The Official 2025 Offseason Thread Part 2

[Ghost of Kleine]

Labaron Philon had a workout for the Suns. There was a picture in his Tik Tok story.

PG from Alabama, projected late in the first round or early 2nd. We have #29.

He is just 19 years old. 6'3/6'4 with high upside.

Intriguing prospect! He's a bit undersized for what we need at 6'3, but he's fast, shifty, and an excellent POA defender in the Kris Dunn archetype with tenacity and a big motor.

I'd really prefer to pick up some additional picks to make sure we could still get a big center, and a jumbo 3 & D wing forward with a bit more size too as we really need to get bigger and more athletic! At multiple positions. And we should prioritize this through the draft to offset whatever we likely cannot accomplish in trades??

But Philon is definitely a very solid prospect for us to workout! Great job by our scouts so far!

[Fo-Real]

If we do trade KD and get a more uptempo/defensive coach, dose playing faster help, hurt or not effect Nick Richards? I need that dude to be meaner and more hype!! Anybody ever stop him before tip off and tell him "Water sucks... Gatorade's better"!!!???? I mean, its worth a try!

[Ghost of Kleine]

Read on Twitter

Booker and D Lo hanging out already. Could this be our next point guard target in free agency?

Oh jeez -- please - no. Don't really want D'Lo

Yeah!
I actually like Franks' suggestion of trading for Marcus Smart from Washington, but with a slight variation in the framework because I just don't see the Wizards having any interest in Allen with already having Kispert, Bey, George and Jones on their roster.

I'd lean more towards O'neale/ Martin/ CLE 29' 1st for Smart/ 40th pick ( used on Zisarky). That way we'd have addressed a defensive starting point guard so we could move Booker back to the SG spot AND add a 7'3 Rudy Gobert archetype center in Rocco Zisarky.

Now we could trade Allen/ Richards to Orlando for Isaac/ Bidatze. And upgrade our defense significantly. And use the 29th pick on a PF/C like Lendeborg or Raynaud. OR on a jumbo wing forward like Thiero or maybe Coward?

Cap space for a Vet backup point guard like Paul or Delon Wright perhaps on vet minimum? And maybe a Brook Lopez on a midlevel?

Smart/ Booker/ Isaac/ KD / Lopez.
Paul/ Trent Jr/ Dunn/ Bol / Bidatze.
Gillespie/ Brea/ Thiero/ Ighodaro/ Raynaud.

[Ghost of Kleine]

Read on Twitter

Two names here that I really think could be attainable via trades would be:

Goga Bidatze.
Via Allen/ Richards to Orlando trade.

Isiah Hartenstein.
Via KD trade to OKC if they blow the series with Minnesota! Trading KD for Hartenstein (who's had some pretty bad moments and boneheaded plays in the playoffs) would free up $54 million for the Thunder to give Shai his supermax increase extension, while also giving them flexibility to resign their other core extensions like Holmgren and J Williams coming up! And we could pull some picks and young prospects in the process!

This would also give the Thunder an elite closer/ scoring compliment to take the pressure off of Shai and J Williams whom we've all witnessed struggling to score at points in the series!

So they could rent KD as an elite alpha scoring creator but without the long term financial commitment, forcing them to dismantle their young core due to financial restrictions under the new CBA.

Just give Phoenix Hartenstein/ Caruso/ Wallace/ 15th pick/ 24th pick/ UTA 26' 1st (Top 8 protected).

[Saberestar]

Labaron Philon had a workout for the Suns. There was a picture in his Tik Tok story.

PG from Alabama, projected late in the first round or early 2nd. We have #29.

He is just 19 years old. 6'3/6'4 with high upside.

Intriguing prospect! He's a bit undersized for what we need at 6'3, but he's fast, shifty, and an excellent POA defender in the Kris Dunn archetype with tenacity and a big motor.

I'd really prefer to pick up some additional picks to make sure we could still get a big center, and a jumbo 3 & D wing forward with a bit more size too as we really need to get bigger and more athletic! At multiple positions. And we should prioritize this through the draft to offset whatever we likely cannot accomplish in trades??

But Philon is definitely a very solid prospect for us to workout! Great job by our scouts so far!

He is basically 6'4 with shoes with a solid wingspan so I think he has nice size for the PG position.

Height (barefoot): 6'2 3/4"
Weight: 174.6 pounds
Wingspan: 6'6 1/4"
Standing reach: 8'3 1/2"
Hand length: 8 1/2 inches
Hand width: 9 inches

[Saberestar]

Gambo:

Second round of interviews for Suns head coaching job just finished up - most still on zoom. In next day or two finalists will be told and in person meetings scheduled.

[BobbieL]

Gambo:

Second round of interviews for Suns head coaching job just finished up - most still on zoom. In next day or two finalists will be told and in person meetings scheduled.

Hoping Chris Quinn makes the cut

[Rebound Mound]

Thoughts:

KD will be to OKC defense and intensity, and to their ball share, as hiring a wolf to take care of your sheep.

If Booker is trying to convince anybody in the franchise to brig d'Angelo here because they are friends, then we are done.
Can anybody think of a worst starting five than Russell-Bel-Booker-KD, no matter who is that 5th man?
Come on, we cannot be that stupid.
To begin with, Russell is not a true point guard. He can score, but he has played behind LBJ or other players who are really the brains of the offense. Whenever he has played as a point guard it has mean disastrer...

[thamadkant]

KD and Booker together has not yielded acceptable success in 2024-2025.

Out of 46 Team Loses
- KD and Booker played 15 times together (32.6%) in loses.
- KD averages on losses with Booker, 26.3ppg
- KD scored 30 or more with Booker, 8 times
- KD played 62 games total, so 12.9% of his games when he scores 30 plus with Booker, is on losses.

- Booker averages on losses with KD, 24.63ppg
- Booker scored 30 plus with KD, 8 times
- Booker played 75 games total, so 10.67% of his games when he scores 30 plus with KD, is on losses

KD without Booker, played in 5 losses out of 46 losses.
- KD without Booker averaged 33.8 during those 5 losses.
- KD scored 30 or over in 4 of those 5 losses without Booker.

Booker without KD, played in 16 out of 46 losses.
- Booker without KD averaged 26.3ppg during those 16 losses
- Booker scored 30 or over in 5 of those 16 losses without KD.

Considerations.
- Booker is in his prime while KD is past his prime.
- KD has -39 plus minus in 62 games, Booker is -175 plus minus in 75 games.
- KD has 5.2 Win Shares 21.2 PER for 2024-2025 same as 2023-2024. Far below his 24.8 PER average.
- Booker has 6.4 Win Shares for 2024-2025, below his 2023-2024 PER. Which is above his career 18.9 PER.
- If the Suns extend KD, it would be less than what Booker would demand on his extension. More room for talent or less taxes to pay.

- KD without Booker most likely to increase his ppg and overall efficiencies slightly as he gets more looks. Booker's averages remain similar with or without KD.

Therefore I maintain stance that if Suns want to compete in the next few years while obtaining assets.
Suns are better off extending KD 2 years, perhaps with player option on the second year. Then trade Booker for assets in picks and young player or two, and filler salaries.

Suns record is likely to be the same with or without Booker or KD. Just that Booker helps the Suns now and in the future.

If a team out there is willing to give a lot for Booker, then the Suns should facilitate that trade ASAP.

Trading KD will not yield near as much as Booker yet his numbers are very similar than Booker, with a chance to improve without Booker. Yet KD trade offers would be low due to the perception of his age. Which is misleading. KD is 6'11 with great shooting skills and if he played PF full time would still make him the tallest and most agile PF out there outside of much shorter wings playing PF.

With Booker out, Beal is also most likely to improve his numbers and improve his value.

[lilfishi22]

Wolves will be the most aggressive team going after Durant after Thunder sweeps them or win 4-1.

But they don't have anyone and Randle ain't it.

TBH. I would take

Randle, Naz Reid and 1st for KD

Wouldn't McDaniels be better than Randle -- granted longer term deal but some upside potential

Complexity with Naz and Randle is they both have player options this offseason. For a trade to happen they both need to pick up their option. I think Randle is more likely to take up his option but even that isn't guaranteed if he could find a S&T scenario or they just extend him (I'm not sure what Minny's plan is with him). But Naz's option is $15m only and I just can't see him picking it up when he could probably double his salary. It's more likely he gets extended with Minny otherwise it'll be with another team.

McDaniels is a bit more straight forward but I'm still not loving his contract.

[Ghost of Kleine]

Read on Twitter

[lilfishi22]

I really don't like any of the offers for Durant. Might as well just keep him if we trade him we are gonna suck anyway.

We should take the best offer for KD this offseason. With his contract running out at the end of the season, teams will see him more and more as a half season rental if we wait to move him. Teams generally want to have a full training camp and regular season with a new player to really bring them into the fold so I just don't see teams paying top dollar for half a season of KD and having to break up 20-30% of their team just for salary matching purposes.

[BobbieL]

KD and Booker together has not yielded acceptable success in 2024-2025.

Out of 46 Team Loses
- KD and Booker played 15 times together (32.6%) in loses.
- KD averages on losses with Booker, 26.3ppg
- KD scored 30 or more with Booker, 8 times
- KD played 62 games total, so 12.9% of his games when he scores 30 plus with Booker, is on losses.

- Booker averages on losses with KD, 24.63ppg
- Booker scored 30 plus with KD, 8 times
- Booker played 75 games total, so 10.67% of his games when he scores 30 plus with KD, is on losses

KD without Booker, played in 5 losses out of 46 losses.
- KD without Booker averaged 33.8 during those 5 losses.
- KD scored 30 or over in 4 of those 5 losses without Booker.

Booker without KD, played in 16 out of 46 losses.
- Booker without KD averaged 26.3ppg during those 16 losses
- Booker scored 30 or over in 5 of those 16 losses without KD.

Considerations.
- Booker is in his prime while KD is past his prime.
- KD has -39 plus minus in 62 games, Booker is -175 plus minus in 75 games.
- KD has 5.2 Win Shares 21.2 PER for 2024-2025 same as 2023-2024. Far below his 24.8 PER average.
- Booker has 6.4 Win Shares for 2024-2025, below his 2023-2024 PER. Which is above his career 18.9 PER.
- If the Suns extend KD, it would be less than what Booker would demand on his extension. More room for talent or less taxes to pay.

- KD without Booker most likely to increase his ppg and overall efficiencies slightly as he gets more looks. Booker's averages remain similar with or without KD.

Therefore I maintain stance that if Suns want to compete in the next few years while obtaining assets.
Suns are better off extending KD 2 years, perhaps with player option on the second year. Then trade Booker for assets in picks and young player or two, and filler salaries.

Suns record is likely to be the same with or without Booker or KD. Just that Booker helps the Suns now and in the future.

If a team out there is willing to give a lot for Booker, then the Suns should facilitate that trade ASAP.

Trading KD will not yield near as much as Booker yet his numbers are very similar than Booker, with a chance to improve without Booker. Yet KD trade offers would be low due to the perception of his age. Which is misleading. KD is 6'11 with great shooting skills and if he played PF full time would still make him the tallest and most agile PF out there outside of much shorter wings playing PF.

With Booker out, Beal is also most likely to improve his numbers and improve his value.

Excellent post and agree with

I still would trade both. But if keeping one, Durant is better than Booker. Still I think they need to trade both

[starbosa10]

KD and Booker together has not yielded acceptable success in 2024-2025.

Out of 46 Team Loses
- KD and Booker played 15 times together (32.6%) in loses.
- KD averages on losses with Booker, 26.3ppg
- KD scored 30 or more with Booker, 8 times
- KD played 62 games total, so 12.9% of his games when he scores 30 plus with Booker, is on losses.

- Booker averages on losses with KD, 24.63ppg
- Booker scored 30 plus with KD, 8 times
- Booker played 75 games total, so 10.67% of his games when he scores 30 plus with KD, is on losses

KD without Booker, played in 5 losses out of 46 losses.
- KD without Booker averaged 33.8 during those 5 losses.
- KD scored 30 or over in 4 of those 5 losses without Booker.

Booker without KD, played in 16 out of 46 losses.
- Booker without KD averaged 26.3ppg during those 16 losses
- Booker scored 30 or over in 5 of those 16 losses without KD.

Considerations.
- Booker is in his prime while KD is past his prime.
- KD has -39 plus minus in 62 games, Booker is -175 plus minus in 75 games.
- KD has 5.2 Win Shares 21.2 PER for 2024-2025 same as 2023-2024. Far below his 24.8 PER average.
- Booker has 6.4 Win Shares for 2024-2025, below his 2023-2024 PER. Which is above his career 18.9 PER.
- If the Suns extend KD, it would be less than what Booker would demand on his extension. More room for talent or less taxes to pay.

- KD without Booker most likely to increase his ppg and overall efficiencies slightly as he gets more looks. Booker's averages remain similar with or without KD.

Therefore I maintain stance that if Suns want to compete in the next few years while obtaining assets.
Suns are better off extending KD 2 years, perhaps with player option on the second year. Then trade Booker for assets in picks and young player or two, and filler salaries.

Suns record is likely to be the same with or without Booker or KD. Just that Booker helps the Suns now and in the future.

If a team out there is willing to give a lot for Booker, then the Suns should facilitate that trade ASAP.

Trading KD will not yield near as much as Booker yet his numbers are very similar than Booker, with a chance to improve without Booker. Yet KD trade offers would be low due to the perception of his age. Which is misleading. KD is 6'11 with great shooting skills and if he played PF full time would still make him the tallest and most agile PF out there outside of much shorter wings playing PF.

With Booker out, Beal is also most likely to improve his numbers and improve his value.

Excellent post and agree with

I still would trade both. But if keeping one, Durant is better than Booker. Still I think they need to trade both

I just don't see the point blowing it entirely up by trading both unless we got control of our own picks back.

[BobbieL]

KD and Booker together has not yielded acceptable success in 2024-2025.

Out of 46 Team Loses
- KD and Booker played 15 times together (32.6%) in loses.
- KD averages on losses with Booker, 26.3ppg
- KD scored 30 or more with Booker, 8 times
- KD played 62 games total, so 12.9% of his games when he scores 30 plus with Booker, is on losses.

- Booker averages on losses with KD, 24.63ppg
- Booker scored 30 plus with KD, 8 times
- Booker played 75 games total, so 10.67% of his games when he scores 30 plus with KD, is on losses

KD without Booker, played in 5 losses out of 46 losses.
- KD without Booker averaged 33.8 during those 5 losses.
- KD scored 30 or over in 4 of those 5 losses without Booker.

Booker without KD, played in 16 out of 46 losses.
- Booker without KD averaged 26.3ppg during those 16 losses
- Booker scored 30 or over in 5 of those 16 losses without KD.

Considerations.
- Booker is in his prime while KD is past his prime.
- KD has -39 plus minus in 62 games, Booker is -175 plus minus in 75 games.
- KD has 5.2 Win Shares 21.2 PER for 2024-2025 same as 2023-2024. Far below his 24.8 PER average.
- Booker has 6.4 Win Shares for 2024-2025, below his 2023-2024 PER. Which is above his career 18.9 PER.
- If the Suns extend KD, it would be less than what Booker would demand on his extension. More room for talent or less taxes to pay.

- KD without Booker most likely to increase his ppg and overall efficiencies slightly as he gets more looks. Booker's averages remain similar with or without KD.

Therefore I maintain stance that if Suns want to compete in the next few years while obtaining assets.
Suns are better off extending KD 2 years, perhaps with player option on the second year. Then trade Booker for assets in picks and young player or two, and filler salaries.

Suns record is likely to be the same with or without Booker or KD. Just that Booker helps the Suns now and in the future.

If a team out there is willing to give a lot for Booker, then the Suns should facilitate that trade ASAP.

Trading KD will not yield near as much as Booker yet his numbers are very similar than Booker, with a chance to improve without Booker. Yet KD trade offers would be low due to the perception of his age. Which is misleading. KD is 6'11 with great shooting skills and if he played PF full time would still make him the tallest and most agile PF out there outside of much shorter wings playing PF.

With Booker out, Beal is also most likely to improve his numbers and improve his value.

Excellent post and agree with

I still would trade both. But if keeping one, Durant is better than Booker. Still I think they need to trade both

I just don't see the point blowing it entirely up by trading both unless we got control of our own picks back.

What if you get other players and picks that improve the team

Knicks might be in the market - they might get swept

[dremill24]

"The perception of his age" like theres subjectivity to it

[bullsaficianado]

Excellent post and agree with

I still would trade both. But if keeping one, Durant is better than Booker. Still I think they need to trade both

I just don't see the point blowing it entirely up by trading both unless we got control of our own picks back.

What if you get other players and picks that improve the team

Knicks might be in the market - they might get swept

Thibs is gone if they get swept. I bet they will go after Mike Malone.

[TeamTragic]

Knicks have no picks and will make a terrible offer. Easy pass.

[sunsbum]

KD and Booker together has not yielded acceptable success in 2024-2025.

Out of 46 Team Loses
- KD and Booker played 15 times together (32.6%) in loses.
- KD averages on losses with Booker, 26.3ppg
- KD scored 30 or more with Booker, 8 times
- KD played 62 games total, so 12.9% of his games when he scores 30 plus with Booker, is on losses.

- Booker averages on losses with KD, 24.63ppg
- Booker scored 30 plus with KD, 8 times
- Booker played 75 games total, so 10.67% of his games when he scores 30 plus with KD, is on losses

KD without Booker, played in 5 losses out of 46 losses.
- KD without Booker averaged 33.8 during those 5 losses.
- KD scored 30 or over in 4 of those 5 losses without Booker.

Booker without KD, played in 16 out of 46 losses.
- Booker without KD averaged 26.3ppg during those 16 losses
- Booker scored 30 or over in 5 of those 16 losses without KD.

Considerations.
- Booker is in his prime while KD is past his prime.
- KD has -39 plus minus in 62 games, Booker is -175 plus minus in 75 games.
- KD has 5.2 Win Shares 21.2 PER for 2024-2025 same as 2023-2024. Far below his 24.8 PER average.
- Booker has 6.4 Win Shares for 2024-2025, below his 2023-2024 PER. Which is above his career 18.9 PER.
- If the Suns extend KD, it would be less than what Booker would demand on his extension. More room for talent or less taxes to pay.

- KD without Booker most likely to increase his ppg and overall efficiencies slightly as he gets more looks. Booker's averages remain similar with or without KD.

Therefore I maintain stance that if Suns want to compete in the next few years while obtaining assets.
Suns are better off extending KD 2 years, perhaps with player option on the second year. Then trade Booker for assets in picks and young player or two, and filler salaries.

Suns record is likely to be the same with or without Booker or KD. Just that Booker helps the Suns now and in the future.

If a team out there is willing to give a lot for Booker, then the Suns should facilitate that trade ASAP.

Trading KD will not yield near as much as Booker yet his numbers are very similar than Booker, with a chance to improve without Booker. Yet KD trade offers would be low due to the perception of his age. Which is misleading. KD is 6'11 with great shooting skills and if he played PF full time would still make him the tallest and most agile PF out there outside of much shorter wings playing PF.

With Booker out, Beal is also most likely to improve his numbers and improve his value.

Excellent post and agree with

I still would trade both. But if keeping one, Durant is better than Booker. Still I think they need to trade both

I just don't see the point blowing it entirely up by trading both unless we got control of our own picks back.

the booker haters are just doing their daily airing out of sweet nothings to each other.

[Djedefre]

Booker haters? More like Suns lovers. It's a league, competition of franchises, a collective sport. This ain't singles tennis. If you must trade a player to save the franchise from deacade(s) of irrelevancy, you do that. No afterthoughts, no regrets.

Again, Suns do not owe Booker a thing. He is no Curry nor Duncan so that they have some kind of an obligation to show respect and grant him a special status as a legend above all legends and retain him throughout his whole career. Heck, we traded and let go of guys like Nash, Barkley, Amar'e, Matrix and now we should mortgage our future to accomodate a guy like Booker. God forbid we do anything right...