Beal to Phoenix for nothing

[Monster]

The Athletic had an article written about the Beal situation and it was authored but David Aldridge and some other guy. I find Aldridge to be someone who has a good grasp on what goes on in the league.

A couple thoughts based on that article and what a I think about what has transpired.

Both guys thought that it was likely that the Wizards wanted to probably sorta start over. That means taking back expiring salaries and maybe completely rebuilding. Keep in mind having cap space can mean getting draft picks for taking on contracts. They could do something similar to what OKC has been doing.

This deal isn’t done. They could still end up getting something back for Chris Paul.

Brad Beal ended up with tons of power in this deal. He could even hold out and not play and the Wizards would have no recourse. Neal likely said I want to go to the Suns and he could even dictate what the terms were…of course the Suns don’t have many assets to deal away anyway. These deals usually take more time. It seemed like this happened VERY fast. That no trade clause likely has a lot to do with it.

It’s possible the Wizards wanted nothing to do with Ayton. Both writers said he is overpaid although Aldridge said he could see a team like the Wizards finding value in acquiring him. My guess is they would rather sign their own players instead even if they aren’t a destination. Wizards already have Gafford signed and Porzingis may not opt out.

This trade has very little to do with Towns value trade or his value around the league.

The Suns are going to have a VERY expensive team for a few years. They now have 3 max guys and got there before the Wolves. If the Suns are willing to do this why wouldn’t the Wolves be willing to pay and live with th consequences?

Suns could be really good…if they can stay healthy and fill out that roster. Okogie might be a nice fit there now with even more possible scoring. I wouldn’t bank on that team staying healthy. Suns fans should just enjoy the hope of everything working. Why not?

Will Washington even resign their own FAs like Kuzma or Porzingis (if he ops out)?

This could be the first domino of even more moves. I’m the article they said maybe the Wizards even move some of their solid useful young players for draft assets. Felon Wright is probably gonna be available in addition to Monte Morris. Maybe the Wolves can get in on this deal routing Prince somewhere and get one of those guys as an upgrade at guard.

[Lipoli390]

“The Suns are going to have a VERY expensive team for a few years. They now have 3 max guys and got there before the Wolves. If the Suns are willing to do this why wouldn’t the Wolves be willing to pay and live with th consequences?”

One big difference between the Wolves situation and the Suns is that the Suns are really clearly a win-now team given the age of their three best players - Durant, Beal and Booker. In contrast, the Wolves best player is 21 years old and at least a couple years from coming close to his peak. And I think we all know this team will only go as far as Ant takes it. We’re not ready yet. The Suns have a short window to win. They need to pay whatever it takes. In contrast, the Wolves need to focus on building around Ant and Jaden. If they can win sooner without compromising the longer term strategy then fine. Going above the second apron will compromise that longer term strategy.

[Phenom]

“The Suns are going to have a VERY expensive team for a few years. They now have 3 max guys and got there before the Wolves. If the Suns are willing to do this why wouldn’t the Wolves be willing to pay and live with th consequences?”

One big difference between the Wolves situation and the Suns is that the Suns are really clearly a win-now team given the age of their three best players - Durant, Beal and Booker. In contrast, the Wolves best player is 21 years old and at least a couple years from coming close to his peak. And I think we all know this team will only go as far as Ant takes it. We’re not ready yet. The Suns have a short window to win. They need to pay whatever it takes. In contrast, the Wolves need to focus on building around Ant and Jaden. If they can win sooner without compromising the longer term strategy then fine. Going above the second apron will compromise that longer term strategy.

The spending won't be the issue. Again, the owners are big winners here. They won't be forced to spend like high rollers to placate anybody. The second apron is going to curb spending whether we feel the team should spend or not. It will be interesting to see how it plays out for Phoenix though when the squeeze starts to happen.

[FNG]

I have to admire Ishbia's guts for deciding to go for it, but I'm going to predict this is not going to turn out well for him. First of all, the payroll situation is absurd. They will have $184 million tied up in '24-25 in just four players, and if they average a paltry $2 million per player on the remaining 11 guys, they will have a payroll of $206 million...without much depth behind their core 4! Not only will they have the second apron restrictions, but my calculator doesn't have enough digits to calculate the amount of luxury tax he will be paying as a repeater.

But it's the nature of the 4 players that makes me pessimistic about the outcome. With the lack of depth they are going to have, they need their core four to regularly show up. And none of the four will ever be mistaken for Lou Gehrig. Durant has played 47 games each of the last 2 seasons, and my sources tell me he's not getting any younger at 35. Booker played 53 last year. Beal has averaged 45 games played the past two seasons, and is turning 30. And Ayton has averaged only 62 games the past two seasons (and is notoriously ineffective against Jokic).

If they have similar injury luck next season, they will struggle to get home court advantage in the playoffs...because I think the other 11 players on the roster are going to resemble last year's San Antonio Spurs. And it will be interesting to see how they replace the steadying influence of Chris Paul and who will be their starting PG. They will probably try to force Booker into that role, but not allowing him to play his natural SG position does him a disservice.

The media loves Super Teams, so some are already calling the Suns the team to beat. I'm not so sure at all.

[Monster]

I have to admire Ishbia's guts for deciding to go for it, but I'm going to predict this is not going to turn out well for him. First of all, the payroll situation is absurd. They will have $184 million tied up in '24-25 in just four players, and if they average a paltry $2 million per player on the remaining 11 guys, they will have a payroll of $206 million...without much depth behind their core 4! Not only will they have the second apron restrictions, but my calculator doesn't have enough digits to calculate the amount of luxury tax he will be paying as a repeater.

But it's the nature of the 4 players that makes me pessimistic about the outcome. With the lack of depth they are going to have, they need their core four to regularly show up. And none of the four will ever be mistaken for Lou Gehrig. Durant has played 47 games each of the last 2 seasons, and my sources tell me he's not getting any younger at 35. Booker played 53 last year. Beal has averaged 45 games played the past two seasons, and is turning 30. And Ayton has averaged only 62 games the past two seasons (and is notoriously ineffective against Jokic).

If they have similar injury luck next season, they will struggle to get home court advantage in the playoffs...because I think the other 11 players on the roster are going to resemble last year's San Antonio Spurs. And it will be interesting to see how they replace the steadying influence of Chris Paul and who will be their starting PG. They will probably try to force Booker into that role, but not allowing him to play his natural SG position does him a disservice.

The media loves Super Teams, so some are already calling the Suns the team to beat. I'm not so sure at all.

FNG I think this is similar to when the Suns acquired CP3 for not a whole lot a few years ago. Why not? Ok yes the money part but basketball wise they might as well especially since they had done the Durent trade. They are all in and Beal is an injury risk let’s also remember that he probably would have played more games the last couple years if the games mattered.

Do I think it will work? Eh maybe but I share your concerns. I will say that Beal is a fairly good playmaker and with Durant and Booker as shooters that should give him room to operate. this team is built for the playoffs. Beal Booker and Durant as options to get buckets? That is pretty intriguing. They have to all be healthy though.

Also I won’t be shocked if they trade Ayton at some point before the trade deadline. Part of his value is his scoring. Not sure that’s a good fit with the star guys above.

They are gonna be viewed as a contender. Can they be wise and find guys for the vet min? Will they be able to maybe find a couple under the radar young guys to help them? Is Frank Vogel the right coach for this group? Should be fun to watch. Lol

[Q-is-here]

I hear what you're saying FNG, but you only need two out of three of those guys healthy to have a hell of a lot of firepower and I suspect they are going to do big-time load management with Beal and Durant, basically trying to preserve them for the playoffs.

Also, there could be some good vets that are only interested in competing for rings and willing to take a pay cut. What if Draymond suddenly decides he'd like to be the fulcrum of an offense with Booker, Durant, and Beal? That's when things could get scary for the rest of the West.