What is the plan?

[Yuma]

The stats scream otherwise. Those of that like him (and that includes me) have to make excuses and exceptions for him, that's the only way he can be called anything other than a horrible player. IIRC, he does grade out as the actual worst offensive player in the game (with minimum minutes). I expect him to get much better but right now, he is truly a horrible player.

That is discounting his defense. I have seen him stop some of the top scorers in the game on individual plays. He provides shot blocking and steals on a team that needs them. So yes his offense is not developed. You do take that because he does play defense and rebound.

 

[1Sun]

It was a much better prospect for both teams that what we're talking about now. That was a rare draft where you could argue for a handful of players as the top pick, that is so NOT the case this year. I think it was 3 first round picks when the Warriors traded Hardaway for Webber and IIRC that was just 2 spots different also.

Doncic and Young were perhaps arguable. Barrett is hands down a better prospect than Morant, just not at a position of need for us.

 

[1Sun]

You can say that after I've repeatedly ripped this draft? Take Zion out of this class and it could be the worst draft of the past few decades. I could be wrong but if I am it has absolutely nothing to do with me overvaluing this draft.

If I'm wrong it's because Jackson has more trade value than the 2nd round pick I suspect he'll return. I think he's worth far more than that to us so if they aren't overly concerned about his off court or locker room issues (if there are any), then I think we'd be fools to get rid of him because I don't believe his trade value is anywhere close to a top 20 pick. Someone will want him but that's because he is expected to be on heavy discount even before this latest incident.

I still see worlds of potential in Jackson so I'd love to be wrong on his value but if he hadn't been a high pick he'd be in the G League or playing overseas. He shows signs of being a very smart basketball player but catch him on the wrong night and he looks like one of the dumbest players ever. And it's not hard to catch him on that night.

Which is why you DON'T trade anything of substance for anyone in this draft OTHER than Zion.

 

[Mainstreet]

Doncic and Young were perhaps arguable. Barrett is hands down a better prospect than Morant, just not at a position of need for us.

If the Suns part with Warren and Jackson, then lose Oubre to free agency, small forward becomes a need in a hurry.

 

[95pro]

If the Suns part with Warren and Jackson, then lose Oubre to free agency, small forward becomes a need in a hurry.

I'm sure they have a plan to not let that happen, another regime allowing what the former GM got fire for to happen again?

We can't be that cursed right?

 

[AzStevenCal]

He has value as an energy guy off the bench and still has upside to get better obviously. Certainly wouldn't want to just dump him at this point.

He can have value as an energy guy and maybe much more than that but we were specifically talking about what he's been so far. And so far he's been horrible with flashes of greatness. I hate the idea of dumping him.

 

[Mainstreet]

I'm sure they have a plan to not let that happen, another regime allowing what the former GM got fire for to happen again?

We can't be that cursed right?

I hope you are right but I do not have a good handle on how James Jones thinks.

Wish he had said something about wanting to keep Oubre. I don't recall any such comment.

 

[hcsilla]

We've discussed something like this many times here, it's not a new idea. If after workouts and everything that goes on during this period we decide he's a future great, I'm all for making a big trade to get him. If we get lucky and draft Zion, I'd be willing to trade any combination of Warren, Jackson, Milwaukee pick and a couple of unprotected picks for him. If we don't get Zion I wouldn't be willing to give away the farm like that but our pick plus the Milwaukee pick and Jackson would be a steal IMO (assuming we really believe in Ja). This isn't the time to hoard draft capital or excess players.

Generally I agree, but even Morant being a future great wouldn't that be a squad with too many scorers?

Zion needs to be the focal point in offense. So does Booker. Morant also seems a number one option. Add Ayton who is much more of a scorer right now than anything else and Oubre who is not a defensive specialist either and you get a team which needs multiple balls to keep everyone happy and a team that easily scores 140 and gets scored on at least as much.

 

[Mainstreet]

@hcsilla

If the Suns land Zion I don't think they need a big name point guard to run the team. A player like Rubio should suffice nicely... someone who can distribute the ball and shoot well enough to keep defense honest.

I do think Oubre is a good defender.

 

[SunnyBaller]

@hcsilla

If the Suns land Zion I don't think they need a big name point guard to run the team. A player like Rubio should suffice nicely... someone who can distribute the ball and shoot well enough to keep defense honest.

I do think Oubre is a good defender.

Rubio is terrible , but yes they wouldnt need a star pg just a competent one

 

[AzStevenCal]

Generally I agree, but even Morant being a future great wouldn't that be a squad with too many scorers?

Zion needs to be the focal point in offense. So does Booker. Morant also seems a number one option. Add Ayton who is much more of a scorer right now than anything else and Oubre who is not a defensive specialist either and you get a team which needs multiple balls to keep everyone happy and a team that easily scores 140 and gets scored on at least as much.

Yeah, very well could be but isn't Morant supposed to be more of a distributor stuck in a situation where they need him to be the primary scorer instead? Anyway, of all the problems to have that might be my first choice. Not that it's not a problem but it should be very fixable.

 

[Mainstreet]

Rubio is terrible , but yes they wouldnt need a star pg just a competent one

I'm using Rubio as an example but I think he could fill the role.

 

[hcsilla]

@hcsilla

If the Suns land Zion I don't think they need a big name point guard to run the team. A player like Rubio should suffice nicely... someone who can distribute the ball and shoot well enough to keep defense honest.

Agreed. Or someone like Brogdon or Smart.

I do think Oubre is a good defender.

Yes, he may be, but at the same time he needs the ball in his hands quite frequently.

 

[slinslin]

I dont want a PG that is a non-shooter and doesnt attack the paint

No Rubio please

 

[Mainstreet]

Agreed. Or someone like Brogdon or Smart.


Yes, he may be, but at the same time he needs the ball in his hands quite frequently.

I agree about Brogdon or Dinwiddie. I'm not sold on Smart.

Oubre makes something happen.

 

[hcsilla]

Yeah, very well could be but isn't Morant supposed to be more of a distributor stuck in a situation where they need him to be the primary scorer instead?

I never heard about that, I always had the impression that he looks like a primary ball handler PG ala Marbury or Arenas.

 

[Yuma]

I never heard about that, I always had the impression that he looks like a primary ball handler PG ala Marbury or Arenas.

I saw the same thing in an article. His team lacked scorers and he was thrust into the role.

 

[1Sun]

I never heard about that, I always had the impression that he looks like a primary ball handler PG ala Marbury or Arenas.

Arenas without the defense is a very good comparison.

 

[Mainstreet]

After the lottery, it's time to reshuffle the deck on what is realistic.

 

[slinslin]

Maybe we could move Tyler Johnsons expiring contract and a combination of TJ Warren, Josh Jackson, Elie Okobo, De'Anthony Melton, 2nd round picks to Atlanta for straight up cap space.

Atlanta is looking at 50M$ capspace that they want to preserve so taking a large expiring like Tyler Johnson while adding a few young pieces without salary commitment or in Warren's case on good affordable deals seem like something they would do.

Then the suns could look at 42M$ capspace enough to sign Durant and a PG or sign three guys like Brogdon, Randle, Hollis-Jefferson while keeping Oubre and Holmes.

 

[boisesuns]

I think since we have a few main pieces, I’d prefer to get established players that fit and have proven themselves in the nba. If we take on more projects, we’ll miss some windows for this team.

 

[1Sun]

I think since we have a few main pieces, I’d prefer to get established players that fit and have proven themselves in the nba. If we take on more projects, we’ll miss some windows for this team.

Bingo.

 

[itlnsunsfan]

I think since we have a few main pieces, I’d prefer to get established players that fit and have proven themselves in the nba. If we take on more projects, we’ll miss some windows for this team.

We will? Every important piece on this team is 23 years old and under.

 

[1Sun]

We will? Every important piece on this team is 23 years old and under.

And without a step-up in team play, they will zone out or ask out, one by one, just like Warren last year.

 

[Yuma]

We just need a guy, PG OR PF that will keep teams from doubling Booker. That was Zion, or an A level veteran NBA player.