Offseason Lowdown part 11 – Phoenix Suns

This topic contains 12 replies, has 6 voices, and was last updated by OhCanada- 10 years ago.

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Posted on: Tue, 06/14/2016 - 10:45am #64209

Kingslayer
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2015/2016 record: 23-59 *Contract values courtesy of Spotrac.
Roster (16/17 salary): Bledsoe ($14.0 mil), Knight ($12.6 mil), Chandler ($12.4 mil), Tucker ($5.3 mil), Len ($4.8 mil), Booker ($2.2 mil), Warren ($2.1 mil), Goodwin ($2.1 mil). TOTAL =~ $55.5 million
Notable FA’s & Contract options: Teletovic (UFA, $6.6mil hold), Leuer (UFA 2.0mil hold), Jenkins (TO, $1.1mil), Price (UFA),
R1 Draft picks (16/17 salary): 4^th, 13^th, 28^th ($7.7 million)
Total Cap Commitment: = $55.5 + $7.7 = $63.2 million. $28.8 million in projected cap space

Backcourt: As tempting as some of the top guard prospects may be at pick #4 in the draft, the Suns backcourt is set for the future. Bledsoe, Knight and Booker all have at least 3 years remaining on their contracts. It’s unlikely they could get equal value in a trade of Bledsoe or Knight since they’re coming off injuries. Even if they do trade one of them, which I consider unlikely, the starting backourt would still be set with the remaining PG and Booker. However, the Suns could definitely use a versatile wing for depth. Booker is more of a pure 2, Warren a 3, and Tucker a 3/small 4. I could definitely see them targeting Korkmaz or especially Luwawu with the 13th pick to add some size, skills, athleticism and versatility to the wing. Goodwin & Jenkins will provide depth at guard.
Frontcourt: Len & Chandler will be given another year to see how they co-exist before the team decides if it has to trade Tyson or let Len go as an RFA. I’m pretty skeptical that they can share the court together successfully. Without a PF on the roster, Bender is the favorite to be their pick at #4, although don’t count out Jaylen Brown or even Chriss with all the hype he’s getting. Warren and Tucker are a decent SF tandem, but they will need to acquire multiple PF’s. They could use the 13th pick on a PF even if they take Bender or Chriss at 4. However, it’s likely they sign a vet or 2 to pair with either of those young rookies. They could bring back Teletovic/Leuer or target other floor-spacing 4’s on the market. With 3 first round picks in a draft full of good international players, I bet the 28th pick is used to draft and stash.
Outlook: Booker was an absolute steal in the back part of the lottery last year, and Phoenix has some other nice pieces already in place. They’re a very young team, but have a nice mix of quality vets on (mostly) reasonable contracts. With such a clear need at PF, it’s not hard to see the core of this team taking shape for the future: Bledsoe, Knight, Booker, Chandler or Len, Bender or Chriss, Warren. With more luck staying healthy, they could compete for a low playoff seed as soon as next season.

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Posted on: Tue, 06/14/2016 - 11:05am #1073286

Kingslayer
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I forgot to add that it looks like they will bring over Bogdan Bogdanovic for next season, who should be able to provide the depth at both wing positions that I mentioned above. They could use the 13th pick to trade up with Boston if they really like Bender, or they could try to trade up from 13 using their late 1st-round pick and other assets. Doubling up on power forwards with 4 and 13 remains a legit possibility as well.
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Posted on: Tue, 06/14/2016 - 11:05am #1073400

Kingslayer
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I forgot to add that it looks like they will bring over Bogdan Bogdanovic for next season, who should be able to provide the depth at both wing positions that I mentioned above. They could use the 13th pick to trade up with Boston if they really like Bender, or they could try to trade up from 13 using their late 1st-round pick and other assets. Doubling up on power forwards with 4 and 13 remains a legit possibility as well.
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Posted on: Tue, 06/14/2016 - 2:31pm #1073450

mercyman25
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I couldn’t have put it any better! Realism and optimism both covered. Thanks for not saying that the Suns need Love, don’t need him. Stay the course build a great young core, wins will come soon enough.
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Posted on: Tue, 06/14/2016 - 2:31pm #1073336

mercyman25
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I couldn’t have put it any better! Realism and optimism both covered. Thanks for not saying that the Suns need Love, don’t need him. Stay the course build a great young core, wins will come soon enough.
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Posted on: Tue, 06/14/2016 - 5:09pm #1073480

Chilbert arenas
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I could see them spending on Harrison Barnes, and as a Suns fan I don’t think it’s a bad idea. I’ve never been a huge fan of HB but he can play the 3 and the 4 and those are the two biggest needs for the Suns and he won’t be required to create for others or himself. He will also provide much needed perimeter defense.
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Posted on: Tue, 06/14/2016 - 5:09pm #1073365

Chilbert arenas
Participant
I could see them spending on Harrison Barnes, and as a Suns fan I don’t think it’s a bad idea. I’ve never been a huge fan of HB but he can play the 3 and the 4 and those are the two biggest needs for the Suns and he won’t be required to create for others or himself. He will also provide much needed perimeter defense.
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Posted on: Tue, 06/14/2016 - 5:11pm #1073482

The Scare Crow Rises
Participant
I happen to like Bledsoe and Knight more than most, together that’s one hell of a PG combo
Booker IMO, will be a Top 5 Sg by the time his rookie deal is up, he’s already close enough to warrant them building around him going forward…
I feel like one of the 1st to point out Marquesse Chriss’ Top 5 potential , I see some flashes of young Amare when I watch his scouting breakdown, why not take a swing for the fences and draft him 4th OR make a trade with the Team that takes him later (although I gotta believe they’ll be a team willing to snatch him up in the Top 7, why risk it?)
I just absolutely live the Idea of Bledsoe-Booker-Chriss going forward with Knight as 6th man
If I’m Phoenix’s GM, why not make a huge offer to SF Harrison Barnes, if only to force Golden State’s hand in free agency, they are division rivals, this is War!
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Posted on: Tue, 06/14/2016 - 5:11pm #1073367

The Scare Crow Rises
Participant
I happen to like Bledsoe and Knight more than most, together that’s one hell of a PG combo
Booker IMO, will be a Top 5 Sg by the time his rookie deal is up, he’s already close enough to warrant them building around him going forward…
I feel like one of the 1st to point out Marquesse Chriss’ Top 5 potential , I see some flashes of young Amare when I watch his scouting breakdown, why not take a swing for the fences and draft him 4th OR make a trade with the Team that takes him later (although I gotta believe they’ll be a team willing to snatch him up in the Top 7, why risk it?)
I just absolutely live the Idea of Bledsoe-Booker-Chriss going forward with Knight as 6th man
If I’m Phoenix’s GM, why not make a huge offer to SF Harrison Barnes, if only to force Golden State’s hand in free agency, they are division rivals, this is War!
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- Posted on: Tue, 06/14/2016 - 7:59pm #1073502
  
  nath09
  Participant
  I think they swing for the fences to and although the hype has quietened down over the last week or so I think the big risk they take is Thon Maker at 13. Could be crazy but I just think he’s the one someone takes a flyer on and with 2 lottery picks and two big bodies in Chandler and Len to help with the physical side of things it very well could be the Suns.
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- Posted on: Tue, 06/14/2016 - 7:59pm #1073387
  
  nath09
  Participant
  I think they swing for the fences to and although the hype has quietened down over the last week or so I think the big risk they take is Thon Maker at 13. Could be crazy but I just think he’s the one someone takes a flyer on and with 2 lottery picks and two big bodies in Chandler and Len to help with the physical side of things it very well could be the Suns.
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  - Posted on: Wed, 06/15/2016 - 12:51pm #1073703
    
    OhCanada-
    Participant
    I think with thier 3 1st round picks they will draft one player to add to next year’s roster one player for the D-League and one player to stash. At 13 I see them potentially reaching for Zhou.
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  - Posted on: Wed, 06/15/2016 - 12:51pm #1073589
    
    OhCanada-
    Participant
    I think with thier 3 1st round picks they will draft one player to add to next year’s roster one player for the D-League and one player to stash. At 13 I see them potentially reaching for Zhou.
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