Phx-Suns.Net

INFORMER wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 13, 2023 1:07 pm

JeremyG wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 13, 2023 9:13 am

This has nothing to do with my expectations for what makes us better. The Suns are not going to trade him for "a more appropriate piece." Unlike many on here, they don't feel like they have to get rid of him. They're not going to bank on "addition by subtraction." They will only make a trade if they believe it actually makes the team significantly better.

You do realize all of that is subjective, right?

That's why I said "if they believe."

OK, so don't you see the problem here? You're dismissing these trade ideas on the grounds that they don't make the team better. But that is your opinion, not the Suns. I don't think anyone is trying to make a deal that doesn't make the team significantly better.

INFORMER wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 13, 2023 2:43 pm

OK, so don't you see the problem here? You're dismissing these trade ideas on the grounds that they don't make the team better. But that is your opinion, not the Suns. I don't think anyone is trying to make a deal that doesn't make the team significantly better.

I assumed most of these trade ideas thrown around in the last few days were more about getting rid of Ayton than making the team significantly better. But if someone wants to make the argument that any of these do, then by all means do so. But I doubt these are the types of trades the Suns are looking for.

Earlier today on First Take, Mad Dog Chris Russo gave his top five NBA title contenders for 2024.

1) Warriors
2) Nuggets
3) Bucks
4) Kings
5) Thunder

I couldn't believe he had the Kings and Thunder ahead of the Celtics, Suns, and even a healthy Grizzlies team.

Yeah, the guy is not known for his NBA knowledge. I wouldn't put much stock into anything he has to say about it.

That list is crazy. Other than the Nugs and Bucks I don't see any of the others as strong title contenders.

I know the Bucks have Giannis but I think they may take a step back unless some moves are made. Jrue is still really solid but at 33 he's bound to lose a step sooner than later. Middleton's 31 and already dealing with knee issues, Brook is 35 and a FA and they'll have a rookie head coach. They may have peaked with the title run.

ShelC wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 14, 2023 3:36 am

I know the Bucks have Giannis but I think they may take a step back unless some moves are made. Jrue is still really solid but at 33 he's bound to lose a step sooner than later. Middleton's 31 and already dealing with knee issues, Brook is 35 and a FA and they'll have a rookie head coach. They may have peaked with the title run.

Agreed. I think it's more likely that Giannis requests a trade than it is the Bucks winning another chip.

https://www.nba.com/news/nba-teams-that ... 60be89d7da

NBA teams that have never won a championship
There are now 10 teams awaiting their first championship after the Nuggets claimed the 2022-23 NBA title.


With Kevin Durant in tow for a full season, could 2023-24 be the year for the Suns to end their drought?

Phoenix Suns

Of all the club members, the Suns are probably dealing with the hardest luck, if only because they’ve had a number of very good teams that just couldn’t cash in. Think of the Charles Barkley Suns of the late 1990s who couldn’t overcome Michael Jordan and then Hakeem Olajuwon. And the Steve Nash Suns who were victimized by a Robert Horry hip-check in 2007. And most recently, the Devin Booker Suns, unable to hold a 2-0 lead against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks in 2021. Now they have Durant, a two-time champ, but did he save his best for those Warriors’ teams?

Now they have Durant, a two-time champ, but did he save his best for those Warriors’ teams?

That's what I'm afraid of after giving up the farm for him.

We don't necessarily need prime KD. Even 80% KD is still a top 5-7 player. We have Book to handle that 1A role. KD can ease into that 1B status.

Superbone wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 14, 2023 8:58 am

Now they have Durant, a two-time champ, but did he save his best for those Warriors’ teams?

That's what I'm afraid of after giving up the farm for him.

He's an aging star who has played 137 games across the past 3 seasons. I'm hoping with a good training camp he'll come back with a vengeance next season but, realistically, he is probably on the decline now.

I know Vogel mentioned KD is keen to play in his defensive system but you have to worry how much additional strain that's going to put on his body.

I don't have any concerns about KD personally, I think he's at his best when he doesn't have to be the main scorer, Book showed in the playoffs he's THAT dude now. Depending on how the roster shakes out, they should be able to load manage KD (not that he will want to) and keep him fresh for when it matters.

Ya if we just surround those two with shooters and defenders, probably 1 more playmaker, we should be good if they stay healthy.

I don’t really think we were that far from Denver this year, I keep thinking about how game 2 was just a deflating missed opportunity because we should’ve won that game. Yeah, we weren’t the same when CP went down but we still would’ve won if Durant didn’t play like shit. Win game 2 then it’s a 7 game series, probably would’ve still lost but you never know. Just having one reliable impact player outside of Book and KD would’ve been a night and day differences in that series lol. The fire power that Book and KD bring will kept us in contention as long as they’re healthy, so I’m optimistic about the changes we can make. I understand that it’s a tall task but I don’t think it’s as daunting as some are making it out to be. I’m pretty excited because next week the shoes should start dropping.

I will always believe the Suns were easily the second best team in the West this year and weren't as far behind the Nuggets as the record book will indicate.

Some smoke around John Collins?



And maybe Kuzma? He played under Vogel for 2 seasons in LA and was part of the title team. Known to be a fan of Book

Only way we’re getting Kuz is to Trade DA. We’d need to take back a 2nd quality player. Monte Morris would be an upgrade from payne as a table setter but he doesn’t score in the paint. There’s rumors about Hornets being a trade partner. If we could get Mark Williams + Kuz for DA and maybe a pick- I’d call that a win.

Here would be the way to get Kuzma:

Obviously would need to be a sign and trade, he’d only count as 13 million going out from Washington’s perspective, so they could only acquire salary up to 20.5 million in return. He’d count as his new salary coming to us. We would be hard capped and need to stay under the 1st apron, which would be pretty hard to do if we take on more salary.

Let’s say Ayton is the trade piece. That means Washington would need to send out 25 million in salary(Kuzma would only count for 13, so need 12 more). Gafford makes a lot of sense. But now you’ve got to watch the salary coming back to us. We wouldn’t want to add salary so that would seem to cap Kuzma around 20 million a year.

Kuzma at 20 plus Gafford for Ayton would work, but we’d have to cut salary to stay under the hard cap so it almost definitely means we waive and stretch CP3