Post-Mortem: 2021-22 Phoenix Suns

[Fencer reregistered]

Need a choice for "Fire the owner".

[Synciere]

The moment we were considering Sabonis for Ayton before the deadline meant paying the tax was not an option.

I wish Ayton the best with a max contract on a team that can afford him. Maybe he just wants empty stats on a losing team.

It was always unlikely to go into the tax but after this performance it’s probably closer to nil now.

I **** hate Sarver for many reasons but this team is not worth the tax.

I don’t understand the people who are saying this team isn’t worth the tax or they shouldn’t max Ayton. This is a change most teams don’t get for decades at a time. Literally. Worst case scenario, they go out in the second round but are competitive year round and the fan base has something to root for. Best case scenario, championship. They are still legit contenders.

[pj0tr]

Not sure what the avenues to improve are as I'm lazy to look up the Suns cap situation, but if they can get in FA what Payne gave them last season they'll be pretty damn good.

Hopefully they can trade Ayton for that player, and use these other cheaper C options that they found throughout the year to fill in for him (McGee, Biyombo... I guess they traded the young center already).

The Haliburton thing will go down as an all-time what-if, and not only that... They traded Jalen Smith to the Pacers, and they are likely giving up DeAndre Ayton.

The Suns got nothing from Cam Payne in the playoffs this year, and is a big reason why they lost this series. Once the Mavs realized CP3 was cooked, they could double Booker on every possession, and dared any other Suns player to beat them.

They didn't.

If they're smart, they'll deal Ayton for some assets and draft picks.

I think Dario Saric coming back will be a big boost for their bench, to have a stretch 5. Likely means one of Biyombo/McGee is gone.

Could also see them trading Cam Payne, Crowder, or Shamet this offseason too.

Also now think Cam Johnson is firmly available, given how much he struggled in this postseason.

[pj0tr]

It was always unlikely to go into the tax but after this performance it’s probably closer to nil now.

I **** hate Sarver for many reasons but this team is not worth the tax.

I don’t understand the people who are saying this team isn’t worth the tax or they shouldn’t max Ayton. This is a change most teams don’t get for decades at a time. Literally. Worst case scenario, they go out in the second round but are competitive year round and the fan base has something to root for. Best case scenario, championship. They are still legit contenders.

So legit contenders... with ZERO hope of winning a title. Then yes, you are correct.

[garrick]

It was always unlikely to go into the tax but after this performance it’s probably closer to nil now.

I **** hate Sarver for many reasons but this team is not worth the tax.

I don’t understand the people who are saying this team isn’t worth the tax or they shouldn’t max Ayton. This is a change most teams don’t get for decades at a time. Literally. Worst case scenario, they go out in the second round but are competitive year round and the fan base has something to root for. Best case scenario, championship. They are still legit contenders.

There are some irrational Suns fans who believe that if the Suns don't win the championship we should blow up the team which is an overraction.

This team spent close to a decade in the lottery winning 19 games a year so you don't want to throw it all away again just to try to make some drastic moves. It's still a solid team but they need to make some adjustments to this roster in the offseason as the moves made were pretty much to counter the Bucks but they didn't really envision going up against an iso heavy team like the Mavs.

[azcatz11]

It was a great season. No need to make drastic changes. Run it back next year.

Or sure, blow it up and start a rebuild because you lost a game 7.

[azwfan]

I **** hate Sarver for many reasons but this team is not worth the tax.

I don’t understand the people who are saying this team isn’t worth the tax or they shouldn’t max Ayton. This is a change most teams don’t get for decades at a time. Literally. Worst case scenario, they go out in the second round but are competitive year round and the fan base has something to root for. Best case scenario, championship. They are still legit contenders.

There are some irrational Suns fans who believe that if the Suns don't win the championship we should blow up the team which is an overraction.

This team spent close to a decade in the lottery winning 19 games a year you don't throw it away again just to try to make some drastic moves. It's still a solid team but they need to make some adjustments to this roster in the offseason as the moves made were pretty much to counter the Bucks but they didn't really envision going up against an iso heavy team like the Mavs.

To be expected after an embarrassing loss, but I think if they have the Cam Payne they thought they were signing in the summer, they could easily be in the WCF. Also, hopefully CP3 isn't cooked, cause that would be a huge hit to their future chances.

[ruffian253]

This smackdown was exactly what the suns needed as they have become extremely annoying this postseason with Books constant headsnap and foul baiting as opposed to just trying to score, Crowder flopping/ fake tough guy attitude, Paynes celebrations, and crazy talks of Bridges being on the verge of all star status, this beat down will hopefully bring them down a notch.

I mean we all know what you get with CP3's flopping and antics, but he has enough clout to get away with it whereas these young/other guys haven done crap in the league. This is team so weird as they do have likeable people with Javale and Monty, but I just don't know how Monty can condone these antics with him being such a standup coach.

[lakerz12]

Ayton is practically invisible on the court.

Sorry, drafting someone early with Old Man Face (OMF) has never worked out (see Oden).

LeBron is the one exception but he only had a mild case.

[TeamTragic]

I don’t understand the people who are saying this team isn’t worth the tax or they shouldn’t max Ayton. This is a change most teams don’t get for decades at a time. Literally. Worst case scenario, they go out in the second round but are competitive year round and the fan base has something to root for. Best case scenario, championship. They are still legit contenders.

There are some irrational Suns fans who believe that if the Suns don't win the championship we should blow up the team which is an overraction.

This team spent close to a decade in the lottery winning 19 games a year you don't throw it away again just to try to make some drastic moves. It's still a solid team but they need to make some adjustments to this roster in the offseason as the moves made were pretty much to counter the Bucks but they didn't really envision going up against an iso heavy team like the Mavs.

To be expected after an embarrassing loss, but I think if they have the Cam Payne they thought they were signing in the summer, they could easily be in the WCF. Also, hopefully CP3 isn't cooked, cause that would be a huge hit to their future chances.

I hate these excuses. Who gives a **** about Payne?

He was a selfish chucker in the playoffs while Crowder was also chucking. Then Booker was chucking.

This team is an embarrassment. CP3 is the only reason this team even had a shot.

[Lalouie]

i think phx is a high level treadmill team.

i have doubts about this team post-cp3.
cp3 has been stamped and verified - he tires out at the end of the season. this was his very best year for a ring.
when cp3 goes, and age hits FAST, that is half of phx's top clutch duo.
when cp3 goes, so goes ayton. ayton get's spoon fed. no cp3, no ayton.

when cp3 goes, phx drops back to just a little better than what they were pre-cp3

FO has work to do to be proactive. i don't think ayton is a max player(FO doesn't think so either), but HE might think he is.
on the bright side for phx, gsw is standing at cliff'sedge. lebron and the lakers are done. clips are done. utah is done. the west is turning into what the east was

[Dirkules]

It’s kind of funny suns Reddit went private.

Soft.

[ruffian253]

i think phx is a high level treadmill team.

i have doubts about this team post-cp3.
cp3 has been stamped and verified - he tires out at the end of the season. this was his very best year for a ring.
when cp3 goes, and age hits FAST, that is half of phx's top clutch duo.
when cp3 goes, so goes ayton. ayton get's spoon fed. no cp3, no ayton.

when cp3 goes, phx drops back to just a little better than what they were pre-cp3

FO has work to do to be proactive. i don't think ayton is a max player(FO doesn't think so either), but HE might think he is.
on the bright side for phx, gsw is standing at cliff'sedge. lebron and the lakers are done. clips are done. utah is done. the west is turning into what the east was

West is going to be just as good as it ever was. Clippers with a healthy PG/ Kawhi, healthy NOP, Nuggets with Murray and Porter returning, Warriors ain't going nowhere, motivated Lakers, Minnesota, Mavs as well as the unknowns with Blazers and Jazz, the west will be fine and just as tough

[Lalouie]

i think phx is a high level treadmill team.

i have doubts about this team post-cp3.
cp3 has been stamped and verified - he tires out at the end of the season. this was his very best year for a ring.
when cp3 goes, and age hits FAST, that is half of phx's top clutch duo.
when cp3 goes, so goes ayton. ayton get's spoon fed. no cp3, no ayton.

when cp3 goes, phx drops back to just a little better than what they were pre-cp3

FO has work to do to be proactive. i don't think ayton is a max player(FO doesn't think so either), but HE might think he is.
on the bright side for phx, gsw is standing at cliff'sedge. lebron and the lakers are done. clips are done. utah is done. the west is turning into what the east was

West is going to be just as good as it ever was. Clippers with a healthy PG/ Kawhi, healthy NOP, Nuggets with Murray and Porter returning, Warriors ain't going nowhere, motivated Lakers, Minnesota, Mavs as well as the unknowns with Blazers and Jazz, the west will be fine and just as tough

AGE, brother
you are painting an ideal picture where life is rosy and age is just a word. and history is against you on minnie and nop

[Synciere]

I **** hate Sarver for many reasons but this team is not worth the tax.

I don’t understand the people who are saying this team isn’t worth the tax or they shouldn’t max Ayton. This is a change most teams don’t get for decades at a time. Literally. Worst case scenario, they go out in the second round but are competitive year round and the fan base has something to root for. Best case scenario, championship. They are still legit contenders.

So legit contenders... with ZERO hope of winning a title. Then yes, you are correct.

People said Milwaukee had no chance to win it last year, until they did. You may not believe in them, but they just in the finals last year and were the 1 seed this year. That’s textbook contender.

[Synciere]

i think phx is a high level treadmill team.

i have doubts about this team post-cp3.
cp3 has been stamped and verified - he tires out at the end of the season. this was his very best year for a ring.
when cp3 goes, and age hits FAST, that is half of phx's top clutch duo.
when cp3 goes, so goes ayton. ayton get's spoon fed. no cp3, no ayton.

when cp3 goes, phx drops back to just a little better than what they were pre-cp3

FO has work to do to be proactive. i don't think ayton is a max player(FO doesn't think so either), but HE might think he is.
on the bright side for phx, gsw is standing at cliff'sedge. lebron and the lakers are done. clips are done. utah is done. the west is turning into what the east was

Yeah if CP was talking retirement or had fallen off a cliff, I’d agree. But he’s not and has not, and high level treadmill teams are the ones that randomly win championships, like the 2004 Pistons, 2011 Mavs, and last year’s Bucks. Again, you gotta take the chances when you get them. Once CP leaves though, this could go bad quickly.

[pj0tr]

I don’t understand the people who are saying this team isn’t worth the tax or they shouldn’t max Ayton. This is a change most teams don’t get for decades at a time. Literally. Worst case scenario, they go out in the second round but are competitive year round and the fan base has something to root for. Best case scenario, championship. They are still legit contenders.

So legit contenders... with ZERO hope of winning a title. Then yes, you are correct.

People said Milwaukee had no chance to win it last year, until they did. You may not believe in them, but they just in the finals last year and were the 1 seed this year. That’s textbook contender.

They aren't winning anything with this group. Period.

Everything that was said about the Suns last year? About how they just only won because they faced injured opponents? Guess what? They were right.

[Raps in 4]

It was always unlikely to go into the tax but after this performance it’s probably closer to nil now.

I **** hate Sarver for many reasons but this team is not worth the tax.

I don’t understand the people who are saying this team isn’t worth the tax or they shouldn’t max Ayton. This is a change most teams don’t get for decades at a time. Literally. Worst case scenario, they go out in the second round but are competitive year round and the fan base has something to root for. Best case scenario, championship. They are still legit contenders.

CP3 is nearing 40. He's going to go on the decline soon, and the Suns will cease to be (pseudo) contenders once his production declines (he's arguably their best player at the moment).

Having said that, they probably still shouldn't blow it up since Booker, and even Ayton, will likely still be moveable assets if they decide to rebuild in the next few years. Like I've said, the Suns remind me a lot of the 2014-2018 Raptors. I also wanted the Raptors to blow it up after failing in the playoffs year after year, but Masai waited until Kawhi became available and pulled the trigger. Granted, Masai was also able to find high-impact players late in the draft/undrafted market to bolster the roster.

[Lalouie]

i think phx is a high level treadmill team.

i have doubts about this team post-cp3.
cp3 has been stamped and verified - he tires out at the end of the season. this was his very best year for a ring.
when cp3 goes, and age hits FAST, that is half of phx's top clutch duo.
when cp3 goes, so goes ayton. ayton get's spoon fed. no cp3, no ayton.

when cp3 goes, phx drops back to just a little better than what they were pre-cp3

FO has work to do to be proactive. i don't think ayton is a max player(FO doesn't think so either), but HE might think he is.
on the bright side for phx, gsw is standing at cliff'sedge. lebron and the lakers are done. clips are done. utah is done. the west is turning into what the east was

Yeah if CP was talking retirement or had fallen off a cliff, I’d agree. But he’s not and has not, and high level treadmill teams are the ones that randomly win championships, like the 2004 Pistons, 2011 Mavs, and last year’s Bucks. Again, you gotta take the chances when you get them. Once CP leaves though, this could go bad quickly.

cp3 came to the edge of a new cliff,,,,,a few days ago when he turned 37, and dallas may have shown the league how to play chris

[TeamTragic]

I **** hate Sarver for many reasons but this team is not worth the tax.

I don’t understand the people who are saying this team isn’t worth the tax or they shouldn’t max Ayton. This is a change most teams don’t get for decades at a time. Literally. Worst case scenario, they go out in the second round but are competitive year round and the fan base has something to root for. Best case scenario, championship. They are still legit contenders.

CP3 is nearing 40. He's going to go on the decline soon, and the Suns will cease to be (pseudo) contenders once his production declines (he's arguably their best player at the moment).

Having said that, they probably still shouldn't blow it up since Booker, and even Ayton, will likely still be moveable assets if they decide to rebuild in the next few years. Like I've said, the Suns remind me a lot of the 2014-2018 Raptors. I also wanted the Raptors to blow it up after failing in the playoffs year after year, but Masai waited until Kawhi became available and pulled the trigger. Granted, Masai was also able to find high-impact players late in the draft/undrafted market to bolster the roster.

Masai is great at drafting. Jones is either clueless or he just doesn't care about the draft because guess who (Sarver) had the same attitude.