2018 Free Agency
2018 Free Agency
A lot depends on what we do in the draft, but who do we like?
Here's my breakdown:
The guys that are not available to us:
LeBron
Durant
PG13
CP3
Big name targets I don't really have interest in:
Cousins - Crazy talent, but injury scares me.
Jordan - Would be ok in certain scenarios, but for the most part I want to stay away. Getting older and feel like there are better/cheaper options.
IT - Don't want a ball dominant, no defense backcourt mate for Booker.
So now that that's out of the way, I'll list my top 3 guys at each position.
Center
1. Dewayne Dedmon - can defend, showed he can hit a 3 last year and won't break the bank.
2. Derrick Favors - Another solid defensive big, decent face up game, still pretty young.
3. Nerlens Noel - Wouldn't mind taking a flyer on him at a cheap rate.
Others: Aron Baynes, Jah Okafor, Zaza Pachulia, Javale McGee, Clint Capela(R), Montrezl Harrell(R), Brook Lopez, Channing Frye, Amir Johnson, Alex Len, Jusuf Nurkic(R),
Power Forward:
1. Restricted Trio( Jabari, Gordon, Randle) - Jabari seems the most attainable and comes with some upside. He's the best shooter of the trio and should be better next year after ACL surgery last year. AG would jump to the top if his jump shot improves. I like randle, but we can't take a non shooter at the 4 right now.
2. Luc Mbah a Moute - Great defense, can hit a 3
3. Anthony Tolliver - Great shooter
Others: Kyle Anderson(R), Ed Davis, Ersan Ilyasova, Jerami Grant, Michael Beasley, Thaddeus Young, Trevor Booker, Noah Vonleh(R)
Small Forward
1. Tyreke Evans - Might be my top overall target. Can shoot and can play the point. Can be Booker's side kick and run the offense for 2nd unit.
2. Trevor Ariza - Versatile defensively and can shoot.
3. Danny Green - Solid 3D wing.
Others: Rodney Hood(R), Corey Brewer, Mario Hezonja
Shooting Guard
1. Will Barton - Pretty solid all around player, can run some offense, can shoot, can defend.
2. Avery Bradley - On a good deal, his defense and shooting could be nice next to Booker.
3. Wayne Ellington - Can really shoot.
Others: JJ Reddick, Marco Bellinelli, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Patrick McCaw(R), Seth Curry, Zach Lavine(R), David Nwaba(R)
Point Guard
1. Dante Exum(R) - Long, athletic, good defender, some promise as a shooter. Very young.
2. Fred Van Vleet - Steady PG, can shoot the 3
3. Marcus Smart(R) - can't shoot, but elite defensively.
Others: Shane Larkin, Derrick Rose, Rajon Rondo, Elfrid Payton, Shabazz Napier(R), Tony Parker, Tim Frazier
Here's my breakdown:
The guys that are not available to us:
LeBron
Durant
PG13
CP3
Big name targets I don't really have interest in:
Cousins - Crazy talent, but injury scares me.
Jordan - Would be ok in certain scenarios, but for the most part I want to stay away. Getting older and feel like there are better/cheaper options.
IT - Don't want a ball dominant, no defense backcourt mate for Booker.
So now that that's out of the way, I'll list my top 3 guys at each position.
Center
1. Dewayne Dedmon - can defend, showed he can hit a 3 last year and won't break the bank.
2. Derrick Favors - Another solid defensive big, decent face up game, still pretty young.
3. Nerlens Noel - Wouldn't mind taking a flyer on him at a cheap rate.
Others: Aron Baynes, Jah Okafor, Zaza Pachulia, Javale McGee, Clint Capela(R), Montrezl Harrell(R), Brook Lopez, Channing Frye, Amir Johnson, Alex Len, Jusuf Nurkic(R),
Power Forward:
1. Restricted Trio( Jabari, Gordon, Randle) - Jabari seems the most attainable and comes with some upside. He's the best shooter of the trio and should be better next year after ACL surgery last year. AG would jump to the top if his jump shot improves. I like randle, but we can't take a non shooter at the 4 right now.
2. Luc Mbah a Moute - Great defense, can hit a 3
3. Anthony Tolliver - Great shooter
Others: Kyle Anderson(R), Ed Davis, Ersan Ilyasova, Jerami Grant, Michael Beasley, Thaddeus Young, Trevor Booker, Noah Vonleh(R)
Small Forward
1. Tyreke Evans - Might be my top overall target. Can shoot and can play the point. Can be Booker's side kick and run the offense for 2nd unit.
2. Trevor Ariza - Versatile defensively and can shoot.
3. Danny Green - Solid 3D wing.
Others: Rodney Hood(R), Corey Brewer, Mario Hezonja
Shooting Guard
1. Will Barton - Pretty solid all around player, can run some offense, can shoot, can defend.
2. Avery Bradley - On a good deal, his defense and shooting could be nice next to Booker.
3. Wayne Ellington - Can really shoot.
Others: JJ Reddick, Marco Bellinelli, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Patrick McCaw(R), Seth Curry, Zach Lavine(R), David Nwaba(R)
Point Guard
1. Dante Exum(R) - Long, athletic, good defender, some promise as a shooter. Very young.
2. Fred Van Vleet - Steady PG, can shoot the 3
3. Marcus Smart(R) - can't shoot, but elite defensively.
Others: Shane Larkin, Derrick Rose, Rajon Rondo, Elfrid Payton, Shabazz Napier(R), Tony Parker, Tim Frazier
Re: 2018 Free Agency
I've loved Smart from his college days. He should be better offensively but I'd still take him at the right price. Between Booker and JJ, he can fit as a non-traditional PG who runs the offense. He'd defend the hell out of the ball, can start or come off the bench, and I think can still get better from 3. He's been well coached and knows how to move the ball, the biggest thing I think would be keeping him motivated and in top shape.
I have no interest in a guy like Favors - always injured, not great athletically. I'd take a look at Bjelica from Minny. Think he's UFA and can be a nice backup stretch 4/5. He's older at 29 but really came on at the end of the year and could add some experience. Also Serbian, same as Kokoskov.
I have no interest in a guy like Favors - always injured, not great athletically. I'd take a look at Bjelica from Minny. Think he's UFA and can be a nice backup stretch 4/5. He's older at 29 but really came on at the end of the year and could add some experience. Also Serbian, same as Kokoskov.
Re: 2018 Free Agency
Don't we have enough guys on this team that "can still get better from 3?" I think it would be REALLY hard to win if 3 of your 5 guys can't reliably hit the 3 (>35%). If we had Smart, we would need to get a starting 5 that hits the 3, and replace either Jackson or TJ in the lineup with a 3 pt shooter.ShelC wrote:I've loved Smart from his college days. He should be better offensively but I'd still take him at the right price. Between Booker and JJ, he can fit as a non-traditional PG who runs the offense. He'd defend the hell out of the ball, can start or come off the bench, and I think can still get better from 3. He's been well coached and knows how to move the ball, the biggest thing I think would be keeping him motivated and in top shape.
I have no interest in a guy like Favors - always injured, not great athletically. I'd take a look at Bjelica from Minny. Think he's UFA and can be a nice backup stretch 4/5. He's older at 29 but really came on at the end of the year and could add some experience. Also Serbian, same as Kokoskov.
Re: 2018 Free Agency
I don't think he can't shoot, unlike Elfrid. But where we lack 3pt shooting is in the frontcourt, particularly at the PF spot. That's where we need the most help IMO. Obviously you want your guards to shoot, but I think Jackson can be 35%-37%, Smart can hover around 30%, Booker at 40%. Bender is a guy who could/should be at 40%.
Re: 2018 Free Agency
Lots of thinks and shoulds in there, shel. We lack shooting everywhere except at SG. We need to get to at least league average in 3P% to get out of the cellar. If you take out Booker, the rest of our top 10 guys in minutes played combined for 33% shooting from 3. And that is taking over 1500 of them for the year. Chriss, Jackson, Warren and Ulis were all under 30%.
Re: 2018 Free Agency
I have no attachment to Warren and Chriss. Move them for picks or a vet who can shoot. If Bender can't shoot 37%, get rid of him too. But I wouldn't pass on Smart just because of them.
Re: 2018 Free Agency
As you say, a lot depends on the draft. A lot also depends on what deals are out there to trade which players.
Are we sure DAJ is opting out? I suppose it makes sense for him; at 28, he can still get one more great contract. I would trade for him at what he's currently making, but I wouldn't want to sign him for 35 per year or whatever he will get.
0 interest in Cousins or IT. They have talent, but they aren't a winning fit with our other guys. IDK, Cousins + Booker could be a scary scoring combo. I just don't believe in Cousins.
0 interest in Noel, Parker, Gordon. They just aren't that good.
0 interest in any SF, unless we are taking a flier on a guy like Hezonia, or getting an old vet like Brewer. I don't think there will be many minutes at SF.
0 interest in any SG. We have a ton of guys who play that position.
At PG and C it depends entirely on the draft. Are we looking for a starter or a backup? wouldn't hate Seth Curry, Bradley, Smart, Evans. I might like an old guy like Deron Williams or Derrick Rose (depending on their attitude).
It's very important that we don't overpay just to lock in a role player. And it's important that we get Booker some help without moving him out of his strengths.
Are we sure DAJ is opting out? I suppose it makes sense for him; at 28, he can still get one more great contract. I would trade for him at what he's currently making, but I wouldn't want to sign him for 35 per year or whatever he will get.
0 interest in Cousins or IT. They have talent, but they aren't a winning fit with our other guys. IDK, Cousins + Booker could be a scary scoring combo. I just don't believe in Cousins.
0 interest in Noel, Parker, Gordon. They just aren't that good.
0 interest in any SF, unless we are taking a flier on a guy like Hezonia, or getting an old vet like Brewer. I don't think there will be many minutes at SF.
0 interest in any SG. We have a ton of guys who play that position.
At PG and C it depends entirely on the draft. Are we looking for a starter or a backup? wouldn't hate Seth Curry, Bradley, Smart, Evans. I might like an old guy like Deron Williams or Derrick Rose (depending on their attitude).
It's very important that we don't overpay just to lock in a role player. And it's important that we get Booker some help without moving him out of his strengths.
The league needs heroes, villains... and clowns. -- Aztec Sunsfan
Re: 2018 Free Agency
Skimming through your post, it seems you are apathetic.O_Gardino wrote:As you say, a lot depends on the draft. A lot also depends on what deals are out there to trade which players.
Are we sure DAJ is opting out? I suppose it makes sense for him; at 28, he can still get one more great contract. I would trade for him at what he's currently making, but I wouldn't want to sign him for 35 per year or whatever he will get.
0 interest in Cousins or IT. They have talent, but they aren't a winning fit with our other guys. IDK, Cousins + Booker could be a scary scoring combo. I just don't believe in Cousins.
0 interest in Noel, Parker, Gordon. They just aren't that good.
0 interest in any SF, unless we are taking a flier on a guy like Hezonia, or getting an old vet like Brewer. I don't think there will be many minutes at SF.
0 interest in any SG. We have a ton of guys who play that position.
At PG and C it depends entirely on the draft. Are we looking for a starter or a backup? wouldn't hate Seth Curry, Bradley, Smart, Evans. I might like an old guy like Deron Williams or Derrick Rose (depending on their attitude).
It's very important that we don't overpay just to lock in a role player. And it's important that we get Booker some help without moving him out of his strengths.
"When we all think alike, nobody is thinking" - Walter Lippmann
"Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have the exact measure of the injustice and wrong which will be imposed on them." ~ Frederick Douglass
"Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have the exact measure of the injustice and wrong which will be imposed on them." ~ Frederick Douglass
Re: 2018 Free Agency
There's just a lot of guys available who we should not pursue. No need to consider the ones that are a marginal fit.
The league needs heroes, villains... and clowns. -- Aztec Sunsfan
Re: 2018 Free Agency
Ya, this isn't a great free agent class. My favorite guys right now are Tyreke Evans, Will Barton, and Dewayne Dedmon. I don't think Jabari, Randle or Gordon are great fits, but I wouldn't hate going after them. They are talented and play a position of need. Veteran role player pieces like ariza or mbah a mboute or Danny green make some sense.O_Gardino wrote:There's just a lot of guys available who we should not pursue. No need to consider the ones that are a marginal fit.
Re: 2018 Free Agency
This is an abysmal free agent class, which explains why the Suns are hellbent on making a splash with it.
Trendon Watford. Please and thank you.
Re: 2018 Free Agency
Jabari Parker doesn't fill any need for us.Split T wrote: I don't think Jabari, Randle or Gordon are great fits, but I wouldn't hate going after them. They are talented and play a position of need.
Trendon Watford. Please and thank you.
Re: 2018 Free Agency
I also can't get excited about anyone on that free agency list, especially at the money they'll likely command.INFORMER wrote:This is an abysmal free agent class, which explains why the Suns are hellbent on making a splash with it.
Re: 2018 Free Agency
Got a good laugh outta this.INFORMER wrote:This is an abysmal free agent class, which explains why the Suns are hellbent on making a splash with it.
Re: 2018 Free Agency
Would you mind telling me whom we did sign?
Abby someone.
Abby someone. Abby who?
Abby... Smal.
Abby someone.
Abby someone. Abby who?
Abby... Smal.
Re: 2018 Free Agency
+1 for cross-thread jokeCap wrote:Would you mind telling me whom we did sign?
Abby someone.
Abby someone. Abby who?
Abby... Smal.
Re: 2018 Free Agency
Cap wrote:Would you mind telling me whom we did sign?
Abby someone.
Abby someone. Abby who?
Abby... Smal.
![Laughing :lol:](./images/smilies/icon_lol.gif)
![Laughing :lol:](./images/smilies/icon_lol.gif)
![Laughing :lol:](./images/smilies/icon_lol.gif)
The league needs heroes, villains... and clowns. -- Aztec Sunsfan
Re: 2018 Free Agency
I think it depends on what Jabari you get, but I mostly agree. If Jabari can return to his level of play before his latest ACL tear, he provides efficient scoring. Although he does very few things that we don't already have with TJ. Jabari is a better outside shooter, but they are both poor defenders and poor rebounders.INFORMER wrote:Jabari Parker doesn't fill any need for us.Split T wrote: I don't think Jabari, Randle or Gordon are great fits, but I wouldn't hate going after them. They are talented and play a position of need.
Signing Jabari would be a risk and you'd be counting on him returning to health and developing more as a player.
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Re: 2018 Free Agency
I'm not opposed to going the 76ers route and signing a free agent to a big one-year deal like they did with Reddick. I like Exum and Gordon and Capela, but I wouldn't break the bank to get any of them. I think we have to be prepared if a big name guy like Kawhi starts to force his way off a team, so maintaining as much flexibility as possible.
Re: 2018 Free Agency
I don't know about Leonard. He's not happy in a winning environment? Sounds like he wants the limelight on a big stage. Probably no chance of the Suns getting him anyway.
"Too little, too late, too unbothered."
- Phoenix Suns 2023-2024 season motto.
"Be Legendary."
- Phoenix Suns 2023-2024 season motto.
"Be Legendary."