Oso or Maluach

[Mainstreet]

My recollection is that when Williams was out for periods of time last year and they were mostly relying on Oso as the main big man, the Suns record considerably went south. Am I misremembering that?

I would guess that perhaps the reason that the per minute defensive numbers for Oso being on the court were better is that when he was getting most of his minutes was when Williams was out, and when Oso was off the court during those games, Ott was running small ball lineups, which were getting eaten up defensively. So naturally they looked better defensively when he was playing then vs. when he wasn't.

I glanced at the regular season stats. It went something like this:

Mark Williams: 34-26
Oso Ighodaro 11-13
Khaman Maluach 1-0

 

[Yuma]

It's not about having 3 solid Centers, it's about having 2 healthy bigs who don't hold back our other starters and rotation players. We're also entering the season without a legit starter, how many playoff teams do that? I want the best for Maluach but throwing him in the deep end is asking a lot right now. If for some reason he or Oso misses any time then we're screwed because it's not about having more than 3 C's, we only have 2 healthy and neither has started on a winning team at this level. We don't even have a good small ball C to lean on as Bridges, Fleming, and Koa are all tweener forwards more than 4/5 bigs.

OK, but ALL the criteria you are listing, who are we going to get that meets all that off the street? At best you get an end of the bench guy like Nic Richards who doesn't even play.

 

[Yuma]

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End of bench break case in case of emergency.

 

[taz02]

We don't have any PF's that can play small ball 5. None have the heft/height/length combo needed.

Maybe that's true but it hasn't stopped us in the past. I guarantee if Maluach falters we're going to find out, unfortunately.

 

[Hoop Head]

OK, but ALL the criteria you are listing, who are we going to get that meets all that off the street? At best you get an end of the bench guy like Nic Richards who doesn't even play.

I've mentioned a few guys, Plumlee is one. Biyombo might be another but he's older now and perhaps too old. Plumlee isn't young but he's been playing a fair bit more recently. I believe Kevin Love is available also. There's 3 guys. None are world beaters but all 3 are capable of 15 minutes a night.

 

[Mainstreet]

FWIW. Drew Eubanks is signing a camp deal with the Knicks.

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[JCSunsfan]

This team is completely out to lunch if Malauch isn’t starting.

It’s time. He has had a year to adjust and mature, and there is a lot more to go, but it’s time.

 

[Yuma]

I've mentioned a few guys, Plumlee is one. Biyombo might be another but he's older now and perhaps too old. Plumlee isn't young but he's been playing a fair bit more recently. I believe Kevin Love is available also. There's 3 guys. None are world beaters but all 3 are capable of 15 minutes a night.

I think there's no hurry to make a move. These guys will likely still be available when the season starts. Why not at LEAST see what the young guys look like in camp? You would have to jettison either Bouyea, or Highsmith since they have have non-guanranteed contracts. I am thinking either of those guys would get more minutes than Plumlee. I would pick whichever guy at center that could teach Maluach the most in practice, because he is probably not playing. I'd almost rather see Huntley get the minutes, if any, to be honest.

Maybe Love, so you could have two Loves in the valley playing pro sports at a time.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Some of the podcasters I've listened to seem to think Bridges, Brooks, Highsmith, Fleming and Peat can all play small ball center for us. I can't see any of them working out for us although Fleming might be worth a try. He has the length and is enough of a three threat to draw the defense and best of all, his move doesn't weaken some other position (like it would with Bridges and Brooks).

I agree that Fleming is the only one that fits the qualifications - he seems to have put on some weight, because he had the length before.

 

[Mainstreet]

Some of the podcasters I've listened to seem to think Bridges, Brooks, Highsmith, Fleming and Peat can all play small ball center for us. I can't see any of them working out for us although Fleming might be worth a try. He has the length and is enough of a three threat to draw the defense and best of all, his move doesn't weaken some other position (like it would with Bridges and Brooks).

I wouldn't be surprised to see Peat get a look there as a reserve if push comes to shove.

I'm thinking he will do anything to get on the court.

 

[95pro]

Flem is the only real possibility right now, other than Oso and ManMan.

 

[95pro]

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End of bench break case in case of emergency.

This will be and should be the answer (given who we have signed/available) over Peat, Highsmith, and Bridges playing center.

Brooks and Flem can play center in spurts but not for quarters.

 

[taz02]

It all hinges on Maluach. We have some PF that can help shore up the inside, but no one we can reasonably bring in is going to matter if Maluach doesn't make a huge leap.

Unless we can trade key pieces for someone.

 

[Hoop Head]

I think there's no hurry to make a move. These guys will likely still be available when the season starts. Why not at LEAST see what the young guys look like in camp? You would have to jettison either Bouyea, or Highsmith since they have have non-guanranteed contracts. I am thinking either of those guys would get more minutes than Plumlee. I would pick whichever guy at center that could teach Maluach the most in practice, because he is probably not playing. I'd almost rather see Huntley get the minutes, if any, to be honest.

Maybe Love, so you could have two Loves in the valley playing pro sports at a time.

Guys are signing camp deals now so it's time to start looking for ourselves. We don't need to waive anyone until opening day.

 

[Yuma]

Guys are signing camp deals now so it's time to start looking for ourselves. We don't need to waive anyone until opening day.

None of those guys you listed will sign with us unless they are told they will be on the roster opening day.

 

[Proximo]

I like him quite a bit. He would be a good signing, but I kinda just want our young guys to get the minutes

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[Mainstreet]

Yeah, Duop Reath is interesting. I liked him before Trail Blazers got him years back. He could give the Suns some minutes.

 

[Mainstreet]

The Suns indeed are signing Duop Reath to a deal. Good insurance, at least for now.

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[Mainstreet]

Here is a link to the story at Arizona Sports.

Phoenix Suns sign Duop Reath for depth after Mark Williams injury - Arizona Sports

Duop Reath provides depth for Suns at center after injury to Mark Williams ahead of beginning of training camp.

arizonasports.com

 

[Yuma]

The Suns indeed are signing Duop Reath to a deal. Good insurance, at least for now.

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I wonder if this is because Maluach was on the South Sudan National Team. Duop is from South Sudan. Edit: Duop played for Australia, but both guys are from South Sudan. Maybe make Maluach have company from a fellow countryman, or Maluach gave some insight on Duop?

 

[Mainstreet]

I wonder if this is because Maluach was on the South Sudan National Team. Duop is from South Sudan.

Interesting but I'd be surprised if there direct connection to the signing. They might know each other.

Now I'm wondering if Reath's contract is fully guaranteed for the vet minimum?

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[Hoop Head]

I like this signing. Not only is Reath young with some potential, he's a legit 7 footer, and he may not be Precious but @Mainstreet has asked for Reath for years now. Christmas came early.

 

[Yuma]

I like this signing. Not only is Reath young with some potential, he's a legit 7 footer, and he may not be Precious but @Mainstreet has asked for Reath for years now. Christmas came early.

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Six foot 9 inches.

 

[Proximo]

I like this signing. Not only is Reath young with some potential, he's a legit 7 footer, and he may not be Precious but @Mainstreet has asked for Reath for years now. Christmas came early.

He's 30, not really young. He's also only 6'9, but he is quality depth. I just seriously hope this does not eat into Khaman's minutes and he is just injury insurance.

I wonder if it was Bouye or Highsmith that got released.

 

[Mainstreet]

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Six foot 9 inches.

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