Potential Trade Targets

[overseascardfan]

So, there is a FA & a draft thread but after McD's comments about only having 2 roster spots open barring trades or player releases, it would seem that trades should be in the forecast with 4 picks in this year's draft and PHX's implied preference to not go into next year with too many rookies on the roster.

What does PHX need most? Forwards, both at PF & SF especially depth at PF because both Leuer & Teletovic are both UFA's. PHX could use an upgrade at SF as Tucker is more of a role player and Warren needs to stay healthy to show what he's capable of.

Of course PHX could solve the forward issues with draft picks but there is no sure thing in the draft except for Simmons or Ingram who are as close of a sure thing as anyone else in the draft. If PHX lands the #1 pick, Ingram has to be the selection IMO as he is the scorer/shooter we need and could play either F spot. I honestly believe Ingram will be the top pick as the current favorites (PHI & LAL) have young PF's where Simmons most likely will have to play until he develops a jump shot so he can move to the perimeter.

Back to the topic, what worthy players are out there (available) that could warrant PHX packaging one or multiple picks for? I don't think they would take a project like Bender because they may be looking for a player that will definitely help them next year thus the need for a trade or two.

 

[Mainstreet]

It's hard to know who is available on the trade market especially if the Suns are looking for younger players especially at the PF position. I think the Suns would consider players like Jahlil Okafor, Derrick Favors and Bobby Portis.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Just throwing things out there, not advocating.

Kevin Love. If Cleveland wants to go a different direction.
Serge Ibaka. If Kevin Durant leaves, they may want to add assets.
Nerlens Noel. Philly has to move one of the three.

 

[overseascardfan]

It's hard to know who is available on the trade market especially if the Suns are looking for younger players especially at the PF position. I think the Suns would consider players like Jahlil Okafor, Derrick Favors and Bobby Portis.

Just opening up discussion. Speculation on names, maybe there are rumors out there someone has seen.

Just throwing things out there, not advocating.

Kevin Love. If Cleveland wants to go a different direction.
Serge Ibaka. If Kevin Durant leaves, they may want to add assets.
Nerlens Noel. Philly has to move one of the three.

Noel is intriguing because of his defensive potential and his rim protecting ability.

I also like the idea of pursuing Favors. How about Kenneth Faried? Maybe Randle could be had from LA? Aaron Gordon?

 

[GatorAZ]

LOL I was just about to ask what Aaron Gordon's trade value was. I haven't paid much attention to Orlando's situation but they seem to be in mediocreville.

 

[SirStefan32]

I would pursue someone who can score in the low post, and then look for an additional shooter or two. I would go after Griffin if the Clippers have a crappy post-season. Next target would be Okafor. Should the Suns end up with Okafor, Len needs to spend the summer shooting thousands of 15-18 foot jumpers. Same applies to TJ Warren, but for different reasons. Even with logjam at 5, I would try very hard to sign Whiteside because he is just such a game-changer on defense, and he is not a liability on offense.

 

[Mainstreet]

Just opening up discussion. Speculation on names, maybe there are rumors out there someone has seen.

I think it is a great topic. I'm sure more trade targets will become clear as the playoffs progress and during the summer. I do like the idea of trading for Griffin as SirStefan32 suggests.

 

[slinslin]

Favors and Noel really are not Power Forward types. Both are better suited to play Center.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Favors and Noel really are not Power Forward types. Both are better suited to play Center.

I hadn't really thought of him like that but I guess in today's game Favors really is more like a center than a power forward. I wonder how that works out for Utah with him and Gobert on the court at the same time? I don't watch them much but they seemed pretty effective together when I did catch their games. Neither one of them drifted far from the basket on offense and I know Favors has never been very effective away from the rim.

Still, I'd like to have Favors if they decide to move on from him. I find that doubtful though, my guess is they'd use Trey as trade bait for a quality PG before they'd move Favors. I'd pass on Noel though but again, I think Philly would move the other guy (Okafor) before they'd trade Noel.

Anybody interested in turning Shabazz into a 6'6 power forward? Every time we play them he seems to do fairly well inside against us, maybe it's time he moved there full-time? He's not my favorite player but I could see Minnesota trading him and if we keep Watson, perhaps he can teach the guy how to be more team oriented.

 

[elindholm]

Favors and Noel really are not Power Forward types. Both are better suited to play Center.

Since the Suns are currently using Len at PF, it's hard to believe that Favors couldn't at least clear that bar.

 

[SirStefan32]

I hadn't really thought of him like that but I guess in today's game Favors really is more like a center than a power forward. I wonder how that works out for Utah with him and Gobert on the court at the same time? I don't watch them much but they seemed pretty effective together when I did catch their games. Neither one of them drifted far from the basket on offense and I know Favors has never been very effective away from the rim.

Still, I'd like to have Favors if they decide to move on from him. I find that doubtful though, my guess is they'd use Trey as trade bait for a quality PG before they'd move Favors. I'd pass on Noel though but again, I think Philly would move the other guy (Okafor) before they'd trade Noel.

Anybody interested in turning Shabazz into a 6'6 power forward? Every time we play them he seems to do fairly well inside against us, maybe it's time he moved there full-time? He's not my favorite player but I could see Minnesota trading him and if we keep Watson, perhaps he can teach the guy how to be more team oriented.

No 6'6 power forwards, please. Unless Charles Barkley figures out a way to go back to being 20, or D. Green comes to Phoenix, we should not be entertaining the idea of a 6'6 power forward.

 

[AzStevenCal]

No 6'6 power forwards, please. Unless Charles Barkley figures out a way to go back to being 20, or D. Green comes to Phoenix, we should not be entertaining the idea of a 6'6 power forward.

I'm pretty sure that's everyone's first thought (probably 2nd and 22nd thought too). I'd prefer the ideal power forward myself but they seem to be very hard to find. It's probably a stretch to even call him 6'6 but he's very strong, he's very physical and he's very long. If you could get him to buy into the team concept which would include playing hard on defense I think he'd do very well at the 4 in today's game. And if anyone else suggested it I'd probably point out that it's unlikely that he'll ever be a team first player or a decent defender so forget I mentioned it.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Since the Suns are currently using Len at PF, it's hard to believe that Favors couldn't at least clear that bar.

I think Noel could pair with Len too.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I think Noel could pair with Len too.

I'm not so sure. Len has looked, mostly, like a fish out of water at the 4 and Noel didn't blossom until they moved him back to the 5. I don't see how that pairing works any better than the Len and Chandler pairing does.

 

[sunsfan88]

I'm not so sure. Len has looked, mostly, like a fish out of water at the 4 and Noel didn't blossom until they moved him back to the 5. I don't see how that pairing works any better than the Len and Chandler pairing does.

Yea in a time when the league is going smaller, I'm not sure it makes much sense to go big unless it's for some special player which I don't think neither Len nor Noel are.

 

[overseascardfan]

So if we are looking for a rebounding PF who can shoot then that narrows it to Love, if we are looking for an athlete who can defend then Ibaka makes sense.

I'm not sure guys who were drafted last year would be made available this early like Bobby Portis or Myles Turner but for the right package maybe CHI or IND consider. The problem is there are more C's you could potentially trade for than PF's. Guys like Tristan Thompson, Jared Sullinger, Okafor, Noel, Cousins, etc. Unless PHX is willing to part with either Len or Chandler most trade targets would be bad fits unless it's Love.

 

[AzStevenCal]

So if we are looking for a rebounding PF who can shoot then that narrows it to Love, if we are looking for an athlete who can defend then Ibaka makes sense.

I'm not sure guys who were drafted last year would be made available this early like Bobby Portis or Myles Turner but for the right package maybe CHI or IND consider. The problem is there are more C's you could potentially trade for than PF's. Guys like Tristan Thompson, Jared Sullinger, Okafor, Noel, Cousins, etc. Unless PHX is willing to part with either Len or Chandler most trade targets would be bad fits unless it's Love.

I agree but Rome will not be built in a day, we have time to build slowly. I'd just as soon draft a couple of power forward prospects and let them all grow up together. Or trade for a not yet fully established PF such as Lyles or Portis, assuming one of them is available.

 

[elindholm]

Terrence Jones (RFA) is a possibility. He never caught on with the Rockets, but he produced pretty well in the time he got before falling out of the rotation altogether. I think the Rockets would be unlikely to match an offer of, say, $32M/4yr. Of course the Suns would have to have reason to believe that he's capable of much more than he has shown so far.

 

[Mainstreet]

After thinking about it more, the Suns may not go after Blake Griffin because after next season he would have a team option. It would be a risky proposition.

If Kevin Love is available he is a good target because he is on a long term contract. However the Suns chances for trading for him seem slim. A lot of teams will want him if he becomes available. Tristan Thompson may be a more obtainable target but he may be more of a center.

Maybe the Suns should swing for the fences in free agency and offer Al Horford a pot of gold although he will be turning 30 this summer. The Suns have been looking for a big name signing for a long time. NBA players seem to be playing well into their thirties these days.

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[ASUCHRIS]

It just doesn't seem to make much sense to invest a ton of money in a player on the wrong side of 30 - by the time we're relevant, they'll be old and overpaid.

 

[JCSunsfan]

So if we are looking for a rebounding PF who can shoot then that narrows it to Love, if we are looking for an athlete who can defend then Ibaka makes sense.

I'm not sure guys who were drafted last year would be made available this early like Bobby Portis or Myles Turner but for the right package maybe CHI or IND consider. The problem is there are more C's you could potentially trade for than PF's. Guys like Tristan Thompson, Jared Sullinger, Okafor, Noel, Cousins, etc. Unless PHX is willing to part with either Len or Chandler most trade targets would be bad fits unless it's Love.

Ibaka can shoot the three too.

 

[Mainstreet]

It just doesn't seem to make much sense to invest a ton of money in a player on the wrong side of 30 - by the time we're relevant, they'll be old and overpaid.

I think Horford could make the Suns a playoff team and they wouldn't have to give up assets, other than money, to get him. The Suns have wanted a big name player to establish credibility for a long time. The Suns could keep building a young team around him. I think the new 30 is not like the old 30.

 

[AzStevenCal]

It just doesn't seem to make much sense to invest a ton of money in a player on the wrong side of 30 - by the time we're relevant, they'll be old and overpaid.

I agree. We'd have to spend very big just to have a chance and would we really give him a better supporting cast than he's had in Atlanta? And even if we could entice him I'm not sure why we'd want to lock into a ceiling that is likely less than Atlanta has had. We might be able to build a stronger team than they've had but I don't think that could happen while he's still an upper tier player. He doesn't seem to have the kind of game that makes his late 30's seem doable.

 

[Mainstreet]

I agree. We'd have to spend very big just to have a chance and would we really give him a better supporting cast than he's had in Atlanta? And even if we could entice him I'm not sure why we'd want to lock into a ceiling that is likely less than Atlanta has had. We might be able to build a stronger team than they've had but I don't think that could happen while he's still an upper tier player. He doesn't seem to have the kind of game that makes his late 30's seem doable.

I'm not sure what you mean by the late thirties, 37, 38 or 39. If he is here with the Suns after signing a FA contract at the age of 30, this makes me happy because the previous years were likely highly productive. I hope the Suns rebuild is done before the late thirties.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I'm not sure what you mean by the late thirties, 37, 38 or 39. If he is here with the Suns after signing a FA contract at the age of 30, this makes me happy because the previous years were likely highly productive. I hope the Suns rebuild is done before the late thirties.

I don't think he's going to be playing into his late 30's, I think he'll be done by his mid 30's. I worry that he's had a career plagued by injuries, small and big.