Suns Off-Season Plans REVEALED...

The Suns are anticipated to make moves this offseason, and with their top offseason priorities being revealed, CJ and I are going to be diving in, looking at some things explaining that the Suns should do that we have talked about on this channel. While looking at those moves, though, Yusuf Nurkic is still a name that remains on the trade block among the rumor list. Could he be listed out and possibly traded? We'll be looking at a rumored trade as well in this episode of Suns Digest. I'm Bruce Bellett, alongside my co-host CJ Pierre. Before we dive in on all this news, that number has been dropping dramatically. CJ and I greatly appreciate it. We're now at 86% of our viewers are not subscribed. If you guys are part of that number and you guys do enjoy the daily Suns content coming to you guys over throughout this entire offseason, make sure to hit that subscribe button as we're still on the road to 1,000 subscribers and would greatly appreciate it. But let's dive into the topic at hand today. make sure to grab a snack and like i mentioned we're gonna be diving in looking at the Suns offseason plans now CJ before we kind of get into this video before we kind of get into it me and you have kind of broken down and talked about the Suns offseason plans i want to let you know that you're going to be excited to look at this list because it's got your number one priority listed among the top we'll be looking at this article from Donnie Drew in looking at the three things the Suns would look to accomplish this offseason and number one is that point guard CJ as we know you have been screaming about it i've been screaming the Suns would like to add a point guard to the rotation even after they've just dealt away Chris Paul last offseason and dealt away Cam Payne now CJ we've kind of looked at an abundance of point guards some guys that we have liked but now that we've got some confirmation from the Suns here hearing that they want to go after this point guard how does this make you feel going about this music to my ears man this is exactly what i wanted to hear i know you and i have talked about it there are guys that have been in the comments just talking about how important it is for the Suns to add a point guard to this roster I know that there are people out there some some pundits out there talking about how Suns aren't looking they don't need a traditional point guard you know there aren't it's not you know the Chris Pauls of the world it's not a 6-2 uh point guard game anymore and that's not that's not what it's about it's about someone that can facilitate the offense someone that can be the quarterback on the court putting people in the right positions putting people in places that allows them to succeed that is yes I know that there is more of a combo guard two guardy offense where you're the guy who's running your offense is also somewhat of a primary scorer so when you look at guys like a Damian Lillard for example uh you know Luca Dončić you know he's the facilitator but he also runs the offense but when you have a team particularly like the Suns have when you guys have guys like Devin Booker Bradley Beal Kevin Durant where their primary focus is to score the basketball you don't have someone that is going that is going to be their primary job to make sure they're put in positions that are going to allow them to succeed that's why particularly in the playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves we saw so much isolation so many times where you guys had guys holding the ball and not much movement going on elsewhere on the court not a lot of movement off the ball there was one possession particularly in that Timberwolves series where Devin Booker got the ball with 20 seconds left on the shot clock and nothing happened on the court until five seconds left on the shot clock where he had tried to attack the basket and they ended up missing a shot like it's that's not how you run an offense that's why you need a facilitator someone who can just set everybody up I don't care if you're 6-2 I don't care if you're six eight, i don't care if you're seven feet tall, you need a point guard to run the show and the fact that the Suns had noticed that recognized that that they didn't have a point guard on the roster at all is super good to hear i don't if it's a backup point guard, if it's anyone that can just run an offense, the Suns desperately need that, and you brought some valuable points, CJ, i want to start off with the point where you brought up doesn't matter if he's six two six five seven but we just need that facilitator that guy to just get the offense going and that's what we've been screaming about again, just because we say point guard, it doesn't have to be a six two Chris Paul type of player it just needs to be able, it doesn't need to be a starter, we know Booker can facilitate, we know Beal can facilitate, we know Kevin Durant can be facilitators but at points we need somebody like you mentioned to just set up the offense, be that guy to be that quarterback, get those plays going I know with Frank Vogel there were some concerns with you know some playing routes and with Budenholzer we might see some changes but still addressing that backup, that point guard, even if it's a backup a guy who can just close out games doesn't even need to start them is huge especially alongside guys like Booker and Beal who can be creative shooters, now CJ as we keep diving and looking at this article we mentioned the point guard this article mentions two other needs as well, one of them being upgrading the backup center, so we previously talked about Drew Eubanks Suns apparently want him back, Eubanks would like to get back but we haven't really heard much reports since then, so possibly could the Suns be upgrading and looking at a different backup big and the young athletic wing, now Naz Reid's name has also been on that trade block, a little bit of a younger maybe not as athletic wing but a guy who has some potential, has some prowess now looking at this salary cap here you can see there is really no backup point guard is no really backup wing so i do have a question for you CJ and that is what need do you think is the most valuable do you think that backup big is the need that the Suns should be going after over that young athletic wing or do you think the young athletic wing should be prioritized even if they're rumored to be really signing Royce O'Neale and drop down below in the comments section what you think as well yeah uh particularly when you when it comes to those two options i think the thing uh it and what they end up doing with some of the pieces that are currently on the roster obviously but But as things stand right now, I think the backup big is the thing that they need to focus primarily on and finding someone who can fill in the gaps that Nurkic isn't going to be able to fill. I know particularly with Vogel, they ran the small ball lineup with Katie at the five and, you know, basically spreading everything out. But that's not Katie's, you know, that's not putting Katie in the best position to be himself. You know, he's going to be alone in there trying to man the paint on defense, and then on the offensive end, you know, it's basically if you're not playing five out, you're not really putting KD in a position to succeed, because most of the time when you're playing five out with guys like Beal and Booker on the court, you're going to end up having KD standing alone in the corner, and that's Kevin Durant. Like, you don't want KD just sitting in the corner on multiple possessions at a time. Having another backup big, primarily maybe a young athletic backup big, as I know we're talking about a young athletic wing but a young athletic big is something that I think the Suns might also look at you know look at how lucky the Dallas Mavericks got by drafting Dereck Lively uh in the first round last season you know there are plenty of guys that we've talked about you know that are going to be in this draft uh Khalil Ware uh this guy who I'm going to be harping on is someone who I would really like the Suns to draft but then there are also other guys that could potentially become available in free agency that they might be able to pick up on a veteran minimum who have some athleticism have some size and and is able to provide some depth in the front court i think that will be the Suns' primary focus when it comes to like the young athletic wing that's more if they pick up someone and can hold them down as a prospect that's fine but even if they added someone the wing position for the Suns is so full you're gonna have Beal Booker and KD in some capacity, Grayson Allen, Royce O'Neill, you know there's there's Wayne right like there's so many guys currently on the roster uh that kind of occupy that wing spot that i don't think adding another one you know there's no guarantee that that guy's even going to see some playing time if they bring back Bol Bol you know that's you know uh the young athletic wing that maybe that fills that void but we don't even know what kind of playing time he might get So it's I think it's really upon the Suns to really look at the holes, look at the things that went wrong over the course of the season and notice that they're glaring needs, obviously, as we talked about on the point guard. But the lack of depth in the front court was a big thing. Obviously, if they want an improvement over Eubanks, then that is something that they're going to need to address pretty quickly once the offseason gets underway. I agree, CJ. And you brought up, again, some great, valuable points. When I kind of looked at this, I'm not going to lie to you. I thought that the young athletic wing might be a bit of a better production way to go, but you kind of convinced me to go on that other side. Talking about that backup big, you brought up the fact that they can go after some veteran guys at free agency, Kelly Ware in the draft. There's so many opportunities to go after that young athletic big, especially Yusuf Nurkic's name is the name that's thrown around the rumors the most due to the fact that he has, you know, the most tradable salary for the Phoenix Suns, even if they do have to attach a pick to it. You brought up the fact that they have Grayson Allen already on an extension. They're going to be rumored to be bringing back Royce O'Neal, expected to be re-signing him. who knows if Eric Gordon, Josh Okogie, Bol Bol will be there. That's another, you know, kind of young athletic guy that you already have at that wing-ish position in our eyes. I think they already kind of have that role figured out. Maybe if Nazir Little goes for another, you know, untapped potential piece, that could be that young athletic wing. But if not, I agree. Addressing that backup center is the key solution for this Suns squad. now as we get into the next topic and today CJ we'll linger on that guy that we were just talking about and Yusuf Nurkic looking at a possible Yusuf Nurkic trade we want to look at this article the Suns are urged to trade with the Pelicans from Kevin Hicks in which the Suns command two quality rotation players in a deal with this Pelicans team the Suns would receive Dyson Daniels and Larry Nance Jr in return for Yusuf Nurkic and the 22 overall pick to go some over some synopsis obviously Daniels was taken in the first round by the Pelicans would be selling a little early on him alongside a versatile big in Larry Nance Jr. a good rebounder good rim protector could be valuable for the Suns with them losing obviously Valanciunas in the offseason as he's a great agent obviously them bringing in Yusuf Nurkic could be that solution for Valanciunas to put alongside Zion Williamson and then get another additional draft capital piece to possibly strike in the draft cj when you look at this trade what are your initial thoughts when looking at this move for the Suns and the Pelicans well Bruce I'm gonna I'm gonna surprise you I'm gonna flip it on you real quick here I want to hear what do you think what what do you think about this trade before I want to hear what you have to say first before I before I give you all right I like this little I like this little switch up I I I kind of I think that this move would be better for the Suns I think Dyson Daniels is a young intriguing piece to kind of bring in be a playmaker being a facilitator being a guy who could play some solid defense and Larry Nance Jr very solid rim protector we saw him kind of excel in that play in tournament alongside Zion Williamson I think he'd give you a good shot blocker good rim protector on a low value as well doesn't necessarily need to be that starting big but could kind of be that backup big or even have similarly with this Suns team two decent quality bigs that kind of rotate and rotate out if you have Larry Nance go in free agency look for a guy like Drummond to have kind of alongside him and Then you can kind of switch interchangeably who's doing better, who's not in foul trouble. Ultimately, though, I don't know if the Pelicans would accept this deal. I think that getting Jusuf Nurkic and a 22nd second round pick isn't worth the value that they're giving up. So I think that the Suns should take this deal, but I don't know necessarily if the Pelicans would go through with it Well, obviously, I think if this deal were to go down, I think it would be helpful for the Suns. I think you would add a young point guard You'd also add a guy who can play some five play some four with Larry Nance Jr. so I think it would be a good idea for the Suns but I'm not surprised with this I actually think this isn't a bad trade for the New Orleans Pelicans either um when you look at the potential for what they could be getting not only would they be getting a center a guy who can play alongside Zion Williamson which is something that they would they would definitely need the Pelicans have a glaring need at center if they're not going to bring back Valanciunas so that is something that the Pelicans should definitely should consider but also adding the fact that they would be getting an additional first round pick now that may be something that the Pelicans can then package if they want to move up into the draft or add another star player to their roster because they have some cap space so i think it's something that the pelicans might actually consider and then when you think about that potential you think about adding someone like a Dyson Daniels to this roster someone who can come in and play 25 28 minutes per game Whether it be a starter or as a backup, I would actually probably like him if he was in the starting lineup. He'd be a, he's a very tenacious defender. He's someone who can really get into opposing guards and someone who's got some size to him as well. He's not like, you know, this one of these tiny six, one, two, six, six, two point guards. He's got, you know, he's got some size. He's going to, he's obviously young. He needs some, you know, some more molding, but, you know, being with a head coach like Mike Budenholzer, you know, I think that's something that could come to him very quickly. And then adding someone like Larry Nance, who's got the energy, he's got the athleticism, he's going to be blocking shots. He's going to be running the lane. He's going to be, you know, getting out there on fast breaks. He's, he's definitely someone that I think the Suns could benefit with having as, and then you lose Nurkic and then that, you know, kind of as a drag, you lose that first round pick, but then you still have options in terms of what you can do via other trades with a guy like Cear Little or looking for guys uh and with the veteran minimum and free agency your Andre Drummonds uh JaVale McGee you know guys like that who are who have a high likelihood of becoming available as well so yes i do like the trade for the Suns but it actually might be a win-win situation and the Pelicans could find some benefit in this too uh they have the cap space to uh take on uh Jusuf Nurkic's second year he's not an expiring contract he's got another year left on this deal so and then they would be acquiring a pick that they could then use to package to get something else if they if they need it i think the Pelicans if the Suns were to make this offer i think the Pelicans should legitimately take a serious look at it i i you're kind of switching me up again cj i don't know you brought up the points of you know they have the salary cap and then and again they want to sign extend Herb Jones they want to keep Trey Murphy they want to keep this young core going so Brandon Ingram is apparently on the rumor streak he could be possibly out so they would have the cap space that have the flexibility and then you brought up how you kind of like Davion Mitchell in a previous trade how Bounous would kind of turn into that true holiday build what's not to say that he can do that with Dyson Daniels as well maybe not as explosive on the defensive side but definitely a solid defender and a very key playmaker could be a great you know setter up for this offense CJ before we finish though before we kind of head out I do want to get to you know these stats kind of looking at these graphics so obviously looking Yusuf Nurkic as we all know for the Suns was solid average around 11 points 11 rebounds per game with four assists with a block and a steal has had some trouble you know being a defensive presence down low and finishing at the rim and looking at Dyson Daniels again young player has untapped potential but six eight point guard solid on from the corner three percentage around 41 percent and looking at those stats there six points four rebounds three assist this is a guy that is a guy who gets you triple doubles a guy who does all the smart and tangible plays then looking at Larry Nance Jr. again small ball five key rebounder key rim protector and blocker and then again a little undersized at 6'8 for that center position but I truly think alongside guys like you know um guys if we brought in Andre Drummond as you know another big or another veteran guy like JaVale McGee I still think he could seamlessly fit in and still get his time in with these minutes. CJ? Yeah, I think when you just look at those particular pieces and how they could benefit the individual teams when we're looking at this trade, Nurkic can fill that role at center that the Pelicans would need. They can't just throw Zion out there at the five. It's just not going to work. That's not his style of play. That's not where he's best suited. And if they end up moving off of guys like Brandon Ingram, they're going to need some other pieces to fill in some of those gaps, particularly in the rebounding department. They don't want to just let up on the boards. Nurkic is still a solid rebounder. He's still a solid piece, particularly on the offensive end. And when you have a guy like Zion who's blocking shots left and right, you don't necessarily need Nurkic defending the paint as much as that would have been his responsibility in Phoenix. Then flip to potentially what the Phoenix Suns could get out of this deal. When you look at Dyson Daniels, I think he's got the potential to really blossom into a true starter in this league, a true NBA starting caliber point guard. And I think if he has, it's got the, Mike Budenholzer can like put his hands on him, you know, shift that clay around and really like turn him into, you know, the guy that he really wants. I think Dyson Daniels would have the opportunity to excel. Plus you're playing alongside guys like Devin Booker and Bradley Beal and Kevin Durant. There are going to be open shots all over the place for you. Plenty of opportunities for you to also shine in your own role. And then you have a guy like Larry Nance. He's a perfect fit for that small ball five, like you talked about. You know, he's someone who can play very well alongside a guy like Kevin Durant. He's almost like a perfect partner for those small ball lineups for a player like Kevin Durant. Larry Nance is good in pick and roll. He's not necessarily a good pick and pop guy, but obviously that's not necessarily something that you need with a guy who you're thinking about bringing in off the bench uh so you don't need him necessarily to fill all those holes necessarily that you would need when you're trying to run pick and rolls but you just need him to be able to do something he's a great lob threat good in the dunker spot uh he's gonna definitely he'd definitely be a reliable and valuable piece if this trade were uh to become a reality i think so too and i think that the suns would also help out as well moving off of a contract in 18 million dollars even though you're bringing in two smaller a little bit little smaller contracts that helps out for the future helps out for you know the ability with this squad with roster construction and allowing you know this team to just be broken down a little by little and to help out in that second apron depending if they want to move off some bigger guys in the future then they have some more flexibility as well cj like to say thank you so much for you know talking and breaking this down with me for you guys tuning in on the channel here if you guys enjoy the content if you guys enjoy the breakdown of the Suns looking at their top offseason moves and a possible Jusuf Nurkić trade, CJ and I would appreciate if you guys check out the videos like the top hit that like button hit that subscribe button we're around less than 200 subscribers or around 200 subscribers away from a thousand subscribers so if you guys do enjoy the content you want to make sure you stay up to date on everything revolving around this team hit that subscribe button as this is the place for you guys from your host Bruce and CJ we'll catch you guys in the next video and go Phoenix Suns