Devin Booker says head coach Frank Vogel and the team’s leaders share the responsibility of turning the Suns’ fortunes around, Erin Walsh of Bleacher Report relays.
“We just have to get it together,” Booker said. “And that’s on me. That’s on Coach. That’s on KD, Eric (Gordon), all the leaders that we have in here to make sure that we’re more prepared when we come play.”
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported this week that Kevin Durant has grown increasingly frustrated with the team’s mediocre play.
We have more from the Pacific Division:
- Suns owner Mat Ishbia has been very proactive in making moves since acquiring the franchise toward the end of last season. However, Vogel said Ishbia has offered words of encouragement through the team’s struggles, according to Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic. “He’s been incredibly supportive,” Vogel said. “Talks through every game with me. Has a great knowledge of the game of basketball. We have a ton of discussions about the teams that we’re playing, the thing we’re doing on the floor and what the results look like. Those conversations have been very productive and supportive.”
- Hawks guard Dejounte Murray is worth keeping an eye on as a potential trade target for the Lakers, The Athletic’s Shams Charania said on FanDuel TV’s Run It Back show (video link). Charania notes that “the Hawks’ direction, of course, it’s in flux.” Murray’s four-year, $111MM+ contract extension kicks in next season but Charania notes that contract is favorable compared to that of Zach LaVine, another player who’s been linked to the Lakers. Austin Reaves would be a target for rival GMs, but the Lakers have shown no inclination of moving their talented young guard, Charania adds.
- LeBron James now holds the NBA scoring record. So what other major milestones could he shoot for? Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated writes that James could reach the 40,000-point mark. With three more healthy seasons, the Lakers superstar could also overtake Robert Parish for the all-time record in games played (1,611).
How many season is that Dana?
Rui jhs Christie 29 unprotected and 30 swap is the best they can offer for Murray
That’s not enough and will be best comfortably on the open market if he’s made avail. I’m probably higher on Rui than anybody as well
Yeah, I cannot see the Lakers being able to get Murray without trading away Reaves.
If the Lakers COULD get Murray without having to give up Reaves, then they should do just about whatever it takes.
Now, obviously they’d have to match salaries with the Hawks, so let’s say the Lakers traded the Hawks G.Vincent, J.Hood-Schifino, Max Christie, and C.Wood plus whatever picks they could offer them.
Then, the Lakers could mix and match their 5th starter in order to create more favorable match-ups, but, of course, they would primarily start their best four guys. Murray, Reaves, LeBron, and AD could easily mesh well with almost any and all of their remaining players including D.Russell, Vanderbilt, Hachimura, J.Hayes, C.Reddish, and T.Prince.
Me, personally, I’d think that starting four would have enough offensive fire power, and in order to maximize the second unit’s scoring potential I’d insert Jared Vanderbilt into the starting five alongside Murray, Reaves, LeBron, and AD…
I think that would be a starting five that would be as talented as any other team they’d come across, and their second unit would be full of talented role players as well.
I mean, if you were to have, let’s say D-Lo, Reddish, Prince, Hachimura, and J.Hayes that’s an extremely defensively versatile second unit and bench. No, clearly, they wouldn’t be the most offensively gifted bunch, but I think you could pair any of those four with AD or LeBron and you’d have a second unit that could easily hold some leads, if not even extend then.
Anyone agree? What do you guys think?
Cle would never do it
I like the idea of a smaller ( more feasible ) trade –
Jevon Carter and Drummond for JHS Hayes and 2 2nds – Could be a small overpay but I think any big trade they make will be a big overpay if they scale up
We can’t play Hayes another min , he’s horrifying out there , Ham very familiar w Jevon and Carter hasn’t quite fit w Chi so far . People will bash drumomds last rd w Lal but that team had about 409 bigger problems than him that year – Drummond willl have trade value this year thus the small overpay to get it done. Would probably upset a lotta lakers fans but I think there’s much worse ( probable ) overpays if we think much larger – Guys like Lauri or Murray are outta range imo even with our best offfers as my first post suggests , guys like DDR Caruso and Lavine are not worth the opportunity cost in emptying the cofffers on
*Atl
Lebron holds the record for biggest dingus on earth
Frank Vogel is a cause for the Suns issues, as well. It’s not just injuries. Their offensive sets are predictable and without a real floor general the on-court reads can’t make up for it. He’s always been a mid offensive coach. That shortened 2011-2012 season is the only one he’s managed to squeeze a top 10 offense out of his team, and that looks like an absolute fluke more than anything else. Doesn’t matter what personnel he had to work with; his teams have always underperformed offensively. Typically he can make up for that by extracting elite defense, but this season he’s trying to get blood from a stone; the Suns have two or three good defensive players and no defensive studs.
Lakers won’t land Murray – don’t have the assets. They can probably land Kyrie for Rui, Russell and a couple 2nd rounders.
Let’s say Murray”s trade value is 60
Lakers can do
Rui value 20
Reddish 20
Hayes 20
Equal value
In what world is Rui (15mil or whatever a season) worth the same as Reddish and Hayes (both like 3mil) ……
I just have to laugh at this. There is no team in the NBA that would give up Murray for those three. None. Zero.
The NBA is about having the top player in every trade, not 3 pieces of junk.
The only way Murray moves is if the Hawks get an All-Star level starter or, and this being most likely, multiple firsts.
I agree with you on the Lakers lack of assets, though it seems others might think bottom feeding roster scraps are considered assets.
I’d give up Reaves and a first for Murray. And in order to salary match throw in Hayes.
Hawks are thinking about moving Capela and starting Onyeka so maybe they’d like to get Hayes on a cheap expiring deal as a 7 footer who can play back up.
Then after that the Lakers should move one of either Vincent or Russell for a more off ball SG that’ll help space the floor.
Which has lead me to the idea of Russell and Christie for GTJ and Temple.
GTJ has been demoted to the bench this season, on an expiring deal, obviously they have no intention of keeping him around especially after drafting Gradey. So in this deal they’d also be getting Max Christie who they can develop into that SG of the future along with Russell who would be a considerable upgrade from Flynn and could share the PG duties with Schroder. He’d provide them with a better shooter presence and I think could pair nicely with all their forwards
Lakers would then line up
Murray GTJ Bron Vando AD
Vincent Reddish Prince Hachi Wood
And they’d have 2 an open roster spots (1 needing to be filled). I’d suggest Austin Rivers and Serge Ibaka. Rivers would challenge both Vincent and Reddish and JHS for guard minutes. He’s a pesty defender, can make threes and can handle the ball. Then Ibaka he is a good locker room guy and could play either PF or C. Again can make threes and can block shots although not the best rebounder
I appreciate all of your detail on this from the how and why the Lakers would make the deal, but why would the Hawks want this trade?
Hayes is nothing. You are basically stating Reeves and and first for Murray. As good as Reaves has been, I just don’t see the Hawks pulling that trade, particularly when you assume the Lakers will want lottery protections around it. Hawks would need more.
Siakam for Dejounte, Hunter and a first.