Should The Suns Trade Down?

[F-Dog]

Rodney Rogers, maybe? I've never seen Diogu play, just trying to contribute to the discussion.

Rogers seems like a good comp to me, if Diogu can increase his range a little more and lose some weight. The last time I saw him, Diogu's body looked a little like Mike Sweetney's.

Of course, both of those guys went in the late lottery. I hope Diogu does the same; he might push a player down to the Suns they can use...



I don't think the Suns should be thinking about trading down--they need to be targeting someone and going after him with Chicago's pick. The only thing they accomplish by trading down is saving a little money.

 

[Qmiles23]

I rather have Hakim Warrick more than anybody else. He would fit perfectly, hes tall, athletic, shot blocker, shoots well, rebounds, and also has 4 years of college under his belt. I would love Hakim Warrick in a Suns uni next year.

 

[hcsilla]

Rogers seems like a good comp to me

How about Gary Trent as a comparison to Diogu?

 

[Chaz]

he doesn't have a quarter of the explosiveness that charles had.

Or the handle... Charles was a guard in a PF body.

 

[George O'Brien]

I rather have Hakim Warrick more than anybody else. He would fit perfectly, hes tall, athletic, shot blocker, shoots well, rebounds, and also has 4 years of college under his belt. I would love Hakim Warrick in a Suns uni next year.

The knock on Warrick is that he is not an outside shooter, but not physical enough to play inside. You could gamble that he would turn out to be another Marion, but doesn't solve the Sun's problems.

 

[Joe Mama]

I figure worst-case scenario is that Ike Diogu is a good bench player like a young Corliss Williamson, Malik Rose, etc. That is a consolation prize I would be completely willing to settle for with a pick in the mid-to late first round.

Joe Mama

 

[coloradosun]

Torin Francis also finished the season strong, averaging a double-double over his last 5 games in Big East competition.

Sean May could also be a consideration if he comes out, sounds like a young Scott Williams.

Simien played in 25 of 29 games this season, draftcity just updated his profile, click on his weaknesses, they are not very impressed with his NBA future.

http://www.draftcity.com/viewprofile.php?p=82

CORRECTION

Joey Graham made 39 consecutive free throw for the Big 12 record, Simien made 32 in a row.

 

[George O'Brien]

Sean May has been playing well, but doesn't get the buzz his teammates do. A deep run could elevate his status, but he's not even listed on most mock drafts yet. ESPN gives a profile though:

Scouting Report
Career to date:

HIGH SCHOOL: Averaged 21.8 points and 13.7 rebounds as a senior at Bloomington North High School in Bloomington Indiana. Was a high school teammate of 2002 first-round NBA draft choice Jared Jeffries for two seasons. Played in the state championship game as a sophomore, along with Jeffries, in a loss Marion High, led by Portland Trailblazers forward Zach Randolph. Played in the 2002 McDonald's All-America Game, where he teamed with future UNC teammates Raymond Felton and Rashad McCants. Also competed with McCants at the Capital Classic, earning co-MVP honors for his 26-point and 10-rebound effort.

COLLEGE: Had 30 points and 20 rebounds in leading Indiana All-Stars past Kentucky All-Stars. As a UNC freshman, missed all but one of the final 25 games of the season due to injuries. Averaged 11.4 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game. Prior to suffering a stress reaction in his foot in practice, he was averaging 15.3 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. Went on to aggravate the injury and break the fifth metatarsal in his left foot early in the second half against Iona. Had surgery three days later in which doctors placed a stainless steel screw in his foot and injected bone marrow from his hip to aid the healing process. Made a full recovery as a sophomore to lead the ACC in rebounding (9.8 per game), offensive rebounds (3.45) and defensive rebounds (6.38), while only missing one game with an unrelated injury. Also averaged 15.2 points and 1.2 blocks. Earned honorable mention All-America honors.

Over the summer, was one of 12 players selected to play for the Team USA Basketball 20-and-Under squad that won the gold medal at the 2004 FIBA Americas World Championship For Young Men Qualifying Tournament in Halifax, Canada.

Scouting Report: Bulky pivot with impressive touch and solid footwork with his back to the basket ... Understands how to use his size ... Not a great athlete, but has lateral mobility and can slide past his man for the bank shot or rebound ... Excellent face-up shooter, with range to 20 feet ... Not a guy who can do and type of face-up driving, however, because he is simply to thick to weave through small holes in the defense ... Wears a size 20 shoe ... Terrific rebounder ... Solid fundamentals ... Doesn't press on offense, plays with maturity ... Possesses great dexterity and hand-eye coordination ... Collects a surprising amount of steals, ala Karl Malone ... A sure-fire future NBA player.

YR GMS MIN PTS REB AST TO A/T STL BLK PF FG% FT% 3P% PPS
2004-05 31 26.0 16.5 10.7 1.6 2.6 1/1.6 1.2 1.1 2.4 .543 .756 .000 1.58

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Sean May has been playing well, but doesn't get the buzz his teammates do. A deep run could elevate his status, but he's not even listed on most mock drafts yet. ESPN gives a profile though:

may is a great college player who prolly won't pan out in the nba. he relies on savvy. he is not tall (6'9) for a post player, he is not strong, he is not athletic (what little athleticism he had when he entered unc was sapped by injuries). he's anything but a physical specimen. that said, he can be an end of the bench contributor. he'll be a second rounder at best.

 

[coloradosun]

For Sean May to score 16.5 pts and 10.7 rebounds on the NC squad is very impressive. The face up shooting from 20 ft. should also be highlighted, that could put him on the high post, either shooting or passing to Amare. Plays with maturity.

 

[PhxGametime]

The knock on Warrick is that he is not an outside shooter, but not physical enough to play inside. You could gamble that he would turn out to be another Marion, but doesn't solve the Sun's problems.

Well first I'd like to know the Suns' problems? - IMO depth (injuries to key players) and rebounding is biggest issue. With the way the Suns play, another skillball player is important and you can't expect to find 1 defender with the way the Suns keep pace to stop teams.

1/4/5

Those are the positions that could use help due to injury, etc.


The Prospects I'm starting to like in the 20 range are rebounding 3/4's. I really can't find a 4/5 that matches skillball and can rebound, defend... I like Channing Frye but there isn't much love there and Taj Gray might not be able to play the 5. Splitter is decent but isn't known for shooting. Ike is the player mentioned the most but he can't play the 5...


Danny Granger is starting to be high on my board, Marvin Williams is pretty high, Warrick and Graham are almost right there. Graham's rebounding numbers slipped some and he's not a shot-blocker thus pushing him down a bit and pushing up Granger with solid numbers across board and the biggest of the 4 (height and weight combined)... most likely the best defender with 2 steals and 2 blocks.

 

[Chaplin]

It's very simple.

The player we need more than anything is one that can rebound and play good post defense. That's it. We don't need a shooter, although it'd be a nice bonus to pull opposing big men out of the paint. But when you're looking at the mid- to end-first round, you're odds aren't great to find someone with good skills in all areas (with exceptions of course, oddly mostly drafted by the Phoenix Suns).

 

[PhxGametime]

It's very simple.

The player we need more than anything is one that can rebound and play good post defense. That's it. We don't need a shooter, although it'd be a nice bonus to pull opposing big men out of the paint. But when you're looking at the mid- to end-first round, you're odds aren't great to find someone with good skills in all areas (with exceptions of course, oddly mostly drafted by the Phoenix Suns).

Chaplin, you're a UofA fan - what's your opinion on Frye? Channing Frye can guard the likes of: Nowitzki, Swift, Gasol, Duncan, Martin, Garnett, Randolph, Abdur-Rahim, Boozer, Brand, etc. more-so than most of the Prospects in Draft... the reason, I have him rated higher than Ike. Ike is solid in a lot of areas but he's 6'7-6'8 and COULD struggle in that area.

Frye isn't a top notch athlete but he can run court, rebound (7+ rebounds in 6 less minutes than Ike), decent shot-blocker, can shoot, at 6'10-6'11 has the length; and on bench players, can post...

 

[Chaplin]

I like Frye, but he is a little undisciplined and agree with the others that say he is soft. He hasn't really had to defend players like he'll see in the NBA--same with Ike, for that matter.

Frye's height, however, makes him more attractive than Ike--especially to a team like the Suns--because we're not going to need a Malik Rose-type of player, which is what Ike seems to be.

If we're looking at mid-first round, however (around pick 15 or 16, for example), then I'm not sure I'd be willing to draft Channing that early. That is, unless he really impresses at workouts.

 

[George O'Brien]

I like Frye, but he is a little undisciplined and agree with the others that say he is soft. He hasn't really had to defend players like he'll see in the NBA--same with Ike, for that matter.

Frye's height, however, makes him more attractive than Ike--especially to a team like the Suns--because we're not going to need a Malik Rose-type of player, which is what Ike seems to be.

If we're looking at mid-first round, however (around pick 15 or 16, for example), then I'm not sure I'd be willing to draft Channing that early. That is, unless he really impresses at workouts.

This IS the issue. I can't see taking Frye in the teens, but I'm not sure I like the guys available at that point. If the Suns traded down to late 20's and picked up an early 2nd round pick, they could get more talent at a lower cost. Obviously, if there is someone they really like earlier, that's different. But I would trade out rather than reaching.

 

[Chaplin]

This IS the issue. I can't see taking Frye in the teens, but I'm not sure I like the guys available at that point. If the Suns traded down to late 20's and picked up an early 2nd round pick, they could get more talent at a lower cost. Obviously, if there is someone they really like earlier, that's different. But I would trade out rather than reaching.

Channing is the only big man even prognosticated to go in the last third of the first round. Just about everyone past #15 could be considered swingmen (like Warrick).

 

[George O'Brien]

Channing is the only big man even prognosticated to go in the last third of the first round. Just about everyone past #15 could be considered swingmen (like Warrick).

Depends on the mock, but you may be right. Some mocks have Ronny Turiaf
and Charlie Villanueva falling into the 20's. We'll have a better idea after the deadline for withdrawing from the draft in early May.

 

[Chaplin]

Depends on the mock, but you may be right. Some mocks have Ronny Turiaf
and Charlie Villanueva falling into the 20's. We'll have a better idea after the deadline for withdrawing from the draft in early May.

Turiaf is interesting, but Villanueva is basically a 6'11" swingman.

 

[George O'Brien]

Turiaf is interesting, but Villanueva is basically a 6'11" swingman.

Villanueva is 240 pounds. This season he averaged 8.2 rpg and 1.9 blocks in 25.4 minutes. I'm not sure he is mature enough, but he is well suited to the Suns style of play because he handles the ball pretty well and can shoot.

 

[Joe Mama]

I would take Villenueva over Channing Frye, and I would hope the Phoenix Suns would do the same. From what I've seen he's a better player with more potential. The only thing keeping him out of the lottery is a questionable motor, but Frye has faced similar criticisms. I doubt Villenueva will be in the draft anyways. He is a guy who could really move up in what should be an extremely weak 2006 draft class if he stays at Connecticut one more year. That is assuming that the NBA gets the 20 year old age limit.

I don't think the Phoenix Suns will reach to fill that hole in the middle. I think they will go with the best player available.

Joe Mama

 

[coloradosun]

It's very simple.

The player we need more than anything is one that can rebound and play good post defense. That's it. We don't need a shooter, although it'd be a nice bonus to pull opposing big men out of the paint. But when you're looking at the mid- to end-first round, you're odds aren't great to find someone with good skills in all areas (with exceptions of course, oddly mostly drafted by the Phoenix Suns).

Here's my reasoning for Joey Graham. He adds muscle, maturity, mobility and has been on team that has a very discipline oriented coach, Eddie Sutton. His father was a military man and I believe that helped develope his character. If McCarty and Hunter are going to be retained next year, they are the bench players that Graham may spend time with on the floor. Hunter will secure the lane on defense, McCarty will draw out the 4 on offense, Graham's talents will supplement the players he will be teamed with on the bench.

I am looking forward to watching Danny Granger play this afternoon, he may supplant Graham if he plays like what his stats represent.

 

[coloradosun]

This IS the issue. I can't see taking Frye in the teens, but I'm not sure I like the guys available at that point. If the Suns traded down to late 20's and picked up an early 2nd round pick, they could get more talent at a lower cost. Obviously, if there is someone they really like earlier, that's different. But I would trade out rather than reaching.

Where we are right now with Chicago's pick the salary slot is 960K per year, 30th pick in the draft is 700K. The talent we can get at 18 is probably worth the extra 250K a year, unless you want to trade out of the 1st round entirely.

I would rather reach than speculate. If there is someone they really like I would rather have them trade up, either package Vujanic or Barbosa with the Chicago pick and move up. Character is very important to the chemistry of this team and I believe it worth moving up for, very seldom do you trade down and get good character and talent. Or if the Suns think Barbosa can replace Jim Jackson, package him and his expiring 2006 contract to move up.

I would be willing to trade Barbosa and the Chicago pick for Martynas and hang on to Jackson's expiring contract, anybody else.

 

[sunsfn]

The only players that I would not bring back or trade from this team are,

Paul Shirley, Bo Outlaw, Jake Voskuhl, & maybe McCarty.
McCarty does not play bad and he is a decent defender and shooter and has length & experience, something the suns need.

I would not trade Barbosa or JJackson. Jackson is the veteran that I think can really play, and Barbosa is up & coming, one of the fastest players in the NBA, can shoot, and will play excellent defense when he learns the game a little better.

 

[fordronken]

I think we should wait to see how we play in the playoffs before we decide what we need to go after this offseason.

 

[sunsfn]

I think we should wait to see how we play in the playoffs before we decide what we need to go after this offseason.

WHAT!! How will BC know what to do if we do not tell him ahead of time?