News from around the NBA 2025-2026

[JCSunsfan]

They should shoot whomever came up with that.

Finito says it's not him.

But he still thinks it's a good idea.

 

[Proximo]

Reaves has passed Book on the guard hierarchy sadly.

I mean he probably has - but I know Booker is better than him. I mean he used to be anyway, and I think that player still exists.

 

[ProdigalSun]

I mean he probably has - but I know Booker is better than him. I mean he used to be anyway, and I think that player still exists.

Reeves only better because he wears the right team jersey for the reffing in this league. Booker gets no respect from the refs

 

[Mainstreet]

Per a report, the Heat have interest in Ja Morant.

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[Mainstreet]

Jonathan Kuminga with a DNP tonight.

The Warriors beat the Bulls 123-91.

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[Mainstreet]

It's almost like Derik Queen, selected at #13, is teasing Suns fans with his production.

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[Proximo]

It's almost like Derik Queen, selected at #13, is teasing Suns fans with his production.

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Don’t look at me, I said he was who I would draft.

 

[Mainstreet]

Don’t look at me, I said he was who I would draft.

Trading down with the Pelicans wasn't a bad option either for an unprotected 2026 first-round draft pick.

 

[Hoop Head]

It's almost like Derik Queen, selected at #13, is teasing Suns fans with his production.

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He was always more NBA ready from day 1 but he's really just stat padding on a terrible team. I think he's a modern day Demarcus Cousins. By that I mean a guy whose numbers look fantastic but when you look at his team's standing then you see how empty the stars are.

Maluach was the right choice but his floor is lower than Queen. Acquiring Mark Williams was a great thing for the Suns in many ways and one of those is how he's allowed Maluach to develop in the G-League at a slower pace. They're similar players also as far as what they bring to the table and it appears the Valley Suns have tweaked how they're using him. Now he's playing a similar role as Williams. Maluach will be the future, even though i really like Williams I think he's insurance now.

 

[Mainstreet]

He was always more NBA ready from day 1 but he's really just stat padding on a terrible team. I think he's a modern day Demarcus Cousins. By that I mean a guy whose numbers look fantastic but when you look at his team's standing then you see how empty the stars are.

Maluach was the right choice but his floor is lower than Queen. Acquiring Mark Williams was a great thing for the Suns in many ways and one of those is how he's allowed Maluach to develop in the G-League at a slower pace. They're similar players also as far as what they bring to the table and it appears the Valley Suns have tweaked how they're using him. Now he's playing a similar role as Williams. Maluach will be the future, even though i really like Williams I think he's insurance now.

I didn't have a chance to study Queen's game prior to the draft since the Suns acquired the 10th pick late.

Personally, I would have been was tempted to trade down with the Pelicans for their unprotected 2026 first round pick.

I don't think Maluach would be able to stat pad with the Pelicans. We all want Khaman to succeed.

 

[JCSunsfan]

He was always more NBA ready from day 1 but he's really just stat padding on a terrible team. I think he's a modern day Demarcus Cousins. By that I mean a guy whose numbers look fantastic but when you look at his team's standing then you see how empty the stars are.

Maluach was the right choice but his floor is lower than Queen. Acquiring Mark Williams was a great thing for the Suns in many ways and one of those is how he's allowed Maluach to develop in the G-League at a slower pace. They're similar players also as far as what they bring to the table and it appears the Valley Suns have tweaked how they're using him. Now he's playing a similar role as Williams. Maluach will be the future, even though i really like Williams I think he's insurance now.

It is what it is. Can't constantly second guess yourself. First, its very early. Maluach is developing. Queen is in the perfect situation to get high production as a rookie. Also, just like in investing, if you have to make perfect choices all the time, you will end up making a lot of bad ones. The key is making quality choices in every draft, even if you miss out on a hidden gem here and there.

 

[Hoop Head]

It is what it is. Can't constantly second guess yourself. First, its very early. Maluach is developing. Queen is in the perfect situation to get high production as a rookie. Also, just like in investing, if you have to make perfect choices all the time, you will end up making a lot of bad ones. The key is making quality choices in every draft, even if you miss out on a hidden gem here and there.

I was over the moon we got Maluach. I almost didn't watch the draft after researching him because he wasn't supposed to be there at #10. IIRC he was supposed to go around 5-8 as the first C. He wasn't as NBA ready out the gate but I believe he could average 10 & 7 on good percentage. I've never doubted the kid and am ecstatic we have him. I hope he's blocking out some of the articles talking about his lack of NBA minutes because we are in the driver's seat and are able to let him walk into the pool rather than toss him in the deep end.

 

[Hoop Head]

I didn't have a chance to study Queen's game prior to the draft since the Suns acquired the 10th pick late.

Personally, I would have been was tempted to trade down with the Pelicans for their unprotected 2026 first round pick.

I don't think Maluach would be able to stat pad with the Pelicans. We all want Khaman to succeed.

I only did briefly. He's like a smaller Cousins and has skill but I don't think he'll be a winner.

Maluach will be worth the extra pick, IMO. I haven't been so sure on a pick in years and am willing to eat a ton of crow if I'm wrong. I still don't think I am and the slow process he's being brought along makes me wish I could purchase Maluach stock.

The best way to explain it to you, I think, is I feel like you have the last year about Gillepsie.

 

[Mainstreet]

I only did briefly. He's like a smaller Cousins and has skill but I don't think he'll be a winner.

Maluach will be worth the extra pick, IMO. I haven't been so sure on a pick in years and am willing to eat a ton of crow if I'm wrong. I still don't think I am and the slow process he's being brought along makes me wish I could purchase Maluach stock.

The best way to explain it to you, I think, is I feel like you have the last year about Gillepsie.

I want Maluach to take the next step and hopefully he will, but I haven't seen that moment where I feel assured.

The same with Fleming who I was high on entering the draft.

However, Fleming has flashed his athleticism and the ability to make the three point shot which I believe puts him slightly ahead.

 

[Hoop Head]

I want Maluach to take the next step and hopefully he will, but I haven't seen that moment where I feel assured.

The same with Fleming who I was high on entering the draft.

However, Fleming has flashed his athleticism and the ability to make the three point shot which I believe puts him slightly ahead.

He will. He hasn't yet, he's come close, but he's looking more like I saw in all the highlights I poured through. I believe there a plan for him physically as well. He's 19 and we don't want him hitting a wall and losing his confidence. The Suns are playing the long and short game with his development. With Williams playing like a top 5 C, we finally caught a break and are able to take things slow with our future.

 

[95pro]

I want Maluach to take the next step and hopefully he will, but I haven't seen that moment where I feel assured.

The same with Fleming who I was high on entering the draft.

However, Fleming has flashed his athleticism and the ability to make the three point shot which I believe puts him slightly ahead.

I said this with CG last year, that he will play better with better people around him. I feel the same for Flem because I feel he can compliment almost any squad with his athleticism and measurables. His game will follow naturally if you get him some run with starting caliber players.

 

[GatorAZ]

He was always more NBA ready from day 1 but he's really just stat padding on a terrible team. I think he's a modern day Demarcus Cousins. By that I mean a guy whose numbers look fantastic but when you look at his team's standing then you see how empty the stars are.

Maluach was the right choice but his floor is lower than Queen. Acquiring Mark Williams was a great thing for the Suns in many ways and one of those is how he's allowed Maluach to develop in the G-League at a slower pace. They're similar players also as far as what they bring to the table and it appears the Valley Suns have tweaked how they're using him. Now he's playing a similar role as Williams. Maluach will be the future, even though i really like Williams I think he's insurance now.

Terms like stat padding are for veteran players putting up numbers on bad teams. Queen is a rookie. Maluach may end up being the right pick but we could definitely use Queen’s feel for the game offensively.

 

[Hoop Head]

Terms like stat padding are for veteran players putting up numbers on bad teams. Queen is a rookie. Maluach may end up being the right pick but we could definitely use Queen’s feel for the game offensively.

That's a fair view. I don't think there's been a proper term to label when rookies or guys on rookie deals are thrown out there to get reps because their team is banking on them turning the corner into a competitor and they have no other options. Look at Book's 70 point outing in year 2 as an example. It can be labeled a few things but the ultimate point is the numbers are empty as they aren't benefiting the team currently. Maybe Queen keeps it going like Booker and helps turn his teams fortunes around but New Orleans is such a mess that I'm not sure that will happen. I also don't see Queen creating for himself in a positive way for a team. I've only watched 1-2 Pelicans games so maybe I'm wrong.

I am sold entirely on Maluach though regardless and I don't like how the Suns overachieving has somehow caused people to throw strays at him or the teams choice to take him. We're only 30% or so into the year and Maluach is learning the game the right way. I'm grateful we don't need to damage him like Orlando did with Mo Bamba or Sacramento with Bagley. We added Williams to be our C right now and Maluach won't outplay him, Queen certainly isn't. That Williams deal was done before our pick so taking the long road with the pick shows a vision for the future to me.

 

[leclerc]

I'm starting to believe that the "star strategy" doesn't really work anywhere, anymore. That Steph/KD team was the last time it really seems to have worked as expected.

I'm not counting Lebron/AD because their championship was under flukey circumstances and they went south immediately after.

It was in the bubble, it was a fluke and not a real championship. You hear that, Laker fans?

 

[leclerc]

I'm going on record to say I don't want KAT. Never did earlier. Sure as hell don't want him now. Thankfully we've got less incompetent FO now, right? They've learned, right? The people responsible have all been sacked.

 

[Hoop Head]

It was in the bubble, it was a fluke and not a real championship. You hear that, Laker fans?

I second this and want to make sure @Brian in Mesa heard that!

 

[Brian in Mesa]

I second this and want to make sure @Brian in Mesa heard that!

So, you're saying you only recognize 16 of our 17 NBA Championships. Ouch, that really hurts.

 

[Hoop Head]

So, you're saying you only recognize 16 of our 17 NBA Championships. Ouch, that really hurts.

2 less than Boston, right?

 

[Mainstreet]

Report, Derik Lively of the Mavericks will be out for the season pending surgery on his right foot.

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[BooksOrangePlanet]

Report, Derik Lively of the Mavericks will be out for the season pending surgery on his right foot.

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nba promised them two #1 picks lol they just gotta make the lottery