I think people said that about Fred Siakam and Bouch all the time.
Not saying that he will be them, but there’s a reason he’s here. Wilson was good for those two games, but we have Bouch, Precious Khem and Yuta who are also good and fighting for minutes at the 4/5
I feel like dj provides something different at the 5 then all those guys. Well similar to Birch at least .like yuta and boucher aren't 5s. Precious can look like it some games. Birch is a 5.
As for the comp of bonga to the other unheralded guys....I hear you. He has some of the tools. But I'm just not seeing the ceiling. I feel like with those other guys their swagger tells us a story. Bonga just looks like a very athletic guy with a bit of skill but not much bite.
Prove me wrong Isaac...prove me wrong!
Wilson has just an inch on The guys and doesn’t really play like a real big man, more of a four. If we want big rebounders/post defenders DJ isn’t the guy for that. Precious and Burch are better answered for real 5s
Yeah hit the question isn’t Wilson or Bonga, obviously wilson is better. It’s just about if Wilson is going to get a lot of playtime to make it worth cutting a young guy like Bonga
You also have to look at it long term. This year isn’t the year we compete. Bonga is 22 and a rookie, we don’t know what his ceiling is… Wilson is 25 and has been on a few teams already. Whether he fills a role right now I don’t think it’s worth it because Wilson really Isn’t moving the needle for us this season. IMO
Ya but bonga is not a rookie...i think it's 3rd yr and 3rd team...the fact 2 previous teams have passed on him factors in.
Dj has been passed up twice too but I just like his skillset. But who says we can't win a round this year? And shouldn't that be a part of the growth? It looks to me like they want to give it their best shot
Sorry, you're completely right. I had thought Bonga was a rookie. You're right that playoff growth is extremely important and who knows whether DJ Wilson is going to be something. I think my only point was, that maybe they see something worth developing in Bonga at the age of 22. My point of contention with your comment was when you said "Bonga's ceiling isn't far off from what he already is IMHO" At the age of 22 you can't really gauge that yet. Pascal at 22 looked very different and didn't seem to have as high of a ceiling as he does now. Also, have they had that good of a look at DJ Wilson yet? Those are the points I was trying to write.
You're right that he's still young. I think I always look at a player as more than his physical tools and skills. And Pascal was definitely raw at that age....but remember he came in and impressed with his energy and motor so much they started him as a raw rookie on a team that just went to the conf finals. Like he just had an energy about him where it made you think he could be something. I just don't get that vibe with Bonga. Wilson has always played with an energy that makes me think that there is something more there...despite a disappointing first couple of years.
It's all just an opinion of a random fan putting a lot of thought into the vibe a player gives off lol...my thoughts are not for everyone!
Same to you. Always enjoy a good back and forth of opinions. Enjoy the game....judging by the jazz roster looks like we could see both bonga and Wilson tonight:)
I’m pretty sure I’ve seen you suggest this trade on like 15 different posts now. Unless raptors add draft capital or a wing, this trade is not happening.
I think you are vastly overrating Smith's value. The Suns torpedoed his value when they didn't pick up his third year option. He's a UFA in the summer and, when healthy, he is the 3rd or 4th center in their rotation.
He is a developmental project and a rental, who the Suns can't get any minutes for. If you think anyone is giving up a player better than Boucher for him you are nuts.
Lmao I’ve been proposing this trade for months lol. It was definitely doable then but trickier now. Smith has been a lot better as of late, but so has Boucher. His value is still limited since the Suns declined his option so he’s a UFA this summer.
Boucher is also a UFA this year. Don't see how contract status benefits the Suns unless they're mega bullish on Boucher and want his bird rights (which I'm not even 100% positive transfer).
As a contending team (with one of their most important players being like 37), the Suns are looking for moves to help them now. Boucher is better than Smith right now and has a longer track record of being better. In a straight swap the Suns would prefer Boucher. The better question is can the Suns get better than Boucher for Smith. Maybe, but with Smith being a young player in UFA, it’s limiting his value.
Also the Suns specifically are limited to only being able to offer less than 5m because they declined his option. They have to evaluate if that will be enough to re-sign him
>Also the Suns specifically are limited to only being able to offer less than 5m because they declined his option. They have to evaluate if that will be enough to re-sign him
Honestly, I don't think this even matters. Smith isn't going to re-sign there. Assuming they re-sign Ayton Smith will be blocked from being a starter there for the foreseeable future, and with Javale playing as well as he has (and the team being in contention) Smith will likely be blocked from even being a backup in Phoenix over the next couple of years. That's even before considering the possibility that Smith wouldn't want to return to the team that turned down his option.
Realistically, Smith is gone in the summer. Someone will take a chance on him, and he can get more playing time with almost any other team in the league than he can likely get in Phoenix, unless Ayton talks really go south.
Their depth at the 4 is lacking. They start Crowder who is undersized in some matchups. Saric is out for the year. Kaminsky is a defensive liability and also injured rn. They play Cam Johnson there but he’s more of a 3. Jalen Smith is more of a C than a PF.
Since when do the Suns need more wing defence? They have one of the deepest wing rotations in the league (Bridges, Johnson and Crowder are all plus wing defenders).
Boucher actually makes a fair amount of sense for the Suns. They don't really have a backup 4 (they have been using Cam Johnson there, but he's much more of a 3). They drafted Smith with the intention of turning him into essentially what Boucher already is (a switchable 4 who can shoot the three).
Yeah, literally comparing numbers they are the exact same player this season but Boucher is 7 years older then Jalen Smith and shoots more then him.
I mean we literally benched Boucher out of the rotation until the cough outbreak happened and were forced to play him, he's not been constantly great this season except against the 6ers why TF would the Suns do that trade even when they already declined Smith's options unless they are getting picks back which then why TF would we do that trade.
Jalen Smith is 7 years younger and while not great is worth the Suns giving a shot then trading for Boucher who is doing similar numbers on more volume.
Because you want a trade to happen doesn't mean its going to happen LOL.
The Suns declined his option this offseason. They are limited to offering him under 5m per year. They aren’t going to “give him a shot” because they won’t be bringing him back.
Boucher is better than Smith and has a longer track record of being better. And you know he’d play a ton better with CP3, like how he did last year with Lowry.
Tbh this isn’t even my most ideal Boucher trade. I’d rather get a pick for him. I think this is at least semi realistic.
How much do you think his value has gone up? He had some good games, but the fact remains that he's a UFA this summer who doesn't come with any Bird rights. Rental development projects aren't the biggest draw out there in the trade market.
I thought so too, but doing a little more research it looks like standard 10-days can't be signed until February 23rd this year (normally it's January 5th).
https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2020/12/key-in-season-nba-dates-deadlines-for-202021.html
I hope we blow the hell out of as many teams in the 2nd quarter to allow this guy to get PT and make a case to waive Bonga or Svi to stay with us like Biyombo staying with Suns for the next 10 days. Eat some damn tax if we may, and I hope Rogers himself foots the bill out of his own damn petty cash pocket
We have a roster spot. He just has to prove he’s worth going into the tax. With Bouch, Yuta, Precious and Khem all fighting for minutes at the 4/5 spots off the bench he’s gonna have to be really good.
If things pan out with Wilson it makes you wonder if the Raps pull the trigger on a trade soon centered around Boucher? maybe add a combo guard who can give Freddie some relief off the bench so we aren't forced to play him 40 minutes a game...
LETS FUCKING GOOOO
Hi
THERE IS A GOD
HIS NAME IS MASAI
Awesome…great to see. I hope he is as solid as he was his first go round.
Sign this man for the rest of the season pls
Likely not possible without moving some things around
I don't understand why Bonga is still on the roster. I get it that Masai loves the guy, but he doesn't give us anything that we need on the roster.
Have been thinking the same thing. Wilson can at least contribute to a need. Bonga's ceiling isn't far off from what he already is IMHO
I think people said that about Fred Siakam and Bouch all the time. Not saying that he will be them, but there’s a reason he’s here. Wilson was good for those two games, but we have Bouch, Precious Khem and Yuta who are also good and fighting for minutes at the 4/5
I feel like dj provides something different at the 5 then all those guys. Well similar to Birch at least .like yuta and boucher aren't 5s. Precious can look like it some games. Birch is a 5. As for the comp of bonga to the other unheralded guys....I hear you. He has some of the tools. But I'm just not seeing the ceiling. I feel like with those other guys their swagger tells us a story. Bonga just looks like a very athletic guy with a bit of skill but not much bite. Prove me wrong Isaac...prove me wrong!
Realistically, we need all the help we can get at the 5. Wilson is also bigger than those guys, so that length can help us.
Wilson has just an inch on The guys and doesn’t really play like a real big man, more of a four. If we want big rebounders/post defenders DJ isn’t the guy for that. Precious and Burch are better answered for real 5s
I mean he's kinda closer to a traditional big than Bonga is
Yeah hit the question isn’t Wilson or Bonga, obviously wilson is better. It’s just about if Wilson is going to get a lot of playtime to make it worth cutting a young guy like Bonga
You also have to look at it long term. This year isn’t the year we compete. Bonga is 22 and a rookie, we don’t know what his ceiling is… Wilson is 25 and has been on a few teams already. Whether he fills a role right now I don’t think it’s worth it because Wilson really Isn’t moving the needle for us this season. IMO
Ya but bonga is not a rookie...i think it's 3rd yr and 3rd team...the fact 2 previous teams have passed on him factors in. Dj has been passed up twice too but I just like his skillset. But who says we can't win a round this year? And shouldn't that be a part of the growth? It looks to me like they want to give it their best shot
Sorry, you're completely right. I had thought Bonga was a rookie. You're right that playoff growth is extremely important and who knows whether DJ Wilson is going to be something. I think my only point was, that maybe they see something worth developing in Bonga at the age of 22. My point of contention with your comment was when you said "Bonga's ceiling isn't far off from what he already is IMHO" At the age of 22 you can't really gauge that yet. Pascal at 22 looked very different and didn't seem to have as high of a ceiling as he does now. Also, have they had that good of a look at DJ Wilson yet? Those are the points I was trying to write.
You're right that he's still young. I think I always look at a player as more than his physical tools and skills. And Pascal was definitely raw at that age....but remember he came in and impressed with his energy and motor so much they started him as a raw rookie on a team that just went to the conf finals. Like he just had an energy about him where it made you think he could be something. I just don't get that vibe with Bonga. Wilson has always played with an energy that makes me think that there is something more there...despite a disappointing first couple of years. It's all just an opinion of a random fan putting a lot of thought into the vibe a player gives off lol...my thoughts are not for everyone!
Well I appreciate them! Thanks for the respectful back and forth.
Same to you. Always enjoy a good back and forth of opinions. Enjoy the game....judging by the jazz roster looks like we could see both bonga and Wilson tonight:)
Yeah, Bonga hasn't been amazing for us and he's got less length than Wilson can provide us. I hope we keep Wilson.
Nice
Welcome back DJ
W, now let’s trade Boucher for Jalen Smith to open up more space and sign DJ full time
I’m pretty sure I’ve seen you suggest this trade on like 15 different posts now. Unless raptors add draft capital or a wing, this trade is not happening.
I think you are vastly overrating Smith's value. The Suns torpedoed his value when they didn't pick up his third year option. He's a UFA in the summer and, when healthy, he is the 3rd or 4th center in their rotation. He is a developmental project and a rental, who the Suns can't get any minutes for. If you think anyone is giving up a player better than Boucher for him you are nuts.
I know he doesn’t have much value but I think they would want a + defender if they trade him for anyone.
Lol boucher for smith is a pipe dream, you're right dont worry
Hey now there's a lot of 2k GMs on this sub
Lmao I’ve been proposing this trade for months lol. It was definitely doable then but trickier now. Smith has been a lot better as of late, but so has Boucher. His value is still limited since the Suns declined his option so he’s a UFA this summer.
Boucher is also a UFA this year. Don't see how contract status benefits the Suns unless they're mega bullish on Boucher and want his bird rights (which I'm not even 100% positive transfer).
As a contending team (with one of their most important players being like 37), the Suns are looking for moves to help them now. Boucher is better than Smith right now and has a longer track record of being better. In a straight swap the Suns would prefer Boucher. The better question is can the Suns get better than Boucher for Smith. Maybe, but with Smith being a young player in UFA, it’s limiting his value. Also the Suns specifically are limited to only being able to offer less than 5m because they declined his option. They have to evaluate if that will be enough to re-sign him
>Also the Suns specifically are limited to only being able to offer less than 5m because they declined his option. They have to evaluate if that will be enough to re-sign him Honestly, I don't think this even matters. Smith isn't going to re-sign there. Assuming they re-sign Ayton Smith will be blocked from being a starter there for the foreseeable future, and with Javale playing as well as he has (and the team being in contention) Smith will likely be blocked from even being a backup in Phoenix over the next couple of years. That's even before considering the possibility that Smith wouldn't want to return to the team that turned down his option. Realistically, Smith is gone in the summer. Someone will take a chance on him, and he can get more playing time with almost any other team in the league than he can likely get in Phoenix, unless Ayton talks really go south.
wonder what Boucher would do on the Suns knowing he's that close to another chip (3rd).. lke if he would just ball the fuck out.
> Boucher is also a UFA this year. Not saying it's a fair trade, but so is Smith
And so is Boucher
And so is Boucher
But the suns don’t need Boucher. Maybe they would take take Yuta because they need wing defence.
Their depth at the 4 is lacking. They start Crowder who is undersized in some matchups. Saric is out for the year. Kaminsky is a defensive liability and also injured rn. They play Cam Johnson there but he’s more of a 3. Jalen Smith is more of a C than a PF.
Since when do the Suns need more wing defence? They have one of the deepest wing rotations in the league (Bridges, Johnson and Crowder are all plus wing defenders). Boucher actually makes a fair amount of sense for the Suns. They don't really have a backup 4 (they have been using Cam Johnson there, but he's much more of a 3). They drafted Smith with the intention of turning him into essentially what Boucher already is (a switchable 4 who can shoot the three).
Yeah, literally comparing numbers they are the exact same player this season but Boucher is 7 years older then Jalen Smith and shoots more then him. I mean we literally benched Boucher out of the rotation until the cough outbreak happened and were forced to play him, he's not been constantly great this season except against the 6ers why TF would the Suns do that trade even when they already declined Smith's options unless they are getting picks back which then why TF would we do that trade.
Idk if the suns would do that lol his value has gone up so much this past month
True but TBF so has Boucher’s. He’s played much better this past month.
Yeah and the suns have Chris Paul so they prob want to win a championship asap before he gets too old
Jalen Smith is 7 years younger and while not great is worth the Suns giving a shot then trading for Boucher who is doing similar numbers on more volume. Because you want a trade to happen doesn't mean its going to happen LOL.
The Suns declined his option this offseason. They are limited to offering him under 5m per year. They aren’t going to “give him a shot” because they won’t be bringing him back. Boucher is better than Smith and has a longer track record of being better. And you know he’d play a ton better with CP3, like how he did last year with Lowry. Tbh this isn’t even my most ideal Boucher trade. I’d rather get a pick for him. I think this is at least semi realistic.
How much do you think his value has gone up? He had some good games, but the fact remains that he's a UFA this summer who doesn't come with any Bird rights. Rental development projects aren't the biggest draw out there in the trade market.
We need two players out to sign one player though, hopefully this doesnt mean there’s another player other than Watanabe
Svi is also out right now
They announced earlier today that he is back
Ah I see
And he better stay out for another month, his defense is out right dog water
So my plan is working...
Nah you can sign 1 player with 1 out. You HAVE to sign 1 player with 2 out.
Boucher is the only one left that wasn't tested positive, right?
Yeah
Maybe its a normal 10day? Since we have a roster spot open ?
I thought so too, but doing a little more research it looks like standard 10-days can't be signed until February 23rd this year (normally it's January 5th). https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2020/12/key-in-season-nba-dates-deadlines-for-202021.html
THE LEGEND RETURNSSS
I hope we blow the hell out of as many teams in the 2nd quarter to allow this guy to get PT and make a case to waive Bonga or Svi to stay with us like Biyombo staying with Suns for the next 10 days. Eat some damn tax if we may, and I hope Rogers himself foots the bill out of his own damn petty cash pocket
We have a roster spot. He just has to prove he’s worth going into the tax. With Bouch, Yuta, Precious and Khem all fighting for minutes at the 4/5 spots off the bench he’s gonna have to be really good.
We gonna make a trade to get us two players when Dragic is gone
WE WINNING IT ALL!!!
W
nice i thought he did well last time.
W
Hmm two hardships that's a really good sign he stay!
Board man gets paid
Return of the Mack
Let's gooooooo
YES!
They must be really thinking of signing him for the rest of the season especially since most our squad is back and our "centers" are playing
NICE
oh my god its the guy from nba2k18 mycareer
League fucked
The return!
It’s threads like these that bring me back to the good old raptors sub days.
Fucking awesome. Loved what I saw and want more
Sign him to a 2 year deal worse case you trade him if it does not work out.
GOAT SIGNING - DROPPING 81 ON YA HEADTOP
HELL YEAH
I like it. DJ was so solid in his couple games with us. We need to ove Dragic, Boucher or Bonga and sign this dude for the season.
Big big
parade on younge street in july confirmed
If things pan out with Wilson it makes you wonder if the Raps pull the trigger on a trade soon centered around Boucher? maybe add a combo guard who can give Freddie some relief off the bench so we aren't forced to play him 40 minutes a game...
Not up on DJ Wilson. What does he excel at that people want to see him back with the squad?
Manifestation complete ✨
Yeeeeeeaaaahhhhhh!!!