Phx-Suns.Net

I think if Jackson is gone at #4 you draft Fox and trade Bledsoe to some team like Orlando or Milwaukee or whomever for whatever they will give you. Thanks for your service, Eric. Bye.

If only it were that easy.

I'd think that even Philly may have an interest in a pg like Bledsoe.

They seem committed to Simmons at the point, to where many "experts" are saying they'll look at Jackson, Tatum or Monk and not a legit PG. I don't think BC passes on a PG like Fox. Either way, he can have Fox and still go after a PG in FA.

Why would Milwaukee need a PG? They have Freak, Delly and Brodgon. And again, Orlando has Payton who played extremely well after the All-Star Break. He and Vogel may have figured each other out.

There just aren't a lot of options out there. And forget about trying to move someone with value, we may have to straight up buyout Knight.

ShelC wrote:They seem committed to Simmons at the point, to where many "experts" are saying they'll look at Jackson, Tatum or Monk and not a legit PG. I don't think BC passes on a PG like Fox. Either way, he can have Fox and still go after a PG in FA.

Why would Milwaukee need a PG? They have Freak, Delly and Brodgon. And again, Orlando has Payton who played extremely well after the All-Star Break. He and Vogel may have figured each other out.

There just aren't a lot of options out there. And forget about trying to move someone with value, we may have to straight up buyout Knight.

Philly would be a great place for Bledsoe. With Simmons you don't have to have him initiate the offense all the time, which is certainly not his strong suit.

As for Knight - they could probably trade him, but they'd be taking back an equally bad deal. The idea that some people have that they'll actually get back some sort of asset for him is pie in the sky, unless he comes back next year and plays better.

Dallas, New York, and Sacramento are the teams that really need point guards. I think Minny would like an upgrade. Orlando would like to get Payton some help. Plus he's big enough to play the 2. Denver needs a pg too. Mudiay has been awful and Murray is more of a 2. Detroit would like an upgrade from Jackson. The jazz might need one depending on what Hill does. Even the spurs could use a pg. Lots of potential landing spots for Bledsoe if we do ever look to move him.

Bledsoe might actually play really well with a ball-handling forward like Simmons. I don't think you want to totally take the ball out of Bled's hands on offense, because he isn't that above-average of a pure SG. But you also don't quite want him as your solo PG doing 100% of the ball handling. I think if you split the ball handling offensive duties between Bled and Simmons, with both being able to also work off the ball and be more of a scorer, that might be a really versatile offense that is hard to defend. Shades of when we had Bledsoe and Dragic on our roster sharing the duties, sort of.

Marty [Mori Chu] wrote:Bledsoe might actually play really well with a ball-handling forward like Simmons. I don't think you want to totally take the ball out of Bled's hands on offense, because he isn't that above-average of a pure SG. But you also don't quite want him as your solo PG doing 100% of the ball handling. I think if you split the ball handling offensive duties between Bled and Simmons, with both being able to also work off the ball and be more of a scorer, that might be a really versatile offense that is hard to defend. Shades of when we had Bledsoe and Dragic on our roster sharing the duties, sort of.

I'd have to guess this is the plan for Bledsoe and Booker as they progress. Especially if the higher ups see Booker as a Harden type initiator.

Superbone wrote:Alright, here's my adjusted thoughts after reading you guys and listening to McDonough after the draft. First of all, McD made it clear that he's not looking to have another high lottery year. I really think he's commited to Bledsoe. No way do I see us ending up with a Fox/Booker starting backcourt.

As far as the draft:

Tier 1:
Fultz, Ball

Tier 2:
Fox, Jackson, Tatum, Isaac

If Jackson is available, we take him. If he's gone, I don't see us taking Fox so it's Tatum or Isaac. I'm leaning Isaac but who knows where these guys lay on the Suns draft board. This is all assuming we don't move the pick. The alternative is that we draft Fox for somebody and we move down a few slots. I don't see us moving out of the lottery altogether.

He almost sounded relieved to be picking 4. I think that is because if he had gotten 1 or 2 he would have been obligated to pick Fultz or Ball and would have then to trade Bledsoe. He like Bled and wants to keep him. I think he was relieved that he will be able to pick more for need and not have to ship out Eric.

JCSunsfan wrote:

Superbone wrote:Alright, here's my adjusted thoughts after reading you guys and listening to McDonough after the draft. First of all, McD made it clear that he's not looking to have another high lottery year. I really think he's commited to Bledsoe. No way do I see us ending up with a Fox/Booker starting backcourt.

As far as the draft:

Tier 1:
Fultz, Ball

Tier 2:
Fox, Jackson, Tatum, Isaac

If Jackson is available, we take him. If he's gone, I don't see us taking Fox so it's Tatum or Isaac. I'm leaning Isaac but who knows where these guys lay on the Suns draft board. This is all assuming we don't move the pick. The alternative is that we draft Fox for somebody and we move down a few slots. I don't see us moving out of the lottery altogether.

He almost sounded relieved to be picking 4. I think that is because if he had gotten 1 or 2 he would have been obligated to pick Fultz or Ball and would have then to trade Bledsoe. He like Bled and wants to keep him. I think he was relieved that he will be able to pick more for need and not have to ship out Eric.

Yeah, good observation. I think you're right.

JCSunsfan wrote:

Superbone wrote:Alright, here's my adjusted thoughts after reading you guys and listening to McDonough after the draft. First of all, McD made it clear that he's not looking to have another high lottery year. I really think he's commited to Bledsoe. No way do I see us ending up with a Fox/Booker starting backcourt.

As far as the draft:

Tier 1:
Fultz, Ball

Tier 2:
Fox, Jackson, Tatum, Isaac

If Jackson is available, we take him. If he's gone, I don't see us taking Fox so it's Tatum or Isaac. I'm leaning Isaac but who knows where these guys lay on the Suns draft board. This is all assuming we don't move the pick. The alternative is that we draft Fox for somebody and we move down a few slots. I don't see us moving out of the lottery altogether.

He almost sounded relieved to be picking 4. I think that is because if he had gotten 1 or 2 he would have been obligated to pick Fultz or Ball and would have then to trade Bledsoe. He like Bled and wants to keep him. I think he was relieved that he will be able to pick more for need and not have to ship out Eric.

I think you're right. Maybe he has someone that he thinks is even better and believes he can get him at 4 without being perceived as a reach?

I just watched McD's interview. I don't know that he was relieved to not be picking 1 or 2, although he did say that picking 4 gives you more freedom to pick who you want and not necessarily who is expected. He could just be saying that to sound more optimistic. It does sound like he expects to draft a wing though.

One interesting point, when mentioning that he wanted to see how the prospects meshed with our team, he specifically mentioned Booker, Warren, Chriss, bender, and ulis. I'm sure he was just naming the other young guys, but it seems like you'd want to see how the new guys mesh with Bledsoe too.

I think we take Jackson if he's there, but that could just be my wishful thinking. Still a long ways before the draft.

I think I'm on the Malik Monk island & I know no one is going to be there with me. It's cool. Shooting is just too valuable in today's NBA and he's a very talented scorer. I don't see a truly transcendent defensive player in this draft. JJ is being touted as the best 2-way player but he's no Kawhi and they're talking about selecting him 3rd. I have seen Monk handle and pass the ball enough to where I think stretches of Monk-Booker will work fine. Especially with Booker's ability to make an entry pass and run the pick & roll with Chriss. Monk reminds me a lot of McCollum, and we do need a guy out there to handle the scoring when Booker rests. Knight is clearly not that guy.

I said months ago that I liked the idea of Isaac & Bender wreaking defensive havoc together. Both are long, move well laterally, and would be able to seamlessly switch out there. What I don't like is the thought of having to take Isaac at #4 when I'm certain he'll be available later in the draft.

You're not alone on Monk island, I'm just not sure we can fit another 6'2" combo guard. As for the scoring when Booker rests, Mr. Tatum, come on dooowwwnnn.

carey wrote:I think I'm on the Malik Monk island & I know no one is going to be there with me. It's cool. Shooting is just too valuable in today's NBA and he's a very talented scorer. I don't see a truly transcendent defensive player in this draft. JJ is being touted as the best 2-way player but he's no Kawhi and they're talking about selecting him 3rd. I have seen Monk handle and pass the ball enough to where I think stretches of Monk-Booker will work fine. Especially with Booker's ability to make an entry pass and run the pick & roll with Chriss. Monk reminds me a lot of McCollum, and we do need a guy out there to handle the scoring when Booker rests. Knight is clearly not that guy.

I said months ago that I liked the idea of Isaac & Bender wreaking defensive havoc together. Both are long, move well laterally, and would be able to seamlessly switch out there. What I don't like is the thought of having to take Isaac at #4 when I'm certain he'll be available later in the draft.

I'm on the Monk island with you. He is going to be legit. I don't know how how we would fit him in, though. Booker is our starting 2, and I'm not sure about Monk off the bench with Ulis. Ulis and Monk had better get a 3 or and 1 on every possession if they're on the court together.

I'm not opposed to monk as a player. I think he'll be good, but I think just about everyone else around him has a higher ceiling. Someone mentioned Lou Williams as a comp and I think that's pretty good. If he shows more ball handling skills than he did in college, kinda like Booker, he could be more cj mccollum or Gilbert arenas

If you're taking a 6-2 scoring guard, he better be special/transcendent. Too much risk there IMO and those guys are a dime a dozen.

We could end up with Ball...if the Lakers take Fox and the Sixers take Jackson, Ball could be there.

Can't imagine Philly would pass on ball. He could be pretty great next to Simmons

ShelC wrote:We could end up with Ball...if the Lakers take Fox and the Sixers take Jackson, Ball could be there.

That would be crazy if the Lakers don't take Ball after all the hype of him only playing for the Lakers. On the other hand, all the hype has been coming from LaVar Ball.

I'm not opposed to Monk, because he is the best shooter with ample athleticism to boot. I think shooting is a premium in this league and you can never have enough shooters. Also, he is not 6'2", I'm pretty sure he is going to be an inch or more taller.

That being said, if they need to find another shooter, they can find one with one of the 2 2nd rounders or even an undrafted free agent. I like Peter Jok, for a look. Also, as much as I like the idea of getting multiple picks or a luxury like Monk. Get the BPA, hopefully it's a 2 way player, then get another one at 32 or if you see someone you are really targeting move up to get them. Then figure out the rest of the roster and who you want to go into the season with.