What would you give for Kevin Love

[Superbone]

So many times it seems the trade the Suns eventually make comes out of nowhere. IMO Detroit is a potential partner. I also like the idea of trading for a guy that's on the verge of stardom.

It will be interesting to see if the McDonough magic will continue through this off-season.

 

[Mainstreet]

So many times it seems the trade the Suns eventually make comes out of nowhere. IMO Detroit is a potential partner. I also like the idea of trading for a guy that's on the verge of stardom.

I agree about your comments. A surprise trading partner might be Utah. They have Derrick Favors on an expiring contract and they will likely be in position to draft Noah Vonleh. The upcoming draft might shake free a player or two.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Sign and trade. He'd be in control but there would still be assets in return. And I don't even see why we couldn't do a straight up sign and trade with Minnesota if we were willing to gamble on Love staying with us.



Steve

It would be silly to try to do this. So much of his value would be lost. The only thing that makes sense with Bledsoe is to sign him.

 

[AzStevenCal]

It would be silly to try to do this. So much of his value would be lost. The only thing that makes sense with Bledsoe is to sign him.

Something seems to be getting lost in the thread here. I am contesting the statement by slin that "Eric Bledsoe CAN NOT BE TRADED!!!". I say he can be traded. I don't say he will be traded or he should be traded.

Steve

 

[BC867]

Yes because it doesn't matter whether you win or lose, it only matters which player grabs the boards. (back at ya)

Steve

Steve, you know there are boards, then there are boards.

A Small Forward getting 7 or 8 a game (and quite often not playing the 4th quarter) is not the same as having a dominant rebounder at the 4 or 5 who starts and finishes games and makes rebounds happen.

And, BTW, we didn't win . . . a spot in the playoffs. We improved a lot, of course, but business as usual next season isn't going to change the won-lost results very much. Especially since the Suns will no longer be under the radar.

To stand pat is to fall behind.

 

[Mainstreet]

Something seems to be getting lost in the thread here. I am contesting the statement by slin that "Eric Bledsoe CAN NOT BE TRADED!!!". I say he can be traded. I don't say he will be traded or he should be traded.

Steve

We agree about this.

Stepping out on the limb, I think there is at least a 50/50 chance Bledsoe will be traded if the Suns get an offer to their liking. I'm not saying it will happen but I think there is a legitimate chance. Also, there are PGs to be had in this draft to backup Dragic. Then there is the matter of getting Goodwin enough minutes at SG.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Steve, you know there are boards, then there are boards.

A Small Forward getting 7 or 8 a game (and quite often not playing the 4th quarter) is not the same as having a dominant rebounder at the 4 or 5 who starts and finishes games and makes rebounds happen.

And, BTW, we didn't win . . . a spot in the playoffs. We improved a lot, of course, but business as usual next season isn't going to change the won-lost results very much. Especially since the Suns will no longer be under the radar.

To stand pat is to fall behind.

Rebounds are a funny thing. Not Monty Python funny but still. You can be a good rebounding team without having a premium rebounder. You can have a premium rebounder and then still match your averages even when he's out with an injury.

Anyway, we have several areas that could use improvement. Rebounding is one of them but it's not like we were a horrible rebounding team. We're in the middle of the pack in most rebound related stats and I've seen nothing to suggest that we stop rebounding late in the game. Have you?

As for business as usual next year, I'm fine with that. I'd like that a heck of a lot more than throwing away assets with the goal of skipping the several steps it usually takes to climb from the bottom to the top. If the chance to get a marquee player comes our way, then fine. If it doesn't, then we just keep building but at a slower pace. Boston was incredibly lucky with their championship rebuild, that doesn't happen often.

Barring a miracle, I expect us to be in the playoff race but still not likely to move past the one and done stage just yet. And it wouldn't necessarily mean we failed if we ended up just marking time for another season as an almost playoff team. If we're making good long term decisions, I'm not too overly concerned with the short term results.

Steve

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Would you trade Dragic in a package for Love? I'm inclined to say yes. With the way he's played of late, he'll be in line for a (near?) max deal after the season. While I like Goran a lot, I think you can run Bledsoe at point and hope to draft another PG or PG/SG combo.

Goran and 2 picks? I'd have to think about it.

 

[Mainstreet]

Would you trade Dragic in a package for Love? I'm inclined to say yes. With the way he's played of late, he'll be in line for a (near?) max deal after the season. While I like Goran a lot, I think you can run Bledsoe at point and hope to draft another PG or PG/SG combo.

Goran and 2 picks? I'd have to think about it.

I'd hate to part with Dragic because of the loyalty factor and his excellent play. Also, would the Wolves really want Dragic with Rubio there?

Also the Morris twins would likely be included in this trade proposal.

Include the Minnesota pick.

 

[Mainstreet]

I wonder if the Suns have considered trading for David Lee. The Suns could absorb much of his salary in a trade which is what the Warriors would want in a trade if they are going to make a big splash this summer. He might not be the perfect fit in Phoenix and he is age 31. Also he is locked up for three years of salary which could be considered good but the bad is his salaries start at $13,878,000 and end at $15,493,680 over a three year period. Hopefully he could be had in a trade without breaking the bank. Anyway, it's a thought.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I wonder if the Suns have considered trading for David Lee. The Suns could absorb much of his salary in a trade which is what the Warriors would want in a trade if they are going to make a big splash this summer. He might not be the perfect fit in Phoenix and he is age 31. Also he is locked up for three years of salary which could be considered good but the bad is his salaries start at $13,878,000 and end at $15,493,680 over a three year period. Hopefully he could be had in a trade without breaking the bank. Anyway, it's a thought.

i'd be pissed if we made that type of deal. it basically commits us to being a 52 win, one and done team for the next three years. Even if we're only giving up one pick, that's a terrible trade if the team is legitimately thinking about being a title contender any time soon. it would destroy our financial flexibility while only moderately moving the needle moving forward.

 

[AzStevenCal]

i'd be pissed if we made that type of deal. it basically commits us to being a 52 win, one and done team for the next three years. Even if we're only giving up one pick, that's a terrible trade if the team is legitimately thinking about being a title contender any time soon. it would destroy our financial flexibility while only moderately moving the needle moving forward.

If we didn't see a legit power forward in our immediate future, I might consider a deal but the picks would have to come in our direction. In a sane world, Lee would be a solid starter. But that salary for Lee is not sane. I think he's a perfect example of overpaying for rebounds. Anyway, it would be difficult to overcome spotting the rest of the league that much of a Cap advantage. We'd need enough value coming in with Lee to make up for the two years we'd be handcuffed by paying big bucks to a slightly better than average power forward.

Steve

 

[SirStefan32]

If we didn't see a legit power forward in our immediate future, I might consider a deal but the picks would have to come in our direction. In a sane world, Lee would be a solid starter. But that salary for Lee is not sane. I think he's a perfect example of overpaying for rebounds. Anyway, it would be difficult to overcome spotting the rest of the league that much of a Cap advantage. We'd need enough value coming in with Lee to make up for the two years we'd be handcuffed by paying big bucks to a slightly better than average power forward.

Steve

I agree. I'd take Lee, but we'd have to get some combination of picks, Barnes, Nedovic, etc.

 

[Suns_fan69]

I'm MUCH more interested in Barnes, and would love to see a deal around him and maybe one of the Morris Twins.

It'll likely be trading a tweener for another tweener but I think Barnes has a higher ceiling and just needs time to develop.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

I'd hate to part with Dragic because of the loyalty factor and his excellent play. Also, would the Wolves really want Dragic with Rubio there?

Also the Morris twins would likely be included in this trade proposal.

Include the Minnesota pick.

It would be hard to trade Goran, but it would also be hard to pay Goran a max contract. Yeah, it's a lot to give up for Love, but he is arguably a top 10 player in the NBA, and is coming into his prime.

It would be tough to lose Markieff, but even with the Minnesota pick, I still do the deal.

 

[Mainstreet]

It would be hard to trade Goran, but it would also be hard to pay Goran a max contract. Yeah, it's a lot to give up for Love, but he is arguably a top 10 player in the NBA, and is coming into his prime.

It would be tough to lose Markieff, but even with the Minnesota pick, I still do the deal.

If the Wolves trade Love that first round pick the Suns own is likely to turn into two second round picks.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

If the Wolves trade Love that first round pick the Suns own is likely to turn into two second round picks.

Maybe so...again, I think we have a lot of players and assets available, so I'm trading a combination of lesser assets for Love, then building a team around him. Even if we pay a lot for Love, we'll still have plenty of assets in terms of players and picks.

Love alone won't make us a championship contender, but with a couple more pieces and draft picks, I think we can get closer. What other top 10 player will we realistically have a shot at?

 

[AzStevenCal]

Maybe so...again, I think we have a lot of players and assets available, so I'm trading a combination of lesser assets for Love, then building a team around him. Even if we pay a lot for Love, we'll still have plenty of assets in terms of players and picks.

Love alone won't make us a championship contender, but with a couple more pieces and draft picks, I think we can get closer. What other top 10 player will we realistically have a shot at?

Goran Dragic. I don't think he's peaked and you can make the case he's in the neighborhood of top 15 already given that he made 3rd team all NBA.

I really like the idea of acquiring Love but mostly because he is the perfect complement to the pairing of Dragic and Bledsoe. And unless the Wolves are ready to give up on Rubio I don't know that Dragic will appeal to them at quite the same level he would to us. And if there's anyone that might give a home team discount to stay and build a contender, I think Dragic might be that guy. Maybe not but we can cross that bridge when we come to it. IMO, we need three stars and Bledsoe, Dragic and Love would give us that. Losing one of those guards puts us closer to Minnesota than it does to Miami.

Steve

 

[Mainstreet]

Maybe so...again, I think we have a lot of players and assets available, so I'm trading a combination of lesser assets for Love, then building a team around him. Even if we pay a lot for Love, we'll still have plenty of assets in terms of players and picks.

Love alone won't make us a championship contender, but with a couple more pieces and draft picks, I think we can get closer. What other top 10 player will we realistically have a shot at?

If the suns trade for Love they will give up a lot of those assets. I'm not sure the Suns need a top ten player but need to bulk up the FC position and add talent where they find it in the draft and perhaps an unrestricted free agent. I would not build a team around Love. Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't think he is that type of player.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Goran Dragic. I don't think he's peaked and you can make the case he's in the neighborhood of top 15 already given that he made 3rd team all NBA.

I really like the idea of acquiring Love but mostly because he is the perfect complement to the pairing of Dragic and Bledsoe. And unless the Wolves are ready to give up on Rubio I don't know that Dragic will appeal to them at quite the same level he would to us. And if there's anyone that might give a home team discount to stay and build a contender, I think Dragic might be that guy. Maybe not but we can cross that bridge when we come to it. IMO, we need three stars and Bledsoe, Dragic and Love would give us that. Losing one of those guards puts us closer to Minnesota than it does to Miami.

Steve

I agree that Dragic is valuable, but if we were to pay Bledsoe and Love max money, I'm not sure Dragic is good enough to get us over the top. We really wouldn't have much flexibility at all in terms of adding more major pieces.

I guess I'm a little less worried about whether or not Dragic is a fit in Minnesota. Dragic has proven to be quite effective playing both roles, and can take over the distributor role when Rubio is tired/on the bench.

It would be awesome to see them add Love without giving up Dragic/Bledsoe, but I imagine the cost in terms of picks would be really high. Maybe the Morri/Len/our first/Lakers first?

 

[ASUCHRIS]

I would not build a team around Love. Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't think he is that type of player.

Yeah, I certainly have my concerns, but I'm more concerned about our opportunity to acquire an elite player in the near future. I'm not sure if Love is there yet, but I think there is a good chance he gets there. and I just don't see any other major stars coming here soon.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I agree that Dragic is valuable, but if we were to pay Bledsoe and Love max money, I'm not sure Dragic is good enough to get us over the top. We really wouldn't have much flexibility at all in terms of adding more major pieces.

I guess I'm a little less worried about whether or not Dragic is a fit in Minnesota. Dragic has proven to be quite effective playing both roles, and can take over the distributor role when Rubio is tired/on the bench.

It would be awesome to see them add Love without giving up Dragic/Bledsoe, but I imagine the cost in terms of picks would be really high. Maybe the Morri/Len/our first/Lakers first?

Unfortunately I don't really think we have the assets to get him this summer. Boston has a bunch of future picks plus they have the 6 and 17 this year. I'd imagine that if Minnesota wants to move him now they would prefer to deal with the Celtics over us unless they actually covet Markieff.

But I really don't think Love will get dealt until midseason so we could work on getting the assets Minnesota wants. We could trade out of the first round this season to acquire a couple of potentially high picks in future drafts and then ship those picks, the Lakers pick and the twins at the deadline. Something like that anyway. Not that I think anything like this will happen. More likely, we'll package our 14th pick and the Lakers 2015 pick back to LA for their 7th if Randle or Vonleh are still available.

Steve

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Unfortunately I don't really think we have the assets to get him this summer. Boston has a bunch of future picks plus they have the 6 and 17 this year. I'd imagine that if Minnesota wants to move him now they would prefer to deal with the Celtics over us unless they actually covet Markieff.

But I really don't think Love will get dealt until midseason so we could work on getting the assets Minnesota wants. We could trade out of the first round this season to acquire a couple of potentially high picks in future drafts and then ship those picks, the Lakers pick and the twins at the deadline. Something like that anyway. Not that I think anything like this will happen. More likely, we'll package our 14th pick and the Lakers 2015 pick back to LA for their 7th if Randle or Vonleh are still available.

Steve

I'd be much more excited for Vonleh, not sure I'd even want to trade up for Randle.

 

[slinslin]

1. Parker/Wiggins
2. Vonleh/Gordon

That would be the only players I would consider trading up for and I would hesitate with Vonleh and Gordon since there is bust potential.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I'd be much more excited for Vonleh, not sure I'd even want to trade up for Randle.

I wouldn't bet that Julius becomes the star of this draft but if 9 of the first 10 picks go bust, Randle will be the one left standing. I'm not saying he's Charles Barkley but if Barkley were coming out in this draft, people would be downplaying him in the same fashion. Randle can rebound and he can score and he can do it even against strong defenders. He struggles a little bit against length, especially when doubled, but he has more inside moves than any 19 year old I can remember in quite awhile. He has a good mid-range shot and runs the P&R roll well.

If Randle, today, measured two inches taller and two inches longer, he'd be the first pick in this draft. The people that are overlooking or downplaying him seem to be doing it primarily on his height. His defense isn't great, his first step is nothing special but the skills he exhibits on the court are elite level. The fact he's just under 6'8 (barefoot) scares some people away but he's strong enough, smart enough and skilled enough to start and succeed from day one. I'd prefer Love but if we get the chance to trade our picks for Randle this season, it's a no-brainer IMO.

Steve