UFA Centers in our price range...

[Mainstreet]

Originally Posted by sunsfn

DaSagana Diop....Yes, bring this guy in for the cheap and work him hard and see if he can be somebody to build on. He has been around 4 years and some big men take longer than that. Still very young. Should be a shot blocker.

I have to admit the idea of getting Diop to fill Hunter's role is growing on me. Also wasn't Hunter waived by Cleveland and isn't Diop now a FA from Cleveland? There would definitely be some irony there if the Suns signed him.

However, let me also throw out another name, Melvin Ely. I have no idea how the Suns could get him from the Bobcats other than perhaps a sign and trade including a first round draft pick from the Suns and hopefully Voshkuhl. The Bobcats would do this primarily for the pick but Voshkuhl might be useable for them.

I know from previous discussions in the past many on this Board are not high on Ely, but I think if the Suns lose Hunter, he would be a welcome addition. Also he gives the Suns a little more bulk off the bench. Just a thought.

 

[sunsfn]

How about Kevin Willis?

NOW....this is the oldest guy in the NBA..

elden campbell, He has said he will retire if he does not play for Detroit.
Maybe he changes his mind for lots of money, but we are not going to pay it to him.

 

[cly2tw]

I think Diop can be as good as Hunter if not better. In Suns system, any big body who is reasonably athletic and can block shots would flourish. Give him a two year deal at min with the sec. the team option.

 

[George O'Brien]

I think Diop can be as good as Hunter if not better. In Suns system, any big body who is reasonably athletic and can block shots would flourish. Give him a two year deal at min with the sec. the team option.

What are you seeing I'm not? Diop played in just 39 games last season for an average of 7.8 minutes - a total of 306 minutes. In that time, he shot just 29% from the field. How does a guy who shoots only layups shoot only 29%?

I guess anyone who is big and moderately athletic always has a chance of becoming a player, but he's had three years and zilch.

 

[cly2tw]

I guess anyone who is big and moderately athletic always has a chance of becoming a player, but he's had three years and zilch.

And so was Hunter. How do you think why he got cut, waived last offseason? The team paid his 3rd year rookie salary without even wanting him on their roster! And Diop is younger. At least, it won't cost us much to take a chance on him.

 

[Errntknght]

IMO, Diop is a much more of longshot this year than Hunter was last year. When it came down that the three last bigs available were Mihm, Przybilla and Hunter, I thought he was about as good a gamble as them because he'd exhibited real shot blocking capability over a reasonable number of minutes. (I'm not claiming I thought all three would fare as well as they did in new surroundings.)

Those that say Diop hasn't improved at all didn't follow his early games - I did for some strange reason and even wrote a little blurb in here commemorating his first field goal which came in about his 20th game.

 

[elindholm]

And so was Hunter.

Hunter's alleged improvement with the Suns isn't nearly so great as a lot of posters here seem to believe. Statistically, his numbers with Phoenix were almost the same as during his last two years in Orlando (http://www.nba.com/playerfile/steven_hunter). His scoring was up a bit in Phoenix, but that's it.

A Magic fan told us early on that Hunter would have flashes of brilliance followed by long periods of cluelessness. That's pretty much exactly what we got. He was the same player in Phoenix that he was in Orlando.

 

[coloradosun]

I have to admit the idea of getting Diop to fill Hunter's role is growing on me. Also wasn't Hunter waived by Cleveland and isn't Diop now a FA from Cleveland? There would definitely be some irony there if the Suns signed him.

However, let me also throw out another name, Melvin Ely. I have no idea how the Suns could get him from the Bobcats other than perhaps a sign and trade including a first round draft pick from the Suns and hopefully Voshkuhl. The Bobcats would do this primarily for the pick but Voshkuhl might be useable for them.

I know from previous discussions in the past many on this Board are not high on Ely, but I think if the Suns lose Hunter, he would be a welcome addition. Also he gives the Suns a little more bulk off the bench. Just a thought.

Ely might be a possibility with the Bobcats taking Sean May in the draft. Brezac is their center and they may need a backup, Voskuhl may fit because of his expiring contract is attractive next summer if they fail to sign any FA this offseason. It may cost Barbosa as well since a young player fits their MO and make the deal more attractive. The Suns could move both and get cap space to sign a backup point guard.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Looking at Gadzuric's #'s, strengths, and frame--I think he would be ideal for our team.

And with Bogut, Booth, and Pachulia already on the Bucks, he might be attainable.

It really all depends on how badly the Suns really believe they need another big man.

 

[Joe Mama]

Looking at Gadzuric's #'s, strengths, and frame--I think he would be ideal for our team.

And with Bogut, Booth, and Pachulia already on the Bucks, he might be attainable.

It really all depends on how badly the Suns really believe they need another big man.

seriously, what are the Phoenix Suns going to offer for Gadzuric?

I think Milwaukee will try to re-sign him as their backup center. He would also see minutes at center with Bogut at power forward.

Joe Mama

 

[JCSunsfan]

seriously, what are the Phoenix Suns going to offer for Gadzuric?

I think Milwaukee will try to re-sign him as their backup center. He would also see minutes at center with Bogut at power forward.

Joe Mama

So does Calvin Booth, with his 6.3 mil deal become their 3rd center? I can't see Milwaukee investing nearly 16 million a year in their center position.

Calvin Booth 6.3 mil
Andrew Bogut 4.2 mil
Dan Gadzuric 5.1 mil (mle level range?)

And thats without signing Pachulia.

Milwaukee has to balance out its roster. Booth is pretty much untradeable. So that leaves Gadzuric as expendable. They want to retain his rights so that they could get some thing decent in a sign and trade.

They could use a good pg, or swingman. They are also in need of a pf.

 

[Goldfield]

So does Calvin Booth, with his 6.3 mil deal become their 3rd center? I can't see Milwaukee investing nearly 16 million a year in their center position.

Calvin Booth 6.3 mil
Andrew Bogut 4.2 mil
Dan Gadzuric 5.1 mil (mle level range?)

And thats without signing Pachulia.

Milwaukee has to balance out its roster. Booth is pretty much untradeable. So that leaves Gadzuric as expendable. They want to retain his rights so that they could get some thing decent in a sign and trade.

They could use a good pg, or swingman. They are also in need of a pf.

I do think there is a small chance the SUns could get him.

But would you be willing to offer Barbosa/Jake/2 future 1st?

For Gadzuric & Mo Williams?

I bet thats what it would take.

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

How does a guy who shoots only layups shoot only 29%?

37% of his offense came from posting up. 55% of that was on the right block. That is actually where his shooting percentage was really bad (13%). Considering how raw he is, I am guessing he has a very limited amount of post moves and is very easy to defend.

21% of his offense was from spotting up. Only once in the season did he spot up and then drive to the hoop.

I could go further on, but he very rarely got layups. However, when he did he was very effective.

Transitions - 50% from the field
Offensive Rebounds - 74% from the field
Cuts - 40% from the field




In all honesty he would probably never amount to much. However, I wouldn't mind him taking a seat at the end of our bench just in case we can get something out of him. Perhaps he just needs a change of scenary to light a fire under him.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I do think there is a small chance the SUns could get him.

But would you be willing to offer Barbosa/Jake/2 future 1st?

For Gadzuric & Mo Williams?

I bet thats what it would take.

I wouldn't give them 2 future 1sts. They might be interested in Dijon Thompson, Voshkul and Barbosa (plus whatever). That would give them some more, inexpensive depth. I would guess that the values might change depending on the summer leagues.

I would guess that Milwaukee is focused on Redd right now. Everything else is secondary.

If Barbosa performs well, the deal might be do-able. But if Barbosa performs well--we might not want to trade him.

 

[George O'Brien]

I would expect the Bucks to get more attractive offers than what the Suns would give. BTW, there is no way either of those guys is worth two firsts.

 

[Mad Psyentist]

how about going after Francisco Elson? Wasnt he considered a decent backup center?

 

[George O'Brien]

Francisco Elson ....... 9/5/03 2 $1.38 million '06

patricia's contracts

 

[overseascardfan]

I would expect the Bucks to get more attractive offers than what the Suns would give. BTW, there is no way either of those guys is worth two firsts.

If I was to give up 2 first rounders it would be for Dalembert or Camby or Magloire.

 

[Mainstreet]

Ok, here's another name to add to available FA centers, Obinna Ekezie, C, who was waived by the Hawks today. He averaged something like 5.5 points and 4.3 rebounds in 42 games (most of them starts) since joining the team in January.

Link: http://www.sportsline.com/nba/story/8622602

I seem him play once and he didn't look half bad. I'm not pushing the player for the Suns but he is at least a player the team should consider. However, if I'm reading his DOB correctly, he is nearing 30.

It's just one more option on the table for whatever it's worth. Maybe someone knows his game better than I. Yes, I know the Hawks were a horrible team last year but than does not necessarily mean he could not play backup center for the Suns.

The more options at the 4/5 and PG positions, the better.

 

[Errntknght]

Ekezie was out of the league for 2.5 years before his stint with the Hawks... that bears some looking into but I agree, if there's nothing alarming he's worth a look. He's not a shot blocker but maybe he's a decent defender. His rebound rate is about .25/minute, to borrow George's stat.

 

[Joe Mama]

I would expect the Bucks to get more attractive offers than what the Suns would give. BTW, there is no way either of those guys is worth two firsts.

Exactly George. It's not that I expect Milwaukee to keep 4 centers on the roster. I just believe that with the dearth of centers in the NBA they will get more attractive offers than Jake Voskuhl, Barbosa, and a low first-round draft pick. I don't like the idea of trading multiple first-round draft picks. Frankly I don't believe either of these centers is good enough to be worth that much and pay $5 million per season.

how about going after Francisco Elson? Wasnt he considered a decent backup center?

I've liked Elson for quite awhile. I don't think he's a great center or anything, but he could come in and help the Phoenix Suns. There's no way the Denver Nuggets are going to help out the Suns though unless they were offered something that is just too good to pass.

I watched the Atlanta Hawks several times in the second half of last season. Ekezie isn't that bad, but he isn't that good either. He could provide a little depth off the bench if he would accept the veteran minimum. He probably wouldn't get a whole lot of playing time, but he would be nice to have in case of foul trouble or injuries.

I fully expect the Phoenix Suns to fill out the rest of their roster with minimum signings and 1-2 players from the summer league.

Joe Mama

 

[Folster]

I think Hunter is gone. BC is smart enough to know that the Suns need more front court help with Hunter leaving. Voskuhl alone won't cut it. Something tells me that the Suns will surprise us and pick-up a good frontcourt player some way some how.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I think Hunter is gone. BC is smart enough to know that the Suns need more front court help with Hunter leaving. Voskuhl alone won't cut it. Something tells me that the Suns will surprise us and pick-up a good frontcourt player some way some how.

Could you identify this "something" that is telling you this? Is it more than some sort of inner voice? I am not making fun, just wondering if there are inside rumblings.

 

[coloradosun]

how about going after Francisco Elson? Wasnt he considered a decent backup center?

I think Elson would be a great fit, if Hunter wants too much money maybe we could do a sign and trade with SH. We could possibly get them to sign DerMarr Johnson or Wesley Person (bring back former Suns) and send either of them our way to balance the deal. Person could be our designated chucker send him in if we are behind and need a 3pt specialist.

Elson has better offensive skills than Hunter and can hit a 15 ft jumper fairly consistently, something Hunter can't do even shooting FT's.

 

[playstation]

i'd like elson