2024-25 Season Discussion and Speculation Part V

[BobbieL]

First thing Zach Lowe says in his first podcast is how long he's been waiting to make fun of Mat Ishbia.

I listened to a lot of the podcast with - was it Howard Beck - -some guy named Beck

They were talking about why the Lakers are good since trading for Luka and why its worked quicker than he thought - his answer was simple "they have two of the best players in the league"

Hmm -- Durant and Booker haven't lifted the Suns. I get they aren't LeBron and Luka in terms of passing ability but come on, they should be better

Durant and Book are like the perfect chefs knives, when wielded by the right chef, they can COOK. When you have a line cook trying to create Michelin star dishes, it doesn't matter what pots, pans, knives or ingredients you got, you're going to get at best a sad imitation of that dish. Lebron and Luka's issue was a matter of if there would be too many cooks in the kitchen, they've figured it out and it's not an issue so now they got two elite chefs cooking and elevating otherwise rather average ingredients.

Very well stated. They even talked about moving on from Davis as how allowed Hayes some minutes but also Vanderbilt

[lilfishi22]

Read on Twitter

There seems to be a disturbing trend brewing now with this outcome of a fundamental disconnect between ownership and coaches resulting in these puzzling firings?

Read on Twitter

While it's good for us that there are more quality coaches available to replace Bud, I also think those vacancies could also hurt our case. Both Memphis and Denver are in far better positions to be competitive right away while we have a lot of work to do just to regroup. I'd also rather coach in Jokic and build a system around one of the greatest players of all time or even a volatile but damn good player in Ja than having to take two steps back first to take one step forward with Book.

[BobbieL]

Read on Twitter

There seems to be a disturbing trend brewing now with this outcome of a fundamental disconnect between ownership and coaches resulting in these puzzling firings?

Read on Twitter

While it's good for us that there are more quality coaches available to replace Bud, I also think those vacancies could also hurt our case. Both Memphis and Denver are in far better positions to be competitive right away while we have a lot of work to do just to regroup. I'd also rather coach in Jokic and build a system around one of the greatest players of all time or even a volatile but damn good player in Ja than having to take two steps back first to take one step forward with Book.

With ishbia as owner, not sure how coveted either the GM or HC job will be if being honest
And sure, they can build around Booker but probably looking at maybe the play-in game as optimum level to achieve.

[Ghost of Kleine]

Read on Twitter

And now the worst injury contracts for salary cost in contrast to actual production value. And no surprise to anyone who's viewed as the worst in the entire league.

[bullsaficianado]

Beal is the main problem with this team. Either always injured or not productive enough. His salary could get the Suns 3 productive NBA players vs zero w/Beal on most nights. That is why I wanted the Butler/Beal trade so bad for this team. Suns would either be in the playoffs or at least the play in had they done that trade. No one wanted that contract or him.

He better have one of those maybe he's worth it games vs Warriors tonight.

[Slim Charless]

You know who loves Brooks? Udoka loves Brooks… you know who loves VanVleet? Udoka loves VanVleet. You can’t rip out the backbone and expect to stand up right. Not with noodle spine Durant. Houston has an identity that matches their coach, tough and hard nosed. Seems Green is the odd man out and principal salary. He’s a ball dominant chucker and how does that mesh with KD? Sound familiar? Green will need to be shipped off to a third team if this deal ever comes to exist.

Furthermore, Phnx and Wishbia and all you delusional trade makers are going to be in for a big disappointment when you come to realize the Suns have virtually zero leverage in dealing KD. Zero. Especially once he packs his own bags. There are not but a few teams that will take him, and it won’t be hard to be the top bidder. Most of those teams are contenders with big payrolls and few assets. Minn has trash to give up. (actually, Randall might be the best player you can get for KD…whoopee) Miami has trash. SanAnt is not going to wreck their timeline and roster to accommodate an aging mercenary. They are a patient franchise on the brink of dominance. Your only hope is that OKC or Houston get in some kind of bidding war, when the truth is neither team absolutely needs KD. Just by saying Phnx wants a load for KD doesn’t make it happen. Acquiring him is an act of desperation at this point in his career. There won’t be an over pay like it took to get him. The same mistake won’t be repeated, no matter how hard you try to talk yourselves into it.

(Edited to be less offensive)

I am with you on this. I agree with your "Delusional Trade Makers" remarks. First of all, I doubt KD is worth even just the 10th pick in this draft. Why would Houston give that up in addition to 3 useful players on a team that already is a title contender and might actually win it this year, without KD. As far as the other suggested landing spots are concerned, they also would be dumb to give up their current and future assets, for a guy that will probably get injured in the next 3 years while they are paying him $180 million to acquire him? Our performance this year has only been respectable with KD on the court anyway. I do not see us getting better with any of the fantasy trades that have been offered up by the experts and this board.

The main issues with this team appear to be OK with a lot of these "Delusional Posters and experts". If Memphis can fire Jenkins and Denver can Fire Malone, we certainly can fire Bud. James Jones needs to be gone prior to the start of the off season as well. The first move that needs to be made is to either trade or waive Bradley Beal. After that is accomplished, we can move on to what to do with KD and Book. They are not our biggest problem. They are our most prized assets. In the end they could be moved but hopefully with a newly appointed GM and Coach in place to make those decisions.

We should hire Monty to be coach/GM.

[Slim Charless]

Beal is the main problem with this team. Either always injured or not productive enough. His salary could get the Suns 3 productive NBA players vs zero w/Beal on most nights. That is why I wanted the Butler/Beal trade so bad for this team. Suns would either be in the playoffs or at least the play in had they done that trade. No one wanted that contract or him.

He better have one of those maybe he's worth it games vs Warriors tonight.

Beal is not the most pressing issue with this team. Far from it.

[BobbieL]

You know who loves Brooks? Udoka loves Brooks… you know who loves VanVleet? Udoka loves VanVleet. You can’t rip out the backbone and expect to stand up right. Not with noodle spine Durant. Houston has an identity that matches their coach, tough and hard nosed. Seems Green is the odd man out and principal salary. He’s a ball dominant chucker and how does that mesh with KD? Sound familiar? Green will need to be shipped off to a third team if this deal ever comes to exist.

Furthermore, Phnx and Wishbia and all you delusional trade makers are going to be in for a big disappointment when you come to realize the Suns have virtually zero leverage in dealing KD. Zero. Especially once he packs his own bags. There are not but a few teams that will take him, and it won’t be hard to be the top bidder. Most of those teams are contenders with big payrolls and few assets. Minn has trash to give up. (actually, Randall might be the best player you can get for KD…whoopee) Miami has trash. SanAnt is not going to wreck their timeline and roster to accommodate an aging mercenary. They are a patient franchise on the brink of dominance. Your only hope is that OKC or Houston get in some kind of bidding war, when the truth is neither team absolutely needs KD. Just by saying Phnx wants a load for KD doesn’t make it happen. Acquiring him is an act of desperation at this point in his career. There won’t be an over pay like it took to get him. The same mistake won’t be repeated, no matter how hard you try to talk yourselves into it.

(Edited to be less offensive)

I am with you on this. I agree with your "Delusional Trade Makers" remarks. First of all, I doubt KD is worth even just the 10th pick in this draft. Why would Houston give that up in addition to 3 useful players on a team that already is a title contender and might actually win it this year, without KD. As far as the other suggested landing spots are concerned, they also would be dumb to give up their current and future assets, for a guy that will probably get injured in the next 3 years while they are paying him $180 million to acquire him? Our performance this year has only been respectable with KD on the court anyway. I do not see us getting better with any of the fantasy trades that have been offered up by the experts and this board.

The main issues with this team appear to be OK with a lot of these "Delusional Posters and experts". If Memphis can fire Jenkins and Denver can Fire Malone, we certainly can fire Bud. James Jones needs to be gone prior to the start of the off season as well. The first move that needs to be made is to either trade or waive Bradley Beal. After that is accomplished, we can move on to what to do with KD and Book. They are not our biggest problem. They are our most prized assets. In the end they could be moved but hopefully with a newly appointed GM and Coach in place to make those decisions.

We should hire Monty to be coach/GM.

Monty may never coach in the nba again. Living in San Antonio , coaching his son’s team. Good for Monty
Wish him well

[Slim Charless]

I am with you on this. I agree with your "Delusional Trade Makers" remarks. First of all, I doubt KD is worth even just the 10th pick in this draft. Why would Houston give that up in addition to 3 useful players on a team that already is a title contender and might actually win it this year, without KD. As far as the other suggested landing spots are concerned, they also would be dumb to give up their current and future assets, for a guy that will probably get injured in the next 3 years while they are paying him $180 million to acquire him? Our performance this year has only been respectable with KD on the court anyway. I do not see us getting better with any of the fantasy trades that have been offered up by the experts and this board.

The main issues with this team appear to be OK with a lot of these "Delusional Posters and experts". If Memphis can fire Jenkins and Denver can Fire Malone, we certainly can fire Bud. James Jones needs to be gone prior to the start of the off season as well. The first move that needs to be made is to either trade or waive Bradley Beal. After that is accomplished, we can move on to what to do with KD and Book. They are not our biggest problem. They are our most prized assets. In the end they could be moved but hopefully with a newly appointed GM and Coach in place to make those decisions.

We should hire Monty to be coach/GM.

Monty may never coach in the nba again. Living in San Antonio , coaching his son’s team. Good for Monty
Wish him well

That was sarcasm. Monty is a terrible coach who might be the worst in the league. What happened in Detroit from this year from the last is unbelievable.

[sunskerr]

refs really just ruined this lakers vs thunder game ejecting Luka for talking to a fan

[BobbieL]

We should hire Monty to be coach/GM.

Monty may never coach in the nba again. Living in San Antonio , coaching his son’s team. Good for Monty
Wish him well

That was sarcasm. Monty is a terrible coach who might be the worst in the league. What happened in Detroit from this year from the last is unbelievable.

I knew it was

Still living the high life

[BobbieL]

Beal is the main problem with this team. Either always injured or not productive enough. His salary could get the Suns 3 productive NBA players vs zero w/Beal on most nights. That is why I wanted the Butler/Beal trade so bad for this team. Suns would either be in the playoffs or at least the play in had they done that trade. No one wanted that contract or him.

He better have one of those maybe he's worth it games vs Warriors tonight.

Beal is not the most pressing issue with this team. Far from it.

For sure. People want to get rid of Beal at any cost … which won’t help the team to try to build around Booker

[KdoubleDees23]

Beal is the main problem with this team. Either always injured or not productive enough. His salary could get the Suns 3 productive NBA players vs zero w/Beal on most nights. That is why I wanted the Butler/Beal trade so bad for this team. Suns would either be in the playoffs or at least the play in had they done that trade. No one wanted that contract or him.

He better have one of those maybe he's worth it games vs Warriors tonight.

Beal is not the most pressing issue with this team. Far from it.

For sure. People want to get rid of Beal at any cost … which won’t help the team to try to build around Booker

Yeah tbh if salary and no trade clause wasn’t an issue , I bet the suns would take a 2nd or late 1st for him

[KLEON]

refs really just ruined this lakers vs thunder game ejecting Luka for talking to a fan

Yeah I saw that and ppl are saying the ref should be suspended. I really don't care because its the Lakers but Okc slowly becoming a hated team

[Ghost of Kleine]

Read on Twitter

[thamadkant]

Amy suns fans here leaning positively towards LAKERS should be auto ban

[sunskerr]

refs really just ruined this lakers vs thunder game ejecting Luka for talking to a fan

Yeah I saw that and ppl are saying the ref should be suspended. I really don't care because its the Lakers but Okc slowly becoming a hated team

Every successful team ends up being hated lol. If you don't actually watch them (I have been watching them for the past 3-4 years) it's just a bunch of online talk. Only guy the haters have any case against is Lu Dort.

Shai has been one of the most entertaining players by far with his ridiculous scoring skill set. The free throw merchant narrative is quite frankly overblown and is a reddit-driven narrative. He's nowhere near the relentless foul-seeking of guys like Embiid or Harden and the stats prove that. Nor does he complain like Kobe or Luka etc. The finish he had crossing and dropping three Detroit players one by one should have put that bull to rest.

Suns basketball has been so trash the majority of the last 10-15 years fans here really should just learn to try and enjoy a competitive, well-played game by itself, which is why the Luka ejection was a travesty. Ref should be suspended and docked pay.

[Saberestar]

The season is so over.

With all these double-digit ( and some +30) losses thr team is just waiting for the offseason.

KD will not play now. No reason to do it. If we would have won a couple games without him he would be IN probably tomorrow. No chance now.

Phoenix Suns coach Mike Budenholzer said Kevin Durant was at the arena Tuesday night getting rehab and treatment in the locker room/training area as Durant missed a 4th straight game with a left ankle sprain. He isn't expected to play Wednesday vs. OKC.

So now 2W-15L without him.

If we finally trade him I want a big haul for him and I think we will get it.

The word is that we will retool around Booker and Beal somehow someway will be out before next season.

It's gonna be an interesting offseason with multiple big time changes, hopefully all for the best.

You know how this works. We will know a lot about our intentions pretty early in the offseason, as soon as in a few days.

[sunsbum]

Read on Twitter

There seems to be a disturbing trend brewing now with this outcome of a fundamental disconnect between ownership and coaches resulting in these puzzling firings?

Read on Twitter

While it's good for us that there are more quality coaches available to replace Bud, I also think those vacancies could also hurt our case. Both Memphis and Denver are in far better positions to be competitive right away while we have a lot of work to do just to regroup. I'd also rather coach in Jokic and build a system around one of the greatest players of all time or even a volatile but damn good player in Ja than having to take two steps back first to take one step forward with Book.

ja Morant is pretty overrated and doesn’t appear to be very bright… like at all. He pisses in the wind when it comes to dunking which is cool on espn but the dude is going to get hurt. I can’t see him staying out of trouble for long either. Regardless I definitely wouldn’t build a team around him.

[sunsbg]

We've seen last game of KD in Suns uni. The bigger question is what to do with Bud. He's been a problem. Remember Bol Bol started at some point and now is not getting minutes even in a blow out. Bud couldn't figure out the rotations for a full season whether it's Beal, Dunn or Bol. Nobody was playing hard either probably for multiple reasons, one being the coaching.