Suns 2022 Off-Season Thread

[Superbone]

None

None of them should play any minutes in games that matter

We put stickers on our car hoping it’ll go faster.

OK, Mr. Expert. How about we give them a freakin' chance before we discard them like yesterday's trash?!

[Superbone]

Like I've been trying to impart to you guys. If I can't get it through to you guys, maybe Kellan Olson can.

Suns shouldn’t be content with continuity after failed Kevin Durant pursuit
https://arizonasports.com/story/3267027 ... t-pursuit/

[Indy]

None

None of them should play any minutes in games that matter

We put stickers on our car hoping it’ll go faster.

OK, Mr. Expert. How about we give them a freakin' chance before we discard them like yesterday's trash?!

Nobody is saying to discard them. But I do have to agree that if we are counting on end of the bench guys to bring us a title, we are screwed.

[Indy]

I'm with 'bazz. It's eh, meh, and blech.

With the way the rosters look now, I don't think they can get past GSW or LAC in the West. The Suns are in the group of about 5 other teams that need a few breaks to go their way to get into the Finals. Really good, but not great.

You guys are spoiled rotten.

Spoiled rotten? Seems dramatic. I never said anything about not appreciating the team or season.

I just don't think there's enough improvement to put them above all other contenders right now.

The team and the players we have right now are not worse than the team last year that won a franchise record wins. We do need a step up from Ayton, Bridges or Johnson and we need to rest CP3 as much as possible during the regular season or they will not make a deep playoff run. If CP3 goes into the playoffs very well rested we have a shot.

He was well rested. He missed a few weeks with his injury. He had plenty of rest to end the year/start the playoffs.

He’s just fragile. He can’t handle playing physical playoff ball every other night for two months.

That is what it comes down to. He can be amazing and do things nobody has ever seen even at 36, then look like Elie Okobo a week later. We can't rely on a 36-37 year old Chris Paul to be our savior. He needs to be our release valve that can cook when Book and our real #2 (or #1 if that guy supplants Book) need a break or don't have it going on the off night.

[Split T]

None

None of them should play any minutes in games that matter

We put stickers on our car hoping it’ll go faster.

OK, Mr. Expert. How about we give them a freakin' chance before we discard them like yesterday's trash?!

Nobody is saying to discard them. But I do have to agree that if we are counting on end of the bench guys to bring us a title, we are screwed.

Ya I never meant to start a discussion about these guys as having a chance to bring us a title. It’s more like, could any of these guys get to a point where we could play them if need be for 7 minutes in a playoff game?

Could they surpass Shamet/Payne/Craig/Biyombo/Saric in the rotation…that was what I was really after.

[Indy]

I hope so, but wouldn't bet on it.

[Flagrant Fowl]

I think Jock will be the most fun similar to how Kaminsky was lauded for his hustle and making clever plays.

I expect Okogie will get the most hate because he's not very good and most fans will clamor for Ish Wainwright.

[specialsauce]

None

None of them should play any minutes in games that matter

We put stickers on our car hoping it’ll go faster.

OK, Mr. Expert. How about we give them a freakin' chance before we discard them like yesterday's trash?!

Finally you address me properly.

Also, yesterday’s trash is tomorrow’s meatloaf. Nobody likes meatloaf. Okogie+Washington+Jock = meatloaf

[Superbone]

None

None of them should play any minutes in games that matter

We put stickers on our car hoping it’ll go faster.

OK, Mr. Expert. How about we give them a freakin' chance before we discard them like yesterday's trash?!

Nobody is saying to discard them. But I do have to agree that if we are counting on end of the bench guys to bring us a title, we are screwed.

"to bring us a title"? Yeah, that's silly. Who said that? To contribute? Who knows at this point other than Mr. Expert.

[specialsauce]

None

None of them should play any minutes in games that matter

We put stickers on our car hoping it’ll go faster.

OK, Mr. Expert. How about we give them a freakin' chance before we discard them like yesterday's trash?!

Nobody is saying to discard them. But I do have to agree that if we are counting on end of the bench guys to bring us a title, we are screwed.

"to bring us a title"? Yeah, that's silly. Who said that?

That’s not what the purpose of your players playing is? Then what is it, to pose in the calendar for you?

[Superbone]

None

None of them should play any minutes in games that matter

We put stickers on our car hoping it’ll go faster.

OK, Mr. Expert. How about we give them a freakin' chance before we discard them like yesterday's trash?!

Nobody is saying to discard them. But I do have to agree that if we are counting on end of the bench guys to bring us a title, we are screwed.

Ya I never meant to start a discussion about these guys as having a chance to bring us a title. It’s more like, could any of these guys get to a point where we could play them if need be for 7 minutes in a playoff game?

Could they surpass Shamet/Payne/Craig/Biyombo/Saric in the rotation…that was what I was really after.

Of course. That makes sense.

[Superbone]

None

None of them should play any minutes in games that matter

We put stickers on our car hoping it’ll go faster.

OK, Mr. Expert. How about we give them a freakin' chance before we discard them like yesterday's trash?!

Nobody is saying to discard them. But I do have to agree that if we are counting on end of the bench guys to bring us a title, we are screwed.

"to bring us a title"? Yeah, that's silly. Who said that?

That’s not what the purpose of your players playing is? Then what is it, to pose in the calendar for you?

No single player is going to bring you a title. Sorry. Could they make a contribution? For sure. Let's give them a chance and not predetermine the outcome. Did the Warriors trade for Wiggins "to bring them a title"? No. They hoped he might help contribute toward one though.

[Indy]

Wiggins was a starter and a former #1 pick. These other guys are minimum contract guys just looking to make a roster.

Could they help out a little in some games? Sure. But it is a 1000-1 shot they are doing that in games that matter (late rounds of the playoffs) from the 12/13/14th man spot on the bench.

But this is a Suns message board. So if we aren't talking about the only changes to the roster, what are we even doing!?!

[specialsauce]

OK, Mr. Expert. How about we give them a freakin' chance before we discard them like yesterday's trash?!

Nobody is saying to discard them. But I do have to agree that if we are counting on end of the bench guys to bring us a title, we are screwed.

"to bring us a title"? Yeah, that's silly. Who said that?

That’s not what the purpose of your players playing is? Then what is it, to pose in the calendar for you?

No single player is going to bring you a title. Sorry. Could they make a contribution? For sure. Let's give them a chance and not predetermine the outcome. Did the Warriors trade for Wiggins "to bring them a title"? No. They hoped he might help contribute toward one though.

Again if we have to rely on them to contribute to winning meaningful games, we should hold that L up right now.

Wiggins shits on all of them. Not even on the same planet.

Now go get me Harrison Barnes. That’s more of an Andrew Wiggins-like acquisition. These guys we added are closer to ball boys than rotation players.

Mr. Expert has spoken.

[Superbone]

Nobody is saying to discard them. But I do have to agree that if we are counting on end of the bench guys to bring us a title, we are screwed.

"to bring us a title"? Yeah, that's silly. Who said that?

That’s not what the purpose of your players playing is? Then what is it, to pose in the calendar for you?

No single player is going to bring you a title. Sorry. Could they make a contribution? For sure. Let's give them a chance and not predetermine the outcome. Did the Warriors trade for Wiggins "to bring them a title"? No. They hoped he might help contribute toward one though.

Again if we have to rely on them to contribute to winning meaningful games, we should hold that L up right now.

Wiggins shits on all of them. Not even on the same planet.

Now go get me Harrison Barnes. That’s more of an Andrew Wiggins-like acquisition. These guys we added are closer to ball boys than rotation players.

Mr. Expert has spoken.

OK then. Now we all know. Thank you for gracing us with your presence.

[Split T]

How about Jose Alvarado or Herb Jones…they were 2nd round picks and undrafted FA that played major minutes in the playoffs and had a huge impact. Most likely none of these guys will do much, but the possibility exists that they do and what else do we have to talk about in August?

[specialsauce]

How about Jose Alvarado or Herb Jones…they were 2nd round picks and undrafted FA that played major minutes in the playoffs and had a huge impact. Most likely none of these guys will do much, but the possibility exists that they do and what else do we have to talk about in August?

Had a huge impact on going home in the first round.

Brownie points don’t count in the playoffs. You rather win or you don’t. And you know what the Pelicans players contributed to? A first round exit.

Avocado was cute, but let’s not pretend like there wasn’t a major talent problem there. Grit and hustle only take you so far. The Pelicans would have loved to have NOT had to play him, but they had no choice because they had no one better.

If Jock is our best option as a backup big for any reason in the playoffs, we’re hosed. These players don’t matter. We need an upgrade at 1-9.

Paul
Booker
Bridges
Johnson
Ayton
Crowder
Saric
Payne
Shamet

That’s where we need better players.

[Drewsprocket]

I like the direction of this discussion. Suns Playoff rotation needs upgrade ideally with a better #2 guy or in the least upgrades of the 3rd guard AND Crowder.
The new pick ups so far seem like legit regular season minutes guys who can develop a roll to not over rely on our starters.

[Split T]

How about Jose Alvarado or Herb Jones…they were 2nd round picks and undrafted FA that played major minutes in the playoffs and had a huge impact. Most likely none of these guys will do much, but the possibility exists that they do and what else do we have to talk about in August?

Had a huge impact on going home in the first round.

Brownie points don’t count in the playoffs. You rather win or you don’t. And you know what the Pelicans players contributed to? A first round exit.

Avocado was cute, but let’s not pretend like there wasn’t a major talent problem there. Grit and hustle only take you so far. The Pelicans would have loved to have NOT had to play him, but they had no choice because they had no one better.

If Jock is our best option as a backup big for any reason in the playoffs, we’re hosed. These players don’t matter. We need an upgrade at 1-8.

That they lost in the first round is kind of a lazy excuse. You don’t think every team in the league would love to have Herb Jones right now?

Imagine what he could have done for Utah. Dallas was low on playable wings. GS could have used him when GPII went down. Maybe he would have made the difference for Boston…or Milwaukee.

What if Josh Okogie finally figured out how to shoot? Not expecting that by any means but it’s not unheard of. All of a sudden we have an elite point of attack defender who can stay on the court offensively because he can hit a corner 3. That can be huge. Now I think that’s a low possibility, but it’s a possibility. Miami is always finding gems from the trash pile and turning them into useful players.

Paul
Booker
Bridges
Johnson
Ayton
Crowder
Saric
Payne
Shamet

That’s where we need better players.

I don’t disagree there…my point is that maybe one of these guys can be better than Payne or Shamet. I’m also not saying that means we don’t need to do anything else. I’m very much team upgrade across the board. Crowder is my main upgrade target, but I’d upgrade anyone that I can.

[Split T]

But, if you’re ready for my next bad idea: What if Russell Westbrook gets moved and then bought out? I’m 95% sure I’m a no on this, but there’s a small chance it could be a good idea.

Here’s my thought, he doesn’t want to be seen as a vet min player. I’ve heard that once you accept a vet min deal, that’s all you’re getting. We can give him the TPMLE, we could even give him a bogus non-guaranteed 2nd year if it looks better for him. We tell him, hey come in and come off the bench and play 20 minutes. You’ll start when we rest CP3. He’s got to buy into the team concepts as well. Does he have a relationship with Monty? Did their time in OKC overlap?

I’d simply tell him, you have to cooperate or we’ll just sit you. Now do I think he’d cooperate? Probably not, but of all the people we’re talking about as a backup 1 available in FA, Westbrook is definitely the most talented. No one’s been able to rein him in, but I wouldn’t hate letting Monty try. As long as it doesn’t impact our future cap in anyway, I’d gladly add to Sarver’s tax bill to experiment with Russ.

Anyways, I’m assuming 99% of you will hate this idea, but maybe it’ll at least spark conversation haha