Suns Free Agents (2017)

[Hoop Head]

I saw this from Bleacher Report and wasn't sure where it should go. I guess we can use this thread to talk about our own free agents this summer and those we're linked to.


They're ranking the free agents this summer by position and Big Sauce is actually ranked ahead of Alex Len. I know most Suns fans feel that way but knowing that is the perception outside of the Suns fan circle means he'll probably get a good sized payday. Len is ranked #8 and Williams #7. I was really hoping he'd fly under the radar because of his limited playing time and our awful season last year.


http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2711846-free-agency-rankings-top-available-centers

 

[Hoop Head]

PJ Tucker is ranked #9 on their SF free agency list. I know there was talk of bringing him back after this season but I really hope that doesn't happen. Hopefully he gets a nice payday elsewhere and the Suns continue moving forward without him.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2709218-free-agency-rankings-top-available-small-forwards

Here is their list of Power Forwards also.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2710438-free-agency-rankings-top-available-power-forwards


Also there are a lot of quality free agent Point Guards this year, which doesn't bode well if they're looking to trade Bledsoe. There aren't as many quality SG's, which might help Knight's value if he was willing to accept he's not a PG.

Point Guards
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2706520-nba-free-agency-rankings-2017-top-available-point-guards

Shooting Guards
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...y-rankings-2017-top-available-shooting-guards

 

[Ronin]

I would love for the Suns to go and get the Spurs FA Dedmond to replace Big Sauce.

 

[pokerface]

If we tie up money with Len then we will have less money down the road for a player that actually knows how to play basketball. We already have enough projects on this team and more on the way. Plus we need to figure out a way to unload "dead money" Brandon Knight.

 

[Hoop Head]

I would love for the Suns to go and get the Spurs FA Dedmond to replace Big Sauce.

I hadn't considered that but that might be the best move, financially, as Dedmon won't demand that much money in free agency. I like Williams a lot but he's too undersized to invest much money in long term. We have Chandler locked in, I'd like to see us add a Center in the draft with #32 but I'm not holding out hope he'll be able to contribute right away, or at all.

If we tie up money with Len then we will have less money down the road for a player that actually knows how to play basketball. We already have enough projects on this team and more on the way. Plus we need to figure out a way to unload "dead money" Brandon Knight.

I almost want Len to make it clear that he doesn't want the Suns to match any offer he gets but we don't need another player bad mouthing us on his way out. I hope we don't match anything for him though. I was all for signing him to an extension but as the season went on he just got worse and now I'd be disappointed if we wasted the time bringing him back for 1 more year on a qualifying offer. Maybe we can get lucky and get something of value in return with a sign & trade, like a future 2nd rounder or a player whose been buried on someone's bench with some upside that doesn't have an awful contract.

 

[Ronin]

I hadn't considered that but that might be the best move, financially, as Dedmon won't demand that much money in free agency. I like Williams a lot but he's too undersized to invest much money in long term. We have Chandler locked in, I'd like to see us add a Center in the draft with #32 but I'm not holding out hope he'll be able to contribute right away, or at all.

I know many don't want to hear this, but cheap might be the way to go in free agency at the Center position. It worked for the Warriors this past season.

 

[Hoop Head]

Cheap is the way to go so long as we're paying Chandler $12-13 million. He's only got 2 years left, sign a cheap backup for him and draft or sign a cheap young project to give us options. I know a number of people have suggested the idea that Bender could be the Center of the future for us but I just don't see him as a Center but wouldn't mind being proven wrong. I see him more as a combo forward, like a modern Toni Kukoc.

 

[devilalum]

Just draft 6 fouls with the 32nd pick.

 

[Mainstreet]

I hadn't considered that but that might be the best move, financially, as Dedmon won't demand that much money in free agency. I like Williams a lot but he's too undersized to invest much money in long term. We have Chandler locked in, I'd like to see us add a Center in the draft with #32 but I'm not holding out hope he'll be able to contribute right away, or at all.

I'd like for the Suns to draft a center at #32 as well. If they can move up slightly a notch or two all the better.

The Suns should be able to get a defensive rebounding center at this slot. I see Bam is moving up in the draft. He would have been a nice addition.

 

[Hoop Head]

I was curious to know what happened with Alec Brown, who we drafted back in 2014 and showed some potential on our summer league teams and our D-League affiliate. I thought there was a chance he could contribute more than a 2nd round pick this year and he'd be a cheap signing but the Suns renounced his draft rights prior to last season. He was a regular starter in the D-League and a rim protector, at 7'1. He averaged 1.9 blocks a game in only 22 minutes and also shot 36% from 3. Kind of surprised the Suns just renounced his rights like that. He's with the Bulls D-League team now.

 

[Finito]

I know many don't want to hear this, but cheap might be the way to go in free agency at the Center position. It worked for the Warriors this past season.

Yeah you know what worked for the Warriors having Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson

 

[Carolinacacti]

http://hoopshype.com/2017/04/26/nba-free-agency-2017-centers/

The Suns have loads of money. Spend some on a 2 year deal until the youngsters are ready. Next year might be the year to draft a center. This year SF and BPA. Nene would be good.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I don't mind spending a little. Just keep the terms short. I don't even mind bringing LEn back at the right price.

It would be odd seeing Sauce go somewhere else with his deep community roots.

 

[Mainstreet]

I was curious to know what happened with Alec Brown, who we drafted back in 2014 and showed some potential on our summer league teams and our D-League affiliate. I thought there was a chance he could contribute more than a 2nd round pick this year and he'd be a cheap signing but the Suns renounced his draft rights prior to last season. He was a regular starter in the D-League and a rim protector, at 7'1. He averaged 1.9 blocks a game in only 22 minutes and also shot 36% from 3. Kind of surprised the Suns just renounced his rights like that. He's with the Bulls D-League team now.

I doubt the Bulls will keep him on their 15 man roster so he should be available later on. I question whether he can play in the NBA because of his build. The NBA is so physical.

 

[Hoop Head]

I doubt the Bulls will keep him on their 15 man roster so he should be available later on. I question whether he can play in the NBA because of his build. The NBA is so physical.

He's not on their roster, he's on their D-League team. He hasn't signed with them, he was traded by the Northern AZ Suns after his draft rights were renounced.

 

[Mainstreet]

He's not on their roster, he's on their D-League team. He hasn't signed with them, he was traded by the Northern AZ Suns after his draft rights were renounced.

So he is available to any NBA team unless the Bulls place him on their 15 man roster which is unlikely to happen.

Do you still have interest in him?

 

[Folster]

I was curious to know what happened with Alec Brown, who we drafted back in 2014 and showed some potential on our summer league teams and our D-League affiliate. I thought there was a chance he could contribute more than a 2nd round pick this year and he'd be a cheap signing but the Suns renounced his draft rights prior to last season. He was a regular starter in the D-League and a rim protector, at 7'1. He averaged 1.9 blocks a game in only 22 minutes and also shot 36% from 3. Kind of surprised the Suns just renounced his rights like that. He's with the Bulls D-League team now.

I saw Alec Brown more than a few times in a couple summer leagues seasons. His play never gave me the idea that he could possibly play in the NBA. I think any hopes fans had in him were just wishful, hoping he would fill Channing Frye's role. He just doesn't have NBA talent.

 

[Hoop Head]

So he is available to any NBA team unless the Bulls place him on their 15 man roster which is unlikely to happen.

Do you still have interest in him?

I was more curious how he progressed, obviously not much given that the Suns have given up on him completely.

 

[Mainstreet]

I was more curious how he progressed, obviously not much given that the Suns have given up on him completely.

I understand. Watching some of his most recent video clips I question whether he can compete physically on a higher level. I also was hopeful that Alec would steadily improve. However, it is too early to write him off as he is only 24. It takes a special player to play in the NBA or even in the D-League.

They would have booted me out of there the first day.