Suns 2013 Free Agency

[overseascardfan]

According to this morning's AZ Republic, McDonough said PHX will not be going after any big name FA's (Howard, Josh Smith) but will focus on the FA's left after the first big wave of signings.

I say forget FA all together, they got 15 guys on the roster after the draft, go with that and sell guys off at the deadline to get picks for 2014 if they can if not then let those contracts expire and make a big splash in FA next year. Question, does PHX get a 1st rounder from LA in the 2014 draft or the 2015 draft? According to NBA Draft Net PHX only has 1 pick in the 1st Round next year.

I detract my previous comment, I just realized JJ Hickson is unrestricted. Guy is only 24 and would solve the PF issues we have. He was forced to defend the 4 & 5 positions last year so you know he is versatile. He would be my only FA target if I was McDonough.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I say that the suns should be ready and willing to facilitate sign and trades for picks or young players

 

[Mainstreet]

Free agency starts tonight at 9PM Arizona time.

See a link to the Paul Coro article dated 6-28-13 at azcentral. Here are a couple excerpts:

The Suns are expected to protect their salary-cap space to remain in position for a future trade taking on salary or the signing of a major free agent next year. They would have at least $11 million more of cap space next July if this is Marcin Gortat’s and Shannon Brown’s final Suns seasons. The Suns chose to guarantee Brown’s $3.5 million salary on Saturday rather than waiving him and paying $1.75 million. Besides wanting Brown for goals of a more athletic roster, the savings of waiving Brown would have been mostly or all offset by signing a short-term replacement.

“I don’t think we’ll be in the game for the big names,” McDonough said. “I think what we’ll do is target some more value guys and see if we can get guys on a contract that is reasonable and fair for a guy who is younger and maybe on the upswing of his career. If we can’t do that, we’ll probably sit back and wait.”

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/sun...ix-suns-wont-target-top-tier-free-agents.html

There is a rumor that the Suns may have interest J.R. Smith although I'm skeptical. I think he will want a large multi-year contract.

Paul Coro ‏@paulcoro 1h

@trovao925 @Al_Iannazzone did report a Suns interest in J.R. Smith. It likely will be 1-year deals or deals with 2nd-year team options.

https://twitter.com/paulcoro

 

[cly2tw]

what about Mayo? Suns have no go-to scorer. Mayo may be the most affordable such.

 

[SirStefan32]

what about Mayo? Suns have no go-to scorer. Mayo may be the most affordable such.

I think he will be too expensive for what he is. If I remember correctly, his second part of the season wasn't impressive. He's a decent 3rd option on a good team. Someone will overpay him, I am sure.

 

[Chaz]

Really they are looking for under the radar guys that have something to develop or can fill a role. A young NBA player or a player from overseas.

Toronto picked up Allen Anderson last year and he had some moments. Xavier Henry got no minutes and did nothing with NO last year but I have to wonder if there is any potential there.

Put that scouting acumen to work.

 

[Folster]

RealGM is reporting that the Suns are one of the teams that have shown interest in Monta Ellis.

 

[sunsfan88]

Monta Ellis has received interest from the New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls, San Antonio Spurs, Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns as free agency began.

The Knicks only have the $3.2 million taxpayer mid-level exception available.

Ellis walked away from a deal that would have paid him $11 million next season with the Milwaukee Bucks.

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/blog/ken-berger/22590559/sources-knicks-express-interest-in-monta-ellis

Man I really hope everyone else outbids us. If true, not cool McDonough, not cool.

 

[Folster]

Man I really hope everyone else outbids us. If true, not cool McDonough, not cool.

It sounds like he wants to go to a contender so that should eliminate us.

 

[TJ]

Oh the dichotomy of this FA year. You want to sign quality guys, but at the same time, the team is still rebuilding meaning that we're only gonna scoop up a bunch of B-and-C list free agents with hopes they develop into contributors.

If we sign a big-time name, we waste our cap space. If we sign a scrub, he won't contribute and it was a bad decision on McDonough's part. Lose-lose situation.

But eventually, the pieces need to start being put into place.

 

[sunsfan88]

How about we just don't sign anyone? That seems like a win win situation to me. We preserve cap space and we suck enough to rebuild through good draft picks.

The Suns have more than enough players at about every position right now. All we need is maybe a backup center and even that isn't urgent since we have Frye and Oriakhi.

 

[TJ]

RealGM is reporting that the Suns are one of the teams that have shown interest in Monta Ellis.

Ellis would have been a perfect fit for this team about three years ago with Nash and Gentry as coach. Now, I'm not so sure. Plus, he's gonna cost a ton. My guess is $15-$18 mil/year.

Slightly OT: It's going to be interesting to see what Tyreke Evans's value is in free agency. His PPG, APG, & RPG have all steadily decreased each year since his rookie year (and was one of three players, including Jordan and LeBron, to average 20ppg 5rpg and 5apg as a rookie). I still like the player, but would have to pass if this is an ongoing trend.

 

[Errntknght]

Don't forget guys, the last thing we want this next year is a good go-to scorer! I think we should take a further, long look at Beas and Brown for that role.

 

[Griffin]

The Suns don't have the cap space to sign Ellis. I always find those types of reports where it lists the teams that supposedly showed interest very questionable. Player agents like to start rumors, too. The Suns will sign a player or two, but it won't be anyone who played any significant minutes this past season, imo.

 

[Griffin]

Btw, it should be noted the Suns currently already have 12 players under contract, and with Len and Goodwin almost guaranteed to sign, it will bring the total to 14, leaving only one roster spot to fill via free agency, assuming the Suns keep 15.

The Suns could create another space by waiving Lee like they did with Haddadi. This is not counting Oriakhi who will probably have to earn a spot in preseason. The Suns may also try to re-sign Wes Johnson, reducing number of available spots further.

I think they will sign some cheap FA or re-sign Johnson, and then let Lee, Oriakhi and camp invites battle for the last spot. A trade could also free up a spot.

 

[TJ]

Btw, it should be noted the Suns currently already have 12 players under contract, and with Len and Goodwin almost guaranteed to sign, it will bring the total to 14, leaving only one roster spot to fill via free agency, assuming the Suns keep 15.

The Suns could create another space by waiving Lee like they did with Haddadi. This is not counting Oriakhi who will probably have to earn a spot in preseason. The Suns may also try to re-sign Wes Johnson, reducing number of available spots further.

I think they will sign some cheap FA or re-sign Johnson, and then let Lee, Oriakhi and camp invites battle for the last spot. A trade could also free up a spot.

It is also possible that the team eats the contract of Beasley.

 

[zett]

Kevin Martin would be nice, he is looking for long term from what it sounds like. he could be a good 1st peice of the future puzzle.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Kevin Martin would be nice, he is looking for long term from what it sounds like. he could be a good 1st peice of the future puzzle.

no thank you.

 

[Mainstreet]

I think the Suns will look to trade Scola when he becomes eligible on July 3rd. This may clear up some salary space or bring some assets.

 

[Chaplin]

I think the Suns will look to trade Scola when he becomes eligible on July 3rd. This may clear up some salary space or bring some assets.

But he doesn't take up much salary space, does he? Our only hope is that he has some value as a player and as a small contract. Not sure what we can get for that.

 

[Mainstreet]

But he doesn't take up much salary space, does he? Our only hope is that he has some value as a player and as a small contract. Not sure what we can get for that.

Scola makes 4.5M a year, this season and next. It would definitely help the Suns to trade him.

 

[SirStefan32]

But he doesn't take up much salary space, does he? Our only hope is that he has some value as a player and as a small contract. Not sure what we can get for that.

First round pick would be nice?

 

[KloD]

The Pelicans (such a stupid name) are trying to trade Robin Lopez (LOL!) to clear the space to sign Evans. If they give us a 2014 pick maybe we take him? After years of the Suns trying to find center, they should sign a bunch of them and put 5 on the floor next year.

 

[elindholm]

The Pelicans (such a stupid name) are trying to trade Robin Lopez (LOL!) to clear the space to sign Evans. If they give us a 2014 pick maybe we take him?

Absolutely. Lopez's production nearly matched Gortat's last season, and he's still only 25. With two years left at $5 million per, his contract is good value.

 

[sunsfan88]

The Pelicans (such a stupid name) are trying to trade Robin Lopez (LOL!) to clear the space to sign Evans. If they give us a 2014 pick maybe we take him? After years of the Suns trying to find center, they should sign a bunch of them and put 5 on the floor next year.

I don't want the Hornets 2nd rd pick....and they don't have a 2014 first rd pick already due to the Holliday trade.