Suns 2015 Trade Deadline Aftermath

[ShelC]

Harris had been an intriguing name for me in FA. I think he can be a problem SF with the ability to play the PF spot rather than a stretch 4/3. But we need more size overall. I probably overrate Monroe, but Bledsoe/Knight/X/Monroe/Len is a pretty nice lineup. The SF could be anyone from Warren to Bullock to Marcus to PJ or a draft pick.

[Sunsfan4life]

I like Butler better then Harris

[Dan H]

Solid, well thought out take. Although your more optimistic about signing a Jimmy Butler this summer then I am. I don't think the suns will have the money available to get that done anyway. how much will they have again? its not max money i think. Just assume Knight gets 12mil per (big assumption, I know)

About $22M assuming no cap increase. But Knight's cap hold is $9M so we have only about $13M in reality. You could move Tucker though and get up in the $18M range. You could get a very good player with that. I don't think Tobias Harris moves the needle much and probably locks us into that team for a while but it's a core of some skill and all around the same age: Bledsoe-Knight-Harris-Kieff-Len. I wouldn't pay over $12/yr for either Knight or Harris though. But I do tend to think people are worth less than what they actually wind up getting fairly routinely.

Can we get somebody that reliably averages >10 RPG instead of tweeners? I don't get the love for Butler and Harris. Haven't seen them play in full disclosure so do please enlighten me in case I'm missing something.

[OE32]

I'll take the other Shabazz, Zach LaVine, and Andrew Wiggins.

Totally should've traded for Andrew Wiggins. Or drafted Kevin Durant, or Kevin Garnett for that matter. #McFailugh

[INFORMER]

I'll take the other Shabazz, Zach LaVine, and Andrew Wiggins.

Totally should've traded for Andrew Wiggins. Or drafted Kevin Durant, or Kevin Garnett for that matter. #McFailugh

Where is Cap with his strawman quips?

[INFORMER]

I like Butler better then Harris

I don't think that's really the issue. One is likely to be retained by his team, the other is more fair game.

[OE32]

I'll take the other Shabazz, Zach LaVine, and Andrew Wiggins.

Totally should've traded for Andrew Wiggins. #McFailugh

Where is Cap with his strawman quips?

Totally should've traded for Andrew Wiggins. #McFailugh

There, fixed it.

[Sunsfan4life]

Can we get somebody that reliably averages >10 RPG instead of tweeners? I don't get the love for Butler and Harris. Haven't seen them play in full disclosure so do please enlighten me in case I'm missing something.

We could...but think of how less entertaining the board would be if we did.

[iLLmatic]

https://twitter.com/paulcoro/status/568825952991637504 Just shoot me now.

I knew when I read that a few minutes ago you were probably seething in your seat.

Because it's such a stupid take. What have either of those players done in the league?

[Indy]

https://twitter.com/paulcoro/status/568825952991637504 Just shoot me now.

I knew when I read that a few minutes ago you were probably seething in your seat.

Because it's such a stupid take. What have either of those players done in the league?

Put up decent offensive stats on a mediocre team.

[iLLmatic]

https://twitter.com/paulcoro/status/568825952991637504 Just shoot me now.

I knew when I read that a few minutes ago you were probably seething in your seat.

Because it's such a stupid take. What have either of those players done in the league?

Put up decent offensive stats on a mediocre team.

I should've said over Goran Dragic.

[Aztec Sunsfan]

It's funny that Ryan would make that comment, while at the same time condescendingly saying fans and media don't get the big picture and aren't able to see the value of things down the road.

Yeah, I almost expected a rolled eye emoticon coming off McD's mouth... It was too familiar to read it...

[Wally_West]

McD and Babby are hurt. They thought they had something good with Goran, like long term good but in the end it wasn't meant to be. Both sides say things they don't really mean because they are hurt.

If you're reading this, I'm sorry Diana...I'm sorry.

[Charlie Smithy!]

... Didn't Diana and Batman have a thing in justice league?

[Wally_West]

... Didn't Diana and Batman have a thing in justice league?

In the cartoon I believe so, yes. But I was talking about reeeeel life! Sorta haha.

[INFORMER]

"I feel a little ridiculous sitting up here kind of addressing the tone, some of the questions and the mood seems like we're 20 games below .500 and the season has been a disaster," McDonough added. "If the playoffs started at the All-Star break, we'd be in."

This was a very undesirable quote as well.

[Indy]

"I feel a little ridiculous sitting up here kind of addressing the tone, some of the questions and the mood seems like we're 20 games below .500 and the season has been a disaster," McDonough added. "If the playoffs started at the All-Star break, we'd be in."

This was a very undesirable quote as well.

Yep. I hate how everything our front office says has to be qualified. IF you only count certain games AND IF you only count certain lineups THEN we would be a really good team.

[TOO]

Solid, well thought out take. Although your more optimistic about signing a Jimmy Butler this summer then I am. I don't think the suns will have the money available to get that done anyway. how much will they have again? its not max money i think. Just assume Knight gets 12mil per (big assumption, I know)

About $22M assuming no cap increase. But Knight's cap hold is $9M so we have only about $13M in reality. You could move Tucker though and get up in the $18M range. You could get a very good player with that. I don't think Tobias Harris moves the needle much and probably locks us into that team for a while but it's a core of some skill and all around the same age: Bledsoe-Knight-Harris-Kieff-Len. I wouldn't pay over $12/yr for either Knight or Harris though. But I do tend to think people are worth less than what they actually wind up getting fairly routinely.

Can we get somebody that reliably averages >10 RPG instead of tweeners? I don't get the love for Butler and Harris. Haven't seen them play in full disclosure so do please enlighten me in case I'm missing something.

Butler gets the attention because he's an elite perimeter defender who does pretty much everything well. He's even among the best at getting to the FT line, he's a monster.

[Indy]

Letter to season ticket holders from Babby.

Yesterday may have been the busiest day in the history of Phoenix Suns basketball. In total, we facilitated three transactions that not only make us younger, but improve our team and position us incredibly well moving into the future. Below is a breakdown of yesterday's trades:
In a three-team trade with the Miami Heat and New Orleans Pelicans, we acquired two first-round draft picks (2017 & 2021) and Danny Granger (6.3 ppg, 2.7 rpg) from Miami, in exchange for both Goran and Zoran Dragic. We also acquired forward John Salmons from New Orleans, who will be waived. The future first-round selections provide us with valuable assets and additional flexibility moving forward, two things we have vowed to maintain as we continue to improve our team.

In another three-team trade, we acquired fourth-year guard Brandon Knight (17.8 ppg, 5.4 apg) and former Suns guard Kendall Marshall, who will also be waived, while sending Miles Plumlee and Tyler Ennis to the Bucks, and our rights to the Lakers 2015 first-round pick (protected to five in 2015, and to three in 2016) to Philadelphia. Brandon is an electrifying guard who will join fellow Kentucky Wildcat Eric Bledsoe in our backcourt. He is a great fit for Coach Hornacek's system, and at age 23, has a very bright future.

In a third trade, we sent Isaiah Thomas to the Boston Celtics in exchange for swingman Marcus Thornton (8.9 ppg, 1.9 rpg), as well as Cleveland's 2016 first-round pick. Marcus will provide depth at the wing position and is known for instant offense.
It is important that I touch on Goran and his comments earlier this week. We respect his right to decide where he would like to play when he becomes a free agent this summer. He has earned that. However, we were disappointed in the nature in which Goran and his representatives addressed his concerns. If there is one thing that our front office is built on, it is trustworthiness. Every decision we make is done to improve our team, and there are tough decisions we make which may impact a player's role. However, we have never compromised our integrity, and at the end of every day, we take great pride in knowing that you can be proud of the way we conduct our business. With that said, we acknowledge Goran's contributions to the team over the years, and wish him the best in his future.

Make no mistake about it, our short-term focus is to make the NBA Playoffs this season, and we will compete hard every night to do so. These transactions were consistent with our fundamental goal of creating sustained success and being a perennial championship contender in the future.

As I have stated in previous communications, we will continue making the right – and often tough -- decisions to accomplish our ultimate goal of consistently competing for NBA Championships, while serving as a foundational piece of this great community. We are grateful for your support and motivated to deliver you a team that you can be proud of.

Go Suns!


Lon Babby
President of Basketball Operations

[LazarusLong]

Solid, well thought out take. Although your more optimistic about signing a Jimmy Butler this summer then I am. I don't think the suns will have the money available to get that done anyway. how much will they have again? its not max money i think. Just assume Knight gets 12mil per (big assumption, I know)

About $22M assuming no cap increase. But Knight's cap hold is $9M so we have only about $13M in reality. You could move Tucker though and get up in the $18M range. You could get a very good player with that. I don't think Tobias Harris moves the needle much and probably locks us into that team for a while but it's a core of some skill and all around the same age: Bledsoe-Knight-Harris-Kieff-Len. I wouldn't pay over $12/yr for either Knight or Harris though. But I do tend to think people are worth less than what they actually wind up getting fairly routinely.

Can we get somebody that reliably averages >10 RPG instead of tweeners? I don't get the love for Butler and Harris. Haven't seen them play in full disclosure so do please enlighten me in case I'm missing something.

Butler gets the attention because he's an elite perimeter defender who does pretty much everything well. He's even among the best at getting to the FT line, he's a monster.

Agree. Butler is going to be a star in the league as long as Tibbs doesn't burn him out playing him 45 minutes a game.