What one player would you add?

[sunsfan88]

You want a realistic player and not a dream?

Kelly Olynyk. Perfect fit for what the Suns are trying to become.

Or let's go back in the time machine just a half a year ago. Omer Asik or Pau Gasol. Either one of those two and this team would be a contender.

Wtf why? Such a random name.

 

[Errntknght]

Looking at present bigs, not including Durant or LeBron, and thinking of one who was reasonably available, even Tyson Chandler would have been a good "get" this summer.

Probably so, but every year I think he must be washed up by now. Another guy I put in that category is Kamen, who was quite available. Too bad McD was so intent on replacing Frye's 3 point shooting at PF... Tolliver isn't entirely useless but he's such a weak rebounder he's not a rotation player for us. Now it's painfully obvious we should have picked up a veteran seven footer like one of those two instead. At the time I probably would have chosen Ed Davis who'd be better than Tolliver but he wouldn't have anchored our front line like Tyson or Kamen. Probably the best move would have been Davis and one of them, letting Randolph go.

 

[devilalum]

Probably so, but every year I think he must be washed up by now. Another guy I put in that category is Kamen, who was quite available. Too bad McD was so intent on replacing Frye's 3 point shooting at PF... Tolliver isn't entirely useless but he's such a weak rebounder he's not a rotation player for us. Now it's painfully obvious we should have picked up a veteran seven footer like one of those two instead. At the time I probably would have chosen Ed Davis who'd be better than Tolliver but he wouldn't have anchored our front line like Tyson or Kamen. Probably the best move would have been Davis and one of them, letting Randolph go.

Bill Lambeer would be the perfect center for this offense. Stretch 5 with a mean streak. Kamen or Chandler would clog up the lane.

 

[mojorizen7]

An elite frontcourt player that can compete,and at times, dominate a game in the paint on both ends of the court at either the 4 or 5 position. In other words, similar to the quality of players that the Suns have enjoyed at the PG spot for decades.

At this point i'd settle for a bigman that is either a force defensively...or offensively. Something. Anything. Anyone that causes a matchup problem for the other team would be nice...or a guy who can wreak havoc near the rim defensively or control the boards.

I don't get excited about elite backcourts anymore. We've been there...done that. Sorry.

 

[mojorizen7]

Bill Lambeer would be the perfect center for this offense. Stretch 5 with a mean streak. Kamen or Chandler would clog up the lane.

Agreed. Also Rasheed Wallace. For THIS offense.

 

[Errntknght]

devil:

Kamen or Chandler would clog up the lane.

Thats the idea! Especially on defense as our lane had been quite porous. On O, with Markieff out at the 3pt line we need a threat in the low post. Both of them are pretty good about making themselves available when their man helps on a penetrating guard - and getting good rebounding position if the guard shoots anyway. That's been Chandler's game for several years now.

 

[Sci Fi]

Nobody wanted him last year!

http://www.arizonasportsfans.com/vb...ns-to-playoff-make-a-deal-for-pau-204251.html

Likely a top 50 player this year. Probably better. Hey, we got the Boggy Man! Good enough!

http://basketball.realgm.com/wireta...e-Can-Thrive-Defensively-In-Thibodeaus-System

 

[AzStevenCal]

Nobody wanted him last year!

http://www.arizonasportsfans.com/vb...ns-to-playoff-make-a-deal-for-pau-204251.html

Likely a top 50 player this year. Probably better. Hey, we got the Boggy Man! Good enough!

http://basketball.realgm.com/wireta...e-Can-Thrive-Defensively-In-Thibodeaus-System

Highly doubtful. And there's a big difference between signing him as a free agent versus giving up multiple first round picks for a two month rental of a player that was injured and might not even play the rest of the season. Not to mention his agent informed us he had no desire to play for the Suns.

Steve

 

[Sci Fi]

lol.

Suns fans. Make **** up. Feel good about yourself,

 

[Cheesebeef]

lol.

Suns fans. Make **** up. Feel good about yourself,

why do you keep ignoring that ALL reports said a) he wouldn't sign with us b) he didn't even give us a sniff during the FA and c) that the Lakers wanted 2 first round picks for a guy who was damaged goods?

 

[Phrazbit]

Gasol was injured for the majority of the last 3 months of the season... this conversation should be dead on that fact alone.

 

[Sci Fi]

Gasol was injured for the majority of the last 3 months of the season... this conversation should be dead on that fact alone.

He averaged 20/10 in Jan /Feb. The Lakers were clearly not trying. They wanted Pau "hurt".

Are you always so close minded? Seriously. You're not unintelligent.

 

[Phrazbit]

He averaged 20/10 in Jan /Feb. The Lakers were clearly not trying. They wanted Pau "hurt".

Are you always so close minded? Seriously. You're not unintelligent.

It does not matter what he averaged earlier, all that matters is he was hurt down the stretch, and guys on contract years don't sit out for no reason.

Furthermore, you ignore that there was never an indication that we could have kept him after the trade. Giving up multiple picks for a guy to play 15 games over the final 3 months makes no sense.

 

[Covert Rain]

lol.

Suns fans. Make **** up. Feel good about yourself,

Huh? How did Suns fans make up the above? Those were REPORTS not things made up in a fan forum. What are you talking about?

 

[Sci Fi]

I remember no reports of Pau saying he didn't want to be here. Sorry. Pau said he preferred to stay in LA. That's all that was said.

Doesn't really matter though what Pau wanted. Had the Suns (wisely) traded for him he would have had to come. Getting traded from last years Lakers to a playoff contender would have been a fairytale for him. It would have then been up to the Suns to convince him to stay. Wouldn't have been impossible either given the Suns training staff and he would have been on an excellent team.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I remember no reports of Pau saying he didn't want to be here. Sorry. Pau said he preferred to stay in LA. That's all that was said.

Doesn't really matter though what Pau wanted. Had the Suns (wisely) traded for him he would have had to come. Getting traded from last years Lakers to a playoff contender would have been a fairytale for him. It would have then been up to the Suns to convince him to stay. Wouldn't have been impossible either given the Suns training staff and he would have been on an excellent team.

The "report" was that they had reached out to Gasol's agent to inquire about his willingness to stay long term and his agent made it clear that Gasol would not re-sign with us. At that point, it would have been very foolish to trade away future assets for two months of a player that might not even suit up for us.

Steve

 

[Sci Fi]

Link or it never happened.

Doesn't really mattter. It wouldn't have been foolish. The Suns would have probably made the playoffs last year. That's more than the Boggy Man will ever do for the Suns.

I'd also add, people change their minds all the time. Gasol may have loved it here. Chance to play for an excellent coach with good (mostly) teammates.

 

[Covert Rain]

I remember no reports of Pau saying he didn't want to be here. Sorry. Pau said he preferred to stay in LA. That's all that was said.

Doesn't really matter though what Pau wanted. Had the Suns (wisely) traded for him he would have had to come. Getting traded from last years Lakers to a playoff contender would have been a fairytale for him. It would have then been up to the Suns to convince him to stay. Wouldn't have been impossible either given the Suns training staff and he would have been on an excellent team.

Suns trading for a rent a player while giving up probably much in return wouldn't have been wise whatsoever. That would have been incredibly stupid. You don't give up anything other than very low picks for a player you have NO leverage for, is 33 years old and has had some injury issues. Sure it would have been up to the Suns to convince him but there were a TON of questions around Gasol and his game. On top of the way he was playing and he is no defensive Juggernaut....he would impact more offensively than defensively.

There is ZERO chance the Lakers wouldn't have asked for a ton in return. There was a report out there that they were talking to Cleveland but the Lakers were asking for too much in return. The Lakers wanted a player and quality picks.

It's one thing if you are doing a sign and trade but for a rent a player? Dumb. Without a sign-and-trade you don't make a deal like that if you are the Suns. This franchise is dependent on stock piling assets because we are not a FA destination. You don't throw those away on the hopes that a 33 year player holds up and resigns with your team. Plus I question a sign and trade type deal at this stage in his career anyway. We probably would have had to overpay him in a sign and trade deal.

P.S. If I recall I heard that rumor on a radio report. Just because it's in print doesn't make it any less valid of a report.

 

[Phrazbit]

None of this matters... HE WAS INJURED! He would have gotten us no closer to making the playoffs than I would have.

 

[Sci Fi]

He wasn't injured when the trade was proposed.

AND HE REALLY WASN'T LATER EITHER!

Of course it matters (well at least as far as discussions on a message board matter). It speaks to McDonoughs ability to evaluate his team, where it stands and what it needs. He clearly blew it. He needed to get either Gasol or Asik last year and he didn't. Big guys like that aren't available all that often. The cost was minimal and he basically wasted the assets.

 

[Covert Rain]

He wasn't injured when the trade was proposed.

AND HE REALLY WASN'T LATER EITHER!

Of course it matters (well at least as far as discussions on a message board matter). It speaks to McDonoughs ability to evaluate his team, where it stands and what it needs. He clearly blew it. He needed to get either Gasol or Asik last year and he didn't. Big guys like that aren't available all that often. The cost was minimal and he basically wasted the assets.

I think he absolutely made the right decision for more than likely renting a 33 year old player who would bolt to maximize his dollars or hook up with a team much closer to a title and giving up a chunk of your future leverage to boot.

I have been very critical of the Suns front office and the ownership. There are a ton of things you can put them on blast for. Not trading for Gasol isn't one of them. It actually pains me a bit to be defending this front office.

 

[Phrazbit]

He wasn't injured when the trade was proposed.

AND HE REALLY WASN'T LATER EITHER!

Of course it matters (well at least as far as discussions on a message board matter). It speaks to McDonoughs ability to evaluate his team, where it stands and what it needs. He clearly blew it. He needed to get either Gasol or Asik last year and he didn't. Big guys like that aren't available all that often. The cost was minimal and he basically wasted the assets.

lol... yeah, it was a real "waste of assets" to not blow draft picks and players on a guy who missed the majority of the final 3 months and would not have resigned here.

The only person who is revealing their complete inability to evaluate a situation is you.

 

[Sci Fi]

Everyone here acknowledges the Suns need for a center. It's by far the Suns biggest need. BY FAR!

Two were available last year of very high quality. Imperfect but still excellent.

The cost would have likely been 2 late first round picks. Picks which are almost certain to yield little value over time. That's what happens with picks like that most times.

This team would be a contender to win it all with either of those two players, and would have been very dangerous in last years playoffs. Had the Suns made the playoffs, Pau likely resigns.

In NBA currency, 4 quarters don't equal a dollar. It would have cost the Suns about 2 dimes for the piece they so desperately need.

 

[Covert Rain]

In NBA currency, 2 quarters don't equal a dollar.

FTFY. Gasol was 2 quarters short of a dollar and would be the most expensive rental to boot. Hey maybe we just need rent control.

 

[Phrazbit]

Everyone here acknowledges the Suns need for a center. It's by far the Suns biggest need. BY FAR!

Two were available last year of very high quality. Imperfect but still excellent.

The cost would have likely been 2 late first round picks. Picks which are almost certain to yield little value over time. That's what happens with picks like that most times.

This team would be a contender to win it all with either of those two players, and would have been very dangerous in last years playoffs. Had the Suns made the playoffs, Pau likely resigns.

In NBA currency, 4 quarters don't equal a dollar. It would have cost the Suns about 2 dimes for the piece they so desperately need.

The Suns, wisely, were not going to move long term assets for old players that were a quick fix. They made that plain all year long, and on top of that... and that you keep ignoring, is that Pau Gasol was injured. You can pretend he wasn't but a dude does not let himself get benched for no reason in a contract year. He actually TRIED to play at the start of April, came back for one game and was flat out horrible and clearly in bad shape. But in your world thats all an act.

As for Asik, the Rockets were asking for a quality first round pick for him... that means no TJ Warren, and his jacked up contract means the Suns would have had almost no cap room this summer, so no Thomas. That quickly turns into a pretty crappy swing for the Suns, and thats without my opinion that Asik, while better than our current centers, is nothing special in the first place.