14 - Just when it looked like the Suns were dead in the water, they break out a three-game winning streak to close out the week. Devin Booker is still out and Deandre Ayton missed a couple more games due to illness, but Cameron Johnson and Chris Paul made their way back into the lineup this week as Phoenix slowly starts to become whole again.
13- The Suns snapped a three-game slump by building a three-game winning streak this past week. They beat the Nets, Pacers, and Grizzlies in succession. That helped them get back to .500 and move half a game behind the sixth-place Clippers in the West. That’s impressive since they’ve been dealing with injuries to Cam Payne, Deandre Ayton, and Devin Booker.
Amazing what one good week will do. We jump from power rankings having us as ~23-24ish to #13. And the talk of tanking the rest of the season has really quieted down. I honestly think we could end up with a top-4 seed in the West still. Not likely to catch Denver or Memphis, but I think almost anybody else is in reach if we go on a run.
Already got the notification saying Ayton is out for tomorrow night’s game with non-Covid illness. Any word on what is up?
He's on his period again. 3rd time this month. He's spotty, at best.
What is smallball? I play basketball. I'm not a regular big man. I can switch from the center to the guards. The game is evolving. I'd be dominAyton if the WNBA would let me in. - Ayton
Despite my comments about desiring a bigger backcourt, Rozier's stock hasn't been this low in almost two years. Could be a good opportunity for the Suns.
Quickley is more intriguing but farther fetched. It would take a lot to get him in a trade, so it would probably be a RFA offer sheet in 2024 if the Knicks can't agree to a new deal with him this summer. He's a CAA guy, so my intuition is that he'll remain with the Knicks.
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IQ's the most intriguing but is unproven as a starting PG. He's a good scorer off the bench right now (and spot starter) who's getting better all around but I'm not convinced the Knicks will trade him (at least not this season). The fans love IQ, not sure about Thibs or the front office (who supposedly don't want to pay him despite them drafting him and being a CAA guy). He'd be more of a Payne replacement with starter potential but that would make things tough now if we trade for him while Payne is still on the team.
Wasn't crazy about Rozier 3 years ago in FA, hope we're not circling back on him now because we liked what we was back in 2019.
My Hornets friends say Rozier is highly overrated and a bad influence in the locker room, whatever that means. Think out of the ones mentioned above, would prefer Van Vleet tbh.
Hard to choose between Rozier and FVV. I like Rozier’s explosive scoring, FVV’s toughness as an undersized defender. Both bring shooting although they’re both not shooting it great this season. I think Rozier has a higher ceiling offensively to grow in playmaking, could possibly flourish on a better system/roster, he’s a better finisher, could get to the line more with us.
I think we’ve seen the best of FVV ceiling wise. I love his toughness but could see him get his ass beat in the playoffs if he is our number 2.
I don’t think any of those 3 are the answer to our biggest problem, but depending on the price I’m not opposed. I like Rozier and IQ more than FVV…I worry FVV is fading and will be too expensive.
But a role as a number 2 scorer on a well balanced playoff team? I think he has a higher ceiling on a better team playing more meaningful minutes. It changes how you perform and grow. And we know Rozier is a better scorer. We’ve seen the best of FVV and it’s not bad. I’m not sure he’s our number two scorer though. Anyway, it’s a dichotomous situation. Obviously I have a bigger wish list than these two.
I don’t think any of those 3 are the answer to our biggest problem, but depending on the price I’m not opposed. I like Rozier and IQ more than FVV…I worry FVV is fading and will be too expensive.
