News from around the NBA 2026-2027

[AzStevenCal]

They did better last year than anyone expected but we don't have any clue where we will be another year (or two or three) down the road when time and wear start really catching up with Booker (and probably Brooks and Bridges to some extent, if they're still here).

The expectation that the various younger talents they have accumulated are all stars in the making is pretty unwarranted at the moment, and is currently anything but certain.

Whatever happens, odds are strong we won't be getting much help from future drafts until the mid 2030s, either. Improvement through free agency and meaningful trades is also highly speculative at best given the lack of resources.

For the second year in a row we've put together a better roster than I'd expected. But this isn't last year's team, we have no idea how these pieces will fit together. I still believe we would have been better off trading away Devin and, if possible, Jalen but if this group works well together? They really could be something special. And AFAIC it all depends on KM and Fleming. They each have superstar gifts but haven't shown the ability to even play winning ball yet. And maybe they never will. But they need court time to make it happen.

 

[leclerc]

When Boober goes downhill we will regret not having our own draft picks. Very true what Raindog says. I support flipping him [Booker, not Raindog] for a mix of unprotected (gasp) first round picks and an actual quality player like a Kevin Johnson.

 

[Hoop Head]

People said the same thing over the past 2 drafts as well. So if you want to hold your breath until the 2030s, that's fine.

What have those draft picks done for us? I'm high on Maluach but he's still a prospect and same goes for Peat and Fleming. Both guys were passed over by literally every team in the league before we grabbed them.

 

[Mainstreet]

What have those draft picks done for us? I'm high on Maluach but he's still a prospect and same goes for Peat and Fleming. Both guys were passed over by literally every team in the league before we grabbed them.

Although I believe in the draft, providing a team has good scouts, I believe James Jones got a lot of this right.

The part about, there are "50 skeletons tied to that swing for the star."

 

[Adrian]

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[Raindog]

For the second year in a row we've put together a better roster than I'd expected. But this isn't last year's team, we have no idea how these pieces will fit together. I still believe we would have been better off trading away Devin and, if possible, Jalen but if this group works well together? They really could be something special. And AFAIC it all depends on KM and Fleming. They each have superstar gifts but haven't shown the ability to even play winning ball yet. And maybe they never will. But they need court time to make it happen.

Indeed. I'm not saying it's impossible everything could work out ideally. But some posters here acting like it's a fait accompli makes me shake my head a bit.

 

[Superbone]

What have those draft picks done for us? I'm high on Maluach but he's still a prospect and same goes for Peat and Fleming. Both guys were passed over by literally every team in the league before we grabbed them.

That's how the draft works for the 30th and 31st pick.

 

[Mainstreet]

For the second year in a row we've put together a better roster than I'd expected. But this isn't last year's team, we have no idea how these pieces will fit together. I still believe we would have been better off trading away Devin and, if possible, Jalen but if this group works well together? They really could be something special. And AFAIC it all depends on KM and Fleming. They each have superstar gifts but haven't shown the ability to even play winning ball yet. And maybe they never will. But they need court time to make it happen.

The Suns are winning now. From my perspective, trading away Devin Booker is a lot like trading a bird in hand for two in the bush.

There is another aspect to this as well. The Suns want to be known as a destination for players, a place where players want to be.

If the Suns traded Booker, it's like sending a message the Suns are starting over and with no guarantee of success.

 

[AzStevenCal]

The Suns are winning now. From my perspective, trading away Devin Booker is a lot like trading a bird in hand for two in the bush.

There is another aspect to this as well. The Suns want to be known as a destination for players, a place where players want to be.

If the Suns traded Booker, it's like sending a message the Suns are starting over and with no guarantee of success.

I was just making the point that even though it is not the way I would have wanted us to go, I still like what we've done.

 

[Mainstreet]

I was just making the point that even though it is not the way I would have wanted us to go, I still like what we've done.

I understand. If the Suns weren't committed to winning, I doubt Devin Booker would even want to be here.

However, there is no guaranteed of better results even if Booker had been traded.

 

[leclerc]

Just thinking from a used car perspective. Booker will give us a hefty return now. After a couple of years we won't get much. OKC is doing it this way and it works well for them. Do they have a destination issue? Say we get someone like Eason (the best brother) and a high draft pick, we can still win 40+ games after a couple of seasons. When Booker retires or stops pulling in 70m+ we have money for FAs (like that #15 on the Lakers).

 

[Mainstreet]

Just thinking from a used car perspective. Booker will give us a hefty return now. After a couple of years we won't get much. OKC is doing it this way and it works well for them. Do they have a destination issue? Say we get someone like Eason (the best brother) and a high draft pick, we can still win 40+ games after a couple of seasons. When Booker retires or stops pulling in 70m+ we have money for FAs (like that #15 on the Lakers).

Would I rather watch a 10-year rebuild? No thanks. And with no guarantee of success.

Rebuilding is for a team that has given up.

 

[Mainstreet]

The irony is, what makes OKC so good is Shai.

And it was reported the Suns had that opportunity (to trade for him or his draft rights) under former GM Ryan McDonough.

 

[Mainstreet]

Embiid better than Jokic? I don't think so.

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[Adrian]

Basketball Ground
@BBallGround
·
1h
Klay Thompson and the Dallas Mavericks are negotiating and finalizing a contract buyout. Once he clears waivers, Thompson intends to sign with the Miami Heat on a veteran minimum contract.

The Heat have emerged as one of the strongest suitors for the four time NBA champion as they continue to prioritize adding veteran shooting.

 

[GatorAZ]

Detroit is a good team but I don’t envy their situation going forward. They are about to give Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson some insane contracts.

 

[Raindog]

Embiid better than Jokic? I don't think so.

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Maybe he will totally dominate... the 15 games he actually plays in.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Well... I'd say the most damaging trade in franchise history was the Durant trade, and the Beal trade is also in the running.

He got off to a stupendously bad start. And I continue to hate how we're managing our future picks. We're a franchise with almost no hope at high level success and we continue to dump our long term assets.

I like the ambition, unlike Sarver, I think Ishbia wants to actually win and would break the bank to do so, but he basically bankrupted the team the instant he bought them, and he keeps digging a deeper hole out of desperation.

I notice that you’ve subtly changed your tune. It was once “we’re doomed forever” and now it’s “almost no hope at high level success.” I have to believe that’s directly reflective of ishbia and team pulling some rabbits outta hats that you couldn’t project. Not an attack on you, but it’s telling that he’s already achieved more success this year than you thought possible for over a decade. That should buy ishbia some rope unless your positioning is just to remain mad about the KD deal.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Indeed. I'm not saying it's impossible everything could work out ideally. But some posters here acting like it's a fait accompli makes me shake my head a bit.

I don’t know anyone that’s considering a fait accompli here.

 

[Yuma]

I think our starting five will be better. The bench maybe not so much. Grayson brought a lot of intangibles and high volume three point shooting as well as fourth quarter clutch threes. Not so sure that Kennard is an upgrade over Grayson, yet. Kennard shoots a high percentage on low volume. That's like a guy that shoots 90% on free throws, but only gets to the line once or twice a game. I have to see how Ott plays a second unit.

 

[Raindog]

I don’t know anyone that’s considering a fait accompli here.

Some people definitely are indicating such. Not everyone.