Positions to draft

[panfolk]

There is no point listing Grant on depth charts for next season. He's done.

I suppose you're right... I was just thinking that he was under contract. Anything else to comment on?

 

[elindholm]

Anything else to comment on?

I don't follow college sports, so I can't comment on the draft suggestions. But I think the Suns will need to spend some FA money on a big man this summer. They have the entire MLE to work with, and even if they aren't willing to go that high, I think they'll add someone. That's probably a better strategy than trying to plug the holes in the rotation with late-pick rookies.

 

[overseascardfan]

The suns traded their 2nd round pick for Tiski.

Mardy Collins may be there on the suns first pick (Lakers) 12-20, but he will not be there after that.

I like Josh Boone for the suns, (Lakers pick) and also Hilton Armstrong if they keep their late pick in the first round.

I would think the suns will make a draft day trade and get rid of one of the picks and maybe keep one.

This draft is not full of all-stars, but after the first few picks, the area from the 10th through the 20-25th picks are all about the same, depending what a team needs.


The suns always look for the best player available, which is the smart way to draft, and that usually means a swing player. Watch the 6'6" s.f. and 2 guards because that is probably what they will draft if they keep any picks.

The only thing that messes that up for me in past drafts, is if they are drafting for someone else at their pick.

I thought they got a second rounder for Carparkapa from GS.

 

[panfolk]

Anything else to comment on?

I don't follow college sports, so I can't comment on the draft suggestions. But I think the Suns will need to spend some FA money on a big man this summer. They have the entire MLE to work with, and even if they aren't willing to go that high, I think they'll add someone. That's probably a better strategy than trying to plug the holes in the rotation with late-pick rookies.

Doesn't it really depend on whose available in both the draft and FA. Honestly, I had forgotten about the exceptions. I don't think we'd have any holes in the rotation if everyone was healthy. Armstrong is an interesting prospect as he is a senior with plenty of upside. He's far along the learning curve but his ceiling is higher than average I'm sure. By the end of his first season he MIGHT be able to make a playoff rotation. Dunno. It just seems like our experience in picking up Grant and Jackson should tell us that spent players aren't the answer. Picking up veterans like Bell with plenty in the tank is cool but could we afford that? HAsn't Sarver said he isn't willing to pay luxury tax? So even if we had the exceptions it's not guaranteed we will use them, correct? I understand that rookies cost money too but if we had them we wouldn't be in the predicament we are now of looking for castoffs and scrubs.

 

[elindholm]

So even if we had the exceptions it's not guaranteed we will use them, correct?

That's right. I don't know what the guaranteed first-year salary of the Suns' two first-round picks will be (it depends on their draft position, of course), but I think it will come out to around $3 million. So if the Suns are willing to spend that amount, the question is whether it makes more sense to do it on two prospects or on someone established. My guess is that they'll prefer to go the established route, but it's only a guess.

 

[panfolk]

So even if we had the exceptions it's not guaranteed we will use them, correct?

That's right. I don't know what the guaranteed first-year salary of the Suns' two first-round picks will be (it depends on their draft position, of course), but I think it will come out to around $3 million. So if the Suns are willing to spend that amount, the question is whether it makes more sense to do it on two prospects or on someone established. My guess is that they'll prefer to go the established route, but it's only a guess.

Of course, rather than 2 prospects they could trade up for a 2+million rookie that'd be a direct contributor like Shelden Williams.

I didn't like college ball until this year. Catching the draft prospect games has been fun. The UCLA vs. Oregon game was a little dull as it was mostly halfcourt and highly defensive but I was happy to see Farmar meet my expectations. Watching the Suns can REALLY spoil a person.

 

[George O'Brien]

I have little doubt that it will be a "best Suns type player available". This means that big, slow shooters will not get much consideration and super athletes with low basketball IQ's will also be ignored.

IMHO, the Suns will try to keep their core together.

Starters: Stoudemire, Diaw, Marion, Bell, Nash
Backups: Thomas, Barbosa, Jones, and House.

House might bolt if he gets an offer he can't refuse and Jones may be trade bait. I think Jones is developing into a pretty good player, but if there is an athletic big man available he might get moved.

As I see it, JJax is gone and Grant is probably gone unless he has a miraculous recovery. Skita, Burke, and Thompson are likely camp invites, but will struggle to make the team.

The real issue will be whether the draft pick can contribute right away. This is a big enough issue in any draft, but it is especially true for a team like the Suns who have some depth issues. The Suns do not need guys with potential. They need guys who can play.

 

[panfolk]

I have little doubt that it will be a "best Suns type player available". This means that big, slow shooters will not get much consideration and super athletes with low basketball IQ's will also be ignored.

The real issue will be whether the draft pick can contribute right away. This is a big enough issue in any draft, but it is especially true for a team like the Suns who have some depth issues. The Suns do not need guys with potential. They need guys who can play.

Are you commenting on my Shelden Williams post? I just watched most of the Duke/Villanova game and was amazed by his relative speediness. I'm not sure about his basketball IQ but I do think he'd contribute right away.

 

[panfolk]

Would anybody out there oppose taking Mardy Collins with the LA pick and then a big (finesse or shot blocker) with the second? The Suns track record in trading draft picks may not apply to acquisition under D'A.

Next year under contract and able to report (barring any future maladies):

Nash
Bell Barbosa
Marion Jones
Amare Diaw Skita
KT


that's nine. Grant is not included, but perhaps House and Burke should be.

The MLE might buy us a serviceable veteran but bigs are overpriced and we might end up with one that would only be good to us in the playoffs.

With Burke (I'm an eternal optimist and I was VERY happy watching the Milwaukee game) and House resigned that'd probably be 59 million. I've seen figures ranging up to 63 million for a luxury tax threshold. Assuming it's around 61 million couldn't that afford us a couple rookies?

I'm very excited to see the UCLA vs. Stanford matchup coming up. I like everything I've read about Haryasz save George's post, but if Boone or Armstrong slipped down that far I'd be loathe to pass them up.

 

[George O'Brien]

I'm very excited to see the UCLA vs. Stanford matchup coming up. I like everything I've read about Haryasz save George's post, but if Boone or Armstrong slipped down that far I'd be loathe to pass them up.

As I said about Haryasz, it was one game and U of Washington is very good (they just killed ASU this evening).

BTW, I'm convinced Boone and Armstrong will end up in the lottery. This is not a strong draft for big men and the surprisingly good year Villanueva is having will help his former U Conn teammates.

 

[slinslin]

Next year under contract and able to report (barring any future maladies):

Nash
Bell Barbosa
Marion Jones
Amare Diaw Skita
KT


that's nine. Grant is not included, but perhaps House and Burke should be.

IF we get LA's pick we'd still have our own and the MLE to use expect House to be re-signed and using the MLE on 1 or 2 players. Plus Tim Thomas and Pat Burke that would be 15-16.

 

[PhxGametime]

The one guy that I wasn't too impressed that has been mentioned on this board is Nick Fazekas but I believe I only have 1 Game taped this year, and I didn't watch it all...


Well I had figured the Suns should've went after a big early on, to back-up KT and I knew for some reason he'd get hurt but Tim Thomas and Theo Ratliff are two players I enjoy watching that I always wanted on the Suns (that both with high-end contracts) I thought I'd never get to see on this Team... both are a little up there in age but I'll personally enjoy at least watching TT for 1 year...


I have always like Guillermo Diaz's game but he might not be enough of a Point to get Drafted here and Shannon Brown the same... so my signature is my list for now. I change often

 

[panfolk]

IF we get LA's pick we'd still have our own and the MLE to use expect House to be re-signed and using the MLE on 1 or 2 players. Plus Tim Thomas and Pat Burke that would be 15-16.

I thought this was the last year of TT's contract. We shouldn't really know yet whether we are going to reup him. I don't think House will be back myself. He's streaky and can't play the point well. I think Collins could outplay him by midseason in defense and playmaking. Our needs are a backup point and big men. Any decent big men will be out of MLE range and if they're old enough to be cheap they can't keep up with the trackmeet. I just think we would have enough veteran presence at each position to keep us competitive with 2 rookies playing out of 15-16 roster positions.

 

[George O'Brien]

I'd love to have a big man, but I suspect that will be the draft focus on 2007 when they will have a slot at top player. This summer, the big guys in the draft other than Aldridge look like projects.

I don't see the Suns using the MLE on a big due to the luxury tax and the lack of quality prospects for the price. A trade is a possibility, but it is hard to imagine getting someone for what the Suns are willing to give up.

This is why my focus is on getting a PG or combo who is a better distributor and defender than House.

 

[panfolk]

I tend to agree on using our high pick on a guard. I guess my big question is if they are willing to take on a rookie big with the second pick. I really suspect it'll come down to whether or not anyone in that range is someone D'A would go for rather than it being an automatic no-2-picks thing.

 

[panfolk]

well Hassan Adams probably won't be our second pick after his DUI arrest. Haryasz was overwhelmed by UCLA's defense. Farmar looked great except for lacking a good shooting touch (one game folks).

 

[F-Dog]

well Hassan Adams probably won't be our second pick after his DUI arrest. Haryasz was overwhelmed by UCLA's defense. Farmar looked great except for lacking a good shooting touch (one game folks).

He might not be the Suns' first pick, but if he last to their second pick (and they haven't already dumped that pick), I'd be shocked if the Suns don't take him.

Right now I'm curious about Rudy Fernandez and the two UConn big men--last summer, it seemed highly unlikely that Josh Boone in particular would drop, but it seems he has, and the Suns have placed a high value on college experience in the past.

I like Splitter too, but he's this year's Fran Vasquez. I don't see how the team that drafts him can put together enough incentives to get him out of Spain.

I'm starting to wonder whether Haryasz is athletic enough to play for the Suns. I'll try to get another look at him.

 

[George O'Brien]

Splitter might drop if people get worried about him not coming over. However, if he's available, I'd take the risk because he could be an eventual replacement for KT. I'm also convinced that Barbosa might be helpful in recruiting him.

At this point, everyone expects him to go very early.

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

Splitter might drop if people get worried about him not coming over. However, if he's available, I'd take the risk because he could be an eventual replacement for KT. I'm also convinced that Barbosa might be helpful in recruiting him.

At this point, everyone expects him to go very early.

What does recruiting have to do with anything? The only reason he wont come is because his buyout is ridiculously large right now, not because he doesnt want to.

 

[panfolk]

Anyone know of teams higher in the lottery that might be interested in trading down? The Raptors maybe 8) Anyhow, if enough big prospects go higher than predicted maybe someone like Collins will fall to us.

 

[panfolk]

Anyone watched enough UConn to know much about Armstrong's game? The knocks on Boone's will to compete have me leery.

 

[elindholm]

By the way, HoopsHype reports today that Noah says he still intends to stay in school.

 

[ProdigalSun]

By the way, HoopsHype reports today that Noah says he still intends to stay in school.

Another bigman prospect down then if thats true. I got to watch a little bit of the Nevada Utah St game today (flipping back and forth between the Suns game during commercial breaks =)...) and Fazekas has a sweet stroke for a 6'11 guy. He has a lot of ability on the offensive end and he his rebounding numbers are pretty good. He is, however, rail-thin and I don't see how he'll be able to guard 5's at the next level.

 

[George O'Brien]

What does recruiting have to do with anything? The only reason he wont come is because his buyout is ridiculously large right now, not because he doesnt want to.

A player does not have to accept a buyout proposal. Fran Vazquez simply decided to stay in Spain, which should not have been a terrible shock. The NBA has lost its luster with many Euros hafter seeing the disappointing situations that guys like Darko, Delfino, and others have gone through. Why even bother with the NBA?

Splitter is in a classic situation where he is likely to be drafted by a bad team, not likely to be a good fit for him. The advantage of going to a bad team is more immediate money, but as Diaw showed -- they don't necessarily benefit their careers.

BTW, the mocks I've read say his buyout is not that bad. It is a judgment call as to whether it is worth it.