Suns updates and discussion for the 2022-23 season

[Mainstreet]

Yep. He isn’t going anywhere unless he wants to. Crowder is going to likely be our best chip to improve this season.

Ayton was willing to go to the Pacers, so he may not be overly picky where he plays.

Crowder may have the most value individually, but when combined with other expiring contracts, Saric and Craig, they have about $25 million in expiring contracts they can use in a trade.

Add this with a draft pick or two, the Suns have expanded options.

 

[Hoop Head]

I'd be surprised if Ayton turned down a trade. He signed an offer sheet with Indiana after all. Where might the Suns trade him where he'd be less content than here? If he declined a trade that would kill the relationship with us as well. Good luck being traded somewhere you want to go this summer when you no longer can turn down a trade.

 

[Covert Rain]

Ayton was willing to go to the Pacers, so he may not be overly picky where he plays.

Crowder may have the most value individually, but when combined with other expiring contracts, Saric and Craig, they have about $25 million in expiring contracts they can use in a trade.

Add this with a draft pick or two, the Suns have expanded options.

I don’t think Ayton actually cared about the Pacers. His team made it clear it was all about who gave him the money they were looking for. They would have used any team willing to offer the money to get the Suns to match. Now that he has it?

He isn’t going anywhere he doesn’t want to go to now. He just isn’t going to let the Suns trade him to where the Suns want.

 

[Phrazbit]

I don't think Ayton can be traded to Indiana under any circumstances for at least a year. At least, that is how it used to be. If a team offered a RFA a contract and it was matched they were not allowed to trade for them for a full calendar year.

A method of avoiding back door dealings, I believe.

Also, if Ayton had ended up in Indy, with that roster... good lord, if he played like he wanted to be there, they'd be a monster. Mathurin and Haliburton are both playing like future superstars.

 

[Mainstreet]

I don’t think Ayton actually cared about the Pacers. His team made it clear it was all about who gave him the money they were looking for. They would have used any team willing to offer the money to get the Suns to match. Now that he has it?

He isn’t going anywhere he doesn’t want to go to now. He just isn’t going to let the Suns trade him to where the Suns want.

I'm saying if Ayton was willing to play for the Pacers (not a preferred destination) I doubt he is overly selective about other teams where he would play, especially if he is unhappy in Phoenix.

I doubt if he has a list of teams that are as limited as say Kevin Durant. Yes, now that he has money, he can be more choosy and there may be a recruiting process play out if made available for trade later on.

It's also possible Ayton doesn't have a lot of market value either. It appears he was not heavily pursued as a RFA or the summer prior.

 

[Covert Rain]

I'm saying if Ayton was willing to play for the Pacers (not a preferred destination) I doubt he is overly selective about other teams where he would play, especially if he is unhappy in Phoenix.

I doubt if he has a list of teams that are as limited as say Kevin Durant. Yes, now that he has money, he can be more choosy and there may be a recruiting process play out if made available for trade later on.

It's also possible Ayton doesn't have a lot of market value either. It appears he was not heavily pursued as a RFA or the summer prior.

I am saying the circumstances are different. He was willing to go anyplace (allegedly) to ensure he got the contract he wanted or that the Suns would match the offer. Now that he has that contract, he has the luxury of picking and choosing where he goes. He isn't going to let the Suns trade him to just any team unless you believe he doesn't care about winning which I seriously doubt. Now if the organization and the fan base turn on him, make him completely miserable? It might open a few more options. However, If I am Ayton and the Suns propose trading me to a doormat of a team? I say hell no.

 

[Mainstreet]

I am saying the circumstances are different. He was willing to go anyplace (allegedly) to ensure he got the contract he wanted or that the Suns would match the offer. Now that he has that contract, he has the luxury of picking and choosing where he goes. He isn't going to let the Suns trade him to just any team unless you believe he doesn't care about winning which I seriously doubt. Now if the organization and the fan base turn on him, make him completely miserable? It might open a few more options. However, If I am Ayton and the Suns propose trading me to a doormat of a team? I say hell no.

The circumstances are different now that Ayton has a new contract, but he is not in the same the situation as an elite player wanting to be traded when eligible, especially if he wants out. We don't know the market.

If Ayton improves later in the season, it changes the situation for both him and Phoenix, likely for the best. The more eligible choices, the better if the Suns decide to trade him.

 

[Covert Rain]

The circumstances are different now that Ayton has a new contract, but he is not in the same the situation as an elite player wanting to be traded when eligible, especially if he wants out. We don't know the market.

If Ayton improves later in the season, it changes the situation for both him and Phoenix, likely for the best. The more eligible choices, the better if the Suns decide to trade him.

Players don't make it a habit of not exercising their right of refusal. Ayton would have to be pretty miserable to let the Suns trade him to just any team.

 

[Mainstreet]

Players don't make it a habit of not exercising their right of refusal. Ayton would have to be pretty miserable to let the Suns trade him to just any team.

I'm not saying Ayton would want to be traded to any team, but his choices are limited by teams willing to pay his salary and willing to give up assets for him.

 

[Covert Rain]

I'm not saying Ayton would want to be traded to any team, but his choices are limited by teams willing to pay his salary and willing to give up assets for him.

Well that's any player with a decent contract. The numbers have to work. I think Ayton is young enough that there are teams out there that would take him. The Suns are in an odd situation. If you really want Ayton to have maximum value and trade him, he has to be playing well. If he stinks it up? That's a different scenario. Ayton having a right of refusal just complicates things for this season unless Ayton desperately wants out.

 

[Mainstreet]

Well that's any player with a decent contract. The numbers have to work. I think Ayton is young enough that there are teams out there that would take him. The Suns are in an odd situation. If you really want Ayton to have maximum value and trade him, he has to be playing well. If he stinks it up? That's a different scenario. Ayton having a right of refusal just complicates things for this season unless Ayton desperately wants out.

We are agreeing. The only difference, if Ayton is not perceived to be a future star, his suitors will be less.

 

[Mainstreet]

There are rumors the Lakers might be interested in trading for Bojan Bogdanovic come December 15th.

This would seem like another option the Suns might revisit.

Lakers one of the teams interested in Bojan Bogdanovic

While that may have seemingly ruled out a trade to the Lakers in the moment, it has not ruled it out indefinitely. In fact, the Lakers could move back in on Bogdanovic despite him having recently s…

hoopshype.com

 

[Proximo]

Yep. He isn’t going anywhere unless he wants to. Crowder is going to likely be our best chip to improve this season.

No, that is our draft picks.

 

[Proximo]

The Magic embarrassment wiped out any tentative confidence I might have had in this team. It reminded me that there have been a number of Suns teams that played harder.

Oh come on it was one stinker of a game. They happen every season. They certainly happened the last 2 years.

 

[Proximo]

I'd be surprised if Ayton turned down a trade. He signed an offer sheet with Indiana after all. Where might the Suns trade him where he'd be less content than here? If he declined a trade that would kill the relationship with us as well. Good luck being traded somewhere you want to go this summer when you no longer can turn down a trade.

What makes you so sure the Suns want to trade him?

He hasn't played great so far, but he has gotten into a ton of foul trouble which has limited his production.

I for one am expecting his level of play to improve soon.

 

[Superbone]

Is Crowder really getting paid through all of this? Ridiculous. Being down both him and Johnson really hurts. I sure hope we get a decent replacement for Crowder when/if it ever happens.

 

[Mainstreet]

Is Crowder really getting paid through all of this? Ridiculous. Being down both him and Johnson really hurts. I sure hope we get a decent replacement for Crowder when/if it ever happens.

We haven't heard anything that says Crowder isn't getting paid. The Suns probably wouldn't tell us anyway.

 

[Superbone]

We haven't heard anything that says Crowder isn't getting paid. The Suns probably wouldn't tell us anyway.

I don't think they have a choice but to pay him unless Crowder refuses to play for us and it has been made known by Jones that it is mutual.

 

[Mainstreet]

I don't think they have a choice but to pay him unless Crowder refuses to play for us and it has been made known by Jones that it is mutual.

I guess if it's truly a mutual decision.

 

[Covert Rain]

We haven't heard anything that says Crowder isn't getting paid. The Suns probably wouldn't tell us anyway.

If Crowder wasn't getting paid we would know. Say whatever you want about Crowder but he wants to continue his career and he's competitive. If he was sitting home and NOT getting paid? This issue would go nuclear.

 

[Town Drunk]

If Crowder wasn't getting paid we would know. Say whatever you want about Crowder but he wants to continue his career and he's competitive. If he was sitting home and NOT getting paid? This issue would go nuclear. This team is short handed and they have a player who is capable of filling in sitting at home, getting paid.

Maybe it should go nuclear at this point. This team is short handed and they have a player who is capable of filling in sitting at home, getting paid. And I’m sure the players see this as well.

Incredibly frustrating.

 

[Finito]

I'm saying if Ayton was willing to play for the Pacers (not a preferred destination) I doubt he is overly selective about other teams where he would play, especially if he is unhappy in Phoenix.

I doubt if he has a list of teams that are as limited as say Kevin Durant. Yes, now that he has money, he can be more choosy and there may be a recruiting process play out if made available for trade later on.

It's also possible Ayton doesn't have a lot of market value either. It appears he was not heavily pursued as a RFA or the summer prior.

Only two teams could even offer him the max

 

[Mainstreet]

Only two teams could even offer him the max

Only two teams could offer Ayton the max without a sign-and-trade.

 

[Covert Rain]

Only two teams could offer Ayton the max without a sign-and-trade.

There were a handful more of teams that could before they made moves.

 

[Hoop Head]

Only two teams could even offer him the max

Teams knew he'd be hitting free agency for a full year and no one cleared cap space to make a run for him. Restricted or not, there were serious questions whether the Suns would match. The interest wasn't there.