2024-25 Season Discussion and Speculation Part V

[Ghost of Kleine]

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[bwgood77]

Again, explain to me what Booker has done to earn the right to stay - how many titles does he have?

This is not about what Devin Booker wants or fans who just have his jersey, the goal is to win a title.

You said it - the team needs an alpha because Booker is not an Alpha. Durant will get you good pieces but Booker can get you better pieces. Its not wishful thinking - wishful thinking is the team can build around Booker and Booker will be a leader who will get this team to a title. Thats fantasy land. This year has proved that. He and Booker can go and I won't miss either one

He has led us through one of our darkest times in Suns history for years, scoring a lot of points, averaging like low 20s in wins for years until Paul came along to lead us.

I get that. But if the goal is to win a title and trading Booker gets you closer to that title-- why not explore it

I wouldn't trade Booker just to trade him. The trade has to make sense. But as you wrote above, they will be a tread mill team

I am saying to trade him. It was kind of a joke to say he led a bunch of bad teams. Paul brought the team and players together to play smart team ball with great chemistry, but Ishbia blew that team up that had gone to the championship and won 64 games and had a young core with all their picks.

I think a lot of people actually do have an affinity for Book because he was the only bright spot through like 5-6 of a very bad time for the Suns. Then he finally was great in a nice playoff run to the finals and some other series.

[Ghost of Kleine]

https://www.si.com/nba/mailbag-would-cooper-flagg-really-remain-at-duke-for-another-season

Published Mar 20, 2025
Chris Mannix

I have to say it was infuriating reading Mat Ishbia’s quotes in that ESPN article. I can appreciate an owner doing whatever it takes to win, but doubling down on a bad situation doesn’t make any sense. What do you think the future looks like in Phoenix? —Edward, Long Beach, Calif.

Like you, I respect Ishbia’s aggressiveness. He has put his money where his mouth is from the day he took control of the team. But any moves this team makes that aren’t part of a full-scale rebuild won’t change anything. It’s putting Band-Aids on bullet holes. There isn’t a deal the Suns can make in the next two to three years that will push them into the conference elite.

It’s no secret that Phoenix will split with Kevin Durant this summer. Durant has one year left on his contract and even approaching 37, he still has incredibly high value. I think—and this is just my opinion—that Durant wants to wind up in Houston. I think if the Rockets wanted Durant before the trade deadline, it would have happened. Durant has a lot of respect for Ime Udoka and in Houston, he could be a missing piece to a title contender. I’d keep an eye on that after this season.

The big question is Devin Booker. If you believe Ishbia, Booker is not available. I’m not buying it. The Suns have control of Booker through the 2027–28 season so there is no urgency. But Booker is 28. He’s an elite scorer. His value will never be higher than it is this summer. You trade Durant, bring Booker back … and then what? The Suns don’t have the draft assets to make a blockbuster deal. You’re talking about bringing Booker back for his age-29 season to a team likely destined for the lottery.

To me, the smartest thing the Suns could do is put Booker on the block. There would be a bidding war. Houston, which holds a chunk of the Suns’ future draft capital, wants him. Detroit could be interested. So, too, could Oklahoma City, which could make an incredibly appealing offer.

I get it—rebuilding is painful. It’s a couple of years (at least) of low attendance and bad records. But look at the teams at the top of the standings. From 2018–19 to ’20–21 the Cavs didn’t win more than 22 games. Oklahoma City is three years removed from a 24-win season. Houston was a dumpster fire two seasons ago. Rebuilding stinks. It also works.

[wheezy]

Sorry but you are wrong. Booker is equivalent to Gilbert Arenas stat wise. They both did the same things. Booker isn’t a pilar of the community. I live in Phx, he’s NEVER around except for some token photo ops. He doesn’t have the love that Fitzgerald has or Majerle, or even Doan has within Phx. He’s been more interested in himself.

He’s not a “role model” or “humble” (see his bitching about not being picked by the fans, coaches or the league to be an All-Star”. He’s not even an example setter.

Me and you have very different views on Booker. I think you are just a fan boy and you think I’m just a hater. Problem is I’ve see. Plenty of “Booker” type players come and go over the last 25 years. All stats no substance.

To me, to earn that “I get a say in if I stay or go” has to be earned from the heart you put into an organization, the heart you put into a community, the leadership example you have been to a team from day one, being completely humble, and being able to carry a team on your back. Booker is none of that.

Booker goes to some of the lowrider events around town and does a lot of charity work in underserved parts of the city. The community take doesn't seem like a fair critique of him. Dude just seems super private, which is hardly a bad thing.

Going to lowrider events isn’t exactly backing up your thesis.

Just because it isn't your community doesn't make it less of a community event.

[BobbieL]

https://www.si.com/nba/mailbag-would-cooper-flagg-really-remain-at-duke-for-another-season

Published Mar 20, 2025
Chris Mannix

I have to say it was infuriating reading Mat Ishbia’s quotes in that ESPN article. I can appreciate an owner doing whatever it takes to win, but doubling down on a bad situation doesn’t make any sense. What do you think the future looks like in Phoenix? —Edward, Long Beach, Calif.

Like you, I respect Ishbia’s aggressiveness. He has put his money where his mouth is from the day he took control of the team. But any moves this team makes that aren’t part of a full-scale rebuild won’t change anything. It’s putting Band-Aids on bullet holes. There isn’t a deal the Suns can make in the next two to three years that will push them into the conference elite.

It’s no secret that Phoenix will split with Kevin Durant this summer. Durant has one year left on his contract and even approaching 37, he still has incredibly high value. I think—and this is just my opinion—that Durant wants to wind up in Houston. I think if the Rockets wanted Durant before the trade deadline, it would have happened. Durant has a lot of respect for Ime Udoka and in Houston, he could be a missing piece to a title contender. I’d keep an eye on that after this season.

The big question is Devin Booker. If you believe Ishbia, Booker is not available. I’m not buying it. The Suns have control of Booker through the 2027–28 season so there is no urgency. But Booker is 28. He’s an elite scorer. His value will never be higher than it is this summer. You trade Durant, bring Booker back … and then what? The Suns don’t have the draft assets to make a blockbuster deal. You’re talking about bringing Booker back for his age-29 season to a team likely destined for the lottery.

To me, the smartest thing the Suns could do is put Booker on the block. There would be a bidding war. Houston, which holds a chunk of the Suns’ future draft capital, wants him. Detroit could be interested. So, too, could Oklahoma City, which could make an incredibly appealing offer.

I get it—rebuilding is painful. It’s a couple of years (at least) of low attendance and bad records. But look at the teams at the top of the standings. From 2018–19 to ’20–21 the Cavs didn’t win more than 22 games. Oklahoma City is three years removed from a 24-win season. Houston was a dumpster fire two seasons ago. Rebuilding stinks. It also works.

One can only hope that ishbia is open

[Ghost of Kleine]

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I don't know how the Suns can catch anymore incredible breaks as they're catching currently! But this stretch is theirs to lose if they keep being this lucky with opponent's being injured or missing a ton of shots they'd normally make.

They'd really better cash in on these gifts from.the basketball gods! And not throw away any more Golden opportunities as they have all season.

[dcoop]

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I don't know how the Suns can catch anymore incredible breaks as they're catching currently! But this stretch is theirs to lose if they keep being this lucky with opponent's being injured or missing a ton of shots they'd normally make.

They'd really better cash in on these gifts from.the basketball gods! And not throw away any more Golden opportunities as they have all season.

They didn’t catch a break with Cleveland. We were actually down big Nick.

Bud finally playing better rotations. This team finally looks like they should. KD will be gone this summer and hopefully Beal. Add some good young players around Book.

[Frank Lee]

All my friends know the low rider

[Saberestar]

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I don't know how the Suns can catch anymore incredible breaks as they're catching currently! But this stretch is theirs to lose if they keep being this lucky with opponent's being injured or missing a ton of shots they'd normally make.

They'd really better cash in on these gifts from.the basketball gods! And not throw away any more Golden opportunities as they have all season.

That’s not true at all.

On back-to-back the Kings rested Sabonis on one game and he played against the Suns on the other one.

The same happened with the Bulls and Giddey. They played him @ Phoenix and rested him @Sacramento.

And tonight we played against a FULLY healthy Cavaliers.

Yeah, most teams have injures and some are resting players but that's happening for every team in the league.

[SunsRback4Good]

All my friends know the low rider

Nobody knows what your talking about.

[Frank Lee]

Oh, they know… They just don’t know they know

[KdoubleDees23]

He has led us through one of our darkest times in Suns history for years, scoring a lot of points, averaging like low 20s in wins for years until Paul came along to lead us.

I get that. But if the goal is to win a title and trading Booker gets you closer to that title-- why not explore it

I wouldn't trade Booker just to trade him. The trade has to make sense. But as you wrote above, they will be a tread mill team

I am saying to trade him. It was kind of a joke to say he led a bunch of bad teams. Paul brought the team and players together to play smart team ball with great chemistry, but Ishbia blew that team up that had gone to the championship and won 64 games and had a young core with all their picks.

I think a lot of people actually do have an affinity for Book because he was the only bright spot through like 5-6 of a very bad time for the Suns. Then he finally was great in a nice playoff run to the finals and some other series.

Trading booker doesn't get us closer to the title. Trading book gets us 2 players that aren't as good as Booker, and 2 first round picks that we will need to develop and make into stars. Having a foundation with Book, and trading KD for 1 role player and 1 above average on the verge of all star younger player that fit around book and 2 draft picks, gets you closer to the championship

[KdoubleDees23]

SUNS are going to make the play-in and win it, then upset the Thunder in round 1, and lead the team to WCF vs the Lakers.

[sunsfan1o1]

I think this team is 2nd or best team in the West. However we had a bad 2.5 months due to injuries and coach panicking because of early season struggles.
Took Beal out the starting lineup. Stopped playing Dunn and Oso.
Strange rotations.
Looks like coach might be figuring it out finally although it might be too late to save the season. Then we will make more roster changes and more employee turnover equals more early season struggles.
Need to keep KD and Booker.
Test the Beal waters again but keep him if teams try to disrespect.
Make small changes like trading Allen for more length and 3 and D type of player.
Add more energy/hustle players to make up for Booker and KDs laziness since they only seem to play with energy on offense they can save more of their energy for scoring.

[sunsbg]

Thanks for the laughs.

[They_Them_Hatin]

Read on Twitter

I don't know how the Suns can catch anymore incredible breaks as they're catching currently! But this stretch is theirs to lose if they keep being this lucky with opponent's being injured or missing a ton of shots they'd normally make.

They'd really better cash in on these gifts from.the basketball gods! And not throw away any more Golden opportunities as they have all season.

Celtics have 2 more games before they play us lol.

[They_Them_Hatin]

I think this team is 2nd or best team in the West. However we had a bad 2.5 months due to injuries and coach panicking because of early season struggles.
Took Beal out the starting lineup. Stopped playing Dunn and Oso.
Strange rotations.
Looks like coach might be figuring it out finally although it might be too late to save the season. Then we will make more roster changes and more employee turnover equals more early season struggles.
Need to keep KD and Booker.
Test the Beal waters again but keep him if teams try to disrespect.
Make small changes like trading Allen for more length and 3 and D type of player.
Add more energy/hustle players to make up for Booker and KDs laziness since they only seem to play with energy on offense they can save more of their energy for scoring.

Of all the funny things you said this is the funniest.

[Ghost of Kleine]

Read on Twitter

I don't know how the Suns can catch anymore incredible breaks as they're catching currently! But this stretch is theirs to lose if they keep being this lucky with opponent's being injured or missing a ton of shots they'd normally make.

They'd really better cash in on these gifts from.the basketball gods! And not throw away any more Golden opportunities as they have all season.

Celtics have 2 more games before they play us lol.

Thanks for the update. Did you happen to miss the " at least " part indicating the likelihood of more than just the mentioned 2 games? Do you think knee injuries have quick, rapid recoveries?...........lol.

[SunsRback4Good]

Read on Twitter

I don't know how the Suns can catch anymore incredible breaks as they're catching currently! But this stretch is theirs to lose if they keep being this lucky with opponent's being injured or missing a ton of shots they'd normally make.

They'd really better cash in on these gifts from.the basketball gods! And not throw away any more Golden opportunities as they have all season.

Celtics have 2 more games before they play us lol.

Thanks for the update. Did you happen to miss the " at least " part indicating the likelihood of more than just the mentioned 2 games? Do you think knee injuries have quick, rapid recoveries?...........lol.

Reading comprehension these days are a lost cause my friend.

[sunsbg]

I think both JB and JT recently missed a game for Celtics. Just like Cavs they are coasting at this point and also resting players. Looking at the standings BOS is more or less set at 2nd. Still they've a lot of good players and system so won't just throw the game but try to win. A win streak at end of season should not raise people's expectations too much. We had one last year and saw what happened in the playoffs. Different animal and OKC still two levels higher as a team.