Signings, Trades, Rumors including Suns and NBA

[Mainstreet]

Well considering that this year’s backup backcourt could be last year’s backup frontcourt he better be working the phones considering that winning a championship is the goal. What he says publicly doesn’t mean anything given his nature.

James Jones likes to keep a low profile when it comes to player personnel moves. However, when he said something to the effect he made his in season roster move with the addition Biyombo one has to wonder. He talks like the team he assembles in the off season is the one he likes.

Last season the only notable in season roster move was the addition of Torrey Craig. I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop and it never did.

 

[DJ Tabooh]

I know we’re in first place, but I think we need to make a move in order to matchup better with Golden State. When you have Kuminga, Poole, Iguodala, Bjelica, Wiseman (will be back this year) GP2, Witherspoon (who did a good job on Book in the Christmas game), and Otto Porter Jr. who couldn’t miss, I feel like we need another flexible piece. At our best, we can beat Golden State but in a 7-game series, my guess is they’d probably be favored. Idk, not trying to be a pessimist because I wanna play them in the WCF. I just think if Shamet and Payne happen to not provide a spark off the bench when we play them, we need another guard who can break down their defense and get them or others a shot.

 

[GatorAZ]

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Gordon played for Monty in New Orleans and was teammates with CP3 in Houston.

 

[Suns_fan69]

I know we’re in first place, but I think we need to make a move in order to matchup better with Golden State. When you have Kuminga, Poole, Iguodala, Bjelica, Wiseman (will be back this year) GP2, Witherspoon (who did a good job on Book in the Christmas game), and Otto Porter Jr. who couldn’t miss, I feel like we need another flexible piece. At our best, we can beat Golden State but in a 7-game series, my guess is they’d probably be favored. Idk, not trying to be a pessimist because I wanna play them in the WCF. I just think if Shamet and Payne happen to not provide a spark off the bench when we play them, we need another guard who can break down their defense and get them or others a shot.

Golden State absolutely scares me. The best player in the series is still Steph, their depth matches (if not exceeds) Phoenix's, and Kerr is a better coach than Monty.

That being said, Phoenix still has a better starting 5, and a lot of the depth and new pieces for GSW haven't been on an extended playoff run so who knows how they'll respond to the pressure.

 

[DJ Tabooh]

Golden State absolutely scares me. The best player in the series is still Steph, their depth matches (if not exceeds) Phoenix's, and Kerr is a better coach than Monty.

That being said, Phoenix still has a better starting 5, and a lot of the depth and new pieces for GSW haven't been on an extended playoff run so who knows how they'll respond to the pressure.

If we’re gonna get to the Finals, we’re most likely going to have to go through them. I think it’s a 6-7 game series for sure. Steph obviously can get crazy hot but with Klay back, we’re going to have to be on a string defensively. If DA wants a max contract, this is where he’s going to have to earn it. I’m talking 25-15 type numbers. Bridges has to be a threat offensively. We’re gonna have to play our best basketball to beat them. Luckily, we’re still getting better and hopefully we stay healthy and peak at playoff time.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

If we’re gonna get to the Finals, we’re most likely going to have to go through them. I think it’s a 6-7 game series for sure. Steph obviously can get crazy hot but with Klay back, we’re going to have to be on a string defensively. If DA wants a max contract, this is where he’s going to have to earn it. I’m talking 25-15 type numbers. Bridges has to be a threat offensively. We’re gonna have to play our best basketball to beat them. Luckily, we’re still getting better and hopefully we stay healthy and peak at playoff time.

Yup. We will have to be fully healthy and all of our top players will have to play their best and we will likely need a couple/few surprise performances like Payne came up with last year to beat the warriors. But it absolutely can be done. And the warriors will have to bring their A game to beat us as well.

 

[Phrazbit]

Yup. We will have to be fully healthy and all of our top players will have to play their best and we will likely need a couple/few surprise performances like Payne came up with last year to beat the warriors. But it absolutely can be done. And the warriors will have to bring their A game to beat us as well.

Similar to last year, I expect this season to be a war of attrition. I don't see either team going in at even 80%, one or both will be missing a starter. Just gotta hope the depth can handle it. But the Suns and GS have probably the most depth in the league... probably has something to do with them having the best records.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Well considering that this year’s backup backcourt could be last year’s backup frontcourt he better be working the phones considering that winning a championship is the goal. What he says publicly doesn’t mean anything given his nature.

Totally agree.

 

[overseascardfan]

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Gordon played for Monty in New Orleans and was teammates with CP3 in Houston.

Taking on Gordon's remaining $40M while declining Smith's option makes no sense to me especially when we already gave Shamet a huge extension.

 

[Chaplin]

Taking on Gordon's remaining $40M while declining Smith's option makes no sense to me especially when we already gave Shamet a huge extension.

True but we all know Gordon is FAR more desired and valuable by any team than Smith is. So while you are right I don’t think they are comparable situations.

 

[overseascardfan]

True but we all know Gordon is FAR more desired and valuable by any team than Smith is. So while you are right I don’t think they are comparable situations.

I think Smith will have a number of suitors being an UFA under the age of 22 years old. I think he could get at least a Christian Wood type contract. Gordon is 33, injury prone, isn't a defender and adds another huge contract that PHX will be on hook for another 2 years. If we are going to add another piece, it should be a cheap wing defensive specialist.

 

[Chaplin]

I think Smith will have a number of suitors being an UFA under the age of 22 years old. I think he could get at least a Christian Wood type contract. Gordon is 33, injury prone, isn't a defender and adds another huge contract that PHX will be on hook for another 2 years. If we are going to add another piece, it should be a cheap wing defensive specialist.

Like who? It’s easy to throw out name after name but there has to be some realistic expectations. I hate Gordon’s contract but I love his potential fit on our team. Much more so than Jalen Smith.

 

[GatorAZ]

Taking on Gordon's remaining $40M while declining Smith's option makes no sense to me especially when we already gave Shamet a huge extension.

Shamet would be in any hypothetical Gordon deal (and no I don’t think Houston would take him back). There is no sense or argument to be made regarding their handling of Jalen Smith.

 

[GatorAZ]

Like who? It’s easy to throw out name after name but there has to be some realistic expectations. I hate Gordon’s contract but I love his potential fit on our team. Much more so than Jalen Smith.

His contract isn’t bad considering 23-24’ is a team option. He’d be the final piece to our championship puzzle.

If you’re Houston how many picks would it take to accept this deal over other offers they’d get for him?

NBA Trade Machine - ESPN

NBA trade machine, make player trades

www.espn.com

 

[overseascardfan]

Like who? It’s easy to throw out name after name but there has to be some realistic expectations. I hate Gordon’s contract but I love his potential fit on our team. Much more so than Jalen Smith.

Robert Covington would be ideal. Expiring, good defender but is UFA and hasn't been playing well as of late.

Shamet would be in any hypothetical Gordon deal (and no I don’t think Houston would take him back). There is no sense or argument to be made regarding their handling of Jalen Smith.

I agree that is why I don't see PHX dealing for Gordon. You would have to make numbers work and I don't think HOU takes back either Shamet or Saric unless we are attaching Smith and / or a 1st rounder.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Robert Covington would be ideal. Expiring, good defender but is UFA and hasn't been playing well as of late.

I agree that is why I don't see PHX dealing for Gordon. You would have to make numbers work and I don't think HOU takes back either Shamet or Saric unless we are attaching Smith and / or a 1st rounder.

Oh I don't think there's any doubt we'd be including a future first.

 

[Mainstreet]

His contract isn’t bad considering 23-24’ is a team option. He’d be the final piece to our championship puzzle.

If you’re Houston how many picks would it take to accept this deal over other offers they’d get for him?

NBA Trade Machine - ESPN

NBA trade machine, make player trades

www.espn.com

In one rumored trade I've seen two first round picks included. Houston likely perceives it as a salary dump.

 

[Mainstreet]

Robert Covington would be ideal. Expiring, good defender but is UFA and hasn't been playing well as of late.

I agree that is why I don't see PHX dealing for Gordon. You would have to make numbers work and I don't think HOU takes back either Shamet or Saric unless we are attaching Smith and / or a 1st rounder.

If the Suns situation at guard doesn't look so fragile, trading for Covington makes a lot more sense.

Adding a point guard that can shoot would also help.

 

[AzStevenCal]

In one rumored trade I've seen two first round picks included. Houston likely perceives it as a salary dump.

Almost no matter the cost (Shamet, Smith and whatever picks it would take to make it happen), adding Gordon is exactly the kind of all-in move we should make. It's always a risk upsetting a roster this late in the year but Gordon, when healthy, fits perfectly into our scheme and he'd still earn minutes even once the entire team gets healthy. Spending capital on a depth player that will sit the bench once our guys return to the court helps us less than just keeping Saric would IMO.

 

[GatorAZ]

In one rumored trade I've seen two first round picks included. Houston likely perceives it as a salary dump.

We probably were looking at the same one from Kevin’s newsletter:

TRADE #2:
PHX: Eric Gordon
HOU: Dario Saric + Landry Shamet + Elfrid Payton + '22 PHX 1st + '24 PHX 1st (Protected 1-14 in '24 & becomes '24 PHX 2nd & '25 PHX 2nd if not conveyed)

Of course we can’t trade our 22’ pick so that scenario doesn’t make sense. Unless they come to an agreement with OKC to make it unprotected the earliest pick we can trade before the deadline is 2026.

 

[Mainstreet]

We probably were looking at the same one from Kevin’s newsletter:

TRADE #2:
PHX: Eric Gordon
HOU: Dario Saric + Landry Shamet + Elfrid Payton + '22 PHX 1st + '24 PHX 1st (Protected 1-14 in '24 & becomes '24 PHX 2nd & '25 PHX 2nd if not conveyed)

Of course we can’t trade our 22’ pick so that scenario doesn’t make sense. Unless they come to an agreement with OKC to make it unprotected the earliest pick we can trade before the deadline is 2026.

Yeah, trading the 2022 pick made be cast doubt on the credibility of the trade idea.

 

[GatorAZ]

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Imagine the idiot that would suggest trading for this guy.

 

[Mainstreet]

Almost no matter the cost (Shamet, Smith and whatever picks it would take to make it happen), adding Gordon is exactly the kind of all-in move we should make. It's always a risk upsetting a roster this late in the year but Gordon, when healthy, fits perfectly into our scheme and he'd still earn minutes even once the entire team gets healthy. Spending capital on a depth player that will sit the bench once our guys return to the court helps us less than just keeping Saric would IMO.

It's not the players the Suns give up in this trade that bothers me unless it would disrupt chemistry.

Actually the trade looks like a salary dump without adding the picks but at least the Suns get a contributor in return.

I'd like to see what other options are out there.

 

[Mainstreet]

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Imagine the idiot that would suggest trading for this guy.

Too funny.

 

[AzStevenCal]

It's not the players the Suns give up in this trade that bothers me unless it would disrupt chemistry.

Actually the trade looks like a salary dump without adding the picks but at least the Suns get a contributor in return.

I'd like to see what other options are out there.

I can't imagine finding a better option than Gordon. He defends both guard spots and is hitting 3's at a very high clip. The two negatives are his contract and his injury history but he gives us the best chance IMO to win a ring this season and probably next. He'd also probably cost us the most.