Suns 2025-2026 Season Discussion

[Adrian]

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[Adrian]

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[Yuma]

Would be interesting if he was our backup center right now:
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Queen's team needs to play him. We have Williams and two other bigs in front of Malluach. Still, I would like to see them carve out ten minutes a game for him. Kellan Olsen said March is traditionally when rookies who are brought along slowly get minutes.

 

[Adrian]

How the Phoenix Suns are overperforming compared to the rest of the Western Conference

After a recent report from the Ringer, Dave Burns and guest host Tim Ring look at how the Phoenix Suns seem to be overperforming in comparison to the rest of the Western Conference.

arizonasports.com

 

[Adrian]

Suns center brutally placed on trade block ahead of deadline

Nick Richards is the odd man out.

valleyofthesuns.com

 

[Adrian]

Suns Reportedly Have Made Big Man Available for Trade

The Phoenix Suns are deep in the front court, so this would make sense.

www.si.com

 

[Adrian]

Suns Address Grayson Allen Injury Questions

The Phoenix Suns' sharpshooter has been out longer than many expected. What's going on?

www.si.com

 

[Adrian]

Mark Williams is Quietly Dominating for the Phoenix Suns

How Mark Williams became the Suns’ game changer, illustrating his elite rim pressure, versatile defense, and impressive maturity.

www.nba.com

 

[Adrian]

Oso Ighodaro says Phoenix Suns teammate has 'short-term memory' and it makes him so relentless

This player has been a real difference maker for the Suns.

nbaanalysis.net

 

[Adrian]

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[Adrian]

Suns Poised to Advance in NBA Cup - Even if They Fall to Thunder

The Phoenix Suns (12-7) have set themselves up well in the standings of NBA Cup group stage play heading into tonight's away matchup against the defending-champion Oklahoma City Thunder (18-1).

www.yardbarker.com

 

[Adrian]

Jordan Ott explains why Jordan Goodwin was moved back to the bench in favor of veteran Suns star

Jordan Goodwin lost his starting spot, but is he losing his role on the team?

nbaanalysis.net

 

[Covert Rain]

Suns Reportedly Have Made Big Man Available for Trade

The Phoenix Suns are deep in the front court, so this would make sense.

www.si.com

I hope this isn't true. The Suns depth at center is a strength for once. As much as I like how Williams is playing he is one injury away from being out for a long period of time. Then we would have to depend on Oso and a rookie. That would be a disaster. This simply doesn't make much sense to me.

 

[SirStefan32]

I hope this isn't true. The Suns depth at center is a strength for once. As much as I like how Williams is playing he is one injury away from being out for a long period of time. Then we would have to depend on Oso and a rookie. That would be a disaster. This simply doesn't make much sense to me.

I am fairly certain they have to get rid of Richards to be under the first apron by the end of the year.

 

[Covert Rain]

I am fairly certain they have to get rid of Richards to be under the first apron by the end of the year.

Looks like they are projected to be $37 million over the 1st apron next season (20 million from Beal dead cap space). Moving Richards now doesn't move the needle. I wonder if it's to get something for him because it's doubtful he resigns with the Suns. Still our rookie center is not even close to being ready. When Oso is at center we play small. The team is going to be hurting if Williams goes down.

I know we had to get under the 2nd apron for this season to avoid all kinds of penalties but I wonder if he is willing to pay the luxury tax on the 1st apron next? If not? He has to shed another $32 million after Richards. That's going to be bleak.

 

[SirStefan32]

Looks like they are projected to be $37 million over the 1st apron next season (20 million from Beal dead cap space). Moving Richards now doesn't move the needle. I wonder if it's to get something for him because it's doubtful he resigns with the Suns. Still our rookie center is not even close to being ready. When Oso is at center we play small. The team is going to be hurting if Williams goes down.

I know we had to get under the 2nd apron for this season to avoid all kinds of penalties but I wonder if he is willing to pay the luxury tax on the 1st apron next? If not? He has to shed another $32 million after Richards. That's going to be bleak.

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.

 

[Hoop Head]

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 $5M or so. They are well over the cap, but I don't think Ishbia cares about that.

You're right. It's somewhere between 2 and 5 million over the apron. It got a little fuzzy when we signed all our picks and Twk-Way players. Anyone of Richards, Royce, or Grayson being moved would get us under the apron.

 

[Hoop Head]

According to Spotrac we're under the 1st apron by about $6 million. I trust their numbers but this seems odd because I don't recall being under. Maybe Beal sacrificed a little more than we guessed back when everyone was projecting how the financials would look.

https://www.spotrac.com/nba/phoenix-suns/cap/_/year/2025

 

[Mainstreet]

The Suns depth at center is mostly an illusion. Oso Ighodaro is probably the Suns second best center.

If Mark Williams were out any significant period of time, the Suns would be hurting.

Maybe the Suns could trade Nick Richards for picks and take on a larger salary at the 4/5.

 

[Hoop Head]

The Suns depth at center is mostly an illusion. Oso Ighodaro is probably the Suns second best center.

If Mark Williams were out any significant period of time, the Suns would be hurting.

Maybe the Suns could trade Nick Richards for picks and take on a larger salary at the 4/5.

I believe Maluach is able to step into a backup role now. I'm grateful we're being patient with him. We're 1/4 of the season in right now and he we havent needed him. Let him build confidence in the G-League as he grows accustomed to the pro style.

 

[Mainstreet]

I believe Maluach is able to step into a backup role now. I'm grateful we're being patient with him. We're 1/4 of the season in right now and he we havent needed him. Let him build confidence in the G-League as he grows accustomed to the pro style.

I'm not seeing it now, even in the G-League, but I want to believe.

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[Covert Rain]

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.

Yep. This aligns. I remember the guys on the radio said that’s what drove the Bulter decision. I just don’t see a logical reason to do it now. It doesn’t really help the cap.

 

[Hoop Head]

I'm not seeing it now, even in the G-League, but I want to believe.

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I trusted your view of Gillespie. Trust mine on Khamen. He'll be in the rotation after the trade deadline.

 

[SirStefan32]

Yep. This aligns. I remember the guys on the radio said that’s what drove the Bulter decision. I just don’t see a logical reason to do it now. It doesn’t really help the cap.

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.

 

[Adrian]

Suns' Royce O'Neale: Stays hot from beyond arc

Suns' Royce O'Neale: Stays hot from beyond arc

www.cbssports.com