Suns Off Season Changes for 2025: Trades, Buyouts, GM, Coaches, etc.

[Superbone]

because a failing forward ass faux gm will solve everything - gimme a freakin break with this ish

ish had one of two choices - hire a professional and leave it in their hands or continue to make the decisions himself behind some stupid wizard of oz curtain - this team has become his hobby and will continue to be made in his vision - he's already screwed us but I fear this is just the beginning

You need some better weed.

 

[Cheesebeef]

You need some better weed.

to go in on this decision, you probably need MDMA or great shrooms.

Listening to the radio, I could only chuckle when Gambo says well, you have to give the benefit of the doubt to Ish and team and see what happens. As if he and this front office has done anything to deserve that? I was a huge proponent of the KD deal and that has been a disaster, as has the Bradley Beal trade, not to mention consecutive Head Coaching hires and fires in two straight seasons. When you've Ish'd the bed like that and destroyed the present and the future so thoroughly within 2.5 years, no one deserves the benefit of the doubt.

 

[Chaplin]

to go in on this decision, you probably need MDMA or great shrooms.

Listening to the radio, I could only chuckle when Gambo says well, you have to give the benefit of the doubt to Ish and team and see what happens. As if he and this front office has done anything to deserve that? I was a huge proponent of the KD deal and that has been a disaster, as has the Bradley Beal trade, not to mention consecutive Head Coaching hires and fires in two straight seasons. When you've Ish'd the bed like that and destroyed the present and the future so thoroughly within 2.5 years, no one deserves the benefit of the doubt.

I guess the answer to that is "tough ish". People either have to live with it, or don't. Nothing we can do about it. I'll have to force myself into a "wait and see" mode, but I'm still not in Sarver territory quite yet.

 

[Ronin]

Fine. Check out then. Repeating "Ish" over and over again shows your level of engagement. You haven't said how Ishbia is playing GM. He hasn't been more in front than most other owners but you have a narrative that you seemingly created a gimmick to push so don't let reality get in the way.

Please don’t tell people to “check out”. It’s against the rules.

 

[Hoop Head]

Please don’t tell people to “check out”. It’s against the rules.

I get that. I was hoping you'd understand the context. I wasn't saying anything that different than Chaplin's "tough ish" response but in a nicer way. I wasn't telling anyone to find a new team or they didn't have a right to their view. This complaining based on guesses, which is all that's been done, seems over the top.

 

[Hoop Head]

I guess the answer to that is "tough ish". People either have to live with it, or don't. Nothing we can do about it. I'll have to force myself into a "wait and see" mode, but I'm still not in Sarver territory quite yet.

What's crazy, to me, is how some of the loudest voices for supporting moves that didn't work and got us in this mess are refusing to take a wait and see approach now that they aren't sold on the hire. Just going by track record, maybe the fact that they supported moves that created the mess we're in and being against this hire makes me more optimistic.


It's rare when we agree though but all we can do is wait at this point. Hopefully things improve.

 

[Sparky16]

Let me be clear - I wasn't in favor of retaining Jones, and I think his time had passed here. I'm mostly pissed that we're in dire need of a serious resume to take care of our roster mess, and we hired a guy who is laughably qualified.

Brian Gregory resume:

College Coach - average to below average.

College Talent Evaluation - 20 years in college, coached 5 NBA players. Brian Roberts, backup PG is his best move.

What makes him the guy for the job? His NBA experience in totality is from last year June, and his position as "VP of Player Programming" is completely nebulous. The only thing you can even point to in terms of responsibility is the fact that he is getting at least partial credit for the Dunn/Oso picks. That's it.

You're not hiring him based on his performance in college. You're not hiring him for the next to nothing he's done in the NBA. So what is the most logical reasoning for this move?

This is a joke of a hire, and does nothing to quell the feeling that Ishbia is far too meddlesome.

Ishbia promised big changes in the FO this offseason, and that has turned into a reshuffling of the deck, with nobody getting fired, and the same cast back.

what a nightmare.... friends and family, what could possibly go wrong.

 

[Sparky16]

James Jones didn’t build that team. Ryan McDonough did. He was handed that team then destroyed it with some of the most incompetent moves we’ve ever seen.

We literally might be in the single worst position of any NBA team ever right now.

McDonough problem wasn't McDonough.... it was $arver

 

[Carolinacacti]

Nobody is even trying to defend the hire - it's just more James Jones bashing. Anyone with any knowledge of the NBA knows that this guy is a nobody - completely unqualified and certainly not the guy to deal with the complexities of a total rebuild.

You're mostly going to get sunshine pumpers here anyway - for some real insight, listen to a guy like Kellan Olson, who actually knows what is going on in the FO, and is incredibly critical of this move. It makes no sense, but for ol boy being a buddy of Ish from college.

I think the rebuild is on hold. The Big three might be back next year

 

[Hoop Head]

I think the rebuild is on hold. The Big three might be back next year

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[Mainstreet]

I guess Brian Gregory will be making draft decisions.

However, will he be making very important trade and free agency decisions... also the hiring of a head coach?

I guess he will, at least by proxy. This is what concerns me the most.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I guess Brian Gregory will be making draft decisions.

However, will he be making very important trade and free agency decisions... also the hiring of a head coach?

I guess he will, at least by proxy. This is what concerns me the most.

He’s the GM and by all reports, that means he’s got the final say on all coaches/player personnel decisions, just like any other GM. I don’t really buy that. I think he’s nothing more than a proxy for Ish. And even if he’s not, I think he’s woefully unqualified, especially considering the task at hand with a bad mix of players, the second apron and in control of none of our own picks until 2032.

Just can’t believe after a disastrous 2.5 years, the “fresh face” we’re bringing in to right the ship… is someone from within, with a mediocre college coaching tenure (at mid-majors) and next to no NBA experience… who’s in his late 50’s, no less.

 

[Hoop Head]

I guess Brian Gregory will be making draft decisions.

However, will he be making very important trade and free agency decisions... also the hiring of a head coach?

I guess he will, at least by proxy. This is what concerns me the most.

Can't be worse than the bone collector, James Jones.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

What makes you qualified to question his credentials? Ever play in the NBA? How about NCAA? We both know the answer.

You don't even need to play in the NBA or NCAA to know that. Pop and Van Gundy never played in the NBA - does that make them unqualified? One of the dumbest positions to take, congrats!

You can claim he's unqualified but don't know what tasks he's handled.

See, the funny part about public figures is we know EXACTLY what his resume is! He's a college basketball lifer, that showed up literally weeks before the 2023 draft, so if you honestly believe that he was the big voice in the room drafting Oso and Dunn at that point with his ridiculous title, I don't even know what to tell you.

Brian Gregory resume:

College Coach - average to below average.

College Talent Evaluation - 20 years in college, coached 5 NBA players. Brian Roberts, backup PG is his best move.

PLEASE tell me what qualifies him to be an NBA GM. (I know you'll never answer this, because there is nothing to say)

Being the main guy and consultant for programs gives him much more knowledge of top level basketball front offices than you have. So continue questioning his credentials.

I will, thx! Why don't we talk about his experience being the main guy and building programs? He did a decent job at Dayton - got better jobs, and was a complete failure! He's proven he can't build much in college - he's proven he can't find much talent, (20 years in college, 5 nobody NBA players) so what exactly is he good at? What did he do in the last year to warrant this type of massive promotion?

Jones was hired as a retired player and thrust into a GM role. He had zero coaching or front office experience. Gregory has been a top guys for numerous collegiate basketball programs and has an NCAA championship on his resume as a coach.

WRONG. He started in 2017 with an acutal job - he did that job for 2 years and was promoted to GM. Gregory was an ASSISTANT when he got his championship - none of the programs he actually coached did anything of note, ever.

Jones was thrust into the GM role because Sarver was cheap and McD was awful. He didn't earn it. He was in the right place at the right time.

Yet he actually earned the job and put together a team that was 2 games away from a championship. It's a hell of a lot more than anything you can say about Gregory. I'm not going to talk about Jones anymore because it's irrelevant - let's focus on the topic at hand...Gregory!

Yet you haven't named who you wanted

I wanted someone young, and someone from outside the organization! The next Sam Presti, or someone who works under the smartest GM's in the league.

and want me to defend my position further rather than you elaborating on why this is so bad.

I've elaborated several times about why this is so bad - he has zero relevant experience, he's an NBA neophyte, and the only qualification he has is that he's buddies with the owner.

I'm still waiting on ANYTHING from you explaining how he's qualified in any way for the highest position in an NBA FO. Please elaborate.

You don't have a point, you're looking to argue and want to be a doomsayer.

You lack the ability to comprehend what is going on here, so you call the other person argumentative and negative. Pathetic, but not unexpected.

If you're genuinely interested in educating yourself, put down the pom poms, and listen to some people who actually know what they're talking about:

Arizona Sports 98.7: The Local Sports Leader!

Stay informed with the latest sports news, in-depth game analysis, and expert opinions on the Phoenix Suns and Arizona Cardinals.

arizonasports.com

 

[Chaplin]

You don't even need to play in the NBA or NCAA to know that. Pop and Van Gundy never played in the NBA - does that make them unqualified? One of the dumbest positions to take, congrats!

See, the funny part about public figures is we know EXACTLY what his resume is! He's a college basketball lifer, that showed up literally weeks before the 2023 draft, so if you honestly believe that he was the big voice in the room drafting Oso and Dunn at that point with his ridiculous title, I don't even know what to tell you.

Brian Gregory resume:

College Coach - average to below average.

College Talent Evaluation - 20 years in college, coached 5 NBA players. Brian Roberts, backup PG is his best move.

PLEASE tell me what qualifies him to be an NBA GM. (I know you'll never answer this, because there is nothing to say)


I will, thx! Why don't we talk about his experience being the main guy and building programs? He did a decent job at Dayton - got better jobs, and was a complete failure! He's proven he can't build much in college - he's proven he can't find much talent, (20 years in college, 5 nobody NBA players) so what exactly is he good at? What did he do in the last year to warrant this type of massive promotion?


WRONG. He started in 2017 with an acutal job - he did that job for 2 years and was promoted to GM. Gregory was an ASSISTANT when he got his championship - none of the programs he actually coached did anything of note, ever.

Yet he actually earned the job and put together a team that was 2 games away from a championship. It's a hell of a lot more than anything you can say about Gregory. I'm not going to talk about Jones anymore because it's irrelevant - let's focus on the topic at hand...Gregory!

I wanted someone young, and someone from outside the organization! The next Sam Presti, or someone who works under the smartest GM's in the league.

I've elaborated several times about why this is so bad - he has zero relevant experience, he's an NBA neophyte, and the only qualification he has is that he's buddies with the owner.

I'm still waiting on ANYTHING from you explaining how he's qualified in any way for the highest position in an NBA FO. Please elaborate.

You lack the ability to comprehend what is going on here, so you call the other person argumentative and negative. Pathetic, but not unexpected.

If you're genuinely interested in educating yourself, put down the pom poms, and listen to some people who actually know what they're talking about:

Arizona Sports 98.7: The Local Sports Leader!

Stay informed with the latest sports news, in-depth game analysis, and expert opinions on the Phoenix Suns and Arizona Cardinals.

arizonasports.com

Ok. You've made it perfectly clear that you don't like this move. And you may be absolutely correct in your assumptions here. But I don't think ANYONE is overjoyed by it, so who are you trying to convince? If you're trying the convince those of us that want to see how this plays out that we shouldn't, I'm pretty sure you're going to fail miserably.

Nobody is enthusiastic about the move, with the exception of possibly being enthusiastic that James Jones was removed, but I'm not sure what the goal is here. Pretty sure nobody is having a party based on this guy's resume. It's not great, you hate it. Ok. That's a perfectly valid, and maybe true, opinion. But right now, it's just that -- an opinion. The onus is on the Suns to prove this wasn't a mistake, and that ain't going to happen this summer.

 

[Mainstreet]

He’s the GM and by all reports, that means he’s got the final say on all coaches/player personnel decisions, just like any other GM. I don’t really buy that. I think he’s nothing more than a proxy for Ish. And even if he’s not, I think he’s woefully unqualified, especially considering the task at hand with a bad mix of players, the second apron and in control of none of our own picks until 2032.

Just can’t believe after a disastrous 2.5 years, the “fresh face” we’re bringing in to right the ship… is someone from within, with a mediocre college coaching tenure (at mid-majors) and next to no NBA experience… who’s in his late 50’s, no less.

I'm perplexed by the hire of Brian Gregory as GM.

I have to think there is someone behind the curtain assisting the GM make decisions. Actually it could be a number of people, including Matt Tellem. The Suns GM position may be heavily influenced by committee.

Perhaps the Suns felt the urgency to make a move, because they wanted to remove James Jones as the GM now.

The Suns need a new head coach, the draft is coming up and of course crucial trades need to be made.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Ok. You've made it perfectly clear that you don't like this move. And you may be absolutely correct in your assumptions here. But I don't think ANYONE is overjoyed by it, so who are you trying to convince? If you're trying the convince those of us that want to see how this plays out that we shouldn't, I'm pretty sure you're going to fail miserably.

Nobody is enthusiastic about the move, with the exception of possibly being enthusiastic that James Jones was removed, but I'm not sure what the goal is here. Pretty sure nobody is having a party based on this guy's resume. It's not great, you hate it. Ok. That's a perfectly valid, and maybe true, opinion. But right now, it's just that -- an opinion. The onus is on the Suns to prove this wasn't a mistake, and that ain't going to happen this summer.

Chap, in case you hadn't noticed, this is a message board. We discuss what is happening real time about what's happening in the world.

You're more than welcome to take the position of wait and see, but that doesn't add much to the conversation. I have no motivation to convince you or anyone else out of anything, but let's at least try to be honest about what is going on here.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I'm perplexed by the hire of Brian Gregory as GM.

I have to think there is someone behind the curtain assisting the GM make decisions. Actually it could be a number of people, including Matt Tellem. The Suns GM position may be heavily influenced by committee.

Main, you are, admirably, someone who tries to see the positive in most situations, but I fear that’s what’s going on here thinking there might be someone behind the curtain. And even if that’s the case, it looks like the majority of the same committee who got us in this mess.

 

[Hoop Head]

You don't even need to play in the NBA or NCAA to know that. Pop and Van Gundy never played in the NBA - does that make them unqualified? One of the dumbest positions to take, congrats!

Pop and Van Gundy didn't play and still got jobs. Tell me what's different from the day they were hired and Gregory, I'll wait.


You keep swiveling positions and expecting me to steel man my own when you've done nothing but create straw man after straw man. You said JJ was a player, which made him qualified, and now you bring up 2 non players who have success. There's no logical connection from one to the other. You don't know what the Suns were looking for or what Gregory contributed. I never claimed he was the one who drafted Dunn and Oso either. I don't know what input he had in those picks and neither do you. Pretend like you do because you listen to guys yammer on from ad break to ad break because they have 20+ hours of Arizona sports content to fill up individually. That doesn't make you an expert or give you their sources.

 

[leclerc]

Keep watching guys. We'll see...

 

[Mainstreet]

Main, you are, admirably, someone who tries to see the positive in most situations, but I fear that’s what’s going on here thinking there might be someone behind the curtain. And even if that’s the case, it looks like the majority of the same committee who got us in this mess.

Where we might differ a bit, I think James Jones was knee-deep in the Durant, Beal and Ayton trades.

The only thing that gives me a glimmer of hope, is moving James Jones to another position, will be addition by subtraction.

I still James Jones credit for adding Chris Paul and Jae Crowder to the team, but the Suns have moved way beyond that point.

Now, the negatives now outweigh the pluses.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Where we might differ a bit, I think James Jones was knee-deep in the Durant, Beal and Ayton trades.

I honestly think Ishbia made him cave and add Bridges for Durant. The timing of it happening and JJ being relatively conservative until that point leads me to believe that was over his head. As for DeAndre, that was a bad trade and for a guy the team really didn’t like/value (from what I know from an insider) he waited for his value to bottom out before making a bad trade. That’s on him. The Beal deal… who knows. Seems like it could be another big swing that could or not be heavily Ish-fluenced, but it’s still on him to give up all those pick swaps and not find anything better for an expiring 30 mill CP3 contract. So we’re actually not so far apart there.

The only thing that gives me a glimmer of hope, is moving James Jones to another position, will be addition by subtraction.

I still James Jones credit for adding Chris Paul and Jae Crowder to the team, but the Suns have moved way beyond that point.

Now, the negatives now outweigh the pluses.

Gotcha. Addition by subtraction is probably this team’s only hope.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Ok. You've made it perfectly clear that you don't like this move. And you may be absolutely correct in your assumptions here. But I don't think ANYONE is overjoyed by it, so who are you trying to convince? If you're trying the convince those of us that want to see how this plays out that we shouldn't, I'm pretty sure you're going to fail miserably.

Nobody is enthusiastic about the move, with the exception of possibly being enthusiastic that James Jones was removed, but I'm not sure what the goal is here. Pretty sure nobody is having a party based on this guy's resume. It's not great, you hate it. Ok. That's a perfectly valid, and maybe true, opinion. But right now, it's just that -- an opinion. The onus is on the Suns to prove this wasn't a mistake, and that ain't going to happen this summer.

Also - hiring Gregory by no means ensures failure, and there is a chance he could succeed. I just don't think there is nearly enough evidence to have any confidence in that whatsoever.

If you were to look at a list of top 25 candidates to be a GM, do you think Gregory would be on any list other than Ishbias?

 

[Hoop Head]

Also - hiring Gregory by no means ensures failure, and there is a chance he could succeed. I just don't think there is nearly enough evidence to have any confidence in that whatsoever.

If you were to look at a list of top 25 candidates to be a GM, do you think Gregory would be on any list other than Ishbias?

Do you not recognize how screwed this team is in terms of assets? We don't have any chance at a lottery pick until 2032, don't have any 2nd round picks this decade to deal, and are so restricted by the salaries of the Mid 3 that a way out isn't clear. Chances are that things will get worse before they get better. The top 25 GM candidates in the NBA weren't lining up to come here. You've yet to name a top GM candidate, btw. We know you don't like Gregory and that's fine but to pretend a new GM will dig us out of the depths we're in quickly is laughable. We have no assets. The cupboards are bare and we're leveraged to the max.

 

[Proximo]

Where we might differ a bit, I think James Jones was knee-deep in the Durant, Beal and Ayton trades.

Well this is not how I see it.

From the information I gleened yes Jones wanted a KD deal - we all did at the time - it was just about the cost. From what I know Jones was the one not wanting to trade Mikal.

As far as Beal - since Bartlestein's dad is his agent - I have a strong feeling that is where that move originated.

As far as Ayton, somebody wanted him gone and gone immediately. I don't really know who, but ultimately I put the blame on Ishbia since he has the final say. The ONLY deal available was with Portland. Maybe Jones was the one who threw in Camara, I have no idea honestly, but that is really the only problem I have with that deal.

I have no real proof, but my feeling is all 3 of these deals were spearheaded by Ishbia. I guess I feel that way because the KD deal was dead but Ishbia got on the phone the day the sale completed and just gave them whatever they wanted. Acting that impulsively in that situation makes me think he is the one pulling all the shots. Also the way he has defended the moves saying every team would want to trade rosters with the Suns etc, seems to me like he is taking the criticism personally - and that again suggests to me he is the one that made the moves. This latest move - after going through this whole song and dance at the press conference about how he didn't make the basketball decisions only to promote a clear lackey really makes me think he is just a liar.

I am not really giving Jones a pass because he has also publicly stated he does not like young players or draft picks - and that is a ridiculous statement for an NBA GM to make, so I am fine with him going.