Nobody’s knows but it’s fun to speculate. (Phoenix Suns Rumors). 2026

[Yuma]

Look at Ayton for an example of a guy thrown in the deep end too soon. You need to ease young bigs along. The coaching staff knows and sees far more than we do. They need to learn the speed and style of the game. Part of that can be picked up on the G-League but most is learned from the big league. Give them some time. They should be ready to go halfway through the year, if not a little sooner, to play a regular role.

He actually has some of his best stats early in his career. The Most games he ever played in a season was his rookie season, until just last year. His problem was he thought he was great to begin with. You never have to improve your game if you are already great, or it seems like that was his thinking.

 

[Yuma]

At the beginning of next season, it's likely both Maluach and Fleming will be deep rotation players. One can hope for more, but it's unlikely.

Now, by the middle of next season, they should have moved up the ladder to be regular rotation players or the Suns made a draft mistake. The Suns need at least one more 4/5 ready to play now.

After the trade deadline the Suns defense was regrettable. How much of that was on Ott, I don't know. However, the effort should have been there every night. I didn't see it every game though.

Still, when you are developing rookies, you can work them in 5 or ten minutes here and there. You can only learn so much in life by just observing anything. You need to try to do things if you want to learn.

 

[Mainstreet]

Still, when you are developing rookies, you can work them in 5 or ten minutes here and there. You can only learn so much in life by just observing anything. You need to try to do things if you want to learn.

They definitely need to play and learn. I view it as a transition phase more than anything else.

They will need to be an integral part of the Suns future if the team is to improve.

 

[Yuma]

They definitely need to play and learn. I view it as a transition phase more than anything else.

They will need to be an integral part of the Suns future if the team is to improve.

A lot of guys here argue they were not ready to start. I get that. They could have come off the bench as second unit guys. Or the third guys off the bench to fill minutes. Not saying they had to start, but they certainly could have played more minutes. I do like how our rookies said they valued their G League minutes. At least it wasn't a full wasted season.

 

[Mainstreet]

A lot of guys here argue they were not ready to start. I get that. They could have come off the bench as second unit guys. Or the third guys off the bench to fill minutes. Not saying they had to start, but they certainly could have played more minutes. I do like how our rookies said they valued their G League minutes. At least it wasn't a full wasted season.

I do agree the rookies could have played more after the All-Star Break because the Suns defense was terrible. It couldn't have been much worse on offense or defense.

 

[Covert Rain]

He actually has some of his best stats early in his career. The Most games he ever played in a season was his rookie season, until just last year. His problem was he thought he was great to begin with. You never have to improve your game if you are already great, or it seems like that was his thinking.

Ayton being thrown in too soon WAS NOT Ayton's main problem. That dude is proving it every single day. His dome is not screwed on right. He has an overinflated value of his worth and ability. He can't focus. That has nothing to do with being throw in too early.

The typical trait of someone thrown in too early is a destruction of their confidence. "DominAyton" has never had that problem. He does nothing but "HalucinAYTON".