Aaron Gordon had an awful start to the season, but he was playing really well before the Coronavirus hit. He was dropping triple doubles and looking draymond esque at times.
Lauri was not good this year, but he’s in a bad situation. He was 19/9 the year before and shot 43/36/87 at 21 years old. No he’s not Dirk, but a lot of talent there.
Still, I don’t think I want to move Oubre for either of them. I understand why on paper, as both are more suited to the 4 and provide similar value and youth, but it feels very much like a lateral move. I think Oubre is a valuable chemistry and culture piece...I would only move him in a clear step forward.
Both had subpar season, it’s possible they could be acquired on the cheap. I’d offer up our 1st(probably 10th) and whoever else they want not named Booker, Bridges, Ayton, or Oubre.
I think this is where I'm at too. I might also include Cam Johnson in that list you had at the end. Great shooter, better than average defender, who I think can still get a little better.
If we could get either for cheap, I would do that for sure. But my definition of cheap and theirs might be $10-15 million apart.
How is either any less of an injury risk than TJ was? And TJ is the better all around player. I'd have to get him on a very reasonable deal, and Chicago/Orlando has to throw in a pick.
The league needs heroes, villains... and clowns. -- Aztec Sunsfan
I think Lauri and AG both provide much better fits than TJ...And even not accounting for fit, I think AG and Lauri are both better players than TJ. They had down years this year, but I’d bet on them being better.
Seeing that the Suns didn't trade Oubre at the trade deadline for AG, when Orlando asked for him in a trade, doesn't make me think they will do that this summer. I get that Gambo has some contacts around the league and maybe even in the Suns front office(although he was really late on stuff lately), I just think it would be incredibly bad to give up a 1st and Oubre for Laurie or AG. They can still get better this summer without giving up assets and overpaying for something like that. I would argue that they would be better off with cap space for FA + 1st round pick + Oubre this summer. If the Suns were to get Haliburton in the draft as a good backup pg, and then sign a guy like Bertans along with say Boucher as a backup PFs, while keeping or upgrading Baynes position without giving up Oubre, I think the team really improved themselves this summer. And I think it's a better team than one without a backup pg, and Oubre.
"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
Deciding not to trade Oubre midseason won't mean much in the offseason IMO. Jones may not have wanted to disrupt the team and chemistry in Monty's first year, especially without seeing the team at full strength. Could be a different case this offseason with Oubre a FA after next season. And while Gordon's contract runs a year longer, it actually declines from 18.1 next season to 16.4 the next. Could've been one those "let's revisit this in July" kinda convo.
Deciding not to trade Oubre midseason won't mean much in the offseason IMO. Jones may not have wanted to disrupt the team and chemistry in Monty's first year, especially without seeing the team at full strength. Could be a different case this offseason with Oubre a FA after next season. And while Gordon's contract runs a year longer, it actually declines from 18.1 next season to 16.4 the next. Could've been one those "let's revisit this in July" kinda convo.
That's certainly possible. When the Suns look like they've found a pretty decent starting lineup (Rubio, Booker, Bridges, Oubre, Ayton), but there are huge holes in the bench, why would you eliminate the chance to fix the bench first? If it was only Oubre for AG, I would definitely think about that and still have a chance to add a player in the draft and free agency.
"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
I’m watching game 4 of the 93 finals...I was too young to have many strong memories of that time, but wow..if Richard Dumas could have avoided his off court problems, he was going to be special.
I’m watching game 4 of the 93 finals...I was too young to have many strong memories of that time, but wow..if Richard Dumas could have avoided his off court problems, he was going to be special.
I’m watching game 4 of the 93 finals...I was too young to have many strong memories of that time, but wow..if Richard Dumas could have avoided his off court problems, he was going to be special.
And we never would have been in a position to draft him.
Author of The Basketball Draft Fact Book: A History of Professional Basketball's College Drafts
Available from Scarecrow Press at - https://rowman.com/ISBN/9780810890695