Suns updates and discussion for the 2021-22 season

[Mainstreet]

I think it's both. Jalen has shown nothing resembling being a steady enough contributor or rising talent to crack the lineup on a regular basis. If the Suns had even a hint that was possible for Jalen I bet they try and hang on to him.

We agree it's both but the Suns have not given Smith much playing time over 1+ seasons to learn.

Some team will pick him up on the cheap next season and develop him.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I think it's possible that the organization has been positioning itself to sell and that's why Smith and even Ayton didn't get their extensions. But it's probably more likely that this is just the way this organization chooses to do business these days.

JJ believes the way to compete at the highest level is to mostly stay out of the player development business. He isn't the only one that believes you can focus on competing at a high level or you can focus on developing raw players but it's less than ideal to try and do both at the same time. And Smith is still very raw.

 

[Mainstreet]

I think it's possible that the organization has been positioning itself to sell and that's why Smith and even Ayton didn't get their extensions. But it's probably more likely that this is just the way this organization chooses to do business these days.

JJ believes the way to compete at the highest level is to mostly stay out of the player development business. He isn't the only one that believes you can focus on competing at a high level or you can focus on developing raw players but it's less than ideal to try and do both at the same time. And Smith is still very raw.

It's too bad the Suns didn't make the decision before the 2020 draft so they could trade the 10th pick.

 

[AzStevenCal]

It's too bad the Suns didn't make the decision before the 2020 draft so they could trade the 10th pick.

I agree but a lot of things changed for us after that draft that probably helped move them to their current mindset. I'm sure if Jones could go back in time though he'd have drafted someone like Haliburton, Bey or Isaiah Stewart.

 

[Phrazbit]

Ridiculous to not pick up that option. Sarver can’t get out of his own way.

 

[Mainstreet]

I agree but a lot of things changed for us after that draft that probably helped move them to their current mindset. I'm sure if Jones could go back in time though he'd have drafted someone like Haliburton, Bey or Isaiah Stewart.

Drafting a raw player without the intention to develop him is a bad basketball move.

Some prospects drafted later were better play now prospects including the above plus Achiuwa and Vassell.

 

[Cheesebeef]

The Suns have paid big dollars to Paul, Booker, Bridges and hopefully will pay Ayton.

We are going to see more of this.

The Suns will likely not pay Cam Johnson big dollars unless they are projecting Paul coming off the books.

Another reason I didn’t understand the Shamet contract. That ten million per year is vulturing dollars from what Cam should eventually get.

 

[Mainstreet]

Another reason I didn’t understand the Shamet contract. That ten million per year is vulturing dollars from what Cam should eventually get.

Learning more about how the Suns value and are willing to pay players, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Suns trade Cam Johnson as they sink money into core players. The redeeming quality is Paul's contract will be dimiishing and eventually come off the books. This may allow them to keep Cam Johnson.

 

[Finito]

Another reason I didn’t understand the Shamet contract. That ten million per year is vulturing dollars from what Cam should eventually get.

The second that contract was signed I said THATS CAMS MONEY!

I would hate to see him go he’s definitely become one of my favorites

 

[Mainstreet]

I'm sad this will likely be Jalen Smith's last season with the Suns. I think the Suns can only offer something like $4,670,160 in free agency.

IMO, he gets included in a trade.

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[Yuma]

Not that it makes much of a difference for either guy, but Ayton played the 4 in college and we made him a 5. Styx was a 5 that we made into a 4. I still think Ayton is better as a 4, but we don't have a 5 to start for us.

 

[Mainstreet]

Not that it makes much of a difference for either guy, but Ayton played the 4 in college and we made him a 5. Styx was a 5 that we made into a 4. I still think Ayton is better as a 4, but we don't have a 5 to start for us.

I get the irony.

I doubt the Suns are going that way but McGee could start for the Suns at center.

Smith could be a backup 5 and probably better than Kaminisky.

 

[Mainstreet]

Jalen Smith is better than Nader don't you think?

You find the minutes but it's too late now as the Suns are unlikely to be able to keep him in free agency.

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[Raindog]

Because this is a poorly ran organization

Exactly. I find it comical that some people seem to think that just because the Suns caught a bit of lightning in a bottle last year that they are somehow no longer among the more incompetently run franchises in the league. They are and will always continue to be one idiotic Sarver move away from dropping back into oblivion as long as he is the owner here.

 

[Hoop Head]

We don't have a pick this year so declining Stix option makes no sense.

I think the reason they waited to announce Cam's option was picked up is so they could use that to deflect from the Stix news. Hoping people focus on Cam rather than Jalen.

Not a huge loss but if sucks none the less.

 

[Finito]

Jalen Smith is better than Nader don't you think?

You find the minutes but it's too late now as the Suns are unlikely to be able to keep him in free agency.

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I’d much rather see him out there than Nader

 

[Mainstreet]

Exactly. I find it comical that some people seem to think that just because the Suns caught a bit of lightning in a bottle last year that they are somehow no longer among the more incompetently run franchises in the league. They are and will always continue to be one idiotic Sarver move away from dropping back into oblivion as long as he is the owner here.

The Suns franchise was the Valley's first major league professional franchise.

Suns fans are fans of the team not the owner. They are long suffering and worthy. Nothing comical about enjoying some success.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Not that it makes much of a difference for either guy, but Ayton played the 4 in college and we made him a 5. Styx was a 5 that we made into a 4. I still think Ayton is better as a 4, but we don't have a 5 to start for us.

Ayton had a clear position, it was center. But Arizona already had a true center, Ristic, who needed to be on the court but was incapable of playing anywhere other than down low. So Ayton played the 4 but he moved to the 5 when Dusan wasn't in the game.

Stix doesn't really have an NBA position, at least not yet. He doesn't know how to play the 4 position but he lacks the ideal size, length and strength to play the NBA 5 spot.

Right now center might seem to be the best place to play him but that's because of how out of place he's looked at the 4. If he gets with the right team and fills out some, he could end up being a threat at the 4 but if he settles in at the 5, I don't like his chances of becoming a rotation player at this level.

 

[Cheesebeef]

We don't have a pick this year so declining Stix option makes no sense.

I think the reason they waited to announce Cam's option was picked up is so they could use that to deflect from the Stix news. Hoping people focus on Cam rather than Jalen.

Not a huge loss but if sucks none the less.

yeah... not a fan of this move. we basically admitted our 2020 lotto pick is a bust. can only think that hurts his trade value.

 

[Mainstreet]

yeah... not a fan of this move. we basically admitted our 2020 lotto pick is a bust. can only think that hurts his trade value.

I may be completely wrong but I think Jalen Smith is a Christian Wood type player who will achieve success more quickly.

 

[Covert Rain]

We agree it's both but the Suns have not given Smith much playing time over 1+ seasons to learn.

Some team will pick him up on the cheap next season and develop him.

Likely he wasn't showing it in practice. If you have prove it in practice and show the coaches you have what it takes first.

yeah... not a fan of this move. we basically admitted our 2020 lotto pick is a bust. can only think that hurts his trade value.

This. Why tip your hat even if you know it's true?!?!!?!

 

[Mainstreet]

Likely he wasn't showing it in practice. If you have prove it in practice and show the coaches you have what it takes first.

By all accounts Stix has been showing progress and even flashed some of his ability against the Cavaliers.

This. Why tip your hat even if you know it's true?!?!!?!

The Suns didn't want to commit to paying Smith almost $4.5 million next season which is what they would have been obligated to do if they picked up the team option.

 

[Covert Rain]

By all accounts Stix has been showing progress and even flashed some of his ability against the Cavaliers.


The Suns didn't want to commit to paying Smith almost $4.5 million next season which is what they would have been obligated to do if they picked up the team option.

"By all accounts" is a gross exaggeration. None of the preseason reports had him making significant enough progress to crack the lineup on a regular basis. None of the preseason reports I read said anything either about his offseason progress being significant compared to the last couple years. Some of the reports were "hoping" this would be the year for him to step up.

 

[Yuma]

By all accounts Stix has been showing progress and even flashed some of his ability against the Cavaliers.


The Suns didn't want to commit to paying Smith almost $4.5 million next season which is what they would have been obligated to do if they picked up the team option.

I think it's more we picked up Crowder, who we were not expecting, and the Suns will start because of his experience. Plus then we got Chris Paul, which made it more of a reason to play Crowder. Then we started to make a run, so no time to play a rookie.
I can't help but think, if Stix was hitting three's consistently in games, he would get more playing time, and we would have picked up his option.

 

[Mainstreet]

"By all accounts" is a gross exaggeration. None of the preseason reports had him making significant enough progress to crack the lineup on a regular basis. None of the preseason reports I read said anything either about his offseason progress being significant compared to the last couple years. Some of the reports were "hoping" this would be the year for him to step up.

Cracking the rotation is completely different although Smith took Nader's minutes against the Cavaliers.

If you watch him there is a huge improvement from last season, summer league and NOW.

Also there is this.

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