Well... we hear about the ones that happen. We don't know about all the trades other teams rejected or declined or hung up on Ainge. Still... it is baffling the many that do work.
Interesting approach. Suns right their ship cash wise, recoup picks, and get a couple of young players to create some excitement as they rebuild. NO gets an aging superstar for BI. I think they need to give up more and we give one less pick and/or swap. The question for us is whether Booker is that poker chip we need to move up the standings. Many on here have critcized his defense, but have to believe Ime could get more out of him. Not sure Suns are ready to punt yet, maybe by mid-year their thinking changes.
I see the Suns as the kind of franchise that keeps making lateral, slightly-downward moves over and over again until they end up in the Nets' current position where they're rebuilding whether they want to or not. I'm not convinced they'll trade Booker unless/until he demands they trade him.
It’s pretty consistent for teams across the league. The lottery system has also de-valued picks and quick re-builds while discouraging tanking. It would be extremely tough for the Sun’s FO to give up on Durant and Booker before Durant breaks down. He was great last year and was on the court most of the year. The Beal signing was the nail in their coffin. They will probably have to fire the GM after this year and bring in someone that will implement a tank.
I expect it will be a quick decent from playoff team to lottery team instead of a slow spiral. I don't think they can compete without Durant considering they wiped out their depth and draft capital to get him. I don't think they get close to what they gave up for him and to get under the tax, they won't be able to take back contracts past Durant's. I expect the Suns will end up like the Nets except Booker is better than Bridges.
Somewhat correct. Dumping Durant is not even going to be easy with the new rules. They will still be a 2nd Apron team unless there is a team that can eat his contract without sending back players. There were two, Phili and Washington, before the PG trade. They are in real cap hell until 2 of Booker, Durant, and Beal come off the books.
What is the current CBA designed to do? I think the main goal is to stop putting together super teams with three max players and a bunch of scrubs. But are they trying to constantly turn over rosters, or is it more that they are trying to prohibit teams from trading all of their future assets away to get the star players? After a few years under this system, what will the model for a successful franchise look like?
I think the model will be very deep teams with good two way players. Contenders will have one or two all-stars.
My wishlist is the Grizzlies blow up somehow next season and Ja Morant demands out, then we openly receive him as his favorite team. FVV+filler+a young core 6 player (we can't pay them all anyways) and picks. Crazier things have happened before and I think at some point if Morant has another outburst on social media, the Grizzlies might be done with him. I don't think Morant wanting out is completely impossible, just unlikely to happen.
I had never thought of the Bruce Brown idea Why not Brooks for Brown straight up? It moves Amen into the starting lineup, Brown still helps us win and it opens up a ton of future cap flexibility for the Rockets
Valid point.... Truth is, I want Cam Johnson on the team to help us reach playoffs (be in the playoffs & actually win a series this year). Injuries are a thing and I like to be prepared. Plus Cam on the squad would mean we're arguably 2 deep at each position headed into the offseason. We can trade for or acquire a "star" to add to our core / organic 7 & we would be a premiere destination because "the kids" just made it to the 2nd round. That's my logic. But yeah, Brooks for Brown straight up works as well. I definitely considered it. Cavs supposedly interested in DFS as well. So there are a couple of landing spots for that contract.
I still think I would rather have JJJ or even Bane over Morant, personally. Morant obviously has incredible raw talent, but I'm not convinced he has the right mentality or that he'll be able to stay healthy. Also not that sold on the fit--he's not a good shooter, so how does he fit with Alperen Sengun or Amen Thompson, or even Jalen Green for that matter if he's not part of the trade and doesn't get drastically better as a shooter? As long as we dreaming on stars demanding a trade, I think my ideal player would be Anthony Edwards, who can shoot and would be a tremendous fit with our young core.
I think it will be fairly easy next offseason when dumping Durant for no salary will save the Suns owner >$300M with some teams have cap space, but also the MLEs being able to be used as TPEs can also help. Only thing is that it might cost the Suns some draft capital not taking back salary.
Last I checked Suns didn't have much draft capital (that wasn't primarily controlled by Rox). They could get some draft capital, but dumping those huge salaries is going to be a challenge for them indeed...
The suns have no draft capital. I’m not sure any team will have 50m in cap room and also have a need or want Durant.
