Suns Off Season Changes for 2025-26

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Yeah, he's the type of upgrade that could make a huge difference there. I'll be thrilled if they decide on KD and give us everything we want for him but I just can't see why they'd do it. It would definitely make them better but about the time all of their other key players hit their peak, KD would likely be retired.

I’m thinking the magic may be our dance partner for kd.

 

[BooksOrangePlanet]

now that jj is technically out booker is all that's left

how much money would ish lose if he sold the team tomorrow? how much money will he lose if he holds onto it? because i'm detecting a pattern here - he can't even get a sponsor to put their name on a giant building smack dab in down town phx - and he's only going to keep making more decisions - but im rounding the anger stage and the next stop is acceptance - instead of being invested i'll watch for the comedy

 

[Raindog]

I don't know if this is a real thing or just straight up trolling, but it's shown up quoted in a few (admittedly, less than reliable) sources around social media.

But if there is actually anything to it... heaven help us.

Facebook

www.facebook.com

PS - for anyone not into the Facebook thing, some sources claiming that the Suns are going to interview J.R. Smith for head coaching job. There are other sources saying it on Twitter, though no one particularly reliable. Not sure where they got it.

 

[Chaplin]

I don't know if this is a real thing or just straight up trolling, but it's shown up quoted in a few (admittedly, less than reliable) sources around social media.

But if there is actually anything to it... heaven help us.

Facebook

www.facebook.com

PS - for anyone not into the Facebook thing, some sources claiming that the Suns are going to interview J.R. Smith for head coaching job. There are other sources saying it on Twitter, though no one particularly reliable. Not sure where they got it.

That makes no sense. He's currently a GOLFER IN COLLEGE. And he has no experience whatsoever in any coaching capacity. That is just weird.

 

[Raindog]

That makes no sense. He's currently a GOLFER IN COLLEGE. And he has no experience whatsoever in any coaching capacity. That is just weird.

Yeah, I am assuming (hoping) it's someone just stirring the pot. But it's also a crazy name to just pull out of left field. Maybe an Isiah idea?

 

[BooksOrangePlanet]

That makes no sense. He's currently a GOLFER IN COLLEGE. And he has no experience whatsoever in any coaching capacity. That is just weird.

if j.r. smith golfed for michigan state i'd be terrified - but i think we're in the clear

 

[Phrazbit]

There are people arguing in this thread, despite both arguments being correct.

Is this a job that no qualified candidate would pursue? Absolutely, we've got no picks, we're old as hell, our cap spot is horrendous, even idealistically, we won't matter for years. Bob Myers was never, ever going to happen.

Does that make this hire defensible?

Nope.

Ishbia has relied heavily on his own council and has brought in people he'd worked with before and Gregory's resume is brutal, he wouldn't be a GM candidate anywhere else. The only reason he got this job is because Ishbia knows him. IMO, that is a flat out fact.

 

[Chaplin]

IMO, that is a flat out fact.

LOL

I see what you did there.

 

[Yuma]

It shouldn't. I've kept what I've said Suns related 100%. ASUChris' whole argument is "This podcaster says..." as a rebuttal to anyone here who disagrees with his view.

No one has said Ishbia won't be involved. He didn't pay a few billion for courtside seats. There's a reality in between the extremes he paints where Ishbia is the Wizard of Oz and not involved at all. That nuance has been ignored because Espo said (insert social media link here).

FWIW, Not all podcasts on the Suns are bad. There's clearly two main groups of Suns podcasts.

The first group quotes people like Rankin, Olsen, Gambo, national journalists, etc. Some of them attend every game they can, like a Brandon Kleen, and they will mention what all the reporters on press row are talking about that may or may not have made the news, or online spaces. This group I listen to because they uncover/relay real information. Gerald Bourget brings upon statistics and advanced metrics that really show why and how the Suns are performing or not performing.

The second group are guys that just comment on the Suns with their opinions. Not really focused on relaying info, or stats. These are the guys that tend to just echo what fans are saying. If I want this kind of info, I come here. Our board has such diverse opinions, usually when something happens eventually one of us will be proven right. I don't tend to listen to these podcasts. It's like listening to Dan Bickely. Just spouting off why the Suns suck.

I am not trying to argue with you. Just trying to point out some podcasts do have actual value.

 

[Yuma]

now that jj is technically out booker is all that's left

how much money would ish lose if he sold the team tomorrow? how much money will he lose if he holds onto it? because i'm detecting a pattern here - he can't even get a sponsor to put their name on a giant building smack dab in down town phx - and he's only going to keep making more decisions - but im rounding the anger stage and the next stop is acceptance - instead of being invested i'll watch for the comedy

The sponsor thing is tough. Not too many companies with the current economy being uncertain, want to put their money into naming rights. Quite frankly, with the money our owner is spending, a naming rights deal is not even a drop in the bucket at this point. I would recommend Ishbia name it after his mortgage company and get the advertising off it. Phoenix is a big real estate market. Start to try and grab more of that mortgage money!

 

[Mainstreet]

I'm struggling to get a handle on the new Suns. Has the shiny new toy lost its luster for the new owner?

Perhaps the Suns are now just another investment. Are they not worthy of a high paying GM or head coach?

Who is going to put Humpty Dumpty back together again?

Devin Booker is the only familiar face, but then I wonder for how long.

I'm about ready to break into the song, "MacArthur Park".

​

 

[Yuma]

Devin Booker is the only familiar face, but then I wonder for how long.

​

He'll always be a familiar face. Just maybe not on the Suns.

Tha LA Chargers have gone after some Michigan players from Harbaugh's tenure there. Could we see Ishbia just drafting or signing undrafted free agent every Michigan player he can? I mean, Devin is the one guy he won't trade, and he has Michigan ties.

 

[Mainstreet]

He'll always be a familiar face. Just maybe not on the Suns.

Tha LA Chargers have gone after some Michigan players from Harbaugh's tenure there. Could we see Ishbia just drafting or signing undrafted free agent every Michigan player he can? I mean, Devin is the one guy he won't trade, and he has Michigan ties.

I thought the Suns threw in the towel when they didn't try to replace Nurkic at the trade deadline last season.

It's just been more of the same since then.

If this is the future of the Suns, I can see Booker wanting out.

The Suns may become one of the most quickly disemboweled teams in NBA history.

I'm looking for that shiny star to hang onto, but right now I'm not seeing it.

 

[gimpy]

He'll always be a familiar face. Just maybe not on the Suns.

Tha LA Chargers have gone after some Michigan players from Harbaugh's tenure there. Could we see Ishbia just drafting or signing undrafted free agent every Michigan player he can? I mean, Devin is the one guy he won't trade, and he has Michigan ties.

I thought Ishbia was a Michigan State alum, not Michigan.

 

[Hoop Head]

I thought Ishbia was a Michigan State alum, not Michigan.

It is Michigan State. @Yuma is definitely not a Midwesterner or he'd realize the sin he's been committing by conflating the two.

 

[leclerc]

Not nearly as hilarious as thinking a complete NBA neophyte who ONLY has an NBA GM job because his ol pal from Michigan State gave him one will be working autonomously and not hand in glove with Ish.

You scoffing at the most obvious reality is totally on brand though.

Maybe drop the last paragraph is more constructive?

 

[leclerc]

J.R. Smith? Is that a former player? Name seems familiar. I sort of forgot we need another new coach. Been too busy forgetting about the Suns predicament and roster luggage + the need to scrap James Jones, but now with this internal hire it just keeps getting more and more confusing and more like a Kafka book or something too absurd to be real.

 

[leclerc]

LOL J.R. Smith I remember, he played with LeBum and did crazy stupid things.

 

[Raindog]

LOL J.R. Smith I remember, he played with LeBum and did crazy stupid things.

Remember the bowl of soup incident? Yeah, that guy might be the Suns next coach.

J.R. Smith opens up about throwing soup at former Cavaliers assistant coach Damon Jones in 2018

Smith was suspended one game for the incident

www.cbssports.com

 

[Folster]

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.

That's a solid take. What experienced GM wants to take on this mess? Even a rebuild is challenged due to the leveraging of picks. We're going to be in Nets purgatory post Celtics trade.

I wonder if Griffin was even interested.

 

[JRakes]

now that jj is technically out booker is all that's left

how much money would ish lose if he sold the team tomorrow? how much money will he lose if he holds onto it? because i'm detecting a pattern here - he can't even get a sponsor to put their name on a giant building smack dab in down town phx - and he's only going to keep making more decisions - but im rounding the anger stage and the next stop is acceptance - instead of being invested i'll watch for the comedy

Ok. Do you know what he’s asking $ for a company to have naming rights?

 

[JRakes]

I thought the Suns threw in the towel when they didn't try to replace Nurkic at the trade deadline last season.

It's just been more of the same since then.

If this is the future of the Suns, I can see Booker wanting out.

The Suns may become one of the most quickly disemboweled teams in NBA history.

I'm looking for that shiny star to hang onto, but right now I'm not seeing it.

Here’s the issue. Ish knows he shat the bed trading for kd. He’s not gonna risk the fan fall out of trading book. Book will sign here for the rest of career, that’s how he maximizes dollars.

 

[BooksOrangePlanet]

Ok. Do you know what he’s asking $ for a company to have naming rights?

i don't think it's a money issue for sponsors

 

[Yuma]

It is Michigan State. @Yuma is definitely not a Midwesterner or he'd realize the sin he's been committing by conflating the two.

I went to NAU, so ASU and UofA are the same to me. Michigan, Michigan State, whatever.

Actually the point wasn't the schools being the same, more of the concept of a team taking players from a certain college.

 

[Mainstreet]

Here’s the issue. Ish knows he shat the bed trading for kd. He’s not gonna risk the fan fall out of trading book. Book will sign here for the rest of career, that’s how he maximizes dollars.

If Booker wants out, though, it's over.

I can see the Suns trying to run the Durant-Booker show back again if KDs trade value is minimal.

Beal is gone regardless.