Trade: Chris Paul to Suns for Ricky Rubio and Kelly Oubre Jr.

[jonh]

ESPN saying we’re doing the trade now and we’ll be an over the cap team.

I wrote about the possibility of Phoenix delaying the completion of this trade until after using cap space in free agency, which would have given the Suns about $17 million to spend. Instead, sources confirmed to ESPN that Phoenix is expected to make the deal now, choosing to stay over the cap.

Who can we get at the MLE?

Why would they make it now? That seems strange.

[Drewsprocket]

I want Cam Payne back. I think CP3 can help him be better too.

[Indy]

So how do you feel about Paul being a Sun?

You know me. I've called him CPMe for a decade. Not a huge fan of him *as a person.* He's a hell of a basketball player and when healthy can really improve the Suns. Just the space Booker will get when opposing teams have to move that much more to cover Paul on the perimeter. It will make the team better. I view it as a make it or bust move for this iteration of the Suns. The Booker-Ayton-X version. We now have our X and we'll either get to the playoffs in that 4-6 seed range or this will all end badly. I do wonder what happens when we plateau. What comes 'after' Chris Paul?

I think this is the elephant in the room question we will be dancing around for the next 2 years.

I think we will know if Ayton is the guy we hope he can be by the end of this year. If he is, what happens when Chris Paul's contract is up is much less of a concern. Same with Mikal. If he can get to 90% of what half of this site sees his peak as, we have a good future.

I am more worried about how Booker will take Paul ripping into him. My guy says he will thrive, but you just never know.

[Split T]

ESPN saying we’re doing the trade now and we’ll be an over the cap team.

I wrote about the possibility of Phoenix delaying the completion of this trade until after using cap space in free agency, which would have given the Suns about $17 million to spend. Instead, sources confirmed to ESPN that Phoenix is expected to make the deal now, choosing to stay over the cap.

Who can we get at the MLE?

Why would they make it now? That seems strange.

Allows them to keep their depth and still add 1 more piece. Perhaps they didn’t like any of the big money options. Or perhaps one of those guys is willing to sign at the MLE rate.

[djy2j]

Gallo is really good at getting to the line and has good size.

Bertans is more of a specialist.

Millsap is pretty much done.

Wood is the best fit next to Ayton.

Grant is very good and versatile but will be the most coveted.

Agree on all this.
Please no Milsap aka Ariza 1.5.
I'd prefer Wood based on bang for your buck and seems like he has something to prove.
Gallo has alot of injury history. Like alot.
Grant and Bertrans feels like we'd have to overpay.

[Split T]

So it looks like we’ve probably got the following here next season:

Booker, Ayton, CP3, Bridges, Cam, Saric, Payne, Carter, Nader. Plus 10th pick, MLE, BAE. Then 3 minimum signings. Could also bring back Frank, Okobo, Diallo, or Baynes.

So Bubble Suns with Paul replacing Rubio and adding 10th pick, MLE, and BAE. Not bad.

[da_suns_fan]

ESPN saying we’re doing the trade now and we’ll be an over the cap team.

I wrote about the possibility of Phoenix delaying the completion of this trade until after using cap space in free agency, which would have given the Suns about $17 million to spend. Instead, sources confirmed to ESPN that Phoenix is expected to make the deal now, choosing to stay over the cap.

Who can we get at the MLE?

Why would they make it now? That seems strange.

Not for Robert Sarver.

[carey]

Why would they make it now? That seems strange.

To bring back Saric and Baynes. That way the MLE and BAE actually give us more to spend. This only works if Saric and Baynes have already agreed.

[Wally_West]

So it looks like we’ve probably got the following here next season:

Booker, Ayton, CP3, Bridges, Cam, Saric, Payne, Carter, Nader. Plus 10th pick, MLE, BAE. Then 3 minimum signings. Could also bring back Frank, Okobo, Diallo, or Baynes.

So Bubble Suns with Paul replacing Rubio and adding 10th pick, MLE, and BAE. Not bad.

Yep, I’m happy.

[Superbone]

I think Kelly was a huge part of the culture change last year, but he was an expiring deal, there would have been tons of talk about that this season with people assuming we were looking to flip him at the deadline instead of lose him for nothing, yadda yadda yadda. We need some athleticism on this team, but Kelly was gone in 6 months anyway.

I know that saucy is choked up about it. Just want him to know we're here for him. I could see behind the facade that he really cared for him and respected him.

[Superbone]

I think that is a well-protected pick.

About time we learned how to do that!

[Superbone]

Phewwwww. I'm so glad they didn't include Cam or #10. I think I can live with this trade. I don't know if CP3 will push us up into another level, but he certainly has the potential to do so. And some of the other good Western teams, like the Rockets, are taking a step back this year. So I think we should have a very strong chance to make the playoffs.

If we don't make it this year, say goodbye to Booker.

Stop it. Besides, we ARE making the playoffs.

[Split T]

Why would they make it now? That seems strange.

To bring back Saric and Baynes. That way the MLE and BAE actually give us more to spend. This only works if Saric and Baynes have already agreed.

Saric will be back I think. I think Gambo said Baynes is not.

I’d actually keep Diallo and Okobo. They’re cheap, know the system, and still have some upside. Plus we’re not counting on anything from them.

CP3/Payne/Okobo
Booker/Carter
Bridges/Nader
Johnson
Ayton/Saric/Diallo

So 4 spots to add. Need someone who can play rotation minutes(maybe start) at the 4. Probably get this with MLE. 2 more wings(at least 1 that can provide ball handling insurance). You can draft one and sign the other with the BAE. Then a minimum signing for that 15th spot. Maybe an undrafted FA. Or possibly an aging vet wanting to sign on for the run. Wouldn’t hesitate to cut loose okobo/Diallo if there was someone interested in signing at the minimum.

[Superbone]

I hope Kelly lands in a good spot. Loved his time here and I’ll be rooting for him.

Same! He's got a good heart.

[Indy]

Phewwwww. I'm so glad they didn't include Cam or #10. I think I can live with this trade. I don't know if CP3 will push us up into another level, but he certainly has the potential to do so. And some of the other good Western teams, like the Rockets, are taking a step back this year. So I think we should have a very strong chance to make the playoffs.

If we don't make it this year, say goodbye to Booker.

Stop it. Besides, we ARE making the playoffs.

I wasn't saying that as a hot take or to be controversial. If he is here 6 years and gives his all and doesn't get a chance to win, I would not blame him for a second if he asked out. You don't throw your career away just because your FO/Owner are incapable of building a team around you.

[Superbone]

So how do you feel about Paul being a Sun?

You know me. I've called him CPMe for a decade. Not a huge fan of him *as a person.* He's a hell of a basketball player and when healthy can really improve the Suns. Just the space Booker will get when opposing teams have to move that much more to cover Paul on the perimeter. It will make the team better. I view it as a make it or bust move for this iteration of the Suns. The Booker-Ayton-X version. We now have our X and we'll either get to the playoffs in that 4-6 seed range or this will all end badly. I do wonder what happens when we plateau. What comes 'after' Chris Paul?

I'm more worried about his imposter coming to the Valley and causing mayhem.

[Superbone]

Lucky 13, coincidence?!

[Superbone]

I don't think I like the idea of bringing in Gallinari. He's a good shooter, but I don't think I like him as a fit here. He's old and slow and not a great fit for our young team and up-tempo offense. He isn't a great defender. And he's an injury risk on a team that already has a prominent injury risk in Paul. Plus Gallo will likely command a decently large salary, and I'm not sure I'd want to pay it to him.

I think I would rather see our PF minutes go to guys like Cam or Saric or some other free agent PF.

Yeah, what's with all the Gallo talk?

[Split T]

Played with CP3 last year, he’s a free agent. He plays a position we have a need at. He’s on record as saying situation is more important than money. He just may be willing to sign for the MLE.

[3rdside]

I was worried about our style of play if we lost Rubio, but CP3 does it similar and a whole lot better - so great trade and who knows, maybe we can pick up Rubio again in 2 years time if we want / need to as he's off contract (while maybe drafting Hayes in the mean time as a back up plan).

My slowly and steadily approach wasn't considerate enough of Booker wanting to win now - tho I still think we would have been playoff bound if we got better talent on the bench and I was coming around to the idea of trading #10 to do just that - so yeah, great trade as we're going to do that and go deeper than if we kept Rubio.