<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The Suns no longer are alone in the lead for first-round picks in the 2007 NBA draft. The Allen Iverson trade sent two to Philadelphia to give the Sixers three first-round picks, just as the Suns could have. But the Suns might be able to do more with their picks, including possible trade packages, because they don't need them as badly as Philadelphia. The Suns will have two picks in the latter half of the first round with their own slot and Cleveland's pick (one they got from Boston for trading this year's 21st pick - Rajon Rondo). Phoenix also will get Atlanta's pick if it does not fall in the top three. That means it won't get in the Greg Oden sweepstakes, but the depth of the frontcourt-heavy draft still could send a power forward such as Florida's Joakim Noah and Al Horford or China's Yi Jianlian out of the top three. And the pool could grow much deeper depending on the intentions of other underclassmen. "Most everybody assumes it's one of the deepest drafts in awhile," Suns Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffin said. "Even in the later picks, you could do well. I suspect our own pick will be more valuable than ever before." It is still hard to imagine the Suns holding on to three first-round picks, particularly after they traded out of the first round in the past three drafts. But rookies do offer some balance in terms of age and payroll. For the 2008-09 season, the Suns will still have six core players (Shawn Marion, Amar? Stoudemire, Steve Nash, Boris Diaw, Leandro Barbosa and Raja Bell) under contract for about $64 million. At least seven other players have to be under contract. "When you look at our salary structure, young players and rookie-level contracts are important," Griffin said.</div> Source It's amazing the job Phoenix has done managing the cap, stealing talent away, and having solid drafts. This team has already shown how dominating it can be by winning 15 straight. They are in a position to add 3 more talented players or make a big splash by packaging picks and a player to land another star.
It seems Noah fits their style, big man who can run. I'm not sure he would fit in that well in the clubhouse though.
It's kinda exciting that an already great frontline could add Noah to the lineup. He seems to fit their style too, so he could be a valuable asset. I say they use the highest pick and trade the other two for a quality veteran, maybe even one on his last year of a contract.
I had the idea of trading Thomas, Banks and the 2 lower draft picks away before THIS trade deadline for some expiring contracts, that way the Suns save $12+ million next year and won't feel the need to trade Marion. Bill Simmons has other ideas: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story...=simmons/070117 <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Say they packaged that [Atlanta] pick with Kurt Thomas' expiring contract and/or Banks' contract for one more blue-chipper. What would happen if they added Rashard Lewis or Mike Miller, gave one of them James Jones' minutes (20-25 a game), then went seven-deep the rest of the way?</div> That still wouldn't help next year when Lewis makes $10 million until the end of the 08/09 season. The Suns would still have to pay the tax, and I don't think Sarver is going to. With Lewis, he'd feel safer trading Marion who makes almost $17 million next year, because Lewis plays the same position and style for less money. Plus is Lewis or Miller worth a #4 pick in a pretty good draft? I'd prefer finding a way to keep the core (Nash, Marion, Amare, Bell, Barbosa, and Diaw) together. I'd also like to keep the Atlanta pick to either add depth or draft the future starting PG, though this draft doesn't appear to have that. However, if the Hawks do get a top 3 draft pick and lose enough next year, the Suns would get the pick no matter what and possibly land Derrick Rose or OJ Mayo. But I just have a feeling if the Hawks get a top 3 pick this year combined with the team they already have, they'll probably make the playoffs next year. I love the idea of doing what Detroit did a few years back, win the Championship and still have a top pick in a deep draft (they got Memphis' #2 pick in the 2003 draft). Of course they picked Darko over Carmelo, Bosh, and Wade. Yet I think Bill Simmons might be more realistic... Sarver will probably trade the pick, Kurt Thomas and Marcus Banks, pick up an expiring contract or two and save himself some money in the future.
<div class="quote_poster">swyftdahoe Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Drafting Noah would make Diaw expendable. Matrix will then not have to be traded.</div> That's a great point. Draft Noah, and in the years that he's making rookie money, Diaw runs out his contract and leaves after which his money goes to Noah. Meanwhile, the excellent Suns staff coaches and turns Noah into a gret big man.
<div class="quote_poster">emannen Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Let's not even talk about trading Diaw...........</div> Not trading, but at some point they won't have the money to extend him and keep Marion and/or Stoudemire and/or Barbosa.
If Sarver is willing to pay the luxury tax next year, then they can use the #4 pick this summer, and wait for contracts to run out. I just don't think he's willing to do so, and he's proven it time and time again. Right now the Suns are going to pay $76,527,777 next year in player salary. Add #4 pick money (around $3.2 million) it will be very close to $80 million, well above the tax limit I'm expecting. Plus if they keep the lower draft picks, sign some free agents to minimum contracts it all adds up. Even after Kurt Thomas' contract runs out after next year they would still probably be over until Marion's contract runs out after the 08/09 season. By the time Diaw's contract runs out (it's a 5 year deal) Marion and Amare's contracts will have expired, Nash will have retired, and $9 million a year will probably be a steal by then. The Suns best option is to get rid of Kurt Thomas & Marcus Bank's contracts ASAP. Problem is they need expiring contracts and the Knicks and Mavs aren't suckers like they used to be.
