Suns updates and discussion for the 2023-24 season

[Mainstreet]

Contributing is the key. Our 8-9 rotation is some combination of:
Book
KD
Beal
Nurk
Allen
Gordon
Okogie
Drew
Bol
KBD

Will we find someone in that range that can supplant one of these? I'd love to find upgrades for Drewbanks and Gordon, just not sure there are replacements out there that are meaningfully better.

I don't think the Suns would be looking for replacements for those two players, rather additions that might crack the rotation or add depth.

Maybe the Suns can get a spinoff player in a trade or a buyout as well.

 

[Muggz]

Another potential is let trade deadline pass and pick up a player or two who were released by a team. I'd like this because then we don't lose Okogie or Bol Bol.

We have 11 mil to spend in the buyout market I think. That could help

 

[Raindog]

Also, it wouldn't be a shocker to get Torrey Craig back. Yeah, I know...

That would be the most James Jones thing ever... trade for Craig for a third time and then declare "yeah, we're good."

 

[GatorAZ]

If we acquire Bridges then it will let us surpass the Clippers

The Clippers can go 10 deep and even the margin guys like Theiss and Coffey shoot above 40% from 3. They’re stacked and have the best player and coach in the series should we stack up with them at full strength.

 

[Phrazbit]

Not true. Bol is in no way shape or form a center.

If there is a roster spot open and we didn't trade for another center, we will sign Biz.

Despite Bol's own thoughts that he is a wing player or guard, the claim is hampered by that he is absolute trash when playing either role.

His best stretches, by far, have come playing the 5. It keeps him from doing his terrible dribbling adventures and keeps him from attempting his horrible outside shooting. It also locks him into a specific role on defense instead of chasing guys around on the outside. He is really good around the rim on offense and at rim protection on defense, he is really really bad pretty much everything else. When we've simplified his role, he has played well.

From 3, he can make the shot from the top of the arc (where pick and roll centers tend to shoot them) and he cannot hit the broad side of a barn from anywhere else, especially the corners where he shoots under 20%.

Statistically, it's not even close. He should ONLY be playing center, nothing else.

Regardless, I don't see us picking up Biz.

 

[Mainstreet]

That would be the most James Jones thing ever... trade for Craig for a third time and then declare "yeah, we're good."

It's not the worst thing that could happen, though. Craig could give the Suns rotation minutes and defense.

 

[Hoop Head]

It's not the worst thing that could happen, though. Craig could give the Suns rotation minutes and defense.

Hopefully it would signal how inept James Jones is as a GM and get Ishbia to fire him. Not that I mind Torrey Craig but giving up anything for a player we could have re-signed last off season would be ridiculous, especially since it would be the second time.

 

[Mainstreet]

Hopefully it would signal how inept James Jones is as a GM and get Ishbia to fire him. Not that I mind Torrey Craig but giving up anything for a player we could have re-signed last off season would be ridiculous, especially since it would be the second time.

Craig may have wanted more than the veteran minimum if he had stayed with the Suns not that I am defending James Jones.

 

[Hoop Head]

Craig may have wanted more than the veteran minimum if he had stayed with the Suns not that I am defending James Jones.

And he was likely worth a little more. We had his early bird rights which would have allowed us to offer up to the MLE, or close to it. I know he said something on Twitter or Instagram about how he wanted to stay in Phoenix so the desire to remain with the team was there. Since he signed for the vet minimum elsewhere I don't see him requesting a crazy salary either. He was on a deal that was paying him like $6m last season so maybe he wanted that but I think with how the team went all in they should have retained him simply to have a trade asset of some sort as well as another salary that wasn't the minimum for trade purposes.

 

[Mainstreet]

And he was likely worth a little more. We had his early bird rights which would have allowed us to offer up to the MLE, or close to it. I know he said something on Twitter or Instagram about how he wanted to stay in Phoenix so the desire to remain with the team was there. Since he signed for the vet minimum elsewhere I don't see him requesting a crazy salary either. He was on a deal that was paying him like $6m last season so maybe he wanted that but I think with how the team went all in they should have retained him simply to have a trade asset of some sort as well as another salary that wasn't the minimum for trade purposes.

It's kind of similar to letting Cam Payne go except I was more willing to let Craig walk.

Now, both players are looking like they could help the team.

 

[Cheesebeef]

It's kind of similar to letting Cam Payne go except I was more willing to let Craig walk.

Now, both players are looking like they could help the team.

Having Craig out there with his 38% 3 point shooting and playoff experience instead of KBD would at least help that second unit a little bit and allow us to go a little bigger if need be and he was in the starting lineup depending on matchups. He’s also just a great energy guy.

 

[Proximo]

Despite Bol's own thoughts that he is a wing player or guard, the claim is hampered by that he is absolute trash when playing either role.

His best stretches, by far, have come playing the 5. It keeps him from doing his terrible dribbling adventures and keeps him from attempting his horrible outside shooting. It also locks him into a specific role on defense instead of chasing guys around on the outside. He is really good around the rim on offense and at rim protection on defense, he is really really bad pretty much everything else. When we've simplified his role, he has played well.

From 3, he can make the shot from the top of the arc (where pick and roll centers tend to shoot them) and he cannot hit the broad side of a barn from anywhere else, especially the corners where he shoots under 20%.

Statistically, it's not even close. He should ONLY be playing center, nothing else.

Regardless, I don't see us picking up Biz.

He is absolute trash defensively no matter what position he plays - but he is especially bad against a center that can easily bully him out of the way.

 

[Proximo]

Having Craig out there with his 38% 3 point shooting and playoff experience instead of KBD would at least help that second unit a little bit and allow us to go a little bigger if need be and he was in the starting lineup depending on matchups. He’s also just a great energy guy.

Craig isn't really that great. The one thing he can do though is guard Paul George pretty well. Other than that though, I think him and KBD are pretty similar.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Craig isn't really that great. The one thing he can do though is guard Paul George pretty well. Other than that though, I think him and KBD are pretty similar.

No one said Craig was that great. He’s just better than KBD, who is unplayable most nights, is a horrible 3 point shooter, and has zero playoff experience, meaning as bad as he is now, he’ll probably only be demonstrably worse when pressure really tightens.

 

[BirdGangThing]

Having Craig out there with his 38% 3 point shooting and playoff experience instead of KBD would at least help that second unit a little bit and allow us to go a little bigger if need be and he was in the starting lineup depending on matchups. He’s also just a great energy guy.

Craig is one of those players who can shine sharing the court with stars

 

[Mainstreet]

Craig isn't really that great. The one thing he can do though is guard Paul George pretty well. Other than that though, I think him and KBD are pretty similar.

Craig is a rotation player and can play defense. That's a lot.

 

[Hoop Head]

If we had Craig then there wouldn't be talk of trading for Royce O'Neale. We'd be able to hang on to and develop Little or trade him for a PG. Although if we kept Cam Payne then we wouldn't need a bench PG either.

To think keeping one guy who was under contract already and re-signing Craig could change this team quite a bit. We'd be able to focus on finding a better backup C right now and not be as desperate to add bench talent.

 

[Phrazbit]

He is absolute trash defensively no matter what position he plays - but he is especially bad against a center that can easily bully him out of the way.

Disagree. One, hardly anyone actually has centers who bully people, two, he can't stay in front of anyone on the outside, he is a turn style and gets beat on fakes at an awful rate for a dude who shouldn't bother to jump to contest an outside shot. He needs to be near the rim helping stop guys going at the basket.

 

[Phrazbit]

Having Craig out there with his 38% 3 point shooting and playoff experience instead of KBD would at least help that second unit a little bit and allow us to go a little bigger if need be and he was in the starting lineup depending on matchups. He’s also just a great energy guy.

Craig's also great in transition off the ball, he bolts for the rim when given the chance. We don't have much of that on the roster.

 

[Superbone]

Craig's also great in transition off the ball, he bolts for the rim when given the chance. We don't have much of that on the roster.

And he gobbles up those rebounds. Something this team has been struggling with.

 

[Mainstreet]

Bradley Beal will need to make a decision about getting his nose reset. The All-Star break may present an opportunity.

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[Suns_fan69]

https://theathletic.com/5256215/2024/02/07/utah-jazz-nba-trade-deadline/
Paywalled, but relevant section:

Simone Fontecchio​

Utah’s starting small forward has emerged as a serious trade target for two contending teams, according to multiple league sources: the Phoenix Suns and the Boston Celtics. Both teams need to strengthen their respective second units, and Fontecchio has an easy salary number for Phoenix and Boston to get to as he is in the final year of a contract that pays him $3.1 million annually.

Fontecchio has emerged this season as an effective rotation-level player. He has shot the ball well, particularly since being inserted into the starting lineup. He’s also proven to be at least an adept wing defender.

The Celtics need frontcourt depth, and Fontecchio would be a good fit there. He’s a shooter with size and length, which will allow him to play in lineups with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. He’s fearless on the floor. The same logic fits with Phoenix, a team that needs a guy who can shoot and defend like Fontecchio, to take some pressure off Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal.

The question is: What would the Jazz potentially receive in compensation? The Suns only have second-round picks to deal. The Celtics are in a better spot and have a few firsts at their disposal. If Fontecchio is dealt, he will be a restricted free agent this summer, which would give team control to whoever trades for him. That also makes him attractive on the market.

 

[Proximo]

https://theathletic.com/5256215/2024/02/07/utah-jazz-nba-trade-deadline/
Paywalled, but relevant section:

Interesting.

Looks like a good get if they could pull it off.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Interesting.

Looks like a good get if they could pull it off.

Has stunk in last five games. 6pts/game on 39% shooting.

 

[Mainstreet]

Simone Fonteccio goes to the Pistons for a 2024 second round pick.

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