Thunder @ Suns 2026 Playoffs Saturday Game 3 Thread, 4-25-2026

[Mainstreet]

But there's also no guarantee the Suns aren't going to also become worse with Booker.

Everyone seems to be automatically assuming the Suns are on some upward trajectory just because we had a better season than expected. But the reality is the Suns don't really have much in the way of projectable young talent. We are assuming Maluach/Fleming are, but that's all hopeful speculation at the moment.

And the remainder of the Suns core is deeply flawed - aging veterans, many with health issues. Booker as a centerpiece is particularly problematic given that he is no longer young by NBA standards, has persistent and more frequent injury problems, and his style of play is especially affected by the latter.

While many posters are acknowledging that the Suns getting better over the next few years is speculative, I think we also shouldn't be assuming that a significant decline isn't also a distinct possibility.

There is no guarantee about anything in life but I'd rather take a chance on the Suns getting better with Booker than without.

 

[Cheesebeef]

There is no guarantee about anything in life but I'd rather take a chance on the Suns getting better with Booker than without.

But how do they do that with such limited assets? You already want them spending a good chunk of change to keep guys like Gillespie/Goody and I assume keep Brooks around, right? Well, doing so will disable most moves in FA as we add to our salary structure under a restrictive cap, significantly disabling FA as an avenue to get better. And we don’t have premium or really control of any draft picks to get better either.

So without cap space or draft picks, what are the chances of getting better as Booker gets older, especially considering every team above us is younger, has a better superstar to build around and has more assets?

 

[Mainstreet]

But how do they do that with such limited assets? You already want them spending a good chunk of change to keep guys like Gillespie/Goody and I assume keep Brooks around, right? Well, doing so will disable most moves in FA as we add to our salary structure under a restrictive cap, significantly disabling FA as an avenue to get better. And we don’t have premium or really control of any draft picks to get better either.

So without cap space or draft picks, what are the chances of getting better as Booker gets older, especially considering every team above us is younger, has a better superstar to build around and has more assets?

There are trades, free agency and the Suns do have future non-consecutive first round draft picks.

How much did it cost the Suns to acquire Steve Nash, Goran Dragic or Chris Paul?

 

[Weenus O'Baggins]

But how do they do that with such limited assets? You already want them spending a good chunk of change to keep guys like Gillespie/Goody and I assume keep Brooks around, right? Well, doing so will disable most moves in FA as we add to our salary structure under a restrictive cap, significantly disabling FA as an avenue to get better. And we don’t have premium or really control of any draft picks to get better either.

So without cap space or draft picks, what are the chances of getting better as Booker gets older, especially considering every team above us is younger, has a better superstar to build around and has more assets?

The #1 way would be Fleming and Maluach getting better.

But I agree you basically have to pick between Booker and Green and fix either PF or PG. I do REALLY believe that Fleming has Cliff Robinson potential and should have played way more this year.

 

[Mainstreet]

Only being used as an example but trading Dillon Brooks and Grayson Allen works for Ja Morant.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Only being used as an example but trading Dillon Brooks and Grayson Allen works for Ja Morant.

man... that's a HUGE risk. It's tempting though. But I think a massive risk trade is probably the only kind we can make. I also wonder if that combo above even gets it done. we probably have to throw in some picks and then you're edging backing into KD trade territory, with the added questions with Ja not looking right physically for a couple years, to say nothing of him mentally, where's he's been a straight loon.

 

[BooksOrangePlanet]

Only being used as an example but trading Dillon Brooks and Grayson Allen works for Ja Morant.

brooks might be the only guy on the team rooting for ja morant to become a sun - they're homies

 

[Mainstreet]

man... that's a HUGE risk. It's tempting though. But I think a massive risk trade is probably the only kind we can make. I also wonder if that combo above even gets it done. we probably have to throw in some picks and then you're edging backing into KD trade territory, with the added questions with Ja not looking right physically for a couple years, to say nothing of him mentally, where's he's been a straight loon.

brooks might be the only guy on the team rooting for ja morant to become a sun - they're homies

In this little fantasy trade, it ignores the circumstances Brooks was traded to the Rockets by the Grizzlies. Of course a third team could be involved.

However, it shows how the Suns might do a trade in the off season.

Yeah, Brooks and Morant like each other.

 

[BooksOrangePlanet]

i was wondering why we'd even consider ja morant - still not sure we are but if so i think the assists have something to do with it - he averages 7 or 8 every year (when not being a disruption)

that's pretty freakin good - book averaged 6 assists this season while passing his ass off - gillespie was next with 4.6 app

it would have to be the assists - ja sucks at 3s and plays below average defense - does that scream scream phoenix suns to you?

 

[Mainstreet]

i was wondering why we'd even consider ja morant - still not sure we are but if so i think the assists have something to do with it - he averages 7 or 8 every year (when not being a disruption)

that's pretty freakin good - book averaged 6 assists this season while passing his ass off - gillespie was next with 4.6 app

it would have to be the assists - ja sucks at 3s and plays below average defense - does that scream scream phoenix suns to you?

The way I look at it, it takes two players to guard Morant and it takes two players to guard Booker.

Some players are going to get wide open shots. I'm not pushing for Morant but I'm keeping an open mind about the matter.

 

[Phrazbit]

Ja Morant is an injury prone, coach killing, cancer.

I wouldn't want him on a vet minimum contract.

The Grizzlies have been desperate to dump him for a year, no one wants him. Whoever eventually decides to roll the dice will lose that gamble.