Suns Off Season Changes for 2025-26

[Hoop Head]

Would you go to a Suns game because we got TJ Warren back?

We're talking about an average white NBA player in Utah. Grayson will be hailed as the best thing since caffeine free Pepsi.

I'm not one of those guys who overhypes Grayson either. I wasn't a fan of his extension as he was overpaid but he does have value. Pair him with Markkennen and I think he could regain some of what got him paid.

I like Collins as a rental, of sorts. He's a legit 6'10" big who can stretch the floor while also not being afraid of contact inside. I fear we might overpay him after a decent year here but that would give us an intriguing frontcourt. As is constructed we lack size, which Collins brings.


Royce is average and undersized 3&D wing. He isnt particularly great but you know what he brings every night. He'll always play above average defense and knock down open looks. He's overpaid but not at the same amount Allen is as he brings more to the table.

 

[Phrazbit]

We're talking about an average white NBA player in Utah. Grayson will be hailed as the best thing since caffeine free Pepsi.

I'm not one of those guys who overhypes Grayson either. I wasn't a fan of his extension as he was overpaid but he does have value. Pair him with Markkennen and I think he could regain some of what got him paid.

I like Collins as a rental, of sorts. He's a legit 6'10" big who can stretch the floor while also not being afraid of contact inside. I fear we might overpay him after a decent year here but that would give us an intriguing frontcourt. As is constructed we lack size, which Collins brings.


Royce is average and undersized 3&D wing. He isnt particularly great but you know what he brings every night. He'll always play above average defense and knock down open looks. He's overpaid but not at the same amount Allen is as he brings more to the table.

I’m not doubting that the jazz are partial to white players, but I also don’t think that he will impact their season ticket sales in any meaningful way whatsoever, especially not in a way that offsets his stupid salary that we paid him.

He’s just a guy, an especially useless guy to a team with no hope for meaningful basketball in the near future.

I cannot fathom any reason why the jazz would want Allen on that contract.

 

[Yuma]

I stumbled upon the perfect trade to balance out our roster while listening to the Locked on Suns Podcast. Credit to Brendon Kleen and Ben Garcia.

Once the Suns get under the 2nd apron and can aggregate salaries, we trade Allen and O'Neale to Utah for John Collins.

Collins will be only 28 when the season starts and averaged 19/8 with a block last season, albeit playing only 40 games. He shot just under 40% from 3 on 3.7 attempts per game. He's the perfect stretch 4 who can still rebound. To top it off, he's expiring so we turn Allen and O'Neale into an expiring contract.

Ainge has been trying to trade Collins for a while, and the Suns were reportedly going to acquire him before Ishbia came in and pulled the trigger on Durant. The big question is, why does Utah do it? Why do they take on the years of future salary owed Allen and O'Neale? You gotta hope Ainge really loves Allen or he thinks he can spin them off in season to contenders for more picks.

With Allen and O'Neale gone, the roster becomes much more balanced. Collins slots in at PF and gives Fleming a year to develop. The roster is completely overhauled around Book with only Gillespie, Dunn, Oso, and Richards returning. Trade Richards for a back-up point guard or sign CP3 and we are cooking.

1. Booker, (Paul), Gillespie
2. Green, Brea
3. Brooks, Dunn
4. Collins, Fleming
5. Williams, Maluach, Richards, Oso

It's funny Collins is only 28. It seems like he has played FOREVER!!!

 

[Yuma]

I’m not doubting that the jazz are partial to white players, but I also don’t think that he will impact their season ticket sales in any meaningful way whatsoever, especially not in a way that offsets his stupid salary that we paid him.

He’s just a guy, an especially useless guy to a team with no hope for meaningful basketball in the near future.

I cannot fathom any reason why the jazz would want Allen on that contract.

Salaries are going up as the cap grows season over season. I keep seeing NBA types saying he has a reasonable salary.

 

[Yuma]

We're talking about an average white NBA player in Utah. Grayson will be hailed as the best thing since caffeine free Pepsi.

I'm not one of those guys who overhypes Grayson either. I wasn't a fan of his extension as he was overpaid but he does have value. Pair him with Markkennen and I think he could regain some of what got him paid.

I like Collins as a rental, of sorts. He's a legit 6'10" big who can stretch the floor while also not being afraid of contact inside. I fear we might overpay him after a decent year here but that would give us an intriguing frontcourt. As is constructed we lack size, which Collins brings.


Royce is average and undersized 3&D wing. He isnt particularly great but you know what he brings every night. He'll always play above average defense and knock down open looks. He's overpaid but not at the same amount Allen is as he brings more to the table.

You bring him in to mentor Rasheer.

 

[Hoop Head]

I’m not doubting that the jazz are partial to white players, but I also don’t think that he will impact their season ticket sales in any meaningful way whatsoever, especially not in a way that offsets his stupid salary that we paid him.

He’s just a guy, an especially useless guy to a team with no hope for meaningful basketball in the near future.

I cannot fathom any reason why the jazz would want Allen on that contract.

They have to pay someone. Why not pay someone that keeps fans engaged that also provides a skill. Like I said, they can flip him again later. He has 3 years left on his deal now. Sure, Collins is expiring but the Jazz need guard help. They're loaded with bigs, albeit mediocre bigs, and Grayson could shine there to rehab his value and possibly inflate it.

Look at what has happened to Lauri in Utah. He's a fine player but he's now an All-Star and has almost priced himself out of being dealt because no one is giving up assets for an All-Star to acquire a guy like him, who is really just a 3rd or 4th wheel that can get hot.

Let Grayson play off Lauri for a few months and flip him at the deadline for a pick. Royce's deal is manageable. They can keep him a little while longer if they can't flip him as he's a good veteran that did well in Utah before and won't rock the boat.

 

[Folster]

It's funny Collins is only 28. It seems like he has played FOREVER!!!

I was surprised too. I was guessing 31ish before I checked, but he's only 27. Cam Johnson is 29. Crazy.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

You bring him in to mentor Rasheer.

Hasn’t collins always been seen as a “me first” guy? If so, not mentor material. Ironic that you push back against Paul who has a history of raising young players games as a mentor but want this guy for that role.

 

[95pro]

There goes Collins to the Clippers.

 

[Chaplin]

Is there a reason why the Clippers wanted to trade Powell? He seemed like a good player for them.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Is there a reason why the Clippers wanted to trade Powell? He seemed like a good player for them.

They went bigger

 

[TJ]

I stumbled upon the perfect trade to balance out our roster while listening to the Locked on Suns Podcast. Credit to Brendon Kleen and Ben Garcia.

Once the Suns get under the 2nd apron and can aggregate salaries, we trade Allen and O'Neale to Utah for John Collins.

Collins will be only 28 when the season starts and averaged 19/8 with a block last season, albeit playing only 40 games. He shot just under 40% from 3 on 3.7 attempts per game. He's the perfect stretch 4 who can still rebound. To top it off, he's expiring so we turn Allen and O'Neale into an expiring contract.

Ainge has been trying to trade Collins for a while, and the Suns were reportedly going to acquire him before Ishbia came in and pulled the trigger on Durant. The big question is, why does Utah do it? Why do they take on the years of future salary owed Allen and O'Neale? You gotta hope Ainge really loves Allen or he thinks he can spin them off in season to contenders for more picks.

With Allen and O'Neale gone, the roster becomes much more balanced. Collins slots in at PF and gives Fleming a year to develop. The roster is completely overhauled around Book with only Gillespie, Dunn, Oso, and Richards returning. Trade Richards for a back-up point guard or sign CP3 and we are cooking.

1. Booker, (Paul), Gillespie
2. Green, Brea
3. Brooks, Dunn
4. Collins, Fleming
5. Williams, Maluach, Richards, Oso

Start Dunn. He's earned it.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Start Dunn. He's earned it.

yup.

 

[Proximo]

yup.

I want him to start to get him some experience because we are a sucky team that needs to hope our young player develop.

However Brooks unquestionably is a better player and deserves to start over him. To me that probably means we should look to trade him - but I don't know what his market is. It's probably not to good because nobody wants average starters with 20 million+ dollar salaries right now.

 

[Proximo]

I was surprised too. I was guessing 31ish before I checked, but he's only 27. Cam Johnson is 29. Crazy.

No it's not crazy, we drafted Cam when he was 24 - that was one of the biggest complaints about us taking him.

 

[BirdGangThing]

No it's not crazy, we drafted Cam when he was 24 - that was one of the biggest complaints about us taking him.

which always trips me out - we act like players are going to stay with organizations their entire career and that the career will be shortened due to entering the league at age 24 vs 21

boggles the brain - because everybody eventually gets traded or becomes a free agent - and taking the more mature player usually means taking the more polished player

i don't care how old someone is when they're drafted - it in no way limits a player's time with the team that drafts them

 

[Mainstreet]

Start Dunn. He's earned it.

On the Suns summer league roster, Dunn is listed at 6'8", 220 pounds. It's not inconceivable he could start at power forward.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

which always trips me out - we act like players are going to stay with organizations their entire career and that the career will be shortened due to entering the league at age 24 vs 21

boggles the brain - because everybody eventually gets traded or becomes a free agent - and taking the more mature player usually means taking the more polished player

i don't care how old someone is when they're drafted - it in no way limits a player's time with the team that drafts them

I think the age is less about longevity and more about potential. The older a prospect the longer they’ve had to develop, both physically and skillswise, so an older prospect is seen as more of a finished product - you get what you see. No more, or more limited, upside potential.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I want him to start to get him some experience because we are a sucky team that needs to hope our young player develop.

However Brooks unquestionably is a better player and deserves to start over him. To me that probably means we should look to trade him - but I don't know what his market is. It's probably not to good because nobody wants average starters with 20 million+ dollar salaries right now.

this team is likely starting Brooks at PF which means Dunn can start at SF. and if that's not the play, this team ain't thinking right.

 

[Proximo]

which always trips me out - we act like players are going to stay with organizations their entire career and that the career will be shortened due to entering the league at age 24 vs 21

boggles the brain - because everybody eventually gets traded or becomes a free agent - and taking the more mature player usually means taking the more polished player

i don't care how old someone is when they're drafted - it in no way limits a player's time with the team that drafts them

Yeah, I agree with you. I really only care about the players age if we are drafting in the top 10. Those are the players you hope become franchise players for you. Drafting later than that and you are just hoping to someday maybe get a rotation player.

 

[Proximo]

this team is likely starting Brooks at PF which means Dunn can start at SF. and if that's not the play, this team ain't thinking right.

We cannot start Brooks at PF Dunn at SF and Green and Booker. That is just too small.

I mean we are going to be small no matter what, but I think Nigel or Fleming will be our PF starter.

 

[Cheesebeef]

We cannot start Brooks at PF Dunn at SF and Green and Booker. That is just too small.

I mean we are going to be small no matter what, but I think Nigel or Fleming will be our PF starter.

we can really do anything because next year is all about developing young players. so there's no point in starting Brooks at SF and having our ONE promising young guy not getting the most minutes possible.

that said, I'll be shocked if Nigel or Fleming start. Those guys have done nothing to deserve a starting spot and are gonna be raw AF.

 

[Mainstreet]

IMO, Dunn would be the more likely to start at power forward than Brooks if it comes to that.

As I pointed out earlier, Dunn is listed at 6'8", 220 pounds on the summer league roster.

 

[Cheesebeef]

IMO, Dunn would be the more likely to start at power forward than Brooks if it comes to that.

As I pointed out earlier, Dunn is listed at 6'8", 220 pounds on the summer league roster.

if fans get their wish to turn Dunn into a PF instead of making him into a killer SF, I really hope we don't complaints from the same people about rebounding/defense when we shift our perfectly sized SF out of position to make him an undersized PF.

 

[JCSunsfan]

we can really do anything because next year is all about developing young players. so there's no point in starting Brooks at SF and having our ONE promising young guy not getting the most minutes possible.

that said, I'll be shocked if Nigel or Fleming start. Those guys have done nothing to deserve a starting spot and are gonna be raw AF.

Right. The only reason I would start Brooks is if I believed that he would contribute to the development of Dunn, Rasheer, Khaman, or Green in that role. And I really just don't see it right now. I do think having Brooks on this team is not a bad thing if he brings that competitive nasty that has always been part of his game. If he is unhappy on a rebuilding team, he needs to go.