Suns 2024-2025 Season Discussions

[Cheesebeef]

It's exactly what OKC did when they hit the limit with their superstars, and used them as trade bait to create their future rebuild. Of course, they had enough foresight not to dump all of their future picks in the first place.

Yeah… we’re kinda in the same place as far as spot in the league where OKC was when they realized Westbrook/George wasn’t going to work… except without our picks.

But they knew then they had to start from scratch, even though they had their picks. Without our picks, we need to make the same decision much more desperately but I think we’re stupid to do so.

 

[clyde2tw]

And there was the rumored Rui Hachimura deal as well. Hachimura would be an excellent addition on this squad. It would have given us Cam Johnson insurance in case he was too pricy to retain.

Had they traded Crowder for Hachimura, even straight up, Nets'd still have done the KD trade with Saric in place of Jay as the filler. Similarly, without Camara, Blazers'd still have done the Ayton trade. With Hachimura we'd have a guy who could defend AGordon properly who abused KD in that series on both sides of court. And at 17m per, he'd be the perfect PF next to KD we desparately needed the last 3 years at a reasonble price, money much better spent than Allen's deal. That's all JJ's fault.

 

[Phrazbit]

Kevin Durant Claims He Never Wanted The NBA Spotlight: "Just Wanted Money, Buckets And Girls.”

Kevin Durant deletes a post claiming he never cared for the NBA spotlight.

sports.yahoo.com

He makes it really hard to root for him. Those statements are not at all surprising though, checks out from the perspective of him as not really giving a crap after loses, never adjusting, and how he doesn’t really make an effort to play within an offensive system… and giving up when things get tough.

Later deleting the post is also par for the course.

 

[Chaplin]

Yeah… we’re kinda in the same place as far as spot in the league where OKC was when they realized Westbrook/George wasn’t going to work… except without our picks.

But they knew then they had to start from scratch, even though they had their picks. Without our picks, we need to make the same decision much more desperately but I think we’re stupid to do so.

I'm not saying it's a great idea, I'm just saying with this team and recent history, if Beal is gone first, I wouldn't put it past them to seriously consider NOT trading KD.

 

[Proximo]

I'm not saying it's a great idea, I'm just saying with this team and recent history, if Beal is gone first, I wouldn't put it past them to seriously consider NOT trading KD.

It's beyond a stupid idea, because watch KD just leave as a free agent after we have another awful year and we get nothing.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I'm not saying it's a great idea, I'm just saying with this team and recent history, if Beal is gone first, I wouldn't put it past them to seriously consider NOT trading KD.

I’m struggling to find reasons why one move effects the other.

 

[GatorAZ]

Had they traded Crowder for Hachimura, even straight up, Nets'd still have done the KD trade with Saric in place of Jay as the filler. Similarly, without Camara, Blazers'd still have done the Ayton trade. With Hachimura we'd have a guy who could defend AGordon properly who abused KD in that series on both sides of court. And at 17m per, he'd be the perfect PF next to KD we desparately needed the last 3 years at a reasonble price, money much better spent than Allen's deal. That's all JJ's fault.

As soon as Ishbia took over the GM role became a trivial position. Monty should have made a work with Crowder which is a coach’s job.

 

[BirdGangThing]

would ish hire john little for head coach?

 

[Chaplin]

I’m struggling to find reasons why one move effects the other.

Really? I find that very hard to believe. What's the struggle? If Ishbia has a way to still keep KD and Book, you don't think he'd consider it? Especially if trading/buying out Beal gets us financial flexibility we wouldn't otherwise have.

The smart move is to get rid of both KD and Beal for assets, but since when do you think this organization is prepared to make a smart move?

 

[Cheesebeef]

Really? I find that very hard to believe. What's the struggle? If Ishbia has a way to still keep KD and Book, you don't think he'd consider it? Especially if trading/buying out Beal gets us financial flexibility we wouldn't otherwise have.

I think the team knows this is screwed with or without Beal and that’s why they told KD they will work with him to facilitate a trade. Even if we could somehow get under the apron by stretching or trading Beal, we still wouldn’t have assets/significant cap room to sign impact players, so what’s the point in running it back with a mix that doesn’t work?

 

[leclerc]

I am just waiting to see how they work their way out of this. They seem so crazy, they just might run it back again. I wouldn't bet against anything at this point. Especially with some of the stuff our new GM said.

Sad thing is I will continue watching even this new incompetence. My money will go to NBA league pass so not to Ish directly. Good thing James Jones is gone. Hope the new GM will get a more balanced team on the floor but if all the money is tied up in the three no shows then off course, we'll miss the playoffs again. Blargh. Go Suns.

 

[leclerc]

Really? Why do you think this? There’s been a bunch of reports that the Suns have already talked to KD and will facilitate a trade for him and after we tried to deal him without him knowing this season, he probably ain’t keen on coming back, especially since we stink.

I think KD is gone regardless.

I can live in hope. Great player on the right team.

 

[leclerc]

As soon as Ishbia took over the GM role became a trivial position. Monty should have made a work with Crowder which is a coach’s job.

Yeah, Monty not talking with DA or Jae was really disappointing. Two key players. Come on man.

 

[Hoop Head]

Sad thing is I will continue watching even this new incompetence. My money will go to NBA league pass so not to Ish directly. Good thing James Jones is gone. Hope the new GM will get a more balanced team on the floor but if all the money is tied up in the three no shows then off course, we'll miss the playoffs again. Blargh. Go Suns.

This is kind of where I'm at. I'm incapable of tuning out or directing my focus to a different team. The NBA is by far my favorite sports league and the Suns are the apple of my eye. I recognize the apple is poisoned but I can't shift focus elsewhere. I'm along for the ride until I'm literally in the dirt so I'll find a way to enjoy the journey.

Whether the GM is an Ishbia lackey or not, I was beyond tired of James Jones ideas of team building. A bunch of wings who can shoot well in an open gym but can't create their own shots in a game or do anything else proved to be disastrous. We know where that got us. Maybe we're still on the outside looking in when it comes to contending for a championship but I'd rather see real team basketball than whatever we witnessed last season.

 

[Yuma]

Kevin Durant Claims He Never Wanted The NBA Spotlight: "Just Wanted Money, Buckets And Girls.”

Kevin Durant deletes a post claiming he never cared for the NBA spotlight.

sports.yahoo.com

He makes it really hard to root for him. Those statements are not at all surprising though, checks out from the perspective of him as not really giving a crap after loses, never adjusting, and how he doesn’t really make an effort to play within an offensive system… and giving up when things get tough.

Later deleting the post is also par for the course.

He was a knuckle head young man when he made it into the NBA. A lot of young men would want the same things in his position. I read the quote as that is what he was thinking when he got drafted and first made the NBA. He didn't set out to look for fame.

 

[SirStefan32]

It's beyond a stupid idea, because watch KD just leave as a free agent after we have another awful year and we get nothing.

Eh, $50M in cap space might not be a bad thing, especially with Beal's contract being gone the following year. Might be easier to rebuild with free agents than the draft and whatever players they can get for KD. I'd need to do some thinking on this, but I think their situation is so bad right now that $50M cap space might be more valuable than whatever they'd get in a trade. In a normal situation, I wouldn't say this, but the Suns are in a uniquely terrible situation.

 

[Mainstreet]

Eh, $50M in cap space might not be a bad thing, especially with Beal's contract being gone the following year. Might be easier to rebuild with free agents than the draft and whatever players they can get for KD. I'd need to do some thinking on this, but I think their situation is so bad right now that $50M cap space might be more valuable than whatever they'd get in a trade. In a normal situation, I wouldn't say this, but the Suns are in a uniquely terrible situation.

The Suns should get something for Kevin Durant, minimally as an expiring contract at the trade deadline. I purposely have set my expectations low.

They may have to take back some contracts they don't want in order to do it, hopefully expiring, unless it's young talent and or draft picks.

I agree, the money coming off the books after next season should help.

 

[Hoop Head]

Eh, $50M in cap space might not be a bad thing, especially with Beal's contract being gone the following year. Might be easier to rebuild with free agents than the draft and whatever players they can get for KD. I'd need to do some thinking on this, but I think their situation is so bad right now that $50M cap space might be more valuable than whatever they'd get in a trade. In a normal situation, I wouldn't say this, but the Suns are in a uniquely terrible situation.

This is why I'm 100% against a buyout of Beal. Stretching that money is a huge waste that keeps us from even dreaming of cap space. Eating $20 million a year for the next 5 years would be idiotic.

Worst case, I'd use a pick to unload him if the team is that set on sending him out. I know we don't have draft capital to blow but I'd assume we'd get some from a KD trade, which can then be attached to Beal. Giving us a path to a free agent acquisition in a year or two.

 

[clyde2tw]

This is why I'm 100% against a buyout of Beal. Stretching that money is a huge waste that keeps us from even dreaming of cap space. Eating $20 million a year for the next 5 years would be idiotic.

Worst case, I'd use a pick to unload him if the team is that set on sending him out. I know we don't have draft capital to blow but I'd assume we'd get some from a KD trade, which can then be attached to Beal. Giving us a path to a free agent acquisition in a year or two.

Beal is not a bad player, it's just his contract is a bad one. As player he's better than the 30mil range guys JPoole, Rozier, McColumn etc. and about the same bad contracts like PG. Roster wise, I'd see Miami be better off with Beal for Rozier and Robinson, and Hornet for Poole and fillers, provided they don't suffer much cap flexibility this way. Miami lacks scoring power, not sure how they fill that gap with their current assets.

 

[Chaplin]

I think the team knows this is screwed with or without Beal and that’s why they told KD they will work with him to facilitate a trade. Even if we could somehow get under the apron by stretching or trading Beal, we still wouldn’t have assets/significant cap room to sign impact players, so what’s the point in running it back with a mix that doesn’t work?

I personally think that's giving the front office too much credit, but I hope you're right.

 

[Yuma]

Worst case scenario is to wait two more seasons until Beal is gone. Stretching for five seasons when you can get rid of him in two is better. It they can make some miracle trade, so be it. Otherwise, stuck with Beal.

 

[Hoop Head]

Worst case scenario is to wait two more seasons until Beal is gone. Stretching for five seasons when you can get rid of him in two is better. It they can make some miracle trade, so be it. Otherwise, stuck with Beal.

You'd prefer paying $20 million a year for the next 5 years vs $50 million a year for the next 2? I don't understand that. That's a max length contract on it's own.

 

[Yuma]

You'd prefer paying $20 million a year for the next 5 years vs $50 million a year for the next 2? I don't understand that. That's a max length contract on it's own.

I said it was better to get rid of him in two. That's what I prefer.

 

[Covert Rain]

I personally think that's giving the front office too much credit, but I hope you're right.

I have a feeling you might be saying this phrase multiple times over the next few seasons based on their GM hire.

 

[Hoop Head]

I said it was better to get rid of him in two. That's what I prefer.

Ok, your second sentence had me confused by how it's worded. All good.