Worst Case Scenerio

[George O'Brien]

What happens if everybody is priced out of reach? It is not impossible that the Suns plan of going for Tags and Dice (this is just a guess) will get foiled by somebody bidding these guys out of reach. We can dream of some wacky trade, but seriously the prospects aren't good.

The Suns MIGHT try to do what was imposed on them when Googs got injured and forced them to start Amare. Perhaps they could do the same thing with Lampe. It limits their chances of getting into the playoffs, but might speed his development as a serious starting center.

I'd prefer to have a veteran help and not pretend that Zarko can play inside, but I hate overpaying for somebody who won't do much more than Voskuhl and Lampe.

 

[Dan H]

We might be smart to just stand pat or sign some bench players to one-year deals, and save some cap room for next summer.

 

[slinslin]

Saving 5M$ or so caproom doesn't do us any good because JJ's extension will certainly cost 4-6M$ more than what he is making right now.

 

[Dave64]

In my opinion, we will be at or over the cap by the end of the summer. Most likely right at it so we don't pay the luxury tax this year.

 

[Chaz]

At a minimum the Suns need to pay the price to keep Dice. Tag can take a walk for all I care.

Unless someone offeres him a lucrative(guaranteed) long term deal then get him back. I would even consider up to 5 MIL on a short deal (2 years). I think his veteran leadership is that important to this team next year.

I am prepared to start the season with Lampe, Voskuhl, Vroman, McDyess, and Stoudemire at the 4/5. I am sure there will be a body for depth in case of injury among the FA or Rookie FA left over.

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

In my opinion, we will be at or over the cap by the end of the summer. Most likely right at it so we don't pay the luxury tax this year.

The luxary tax and the cap are two different things. Last year the cap was around 45 million, but the tax is supposed to kick in around 60ish (I think, forgot the real number since it doesnt affect us anymore).


The only way we go over the cap is by making a trade.

 

[Dave64]

My bad. Thanks cracker!

 

[elindholm]

The only way we go over the cap is by making a trade.

Technically, the Suns could get over the cap this year by signing a FA right up to the number, then adding some players (e.g. Vroman) for minimum deals.

 

[George O'Brien]

The only way we go over the cap is by making a trade.

Technically, the Suns could get over the cap this year by signing a FA right up to the number, then adding some players (e.g. Vroman) for minimum deals.

You could sign seven guys to veteran minimum contracts...

Seriously, the Suns have to move either this year or next. After that, their renewals will eat up any cap space. As it is, JJ will be an RFA next summer at $3.2 million and could go to $5 million. They may be able to move Eisley next summer (last year of his contract), but even that is a bit doubtful.

 

[Chaplin]

Resigning Dice would be great, but remember, the year we almost beat SA in the playoffs, we spent the entire year with Big and Little Jake as our centers--that's not very impressive.

Will I be distressed if we don't resign Dice or sign another center? Probably for a little bit. But let's face it, either we'll get one or we don't--with the rest of this team as it stands, we're still going to win games.

 

[cepstrum]

Resigning Dice would be great, but remember, the year we almost beat SA in the playoffs, we spent the entire year with Big and Little Jake as our centers--that's not very impressive.

People keep living out that we had bo in our frontcourt also. I think loosing him last year was a big reason we started out slow. Big Jake is replacable, bo is hard to loose.

 

[George O'Brien]

If this Q Richardson deal is legit, then I think we should plan on seeing Lampe start. He may not be ready, but then neither was Amare.

 

[Chaplin]

People keep living out that we had bo in our frontcourt also. I think loosing him last year was a big reason we started out slow. Big Jake is replacable, bo is hard to loose.

You're right--Bo was important. Nobody on this board was a bigger fan of his than I was--but he wasn't a center.

 

[cepstrum]

You're right--Bo was important. Nobody on this board was a bigger fan of his than I was--but he wasn't a center.

No but what I was saying is that you cant just look at the center positions of the teams and compare the two. Bo was a huge loss despite the fact that he wasnt a center.

 

[Chaplin]

No but what I was saying is that you cant just look at the center positions of the teams and compare the two. Bo was a huge loss despite the fact that he wasnt a center.

But the convo is about the center position! If you start to include other non-centers in the equation, then what's the fuss? Why sign a center at all?

 

[elindholm]

Outlaw did play at center for the Suns. Whether he was a real center or not is moot. He put significant time in at that position.

 

[Chaplin]

Outlaw did play at center for the Suns. Whether he was a real center or not is moot. He put significant time in at that position.

Fine. Let's make Bo a center. While we're at it, let's see if we can get Brian Cook, Chris Wilcox and Bruce Bowen to play center as well. Maybe Zarko can play too, luckily we already HAVE him.

If you guys think getting a guy like Bo Outlaw for center is the way to go, well, I just don't know what to say to that.

 

[elindholm]

I thought the question was comparing the Suns' current center rotation to what they had two years ago?

 

[Chaplin]

I thought the question was comparing the Suns' current center rotation to what they had two years ago?

The thread evolved into what the Suns would have to do to obtain a center. I merely pointed out that we did well with crap two years ago, so I was just speculating that perhaps a big center signing isn't exactly as needed as everybody thinks it is.

 

[George O'Brien]

The thread evolved into what the Suns would have to do to obtain a center. I merely pointed out that we did well with crap two years ago, so I was just speculating that perhaps a big center signing isn't exactly as needed as everybody thinks it is.

Lampe is big enough. Is he tough enough or mature enough?