Suns 2025-2026 Season Discussion

[Adrian]

Collin Gillespie keeps rolling as Phoenix secures NBA Cup Wild Card | Sporting News Canada

Gillespie led Phoenix in scoring on Friday night.

www.sportingnews.com

 

[Covert Rain]

I tend to agree. If they needed to shed salary, I'd be fine with trading Richards for nothing, but I really don't see the point now. Having said that, I keep asking myself if Man Man can be worse than Richards, and I don't think he can. I get it, it would be nice to get a pick for a guy you're losing at the end of the season anyway, but I tend to be on the side of leaving it alone as it seems to be working. Let Man Man play in G-League and give him Richards' spot next season.

My worry about Man Man is we have seen what happens to young rookies if they are thrown to the wolves too soon. Sometimes it sets them back. I have seen good out of Richards in stints. I can't say that about Man Man. I am not actually convinced he is going to ever become starting material in this league but he is young and so raw. I hope he does.

He is so raw and I feel like if given the right time to develop could turn into something.

 

[Adrian]

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www.azcentral.com

 

[Suns_fan69]

I wish I saved my findings from a few months ago, but I am 100% certain they were $3M or so over whatever they had to avoid by the end of the season. I'll do some digging again when I get a chance.

EDIT:
Well, it looks like I was wrong. They are under the first apron by $6M or so. They are well over the cap, but I don't think Ishbia cares about that.
First apron is set at $195,945,000. Suns payroll is at $189,668,668. Second apron is at $207,824,000.

You're probably thinking about the luxury tax threshold, which is confusingly separate from either apron. The suns are projected to be over by ~$275k. They are in repeater territory so it makes a ton of sense to try and shed salary, whether that be Richards or otherwise.

https://www.spotrac.com/nba/tax/_/year/2025

 

[95pro]

The last two games, probably just me but I've noticed Book is finally getting some favorable calls.

 

[Mainstreet]

Gerald Bourguet is now covering the Suns on a pod site: Suns After Dark A Phoenix Suns Pod Site.

Lindsey Smith is a guest on the first episode.

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www.patreon.com

 

[Chaplin]

Gerald Bourguet is now covering the Suns on a pod site: Suns After Dark A Phoenix Suns Pod Site.

Lindsey Smith is a guest on the first episode.

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www.patreon.com

Bummer you have to pay $10 a month to listen to the podcasts. I'm not a patreon member, in fact, today is the first time I'd ever been to that site, so financially it doesn't make much sense for me.

 

[BooksOrangePlanet]

Bummer you have to pay $10 a month to listen to the podcasts. I'm not a patreon member, in fact, today is the first time I'd ever been to that site, so financially it doesn't make much sense for me.

oh damn i was gonna give it a listen later

 

[Mainstreet]

Bummer you have to pay $10 a month to listen to the podcasts. I'm not a patreon member, in fact, today is the first time I'd ever been to that site, so financially it doesn't make much sense for me.

It's a shame it's come to this. Sounds like he is still looking for full time employment.

I didn't see an option to embed his tweets.

 

[leclerc]

Jamaree Bouya reminds me a bit about "socks" Elliot except he wears the wrong number and don't shoot with his left.

 

[Mainstreet]

Jamaree Bouya reminds me a bit about "socks" Elliot except he wears the wrong number and don't shoot with his left.

Now that you mention it, I can see it.

 

[Superbone]

Jamaree Bouya reminds me a bit about "socks" Elliot except he wears the wrong number and don't shoot with his left.

Or wear high socks. Other than that, spot on.

 

[Superbone]

Or wear high socks. Other than that, spot on.

Speaking of spot on, I think Bouyea should give up the ghost and shave that hair spot on the top of his head. In fact, might be time to go to a fully shaved head if I were him.

 

[95pro]

Speaking of spot on, I think Bouyea should give up the ghost and shave that hair spot on the top of his head. In fact, might be time to go to a fully shaved head if I were him.

I told my fam he looks like a 6ft kd

 

[Adrian]

How the Phoenix Suns are proving doubters wrong

Dan Bickley explains how the Phoenix Suns are proving doubters wrong early in the season on his Bickley Blast.

arizonasports.com

 

[JCSunsfan]

Jamaree Bouya reminds me a bit about "socks" Elliot except he wears the wrong number and don't shoot with his left.

Yep.

Bouyea is playing with lots of confidence, but then again, the entire team is doing that. I do not see any timid players anywhere on this roster right now, even the deep bench players. That is remarkable. It is coaching.

 

[Hoop Head]

Yep.

Bouyea is playing with lots of confidence, but then again, the entire team is doing that. I do not see any timid players anywhere on this roster right now, even the deep bench players. That is remarkable. It is coaching.

It's kind of weird that the most timid guys on the team seem to be the longest tenured Suns. To me, it seems like Booker, Grayson, and Royce don't want to let the others down and they are still trying to get out of the malaise they'd shown over the last 2 years.

I'm not saying those guys are being timid regularly but they're the most guilty of not playing 110% each minute they're on the floor. It seems they're doing better with each passing game though, although it doesn't necessarily equate to better statlines. Booker being the most guilty of forcing it and getting in his head.

 

[Mainstreet]

Yep.

Bouyea is playing with lots of confidence, but then again, the entire team is doing that. I do not see any timid players anywhere on this roster right now, even the deep bench players. That is remarkable. It is coaching.

Thankfully, the Suns are back to playing team basketball. Fans have missed that. Players look like they are having fun again.

 

[Yuma]

Gerald Bourguet is now covering the Suns on a pod site: Suns After Dark A Phoenix Suns Pod Site.

Lindsey Smith is a guest on the first episode.

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www.patreon.com

Thank you for the info!

 

[Yuma]

It's kind of weird that the most timid guys on the team seem to be the longest tenured Suns. To me, it seems like Booker, Grayson, and Royce don't want to let the others down and they are still trying to get out of the malaise they'd shown over the last 2 years.

I'm not saying those guys are being timid regularly but they're the most guilty of not playing 110% each minute they're on the floor. It seems they're doing better with each passing game though, although it doesn't necessarily equate to better statlines. Booker being the most guilty of forcing it and getting in his head.

In Booker's case I do not think he's timid. Teams are blitzing him right now, keeping him from getting any good looks. Booker is having to work hard to get shots up. That's going to keep happening for awhile until teams get burned by guys like Green, Gillespie, Brooks, and Allen. They are in the prove it phase. Let everyone else beat us besides Booker. When Booker gets better making teams pay on double teams, that would help him a lot, too. Probably some of it is what you are saying, too. I just wanted to add to your observation.

 

[ajcardfan]

Well, early in the season I was really down on the Suns. Went to the Memphis game for my birthday. Which was a good game, we lost 114-113. But I thought "this team is BAD". But, I am truly impressed with how they are playing with such spirit and elan and hustle. Everything that was missing the last three seasons. I HATED both of the Durant and Beal trades.

I know we are not championship material yet. But, boy, it sure is fun to watch these guys play. I was w..ww...wwwrong about Ott.

 

[Hoop Head]

In Booker's case I do not think he's timid. Teams are blitzing him right now, keeping him from getting any good looks. Booker is having to work hard to get shots up. That's going to keep happening for awhile until teams get burned by guys like Green, Gillespie, Brooks, and Allen. They are in the prove it phase. Let everyone else beat us besides Booker. When Booker gets better making teams pay on double teams, that would help him a lot, too. Probably some of it is what you are saying, too. I just wanted to add to your observation.

I love Booker and look past his shortcomings a lot to appreciate what he does for the organization as a whole both on and off the court. He's my Suns GOAT. I say that to say that there is something wrong with him right now and he needs to figure it out.

All you said is true but he's far too experienced to be struggling like he has at such fundamental tasks. I hope it's just a case of being in his head too much. I'm not leaving his corner but he's displayed ability in the past he's not showing now.

 

[95pro]

Coming up...

Rockets
Wolves
Thunder
Warriors
Warriors

while 86M is sitting on the bench

 

[BooksOrangePlanet]

Coming up...

Rockets
Wolves
Thunder
Warriors
Warriors

while 86M is sitting on the bench

i want the thunder again - lucky we couldn't hit a 3

 

[Proximo]

Coming up...

Rockets
Wolves
Thunder
Warriors
Warriors

while 86M is sitting on the bench

Well, I am really hoping we can find a way to go 3-2. But if no Booker that will be tough.