Suns News: The Offseason (2016)

[Indy]

I don't see him as the type to make a lot of noise on the bench.

Doesn't seem that way from his quotes. Do we really want another guy causing issues? Have we not learned out lesson?

Well, if there is any inkling that he's a troublemaker, ship him! Unfortunately, I get the feeling that McD doesn't share my opinion.

If you wait until he is making trouble, it just devalues him more (see Dragic, Keef).

Hey, I don't mind shipping him already. We NEED to feature Booker. However, I still contend that he won't be a trouble maker and I think Watson can keep him reigned in.

Then can you explain his comments?

[Superbone]

I don't see him as the type to make a lot of noise on the bench.

Doesn't seem that way from his quotes. Do we really want another guy causing issues? Have we not learned out lesson?

If you wait until he is making trouble, it just devalues him more (see Dragic, Keef).

Hey, I don't mind shipping him already. We NEED to feature Booker. However, I still contend that he won't be a trouble maker and I think Watson can keep him reigned in.

Then can you explain his comments?

Sure. Like any competitor, he wants to keep his position and remain a starter. These guys are used to being the best player at all levels as they come up through the system. They have high opinions of themselves. But that doesn't guarantee he's going to make a stink if demoted. Sure, I expect him to be upset and disappointed but my impression is that he is a high character guy and wouldn't behave like that. Watson will let everybody involved know that nothing is set and it's a competition. No starting spot is guaranteed. You have to show in training camp and beyond that you're the right choice to start on this team. Even then it is about the team and not the individuals. If Watson believes that Knight coming off the bench is what is best for the team, then Knight needs to accept it.

[Indy]

If Watson believes that Knight coming off the bench is what is best for the team, then Knight needs to accept it.

I love your optimism, Bone.

[ShelC]

If Watson believes that Knight coming off the bench is what is best for the team, then Knight needs to accept it.

Or:

1) Knight bitches and complains and the FO trades him, which could be a good trade if a team wants him or a bad trade if the FO dumps him to avoid a situation like this past season. Knight could have leverage here. Suns could hold strong and waste another season on a pouting players while waiting for the right deal.

2) Knight outplays Bledsoe and Bledsoe is brought off the bench. We're always talking about Knight being the one to be the 6th man. But what if Bledsoe, coming off another knee injury, is outplayed in training camp and Watson wants to start Knight and Booker? How does Bledsoe react?

3) Knight outplays Bledsoe but Bledsoe starts. Watson signed with Klutch Sports in February. #justsaying

4) Bledsoe and Knight start, Booker off the bench. Not the ideal scenario but probably most likely if everyone's healthy. Obviously we'd want Booker to start and bring him along. This could stunt his growth; or he gets his minutes, helps close out games, maybe has success as a SF for stretches.

It's not unheard of for a player who wants to start, to not make any noise about playing as a sub. or not at all...if the team is winning. DLee was out of the rotation but was a good soldier because the team was winning. Same with Iguodala. Are we contending? Would Knight or Bledsoe be OK coming off the bench if we're losing games?

[Superbone]

Great post, Shel. You are right that there are a myriad of possible outcomes. It will be interesting to see how it plays out. I think we're all a little gun shy after the Markieff experience.

[INFORMER]

And let's be real - if we bottomed out next year, you'd flame the FO. If we try and fail to make the playoffs, you'll flame the FO. If we make it but only end up with the seventh seed, apparently, you'll still flame the FO. Even if we ended up with home court advantage, my feeling is, you'll still flame the FO, saying they got lucky, stumbled into this and that, saying it will all come crumbling down. I'm just getting tired of all this. I guess if my work were more enjoyable, I wouldn't keep responding.

That's a ridiculous post OE. You've been around too long to try to minimize the opposing point of view as baseless flaming.

[Shabazz]

If Watson believes that Knight coming off the bench is what is best for the team, then Knight needs to accept it.

Or:

1) Knight bitches and complains and the FO trades him, which could be a good trade if a team wants him or a bad trade if the FO dumps him to avoid a situation like this past season. Knight could have leverage here. Suns could hold strong and waste another season on a pouting players while waiting for the right deal.

2) Knight outplays Bledsoe and Bledsoe is brought off the bench. We're always talking about Knight being the one to be the 6th man. But what if Bledsoe, coming off another knee injury, is outplayed in training camp and Watson wants to start Knight and Booker? How does Bledsoe react?

3) Knight outplays Bledsoe but Bledsoe starts. Watson signed with Klutch Sports in February. #justsaying

4) Bledsoe and Knight start, Booker off the bench. Not the ideal scenario but probably most likely if everyone's healthy. Obviously we'd want Booker to start and bring him along. This could stunt his growth; or he gets his minutes, helps close out games, maybe has success as a SF for stretches.

It's not unheard of for a player who wants to start, to not make any noise about playing as a sub. or not at all...if the team is winning. DLee was out of the rotation but was a good soldier because the team was winning. Same with Iguodala. Are we contending? Would Knight or Bledsoe be OK coming off the bench if we're losing games?

I think Booker playing the 3 in a pinch is fine... just not if Booker and Knight are the 1 and 2. He'll never see the ball.

[Nodack]

I think Booker has proved to be the smartest guy on the team already. I think he is a starter from now on. Knight and Mirza can come off the bench as our dueling six men. When or if Bledsoe gets injured Knight can start. I think Knight can be shopped.

[Superbone]

http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/n ... /83267504/

Speaking at azcentral sports’ Valley sports bosses panel, Sarver called the recently concluded 23-59 season "a wreck” and acknowledged that the Suns are in “a little bit of a rebuilding process” that they will do by the draft and free agency.

“You’re either close to the top or getting assets to raise up,” Sarver said of the NBA. “What we want to stay away from is being in the middle for an extended period of time.”

Lots of good stuff in the article. I encourage you to read it. Some highlights:

Sarver said worrying about other people’s money more than his own in the banking industry translated well to being the Suns’ managing partner for the past 12 years. “You’re managing an asset that is so important to them (fans),” Sarver said. “You don’t want to let them down.”

Sarver shared a story about when he pulled up to Monday’s event at Sheraton Grand Phoenix. A hotel valet said to him, “You kind of look like that guy that owns the Suns. That must really piss you off.”

When Sarver formed the ownership group that bought the Suns in 2004, he said he asked previous managing partner Jerry Colangelo what the difference was with the Lakers to have so many championships. “21 feet,” Colangelo responded. “Wilt, Kareem, Shaq.”

[Mori Chu]

Sarver shared a story about when he pulled up to Monday’s event at Sheraton Grand Phoenix. A hotel valet said to him, “You kind of look like that guy that owns the Suns. That must really piss you off.”

LOL.

[ShelC]

“You’re either close to the top or getting assets to raise up,” Sarver said of the NBA. “What we want to stay away from is being in the middle for an extended period of time.”

It's been like 6 years of being in the middle, at best.

[Superbone]

“You’re either close to the top or getting assets to raise up,” Sarver said of the NBA. “What we want to stay away from is being in the middle for an extended period of time.”

It's been like 6 years of being in the middle, at best.

Not this year. I think he's acknowledging that we don't want to be in the middle. Either up in the playoffs or down at the bottom(top?) of the lottery.

[Danimal]

If Watson believes that Knight coming off the bench is what is best for the team, then Knight needs to accept it.

Or:

1) Knight bitches and complains and the FO trades him, which could be a good trade if a team wants him or a bad trade if the FO dumps him to avoid a situation like this past season. Knight could have leverage here. Suns could hold strong and waste another season on a pouting players while waiting for the right deal.

2) Knight outplays Bledsoe and Bledsoe is brought off the bench. We're always talking about Knight being the one to be the 6th man. But what if Bledsoe, coming off another knee injury, is outplayed in training camp and Watson wants to start Knight and Booker? How does Bledsoe react?

3) Knight outplays Bledsoe but Bledsoe starts. Watson signed with Klutch Sports in February. #justsaying

4) Bledsoe and Knight start, Booker off the bench. Not the ideal scenario but probably most likely if everyone's healthy. Obviously we'd want Booker to start and bring him along. This could stunt his growth; or he gets his minutes, helps close out games, maybe has success as a SF for stretches.

It's not unheard of for a player who wants to start, to not make any noise about playing as a sub. or not at all...if the team is winning. DLee was out of the rotation but was a good soldier because the team was winning. Same with Iguodala. Are we contending? Would Knight or Bledsoe be OK coming off the bench if we're losing games?

Judging by Watsons recent interview I imagine Knight still starts and by his logic it will make Booker a better player knowing he has to improve and compete to get that starting spot. I also hope part of this talk is also to maintain knights trade value. The hope for me would be that knight's numbers are padded and we can try and sell high on him next season. The obvious downside is we have to endure half a season more of knight. Watson spoke about the need for people to move the ball more and these comments seemed focused more on knight.
I get nervous about knight being made 6th man straight away due to it being potential markieff situation. And i already view moving him as addition by subtraction. Maybe look to move him and Goodwin for Sacramento's pick (Sabonis), Caully stein (Chandler replacement) and Mclemore (bench scorer). That would fill a few gaps - sorry couldn't help myself with the early trade scenario but man there is so much interesting stuff we could do on draft night. Join me in this excitement Indy!!

[carey]

If Knight starts over Booker I'm out. That's beyond dumb. I'm not interested in recouping value right now. I'm interested in building a cohesive team.

[Danimal]

indeed but it just feels like something current management would do

Would do you think would trade for knight? I can only think of teams desperate to try and move up quickly. Hence why I mentioned the Kings. They seem to stink at drafting and seem to value acquiring known talent over chemistry.
The Hornets seem to follow a similar path but already have Lin off the bench.
The knicks if they decide they are in a rush to get back in the playoffs

I just cant think of that many teams who would want him

[carey]

The Knicks are an interesting landing spot for him though I always thought they would be getting Derrick Rose sometime soon.

[Mori Chu]

I don't think we need to start Knight to "raise his trade value" to get him out. Bench him and use him as a microwave off the bench. If he's great in that role, some team will want him. His contract isn't that obscene under the upcoming CBA.

[Indy]

I don't think we need to start Knight to "raise his trade value" to get him out. Bench him and use him as a microwave off the bench. If he's great in that role, some team will want him. His contract isn't that obscene under the upcoming CBA.

14 million for 4 years for a guy that is best suited to come off the bench, give up +60% FG in the paint, and hit a bunch of threes a third of the time he plays? If that's not obscene, I'm not sure what is. Maybe starting him...

[Indy]

If Watson believes that Knight coming off the bench is what is best for the team, then Knight needs to accept it.

Or:

1) Knight bitches and complains and the FO trades him, which could be a good trade if a team wants him or a bad trade if the FO dumps him to avoid a situation like this past season. Knight could have leverage here. Suns could hold strong and waste another season on a pouting players while waiting for the right deal.

2) Knight outplays Bledsoe and Bledsoe is brought off the bench. We're always talking about Knight being the one to be the 6th man. But what if Bledsoe, coming off another knee injury, is outplayed in training camp and Watson wants to start Knight and Booker? How does Bledsoe react?

3) Knight outplays Bledsoe but Bledsoe starts. Watson signed with Klutch Sports in February. #justsaying

4) Bledsoe and Knight start, Booker off the bench. Not the ideal scenario but probably most likely if everyone's healthy. Obviously we'd want Booker to start and bring him along. This could stunt his growth; or he gets his minutes, helps close out games, maybe has success as a SF for stretches.

It's not unheard of for a player who wants to start, to not make any noise about playing as a sub. or not at all...if the team is winning. DLee was out of the rotation but was a good soldier because the team was winning. Same with Iguodala. Are we contending? Would Knight or Bledsoe be OK coming off the bench if we're losing games?

Judging by Watsons recent interview I imagine Knight still starts and by his logic it will make Booker a better player knowing he has to improve and compete to get that starting spot. I also hope part of this talk is also to maintain knights trade value. The hope for me would be that knight's numbers are padded and we can try and sell high on him next season. The obvious downside is we have to endure half a season more of knight. Watson spoke about the need for people to move the ball more and these comments seemed focused more on knight.
I get nervous about knight being made 6th man straight away due to it being potential markieff situation. And i already view moving him as addition by subtraction. Maybe look to move him and Goodwin for Sacramento's pick (Sabonis), Caully stein (Chandler replacement) and Mclemore (bench scorer). That would fill a few gaps - sorry couldn't help myself with the early trade scenario but man there is so much interesting stuff we could do on draft night. Join me in this excitement Indy!!

You're excited?!?! Feel my nipples!!!

[Ring_Wanted]

I don't think we need to start Knight to "raise his trade value" to get him out. Bench him and use him as a microwave off the bench. If he's great in that role, some team will want him. His contract isn't that obscene under the upcoming CBA.

14 million for 4 years for a guy that is best suited to come off the bench, give up +60% FG in the paint, and hit a bunch of threes a third of the time he plays? If that's not obscene, I'm not sure what is. Maybe starting him...

https://twitter.com/TommyBeer/status/723590129164685312 I'm just saying.