Matt Ishbia and Brian Gregory press conference today. 04/30/26

ASUCHRIS

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yeah... I fear we're staring at a Bulls/Heat/Trae Young Hawks-esque future.
Last year was definitely a success based on expectations, but the idea that this group works either in the short or long term is a terrible lesson to learn from our experience. Once everyone started actually trying, we were a mid/bottom tier team once again. Running it back with the trio of Booker/Green/Brooks will further reinforce that.
 

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Last year was definitely a success based on expectations, but the idea that this group works either in the short or long term is a terrible lesson to learn from our experience. Once everyone started actually trying, we were a mid/bottom tier team once again. Running it back with the trio of Booker/Green/Brooks will further reinforce that.
I fear that's true, but I do have to play a little devil's advocate to my worst fears and remind myself that we did suffer hellacious injuries and there is a chance that Fleming/Malauch take steps forward. If and it is a big IF those guys really mature into something special, we probably tread water next year, but in 2027, we could be a real player if those guys are starting to really hit their stride. That could be a 2004-esque Pistons type squad that's just rock solid across the board. But it's really dependent on both of those guys breaking out in a pretty substantial way.
 
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Kellan Olson
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Mat Ishbia said Devin Booker is the Suns' franchise player and will be here in Phoenix to lead the Suns to a championship."Devin Booker is not getting traded."
At least now we won't constantly talk about trading him here anymore. I kid, I kid. Of course we will. Resistance is futile. But the good news is that he's going to lead us to a championship. That's good to know.
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ASUCHRIS

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Of course, but nothing I saw with the current "big 3" indicates they're the solution moving forward. Kellan has a good breakdown of our current predicament:

However, there's no doubt that they couldn't improve. I'm not saying they will but some tweaks would go a long way. But I'm more worried about defensive rebounding. That is where I believe this team needs to make the biggest strides. And unless our youth take a huge step, we're going to need some outside reinforcements. I guess I could see just continuing to build on these guys and like @Cheesebeef said, see the real leap in year three.
 

Raindog

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But it's really dependent on both of those guys breaking out in a pretty substantial way.
And no one else (especially Booker) declining in any way or having chronic injury issues. In other words, the slimmest of chances.

I really have to laugh at Ish throwing out the Booker leading us to a championship line. I'll take any wager from anyone that whenever the Suns finally do win a championship, Booker will no longer be a part of the team.
 

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This trio doesn't work, and status quo will make us the Bulls - always fighting for the play in. Hopefully this is just posturing.

The Suns made the playoffs in the first season with this trio playing together.

Add a power forward to this group and more depth at center and let's see what happens.
 

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Proud Mat Ishbia stood by Devin Booker. That's how you treat a franchise player.
Pride often comes before the fall.

Sadly, Booker has never been a franchise player. And that’s the inherent problem with most of his entire era, most of which has been awful save one fluky Finals run.
 

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The Suns made the playoffs in the first season with this trio playing together.

Barely. And then get hellacious destroyed in four straight games that were never really close despite OKC missing their second best player for 2.5 games.

Add a power forward to this group and more depth at center and let's see what happens.
Again, HOW are you adding a good PF and depth at C. Precious isn’t elevating this team to contend to anything.
 

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Pride often comes before the fall.

Sadly, Booker has never been a franchise player. And that’s the inherent problem with most of his entire era, most of which has been awful save one fluky Finals run.

If it were false pride but I see nothing false about it. Nothing fluky about making the Finals. It takes hard work to get there.

Devin Booker is the foundation the Suns have built upon.
 

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Barely. And then get hellacious destroyed in four straight games that were never really close despite OKC missing their second best player for 2.5 games.


Again, HOW are you adding a good PF and depth at C. Precious isn’t elevating this team to contend to anything.

IMO, if the Suns can improve at the power forward position, they can use rotation centers and do an adequate job. Oso cannot be the Suns best healthy center on the roster.

I'm looking at lower end contracts like Precious Achiuwa for the center position, then hope Maluach improves. If the Suns can bring back Mark Williams, so much the better. The Suns need to have another center in the mix who can defend and plug the middle.

We will have to see who is available at the 4 position. Hopefully the Suns can find someone here who can rebound and defend. I'm not looking for household names, but the Suns need more size there. Three guards, a small forward and no true center is not going to cut it.

Again, although I'm high on Fleming, I'm not counting on him to start at the 4, the same way I'm not counting on Maluach to start at the 5. It's all gravy if they develop.
 
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Pride often comes before the fall.

Sadly, Booker has never been a franchise player. And that’s the inherent problem with most of his entire era, most of which has been awful save one fluky Finals run.
Depends on your definition of a franchise player. If you only define it as a Giannis/Lebron/Luka - level superstar, then sure, he's not a franchise player. But I don't think that is how this is being defined by the Suns (and many other teams have the same general idea).

Lamelo Ball is Charlotte's franchise player. But he's definitely not a franchise player using your definition. Just an example.
 

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Kellan Olson
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Mat Ishbia said continuity and player development are the two main bullet points for the Suns going into next season. He described them as a "young ascending team" as opposed to some of the teams Phoenix had previously.
Booker is not winning anything with a 4 guard lineup and an undersized offensively challenged center :p
 

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