Would'nt this be Scary? PG-JJ SG-Kobe SF-Marion PF-Amare C-Keon Clark or draft pick Easily the most athletic starting five in the league. So what are the chances of the Suns getting Kobe?
Most athletic, yes, but I don't really want to see JJ primarily as a point guard. They've tried that before I believe and even in the summer league it wasn't that pretty. He's better doing what he's doing now, playing SG while distributing like a point. Depending on where the Suns pick there might not be any decent centers left to choose and Keon most likely won't be playing for the Suns next year.
Yep sure would be scarey... their losing record that is. I don't think that lineup would win too many games. First of all you've got 4 guys who are offensive minded, and an undersized center. I don't think Kobe will be with the Lakers next year, but I'd be shocked if he was a Sun... I don't think Jerry and Bryan are looking to even bring in Kobe, if they are, then they must plan to be shipping Marion and JJ elsewhere for bigger players. I just don't see Marion, JJ, and Kobe on the same team, they are too similar of players. The lineup I'd rather see is... PG = Barbosa SG = Brent Barry SF = Marion PF = Amare C = Dampier Bench 1 = Cabarkapa Bench 2 = Keon Clark Bench 3 = Jacobsen Bench 4 = Voskuhl Bench 5 = Robert Traylor Bench 6 = Ben Gordon Bench 7 = Vujanic Bench 8 = Lampe Noticed I've traded JJ and White for Dampier (might even get a future 1st), I somehow got Charlotte to take Eisley (hard to do without that Knicks pick now), drafted Ben Gordon (best Combo guard available), signed Barry, Clark, and Traylor. That's how they should use money, create depth, not put all your money on Kobe. Plus this gives the Suns much improved defense and rebounding to the team they have now (or the possible team listed above). I agree Keon won't be a Sun next year... but in my lineup, I'm hoping his shot blocking and ability to play 3 positions will be on my bench. <font color="Red">(EDIT): </font> If Chris Garnett slips out of the draft, the Suns should sign him as a rookie FA, see if he can make a good backup center. If not they lose nothing...
PG: Barbosa, Vujanic, Eisley* SG: JJ, Barry, Casey SF: MArion, Z PF: Amare, draft, Lampe* C: Voshkul, Clark, White Clark played C quite a bit for Sac. Unfortunately we are running short on picks eo try and ditch White or Eisley with so I think we're stuck with them. Once Z pick his game up he can improve Marion's game by giving him some rest. If we draft a PF (Okefor, Splitter, Davis, Humphries, Varejao) Marion won't have to get his clock cleaned at that position anymore. His steals will go down but I bet his shooting percentage would improve a little (except 3s). Clark may not be a competitive C once the day is done but at least Marion and Amare will play their natural positions for better effect. I think Casey's and Barry's minutes should be a combined 25 saving them for crack shot scenarios. Z should be getting 20. Eisley and Lampe would have "shin splints". I don't think Kosta or Pavel would be worth drafting. Neither is athletic (I was wrong about Pavel being scrawny). Anyone heard more than nbadraft.net or hoopshype? I doubt any of our guys will get picked by Charlotte given White's and Eisley's contracts. I doubt Pavel or Kosta would pay off enough to be starters or even contribute so they may not be worth the draft. If Keon is 6'11" and 220 maybe Lampe could play C if he matures fast enough. Either way you've got more athletic options than the small ball of Marion at PF that we currently play. We'll have plenty of options. Who knows, we might like Dice and sign him instead of Clark. Doubtful, I know. Anyone know if Vujanic would be subject to the expansion draft. I don't think we need Ben Gordon, the undersized combo guard, because if we get a veteran like Barry and the hot shot Vujanic we'll have a solid back court. Golden State has Jason Richardson at SG so I doubt they'd be interested in JJ. From the looks of their depth chart I think Amare would be the only guy they would be interested in.
I wouldn't trade JJ if I were the Suns GM. I would be happy with my forward spots, and would want to keep JJ around. I would try best to swing a trade or sign a good pg and center over the summer. I know many in Phoenix are hyped about Barbosa, but I don't see this guy being good enough to start on a good team... atleast for now. The Suns will have a lot of cap room, so I'd try to pursue Dampier for a reasonable price, and try to sign a proven PG. I don't think the Suns have any chance on getting Kobe, my first option over the summer would be to get a PG.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting panfolk:</div><div class="quote_post">Unfortunately we are running short on picks eo try and ditch White or Eisley with so I think we're stuck with them.</div> Suns can offer $3 Mil and a future draft pick for them to take them... I do think White being in his last year and making under $6 mil does make him a trade option... <div class="quote_poster">Quoting panfolk:</div><div class="quote_post">Anyone know if Vujanic would be subject to the expansion draft.</div> Nope, now that the trade deadline is over, it's going to be White and Eisley up for the Bobcats draft... Vujanic is not under contract. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting panfolk:</div><div class="quote_post">I don't think we need Ben Gordon, the undersized combo guard, because if we get a veteran like Barry and the hot shot Vujanic we'll have a solid back court.</div> Well Gordon is small, but the only other options in the backcourt are point guards, and I'd want a guard who can play both positions... the reason I'd want to draft another guard is for depth. The Suns get injured a lot, and I'm tired of Marion and JJ playing 40 min per game... they are being worn down. This way we have plenty of backcourt options, unlike we currently do... JJ and Casey can even play the 3 if needed. Hell Casey can play the 4 (though I hated that lineup when they did do it)!! Besides Gordon is the best shooter worth taking this early (out of the bigger guards). <div class="quote_poster">Quoting panfolk:</div><div class="quote_post">Golden State has Jason Richardson at SG so I doubt they'd be interested in JJ.</div> They also have Pietrus who was supposed to be Jordan-like I heard during last year's draft He's not doing well, but then again he's a young rookie playing behind Richardson. But this is the same team who took Richardson while they had Hughes and Sura... and were in need of a point guard or front court help. So they aren't afraid to stock-pile talent and trade them off. Besides who says a 3rd team wouldn't be involved? In any case Phoenix gives up a young talent who's still on a rookie contract and a near $6 mil contract that expires next summer, not to mention he's a servicable center, it's not a bad trade to give up Dampier who's on a decently large contract for a few more years, and maybe a conditional first rounder. They can then trade JJ or Richardson for draft picks and some players... it's not a bad deal for them.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting panfolk:</div><div class="quote_post">I doubt any of our guys will get picked by Charlotte given White's and Eisley's contracts. </div> Contracts don't matter in the expansion draft. Charlotte can release anybody they pick in the expansion draft without having to pay them a dime.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Downtown:</div><div class="quote_post">Contracts don't matter in the expansion draft. Charlotte can release anybody they pick in the expansion draft without having to pay them a dime.</div> Well they DO have to pay them the money left on their contract (if not it would be a huge law suit) but it doesn't count against their salary cap (if they release them before the season)
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting scorbutic:</div><div class="quote_post">Well they DO have to pay them the money left on their contract (if not it would be a huge law suit) but it doesn't count against their salary cap (if they release them before the season)</div> Do they have to pay FULL money left on their contract? If they had to pay every dime for the player I don't see the advantage of dropping it, they're a young team and they won't have any salary cap problems for years anyway. It sounds more benefitial to them to make the guy play the contract out.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Phreeze:</div><div class="quote_post">Do they have to pay FULL money left on their contract? If they had to pay every dime for the player I don't see the advantage of dropping it, they're a young team and they won't have any salary cap problems for years anyway. It sounds more benefitial to them to make the guy play the contract out.</div> Yes they pay the full contract... the reason is because teams are going to bribe them to take high salary guys, meaning it would kill the little bit of salary cap they do have (remember they a smaller salary cap than the rest of the teams, it's like 2/3 of everybody else's) -- so why would Charlotte take a $50 million/5 year contract? Well probably because they are getting draft picks and money in return, and then they can cut the guy and not have it count against them forever. I don't see them doing a lot of these deals as it would end up costing a lot of money (not against the cap, but out of Bob Johnson's pocket).
