Suns are going to be screwed this off season! Or will they?

[Yuma]

With Shaq demanding a trade, The Zen MAster leaving, and Kobe rumored to be offered future ownership with the Lakers, I can see Kobe staying in LA. So no Kobe to Phoenix!

Tmac wants out in Orlando! :clap: But wait, SHaq owns a house there and supposedly wants to return to Orlando (ESPN says that), so would TMac leave if Shaq returned? Tmac would be a much better fit with Shaq than Kobe since he's a better spot up jump shot player, and Shaq and Kobe won 3 rings!! TMac would have to think about staying, right?

So that leaves the Suns with tons of cap space. What do we do? Dampier and Nash? Would that be enough to challenge the rest of the Western Conference? We would have a decent lineup of Nash, JJ, Amare, MAtrix, and Dampier. That should be good enough for the playoffs just on paper. If our young guys like JJ and Amare improve, and our bench guys like Lampe, Zarko, etc., improve, we could be a deep and better defensive club just with a shot blocker like Dampier on the roster. What do you guys think?

 

[Skkorpion]

I've long thought the Suns were screwed already this summer but I don't want Chaplin jumping on me so I won't write it again.

 

[Yuma]

DOn't be afraid of Chap! His bark's worse than his bite. However, noone is really adressing the fact that we may end up with none of the top guys this off season. I don't think the C's, Sarver, or anyone in the Suns REALLY knows what's going on as some are hoping, but that they themselves are clearing space and hoping for the best. If we clear space that sets up resigning our guys like Amare, and any future trades and signings. I think they are clearing space as a general tactic, and not from any knowledge about individual players. I haven't seen anyone discuss this aspect. If someone has already voiced this, then I apologize.

 

[George O'Brien]

DOn't be afraid of Chap! His bark's worse than his bite. However, noone is really adressing the fact that we may end up with none of the top guys this off season. I don't think the C's, Sarver, or anyone in the Suns REALLY knows what's going on as some are hoping, but that they themselves are clearing space and hoping for the best. If we clear space that sets up resigning our guys like Amare, and any future trades and signings. I think they are clearing space as a general tactic, and not from any knowledge about individual players. I haven't seen anyone discuss this aspect. If someone has already voiced this, then I apologize.

I doubt they have a master plan. They said all along they are looking for flexibility so they may just sit and wait for offers. Any team with cap space will get more offers than they will know what to do with.

 

[Yuma]

I doubt they have a master plan. They said all along they are looking for flexibility so they may just sit and wait for offers. Any team with cap space will get more offers than they will know what to do with.

You know that's sad because Dumars seemed like he had a master plan in place all along with they way he made the trades he did and assembled his final cast for the year. That guy SHOULD be GM of the year. I wish WE had talent at GM like that!

 

[F-Dog]

You know that's sad because Dumars seemed like he had a master plan in place all along with they way he made the trades he did and assembled his final cast for the year. That guy SHOULD be GM of the year. I wish WE had talent at GM like that!

What are you talking about? Rasheed Wallace essentially dropped into Dumars' lap--nobody knew that Rasheed was going to Atlanta, so Dumars had to put that trade together from scratch in less than a week. Even then, Detroit probably wasn't the strongest team in this year's playoffs. It just turned out that the other contenders (besides the Spurs) each suffered a major injury along the way, and the Pistons didn't.

Joe Dumars has done a great job, but he got plenty of luck, too. If the Suns had that kind of luck, they'd be looking at Okafor right now, and then who would care if they didn't add anybody else?


As to whether the Suns are 'screwed' this summer, I don't see it. It looks like they'll have no chance at Kobe and they're not equipped to go after Shaq. They're a long shot to get Tracy McGrady, and he's not even worth trading for unless the Suns are bending Orlando over.

But so what? If all that happens is that they sign a few veterans to one-year contracts, the Suns are going to be a ton better next year. If they pick a stud in the draft, they'll upgrade their long-term future, too.

Plus, the team is still 'flexible' enough to go after a sudden opportunity, if a new deal is looking around for a lap to fall into. I'm sure Joe Dumars would tell you that's a great situation for a team to be in.

 

[Evil Ash]

Will the Suns be screwed this offseason? Its entirely possible.

1) Kobe more than likely will stay in LA. However in saying that its not out of the realm of possibility that he does sign here. I mean we do have the keys for a successful team already in place that could lure him here and Jerry Colangelo does have a reputation in place of convincing people to play for his teams. Heck, he got Randy Johnson to come to a team in their 2nd year of existence (there first had almost 100 loses) and had RJ believing that they could win a World Series. If thats not proof of his power of conving, I don't know what is.

I do think that the Suns have come to the realization that more than likely he's not coming here. They are hoping for that to happen, but aren't expecting him to.

2) As far as Shaq goes, its not gonna happen. There is no way he is coming here. I could see Dallas and Indiana (which would take them out of the McGrady sweepstakes) way ahead of us in the Shaq sweepstakes. I mean we don't exactly have a lot to give up to get him.

3) Now as far as McGrady goes I would say we are up there in terms of chances of getting him. IMO If the package we offer is anything close to what Indiana is offering, I think we will get McGrady. The Magic want to trade him as far away as possible and not have to face the PR of having to face him several times a year due to him playing in the Eastern Conference.

4)If all that falls through, they still have the chance of building around their young talent of Amare, Marion, and JJ by bringing in good role players. Which if they aren't massively overpaying, I'm not completely against. They just have to be careful!

 

[Chaplin]

I've long thought the Suns were screwed already this summer but I don't want Chaplin jumping on me so I won't write it again.

When exactly did "Pick on Chap" week begin? I haven't said word one to you in weeks, Skkorp! I don't deserve that little dig.

 

[Yuma]

When exactly did "Pick on Chap" week begin? I haven't said word one to you in weeks, Skkorp! I don't deserve that little dig.

We've all felt the Wrath of Chap! That being said, I think he was just joking!

 

[Chaplin]

We've all felt the Wrath of Chap! That being said, I think he was just joking!

That's it! You're going down, Yuma! I'd come over there and give you a piece of my mind, but... I REALLY don't want to go to Yuma!

 

[Yuma]

What are you talking about? Rasheed Wallace essentially dropped into Dumars' lap--nobody knew that Rasheed was going to Atlanta, so Dumars had to put that trade together from scratch in less than a week. Even then, Detroit probably wasn't the strongest team in this year's playoffs. It just turned out that the other contenders (besides the Spurs) each suffered a major injury along the way, and the Pistons didn't.

Joe Dumars has done a great job, but he got plenty of luck, too. If the Suns had that kind of luck, they'd be looking at Okafor right now, and then who would care if they didn't add anybody else?


As to whether the Suns are 'screwed' this summer, I don't see it. It looks like they'll have no chance at Kobe and they're not equipped to go after Shaq. They're a long shot to get Tracy McGrady, and he's not even worth trading for unless the Suns are bending Orlando over.

But so what? If all that happens is that they sign a few veterans to one-year contracts, the Suns are going to be a ton better next year. If they pick a stud in the draft, they'll upgrade their long-term future, too.

Plus, the team is still 'flexible' enough to go after a sudden opportunity, if a new deal is looking around for a lap to fall into. I'm sure Joe Dumars would tell you that's a great situation for a team to be in.

Hey the last Williams was a finishing touch. They had assembled a good squad up to that point.

I agree that the Suns are flexible, and like you said they have to be careful. I am worried about them making a big mistake because of wanting to win before the C's are out the door. This off season is starting to get me somewhat intrigued finally, but most of that has to do with seeing how the Sarver age Suns react to what's going on.

 

[Joe Mama]

I have thought for some time that the Phoenix Suns chances at landing Kobe Bryant weren't great. I do think he will stay in Los Angeles. They did say that they will do whatever it takes to keep him, but there is one snag. There are other teams that will be bidding for Kobe Bryant that would have a better base to go with him. San Antonio for example would be a much better team, but they wouldn't be his team. Here in Phoenix he would have a very good group of players regardless of their record last season. That's the only hope that I feel the Phoenix Suns have of getting him. It's that he sees that he would be going into a great situation here in Phoenix.

Joe Mama

 

[devilalum]

I have thought for some time that the Phoenix Suns chances at landing Kobe Bryant weren't great. I do think he will stay in Los Angeles. They did say that they will do whatever it takes to keep him, but there is one snag. There are other teams that will be bidding for Kobe Bryant that would have a better base to go with him. San Antonio for example would be a much better team, but they wouldn't be his team. Here in Phoenix he would have a very good group of players regardless of their record last season. That's the only hope that I feel the Phoenix Suns have of getting him. It's that he sees that he would be going into a great situation here in Phoenix.

Joe Mama

Yeah but we don't have Hollywood.

 

[Evil Ash]

Yeah but we don't have Hollywood.

True but its only a short flight away

 

[Joe Mama]

Yeah but we don't have Hollywood.

oh, I agree. In the end I think the city of Los Angeles will keep him there.

Joe Mama

 

[slinslin]

After I read what Shaq had to say about him I am not sure I want Kobe really. At least I would probably rather have TMac and especially Shaq.

Word on some message boards is that TMac and Juwan Howard will be traded to Houston for Mobley, Francis and Cato. If that happens Orlando fans should either hang that "Weisbrod" hockey guy or Suns fans should hang Colangelo.

I wouldn't want Yao and TMac in the West for years to come because over the years they will certainly add talent around them even when they have a thin roster next season.

 

[devilalum]

oh, I agree. In the end I think the city of Los Angeles will keep him there.

Joe Mama

Everytime I turn on the TV he's walking the red carpet with the rock.

 

[Yuma]

If they are rumored to give him a) more cash, b) a say in player acquisitions, c) future ownership, noone else is going to give him all that! If I was Kobe, heck, I would stay in LA!

 

[Joe Mama]

After I read what Shaq had to say about him I am not sure I want Kobe really. At least I would probably rather have TMac and especially Shaq.

Word on some message boards is that TMac and Juwan Howard will be traded to Houston for Mobley, Francis and Cato. If that happens Orlando fans should either hang that "Weisbrod" hockey guy or Suns fans should hang Colangelo.

I wouldn't want Yao and TMac in the West for years to come because over the years they will certainly add talent around them even when they have a thin roster next season.

I agree that is a bad deal for the Orlando Magic. I still think Francis is more valuable than Shawn Marion, but Mobley and Cato are not anything great to go along with him.

I said it once and I'll say it again. Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady are a pair of wussies. I think McGrady would do all right here because Amare Stoudemire is a Badass. I still don't like the idea of the Suns giving away half the franchise for him though.

Joe

 

[slinslin]

I doubt it is legal to offer future ownership to a FA.

 

[Yuma]

I doubt it is legal to offer future ownership to a FA.

I don't know if it's legal, but everyone KNEW Buss was going to give Magic future ownership. I guess if it's not on paper, noone can say anything.

 

[Yuma]

I said it once and I'll say it again. Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady are a pair of wussies. I think McGrady would do all right here because Amare Stoudemire is a Badass. I still don't like the idea of the Suns giving away half the franchise for him though.

Whoa! What's wrong with Yao? I have to admit, I thought he was overrated during his rookie year, but he is making strides. His problem is the team around him is small or undertalented at every position. If we had Yao with the pieces we have on our team now, we would have been in the playoffs last year, no doubt. Houston just wasn't that good defensivly besides Yao. I think you put some players around him and Houston will be tough.

McGrady gives us an 80-90 point average a game in score easy. We would hit 100 points more often, too. The problem is we STILL have no defense in the middle of our lineup! I think McGrady would maybe break even for the loss of Marion and JJ, but we still need a Dampier, or someone to go along with McGrady coming to us!

 

[Joe Mama]

Whoa! What's wrong with Yao? I have to admit, I thought he was overrated during his rookie year, but he is making strides. His problem is the team around him is small or undertalented at every position. If we had Yao with the pieces we have on our team now, we would have been in the playoffs last year, no doubt. Houston just wasn't that good defensivly besides Yao. I think you put some players around him and Houston will be tough.

McGrady gives us an 80-90 point average a game in score easy. We would hit 100 points more often, too. The problem is we STILL have no defense in the middle of our lineup! I think McGrady would maybe break even for the loss of Marion and JJ, but we still need a Dampier, or someone to go along with McGrady coming to us!

I like Yao Ming. I just don't think he can play strongly all the way through a game every night like Amare Stoudemire. I asked the don't think he is the type of guy to put his team on his shoulders when it really counts. Basically I think both he and McGrady are somewhat soft. I couldn't see them never winning a championship together unless there were some other serious upgrades to that team. Who knows though? Maybe they would surprise me.

Well, if McGrady was traded to the Phoenix Suns they would probably still have at least around $10 million to go get a center. They just wouldn't have any depth at power forward, small forward, shooting guard, or point guard. I just worry about McGrady's health. I have a hard time believing he will make it healthfully through an extended contract, and he's going to be getting paid a heck of a lot of money. The nice thing about Shawn Marion and Joe Johnson is that they are workhorses.

Joe Mama

 

[JCSunsfan]

I agree that is a bad deal for the Orlando Magic. I still think Francis is more valuable than Shawn Marion, but Mobley and Cato are not anything great to go along with him.
Joe

I just disagree with the idea that Francis is more valuable than Marion. I wouldn't trade Marion for Francis.

Just registering my dissent.

 

[Yuma]

I just disagree with the idea that Francis is more valuable than Marion. I wouldn't trade Marion for Francis.

Just registering my dissent.

I agree! One of the best players on realgm per salary is Marion! Everyone ******* about his salary, but in basketball terms, he isn't paid as much as a lot of guys I think he's better than. Does that make sense?