The Suns are expected to finalize their trade for Chris Paul before the new league year begins on Friday, according to Kevin Pelton of ESPN.com. If that’s the case, the expectation is that Phoenix won’t use cap room this fall, opting to remain an over-the-cap team instead.
While that may prevent the Suns from making one bigger splash on the free agent market, it means the club will retain the flexibility to bring back one or more of Dario Saric, Aron Baynes, and Frank Kaminsky. Phoenix will also have the full mid-level ($9.3MM) and bi-annual ($3.6MM) exceptions available to make additional upgrades to its roster.
Here’s more from around the West:
- A Mavericks source who spoke to Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News (Twitter link) says the team thinks swingman Tim Hardaway Jr. will likely exercise his player option, while big man Willie Cauley-Stein may not.
- In addition to his previously reported workouts with Utah, Denver, Miami, and the Clippers, Arizona’s Zeke Nnaji has also auditioned for the Lakers, he said today (Twitter link via Eric Walden of The Salt Lake Tribune). However, Nnaji projects to be a late first-round selection, so he may no longer be an option for the Lakers now that they’ve traded the No. 28 pick.
- Former Thunder big men Nazr Mohammed and Nick Collison were involved in the team’s head coaching search process, according to Royce Young of ESPN, who tweets that Mohammed and Collison met with candidates to represent the player perspective.
- In a piece for ESPN.com, Royce Young takes a deep dive into the Timberwolves‘ draft preparations as they get ready to use – or trade – this year’s No. 1 overall pick.
The best Big 3 in the NBA: Devin Booker, Chris Paul, and Deandre Ayton.
The day you understand Basketball is a team sport, a 2way sport. Is the the day you will appreciate CP3.
Is this sarcasticness? Because I like that trio. Maybe not the best in the league but formidable, handsome young men
Those guys are gorgeous.
ha! not even close. but better than the big 0 in HOU.
he’s talkn 2k
Ayton??? Who? Big 2 and somebody… lol
also WCS should pick up his option. there was no interest in him last season. what makes him think he can make more this offseason?- esp with the cap set to be lowered.
David, You’re right. It’s amazing he has a job out there cuz he can’t shoot a lick and he gets lost on defense… Doesn’t understand schemes on that end of the floor. He’ll run over and double team when he shouldn’t and he’ll get caught in a Zone and Clueless. He’ll tantalize you with his fluidness and ability to run and even work hard in the offseason on shooting quite a bit. But as long as he continues to shoot from the side of his head by his ear he will have zero accuracy until he’s about 35 years old from shooting 100000 of those 18 Footers. He was an amazing frustration project for us Warriors fans. Javale McGee is twice the player Willie cauley-stein is if you know what I mean.
I mean it’s pretty much a minimum salary he turned down. He will find another minimum salary deal somewhere else.
Suns bring back Saric. They still have 10th pick. They ended season as one of best teams. They haven’t lost anything in Paul trade. Things are looking up. Definitely a playoff team next yr. Probably the youngest playoff team. I’d be a happy Suns fan.
Agreed big Al.
i would be worried defensively w/ 35 yr old paul, booker, and saric (if they resign)
assuming houston doesnt blow it up and nop keeps holiday not sure i see them in the top 8 next yr
So the Suns are about as good as the Thunder were last year. Cool. Trading a first round exit in OKC for a first round exit in PHX.
Sorry but you’re absolutely Wrong. Booker is better than anyone wearing an oklahoman uniform this season or last. So get your facts straight. Gonna be dedly
Suns with CP3 Booker and Ayton probably only need 1 more piece to be a true threat/contender.
I’d be trying to swap Cam Johnson for Kyle Kuzma next and then bring back Dario Saric.
And with the 10th pick grab Patrick Williams
1. Paul. Payne
2. Booker
3. Bridges. Williams
4. Kuzma. Saric
5. Ayton
From what I have read, it looks like Patrick Williams is on the rise and will likely be gone by the 10th pick. I’ve seen reports of him going as high as 4 to the Bulls. I don’t know if I buy that, but I believe he has surpassed the likes of Hayes and Onyegwu and maybe even Haliburton.
A chance for Paul to add to all those championships he has led teams too….oh wait. Most overrated “superstar” in NBA