nash exactly what he wanted. There was no disrespect there.

Exactly. Nash even publicly stated so and thanked Sarver specifically for accommodating him.

There is some partial truth to the above but it is not the whole truth. I think some Suns fans have selective memory.

This story from Paul Coro dated 7-5-12, then at azcentral, is how I remember it.

See quotes and link below.

The Suns did not show any interest in signing Nash, certainly for what he was worth, so he signed with the next best option, the Lakers to be near his children. The Suns were not interested in bringing Nash back for market value so I could not understand why fans felt betrayed when he signed with the Lakers. The Suns subbed Nash not vice versa.

"I definitely upset some Suns fans and turned down some money but the opportunity with the kids was too good to pass up," said Nash, whose 7-year-old daughters and 20-month-old son live in the Valley with his ex-wife. "I was more lucky than anything that they (the Lakers) are a contender. I got everything I wanted if you look at the black and white. But if it wasn't for the kids and if the Suns weren't going in a new direction, I don't think the deal happens. Once the Suns went in a new direction, my next priority was to exhaust the opportunity to be closer to the kids."

The Suns never made Nash a contract offer or asked to meet since he became a free agent. After Nash and the Suns talked about the franchise's future in postseason meetings, it quickly became apparent that other teams would offer twice the money or a third contract year that the Suns would not.

"It stung a little bit," Nash said of the Suns' inactivity with him. "At the same time, I can't fault them. They made a strong move to cut ties and move forward and I get it. Goran (Dragic, a former Nash backup who Phoenix will give a four-year, $30 million deal) is a terrific signing. If they get (Eric) Gordon (by New Orleans not matching a four-year, $58 million offer sheet), they'd have a great backcourt for years.

"A head's up that they were moving on would've meant a lot to me. I don't have any problem with them going in a new direction. It takes guts to do it. They got younger and more talented. I'm excited for them and Suns fans that they'll be back in there."

Also anyone remember Lon Babby saying he would never let Steve Nash leave. I do.

Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/sports/sun...oo-much-pass-up-steve-nash.html#ixzz4uU2XuMp2

 

[JCSunsfan]

We should not fault players for doing what is in their best interest and we should not fault teams for doing so either. Its a business, not a charity. And the goal is to win.

That said, lying, cheating, stealing, and doing people dirty is a different thing.

 

[Mainstreet]

We should not fault players for doing what is in their best interest and we should not fault teams for doing so either. Its a business, not a charity. And the goal is to win.

I don't know why anyone would fault Nash for going to the Lakers given the circumstances I noted above.

That said, lying, cheating, stealing, and doing people dirty is a different thing.

You lost me on this one.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I don't know why anyone would fault Nash for going to the Lakers given the circumstances I noted above.



You lost me on this one.

This post was a general statement--not specifically about Nash.

 

[Mainstreet]

This post was a general statement--not specifically about Nash.

I understand but how does this relate to the Suns forum?

 

[Mainstreet]

A couple of comments from Scott Bordow about the Suns rotation.

scott bordow‏Verified account@sbordow 18h18 hours ago
Watson also said he likes trio of Daniels, Len and Ulis off bench but needs a dominant scorer with them to make their job easier

scott bordow‏Verified account@sbordow 18h18 hours ago
Watson told me he won't be able to go small as much as he might like because of rebounding issues. Suns beat 53-39 on boards by Utah

I think rebounding will be a problem for the Suns all season as well as defense.

 

[elindholm]

Watson told me he won't be able to go small as much as he might like because of rebounding issues. Suns beat 53-39 on boards by Utah

This franchise's obsession with small ball is so disheartening. It hasn't worked, it doesn't work, and it won't ever work (unless their talent level goes through the roof, like with the Warriors). It's doomed, stupid thinking, and it's enough to turn me away from the team.