Phx-Suns.Net

Gladiator wrote:I think Durant's keen to get the whole free agent experience, where he's courted by multiple teams. It is tough to get a read on what he'll decide though

Ring_Wanted wrote:Also reading that Sergio Rodríguez is going to be back in the NBA. Supposedly signing with an undisclosed western conference team.

Major addition for any second unit.

carey wrote: I expect a big time resurgence and bounce-back year from him in Orlando because he will immediately be their best front court player (though I'm a Vucevic fan his offense is limited.)

ShelC wrote:

I wonder if he's upset that they got rid of Ibaka. Were they good friends? I love that trade for OKC, but if Ibaka was his good friend, I could see him being upset at trading him for some rookie forward and other assets.

On Sportscenter at least, they were saying he wasn't pushing for an Ibaka trade but was OK with it and the FO wouldn't have made the deal had they felt it would have negatively impacted their chances of re-signing Durant. In fact, it may help their chances because Ibaka was a little unhappy with his role, especially with the emergence of Adams. Thunder felt good enough with Adams going forward that Ibaka became a bit more expendable, also wasn't the same player he was 3 years ago.

INFORMER wrote:

carey wrote: I expect a big time resurgence and bounce-back year from him in Orlando because he will immediately be their best front court player (though I'm a Vucevic fan his offense is limited.)

Well first, I have no idea how Vucevic's offense is "limited." The guy averaged 18 ppg last season. Secondly, with Aaron Gordon blossoming, Ibaka may easily be the 3rd best player in that frontcourt.

carey wrote:

Ring_Wanted wrote:Also reading that Sergio Rodríguez is going to be back in the NBA. Supposedly signing with an undisclosed western conference team.

Major addition for any second unit.

Pick said the Nets are the favorite to land him. He's 30 now. Seems like a weird move.

INFORMER wrote:

ShelC wrote:

I wonder if he's upset that they got rid of Ibaka. Were they good friends? I love that trade for OKC, but if Ibaka was his good friend, I could see him being upset at trading him for some rookie forward and other assets.

On Sportscenter at least, they were saying he wasn't pushing for an Ibaka trade but was OK with it and the FO wouldn't have made the deal had they felt it would have negatively impacted their chances of re-signing Durant. In fact, it may help their chances because Ibaka was a little unhappy with his role, especially with the emergence of Adams. Thunder felt good enough with Adams going forward that Ibaka became a bit more expendable, also wasn't the same player he was 3 years ago.

I'm still undecided on that trade. I have no problem with them moving Ibaka, and in a vacuum, I love what they got for him, but I'm not sure I like how those pieces fit their team. I'm not crazy about combining Oladipo and Westbrook in the same backcourt (very similar players) and I don't particularly like the pairing of Sabonis and Adams.

Ring_Wanted wrote:

INFORMER wrote:

ShelC wrote:

I wonder if he's upset that they got rid of Ibaka. Were they good friends? I love that trade for OKC, but if Ibaka was his good friend, I could see him being upset at trading him for some rookie forward and other assets.

On Sportscenter at least, they were saying he wasn't pushing for an Ibaka trade but was OK with it and the FO wouldn't have made the deal had they felt it would have negatively impacted their chances of re-signing Durant. In fact, it may help their chances because Ibaka was a little unhappy with his role, especially with the emergence of Adams. Thunder felt good enough with Adams going forward that Ibaka became a bit more expendable, also wasn't the same player he was 3 years ago.

I'm still undecided on that trade. I have no problem with them moving Ibaka, and in a vacuum, I love what they got for him, but I'm not sure I like how those pieces fit their team. I'm not crazy about combining Oladipo and Westbrook in the same backcourt (very similar players) and I don't particularly like the pairing of Sabonis and Adams.

Maybe Dipo will play 6th man. Orlando played their best basketball last season that way, and surrounding Westbrook and Durant you need defense but also reliable shooting. At least Presti doesn't need to resign Waiters now.

INFORMER wrote:

ShelC wrote:

I wonder if he's upset that they got rid of Ibaka. Were they good friends? I love that trade for OKC, but if Ibaka was his good friend, I could see him being upset at trading him for some rookie forward and other assets.

On Sportscenter at least, they were saying he wasn't pushing for an Ibaka trade but was OK with it and the FO wouldn't have made the deal had they felt it would have negatively impacted their chances of re-signing Durant. In fact, it may help their chances because Ibaka was a little unhappy with his role, especially with the emergence of Adams. Thunder felt good enough with Adams going forward that Ibaka became a bit more expendable, also wasn't the same player he was 3 years ago.

I'm still undecided on that trade. I have no problem with them moving Ibaka, and in a vacuum, I love what they got for him, but I'm not sure I like how those pieces fit their team. I'm not crazy about combining Oladipo and Westbrook in the same backcourt (very similar players) and I don't particularly like the pairing of Sabonis and Adams.

Marty [Mori Chu] wrote:I hear he's got a bit of African in him.

</sarcasm>

Marty [Mori Chu] wrote:

Split T wrote:What are everyone's free agency predictions? Are we expecting any big moves? Horford, Whiteside, Derozan, Batum, Gasol, and Howard seem like the big names that could move.

I think Whiteside to the Knicks could be fun. I'd like to see the warriors bring in Joakim Noah, that could be really fun if he's healthy.

I'm worried that we will make some move that brings in talent but makes no sense in the big picture, like bringing in a vet who will get us a few wins but will take minutes from our young guys and make our pick worse. Gasol or Horford are examples of guys like that.

O_Gardino wrote:

Marty [Mori Chu] wrote:

Split T wrote:What are everyone's free agency predictions? Are we expecting any big moves? Horford, Whiteside, Derozan, Batum, Gasol, and Howard seem like the big names that could move.

I think Whiteside to the Knicks could be fun. I'd like to see the warriors bring in Joakim Noah, that could be really fun if he's healthy.

I'm worried that we will make some move that brings in talent but makes no sense in the big picture, like bringing in a vet who will get us a few wins but will take minutes from our young guys and make our pick worse. Gasol or Horford are examples of guys like that.

I skimmed overt this post when you first made it. Horford is 30 and will likely get a long max contract. Gasol is 36 and will want to play for a contender.

But, damn. Now all I can think is that Gasol might be the perfect vert to come in a teach the new kids. He is one of the best passing bigs of his generation (something Bender is ready to learn), and he is a balanced player. Knows how to play at the rim and also knows how to shoot. Good rebounder. Good team defender. And maybe ready to come to a team with a great training staff for some reduced minutes. Somebody tell him he's old and needs to start the final phase of his career, please!

Superbone wrote:

O_Gardino wrote:

Marty [Mori Chu] wrote:

Split T wrote:What are everyone's free agency predictions? Are we expecting any big moves? Horford, Whiteside, Derozan, Batum, Gasol, and Howard seem like the big names that could move.

I think Whiteside to the Knicks could be fun. I'd like to see the warriors bring in Joakim Noah, that could be really fun if he's healthy.

I'm worried that we will make some move that brings in talent but makes no sense in the big picture, like bringing in a vet who will get us a few wins but will take minutes from our young guys and make our pick worse. Gasol or Horford are examples of guys like that.

I skimmed overt this post when you first made it. Horford is 30 and will likely get a long max contract. Gasol is 36 and will want to play for a contender.

But, damn. Now all I can think is that Gasol might be the perfect vert to come in a teach the new kids. He is one of the best passing bigs of his generation (something Bender is ready to learn), and he is a balanced player. Knows how to play at the rim and also knows how to shoot. Good rebounder. Good team defender. And maybe ready to come to a team with a great training staff for some reduced minutes. Somebody tell him he's old and needs to start the final phase of his career, please!

That sounds good but I don't think we're what he's looking for. I'd think he'd want to be in the mix near the top of the playoffs.