Suns News: The Offseason (2015)

[ShelC]

The biggest reason to take Lee is his 15mil off the books next summer. We get out from two knuckleheads with longer term deals.

But on the basketball side, Lee is still a double double guy, he's a very smart player, very good high post passer (lobs to Tyson, hitting a cutting TJ) and can hit out to 16ft. Not a defender at all but that's why you have Chandler. And what's more, he's a stats whore in a contract year looking for one more big payout. He's not done by any means, just found himself out of the rotation when he got injured.

[ShelC]

A few reports are saying we're showing interest in Kevin Seraphin. I'm sure we're kicking the tires on a bunch of guys. Wonder what the feelings like in the FO and if there was ever a backup plan.

[carey]

A few reports are saying we're showing interest in Kevin Seraphin. I'm sure we're kicking the tires on a bunch of guys. Wonder what the feelings like in the FO and if there was ever a backup plan.

I do think there was a backup plan. I have a feeling their backup plan isn't there because of how long the LMA process took. So do they have a backup to the backup? Probably and I'm sure we will see what that entails soon. I did hear we are looking at adding a true SG like CJ Miles, but looking at his shooting percentages the last couple years I am very underwhelmed. I'd rather just play the young guns.

[ShelC]

Not a huge fan of CJ Miles. I like Dorell Wright a bit more.

Also lost in the Aldridge stuff was that DeMarre Carroll was a main target of ours? Haven't a lot of info on that tho, but a big of a head scratcher IMO.

Also saw we had some interest in Will Bynum, who more of a 6-0 scoring guard than PG. Tough as nails tho.

I'd still like to see a backup 4/5. Still not 100% on Len being healthy and Chandler's usually good to miss 12-15 games a year.

[carey]

I would like to swap Markieff for Ryan Anderson. He makes 500k more this year and then expires. With Tucker also expiring next year we could have a lot of cap space available. Probably enough to offer a max FA the chance to pick another max FA to play here. Also I think Anderson is a much better fit with his floor spacing ability than Markieff with his midrange ability. I doubt Gentry would go for it as he probably sees Anderson as his Frye though.

[ShelC]

Nah I think they value Anderson's shooting to space the floor for Davis and even Asik. And we already have a 6-10 white guy who shoots.

[carey]

Tucker & the Cavs' 2016 1st for Cody Zeller?

Bledsoe/(Knight)
Knight/Booker/Goodwin
Warren/(Booker)
Markieff/Zeller/Leur
Chandler/Len

[Cap]

Taking stock of where we are now, talent-wise.

Our likely starting lineup is Bledsoe-Knight-Tucker-Morris-Chandler. These guys range from average to above average. Some of them would almost be All-Stars in the East, some wouldn't. No obvious position of weakness. We're not going to upgrade the talent level here a whole lot unless we land an All-Star.

The second unit would then be Goodwin-Booker-Warren-Leuer-Len. That looks like a great lineup... in a few years. For now, expect them to struggle, especially if they're all playing together. We should use our remaining cap space to shore this unit up with some veteran leadership, particularly at PG.

In sum, as things stand now, we have an above-average starting lineup and a not-ready-for-prime-time bench, adding up to something like an average NBA team, which means below average in the West.

I don't like the proposed Lee deal. Keef (4/32) and PJ (2/10.8) are good players on good contracts. Yeah, they're knuckleheads, but it makes no sense basketball-wise.

[carey]

If TJ starts the season the way he ended last season I don't see Tucker being here past the trade deadline. His deal is valuable because it's only guaranteed for $1M or something next year.

Edit: Just looked it up, $3.8M isn't guaranteed meaning it would cost you $1.5M to cut him not $1M.

[Phoenix219]

Dump Kieff, sign Lee and Amare, or just Amare, and lets roll.

I'd trade both combo "point" guards for Dragic back if i could. Fuck Bledsoe.

[INFORMER]

I don't like the proposed Lee deal. Keef (4/32) and PJ (2/10.8) are good players on good contracts. Yeah, they're knuckleheads, but it makes no sense basketball-wise.

I think Shel laid out plenty of reasons why it would make basketball sense.

[INFORMER]

The second unit would then be Goodwin-Booker-Warren-Leuer-Len. That looks like a great lineup... in a few years. For now, expect them to struggle, especially if they're all playing together.

Actually, I would not be surprised if that unit actually proved to be effective. Although, I'm not sure Goodwin is going to be in the rotation.

[OE32]

We're still in the asset collection business. For Mook's contract, we got rid of $4 million in additional salary and received a 2nd rounder in return. But Keef can actually play basketball. "Dumping" him makes no sense.

Amir Johnson just got $12/year. Kieff >>>>>>> Amir Johnson.

...

Doubt we could get Cody at such a low price. Besides, the Bugs need him up front.

[Shabazz]

I'm looking forward to the Chandler presser so we can see what the FO and coaching staff have in mind for Len.

[INFORMER]

They'll go on how this move will make Alex better, Chandler's toughness/experience will help Len's development, blah blah blah.

[Sunsfan4life]

Dump Kieff, sign Lee and Amare, or just Amare, and lets roll.

I'd trade both combo "point" guards for Dragic back if i could. Fuck Bledsoe.

Why are we dumping Kieff? Good player on a Great Deal. If we trade him picks/young players better be coming back. I love the nostalgia of Amare, but the dude is close to done.

You'd have to trade for Lee, he isn't a FA. We can't sign him.

[Cap]

Can Chandler and Len play together? They clearly need more than 48 minutes a game between them.

[carey]

Can Chandler and Len play together? They clearly need more than 48 minutes a game between them.

I heard that he's been working out to about 20 feet on his jumper, and that the front office thinks they could do it for short stretches. I'll go on record now as saying that's going to be awful offensively and maybe even defensively. We'll see.

[ShelC]

I definitely think Len can play some PF. Not for an extended time, but he seems agile enough to handle it and his jumper has looked solid enough to be able to pop out.

[Sunsfan4life]

Should be interesting...Expectations are kind of where they were 2 years ago, with nobody expecting alot.

I'd like to move Tucker for the simple fact that I really would like to see Warren get 25-30mins per game. But I'm not moving him just to move him...I think at the deadline and next off-season P.J. Becomes enticing not only to contenders looking to add depth, but to teams looking to shed payroll.