2024-25 Season Discussion and Speculation

[Fo-Real]

edit, nvm. I thought Pj got released.

[Saberestar]

Read on Twitter

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

Peep this statline: 0/0/0 on 0/1 FG and 4 TO in 4 minutes for Vasile Micic (CHA) last night.

Coach said, "Oops! Wrong guy." Dude's probably gonna have nightmares of last night his whole life.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

I really thought this 2024 draft class would be a dud, but good early signs from Risacher, Sarr, Salaun, Ware, McCain, Kolek, and several others early on. Reed Sheppard had a mediocre first game but I'm confident he'll shine, too. Might have double hits on late draft picks here with Dunn and Ighodaro, and in OKC with Ajay Mitchell and Dillon Jones. The early returns are particularly bright in Minny with Dillingham and.... yo, who is this Josh Minott kid? That 2030 MIN pick that SAS traded for not looking too good of all of a sudden.

Other notes from early preseason games:
- LaMelo Ball and Jalen Green can shoot. I like them. Cade Cunningham and Patrick Williams can't shoot. I don't like them.
- Apparently, Ty Jerome is the second string PG in Cleveland. CLE has no bench. Watch out below!
- Saw Guerschon Yabusele went 6/6 for 15 in 12 minutes against the New Zealand Breakers. Perhaps Philly won't miss Tobias Harris.
- The duo of Hartenstein and Caruso carried OKC v SAS with + 20 in 17 minutes together for OKC v SAS. Holmgren played 9 minutes. Like, Morant, he might be a little frail to be throwing himself up in the air all the time in this league.
- Skinny Zion should mean a playoff berth for the Pelicans.

[garrick]

I really thought this 2024 draft class would be a dud, but good early signs from Risacher, Sarr, Salaun, Ware, McCain, Kolek, and several others early on. Reed Sheppard had a mediocre first game but I'm confident he'll shine, too. Might have double hits on late draft picks here with Dunn and Ighodaro, and in OKC with Ajay Mitchell and Dillon Jones. The early returns are particularly bright in Minny with Dillingham and.... yo, who is this Josh Minott kid? That 2030 MIN pick that SAS traded for not looking too good of all of a sudden.

Other notes from early preseason games:
- LaMelo Ball and Jalen Green can shoot. I like them. Cade Cunningham and Patrick Williams can't shoot. I don't like them.
- Apparently, Ty Jerome is the second string PG in Cleveland. CLE has no bench. Watch out below!
- Saw Guerschon Yabusele went 6/6 for 15 in 12 minutes against the New Zealand Breakers. Perhaps Philly won't miss Tobias Harris.
- The duo of Hartenstein and Caruso carried OKC v SAS with + 20 in 17 minutes together for OKC v SAS. Holmgren played 9 minutes. Like, Morant, he might be a little frail to be throwing himself up in the air all the time in this league.
- Skinny Zion should mean a playoff berth for the Pelicans.

It's way too early but I think we missed the boat when we passed on Kolek.

Yes we got Monte Morris and Tyus Jones but we have no guarantees either will be on the roster next season & especially with Tyus he will get better offers elsewhere next season.


https://www.si.com/nba/knicks/news/new-york-knicks-rookie-tyler-kolek-impresses-debut

[lilfishi22]

I really thought this 2024 draft class would be a dud, but good early signs from Risacher, Sarr, Salaun, Ware, McCain, Kolek, and several others early on. Reed Sheppard had a mediocre first game but I'm confident he'll shine, too. Might have double hits on late draft picks here with Dunn and Ighodaro, and in OKC with Ajay Mitchell and Dillon Jones. The early returns are particularly bright in Minny with Dillingham and.... yo, who is this Josh Minott kid? That 2030 MIN pick that SAS traded for not looking too good of all of a sudden.

Other notes from early preseason games:
- LaMelo Ball and Jalen Green can shoot. I like them. Cade Cunningham and Patrick Williams can't shoot. I don't like them.
- Apparently, Ty Jerome is the second string PG in Cleveland. CLE has no bench. Watch out below!
- Saw Guerschon Yabusele went 6/6 for 15 in 12 minutes against the New Zealand Breakers. Perhaps Philly won't miss Tobias Harris.
- The duo of Hartenstein and Caruso carried OKC v SAS with + 20 in 17 minutes together for OKC v SAS. Holmgren played 9 minutes. Like, Morant, he might be a little frail to be throwing himself up in the air all the time in this league.
- Skinny Zion should mean a playoff berth for the Pelicans.

It's way too early but I think we missed the boat when we passed on Kolek.

Yes we got Monte Morris and Tyus Jones but we have no guarantees either will be on the roster next season & especially with Tyus he will get better offers elsewhere next season.


https://www.si.com/nba/knicks/news/new-york-knicks-rookie-tyler-kolek-impresses-debut

We have Kolek at home

[Saberestar]

I really thought this 2024 draft class would be a dud, but good early signs from Risacher, Sarr, Salaun, Ware, McCain, Kolek, and several others early on. Reed Sheppard had a mediocre first game but I'm confident he'll shine, too. Might have double hits on late draft picks here with Dunn and Ighodaro, and in OKC with Ajay Mitchell and Dillon Jones. The early returns are particularly bright in Minny with Dillingham and.... yo, who is this Josh Minott kid? That 2030 MIN pick that SAS traded for not looking too good of all of a sudden.

Other notes from early preseason games:
- LaMelo Ball and Jalen Green can shoot. I like them. Cade Cunningham and Patrick Williams can't shoot. I don't like them.
- Apparently, Ty Jerome is the second string PG in Cleveland. CLE has no bench. Watch out below!
- Saw Guerschon Yabusele went 6/6 for 15 in 12 minutes against the New Zealand Breakers. Perhaps Philly won't miss Tobias Harris.
- The duo of Hartenstein and Caruso carried OKC v SAS with + 20 in 17 minutes together for OKC v SAS. Holmgren played 9 minutes. Like, Morant, he might be a little frail to be throwing himself up in the air all the time in this league.
- Skinny Zion should mean a playoff berth for the Pelicans.

It's way too early but I think we missed the boat when we passed on Kolek.

Yes we got Monte Morris and Tyus Jones but we have no guarantees either will be on the roster next season & especially with Tyus he will get better offers elsewhere next season.


https://www.si.com/nba/knicks/news/new-york-knicks-rookie-tyler-kolek-impresses-debut

We have Kolek at home

That’s true.

Gillespie is just one year and nine months older than Kolek and both have similar skills, size and winning mentality.

I hope we sign Gillespie to a regular contract before the end of the season.

[Saberestar]

Suns coach Mike Budenholzer said before the game the team is “really encouraged” by rookies Oso Ighodaro and Dunn.

“How they’re earning their teammates’ respect, earn their coaches’ respect,” he said.

“There’s a competitiveness, there’s an openness to learning and to asking questions. The work ethic, all the things I think the veterans look for in their young guys, I think these guys really have it. It carries over to the court. At the end of the day, you have to go out and play. You have to make plays, defensively, offensively.”

https://eu.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2024/10/09/phoenix-suns-detroit-pistons-nba-preseason-game-score-analysis/75582737007/

[garrick]

It's way too early but I think we missed the boat when we passed on Kolek.

Yes we got Monte Morris and Tyus Jones but we have no guarantees either will be on the roster next season & especially with Tyus he will get better offers elsewhere next season.


https://www.si.com/nba/knicks/news/new-york-knicks-rookie-tyler-kolek-impresses-debut

We have Kolek at home

That’s true.

Gillespie is just one year and nine months older than Kolek and both have similar skills, size and winning mentality.

I hope we sign Gillespie to a regular contract before the end of the season.

Kolek is a better distributor at least was on the collegiate level & averaged 7.7 assists in his best passing season to Gillespie's 4.6 assists per. Similar players but with different strengths obviously but as with all things we don't know yet if it will translate into Kolek being a productive NBA player yet though it is promising.

[bwgood77]

Kolek is also 3rd in steals among rookies, shooting over 44% from 3 with 3 apg and .5 to pg. This is in 15 minutes.

So per 36, he's second in steals per 36, at 4.7 per 36, and with 7 apg and 1.2 topg

I like what I've seen with Dunn, but for beyond this season, I think Kolek would have made more impact. Jones and Morris are going to completely change our ballhandling, turnovers, etc. Not having a PG was our biggest weakness. Luckily we are fine this year, but not sure about the coming years.

However, if Dunn can keep shooting over 40% from 3, he will be really valuable too. But we will have to see what happens. Okogie had some great shooting stretches in the regular season as well.

https://basketball.realgm.com/nba/stats/2025/Per_36/Qualified/steals/All/desc/1/Preseason?rookies=

[Saberestar]

Kolek is also 3rd in steals among rookies, shooting over 44% from 3 with 3 apg and .5 to pg. This is in 15 minutes.

So per 36, he's second in steals per 36, at 4.7 per 36, and with 7 apg and 1.2 topg

I like what I've seen with Dunn, but for beyond this season, I think Kolek would have made more impact. Jones and Morris are going to completely change our ballhandling, turnovers, etc. Not having a PG was our biggest weakness. Luckily we are fine this year, but not sure about the coming years.

However, if Dunn can keep shooting over 40% from 3, he will be really valuable too. But we will have to see what happens. Okogie had some great shooting stretches in the regular season as well.

https://basketball.realgm.com/nba/stats/2025/Per_36/Qualified/steals/All/desc/1/Preseason?rookies=

Well, Gillespie is having a great preseason and if you look his per 36 numbers he is averaging ridiculous stats like 31.9 points, 7.6 boards, 7.6 assists and shooting 60/75/86.

Yeah, I know that Gillespie isn't a rookie but he is just 25 and he is showing that he belongs to the NBA. He had some decent games on a contender like the Nuggets and it seems that he has improved as a defender and as a general floor.

[bwgood77]

Kolek is also 3rd in steals among rookies, shooting over 44% from 3 with 3 apg and .5 to pg. This is in 15 minutes.

So per 36, he's second in steals per 36, at 4.7 per 36, and with 7 apg and 1.2 topg

I like what I've seen with Dunn, but for beyond this season, I think Kolek would have made more impact. Jones and Morris are going to completely change our ballhandling, turnovers, etc. Not having a PG was our biggest weakness. Luckily we are fine this year, but not sure about the coming years.

However, if Dunn can keep shooting over 40% from 3, he will be really valuable too. But we will have to see what happens. Okogie had some great shooting stretches in the regular season as well.

https://basketball.realgm.com/nba/stats/2025/Per_36/Qualified/steals/All/desc/1/Preseason?rookies=

Well, Gillespie is having a great preseason and if you look his per 36 numbers he is averaging ridiculous stats like 31.9 points, 7.6 boards, 7.6 assists and shooting 60/75/86.

Yeah, I know that Gillespie isn't a rookie but he is just 25 and he is showing that he belongs to the NBA. He had some decent games on a contender like the Nuggets and it seems that he has improved as a defender and as a general floor.

I am one of the few that was really high on Gillespie when we signed him. Many countered saying he isn't an NBA player. His shooting is good but he's only taken 4 3s in the preseason so far. And I was focusing on steals and assists vs turnovers with Kolek.

[Mr Puddles]

Kolek is also 3rd in steals among rookies, shooting over 44% from 3 with 3 apg and .5 to pg. This is in 15 minutes.

So per 36, he's second in steals per 36, at 4.7 per 36, and with 7 apg and 1.2 topg

I like what I've seen with Dunn, but for beyond this season, I think Kolek would have made more impact. Jones and Morris are going to completely change our ballhandling, turnovers, etc. Not having a PG was our biggest weakness. Luckily we are fine this year, but not sure about the coming years.

However, if Dunn can keep shooting over 40% from 3, he will be really valuable too. But we will have to see what happens. Okogie had some great shooting stretches in the regular season as well.

https://basketball.realgm.com/nba/stats/2025/Per_36/Qualified/steals/All/desc/1/Preseason?rookies=

Well, Gillespie is having a great preseason and if you look his per 36 numbers he is averaging ridiculous stats like 31.9 points, 7.6 boards, 7.6 assists and shooting 60/75/86.

Yeah, I know that Gillespie isn't a rookie but he is just 25 and he is showing that he belongs to the NBA. He had some decent games on a contender like the Nuggets and it seems that he has improved as a defender and as a general floor.

I am one of the few that was really high on Gillespie when we signed him. Many countered saying he isn't an NBA player. His shooting is good but he's only taken 4 3s in the preseason so far. And I was focusing on steals and assists vs turnovers with Kolek.

Looking at this season, Kolek would be buried on the depth chart behind Tyus and Monte. Dunn (in an optimistic scenario) could move into the second unit rotation, playing the Okogie / Bol minutes, and would potentially make O'Neal or Grayson expendable meaning we could move one of those guys at the trade deadline to address a need.

Beyond this season, Kolek would have been a nice insurance policy for Tyus and Monte leaving, however I'd still argue that if Dunn pans out he fills a much greater and more difficult need than if Kolek pans out.

[sunsfan1o1]

This team is stacked.
Dunn looks elite on defense.
Western conference finals is the floor. This team should make the finals.

[bwgood77]

Well, Gillespie is having a great preseason and if you look his per 36 numbers he is averaging ridiculous stats like 31.9 points, 7.6 boards, 7.6 assists and shooting 60/75/86.

Yeah, I know that Gillespie isn't a rookie but he is just 25 and he is showing that he belongs to the NBA. He had some decent games on a contender like the Nuggets and it seems that he has improved as a defender and as a general floor.

I am one of the few that was really high on Gillespie when we signed him. Many countered saying he isn't an NBA player. His shooting is good but he's only taken 4 3s in the preseason so far. And I was focusing on steals and assists vs turnovers with Kolek.

Looking at this season, Kolek would be buried on the depth chart behind Tyus and Monte. Dunn (in an optimistic scenario) could move into the second unit rotation, playing the Okogie / Bol minutes, and would potentially make O'Neal or Grayson expendable meaning we could move one of those guys at the trade deadline to address a need.

Beyond this season, Kolek would have been a nice insurance policy for Tyus and Monte leaving, however I'd still argue that if Dunn pans out he fills a much greater and more difficult to fill void than if Kolek pans out.

I can get that argument. And yes, I agree about this season. But I am concerned about ball handling and turnovers going forward. Defense is big, but I think the main thing with that is that we need a defensive big. Not one that looks ok in some statistical measures defensivvely, but a real rim deterrent/help defender in there.

But if Dunn can sustain shooting near 40% from 3, it will be a great pick nonetheless. We have a lot of wings and then a guy like Royce who we signed until 2028 though.

[lilfishi22]

Elite 3&D wings are rare but elite PG's are rarer still and they have a bigger impact on a team than a wing does.

[Mr Puddles]

I am one of the few that was really high on Gillespie when we signed him. Many countered saying he isn't an NBA player. His shooting is good but he's only taken 4 3s in the preseason so far. And I was focusing on steals and assists vs turnovers with Kolek.

Looking at this season, Kolek would be buried on the depth chart behind Tyus and Monte. Dunn (in an optimistic scenario) could move into the second unit rotation, playing the Okogie / Bol minutes, and would potentially make O'Neal or Grayson expendable meaning we could move one of those guys at the trade deadline to address a need.

Beyond this season, Kolek would have been a nice insurance policy for Tyus and Monte leaving, however I'd still argue that if Dunn pans out he fills a much greater and more difficult to fill void than if Kolek pans out.

I can get that argument. And yes, I agree about this season. But I am concerned about ball handling and turnovers going forward. Defense is big, but I think the main thing with that is that we need a defensive big. Not one that looks ok in some statistical measures defensivvely, but a real rim deterrent/help defender in there.

But if Dunn can sustain shooting near 40% from 3, it will be a great pick nonetheless. We have a lot of wings and then a guy like Royce who we signed until 2028 though.

All valid points.

• I'd argue that the first off-season under the second apron has shown that more players are willing to take a paycut to be in a good situation. Therefore I think that assuming that Tyus leaves, it will be easier than before to get a starter level PG replacement. It would be much more difficult to find a guy similar to Dunn IMO.
• a defensive bigman in the middle is much needed, but wasn't a realistic option in the draft once Yves (who also looks very raw thus far) was off the board. I'd argue that a large and athletic perimeter defender is equally necessary for this team though, Royce is nice but doesn't have the physical tools to fill that role and Okogie is too small and inept on offense. Again, I think these guys were signed in-part to for us to have tradeble contracts at the deadline, and I wouldn't be surprised if our front office uses either one or Allen in a move, if Dunn has shown that he's ready to contribute.
• Considering Kolek's draft position and the fact that he was traded, the discussion should really be between Oso and Kolek IMO. Both guys who teams traded up for in the second round to get, the Suns could have traded to acquire Kolek instead of Oso.

[Saberestar]

edit, nvm. I thought Pj got released.

Gambo said that the Suns aren't interested in PJ Tucker.

[garrick]

edit, nvm. I thought Pj got released.

Gambo said that the Suns aren't interested in PJ Tucker.

I can see why not.

We have a full roster and PJ is on his last legs so I wouldn't cut anyone on the roster just for him to be the last man off the bench. It's too bad though we can't let PJ retire as a Sun as that would be a fitting end to his stellar career.

[Mulhollanddrive]

How do we have 4 injuries a week before season