Phoenix offseason

[zimpy27]

What should they do to make a better team?
Let's assume they use CLE25FRP and DEN25SRP to draft 2 players.

They have these picks to trade: PHX28FRP


PG: Booker | Beal
SG: Allen | Cody
SF: Dunn | O'Neale
PF: Durant | Bol Bol
C : Richards | Oso
Add: 2 draft picks, 3 vet min deals to fill roster.
Currently expected to be ~$16m over the 2nd apron


Should they trade Durant for a collection of talent?
Should they consider a stretch+waive of Beal (dead money of $22m for 5 seasons) to save $32m next season and $35m season after?

[zimpy27]

If they did stretch+waive Brad Beal then Suns would be:

PG: Booker |
SG: Allen | Cody
SF: Dunn | O'Neale
PF: Durant | Bol Bol
C : Richards | Oso
Add: 2 draft picks, 4 vet min deals to fill roster.

They'd be ~$2m under the 1st apron, means one of the vet min deals could be a taxMLE for $5.6m. Suns will also avoid triggering the penalty that pushes their 2033 draft pick to end of first round.

[ReggiesKnicks]

Didn't the Suns trade their 2026 1st with Nurkic?

February 6, 2025 – Charlotte Hornets President of Basketball Operations Jeff Peterson announced today the team has acquired center Jusuf Nurkic and a 2026 first-round draft pick from the Phoenix Suns in exchange for guard Cody Martin, guard Vasa Micic and a 2026 second-round pick.

Stretching and Waiving Beal is a death sentence. I understand most people already think Phoenix is dead, but they still have options and moves they can make before going nuclear.

Grayson Allen is the obvious salary to move and upgrade. He is a solid 2-guard who shoots well and tries hard defensively. Unfortunately they are littered with guards in Booker/Beal but lack someone who can consistently set the table for them. Another splitting of Allen for 2 serviceable players begins to make sense.

The other interesting decision point is Kevin Durant. What if Phoenix could work in a 3rd team where they send out Durant AND some capital and get back a bigger haul? Karl-Anthony Towns is good friends with Booker, maybe New York flames out early (let's hope) and New York wants either Durant or a 3rd teams players, KD goes to a 3rd team and KAT goes to Phoenix?

Durant to Cleveland
Allen + Hunter + Filler to New York
KAT to Phoenix

[Astaluego]

KD is gone...he knows they tried to trade him..I doubt you can turn that situation around. Based on that + the situation with Beal, I think you should rebuild.. Start by selling Booker for as much money as possible, I think there is a trade with Houston that would be good for both franchises... Where the Suns could get their picks and young prospects for a quick rebuild.. If they want to keep digging the hole deeper..
KD for K.Leonard+ FRP

Trade 2

Beal + FRP(from Clippers)+Cavs 25 for Vucevic/P.Williams/Lonzo

Booker/Lonzo
Allen/Martín
P.Williams/Dunn
Leonard/Royce
Vuc/Richards

[Scoot McGroot]

What should they do to make a better team?
Let's assume they use CLE25FRP and DEN25SRP to draft 2 players.

They have these picks to trade: PHX28FRP


PG: Booker | Beal
SG: Allen | Cody
SF: Dunn | O'Neale
PF: Durant | Bol Bol
C : Richards | Oso
Add: 2 draft picks, 3 vet min deals to fill roster.
Currently expected to be ~$16m over the 2nd apron


Should they trade Durant for a collection of talent?
Should they consider a stretch+waive of Beal (dead money of $22m for 5 seasons) to save $32m next season and $35m season after?

They should absolutely not consider this. They've got to figure out how to make it work with Beal in the best possible way going forward. That's just entirely too much dead salary on the books for far too long.


As for Phoenix, it's all about the Durant scenario. As of now, it sounds like Phoenix burned their bridge with KD a bit, and they're headed for a separation this offseason. With that said, so much of their moves this summer would depend on what type of package they go with. There could be some short term cash savings, long term cash savings, picks/prospects packages, or combinations therein to all rebuild/reload.

[Godaddycurse]

What should they do to make a better team?
Let's assume they use CLE25FRP and DEN25SRP to draft 2 players.

They have these picks to trade: PHX28FRP


PG: Booker | Beal
SG: Allen | Cody
SF: Dunn | O'Neale
PF: Durant | Bol Bol
C : Richards | Oso
Add: 2 draft picks, 3 vet min deals to fill roster.
Currently expected to be ~$16m over the 2nd apron


Should they trade Durant for a collection of talent?
Should they consider a stretch+waive of Beal (dead money of $22m for 5 seasons) to save $32m next season and $35m season after?

They should absolutely not consider this. They've got to figure out how to make it work with Beal in the best possible way going forward. That's just entirely too much dead salary on the books for far too long.


As for Phoenix, it's all about the Durant scenario. As of now, it sounds like Phoenix burned their bridge with KD a bit, and they're headed for a separation this offseason. With that said, so much of their moves this summer would depend on what type of package they go with. There could be some short term cash savings, long term cash savings, picks/prospects packages, or combinations therein to all rebuild/reload.

they save a lot of real life money though if they stretch waive beal to pay a much lower tax bill

[Scoot McGroot]

What should they do to make a better team?
Let's assume they use CLE25FRP and DEN25SRP to draft 2 players.

They have these picks to trade: PHX28FRP


PG: Booker | Beal
SG: Allen | Cody
SF: Dunn | O'Neale
PF: Durant | Bol Bol
C : Richards | Oso
Add: 2 draft picks, 3 vet min deals to fill roster.
Currently expected to be ~$16m over the 2nd apron


Should they trade Durant for a collection of talent?
Should they consider a stretch+waive of Beal (dead money of $22m for 5 seasons) to save $32m next season and $35m season after?

They should absolutely not consider this. They've got to figure out how to make it work with Beal in the best possible way going forward. That's just entirely too much dead salary on the books for far too long.


As for Phoenix, it's all about the Durant scenario. As of now, it sounds like Phoenix burned their bridge with KD a bit, and they're headed for a separation this offseason. With that said, so much of their moves this summer would depend on what type of package they go with. There could be some short term cash savings, long term cash savings, picks/prospects packages, or combinations therein to all rebuild/reload.

they save a lot of real life money though if they stretch waive beal to pay a much lower tax bill

Sure. But at that point, they HAVE to trade Booker, too, right? Is the goal of the Ishbia to course correct to something more fiscally sane, or to try and win? Whether stretch waiving and giving up on the next 6-7ish seasons may be more rational, I can't imagine that Ishbia will get behind something that means he has to watch Dan Gilbert, his mortal enemy, build a team that's winning 60+ games annually, and he's trying to merely cut costs and bide his time until he can start all over?

[shrink]

Maybe not returning to GSW is all about how the media portrayed him last time, but overall, the Warriors are a veteran team with superstar talent, committed to trying for another ring.

If Durant isn’t interested in a team like that, are there many teams that he IS interested in? And how much does that matter?

[ChettheJet]

They have backed themselves into about the worst possible position they could. 3 huge contracts, surrounded by 12 small contracts, they have some extra picks and I can't even comprehend how they seem to owe a pick every year until 2031. I don't know if they have a solution.

Since they've forced KD to ask for a trade the path I'd take would be trade him in a four or more team trade. He goes to team #2, who sends some players ad maybe picks to PHO then other players to the to the other 2 teams who swap their guys and send some assets to PHO.

Were I the Suns I'd want to end up with several expiring contracts, a pick and a couple of kids that might still have potential. If they decide to move Booker I try the same strategy. It seems their stuck with Beal that's on them. They have to bite the bullet, get rid of their pair of stars they couldn't win with and just regroup with a slow building process.


I would of course tell them to look at the Chicago Bulls for expiring contracts of Nikola Vucevic and Coby White. They're both good not great players if they like what they look like next to some others they could be resigned. The Bulls are reworking their roster so who they get from PHO or another team would be up in the air. Expiring contracts let the Suns push part of their problems a year down the road to not have to try and do everything at once.

PORT is a team I'd look to deal with as the 3rd or 4th. (it's an old approach but) They've got youth who they should start playing and veterans they've been losing with for several years that they should move on from. If the Bulls are part of a deal they have PORT's protected pick to send back to them.

[ReggiesKnicks]

Maybe not returning to GSW is all about how the media portrayed him last time, but overall, the Warriors are a veteran team with superstar talent, committed to trying for another ring.

If Durant isn’t interested in a team like that, are there many teams that he IS interested in? And how much does that matter?

Did the 29 other teams rush him back on the court resulting in an additional serious injury to Kevin Durant?

[Slim Charless]

Maybe not returning to GSW is all about how the media portrayed him last time, but overall, the Warriors are a veteran team with superstar talent, committed to trying for another ring.

If Durant isn’t interested in a team like that, are there many teams that he IS interested in? And how much does that matter?

Did the 29 other teams rush him back on the court resulting in an additional serious injury to Kevin Durant?

They took years off his career forcing him back. Plus Draymond running his mouth. He got no thanks for saving them after they got embarrassed in the Finals vs CLV.

Without Durant they don't win those next 2 titles and Steph's career looks way different. Bron has 2 more chips and is likely widely considered better than MJ as well.

Durant altered the legacy of sooooo many players with his Dubs move lol.

[shrink]

Maybe not returning to GSW is all about how the media portrayed him last time, but overall, the Warriors are a veteran team with superstar talent, committed to trying for another ring.

If Durant isn’t interested in a team like that, are there many teams that he IS interested in? And how much does that matter?

Did the 29 other teams rush him back on the court resulting in an additional serious injury to Kevin Durant?

They took years off his career forcing him back. Plus Draymond running his mouth. He got no thanks for saving them after they got embarrassed in the Finals vs CLV.

Without Durant they don't win those next 2 titles and Steph's career looks way different. Bron has 2 more chips and is likely widely considered better than MJ as well.

Durant altered the legacy of sooooo many players with his Dubs move lol.

My concern was even after winning a title with them, and being Finals MVP, the public trashed him for taking the easy way to win a ring, and have that horrible “cupcake” period. Durant is exclusively a baller, but we know he follows social media and cares about his public image. Maybe that makes GSW the one team he wouldn’t go to. Maybe declining GSW,who fits his timeline so well, indicates there are only a handful of teams he’d consider. If that’s only one team, things get sticky.

[Slim Charless]

Did the 29 other teams rush him back on the court resulting in an additional serious injury to Kevin Durant?

They took years off his career forcing him back. Plus Draymond running his mouth. He got no thanks for saving them after they got embarrassed in the Finals vs CLV.

Without Durant they don't win those next 2 titles and Steph's career looks way different. Bron has 2 more chips and is likely widely considered better than MJ as well.

Durant altered the legacy of sooooo many players with his Dubs move lol.

My concern was even after winning a title with them, and being Finals MVP, the public trashed him for taking the easy way to win a ring, and have that horrible “cupcake” period. Durant is exclusively a baller, but we know he follows social media and cares about his public image. Maybe that makes GSW the one team he wouldn’t go to. Maybe declining GSW,who fits his timeline so well, indicates there are only a handful of teams he’d consider. If that’s only one team, things get sticky.

I agree and his own legacy is one of the ones that got changed cause of his decision. He might've been able to reverse the common opinion on him had he left to go to NYK instead of Brooklyn and brought them a title but he didn't.

[zimpy27]

What should they do to make a better team?
Let's assume they use CLE25FRP and DEN25SRP to draft 2 players.

They have these picks to trade: PHX28FRP


PG: Booker | Beal
SG: Allen | Cody
SF: Dunn | O'Neale
PF: Durant | Bol Bol
C : Richards | Oso
Add: 2 draft picks, 3 vet min deals to fill roster.
Currently expected to be ~$16m over the 2nd apron


Should they trade Durant for a collection of talent?
Should they consider a stretch+waive of Beal (dead money of $22m for 5 seasons) to save $32m next season and $35m season after?

They should absolutely not consider this. They've got to figure out how to make it work with Beal in the best possible way going forward. That's just entirely too much dead salary on the books for far too long.


As for Phoenix, it's all about the Durant scenario. As of now, it sounds like Phoenix burned their bridge with KD a bit, and they're headed for a separation this offseason. With that said, so much of their moves this summer would depend on what type of package they go with. There could be some short term cash savings, long term cash savings, picks/prospects packages, or combinations therein to all rebuild/reload.

Yeah I agree that if they have to move Durant then that's the move forward and drop under 2nd apron. But if they can keep Durant and patch up relationship, I think that's their best path to contention and waive+stretch of Beal is the best way to do it.

I mean what does the dead salary mean to Suns anyway if their window is next 2 seasons. 3 seasons after they will rebuild where a big dead salary won't matter too much.

[Scoot McGroot]

What should they do to make a better team?
Let's assume they use CLE25FRP and DEN25SRP to draft 2 players.

They have these picks to trade: PHX28FRP


PG: Booker | Beal
SG: Allen | Cody
SF: Dunn | O'Neale
PF: Durant | Bol Bol
C : Richards | Oso
Add: 2 draft picks, 3 vet min deals to fill roster.
Currently expected to be ~$16m over the 2nd apron


Should they trade Durant for a collection of talent?
Should they consider a stretch+waive of Beal (dead money of $22m for 5 seasons) to save $32m next season and $35m season after?

They should absolutely not consider this. They've got to figure out how to make it work with Beal in the best possible way going forward. That's just entirely too much dead salary on the books for far too long.


As for Phoenix, it's all about the Durant scenario. As of now, it sounds like Phoenix burned their bridge with KD a bit, and they're headed for a separation this offseason. With that said, so much of their moves this summer would depend on what type of package they go with. There could be some short term cash savings, long term cash savings, picks/prospects packages, or combinations therein to all rebuild/reload.

Yeah I agree that if they have to move Durant then that's the move forward and drop under 2nd apron. But if they can keep Durant and patch up relationship, I think that's their best path to contention and waive+stretch of Beal is the best way to do it.

I mean what does the dead salary mean to Suns anyway if their window is next 2 seasons. 3 seasons after they will rebuild where a big dead salary won't matter too much.

It’s $22m of dead, untradeable salary on the roster, providing absolutely no minutes of play, and keeping them over the aprons and limiting their building options. That will matter.

[zimpy27]

They should absolutely not consider this. They've got to figure out how to make it work with Beal in the best possible way going forward. That's just entirely too much dead salary on the books for far too long.


As for Phoenix, it's all about the Durant scenario. As of now, it sounds like Phoenix burned their bridge with KD a bit, and they're headed for a separation this offseason. With that said, so much of their moves this summer would depend on what type of package they go with. There could be some short term cash savings, long term cash savings, picks/prospects packages, or combinations therein to all rebuild/reload.

Yeah I agree that if they have to move Durant then that's the move forward and drop under 2nd apron. But if they can keep Durant and patch up relationship, I think that's their best path to contention and waive+stretch of Beal is the best way to do it.

I mean what does the dead salary mean to Suns anyway if their window is next 2 seasons. 3 seasons after they will rebuild where a big dead salary won't matter too much.

It’s $22m of dead, untradeable salary on the roster, providing absolutely no minutes of play, and keeping them over the aprons and limiting their building options. That will matter.

It's currently $50m of dead salary IMO, an unmoveable weight that doesn't fit the roster well.
Obviously the $22m is painful but if they have a short window before a rebuild, I don't see why they need to worry about the $22m.

[Scoot McGroot]

Yeah I agree that if they have to move Durant then that's the move forward and drop under 2nd apron. But if they can keep Durant and patch up relationship, I think that's their best path to contention and waive+stretch of Beal is the best way to do it.

I mean what does the dead salary mean to Suns anyway if their window is next 2 seasons. 3 seasons after they will rebuild where a big dead salary won't matter too much.

It’s $22m of dead, untradeable salary on the roster, providing absolutely no minutes of play, and keeping them over the aprons and limiting their building options. That will matter.

It's currently $50m of dead salary IMO, an unmoveable weight that doesn't fit the roster well.
Obviously the $22m is painful but if they have a short window before a rebuild, I don't see why they need to worry about the $22m.

It's absolutely not that right now, because it's legally tradeable, and Beal can still physically play for them. They may prefer to trade him, and he may be tough to trade, but that's not the same as "dead salary" that can't be...well...anything.

Even Nurkic wasn't dead salary. They were able to trade him.

Ultimately, Phoenix needs to have some serious meetings of getting everyone on the same page and figuring out how they can get everyone to play together. Or work out trades everyone will accept. Ultimately, I don't think Phoenix will have any easier route to navigate building a team around apron restrictions by putting a completely unmoveable $22m block on the books for 5 years.

[Astaluego]

I think this should start with KD going to Miami.. They have the expiring salaries to match (Rozier/Robinson) young guys to give value to the trade (Ware/Jovic/Jazquez) and some picks, including one from the Warriors this year to sweeten the deal... and most importantly on the court he would fit like a glove and IMO KD makes them legitimate contenders.. Herro/Wiggins/Highsmith/KD/Bam+Davion/Kyle Anderson etc...
Ware/Robinson/Rozier/Jovic+FRP for KD/Royce...

Suns send Rozier+FRP Cavs 27 to Nets and save a ton of salary