Suns News: Offseason

[ShelC]

Not sure I follow? You're saying if Book wants out we should trade Ayton and start over? Or we should try and appease Book by trading Ayton if that's what it'd take to keep him happy?

I don't think you trade Ayton if Book wants out, but I wouldn't automatically bump him up to franchise, #1 cornerstone. At the very least he's a building block that you put players around but I still think he's more of a high end #2. Question is, can you find/trade for that #1.

If Book says "I don't think Ayton is serious/good enough to win with" then maybe you put some feelers out to see what can be done but don't take a bad deal or make a move just to make a move.

[ShelC]

[Flagrant Fowl]

Not sure I follow? You're saying if Book wants out we should trade Ayton and start over? Or we should try and appease Book by trading Ayton if that's what it'd take to keep him happy?

I don't think you trade Ayton if Book wants out, but I wouldn't automatically bump him up to franchise, #1 cornerstone. At the very least he's a building block that you put players around but I still think he's more of a high end #2. Question is, can you find/trade for that #1.

If Book says "I don't think Ayton is serious/good enough to win with" then maybe you put some feelers out to see what can be done but don't take a bad deal or make a move just to make a move.

That's what I'm talking about. I can really only imagine this in a world where KAT is available, to be honest. I wouldn't think that Booker would be happy with the Suns trading Ayton for 30 cents on the dollar, but the general scenario still has a non-zero possibility to me.

Eventually he'd want out or force the Suns to make a below market deal. What would the Suns do?

[ShelC]

I would hope Jones and Monty have enough experience/credibility to sit and work with Book rather than just bend over.

[Superbone]

Thank you, Chris Sheridan!

[ShelC]

Ha, I think I put about as much stock in Sheridan's info as I do Russillo's.

[Superbone]

RIP Eddie Johnson... 65... died in prison. No, not our Eddie Johnson. But he was a former NBA player.

[In2ition]

Wasn't that the "Fast Eddie" Johnson that was sentenced for sexual assault on a minor and burglary?

[Superbone]

Wasn't that the "Fast Eddie" Johnson that was sentenced for sexual assault on a minor and burglary?

One and the same. Didn't remember the sentence infractions though.

[The Bobster]

Frank Johnson's older brother.

He was serving a life sentence for "sexual battery of a minor, lewd and lascivious molestation of a minor, and trespassing for the sexual assault of an 8-year-old girl in her home"

[BigLewy]

Ha, I think I put about as much stock in Sheridan's info as I do Russillo's.

Eh, I think Sheridan is fairly reputable. He called LeBron leaving the Cavs over a year in advance and has been fairly accurate in his reporting over the years. I'd trust him over Russillo any day.

[Drewsprocket]

Outside of Doncic, Ayton was the best pick and likely was Book’s preference. Whether he had much say in the pick or not, I bet there is some ownership that Book has over Ayton being on the roster. Not that I know any NBA players or staff but I do know a handful of former semi pros and college coaches who all had their safe money on Ayton.
I do wonder whether he is liked in the locker room. I hope so. But he gives off Dwight Howard vibes and slight immaturity.

[Nodack]

I haven’t heard anything from any source that talks about chemistry issues between Ayton and any of his teammates. I thought the chemistry displayed in those final 8 games was off the charts. I think we have too much time to dissect the team in the off season and we start to make up things that aren’t there just for something to talk about.

[ShelC]

I don't think there are "chemistry" issues but I wouldn't be surprised if some were frustrated with some of his antics. It's one thing to be Shaq-goofy when you're Shaq. It's another thing when you're getting suspended for 25 games at the start of the season or putting up 8 and 6 against 2nd and 3rd stringers in Orlando.

[Split T]

Ya, Ayton has had two years to be a young guy getting his feet wet in the nba. I don’t mind if he wants to be a little goofy, but it’s time he is all in on the court. He can’t let that goofiness impact his play. The failed drug tests and missing Covid tests type stuff needs to be out of his system.

I think he’s a likable guy, so I doubt there are chemistry issues, but I’d say just about everyone on our team looked better in the bubble...except DA. This team is trying to take that big step forward, if DA isn’t taking it with them, that’s a problem. I’m expecting big things from him, and if he doesn’t deliver, it might be time to start looking to move him.

[Wormwood]

Rumor that CP3 is heading to the Suns in a trade. Hard to figure out how: only contracts Suns have that are movable are Oubre and Rubio's, which only total $32m (vice CP3's $41m).

Booker's not moving. Neither is Ayton. Maybe Saric as a 3rd piece?

Doesn't sound much like Jones though. CP3 is 35, and Jones likes guys entering their prime in trades (25-28).

[Cap]

Rumor that CP3 is heading to the Suns in a trade. Hard to figure out how: only contracts Suns have that are movable are Oubre and Rubio's, which only total $32m (vice CP3's $41m).

I think we have enough cap room to make up the difference. Might need to let Baynes and Saric go.

[Wally_West]

Okay. *How this crazy ass idea?


OKC: Rubio( ), 10th pick

GSW: Oubre, ‘21 heat first round pick, Suns ‘21 first round pick (1-10 protected but turns into a pair 2nd rounder if they don’t convey)

Suns: Chris Paul, Marquese Chriss, 2nd overall pick.


*I have no idea if this trade works or not.

[In2ition]

Okay. *How this crazy ass idea?


OKC: Rubio( ), 10th pick

GSW: Oubre, ‘21 heat first round pick, Suns ‘21 first round pick (1-10 protected but turns into a pair 2nd rounder if they don’t convey)

Suns: Chris Paul, Marquese Chriss, 2nd overall pick.


*I have no idea if this trade works or not.

Hmmm.....pass. I'd much rather just bring Oubre back, tbh.

[Split T]

Rumor that CP3 is heading to the Suns in a trade. Hard to figure out how: only contracts Suns have that are movable are Oubre and Rubio's, which only total $32m (vice CP3's $41m).

I think we have enough cap room to make up the difference. Might need to let Baynes and Saric go.

Ya we can use cap space or pick up the Kaminsky option and include him in the deal if we want to operate as an over the cap team. That would allow us to also still sign someone for the mid level and keep the rights to Saric/Baynes/Carter.

If we’re trading for CP3, which I’m not in favor of, I think over the cap is the way to go. You then bring back Saric/Baynes/Carter/Payne. Draft either a pg or a wing and then use the MLE to fill the other hole. I’d prefer to draft the pg and sign the wing as I don’t think there are any PG’s worth signing under 10 million a year that are significantly better than Payne. So draft Kira and sign Joe Harris(best case) or Justin Holliday.

CP3/Payne/Kira
Booker/Carter
Bridges/Harris or Holliday
Johnson/Saric
Ayton/Baynes

It’s the bubble team only with CP3 replacing Rubio and adding a wing shooter and a rookie pg.