Suns close to moving into top 10

[OptimusRhyme]

Suns close to trade into top 10

Paul Coro
The Arizona Republic
Jun. 25, 2007 09:27 AM
The Suns are closing in on a trade that would put them in the top 10 of Thursday's draft, according to David Griffin, Phoenix's senior vice president of basketball operations.

The increasing chances prompted Florida's Corey Brewer (a defensive small forward), Joakim Noah (a high-motor power forward) and Georgetown's Jeff Green (a versatile small forward) to agree to work out Tuesday in Phoenix with a fourth mystery player of top-10 caliber.

The Suns also are having second workouts Tuesday with Finnish point guard Petteri Koponen, Oregon point guard Aaron Brooks and Wisconsin small forward Alando Tucker, who will be joined by new visitor Giorgos Printezis of Greece.

There are ongoing talks with a few teams in the top 10 but one dialogue is "much hotter," Griffin said.

To make a deal, the Suns would likely give up some combination of their 24th and 29th picks this year and the draft pick of Atlanta's that they own for next year.

 

[Vlade4GM]

No!

 

[OptimusRhyme]

Alot of reasoning there.

 

[nbrans]

Could it be us??

We know Geoff has been looking at guys who will be available late in the first round, maybe he's looking for a big this year late and a point guard with Atlanta's unprotected 1st next year?

 

[hrdboild]

I don't know that I would count on Atlanta's pick next year to the point of giving up the 10 pick this year. We don't know yet who's going to be in the draft next year plus Atlanta should improve by adding two lottery picks this year. That could easily backfire and cost us our guaranteed lottery pick this year for two late picks. Unless the Suns throw in Marion or something, doesn't seem like a winner to me.

 

[Bricklayer]

Shoo Suns. Go away! Unless of course you plan to reach on Al Thronton or somebody not thought to e a top 10 guy, in which case you are welcome to join the party and push the real talent one step closer to us.

 

[VF21]

Could it be us??

We know Geoff has been looking at guys who will be available late in the first round, maybe he's looking for a big this year late and a point guard with Atlanta's unprotected 1st next year?

I sure can't think of a deal Phoenix could offer us that would meet any of our obvious needs. I just don't see Petrie passing up our #10 for picks that late in the draft.

 

[HndsmCelt]

I sure can't think of a deal Phoenix could offer us that would meet any of our obvious needs. I just don't see Petrie passing up our #10 for picks that late in the draft.

No but unfortunalty I CAN envison deals they could make with Boston, Minny and Menphis...

 

[beb0p]

No but unfortunalty I CAN envison deals they could make with Boston, Minny and Menphis...

There is a rumor that Marion is going to Boston, maybe as part of the KG deal. Minny is trying to move up, so it's possible their #7 goes to the Suns and the Celts' #5 goes to the Wolves.

The Hawks, Bobcats and Bulls are also rumored to be entertaining offers for their picks.

It's bad news if the Suns land a top 10, because you know they're picking a PF/C and one less big man to fall to us.

 

[Kingster]

There is a rumor that Marion is going to Boston, maybe as part of the KG deal. Minny is trying to move up, so it's possible their #7 goes to the Suns and the Celts' #5 goes to the Wolves.

The Hawks, Bobcats and Bulls are also rumored to be entertaining offers for their picks.

Well if those rumors are half-way true, it sure would be nice if Petrie picked up the phone to get us another #1. I doubt very, very much Petrie is interested in trading down that low in the draft.

 

[Rain man]

I sure can't think of a deal Phoenix could offer us that would meet any of our obvious needs. I just don't see Petrie passing up our #10 for picks that late in the draft.

I agree for the most part. The one way I could see Geoff doing this is if he is convinced that that guys he really wants would be gone by #10. If he thinks that the guys available at 10 are starter quality, but not star quality, he might be compelled to jump back to 24 and 29. There, he would get two shots to find the one starter quality player he passed up at #10.

The obvious benefit to us is that we basically are looking at 2 top 10 draft picks next year.

Of course, other teams ahead of us (like Boston, Minnesota) can offer much more attractive packages than the 10 pick, meaning that it is unlikely that we are the team that things are really "hot" with. But if the trade is with us, I would be okay with it.

 

[Capt. Factorial]

I agree for the most part. The one way I could see Geoff doing this is if he is convinced that that guys he really wants would be gone by #10. If he thinks that the guys available at 10 are starter quality, but not star quality, he might be compelled to jump back to 24 and 29.

Don't forget that any trade of the #10 need not happen until we're on the clock. If Petrie doesn't like the board when it comes to our pick, we can pull the trigger. (If, of course, we're the team that is having "hot" discussions with Phoenix, which I doubt.)

but if Petrie doesn't like the board at #10, what makes you think the Suns will like it? if all that's left is Hawes (Brad Millers long lost little brother) and we don't want him very much, why would the Suns?

Well, one possibility is Joakim Noah being the best player left. He seems to be a good fit for the Suns as a complementary player on a fast-paced, offensive team but is probably not the guy we'd like to build around. I know many people here like Noah, but that's one scenario where I think Phoenix would like the board more than we did.

but, i'd prefer it if Chad Ford is right and Brandan Wright slips to us

Which brings up the question of whether we've worked B. Wright out and whether Petrie would draft him without a workout...Brandan falling could be bad news for us if we haven't worked him out, because he'll only fall if the players we HAVE worked out go higher.

 

[VF21]

If he thinks that the guys available at 10 are starter quality, but not star quality, he might be compelled to jump back to 24 and 29. There, he would get two shots to find the one starter quality player he passed up at #10.

The one problem is the quality of player available at the 24/29 is significantly lower than at the 10, especially in this year's draft.

 

[nbrans]

^You never know.

 

[VF21]

I'm not talking exceptions, nbrans. I'm saying in general the quality of player is lower. There are always exceptions to the expected, but there are also a lot of players drafted at those lower levels that do nothing but sit out their rookie contract and end up going back to civilian life.

 

[RIP miyagi]

ide trade em for marion. thats it though. well, of course of other players, but thats the only thing they feel like letting go of.

 

[nbrans]

I'm not talking exceptions, nbrans. I'm saying in general the quality of player is lower. There are always exceptions to the expected, but there are also a lot of players drafted at those lower levels that do nothing but sit out their rookie contract and end up going back to civilian life.

Well, that's true.

Unless Petrie is really confident that in this deep draft he's going to get some guys in the twenties (like Fesenko) who he feels are as good as some of the guys at 10. Normally that doesn't happen, but in this draft I still say you never know.

But it's probably not us.

 

[vfettke]

Don't forget that any trade of the #10 need not happen until we're on the clock. If Petrie doesn't like the board when it comes to our pick, we can pull the trigger. (If, of course, we're the team that is having "hot" discussions with Phoenix, which I doubt.)

but if Petrie doesn't like the board at #10, what makes you think the Suns will like it? if all that's left is Hawes (Brad Millers long lost little brother) and we don't want him very much, why would the Suns?

if that were the case and the Suns really wanted someone at the 10 that we don't really desire, then take the two later first rounders (Petrie's pretty good at recognizing the talent there) and get Atlanta's lottery pick next year (don't think for a second that adding Horford and Law to their current roster is gonna put them in the playoffs just yet) to go along with our likely lottery pick in 2008.

although its really tought turning down any of this year's big men

but, i'd prefer it if Chad Ford is right and Brandan Wright slips to us

 

[PFFFT!!]

but if Petrie doesn't like the board at #10, what makes you think the Suns will like it? if all that's left is Hawes (Brad Millers long lost little brother) and we don't want him very much, why would the Suns?

if that were the case and the Suns really wanted someone at the 10 that we don't really desire, then take the two later first rounders (Petrie's pretty good at recognizing the talent there) and get Atlanta's lottery pick next year (don't think for a second that adding Horford and Law to their current roster is gonna put them in the playoffs just yet) to go along with our likely lottery pick in 2008.

although its really tought turning down any of this year's big men

but, i'd prefer it if Chad Ford is right and Brandan Wright slips to us

For the simple reason that the Suns have a legitimate shot at the title. I thought they deserved to win over the Spurs. They would rather get a caliber veteran now than a pick that wont really help (unless they get 1st or 2nd which they wont). On the other hand, we want to get as many picks as we can and develop this team for the future.

 

[ParniValjak]

I very much doubt its us but if it is I would like Amare thanks

I think its more likely that we are talking about Boston, Minnesota, Memphis and Chicago.

 

[Smills91]

I sure can't think of a deal Phoenix could offer us that would meet any of our obvious needs. I just don't see Petrie passing up our #10 for picks that late in the draft.

Kenny Thomas
#10

for

Kurt Thomas
Atlanta's pick next year
#24
#29

I could see that happening


or

Shawn Marion
Atl's 2008 pick
#24

Kenny Thomas
Artest
#10

 

[Gary]

I'm not talking exceptions, nbrans. I'm saying in general the quality of player is lower. There are always exceptions to the expected, but there are also a lot of players drafted at those lower levels that do nothing but sit out their rookie contract and end up going back to civilian life.

IMO I think Jason Smith is prbally better than a couple guys out there that will be drafted before him. The thing with Smith though is the small school.

 

[Smills91]

IMO I think Jason Smith is prbally better than a couple guys out there that will be drafted before him. The thing with Smith though is the small school.

No no no...have you ever ACTUALLY seen him play? He looked AWFUL when I saw him, so bad that he looked like he shouldn't even be playing HS ball except for his height. He looked lost, uncoordinated and a complete Joke for a basketball player. I don't know how the hell this guy is a projected draft selection in the mid first round.

 

[nbrans]

No no no...have you ever ACTUALLY seen him play? He looked AWFUL when I saw him, so bad that he looked like he shouldn't even be playing HS ball except for his height. He looked lost, uncoordinated and a complete Joke for a basketball player. I don't know how the hell this guy is a projected draft selection in the mid first round.

Admittedly I haven't watched him play a game, but I assume you didn't see the 27/22 he put up against Wyoming? I mean, surely he had an off night, but I don't know how a joke of a basketball player puts up 27/22 in a college game.

PS: What game did you watch, Smills91? Because looking over his game logs, he only had one really bad game. 10 of his last 12 games were double-doubles.