Suns Off Season Changes for 2025-26

[BooksOrangePlanet]

Kuminga is a future prospect. Why do they think they could get a pick and a prospect.

The first thing this owner needs to do is stop making bad trades.

kuminga isn't a prospect nor a known quantity - but probably is what he is

 

[BooksOrangePlanet]

warriors should be dumping draymond's old ass not kuminga but if they wanna drag it all out cool with me - they done tho

 

[Proximo]

Fleming should be off limits. His upside is tremendous.

Did you just watch the same guy as I did in summer league? He completely lacks a feel for playing in a structured game. It seems I vastly underestimated how important the total lack of competition he has faced actually is.

Got to say I am much less optimistic about him, and if that was what it took to get the Kuminga deal done, I would probably do it.

 

[BooksOrangePlanet]

Did you just watch the same guy as I did in summer league? He completely lacks a feel for playing in a structured game. It seems I vastly underestimated how important the total lack of competition he has faced actually is.

Got to say I am much less optimistic about him, and if that was what it took to get the Kuminga deal done, I would probably do it.

sorry but summer league isn't some determining factor - it's a glorified rec league with players who've never played together - the talent evaluation on fleming has done been done and supersedes anything summer league - he was expected to go in the 1st round but slipped - we had to beat out other interested teams to acquire that pick - and again - summer league is not this structured game you're making it out to be - it's merely a glimpse

 

[95pro]

Did you just watch the same guy as I did in summer league? He completely lacks a feel for playing in a structured game. It seems I vastly underestimated how important the total lack of competition he has faced actually is.

Got to say I am much less optimistic about him, and if that was what it took to get the Kuminga deal done, I would probably do it.

Flemming and more for Kuminga, nope. Acquiring a mid level player who wants to be paid 30M, nope. GS has been shopping him and no one wants him.

 

[Phrazbit]

Flemming and more for Kuminga, nope. Acquiring a mid level player who wants to be paid 30M, nope. GS has been shopping him and no one wants him.

Yeah, whoever trades for Kuminga is trading for the right to give him a bad contract. Giving up really ANYTHING of value is foolish.

I could talk myself into Allen and Richards for him, but anything beyond that is a hell no.

 

[Superbone]

Excellent article on Dillon Brooks written by former Suns beat writer Doug Haller for The Athletic:

The Athletic: Dillon Brooks will give the rebuilding Suns toughness, energy — and perhaps an edge
Throughout its history, Phoenix has had a few players who lived to get inside an opponent's head. But maybe nothing like this.

The Athletic: Dillon Brooks will give the rebuilding Suns toughness, energy — and perhaps an edge

Throughout its history, Phoenix has had a few players who lived to get inside an opponent's head. But maybe nothing like this.

www.nba.com

Some highlights:

Entering his ninth season, Brooks is among the headliners of the Phoenix Suns’ summer reboot, acquired with athletic guard Jalen Green and others in a blockbuster trade with the Houston Rockets for superstar Kevin Durant. Phoenix’s intent was to get bigger, younger and more athletic. But the Suns also wanted to get tougher, especially on defense. Those who have worked with Brooks insist few are better.

This may take time. Not for Brooks, but for Phoenix fans. Throughout their history, the Suns have had elite scorers, gifted passers and decent defenders. They have not had many irritators, guys who lived to get inside an opponent’s head. Dennis Awtrey (1970s), Maurice Lucas (1980s) and Danny Ainge (1990s) all could annoy or intimidate, but not at this level.

“If you’re giving a scout, you could ask Dillon about the best player,” Ahearn said. “You could also ask him about the 13th player — Dillon will be able to give you a full scouting report on everybody. His attention to detail and how he prepares in order to guard guys is special. … I just respect the heck out of him that night-in and night-out he wants that matchup, and he’s not going to back down from it.”

“One of the best things I think you can say about him is he plays 82 games and he comes out every night like it’s the last game he’s going to play,” Jones said.

Boy, we can use that last attribute after what we witnessed last season.

 

[Hoop Head]

Yeah, whoever trades for Kuminga is trading for the right to give him a bad contract. Giving up really ANYTHING of value is foolish.

I could talk myself into Allen and Richards for him, but anything beyond that is a hell no.

Oso is the only additional piece I'd add.

I have little hope or faith that Kuminga earns his salary. Golden State giving up on him should be a warning sign. He's not even a regular starter on a team desperate for size. He's a tweener forward who won't solve our problems.

I honestly believe Fleming may be as good as Kuminga is after 4 years. Kuminga has more raw talent but he's proven to have questionable drive and decision-making ability. At $30 million+ a year, no thanks.

 

[Phrazbit]

Oso is the only additional piece I'd add.

I have little hope or faith that Kuminga earns his salary. Golden State giving up on him should be a warning sign. He's not even a regular starter on a team desperate for size. He's a tweener forward who won't solve our problems.

I honestly believe Fleming may be as good as Kuminga is after 4 years. Kuminga has more raw talent but he's proven to have questionable drive and decision-making ability. At $30 million+ a year, no thanks.

I like Oso, I think he's going to have a solid career as a role player off the bench.

I'd rather have Oso on his rookie deal than Kuminga making 25 million, wouldn't do the trade straight up, even if it were allowed.

 

[Phrazbit]

Excellent article on Dillon Brooks written by former Suns beat writer Doug Haller for The Athletic:

The Athletic: Dillon Brooks will give the rebuilding Suns toughness, energy — and perhaps an edge
Throughout its history, Phoenix has had a few players who lived to get inside an opponent's head. But maybe nothing like this.

The Athletic: Dillon Brooks will give the rebuilding Suns toughness, energy — and perhaps an edge

Throughout its history, Phoenix has had a few players who lived to get inside an opponent's head. But maybe nothing like this.

www.nba.com

Some highlights:







Boy, we can use that last attribute after what we witnessed last season.

We do need toughness but Brooks is more of a poor man's Pat Bev, only at SG.

Last year was the best year of Brooks career, the first time in his career he wasn't a net negative for his team, mostly because he had a good year from 3 and stopped being a catastrophe on offense. IMO, his defensive chops are laughably overrated. He's an antagonist, that is certain, but he is not a shut down defender by any means.

The good news is that his contract should be tradable and actually shrinks over the next 2 seasons.

 

[Hoop Head]

I like Oso, I think he's going to have a solid career as a role player off the bench.

I'd rather have Oso on his rookie deal than Kuminga making 25 million, wouldn't do the trade straight up, even if it were allowed.

I like Oso the person but not the player. I just don't see it with him. I'm a little surprised you are in his camp. I was indifferent on him last year but am ready to cut bait now.

Kuminga from 2 years was worth $30 million a year but like Ayton, he has regressed mentally. I think we could use him more than Grayson though so I'd take the small cap hit to see if it could work if it the cost were Grayson, Richards, and Oso.

 

[BooksOrangePlanet]

I like Oso, I think he's going to have a solid career as a role player off the bench.

I'd rather have Oso on his rookie deal than Kuminga making 25 million, wouldn't do the trade straight up, even if it were allowed.

i like oso too but damn - then again - i too would like to see what he does this year but straight up bro?

 

[Phrazbit]

I like Oso the person but not the player. I just don't see it with him. I'm a little surprised you are in his camp. I was indifferent on him last year but am ready to cut bait now.

Kuminga from 2 years was worth $30 million a year but like Ayton, he has regressed mentally. I think we could use him more than Grayson though so I'd take the small cap hit to see if it could work if it the cost were Grayson, Richards, and Oso.

i like oso too but damn - then again - i too would like to see what he does this year but straight up bro?

I am going to make the same Oso comp I keep making... Luke Walton... not sexy at all, not a starter, but a rotation player and really smart player who can help a bench function... maybe a poor man's Dario Saric.

Is Kuminga a better player than that? Sure. But is Kuminga worth 25 million? Heeeeeell no. I want no part of Kuminga on a 25 mil, 4 year deal, that is a disaster. Kuminga doesn't do anything well, he has no legit strengths, he is also not terrible at anything... well, except free throws and passing, but he isn't a starting caliber player and I don't see him becoming one as he's shown no growth over the years.

He is on an old team and he was supposed to be their bridge for the future and the Warriors have no interest in paying him, they tried to trade him during the season, they are trying to trade him now, only the Suns and Kings are showing interest, the Kings being the one team who keeps making even stupider deals than we do.

The only needle I think Kuminga moves is our cap liabilities.

We need to roll the dice on some guys but paying out the nose for a dude who hardly anyone wants and seems to be regressing isn't a role of the dice, it is jumping on a rake.

We've already done it once this off season with Green... other guy who I expect we will be counting down the days until his albatross contract is off the books.

 

[Phrazbit]

Kuminga wasn't even in the Warriors playoff rotations until injuries forced them to play him again. He only played 47 games last season... and his missed time was largely "DNP- coaches decision".

The Warriors don't want him, this trade haul demand by them is posturing. If they don't reach a deal, he is going to end up having to play for the qualifying offer because they have no interest in keeping him long term... and neither should we.

 

[PHI PHX PHAN]

There is nothing about Ben Simmons that would make sense for us. If our goal is to get our culture back in the right direction he would be probably the worst player in the NBA to add to the locker room.

I honestly don't think he likes playing basketball... he enjoys being famous, but he is as uncompetitive as any player I can ever recall, I don't think he gives a rats ass about winning, so much so that I think he'd rather sit out with any excuse imaginable than be on the court in meaningful moments.

I agree with most of your mental assessment on him. Aside from that, I absolutely see where he is arguably an ideal fit with this roster.
He would have at minimum 2 dynamic scoring options to work with on the perimeter, a PnR/lob threat, and a quality 3&D wing. He easily slots into the PF role defensively who can rebound and instantly turns into a facilitator.
A point-forward would thrive here; especially one who would have almost no burden to produce offensively.

Booker
Green
Dunn/Brooks
Simmons
Williams

That's a well rounded, defensively stout lineup in my opinion.

With all that said, I completely understand why nobody would want to take the risk thus I'm just adding to my post count.

It was fun to think about though

 

[Proximo]

I like Oso, I think he's going to have a solid career as a role player off the bench.

I'd rather have Oso on his rookie deal than Kuminga making 25 million, wouldn't do the trade straight up, even if it were allowed.

Kuminga can score 20 points a game. That is worth at least 20 million a year in today's NBA. The suns are desperate to add talent, overpaying a bit is perfectly acceptable considering the situation they are in.

 

[Proximo]

I agree with most of your mental assessment on him. Aside from that, I absolutely see where he is arguably an ideal fit with this roster.
He would have at minimum 2 dynamic scoring options to work with on the perimeter, a PnR/lob threat, and a quality 3&D wing. He easily slots into the PF role defensively who can rebound and instantly turns into a facilitator.
A point-forward would thrive here; especially one who would have almost no burden to produce offensively.

Booker
Green
Dunn/Brooks
Simmons
Williams

That's a well rounded, defensively stout lineup in my opinion.

With all that said, I completely understand why nobody would want to take the risk thus I'm just adding to my post count.

It was fun to think about though

Simmons sucks. I don't know whether some of you just came from a time machine from 5 years ago or what, but he is barely barely hanging onto an NBA roster spot.

 

[Phrazbit]

Kuminga can score 20 points a game. That is worth at least 20 million a year in today's NBA. The suns are desperate to add talent, overpaying a bit is perfectly acceptable considering the situation they are in.

Scoring, via inefficient volume shooting, is the most overrated talent in the league. I struggle to even call it a talent, and I wouldn't call him a scorer. He is a slasher, better at the rim but doesn't have much of a handle to create his own chances inside, and he is a terrible shooter from range.

Again, the Warriors benched this dude, dumped him from the rotation completely for long stretches, including the playoffs. He's a role player, a mid tier one at that.

 

[Proximo]

Kuminga wasn't even in the Warriors playoff rotations until injuries forced them to play him again. He only played 47 games last season... and his missed time was largely "DNP- coaches decision".

The Warriors don't want him, this trade haul demand by them is posturing. If they don't reach a deal, he is going to end up having to play for the qualifying offer because they have no interest in keeping him long term... and neither should we.

He's just 23, and the year before they considered him their future. He is a great athlete who is pretty skilled already. I don't know what kind of free agents you think the Suns can pull in the near future considering the state of the team, but I think he is pretty close to the best we could get.

The reason he is not playing could just be a personal feud between him and Kerr, similar to the feuds Monty had with Ayton and Crowder.

 

[Hoop Head]

He's just 23, and the year before they considered him their future. He is a great athlete who is pretty skilled already. I don't know what kind of free agents you think the Suns can pull in the near future considering the state of the team, but I think he is pretty close to the best we could get.

The reason he is not playing could just be a personal feud between him and Kerr, similar to the feuds Monty had with Ayton and Crowder.

They replaced him with a 36 year old Jimmy Butler. He wasn't their PF regularly. He was Golden State's Ayton.

I don't understand why anyone here is pining for him. He isn't the answer. He wouldn't be bad for cheap but it's likely he'll be a bad contract by year 2.

 

[Phrazbit]

He's just 23, and the year before they considered him their future. He is a great athlete who is pretty skilled already. I don't know what kind of free agents you think the Suns can pull in the near future considering the state of the team, but I think he is pretty close to the best we could get.

The reason he is not playing could just be a personal feud between him and Kerr, similar to the feuds Monty had with Ayton and Crowder.

He has not grown in any meaningful way in 4 years, his team benched him for long stretches and played better without him... statistically, it's hard to say anything he's actually GOOD at.

I don't care what our situation is, paying a player like that 25 mil a year is bonkers and giving up anything of value for the right to overpay him is extra bonkers.

He simply isn't an impact player. I am not saying he's BAD, but him on a 20+ million dollar deal is a very bad use of our resources and I don't think he'd make any impact whatsoever on our trajectory... outside of wasting cap space.

 

[Hoop Head]

He has not grown in any meaningful way in 4 years, his team benched him for long stretches and played better without him... statistically, it's hard to say anything he's actually GOOD at.

I don't care what our situation is, paying a player like that 25 mil a year is bonkers and giving up anything of value for the right to overpay him is extra bonkers.

He simply isn't an impact player. I am not saying he's BAD, but him on a 20+ million dollar deal is a very bad use of our resources and I don't think he'd make any impact whatsoever on our trajectory... outside of wasting cap space.

$20 million wouldn't be bad. He wants $30+ though and that's the issue.

 

[Folster]

Kuminga wasn't even in the Warriors playoff rotations until injuries forced them to play him again. He only played 47 games last season... and his missed time was largely "DNP- coaches decision".

The Warriors don't want him, this trade haul demand by them is posturing. If they don't reach a deal, he is going to end up having to play for the qualifying offer because they have no interest in keeping him long term... and neither should we.

Signing the QO would guarantee they lose him for nothing and would effectively give him a no trade-clause. They'd have to deal with him all season in the locker room.

This has some similarities to the Bledsoe and Ayton RFA situations in Phoenix.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I agree with you. I was trying to be generous about his value. If he is what he is, then as SS

Kuminga can score 20 points a game. That is worth at least 20 million a year in today's NBA. The suns are desperate to add talent, overpaying a bit is perfectly acceptable considering the situation they are in.

Kuminga can score 20 a game playing dumb basketball and securing losses. With the contract he is demanding, Kuminga is just not worth it. He is what he is and its not that good.

 

[JCSunsfan]

$20 million wouldn't be bad. He wants $30+ though and that's the issue.

$20 million would be bad too. He is not an improving player. Please, Suns, do not bring this guy in. We already have one experiment like this in Green.