Sunsfanatic76 wrote: ↑Mon Dec 11, 2023 3:38 pm
Any thoughts towards discussion on what the suns greatest needs are at/around the coming December 15th trade deadline. Or even what realistic trades we might pull off to shore up our positional weaknesses considering the vry limited value of our current assets? I'm really not very inclined to want to attach our few remaining picks (2nds) in a trade as we'll definitely need all the cost controlled talent and depth we can find or acquire.
I'm more leaning towards looking to cut/waive Saben Lee and Azuibuke, and then package Little or Allen along with Okogie and Watanabe in order to open up spots to sign:
DeMarcus Cousins, Montrez Harrell, Nerlens Noel to vet mins and RJ nembhard (Gleague) on a two way deal for more balanced positional depth! Nembhard could focus on playmaking and game tempo/ turnover reduction. Harrell would replace Okogie at the 3 giving us more size, physicality, rebounding and positional defense. Demarcus Cousins would bring size, production, rebounding, physicality at the backup 5, and also offer the versatility to play the 4 or 5. But could give us much better size against bigger lineups playing alongside Nurkic in specific matchups. Best of all, he'd come really cheap which fits our current financial constraints. And signing Nerlens Noel on a vet min would give us a bigger,longer, more mobile and proven rim protecting option to Nurkic and/or Eubanks. Now If adding Noel seems a bit redundent for our backup 5 needs, we could simply sign Kai Jones (at 6'11) to play the 4 in a very simplified rebounding/shotblocking defensive role addressing our size, athleticism and defensive mobility issues? And we could also play him at the 4 in matchups alongside of Cousins ( at the backup 5) for more size and dominance off the bench.
I've specifically chosen players like Cousins and Harrell for their toughness, physicality, and veteran presence to help counter the physicality other teams keep using against us! Both players can represent enforcers in these situations as well as coming really cheap and having something to prove. The other bonus to this would be us now being able to play players like Bates Diop, and Allen (or whomever we trade for really) at their proper positions from the added frontcourt size! Lastly, After accomplishing these signings, I'd really consider packaging Allen or Little along with Eubanks and Okogie AND MAYBE a future 2nd to:
Indy for McConnell/Toppin/Nwora.
To Chicago for Caruso/Craig/rights to either Phillips or Sanogo.
To Brooklyn for Oneale/ Sharpe/Smith Jr.
To Charlotte for Nik Richards/ JT Thor/ Ish Smith/ rights to Leaky Black.
To Philly for Covington/ Oubre (or Beverly)/ rights to Council 4th or Terq Smith. I'd choose Oubre as a 6th man scoring option off the bench alongside of Gordon. Or Pat Bev I know...........I know the hate is understandable! But I'd choose him as our goon/enforcer/agitator that we're really missing.
