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

[leclerc]

Right. Suns will win it all in 2029-2030. Looking forward to it. Let's just throw absurdities out there.

 

[Hoop Head]

I get wanting to see more but this idea Booker must go is just tiring, especially when those pushing for it were the ones who wanted KD the most and also were convinced this year would be abysmal. Both turned out quite different, we got worse with KD and won 45 games this year while being in the playoff chase all year, exceeding all expectations. Maybe those in charge know what they're doing and have a better handle on things going forward.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

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.

There’s the youth development upside. We have to remember that this was also the first year Gillespie played regular heavy minutes. He could continue to develop. And green still has upside as well. As does Dunn. If those three grow a bit and Fleming and Khaman make leaps and Kobe can see court time and we hit on anymore of our late round picks this team could really make a jump. But that’s counting on a lot to happen.

 

[Bada0Bing]

There’s the youth development upside. We have to remember that this was also the first year Gillespie played regular heavy minutes. He could continue to develop. And green still has upside as well. As does Dunn. If those three grow a bit and Fleming and Khaman make leaps and Kobe can see court time and we hit on anymore of our late round picks this team could really make a jump. But that’s counting on a lot to happen.

Yeah, and I'm not giving up on Dunn yet. I feel like there's a LOT of untapped potential there. His advanced stats improved this year, it just didn't appear that way because so many other players took big leaps forward. There's a role for him here, especially on the court with Book/Green. I'd like to see this Book/Green/Dunn combo on the floor together more next season.

 

[Mainstreet]

The Suns need to figure out how to stop opponents from driving to the basket, seemingly at will. I suspect they already know and it's not just one player. Perimeter players couldn't seem to stay in front of the offensive player.

Once opponents figured this out, the Suns were easy prey. A center would help, but it's not a cure.

A part of this has to be coaching, lack of quickness and size. There is a reason the Suns were starting Jordan Goodwin.

 

[BooksOrangePlanet]

The Suns need to figure out how to stop opponents from driving to the basket, seemingly at will. I suspect they already know and it's not just one player. Perimeter players couldn't seem to stay in front of the offensive player.

Once opponents figured this out, the Suns were easy prey. A center would help, but it's not a cure.

A part of this has to be coaching, lack of quickness and size. There is a reason the Suns were starting Jordan Goodwin.

i'm legit hoping fleming starts next year - if ott is the statistician i think he is it only makes sense - interior defense and rebounds means more possessions

 

[Superbone]

Yeah, and I'm not giving up on Dunn yet. I feel like there's a LOT of untapped potential there. His advanced stats improved this year, it just didn't appear that way because so many other players took big leaps forward. There's a role for him here, especially on the court with Book/Green. I'd like to see this Bood/Green/Dunn combo on the floor together more next season.

When Dunn showed offensive aggression, he was SO much better. When he was always looking to pass, not so much. He's got potential. Hoping for a leap next season.

 

[Bada0Bing]

When Dunn showed offensive aggression, he was SO much better. When he was always looking to pass, not so much. He's got potential. Hoping for a leap next season.

100%. He was looking great when he was aggressively going to the basket. Seems like he drifted away from doing that as the season progressed. Save the 3pt shot for late in the shot clock. And hopefully the 3pt% continues to creep up to 35%.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Yeah, and I'm not giving up on Dunn yet. I feel like there's a LOT of untapped potential there. His advanced stats improved this year, it just didn't appear that way because so many other players took big leaps forward. There's a role for him here, especially on the court with Book/Green. I'd like to see this Book/Green/Dunn combo on the floor together more next season.

He definitely has a long way to go, but we shouldn’t forget about him. The length and athleticism is there. He just really needs to hone his skills and his footwork defensively.

 

[oaken1]

seems Suns ownership and management are not only on the same page but they are both pretty happy with how things have been going.
Thats understandable..the team out performed expectations this season a bit.
I tend to agree that as we see growth and development the team should get better.
My only concern would be age....basketball is unique in that guys can mask physical deficiencies much longer than other sports through craft in their game... NFL guys cant do it

but age still dulls your competitive edge...slows your breaks and defensive reactions....so its a tough balance when you are counting on development...you need the young guys to develop before the older guys start slipping....guys that rely on quicks in basketball usually have until about 34

 

[Mainstreet]

seems Suns ownership and management are not only on the same page but they are both pretty happy with how things have been going.
Thats understandable..the team out performed expectations this season a bit.
I tend to agree that as we see growth and development the team should get better.
My only concern would be age....basketball is unique in that guys can mask physical deficiencies much longer than other sports through craft in their game... NFL guys cant do it

but age still dulls your competitive edge...slows your breaks and defensive reactions....so its a tough balance when you are counting on development...you need the young guys to develop before the older guys start slipping....guys that rely on quicks in basketball usually have until about 34

Lebron wants to have a word with you.

 

[taz02]

How many games has the trio of Brooks, Green and Booker played in?

I asked AI, it said nine (9) regular season games. Thought it was more than that.

 

[leclerc]

Booker for Banchero straight up?

 

[hcsilla]

Booker for Banchero straight up?

I'm not a fan of Banchero, and the Magic probably wouldn't do it, since this trade would create a logjam at SG and a hole at PF.

 

[leclerc]

But it would solve our holes and logjams. They seem apt at finding bigs. Suns never do (it seems).

 

[Hoop Head]

Booker for Banchero straight up?

Never happen. Paolo is too young and Orlando paid a Kings ransom for Desmond Bane last offseason, who isn't as good as DBook. Paolo is also a top 5-10 forward, which is harder to come by than SG's.

I'd do that trade if it were available, one of the few Booker deals I'd jump on, but part of why I'd jump on it is how lopsided it is for us.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Booker for Banchero straight up?

There is no way Orlando ever does that trade.

 

[leclerc]

I was half kidding. I heard rumblings that us Suns fans undervalue Book so I was going the other way. Banchero would help a lot, and I hear he puts up big numbers in important games. 38 in a game 7 once. How about those beans.

 

[Phrazbit]

There is no way Orlando ever does that trade.

They’d jump all over it.

I think they’re going to shop him this summer and if he gets moved people are going to be surprised at how low the return is.

His splits are bad. He and Wagner don’t fit well together and they play far better with Wagner on the court.

 

[Cheesebeef]

They’d jump all over it.

I think they’re going to shop him this summer and if he gets moved people are going to be surprised at how low the return is.

His splits are bad. He and Wagner don’t fit well together and they play far better with Wagner on the court.

I think you have a strong predilection to overvaluing Suns players you love. If they're moving Paolo, they're getting a hell of a lot more than a 30 year old, declining, sometime All-Star SG on a Super-Max contract.

 

[Phrazbit]

Man, I think you have a strong predilection to overvaluing Suns players you love. If they're moving Paolo, they're getting a hell of a lot more than a 30 year old, declining, sometime All-Star SG on a Super-Max contract.

Hell, they’d do it just so they could flip him.

Paulo has not grown at all as a player in four years. He’s a good passing decent rebounding, bad shooting, awful defending forward. And they have consistently played better with him on the bench. It was a big narrative for their team this year and I think they are going to stir things up big time.

If he is on their roster next year, I expect is because they could not find a palatable trade.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Hell, they’d do it just so they could flip him.

Paulo has not grown at all as a player in four years. He’s a good passing decent rebounding, bad shooting, awful defending forward. And they have consistently played better with him on the bench. It was a big narrative for their team this year and I think they are going to stir things up big time.

If he is on their roster next year, I expect is because they could not find a palatable trade.

they just fired their coach. They ain't giving up on a guy that talented, that young, who has had one somewhat dip of a season after 3 years of consistently growing as a player despite what you say. Unless you're saying that in Years 1 -3 going from:

rookie season: 20 ppl 42.7% 6.9 boards, 3.7 assists to
3rd season: 25 ppg, 46%, 7.9 boards,. 4.8 assists

isn't growing at all as a player. Strange claim considering literally every statistic improved, shooting and ppg, greatly.

and even this year, he took a step back scoring, but he upped his rebounding numbers to 8.4 and assists to 5.2, continuing the upswing from his rookie year.

 

[Phrazbit]

they just fired their coach. They ain't giving up on a guy that talented, that young, who has had one somewhat dip of a season after 3 years of consistently growing as a player despite what you say. Unless you're saying that in Years 1 -3 going from:

rookie season: 20 ppl 42.7% 6.9 boards, 3.7 assists to
3rd season: 25 ppg, 46%, 7.9 boards,. 4.8 assists

isn't growing at all as a player. Strange claim considering literally every statistic improved, shooting and ppg, greatly.

and even this year, he took a step back scoring, but he upped his rebounding numbers to 8.4 and assists to 5.2, continuing the upswing from his rookie year.

This isn't some narrative that I am inventing. This is a national story.

This blurb from the Ringer pretty much sums it up:

This was supposed to be Banchero’s season of redemption. Expectations were sky-high. Desmond Bane was the 3-point-shooting teammate he desperately needed. Everything seemed to be falling into place. Instead, for the fourth season in a row, the fundamental question about Banchero is whether he makes his team better. In every season of his career, including this one, the Magic have posted a negative point differential with Banchero on the court. Meanwhile, they’re outscoring opponents by 2.2 points per 100 possessions when he’s on the bench. It’s a bit of a disaster.

Orlando’s offense should not be below league average when Banchero plays. He’s too talented! Or … is he? Even though he’s sacrificed shots and touches in a new offensive system that’s asked him to take a step back, Banchero remains an inefficient scorer. Maybe that’s just who he is: a jack-of-all-trades who can bulldoze his way into the paint, draw fouls, scarf up rebounds, and make brilliant passes. Look to him for independent shot creation, though, and you’re asking for trouble. He’s one of the worst jump shooters in the league, and Banchero’s shot chart looks like a bruise in need of immediate medical attention.