2018 Suns Offseason News

[O_Gardino]

Stretch 4's I'm interested in:

Jonas Jerebko* - 41% from 3, Slightly above average advanced defensive stats
Trevor Ariza - 37% from 3, 1.6 stl/36, Good advanced defensive stats
Kyle Anderson - 2.1 stl/36, 1.1 blk/36, great advanced Def stats, potential shooter - 33% from 3 on limited attempts
Luc Mbah a Moute - 36% from 3, 1.7 stl/36, Good advanced D stats

* Utah has a team option

Guys I'm maybe interested in:

Luke Babbitt - just a shooter, 39% from 3
Quincy Acy - Good athlete, can kinda stretch the floor, 35% from 3
Jabari Parker - Can shoot and score, nothing more, 38% from 3
Rudy Gay - Good defensive stats, didn't shoot well, 31% from 3
Aaron Gordon - Most star potential... Pricey
Thad Young - 1.9 stl/36, good advanced D stats, questionable shooter, 32% from 3
M****** B****** - Haha...still, 40% from 3, doesn't defend.
Ersan Ilyasova - ok defensive stats, can shoot, 36% from 3
Nemnja Bjelica - Good D stats, 41% from 3, restricted, duplicates Bender
Jerami Grant - 1.7 blk/36, not a shooter, 29% from 3
Mike Scott - 40% from 3
Anthony Tolliver - 43% from 3
Dante Cunningham - ok defender, ok shooter, 34% from 3

I think Luc Mbah a Moute could be a decent option for us, but only if we send out a couple of forwards in a trade. He's not much of an upgrade from the guys we have.

I like what Rudy Gay would provide if he was 3 years younger. He's done, IMO.

If we want a veteran shooter, we know where we can get one.

[O_Gardino]

Do any of these guys really make a difference for this year? Besides likely needing more than a single year contract and screwing up our cap space next year and the year after? I am not sold on Bender, and have given up on Chriss, but I don't think any of the FAs will do much for us. I am fine looking for a PG and getting rid of 4 of the other 5 we have, but save our cap space instead of wasting it to try and look like you are doing something.

PS--this isn't directed at you Split. Just general comments.

Looking at the lists Split put together, it's pretty obvious that waiting is the best way to improve the team.

[Indy]

Do any of these guys really make a difference for this year? Besides likely needing more than a single year contract and screwing up our cap space next year and the year after? I am not sold on Bender, and have given up on Chriss, but I don't think any of the FAs will do much for us. I am fine looking for a PG and getting rid of 4 of the other 5 we have, but save our cap space instead of wasting it to try and look like you are doing something.

PS--this isn't directed at you Split. Just general comments.

Looking at the lists Split put together, it's pretty obvious that waiting is the best way to improve the team.

Agreed. But will it be enough to keep Booker happy and keep Ryan's job?

PS--I am not concerned about keeping Ryan employed with the Suns, but I am sure he is.

[O_Gardino]

Do any of these guys really make a difference for this year? Besides likely needing more than a single year contract and screwing up our cap space next year and the year after? I am not sold on Bender, and have given up on Chriss, but I don't think any of the FAs will do much for us. I am fine looking for a PG and getting rid of 4 of the other 5 we have, but save our cap space instead of wasting it to try and look like you are doing something.

PS--this isn't directed at you Split. Just general comments.

Looking at the lists Split put together, it's pretty obvious that waiting is the best way to improve the team.

Agreed. But will it be enough to keep Booker happy and keep Ryan's job?

PS--I am not concerned about keeping Ryan employed with the Suns, but I am sure he is.

Fingers crossed for Booker.

[Split T]

Stretch 4's I'm interested in:

Jonas Jerebko* - 41% from 3, Slightly above average advanced defensive stats
Trevor Ariza - 37% from 3, 1.6 stl/36, Good advanced defensive stats
Kyle Anderson - 2.1 stl/36, 1.1 blk/36, great advanced Def stats, potential shooter - 33% from 3 on limited attempts
Luc Mbah a Moute - 36% from 3, 1.7 stl/36, Good advanced D stats

* Utah has a team option

Guys I'm maybe interested in:

Luke Babbitt - just a shooter, 39% from 3
Quincy Acy - Good athlete, can kinda stretch the floor, 35% from 3
Jabari Parker - Can shoot and score, nothing more, 38% from 3
Rudy Gay - Good defensive stats, didn't shoot well, 31% from 3
Aaron Gordon - Most star potential... Pricey
Thad Young - 1.9 stl/36, good advanced D stats, questionable shooter, 32% from 3
M****** B****** - Haha...still, 40% from 3, doesn't defend.
Ersan Ilyasova - ok defensive stats, can shoot, 36% from 3
Nemnja Bjelica - Good D stats, 41% from 3, restricted, duplicates Bender
Jerami Grant - 1.7 blk/36, not a shooter, 29% from 3
Mike Scott - 40% from 3
Anthony Tolliver - 43% from 3
Dante Cunningham - ok defender, ok shooter, 34% from 3

Do any of these guys really make a difference for this year? Besides likely needing more than a single year contract and screwing up our cap space next year and the year after? I am not sold on Bender, and have given up on Chriss, but I don't think any of the FAs will do much for us. I am fine looking for a PG and getting rid of 4 of the other 5 we have, but save our cap space instead of wasting it to try and look like you are doing something.

PS--this isn't directed at you Split. Just general comments.

That's fair, I'm not super excited about this FA class (I'm working on a list of trade options that I'm more excited about) but I think there are some useful pieces. I'd want guys like Mbah a Moute/Ariza on short (2 year) contracts. I think having vets that can actually play (looking at you Dudley) and not just be coaches in uniforms is helpful. A guy like Kyle Anderson is intriguing because he's young, he's had great exposure playing for Pop in SA and just does a lot of valuable things. I'd want him to develop a better 3 point shot as he was just ok, but he really didn't shoot much. His numbers on long 2's is pretty high so I think he's capable. But I think he can be a solid role player moving forward.

Two other guys that could potentially move the needle :
Aaron Gordon does have some star potential. I lean towards not going after him but there is some stuff to like. I thought he'd be a better defender than he is, but I think he still has potential there. His efficiency numbers aren't great, but his catch and shoot % is actually pretty high...his issues come from having to create his own shot too much, which he was awful at. I think he'd be quite a bit better with guys like Ayton, Booker, Jackson, and Bridges.

Parker is the other guy, but I'm less interested in him. He's got a lot of offensive potential, but in his own words, he sucks at defense because he's lazy. Health is a big question mark as well.

[Split T]

Been working on my free agent targets for us, here's my thoughts:

Ball handlers I'm interested in:

Will Barton - 37% from 3, 4.4 ast per 36, 2.3 A/TO ratio
Tyreke Evans - 40% from 3, 6.0 ast per 36, 2.3 A/TO ratio
Fred Van Vleet - 41% from 3, 5.8 ast per 36, 3.2 A/TO ratio

Ball handlers I might be interested in:

Rondo - 3.6 A/TO ratio, improved shooter, good when motivated
Zach Lavine - Can shoot, create his own shot, athlete, gonna cost too much in restricted FA though
Avery Bradley - Boston version is a yes, Pistons version is a no
Marcus Smart - Defense could talk me into him at right price

Guys I considered but are no's:

Dante Exum - Project, can't shoot
Devin Harris - What does he improve on Knight?
Jarret Jack - Old, can't shoot
Pat McCaw - Project, can't shoot
Rodney Hood - doesn't pass or defend

I'll do another post with my stretch 4 candidates

I like Tyreke for the right price, but he's not really a point guard. He'll probably get more than I would offer. I like Zach LaVine too, but we really don't need more wings.

Van Vleet is ok, but I would rather be patient.

We know where we can get a veteran if we need one.

He may not be a PG, but I'm willing to play pg by committee. Jackson, Booker, Knight, and whoever we pick as our backup PG can all run the offense to an extent. I think we need 1 more guy, ideally they'd be a more traditional pg, but as long as they can initiate offense, and take care of the ball, I'm not going to be too picky.

[Xylus]

As if I need another reason to not visit BSOTS. Bleh.

https://twitter.com/Espo/status/1012417264052629504

[specialsauce]

For the love of God ignore these fake twitter posts.

Half the fun of free agency is getting worked up over "sources"

It’s a fake analyst citing his sources. It’s completely bogus. Can we as a group have a little higher standards and only flood the board with analysts that are at least somewhat known?

[Xylus]

For the love of God ignore these fake twitter posts.

Half the fun of free agency is getting worked up over "sources"

It’s a fake analyst citing his sources. It’s completely bogus. Can we as a group have a little higher standards and only flood the board with analysts that are at least somewhat known?

Nah.

[Superbone]

Come on, Split. You're seriously, maybe interested in Michael Freakin' B*****y?

No, not really. I'm interested in him in theory based on what he can do on a basketball court and I do think we have an unfair opinion of him because he was so awful here. His numbers before and after his stint here are significantly better. But we went down that road before and I don't think he's the type of personality we want on this roster.

Yeah, that's where I'm at with him.

[Superbone]

Do any of these guys really make a difference for this year? Besides likely needing more than a single year contract and screwing up our cap space next year and the year after? I am not sold on Bender, and have given up on Chriss, but I don't think any of the FAs will do much for us. I am fine looking for a PG and getting rid of 4 of the other 5 we have, but save our cap space instead of wasting it to try and look like you are doing something.

PS--this isn't directed at you Split. Just general comments.

Looking at the lists Split put together, it's pretty obvious that waiting is the best way to improve the team.

Agreed. But will it be enough to keep Booker happy and keep Ryan's job?

PS--I am not concerned about keeping Ryan employed with the Suns, but I am sure he is.

That's the question, isn't it? I'd have to imagine we're bringing in at least one free agent or one trade is happening. My big question is at PG. Can we really roll with what we've got and keep Booker happy? Probably not unless Knight really surprises.

[Superbone]

Parker is the other guy, but I'm less interested in him. He's got a lot of offensive potential, but in his own words, he sucks at defense because he's lazy. Health is a big question mark as well.

Wait. He said that?

[Superbone]

As if I need another reason to not visit BSOTS. Bleh.

https://twitter.com/Espo/status/1012417264052629504

I'll give him a break. And I'm not talking about a piece of my Kit Kat bar.

[Superbone]

https://twitter.com/Gambo987/status/1012399252352274432 https://twitter.com/Gambo987/status/1012428081917657088

[Split T]

Parker is the other guy, but I'm less interested in him. He's got a lot of offensive potential, but in his own words, he sucks at defense because he's lazy. Health is a big question mark as well.

Wait. He said that?

Not exactly, but someone asked him what it takes to be a good defender and he said it just takes effort. Connecting the dots and it sounds like he's a bad defender because he doesn't put in the effort... Although maybe he thinks he's a good defender.

[ShelC]

Thaddeus Young opted in and won't be a FA this summer.

[Split T]

Thaddeus Young opted in and won't be a FA this summer.

Indy would have to get creative to sign Gordon to an offer sheet now.

[TOO]

Which means Gordon watch 2018 is back on for us... Boo.

[carey]

It's going to happen. Make your peace with it now.

[Superbone]

It's going to happen. Make your peace with it now.

I'm ready for pretty much anything. I hope we don't go crazy though. A little excitement this year would be cool but I hope we don't hurt our future.