Free Agency Thread

[Split T]

Thought we could have a thread to focus on free agency starting tomorrow. Here’s what we currently have. Gauranteed contracts in bold, expected back in italics, other options normal.

Chris Paul/Cam Payne/Elie Okobo
Devin Booker/Jevon Carter/Ty-Shon Alexander
Mikal Bridges/Abdel Nader
Cam Johnson/Dario Saric/
Deandre Ayton/Jalen Smith/Aron Baynes

Think biggest need is a 2/3 wing. A 3rd pg would be nice. I don’t mind keeping Okobo as a developmental guy. Probably 2 more bigs for depth if we don’t bring back Diallo/Baynes.

[Split T]

[O_Gardino]

If we bring back Carter and Saric, that gives us five regular roster spots and one 2-way, right? We should expect two of them to contribute for the mid-level and bi-annual, with plenty of room for projects or long shots.

It will be interesting to see who we get. I think money will dry up around the NBA, and we have a shot at good talent. I think we need another big and another ball handler.

[Split T]

Yep, 5 spots. So fill 2 with MLE/BAE and 3 minimums. Or we could hang onto Okobo or Diallo to take one or 2 of those minimum spots. Baynes and Frank still options, though I see them more as salary for acquiring players via trade.

We should know today whether we pick up the Frank option. Diallo I believe too.

[Flagrant Fowl]

I brought it up in another thread before I saw this one, but I'm interested in the idea of Austin Rivers. He can handle the ball and he can back up the 1-3 spots. Obviously I wouldn't allocate a ton of the FA money to him, but I think he's an efficient way to fill some holes on the bench.

I'm struggling to find a wing/forward bench guy that makes sense with the budget and role. Marvin Williams on or near a vet minimum contract would be solid, but I wouldn't want him actually getting minutes if the roster is fully healthy.

Garrett Temple is another guy in that mold. I'd be happy with him on the end of the bench only getting minutes if a regular rotation player is out.

[Split T]

Think Marvin Williams retired. I’m not sure Temple has much left.

[Flagrant Fowl]

Think Marvin Williams retired. I’m not sure Temple has much left.

Is there a retired vet minimum?

[O_Gardino]

I personally feel that Cam Johnson can be the wing player we need if we get another playable big.

[Split T]

I personally feel that Cam Johnson can be the wing player we need if we get another playable big.

Ya that’s possible.

[Split T]

What about Glenn Robinson III, any interest?

[Drewsprocket]

I brought it up in another thread before I saw this one, but I'm interested in the idea of Austin Rivers. He can handle the ball and he can back up the 1-3 spots. Obviously I wouldn't allocate a ton of the FA money to him, but I think he's an efficient way to fill some holes on the bench.

I don’t think he’s a “suns fit”. Anyway I hate watching him play.

[Superbone]

Suns had him and promptly moved him on.

[Mori Chu]

HERE COMES AUSTIN RIVERS!!!

[Split T]

I really think Alec Burks should be the guy.

Last year he was 15/4/3 and shot 42/39/89

Numbers got better in Philly, though minutes were down. His per 36 was great though. 22/6/4 and shot 46/42/83.

He’s still just 29. He’d be my top target if the bigger names are off the table.

[Flagrant Fowl]

Suns had him and promptly moved him on.

At his request because the Suns were still a dumpster fire.

[Wally_West]

I’m 100% ready to be underwhelmed by Free Agency. I feel like the Suns are operating with the impression that Ayton, Bridges and Cam are going to take big leaps forward.

[Flagrant Fowl]

They don't really have the cap space to make a big move. The only way to really get excited is if they somehow manage to convince a starter level player to take a rotation player salary.

[Oatmeal]

I’m 100% ready to be underwhelmed by Free Agency. I feel like the Suns are operating with the impression that Ayton, Bridges and Cam are going to take big leaps forward.

Medium leaps gets the Suns into the playoffs.

[Split T]

I don’t think they need to take a leap at all to get into the playoffs. They were literally only a half game out last year. Add CP3 and this is a playoff team or something went majorly wrong. I’ll be upset if we’re not top 6 and we should be fighting for home court. Especially with teams like the LA teams resting a lot early on.

[Split T]

I’m reaching here, but is Jeff Green a depth option? He looked good with Houston. I don’t think we have the role for him he might want though. He also usually disappoints.