Trevor Ariza to Washington for Kelly Oubre and Austin Rivers.

[slinslin]

I really like our wing rotation as it is right now, also our center rotation

Only thing I would want to change is adding a more natural 4 man (Aaron Gordon, Kevin Love though they need too much playing time which would affect our wing rotation) maybe and an additional perimeter playmaker specifically in the pick and roll.

 

[1Sun]

I really like our wing rotation as it is right now, also our center rotation

Only thing I would want to change is adding a more natural 4 man (Aaron Gordon, Kevin Love though they need too much playing time which would affect our wing rotation) maybe and an additional perimeter playmaker specifically in the pick and roll.

In terms of rotation, we still need an NBA level point guard above all else. Melton isn't cutting it in the NBA, and Okobo isn't even cutting it in the G League.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

In terms of rotation, we still need an NBA level point guard above all else. Melton isn't cutting it in the NBA, and Okobo isn't even cutting it in the G League.

Agree that we still need another ball handling play maker (preferably an actual PG), but Okobo has actually been pretty good in the G-League. Just isn't ready for the big show yet.

 

[1Sun]

Agree that we still need another ball handling play maker (preferably an actual PG), but Okobo has actually been pretty good in the G-League. Just isn't ready for the big show yet.

Okobo's G-League stats:

Shooting numbers are mediocre at best - 39.3% shooting, 31.9% from three.

Assist numbers are good at 7.9, but turnovers are bad at 3.3.

Rebounding numbers are good at 4.6.

Defense has been atrocious.

While I'm not ready to give up on him, Okobo's G-League numbers and overall performance (the NAZ Suns actually have a worse record in the G-League than our Suns have in the NBA) aren't exactly encouraging, and if anything they demonstrate that he is at least 3-4 years away from being ready for the big show.

Melton, meanwhile, has very much come down to earth, now averaging 6.1 points per game on 39.3% shooting (34% from three point range), 2.8 assists and 1.7 turnovers, with poor defense as well.

Crawford is now hurt, and knee issues at Age 38 do not bode well for the future.

And we have seen the problems "Point Book" have caused us, and especially Book himself.

Point guard has to be priority #1, in my opinion.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I really like our wing rotation as it is right now, also our center rotation

Only thing I would want to change is adding a more natural 4 man (Aaron Gordon, Kevin Love though they need too much playing time which would affect our wing rotation) maybe and an additional perimeter playmaker specifically in the pick and roll.

If we need a pf then we need to move on from Warren. Warren is not an off-the-bench guy, especially if we have Mikal, Oubre, and JJ. In the Magic fan forum during the game their fans talked about Warren as better than Gordon.

I am not so sure we need a traditional pf, but we do need a guard in the Dinwiddie, Brogdon, Holiday mold.

Draft Zion, sign Brogdon. Done.

 

[SirStefan32]

If we need a pf then we need to move on from Warren. Warren is not an off-the-bench guy, especially if we have Mikal, Oubre, and JJ. In the Magic fan forum during the game their fans talked about Warren as better than Gordon.

I am not so sure we need a traditional pf, but we do need a guard in the Dinwiddie, Brogdon, Holiday mold.

Draft Zion, sign Brogdon. Done.

And if they don't win the lottery, which is much more likely?

EDIT: Just to add, I don't think a traditional power forward is a huge need. Sure, it would be nice, but I think that with an elite Center, which Ayton should become, you can get away quite nicely with some bigger small forwards playing the PF spot.

 

[JCSunsfan]

And if they don't win the lottery, which is much more likely?

Brogdon is obtainable I think, he won't be a max guy.

 

[Proximo]

If we need a pf then we need to move on from Warren. Warren is not an off-the-bench guy, especially if we have Mikal, Oubre, and JJ. In the Magic fan forum during the game their fans talked about Warren as better than Gordon.

I am not so sure we need a traditional pf, but we do need a guard in the Dinwiddie, Brogdon, Holiday mold.

Draft Zion, sign Brogdon. Done.

Yeah if it were only that simple.

10% chance brogdan is available, 14% chance at best of getting the first pick, and about 2% chance of both happening.

But I agree that is my dream summer.

 

[Proximo]

Brogdon is obtainable I think, he won't be a max guy.

But he is restricted, and the way he is playing I really doubt they don’t match almost anything.

I think a big offer and a trade would be required, and that may not even work.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

And if they don't win the lottery, which is much more likely?

EDIT: Just to add, I don't think a traditional power forward is a huge need. Sure, it would be nice, but I think that with an elite Center, which Ayton should become, you can get away quite nicely with some bigger small forwards playing the PF spot.

Except that we routinely get killed on the boards. You can win without a traditional PF, but I think you become vulnerable to teams that effectively crash the glass.

 

[SirStefan32]

Except that we routinely get killed on the boards. You can win without a traditional PF, but I think you become vulnerable to teams that effectively crash the glass.

Do we really get routinely "killed" on the boards, or is that just our perception? We are definitely not a good rebounding team, but from seeing all but one game this year, I don't think we are in THAT bad of a shape when it comes to rebounding.


EDIT: Looked it up.
Looks like their opponents grab 46 rebounds per game while the Suns grab 41.
If we look at December, their opponents grab 46.7 rebounds while the Suns grab 44.1.

In the last seven games, the Suns are actually winning rebounding battles. 46.4 vs. 46.7 rebounds per game.

Don't get me wrong, I am not saying we don't have a rebounding problem. I am just saying that on the list of problems, rebounding is way towards the bottom of the list. Fixing this also has a domino effect. Is this new PF that will get us 2-3 extra rebounds per game going to be able to score as well as Warren and Oubre? Is he going to shoot the same percentage on threes? You have to give up an advantage on something to gain an advantage on something else, and that's where things get complicated. Outside of New Orleans, Memphis, and some versions of San Antonio, I can't think of another team that has a big PF. Maybe some versions of Indiana lineup?

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Do we really get routinely "killed" on the boards, or is that just our perception? We are definitely not a good rebounding team, but from seeing all but one game this year, I don't think we are in THAT bad of a shape when it comes to rebounding.


EDIT: Looked it up.
Looks like their opponents grab 46 rebounds per game while the Suns grab 41.
If we look at December, their opponents grab 46.7 rebounds while the Suns grab 44.1.

In the last seven games, the Suns are actually winning rebounding battles. 46.4 vs. 46.7 rebounds per game.

Don't get me wrong, I am not saying we don't have a rebounding problem. I am just saying that on the list of problems, rebounding is way towards the bottom of the list. Fixing this also has a domino effect. Is this new PF that will get us 2-3 extra rebounds per game going to be able to score as well as Warren and Oubre? Is he going to shoot the same percentage on threes? You have to give up an advantage on something to gain an advantage on something else, and that's where things get complicated. Outside of New Orleans, Memphis, and some versions of San Antonio, I can't think of another team that has a big PF. Maybe some versions of Indiana lineup?

I’m glad to see the gap closing more recently. We were getting blown out in the boards before. Think about it, if we have a 5 rebound/game average deficit for the season it was more than that prior to the December, likely closer to 8. If you’re getting outrebounded by 8 on a nightly basis you’re playing uphill.

 

[leclerc]

They need to pride themselves on playing defense and getting stops. Start with the last two minutes of quarters, then extend it to longer periods.

On Jackson I think we should try to sign him to a Warren/Curry type of deal. 5 years at a team friendly price, before he breaks out and demands near max money. If he doesn't break out he still is set up for the future and the team can still sign Ayton and others.

They should offer Holmes a decent contract as soon as possible. Not sure what to do about Oubre. Is he only playing great in a contract year? Is this the honeymoon? I have no clue.

 

[slinslin]

Do we really get routinely "killed" on the boards, or is that just our perception? We are definitely not a good rebounding team, but from seeing all but one game this year, I don't think we are in THAT bad of a shape when it comes to rebounding.


EDIT: Looked it up.
Looks like their opponents grab 46 rebounds per game while the Suns grab 41.
If we look at December, their opponents grab 46.7 rebounds while the Suns grab 44.1.

In the last seven games, the Suns are actually winning rebounding battles. 46.4 vs. 46.7 rebounds per game.

Don't get me wrong, I am not saying we don't have a rebounding problem. I am just saying that on the list of problems, rebounding is way towards the bottom of the list. Fixing this also has a domino effect. Is this new PF that will get us 2-3 extra rebounds per game going to be able to score as well as Warren and Oubre? Is he going to shoot the same percentage on threes? You have to give up an advantage on something to gain an advantage on something else, and that's where things get complicated. Outside of New Orleans, Memphis, and some versions of San Antonio, I can't think of another team that has a big PF. Maybe some versions of Indiana lineup?

Do we really get routinely "killed" on the boards, or is that just our perception? We are definitely not a good rebounding team, but from seeing all but one game this year, I don't think we are in THAT bad of a shape when it comes to rebounding.


EDIT: Looked it up.
Looks like their opponents grab 46 rebounds per game while the Suns grab 41.
If we look at December, their opponents grab 46.7 rebounds while the Suns grab 44.1.

In the last seven games, the Suns are actually winning rebounding battles. 46.4 vs. 46.7 rebounds per game.

Don't get me wrong, I am not saying we don't have a rebounding problem. I am just saying that on the list of problems, rebounding is way towards the bottom of the list. Fixing this also has a domino effect. Is this new PF that will get us 2-3 extra rebounds per game going to be able to score as well as Warren and Oubre? Is he going to shoot the same percentage on threes? You have to give up an advantage on something to gain an advantage on something else, and that's where things get complicated. Outside of New Orleans, Memphis, and some versions of San Antonio, I can't think of another team that has a big PF. Maybe some versions of Indiana lineup?

I would wager that rebounding is more of a problem in our 2nd unit.

Can't imagine we get outrebounded while Ayton is on the floor even though Warren is a bit lacking on the boards.

 

[slinslin]

And if they don't win the lottery, which is much more likely?

EDIT: Just to add, I don't think a traditional power forward is a huge need. Sure, it would be nice, but I think that with an elite Center, which Ayton should become, you can get away quite nicely with some bigger small forwards playing the PF spot.

Well yeah but none our wings really fit that "bigger small forward" niche. TJ Warren is the closest but not really. Aaron Gordon would be a nice addition to our wing group imo and with Booker playing PG you could split all minutes at the 2/3/4 between Gordon, Warren, Bridges, Jackson and Oubre.

 

[AZCrazy]

Booker is our best shooter, our worst defender, and has more turnovers than anyone on the team. His talents are wasted having him as the 'distributor' to the playmakers. He IS our playmaker, and should be our 2. We don't need Booker defending the 1's and bringing the ball up and passing it to lesser players.

 

[devilalum]

Booker is our best shooter, our worst defender, and has more turnovers than anyone on the team. His talents are wasted having him as the 'distributor' to the playmakers. He IS our playmaker, and should be our 2. We don't need Booker defending the 1's and bringing the ball up and passing it to lesser players.

The primary ball handler always has the most turnovers. Nash had a lot of dubious triple doubles with 10 turnovers. Booker's assist to turnover ratio is 1.76. Not good but interestingly better than Steph Curry. Booker is second in assists among NBA shooting guards. He is also first in turnovers. Basically what you would expect when you have your SG play PG.

 

[95pro]

The primary ball handler always has the most turnovers. Nash had a lot of dubious triple doubles with 10 turnovers. Booker's assist to turnover ratio is 1.76. Not good but interestingly better than Steph Curry. Booker is second in assists among NBA shooting guards. He is also first in turnovers. Basically what you would expect when you have your SG play PG.

Thing is, some of his turnovers are just bad passes and not bad decisions.

 

[devilalum]

Thing is, some of his turnovers are just bad passes and not bad decisions.

Yeah, he really struggles to get the ball to Ayton in the lane.

 

[Mainstreet]

They need to pride themselves on playing defense and getting stops. Start with the last two minutes of quarters, then extend it to longer periods.

On Jackson I think we should try to sign him to a Warren/Curry type of deal. 5 years at a team friendly price, before he breaks out and demands near max money. If he doesn't break out he still is set up for the future and the team can still sign Ayton and others.

They should offer Holmes a decent contract as soon as possible. Not sure what to do about Oubre. Is he only playing great in a contract year? Is this the honeymoon? I have no clue.

I especially think the Suns second unit is getting there on defense with Oubre, Jackson and Holmes.

 

[1Sun]

Yeah, he really struggles to get the ball to Ayton in the lane.

He's not a point guard. Passing/distribution has never been his strong suit. He is working miracles in terms of his raw assist numbers, but that notwithstanding Booker is ideally suited to creating for himself in isolation and otherwise playing off of the ball. For lack of a better way of putting it, Booker is Klay Thompson, not Steph Curry or even James Harden. Booker shouldn't have to play the 1 any more than Thompson does.

Booker, Ayton and the team will never realize their full potential until a legitimate NBA point guard is in the starting line-up, leaving Booker to play his natural position of shooting guard.

 

[SirStefan32]

I would wager that rebounding is more of a problem in our 2nd unit.

Can't imagine we get outrebounded while Ayton is on the floor even though Warren is a bit lacking on the boards.

Not sure how to look that up, but I think you are right.

 

[SirStefan32]

Well yeah but none our wings really fit that "bigger small forward" niche. TJ Warren is the closest but not really. Aaron Gordon would be a nice addition to our wing group imo and with Booker playing PG you could split all minutes at the 2/3/4 between Gordon, Warren, Bridges, Jackson and Oubre.

I don't think Jones and Igor want Booker playing PG. The second they found a starting unit that kind of works with Booker at 2, they stuck to it. I like Booker as a facilitator, but I really would prefer that to be a specialty lineup, and not a regular thing.

 

[SirStefan32]

The primary ball handler always has the most turnovers. Nash had a lot of dubious triple doubles with 10 turnovers. Booker's assist to turnover ratio is 1.76. Not good but interestingly better than Steph Curry. Booker is second in assists among NBA shooting guards. He is also first in turnovers. Basically what you would expect when you have your SG play PG.

I agree with you. Booker has done pretty well as a PG/ main distributor. That said, I think while he makes for a pretty good point guard, he is actually an outstanding shooting guard, and that's where we should play him. In the long-run, the experience he got as the primary point guard will make him a much better player, but I don't want him playing the point outside of certain situations.

 

[95pro]

Yeah, he really struggles to get the ball to Ayton in the lane.

Even when when Ayton is there for the lob, he'll be off on his passes too. He just has trouble executing the pass itself. I don't like the swing one arm cross court passes too.