The Suns will have to decide this offseason whether they want to try to bring back known commodities like Aron Baynes, Dario Saric, and Frank Kaminsky, or whether they want to opt for an unknown commodity via cap room, writes ESPN’s Bobby Marks (Insider link). Baynes is an unrestricted free agent, but Saric is restricted and the club holds a team option on Kaminsky.
Kelly Oubre‘s expiring contract will be another factor to watch for the Suns this fall, according to Marks. On paper, it seems like a slam dunk that Phoenix would want to make the 24-year-old wing a part of the club’s long-term future, Marks writes, but Oubre wasn’t part of the team’s 8-0 run in Orlando this summer, and there’s some positional overlap with young Suns like Mikal Bridges and Cameron Johnson.
Here’s more on the Suns:
- The Suns have faced criticism for a number of their roster moves in recent years, but the club showed this summer in Orlando that the roster was built with a purpose, according to Jonathan Tjarks of The Ringer. Tjarks singles out last year’s drafting of Cameron Johnson at No. 11 as a decision that was panned at the time, but seems to be working out well.
- Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic explores what’s next for the Suns after their success in Orlando, wondering if the summer represents a jumping-off point for making Phoenix a desirable destination for NBA players.
- Turkish wing Cenk Akyol has announced his retirement at age 33, as Emiliano Carchia of Sportando relays. Akyol, the 59th overall pick in the 2005 draft, never played in the NBA, but his rights were held by the Suns, who acquired them in a 2017 trade with Atlanta.
- Earlier today, we broke down the Suns’ odds for this Thursday’s draft lottery.
Suns trade your lottery pick and sign and trade Baynes+ cap space for Blake Griffin. You will compete for Western Conference next year with that trade!
Blake Griffin is not the answer!!
Maybe, maybe not. Low risk high reward move though.
Low risk? They would be on the hook for $76M, no thanks.
Who are they gonna sign or draft that can help them get tothe WCF next year???
Someone who suits up for more then 20-25 games a season
Not too many teams (if any) want to trade for a player that has missed 147 games over the past five seasons, especially when he’s turning 32 next year and makes almost $38M/year.
He played over 75 a year ago. Why exaggerated when you could have made a real point easily.
50yo lifelong Suns fan and I actually brought this Blake G. Trade last year. I know he’s been hurt and 32. But he brings a toughness and fits perfectly. I was thinking I’m on the fence with OUBRE. Also and I love what they did in the bubble, however the last 4 games were against the “G” league. Not trying to be a Downer just the truth. Back to the Oubre thing, He is a leader, he maybe besides Monty single handily slowly started to give the Suns back some swagger. How can you not think ok we went 8-0 and that was also without 1 of our big 3. For our Suns to really take that next step forget the youth movement it doesn’t work and we are already the youngest team in the NBA. Ayton, Cam, and Bridges need to come back just like they did in the bubble and take yet another huge step forward. EsP Ayton. He still hasn’t played a full season and yeah Luka, Luka, Luka. If Monty can keep pulling deep, another year or 2 and he will be a monster. Cam reminds me of when we all booed Majerle. And he is starting to make me a believer. I will no doubt say Rubio makes a huge difference. However who doesn’t cringe every time he shoots? Maybe a trade with lottery pick, Rubio, Baynes for Van Fleet? Not sure you can get Blake. But also a Saric, Lottery pick, Baynes for Blake? They are close and need 1 more piece, not a total dismemberment, and truthfully like I said before. If Can, Bridges and Esp. AYTON aren’t in the gym lifting right now. Shooting 500 free throws, 3pters and layups every day. Than not sure who we bring will matter.
The suns should trade oubre, Kaminsky, and Jerome as well as some picks for Simmons. Blake griffin will do nothing except overwhelm our cap space. If beget rid of oubre then that allows bridges and cam to grow. In my opinion the suns are overloaded with forwards.
Not big on Oubre. Seems to play on contract yrs only. Saric I would bring back. Suns are young. They need to just stay on course. Ayton hasn’t even gotten started yet. Gallinari is a FA. He could provide bench scoring or start. Griffin is hard to move. With that contract and injury history. OKC probably only team that would give up something.
Oubre is 24 and a bit above average, so they should be able to get something for him. Make room for even younger. But re-sign Baynes & Saric if possible. Saric & Illyasova in Milwaukee could switch places!
I’m pretty sure the skeptics of the Cam Johnson pick were pointing more to the lack of value associated with the selection. Cam was projected to be a late first rounder, so they could’ve traded down and still acquired him. At eleventh overall, they could’ve secured Herro or Washington instead.
While Phoenix appears to be trending in the right direction, we shouldn’t forget about that awful TJ Warren trade either
Love Oubre but the ball tends to stick in his hands. He seems to have to prove his worth to get paid, which I get. Just don’t see the long term fit.
Trade him now while he has great value along with 1st round pick for Adebayo. He and Ayton would be a force with DBook, Mikal and Cam Johnson.
I hope we can resign Carter too. He is a great point guard to run the 2nd unit.