Suns roster as of 7-25-12

[Arizona's Finest]

More excited about 2013/2014. I get the sense Harden will be a Sun next year (his Mom lives in PHX?) as it just makes too much sense.

If we can draft the best SF next year we maybe on to something.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Roster basically done now.

All the Suns are looking for now is a reasonably large guy to sit in front row seats for 82 games, fly all over the country, stay in the nicest hotels, eat at the nicest restaurants (on a very generous per diem), and get paid about $800,000.

Maybe he can play a minute or two when no one cares.

 

[JCSunsfan]

More excited about 2013/2014. I get the sense Harden will be a Sun next year (his Mom lives in PHX?) as it just makes too much sense.

If we can draft the best SF next year we maybe on to something.

If we want Harden, we should explore trading for him now.

 

[elindholm]

Do you or anyone else know when the Suns have to make the decision about the 4th year?

It's soon, before the season starts, or maybe right afterward. October 31, maybe?

 

[Phrazbit]

I dont see OKC trading Harden until next summer, if at all.

They feel, rightfully so, that they are on the cusp of having a title team. Unless guys start fighting over who gets the ball then I dont think they will make any major moves until next summer. They could easily pay the tax one season if they're defending a title, then ship off Harden afterwards or at midseason of 2013-14.

I think the most likely outcome is they extend Harden and Ibaka, amnesty Perkins and roll with that group for another 2 full years until their salary escalations really start to hit home, then ship someone out for good value.

 

[Mainstreet]

It's soon, before the season starts, or maybe right afterward. October 31, maybe?

Thanks. It seems the Suns will at least get a brief look at him before having to make a decision.

 

[Folster]

Thanks. It seems the Suns will at least get a brief look at him before having to make a decision.

We may not pick up his option, but I believe we can extend a QO to him. I may be wrong. Although, the QO will take up cap space just the same.

 

[devilalum]

Roster basically done now.

All the Suns are looking for now is a reasonably large guy to sit in front row seats for 82 games, fly all over the country, stay in the nicest hotels, eat at the nicest restaurants (on a very generous per diem), and get paid about $800,000.

Maybe he can play a minute or two when no one cares.

Tim Kempton?

 

[overseascardfan]

I wouldn't be so sure about Harden signing with PHX, a couple of weeks ago he stated publically that has no intention of leaving OKC and wants to stay beyond next year. Whether he means he is willing to take less to stay is unclear but it looks like he prefers to stay in OKC.

 

[Mainstreet]

I wouldn't be so sure about Harden signing with PHX, a couple of weeks ago he stated publically that has no intention of leaving OKC and wants to stay beyond next year. Whether he means he is willing to take less to stay is unclear but it looks like he prefers to stay in OKC.

It's all about negotiating leverage. I don't think Harden will be leaving OKC unless they don't offer the max. If they don't, I think the Suns have a good chance of signing him because of his ASU experience, relationship with Sendek and I believe his mother lives here.

The Suns will throw the max at him.

 

[Phrazbit]

Herb Sendek might not be in the valley next year. He should have been fired last year, but somehow got extended. Now that the dunce who extended him has been fired Sendek will probably follow suit as ASU prepares for another wretched season.

 

[Mainstreet]

Herb Sendek might not be in the valley next year. He should have been fired last year, but somehow got extended. Now that the dunce who extended him has been fired Sendek will probably follow suit as ASU prepares for another wretched season.

Let's give him one season, since he is under contract, to see if he can implement an uptempo offense with Jahii Carson.

 

[Griffin]

It's soon, before the season starts, or maybe right afterward. October 31, maybe?

Correct, they have until October 31.

Thanks. It seems the Suns will at least get a brief look at him before having to make a decision.

If by brief look you mean training camp and preseason then yes.

We may not pick up his option, but I believe we can extend a QO to him. I may be wrong.

Unfortunately that's not possible. Qualifying offers are only available after 4th season for first-round rookie-scale contracts. If a team fails to pick up the player's 3rd or 4th-year option, he becomes an unrestricted free agent.

But that alleged 14M cap space next summer will only be possible if the Suns don't pick up his option.

 

[Mainstreet]

But that alleged 14M cap space next summer will only be possible if the Suns don't pick up his option.

I'm guessing trading Dudley for a pick might get them there if they picked up the option on Johnson. No doubt it is a risky proposition. However, I'm thinking the Suns best chance of obtaining a star player anyway is through a sign and trade. I'm just looking at possibilities if Johnson impressed. Must Scola be on the roster for a year before being traded or can he be traded before the trading deadline?

I guess the Suns could gamble and try to sign Johnson when he becomes a free agent if they like him a lot but then his market value will have skyrocketed should he play well.

 

[Griffin]

I'm guessing trading Dudley for a pick might get them there if they picked up the option on Johnson. No doubt it is a risky proposition. However, I'm thinking the Suns best chance of obtaining a star player anyway is through a sign and trade. I'm just looking at possibilities if Johnson impressed.

I don't believe the Suns would have made this trade if Johnson had more than one year guaranteed. Obviously they liked him enough to swap Warrick for him, but I don't think they like him enough to invest 2013 cap space in him already. T'Wolves weren't going to pick up that option either, so if the Suns liked him that much, they could have likely had him next summer for cheap, unless he had a breakout season. His situation will be very much like Brown's last year. And if he shows promise and the Suns have cap space remaining, they may keep him too.

Must Scola be on the roster for a year before being traded or can he be traded before the trading deadline?

He can't be traded until next July.

I guess the Suns could gamble and try to sign Johnson when he becomes a free agent if they like him a lot but then his market value will have skyrocketed should he play well.

Yes, but I think that given his lack of production his first two years, that is the right move. To pick up his option would be a much greater gamble and could possibly cost the Suns a chance at a top-tier free agent.

 

[KloD]

The only two unrestricted free agents I'd want the Suns to chase would be Howard and Paul (I hate Bynum and don't want him). Now I don't believe there is a chance in &%$# either wants to come here to a rebuilding team. I'm not sure Harden is a max guy, but if that's what it takes to get him. That being, there is no way N.O. or any other team with a restricted player will allow them to get away for nothing. So a sign and trade is the likely only way to get a restricted free agent (Max). Even if the Suns signed him to an offer sheet, they don't have to have the room today. There will be plenty of options at the trade deadline or next summer to make the room available. That's why they are collecting these assets now. They now have the flexability to do a variety of different moves depending on what presents itself.

All I'm saying is that if they feel they can turn Johnson into something they want to keep on the team, or as a future asset, they can pick up his 4th year and still have the ability to make a max offer to Harden by moving other parts. It's a nice problem to have!

 

[Mainstreet]

I'm still trying to find a FA center who the Suns might add to the roster. I mentioned Milicic before. I guess he might be my first choice, then Shelden Williams or Fesenko, Kyrylo. There are more options like Orton and Jermaine Williams but I like the first three more.

There are probably summer league players but I would prefer a veteran.

Any ideas?

 

[Mainstreet]

One more thought. If Scola would be happy playing some center, PF Carl Landry would be a great pick up.

 

[Phrazbit]

Darko? Yuck. Has he not had enough time to convince the world that he does not belong in this league? He is awful both offensively, defensively, is lazy and has a bad attitude.

I see nothing to like there.

Bring back Lou, he'd probably come really cheap. He isnt good, but he can play 10-15 minutes, provide some hustle and the crowd loves him.

 

[Mainstreet]

Darko? Yuck. Has he not had enough time to convince the world that he does not belong in this league? He is awful both offensively, defensively, is lazy and has a bad attitude.

I see nothing to like there.

Bring back Lou, he'd probably come really cheap. He isnt good, but he can play 10-15 minutes, provide some hustle and the crowd loves him.

I was looking to fill the back-up center position in my last two posts. I guess Amundson could provide depth at PF allowing Scola to slide over to center but if I couldn't sign Landry, I'd prefer to add a center.

What about Shelden Williams or Fesenko, Kyrylo?

 

[devilalum]

One more thought. If Scola would be happy playing some center, PF Carl Landry would be a great pick up.

Landry would get us closer to that elusive all Ex-Rockets lineup!

 

[Mainstreet]

Landry would get us closer to that elusive all Ex-Rockets lineup!

I wouldn't mind. Carl Landry is a quality player and scraps for everything. No one would out work him. Him being a Ex-Rocket player is purely coincidental for me.

You do bring up an interesting point though.

 

[Phrazbit]

Center seem like a dying position. Those unskilled big lumbering big men who used to go in there and bang and chew up minutes are become more and more useless as coaches choose to go with quicker guys who are 6'8" or 6'9". A pure center is absolute gold, no doubt. But I think the days of needing to have an unskilled stiff like Jake Tsakalidus, Eddy Curry or Dan Gadzuric on your roster are just about behind us.

Wish the league had discovered that about 20 year ago.

 

[Folster]

I'm still trying to find a FA center who the Suns might add to the roster. I mentioned Milicic before. I guess he might be my first choice, then Shelden Williams or Fesenko, Kyrylo. There are more options like Orton and Jermaine Williams but I like the first three more.

There are probably summer league players but I would prefer a veteran.

Any ideas?

I wouldn't mind taking a chance on a project 7-footer like Solomon Alabi or Hassan Whiteside. Daniel Orton and Hilton Armstrong would be decent option. Just no Garret Siler or Jarron Collins.

 

[Mainstreet]

I wouldn't mind taking a chance on a project 7-footer like Solomon Alabi or Hassan Whiteside. Daniel Orton and Hilton Armstrong would be decent option. Just no Garret Siler or Jarron Collins.

Was Hilton Armstrong out last season or in Europe because I could not find a record of him playing last season?

http://www.nba.com/playerfile/hilton_armstrong/career_stats.html

Anyway I'm looking for a player that can distribute and take up space. I'm flexible but I do not want to have a player that does not get off the bench. I agree, no Garret Siler or Jarron Collins.

Shelden Williams puts up some decent stats.

http://www.nba.com/playerfile/shelden_williams/career_stats.html