Well the draft lottery sure changed things. Instead of getting a stud #4 pick in a loaded draft, Phoenix will have to wait until next year to get anything meaningful. This changes everything with regards to the Suns offseason plan.
- I start this with the premise that Phoenix isn't far away from a championship. In fact, they had the pieces to win it this year, if not the luck. Make a few tweaks, but leave the team in tact.
- Kurt Thomas. It appears more than ever, that all roads go through San Antonio not Dallas. (Last year was an abberation, Duncan and Manu were hurt all year...if they're healthy Dallas loses in 6). This means you have to keep Kurt. Very few people can play Duncan as well as Thomas, which means he's not expendible. Clearly, the Suns were a better team against San Antonion when he was on the floor.
- Banks and Diaw. I sincerely doubt anyone will take Banks or Diaw, but both have major cap numbers and add very little value. Although, I have to say I thought Banks could have had a big time defensive presence against Tony Parker and his shooting seems good when he gets minutes. I honestly don't know why he's been buried, but if your not going to play him, then trade him rather than pay him to sit on the bench. I have no idea what's up with Boris. When he's motivated or angry, he's a friggin' beast and all-but-ungaurdable. The problem is, that almost never happened this year. The coaches know best, but from my couch, I'd say move him if you can.
- Stoudemire / Marion. Honestly, I don't think they can coexist, and I think it's 75% Stoudemire. But, without the #4 pick, I'm not sure how you move him. I see rumors of a 3-way deal with Chicago that ends up swapping him for KG, but that adds a HUGE luxury tax hit, and I don't hear Sarver signing up for that. Frankly, I think they are both ego-driven head cases that are a ton of troulble in the locker room. But, how can you move them without seriously downgrading the team? A moody Marion is still giving you 15 / 15 and defending all 5 positions. As I said, I don't think they can co-exist, but I also don't see what the alternative is. Unless you can get KG, they're untradeable, and I'd move Stoudemire before I'd move Marion. He's just a mess in the locker room.
- Draft. Knowing the Suns, they'll dump these picks unless Acie Law is still around (highly unlikely). What I don't understand is, why not take a flyer on some foreign dude, or some high flying, athletic wing? Manu and Parker were both low draft picks...
Final comment on KG. I would beware getting a superstar whose been in the league for 10+ years. The problem is that they've been playing the game a certain way their entire career. Asking them to adjust to a new system, new team mates, new passing angles etc. is a lot to ask. I see what AI isn't doing in Denver - adapting to his team. He still dribbles too much, and shoots a poor percentage without involving his teammates. In a system catered to that style, he can be successful, i.e, surround him with rebounders and pick-setters. But in a system where he has to adapt to Melo, not-so-much. Same with KG. I think his game is uniquely suited to Nash and Marion, and he'd make the locker room a much better place...but it'd take some time to make it work. Anyone but Nash, and it's a lost cause. WITH Nash, anything is possible.
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