NardDogNation wrote:
How does all this not embolden my point? It is very well possible that Covid could be so devastating that it renders a middling player like Dario Saric the MVP. And if that level of variance exists, couldn't a blue chip talent like an Anthony Edwards or LaMelo Ball have a similarly outsized impact under the same conditions while under cost control? Wouldn't that be especially appealing for an owner under financial strains due to the economy?

We all know the cap will be significantly lower ($100 million) due to the pandemic and fallout with China. Even though that's the case, the Suns still owe $85 million in gauranteed money to 10 players; Aaron Baynes and a capable backup PG excluded. That means they'd already be at the cap floor and would only have $10 million and a draft pick to retain Baynes and fill out the holes on their roster. That doesn't seem to be very encouraging especially given how talented the rest of the West is. So why continue on this path when the option to rebuild has never been more appealing?

I understand your point that Booker has value. That's why I want him, along with the fact that I think he fits with RJ Barrett. At the same time, I don't see other franchises with the will or assets to upstage an offer we can make. Aside for the Thunder and their treasure-trove of picks, what is really out there? Given the oil-market and how far into the luxury tax the Thunder are already slated to be, I doubt Bennett even gives the green light to absorb $30 million/yr in long-term money. This is, after all, the same dude unwilling to pay James Harden $4-$6 million more over the lifetime of his contract despite them being a title contender. I doubt he breaks the bank for Devin Booker as a 6th seed uncomfortably dependent on CP3's health. So who else is left?

You want the Suns to rebuild by trading a 23 year old All Star and future Olympian, who has scored at a pace in line with established HOF caliber players, who can shoot long range and can produce all over the floor well and has shown durability and no major character concerns, under which they have locked up recently with a five year extension?

So they can save money to resign Aron Baynes and ride hopes on unproven draftees?

Even if the Suns were willing to trade Booker and even if the Suns were willing to trade him to the Knicks ( neither of those things would happen), you expect RJ Barrett to NOT be a part of said trade?

TripleThreat wrote:

NardDogNation wrote:
How does all this not embolden my point? It is very well possible that Covid could be so devastating that it renders a middling player like Dario Saric the MVP. And if that level of variance exists, couldn't a blue chip talent like an Anthony Edwards or LaMelo Ball have a similarly outsized impact under the same conditions while under cost control? Wouldn't that be especially appealing for an owner under financial strains due to the economy?

We all know the cap will be significantly lower ($100 million) due to the pandemic and fallout with China. Even though that's the case, the Suns still owe $85 million in gauranteed money to 10 players; Aaron Baynes and a capable backup PG excluded. That means they'd already be at the cap floor and would only have $10 million and a draft pick to retain Baynes and fill out the holes on their roster. That doesn't seem to be very encouraging especially given how talented the rest of the West is. So why continue on this path when the option to rebuild has never been more appealing?

I understand your point that Booker has value. That's why I want him, along with the fact that I think he fits with RJ Barrett. At the same time, I don't see other franchises with the will or assets to upstage an offer we can make. Aside for the Thunder and their treasure-trove of picks, what is really out there? Given the oil-market and how far into the luxury tax the Thunder are already slated to be, I doubt Bennett even gives the green light to absorb $30 million/yr in long-term money. This is, after all, the same dude unwilling to pay James Harden $4-$6 million more over the lifetime of his contract despite them being a title contender. I doubt he breaks the bank for Devin Booker as a 6th seed uncomfortably dependent on CP3's health. So who else is left?

You want the Suns to rebuild by trading a 23 year old All Star and future Olympian, who has scored at a pace in line with established HOF caliber players, who can shoot long range and can produce all over the floor well and has shown durability and no major character concerns, under which they have locked up recently with a five year extension?

So they can save money to resign Aron Baynes and ride hopes on unproven draftees?

Even if the Suns were willing to trade Booker and even if the Suns were willing to trade him to the Knicks ( neither of those things would happen), you expect RJ Barrett to NOT be a part of said trade?

Where do you rank Booker among the gamechangers of the league? What tier of star is he now and what level of star do you see him settling as? Because I see him as being in his prime and still not good enough to get a reasonably talented team into the playoffs as an 8th seed; a spot currently occupied by a franchise led by a rookie and a 2nd yr player. Not to say that I don't like Booker. But at his best I see him as either the 3rd best player on a true contender, provided the talent pool is not diluted. What is an appropriate trade for Booker?