NBA Off Season 2022

[jay]

https://www.nba.com/pacers/news/player-review-2022-goga-bitadze

"Bitadze reached double figures in 10 straight games from March 6 - April 1, averaging 15.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks while shooting 60.4 percent from the field and 43.3 percent from 3-point range over that span."

https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nba/pacers/2022/07/14/nba-free-agency-how-pacers-can-create-cap-space-deandre-ayton/10048862002/

"The team could trade former lottery pick Goga Bitadze, who's owed $4.8 million for the upcoming season."

Not a bad option for a reserve center using one of the smaller TPE's.

[A Future of Stevens]

I think some people underrate how good Ayton is at modern defense.

He doesn't put up huge block numbers, but the last two years he has essentially been the perfect playoff center for the Suns. His mobility is pretty insane for being 7'1.

[Surferdad]

Brogdon - White - Clarkson - Grant - Gallo off the bench.

The $64M bench.  All in baby.

Pritchard shot 41% from 3.  Clarkson only 31%.  Just to offer some perspective.  I know that Pritchard is only 6'-1" but it just doesn't seem like we need Clarkson.

Clarkson doesn't add much for $27M commitment in salary (over 2 years) PLUS luxury tax which will be a LOT.  C's already have covered the backup wing-ish type players with White/Gallo/Brogdon/Grant.  I'm not going to get into who is a 2 or 3 or 4 in today's game.

I'm of the opinion that a 3rd string center is the greatest need, so long as Ime play Horford at the backup center.  That guy HAS to be a good defender first and foremost.  Being a non-shooter is fine because this team can put plenty of shooters on the floor now.

Off the bench:
Brogdon - White - Grant - Gallo - Noel

[Vermont Green]

Ayton signs 4 year $133 m offer sheet with Pacers per Woj

This probably means the Suns are ruled out of the Durant sweepstakes. Since Ayton signed an offer sheet, he cannot be traded till December 15.

not actually signed yet

The exact wording of Woj's tweet is "has agreed to":

RFA center Deandre Ayton has agreed to a four-year, $133M maximum offer sheet with the Indiana Pacers, his agents Nima Namakian (Innovate Sports) and Bill Duffy (BDA Sports + WME Sports) tell ESPN. The Phoenix Suns have 48 hours to match the largest offer sheet in NBA history.

I guess that means that PHO can match (doubtful) or arrange a sign and trade?  I don't think the Pacers have the cap space right now to sign this outright but probably could get there by waiving some non-guaranteed contracts.  But it is probably in both teams' interest to figure out a sign and trade.  Indy won't have to worry about the hard cap I don't think.

So PHO could end up with Turner and a $15M'ish TPE.  Or a $33M'ish TPE.  Or nothing.  Maybe they can get Nesmith and a big TPE to help Indy cut just enough salary.

It will be interesting to see how this goes down.

[Donoghus]

Ayton signs 4 year $133 m offer sheet with Pacers per Woj

This probably means the Suns are ruled out of the Durant sweepstakes. Since Ayton signed an offer sheet, he cannot be traded till December 15.

not actually signed yet

The exact wording of Woj's tweet is "has agreed to":

RFA center Deandre Ayton has agreed to a four-year, $133M maximum offer sheet with the Indiana Pacers, his agents Nima Namakian (Innovate Sports) and Bill Duffy (BDA Sports + WME Sports) tell ESPN. The Phoenix Suns have 48 hours to match the largest offer sheet in NBA history.

I guess that means that PHO can match (doubtful) or arrange a sign and trade?  I don't think the Pacers have the cap space right now to sign this outright but probably could get there by waiving some non-guaranteed contracts.  But it is probably in both teams' interest to figure out a sign and trade.  Indy won't have to worry about the hard cap I don't think.

So PHO could end up with Turner and a $15M'ish TPE.  Or a $33M'ish TPE.  Or nothing.  Maybe they can get Nesmith and a big TPE to help Indy cut just enough salary.

It will be interesting to see how this goes down.

Adrian Wojnarowski
@wojespn
·
13m
So far, Suns haven't shown an interest in negotiating a sign-and-trade on Ayton with the Pacers, but the expectation remains that Phoenix will match the record-$133M offer sheet once it's signed, sources tell ESPN. Suns could trade Ayton as soon as Jan. 15 once sheet is matched.

[Vermont Green]

Ayton signs 4 year $133 m offer sheet with Pacers per Woj

This probably means the Suns are ruled out of the Durant sweepstakes. Since Ayton signed an offer sheet, he cannot be traded till December 15.

not actually signed yet

The exact wording of Woj's tweet is "has agreed to":

RFA center Deandre Ayton has agreed to a four-year, $133M maximum offer sheet with the Indiana Pacers, his agents Nima Namakian (Innovate Sports) and Bill Duffy (BDA Sports + WME Sports) tell ESPN. The Phoenix Suns have 48 hours to match the largest offer sheet in NBA history.

I guess that means that PHO can match (doubtful) or arrange a sign and trade?  I don't think the Pacers have the cap space right now to sign this outright but probably could get there by waiving some non-guaranteed contracts.  But it is probably in both teams' interest to figure out a sign and trade.  Indy won't have to worry about the hard cap I don't think.

So PHO could end up with Turner and a $15M'ish TPE.  Or a $33M'ish TPE.  Or nothing.  Maybe they can get Nesmith and a big TPE to help Indy cut just enough salary.

It will be interesting to see how this goes down.

Adrian Wojnarowski
@wojespn
·
13m
So far, Suns haven't shown an interest in negotiating a sign-and-trade on Ayton with the Pacers, but the expectation remains that Phoenix will match the record-$133M offer sheet once it's signed, sources tell ESPN. Suns could trade Ayton as soon as Jan. 15 once sheet is matched.

Wow, all that just to save about $2M per year and reduce the length by 1 year?  If they planned to match a max offer, they should have just extended him.  Hard to imagine Ayton won't have some hard feelings over this.

Maybe just a bluff to leverage more out of Indy in the sign and trade?

[Roy H.]

Ayton signs 4 year $133 m offer sheet with Pacers per Woj

This probably means the Suns are ruled out of the Durant sweepstakes. Since Ayton signed an offer sheet, he cannot be traded till December 15.

not actually signed yet

The exact wording of Woj's tweet is "has agreed to":

RFA center Deandre Ayton has agreed to a four-year, $133M maximum offer sheet with the Indiana Pacers, his agents Nima Namakian (Innovate Sports) and Bill Duffy (BDA Sports + WME Sports) tell ESPN. The Phoenix Suns have 48 hours to match the largest offer sheet in NBA history.

I guess that means that PHO can match (doubtful) or arrange a sign and trade?  I don't think the Pacers have the cap space right now to sign this outright but probably could get there by waiving some non-guaranteed contracts.  But it is probably in both teams' interest to figure out a sign and trade.  Indy won't have to worry about the hard cap I don't think.

So PHO could end up with Turner and a $15M'ish TPE.  Or a $33M'ish TPE.  Or nothing.  Maybe they can get Nesmith and a big TPE to help Indy cut just enough salary.

It will be interesting to see how this goes down.

Adrian Wojnarowski
@wojespn
·
13m
So far, Suns haven't shown an interest in negotiating a sign-and-trade on Ayton with the Pacers, but the expectation remains that Phoenix will match the record-$133M offer sheet once it's signed, sources tell ESPN. Suns could trade Ayton as soon as Jan. 15 once sheet is matched.

Wow, all that just to save about $2M per year and reduce the length by 1 year?  If they planned to match a max offer, they should have just extended him.  Hard to imagine Ayton won't have some hard feelings over this.

Maybe just a bluff to leverage more out of Indy in the sign and trade?

It could be, or they may think that there will be more of a trade market in January.

[Vermont Green]

Ayton signs 4 year $133 m offer sheet with Pacers per Woj

This probably means the Suns are ruled out of the Durant sweepstakes. Since Ayton signed an offer sheet, he cannot be traded till December 15.

not actually signed yet

The exact wording of Woj's tweet is "has agreed to":

RFA center Deandre Ayton has agreed to a four-year, $133M maximum offer sheet with the Indiana Pacers, his agents Nima Namakian (Innovate Sports) and Bill Duffy (BDA Sports + WME Sports) tell ESPN. The Phoenix Suns have 48 hours to match the largest offer sheet in NBA history.

I guess that means that PHO can match (doubtful) or arrange a sign and trade?  I don't think the Pacers have the cap space right now to sign this outright but probably could get there by waiving some non-guaranteed contracts.  But it is probably in both teams' interest to figure out a sign and trade.  Indy won't have to worry about the hard cap I don't think.

So PHO could end up with Turner and a $15M'ish TPE.  Or a $33M'ish TPE.  Or nothing.  Maybe they can get Nesmith and a big TPE to help Indy cut just enough salary.

It will be interesting to see how this goes down.

Adrian Wojnarowski
@wojespn
·
13m
So far, Suns haven't shown an interest in negotiating a sign-and-trade on Ayton with the Pacers, but the expectation remains that Phoenix will match the record-$133M offer sheet once it's signed, sources tell ESPN. Suns could trade Ayton as soon as Jan. 15 once sheet is matched.

Wow, all that just to save about $2M per year and reduce the length by 1 year?  If they planned to match a max offer, they should have just extended him.  Hard to imagine Ayton won't have some hard feelings over this.

Maybe just a bluff to leverage more out of Indy in the sign and trade?

It could be, or they may think that there will be more of a trade market in January.

Yeah, that makes sense.  Once they have him under contract, they can shop him around and create a bidding war.  Get more back than Myles Turner I guess.  There won't be any team with a large enough TPE or cap space you wouldn't think so they will need to take a lot back.  A large TPE allows flexibility too.  Tough call.

[Csfan1984]

Suns lose leverage by not giving a four year offer from the start. Ayton will get "final trade say" basically a no trade clause. Not sure what is their plan. Did they not think Ayton would get a near max offer?

[RJ87]

Ayton signs 4 year $133 m offer sheet with Pacers per Woj

This probably means the Suns are ruled out of the Durant sweepstakes. Since Ayton signed an offer sheet, he cannot be traded till December 15.

not actually signed yet

The exact wording of Woj's tweet is "has agreed to":

RFA center Deandre Ayton has agreed to a four-year, $133M maximum offer sheet with the Indiana Pacers, his agents Nima Namakian (Innovate Sports) and Bill Duffy (BDA Sports + WME Sports) tell ESPN. The Phoenix Suns have 48 hours to match the largest offer sheet in NBA history.

I guess that means that PHO can match (doubtful) or arrange a sign and trade?  I don't think the Pacers have the cap space right now to sign this outright but probably could get there by waiving some non-guaranteed contracts.  But it is probably in both teams' interest to figure out a sign and trade.  Indy won't have to worry about the hard cap I don't think.

So PHO could end up with Turner and a $15M'ish TPE.  Or a $33M'ish TPE.  Or nothing.  Maybe they can get Nesmith and a big TPE to help Indy cut just enough salary.

It will be interesting to see how this goes down.

Adrian Wojnarowski
@wojespn
·
13m
So far, Suns haven't shown an interest in negotiating a sign-and-trade on Ayton with the Pacers, but the expectation remains that Phoenix will match the record-$133M offer sheet once it's signed, sources tell ESPN. Suns could trade Ayton as soon as Jan. 15 once sheet is matched.

Wow, all that just to save about $2M per year and reduce the length by 1 year?  If they planned to match a max offer, they should have just extended him.  Hard to imagine Ayton won't have some hard feelings over this.

Maybe just a bluff to leverage more out of Indy in the sign and trade?

It could be, or they may think that there will be more of a trade market in January.

Yeah, but he has veto power for a full year. Even if a good offer presents itself, he doesn't have to play along.

They have to sign and trade for Myles Turner, I think. I don't think this will be good for the locker room and they can't effectively punt a year of CP3 at this point in his career.

[footey]

Doesn’t this throw a huge wrench in Phoenix trading for KG? Or the KD trade generally?  Think he’s stuck in BKLN for a while.

[RJ87]

Doesn’t this throw a huge wrench in Phoenix trading for KG? Or the KD trade generally?  Think he’s stuck in BKLN for a while.

Definitely takes Phoenix out of the mix. Not sure if he kills trade talks altogether. I've always thought the Raptors were a dark horse to pull of a KD trade. They can give up a few good pieces and still have a competitive roster after a trade.

[Roy H.]

Doesn’t this throw a huge wrench in Phoenix trading for KG? Or the KD trade generally?  Think he’s stuck in BKLN for a while.

Definitely takes Phoenix out of the mix. Not sure if he kills trade talks altogether. I've always thought the Raptors were a dark horse to pull of a KD trade. They can give up a few good pieces and still have a competitive roster after a trade.

Phoenix can still offer Bridges, Johnson, Crowder and all their #1s / swaps.  Ayton was never part of the direct negotiations.

[gouki88]

Wouldn't be against swapping White for Bogdanovic + pick(s). Obviously, the Jazz have no incentive to send us pick(s). It would have to be a 3-way.

I don't think we need all 4 of Smart, Brodgon, White, Pritchard. I'd love us to trade one of them for a starting-caliber swing. Preferably a 2-way player, but 2-way swings don't grow on trees. Bogdanovic is a lethal shooter.

PG: Smart - Brogdon - Pritchard
SG: Brown - Brogdon
SF: Bogdanovic - Tatum
PF: Tatum - Grant - Gallo
C: Timelord - Horford

Bogdanovic would be a good fit as a wing but I would never start him.  He would come off the bench.  Can't see why Utah would trade an expiring for 3 years of White.  Not sure if we end up better or not (and no way that Utah includes a pick).  That type of wing does balance out our roster some.

I'd start him in order to rest both Timelord and Horford. The former is injury prone, the latter is 36 years old. Giving each one of them ~24 minutes should keep them fresh for the post season. I also believe Horford is at his best when playing at the 5.

Can't see why the Jazz would trade with us either. That's why I said it would probably have to be a 3-way.

A lot of your proposals seem to fly in the face of what Ime and Brad are saying publicly. Versatility, defence anchored by two athletic big men, and a variety of offensive weapons.

[gouki88]

That offer for Ayton is mind-boggling. Timelord's deal is 4/48, by comparison. Almost triple the amount.