Phx-Suns.Net

I think because tier 2 is so large we trade down while picking up another asset. I had suggested in the past that it would be for Sac's picks but that's before they landed just one pick behind us. I'm not sure what it will be now but I can see us moving into the 8-10 range while picking up a future first or a player.

I fully expected this to happen so I'm not disappointed. I am bummed because it means the players that can help the most won't be available. I think we're going to take a long look at Fox if we stay at 4. I think we have him in for 2 workouts and if he shoots well in them he's the guy. His shooting is the only question mark. He can do everything else and at the college level he was so fast that he was basically unguardable. I think if he were a little bigger the John Wall comparisons would be everywhere, but he's 6' 2" 1/2.

I'm not even worried about his shot. I just hate the thought of a logjam and not being able to move either Bledsoe or Knight. And even if we just dump Knight, we'd still have Bledsoe, Fox and Ulis. I don't want to go into another season trying to shake out the roster and hoping that some team is willing to trade at the deadline. We've played that shit 2-3 years in a row now and it completely submarines the season. Also doesn't send a good message to Ulis.

That said, I think McD is ride or die with Bledsoe. So it'll be Bleds, Booker and Jackson and we'll dump Knight at some point or even buy him out. I do think the dropoff is big enough not to move back to 8-10 and it's really not a great draft for SFs so I think we should get the best one. It's our biggest need and the talent is there at 4. Unless Sacramento absolutely wants Jackson and is willing to trade their 5th and maybe 34th (don't think we'd get their 10th), I'd think about it if Tatum can be our answer at SF.

There will be a log jam at any position we take except C and I don't think we're drafting Zach Collins.

We need a SF. TJ Warren isn't the answer.

Shabazz wrote:My prediction:

Sixers trade #3 as part of a package for Jimmy Butler.

We need to trade BK to Philly to move up from 4 to 3. They get the player they want anyway in Monk or Fox, plus they can give Knight a look as insurance. We avoid the risk of Philly trading to someone else and get Jackson.

JCSunsfan wrote:

Shabazz wrote:My prediction:

Sixers trade #3 as part of a package for Jimmy Butler.

We need to trade BK to Philly to move up from 4 to 3. They get the player they want anyway in Monk or Fox, plus they can give Knight a look as insurance. We avoid the risk of Philly trading to someone else and get Jackson.

I like it

ShelC wrote:We need a SF. TJ Warren isn't the answer.

Agreed. I don't dislike Warren but I think his ceiling is rather low. I think if we had a different kind of roster around him he'd have a better chance but we have only Ulis as a distributor so that hinders a guy like Warren from being more consistent.

That being said Tatum doesn't do much for me. I don't have much faith in Duke players at the next level. Things change but if Josh Jackson isn't there at 4 I'd rather take a chance on that Nkilthia guy or Dennis Smith at PG.

I think we end up taking whoever is left between fox and Jackson. If they are both there, I think we take Jackson.

Split T wrote:I think we end up taking whoever is left between fox and Jackson. If they are both there, I think we take Jackson.

And if we take Fox, what are our off-season moves (not what you want to happen, but what will Ryan actually do)?

Indy wrote:

Split T wrote:I think we end up taking whoever is left between fox and Jackson. If they are both there, I think we take Jackson.

And if we take Fox, what are our off-season moves (not what you want to happen, but what will Ryan actually do)?

That's a good question. Shopping Bled would be the right move, but I'm not sure if Ryan would do it. I don't think fox and Bledsoe can play together though. Bled-Ball or Bled-Fultz could have worked. But fox will mostly have to be a backup. My guess is we'd start the season with both and we'd eventually move Bled if fox gives the indication he's gonna be special. Doubt it happens this summer though. Ulis would be the biggest loser as he'd essentially lose all his minutes.

Jackson just seems like the perfect pick. He slides into Tucker's old role and doesn't clash with any of our established players or up and coming ones. Except Warren to an extent. But we can just move Warren to a scorer off the bench role. He compliments booker very well. He's ready to play right away and let's us try to make the playoffs. He's also got enough upside that we might be getting a star. If he's a 35%+ from 3 guy in the NBA.

I feel fairly confident both he and booker can develop into players that can be the 2nd best player on a championship team. We just need one of them to jump a level to best player on a championship team.

I can't see Ryan shopping Bled, unless his job is on the line (meaning Sarver tells him to do it). I really like the idea of TJ as our sixth man, playing a lot of minutes with Ulis. With Ulis being able to keep moving with the ball, and TJ moving so well without it, it is a great combo.

Indy wrote:I can't see Ryan shopping Bled, unless his job is on the line (meaning Sarver tells him to do it). I really like the idea of TJ as our sixth man, playing a lot of minutes with Ulis. With Ulis being able to keep moving with the ball, and TJ moving so well without it, it is a great combo.

I think our roster next season is:

PG: Bled, Ulis
SG: Booker, Barbosa
SF: Jackson, Warren
PF: Chriss, Dudley
C: Chandler, Williams, Bender

DJJ would be the 12th man. We probably have a draft and stash guy and a guy we bounce between G League and NBA as well.

Bender is going to need to play the 5 to get minutes. That team is also thin at guard. I wouldn't mind swapping one of our excess wings/bigs for a guard. I'd make Warren, Chandler, Dudley, and bender available for the right price. I like all of them individually and in their roles, just feels like we need one of them to be able to play the 2.

Split T wrote:

Indy wrote:I can't see Ryan shopping Bled, unless his job is on the line (meaning Sarver tells him to do it). I really like the idea of TJ as our sixth man, playing a lot of minutes with Ulis. With Ulis being able to keep moving with the ball, and TJ moving so well without it, it is a great combo.

I think our roster next season is:

PG: Bled, Ulis
SG: Booker, Barbosa
SF: Jackson, Warren
PF: Chriss, Dudley
C: Chandler, Williams, Bender

DJJ would be the 12th man. We probably have a draft and stash guy and a guy we bounce between G League and NBA as well.

Bender is going to need to play the 5 to get minutes. That team is also thin at guard. I wouldn't mind swapping one of our excess wings/bigs for a guard. I'd make Warren, Chandler, Dudley, and bender available for the right price. I like all of them individually and in their roles, just feels like we need one of them to be able to play the 2.

I don't think you can trade Chandler without his blessing, and he seems like he wants to stay no matter what. And I don't think you can keep asking him about different deals without alienating him.

Although I agree that we need to find time for Bender, and it will likely be at the 5. I would say likely make Dudley/Chandler our end of the bench guys, and slot Bender in at backup 4 and at backup 5.

I see nothing thin in a guard rotation made of Bledsoe-Ulis and Booker-Barbosa. Perhaps add a fifth guy who can make threes, but that's it.

Actually, it's the PF/C spots where I see weakness. There is potential, but still not sold on Chriss and Bender has shown basically. Overall that PF/C bunch gives you no rim protection and always has a poor rebounder on.

Ring_Wanted wrote:I see nothing thin in a guard rotation made of Bledsoe-Ulis and Booker-Barbosa. Perhaps add a fifth guy who can make threes, but that's it.

You are assuming a healthy Bledsoe for a 2nd straight year. Big assumption.

Indy wrote:

Ring_Wanted wrote:I see nothing thin in a guard rotation made of Bledsoe-Ulis and Booker-Barbosa. Perhaps add a fifth guy who can make threes, but that's it.

You are assuming a healthy Bledsoe for a 2nd straight year. Big assumption.

Yes, I am. Anyway, if I had it my way, he'd be traded.

Ring_Wanted wrote:I see nothing thin in a guard rotation made of Bledsoe-Ulis and Booker-Barbosa. Perhaps add a fifth guy who can make threes, but that's it.

Actually, it's the PF/C spots where I see weakness. There is potential, but still not sold on Chriss and Bender has shown basically. Overall that PF/C bunch gives you no rim protection and always has a poor rebounder on.

Just a numbers game. Bled and booker are our best players and Ulis is a solid backup. That makes our guards our strength, we just don't have a lot. I'm mostly trying to find a way to get bender minutes, he'd have a lot easier time if he was a 2 guard. He'd only be competing with barbosa for backup minutes. He'll be competing with Dudley, Warren, Williams, Chriss, etc. at the 3-5.

Split T wrote:

Indy wrote:I can't see Ryan shopping Bled, unless his job is on the line (meaning Sarver tells him to do it). I really like the idea of TJ as our sixth man, playing a lot of minutes with Ulis. With Ulis being able to keep moving with the ball, and TJ moving so well without it, it is a great combo.

I think our roster next season is:

PG: Bled, Ulis
SG: Booker, Barbosa
SF: Jackson, Warren
PF: Chriss, Dudley
C: Chandler, Williams, Bender

DJJ would be the 12th man. We probably have a draft and stash guy and a guy we bounce between G League and NBA as well.

Bender is going to need to play the 5 to get minutes. That team is also thin at guard. I wouldn't mind swapping one of our excess wings/bigs for a guard. I'd make Warren, Chandler, Dudley, and bender available for the right price. I like all of them individually and in their roles, just feels like we need one of them to be able to play the 2.

You would really play Dudley ahead of Bender? I would split time at 4 between Chriss, Bender, and Warren. Duds doesn't play unless there's an injury and someone is in foul trouble.

JCSunsfan wrote:

Shabazz wrote:My prediction:

Sixers trade #3 as part of a package for Jimmy Butler.

We need to trade BK to Philly to move up from 4 to 3. They get the player they want anyway in Monk or Fox, plus they can give Knight a look as insurance. We avoid the risk of Philly trading to someone else and get Jackson.

I'm in, especially if we can get a future 2nd round pick as part of the deal.

O_Gardino wrote:

Split T wrote:

Indy wrote:I can't see Ryan shopping Bled, unless his job is on the line (meaning Sarver tells him to do it). I really like the idea of TJ as our sixth man, playing a lot of minutes with Ulis. With Ulis being able to keep moving with the ball, and TJ moving so well without it, it is a great combo.

I think our roster next season is:

PG: Bled, Ulis
SG: Booker, Barbosa
SF: Jackson, Warren
PF: Chriss, Dudley
C: Chandler, Williams, Bender

DJJ would be the 12th man. We probably have a draft and stash guy and a guy we bounce between G League and NBA as well.

Bender is going to need to play the 5 to get minutes. That team is also thin at guard. I wouldn't mind swapping one of our excess wings/bigs for a guard. I'd make Warren, Chandler, Dudley, and bender available for the right price. I like all of them individually and in their roles, just feels like we need one of them to be able to play the 2.

You would really play Dudley ahead of Bender? I would split time at 4 between Chriss, Bender, and Warren. Duds doesn't play unless there's an injury and someone is in foul trouble.

Not saying what I'd do, but what the team will actually do. If we draft Jackson and keep Bled and Chandler, we're making a run at the playoffs and Dudley is better than bender right now, by quite a bit. We'd need his shooting to space the floor. Unless bender makes some huge strides this off-season or we abandon ship on our vets, he's going to be getting scrap minutes again.