Suns News: 2019 Off-Season

[djy2j]

We surely could overachieve and I’m wrong but the Suns aren’t known for that. I hope we shock the league and finally get our shit together and surpass expectations.

We just have an inexperienced team with an inexperienced GM. Bower doesn’t have a reputation of being any sort of roster wizard either. Monty has the most potential I think out of those 3 but we’re facing an uphill battle with all the moves that teams in the West have made this off-season.

The problem is the Suns took steps and the other teams made leaps.

[Superbone]

So you agree with his ridiculous assertion that we're locked into the 10th seed or worse for the next 5 years? Wow.

I said no such thing.

So what was your point in responding to his assertions?

My was exactly the one I made: don't blame the Kawhi/George team-up for the Suns' low ceiling. The Suns have done enough to the themselves to prevent themselves from contending, regardless what their competitors do.

He didn't say low ceiling. He said Oubre would sign the QO and that the Suns are locked into the 10th seed or worse for the next 5 years. So no, that's not "exactly" the point you made.

[LazarusLong]

30 wins is a safe goal.
With luck and minimal injuries, perhaps 35.
Playoffs ... nope.

[INFORMER]

He didn't say low ceiling. He said Oubre would sign the QO and that the Suns are locked into the 10th seed or worse for the next 5 years. So no, that's not "exactly" the point you made.

I think you're taking what dyj2j too seriously/literally.

As for my comment, it specifically referenced his reference to Kawhi/George. All I was saying was "don't blame them, the Suns have put themselves in a bad position" essentially. Why you feel the need to make it more than that is beyond me.

Is Oubre going to play for QO? I have no idea.

As far as 5 years as the 10th seed or lower: things change so much in the league every couple of years, so I don't think I would feel good about making any kind of prediction about what is going to happen in the next five years.

[Superbone]

30 wins is a safe goal.
With luck and minimal injuries, perhaps 35.
Playoffs ... nope.

Agreed. But I expect us to push for a playoff spot the following year. If not, something is wrong.

[Superbone]

He didn't say low ceiling. He said Oubre would sign the QO and that the Suns are locked into the 10th seed or worse for the next 5 years. So no, that's not "exactly" the point you made.

I think you're taking what dyj2j too seriously/literally.

As for my comment, it specifically referenced his reference to Kawhi/George. All I was saying was "don't blame them, the Suns have put themselves in a bad position" essentially. Why you feel the need to make it more than that is beyond me.

Is Oubre going to play for QO? I have no idea.

As far as 5 years as the 10th seed or lower: things change so much in the league every couple of years, so I don't think I would feel good about making any kind of prediction about what is going to happen in the next five years.

Thanks for clarifying.

[LazarusLong]

30 wins is a safe goal.
With luck and minimal injuries, perhaps 35.
Playoffs ... nope.

Agreed. But I expect us to push for a playoff spot the following year. If not, something is wrong.

If Ayton takes a big step forward or two, and Bridges gets confidence in his shot, that could happen.

[carey]

Just got in the car and put on NBA Radio on Sirius and McDonough's voice assaulted me from the speakers.

[Superbone]

Just got in the car and put on NBA Radio on Sirius and McDonough's voice assaulted me from the speakers.

Are you going to press charges?

[Superbone]

[Superbone]

[Superbone]

[Superbone]

Johnson will wear uniform No. 23, Jerome No. 10, and Baynes No. 46 for the Suns. Šarić’s number will be determined at a later time.

[Superbone]

[JeremyG]

I don't want to make an official thread on this until we re-sign (or don't sign) Oubre. But I'm curious what folks think our ceiling is next year. You can make a case that almost every team in the West got better. But many of those are not sure things, and some teams took steps back, like OKC, GSW, and probably Houston. Other teams are better but won't really see the full results of that for a few years while their young guys mature, like Dallas, Memphis, maybe New Orleans.

Teams that are definitely better than we are:

Denver
Golden State
Houston
LA Lakers
LA Clippers
Portland
Utah

Teams that may be better than we are, but could fall:

Oklahoma City
San Antonio

Teams that are no better than we are, and might be worse:

Dallas
Memphis
Minnesota
New Orleans
Sacramento

I could actually see us challenging for the 8th seed next year if everything falls properly. I know that sounds stupid and will probably be stupid by the end of next season. But I could kind of see that 8th spot being wide open, or even the 7th-8th being wide open if one or two of my "definitely better" teams has major injuries or falters.

I would be willing to bet that San Antonio has a better record than Golden State. Warriors will struggle to make the playoffs, missing 4 of their 6 All-Stars! Whether they make the playoffs depends on what they get for Russell if they trade him, or how he fits if they don’t.

Also, I think New Orleans is better than us.

[djy2j]

He didn't say low ceiling. He said Oubre would sign the QO and that the Suns are locked into the 10th seed or worse for the next 5 years. So no, that's not "exactly" the point you made.

I think you're taking what dyj2j too seriously/literally.

As for my comment, it specifically referenced his reference to Kawhi/George. All I was saying was "don't blame them, the Suns have put themselves in a bad position" essentially. Why you feel the need to make it more than that is beyond me.

Is Oubre going to play for QO? I have no idea.

As far as 5 years as the 10th seed or lower: things change so much in the league every couple of years, so I don't think I would feel good about making any kind of prediction about what is going to happen in the next five years.

I tend to be over dramatic at times but who do you see the Suns overtaking for a playoff spot by next season? This assuming no current playoff team has a fire sale.

I think based on the moves teams in the west made the window of opportunity is as small as it’s ever been for a team like Phoenix

[Split T]

There are 2 spots up for grabs...barring a major injury, Clippers, Jazz, Nuggets, and Lakers are locks. Rockets and Blazers should be safe as well. I think Warriors make it as well, but they are on shaky ground. A curry injury would be brutal for them.

Thunder are out. They probably move Westbrook.
Spurs are essentially the same team. Aldridge is on the downward trend of his career, but still good. They do get Dejounte Murray back. They’re probably good, but not a lock.
Kings added some help, but I’m not sure they’re significantly better.
Mavs will add KP, we’ll see how good they are, I think some big questions still about them.
Wolves are pretty meh to me. They weren’t good last year and brought back the same team.
Pelicans are drastically different. They have a huge range of outcomes in my opinion.
Grizz are tanking.

I could see the suns finishing above anyone of these teams in an isolated situation, but I think the chance they finish above all 7 of them to get the 8th seed is very low.

[INFORMER]

Early predictions:

1. LA Clippers
2. LA Lakers
3. Portland
4. Utah
5. Houston
6. Denver
7. Golden State
8. Dallas
9. San Antonio
10. New Orleans
11. Minnesota
12. Phoenix
13. Sacramento
14. Oklahoma City
15. Memphis

I'm assuming Westbrook gets traded.

[O_Gardino]

There are 2 spots up for grabs...barring a major injury, Clippers, Jazz, Nuggets, and Lakers are locks. ...

Uh, didn't you hear? The Jazz just lost their star point guard.

[LVSunsFAN]

There are 2 spots up for grabs...barring a major injury, Clippers, Jazz, Nuggets, and Lakers are locks. Rockets and Blazers should be safe as well. I think Warriors make it as well, but they are on shaky ground. A curry injury would be brutal for them.

Thunder are out. They probably move Westbrook.
Spurs are essentially the same team. Aldridge is on the downward trend of his career, but still good. They do get Dejounte Murray back. They’re probably good, but not a lock.
Kings added some help, but I’m not sure they’re significantly better.
Mavs will add KP, we’ll see how good they are, I think some big questions still about them.
Wolves are pretty meh to me. They weren’t good last year and brought back the same team.
Pelicans are drastically different. They have a huge range of outcomes in my opinion.
Grizz are tanking.

I could see the suns finishing above anyone of these teams in an isolated situation, but I think the chance they finish above all 7 of them to get the 8th seed is very low.

Excellent analysis