2024-25 Season Discussion and Speculation

[Bogyo]

Spoiler:

Here's their advanced stats from last year:

Morris: BPM 0.7, VORP 0.3, WS/48 .123, Net rating per 100 possessions (NRtg): +7
Allen: BPM 1.3, VORP 2.0, WS/48 .132, NRtg: +13
O'Neale: BPM 0.0, VORP 1.0, WS/48 .085*, NRtg: 0*
Okogie: BPM -0.5, VORP 0.4, WS/48 .104, NRtg: +5
Plumlee: BPM -0.8, VORP 0.2, WS/48 .146, NRtg: +12
Bol: BPM 2.1, VORP 0.5, WS/38 .168, NRtg: +18
*If you look only at his time on the Suns, O'Neale squeaks ahead of Okogie in WS/48 and Net Rating.

I must qualify by admitting that I don't understand any of this. Regardless, I just don't see how you exclude Bol Bol from the rotation unless his body can't handle it or he cracks under the pressure. Besides, Okogie's just holding a roster spot pending a midseason trade, right?

IDK if Budenholzer will want to play a complete second unit together but that way we will have a 10 man rotation on every single game.

If that's the case PROBABLY Okogie fits better than Bol next to the other four bench guys because of his agility and overall defense.

All in all I think both can be nice playing around 15 mpg so it's not a big deal.

Regarding Okogie's contract, it's a real possibility that we will attempt to trade him but it's not a sure thing at all. With injuries and other stuff he is gonna play minutes for us.

Monte, Grayson, Okogie, O'Neale and Plumlee.

Of these five only two of them are guaranteed playing time, Plumlee and Grayson. Yeah, even Monte will need to earn minutes. IMO.

I will count Monte a spot in the 2nd unit for now but we need size so Bol will be part of that unit along with at least one of the big three.

Thus my 2nd unit is:

Plumlee,
Grayson,
Bol Bol or Ryan Dunn
one of the big three
Monte Morris

We are not playing in a 6'5" and under league. Unfortunately, that appears to be a weakness with the current roster. It will be fun to see how Bud creates his rotations. A lot of choices but we are pretty damn small.

It's a pity that we can not go into one gddmn season without at least one glaring hole that can be seen from the moon by a blind man... anyways, here is hoping, as this version of our team seems to be a bit (2 actual point guards) better than last season.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

IDK if Budenholzer will want to play a complete second unit together but that way we will have a 10 man rotation on every single game.

If that's the case PROBABLY Okogie fits better than Bol next to the other four bench guys because of his agility and overall defense.

All in all I think both can be nice playing around 15 mpg so it's not a big deal.

Regarding Okogie's contract, it's a real possibility that we will attempt to trade him but it's not a sure thing at all. With injuries and other stuff he is gonna play minutes for us.

Monte, Grayson, Okogie, O'Neale and Plumlee.

Of these five only two of them are guaranteed playing time, Plumlee and Grayson. Yeah, even Monte will need to earn minutes. IMO.

I will count Monte a spot in the 2nd unit for now but we need size so Bol will be part of that unit along with at least one of the big three.

Thus my 2nd unit is:

Plumlee,
Grayson,
Bol Bol or Ryan Dunn
one of the big three
Monte Morris

We are not playing in a 6'5" and under league. Unfortunately, that appears to be a weakness with the current roster. It will be fun to see how Bud creates his rotations. A lot of choices but we are pretty damn small.

Royce O'Neale definitely will be in the rotation.

While I'd like to see Beal come off the bench, I figure he'll start, with Grayson being first off the bench. Plumlee has to be in the rotation as well.

Bol has to be next up - otherwise, we're rolling with O'Neale, Allen or Booker at the 4 whenever KD's on the bench. Dunn's not ready.

If we're at full health going 9 deep, it's Morris or O'Neale depending on matchups - both if we go to 10. Next up would be Lee (11), then Okogie (12). Oso might get minutes by default because we're so thin up front. Gillespie if/when Morris is out.

Bridges, Dunn and TyTy get the G League.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

We are not playing in a 6'5" and under league. Unfortunately, that appears to be a weakness with the current roster. It will be fun to see how Bud creates his rotations. A lot of choices but we are pretty damn small.

It's a pity that we can not go into one gddmn season without at least one glaring hole that can be seen from the moon by a blind man... anyways, here is hoping, as this version of our team seems to be a bit (2 actual point guards) better than last season.

I'm just pleased we have a starting quality PG. Now, we're thin up front and lack size at the forward spots, but those are things we can address with a mid-season trade. I'm feeling pretty good about this roster overall.

[Saberestar]

Monte, Grayson, Okogie, O'Neale and Plumlee.

Of these five only two of them are guaranteed playing time, Plumlee and Grayson. Yeah, even Monte will need to earn minutes. IMO.

I will count Monte a spot in the 2nd unit for now but we need size so Bol will be part of that unit along with at least one of the big three.

Thus my 2nd unit is:

Plumlee,
Grayson,
Bol Bol or Ryan Dunn
one of the big three
Monte Morris

We are not playing in a 6'5" and under league. Unfortunately, that appears to be a weakness with the current roster. It will be fun to see how Bud creates his rotations. A lot of choices but we are pretty damn small.

Royce O'Neale definitely will be in the rotation.

While I'd like to see Beal come off the bench, I figure he'll start, with Grayson being first off the bench. Plumlee has to be in the rotation as well.

Bol has to be next up - otherwise, we're rolling with O'Neale, Allen or Booker at the 4 whenever KD's on the bench. Dunn's not ready.

If we're at full health going 9 deep, it's Morris or O'Neale depending on matchups - both if we go to 10. Next up would be Lee (11), then Okogie (12). Oso might get minutes by default because we're so thin up front. Gillespie if/when Morris is out.

Bridges, Dunn and TyTy get the G League.

In the last five seasons O'Neale has never played less than 24 mpg and all those years he played for playoff teams.

We traded for him at the deadline and signed him this summer for $44M/4 years. He will not be out of the rotation or playing a limited role. He is gonna be an important role player for us.

He didn’t play well against the Wolves in the playoffs...but who played well? He was pretty good in the regular season and he is a known commodity in the league.

[Saberestar]

[WeekapaugGroove]

It's a pity that we can not go into one gddmn season without at least one glaring hole that can be seen from the moon by a blind man... anyways, here is hoping, as this version of our team seems to be a bit (2 actual point guards) better than last season.

Is any team really ever without some weaknesses?

Sent from my SM-F731U using RealGM mobile app

Had to fix some quotes. Seemed to be killing the formatting on the board...

LF22

[Bogyo]

It's a pity that we can not go into one gddmn season without at least one glaring hole that can be seen from the moon by a blind man... anyways, here is hoping, as this version of our team seems to be a bit (2 actual point guards) better than last season.

Is any team really ever without some weaknesses?

Sent from my SM-F731U using RealGM mobile app

Not really, but not my point either I think. There is a whole wide ocean between "some weakness" and not having a PG for a year or a legit starting, or substitute PF or big wing for 2 years, while also not being oversized on the other positions either.

Had to fix some quotes. Seemed to be killing the formatting on the board...

LF22

[garrick]

Not really, but not my point either I think. There is a whole wide ocean between "some weakness" and not having a PG for a year or a legit starting, or substitute PF or big wing for 2 years, while also not being oversized on the other positions either.

This is true but for us it seems like we go years without addressing the team's weakness.

I think some of us have been pointing out the lack of a proper PF to replace Jae but JJ seems to love his undersized 3&D forwards a lot.

Had to fix some quotes. Seemed to be killing the formatting on the board...

LF22

[flagstaff]

Not really, but not my point either I think. There is a whole wide ocean between "some weakness" and not having a PG for a year or a legit starting, or substitute PF or big wing for 2 years, while also not being oversized on the other positions either.

This is true but for us it seems like we go years without addressing the team's weakness.

I think some of us have been pointing out the lack of a proper PF to replace Jae but JJ seems to love his undersized 3&D forwards a lot.

Had to fix some quotes. Seemed to be killing the formatting on the board...

LF22

A lot...

[bwgood77]

I'm not overly concerned about our draft picks. I doubt they see many minutes. While I was not extremely high on Dunn, I hope he works hard and gets time in the G league.

I love our overall offseason though, just for the fact, we got Tyus Jones AND Monte Morris for minimums. That's almost unbelievable.

[Fo-Real]

I'm in the Baltic on a cruise, keep wondering if my phone isn't updating properly, or the board is THIS DEAD?!?!

[Bogyo]

I'm in the Baltic on a cruise, keep wondering if my phone isn't updating properly, or the board is THIS DEAD?!?!

Good for you, at least its not 40 celsius over there. As for the rest, its always the worst part of the offseason. International tournaments are over, no training camps, no trades, no nothing - even the podcasters are on holidays or are talking about something else than bball. It will pick up in about 2 weeks - I hope

[Fo-Real]

I'm in the Baltic on a cruise, keep wondering if my phone isn't updating properly, or the board is THIS DEAD?!?!

Good for you, at least its not 40 celsius over there. As for the rest, its always the worst part of the offseason. International tournaments are over, no training camps, no trades, no nothing - even the podcasters are on holidays or are talking about something else than bball. It will pick up in about 2 weeks - I hope

But.... all I have is conversation from my wife!!!! No news and Suns stories to get me by!!! This is torture sir!!!

[Qwigglez]

I'm in the Baltic on a cruise, keep wondering if my phone isn't updating properly, or the board is THIS DEAD?!?!

Good for you, at least its not 40 celsius over there. As for the rest, its always the worst part of the offseason. International tournaments are over, no training camps, no trades, no nothing - even the podcasters are on holidays or are talking about something else than bball. It will pick up in about 2 weeks - I hope

But.... all I have is conversation from my wife!!!! No news and Suns stories to get me by!!! This is torture sir!!!

I've been enjoying the slight WNBA drama on Twitter about Caitlin Clark. Just recently got into another stupid TCG game
But yeah... this is the most dead of the off-season we are going to get. NFL is back this week I think, though I have hardly paid attention the last few years.
Hope you enjoy your cruise!

[sunsbum]

Good for you, at least its not 40 celsius over there. As for the rest, its always the worst part of the offseason. International tournaments are over, no training camps, no trades, no nothing - even the podcasters are on holidays or are talking about something else than bball. It will pick up in about 2 weeks - I hope

But.... all I have is conversation from my wife!!!! No news and Suns stories to get me by!!! This is torture sir!!!

I've been enjoying the slight WNBA drama on Twitter about Caitlin Clark. Just recently got into another stupid TCG game
But yeah... this is the most dead of the off-season we are going to get. NFL is back this week I think, though I have hardly paid attention the last few years.
Hope you enjoy your cruise!

Star Wars TCG?

[lilfishi22]

I'm in the Baltic on a cruise, keep wondering if my phone isn't updating properly, or the board is THIS DEAD?!?!

Absolute depths of the offseason. Passed the draft and Summer League and we actually got extended basketball action this offseason with the Olympics. Outside of the Little/Liddell stretch and waive, we probably won't hear a ton unless we have a late offseason move which isn't unheard of when it comes to James Jones and until the lead up to training camp later this month. Then things will pick back up pretty quickly with the preseason kicking off in early Oct and season starting on the 22nd of Oct!

[lilfishi22]

Good for you, at least its not 40 celsius over there. As for the rest, its always the worst part of the offseason. International tournaments are over, no training camps, no trades, no nothing - even the podcasters are on holidays or are talking about something else than bball. It will pick up in about 2 weeks - I hope

But.... all I have is conversation from my wife!!!! No news and Suns stories to get me by!!! This is torture sir!!!

I've been enjoying the slight WNBA drama on Twitter about Caitlin Clark. Just recently got into another stupid TCG game
But yeah... this is the most dead of the off-season we are going to get. NFL is back this week I think, though I have hardly paid attention the last few years.
Hope you enjoy your cruise!

It's interesting how I've never cared for the WNBA until Clark and now I'm following the WNBA on IG and it's cool getting some basketball action there

[lilfishi22]

What do ya'll watch in the offseason to pass time?

In the past I used to be really into the UFC but outside of some marque bouts, I'm not really interested anymore. Interestingly, since a year ago, I've been really into Sumo. They have 6 tournaments a year, the rules are pretty simple (no points or anything), there's no weight limits/divisions and it's really interesting watching technique and how the smaller wrestlers can beat guys with 120lbs on them.

What got me in was following a Youtube channel about a sumo stable which is largely focused on their cooking/eating but they has had a couple of uncut videos of their training sessions which are 2hr of some of the toughest training I've watched in combat sports. Really grown to appreciate the work they put in and broke down my initial impression of them as just being fat dudes throwing themselves into each other.

[Qwigglez]

But.... all I have is conversation from my wife!!!! No news and Suns stories to get me by!!! This is torture sir!!!

I've been enjoying the slight WNBA drama on Twitter about Caitlin Clark. Just recently got into another stupid TCG game
But yeah... this is the most dead of the off-season we are going to get. NFL is back this week I think, though I have hardly paid attention the last few years.
Hope you enjoy your cruise!

Star Wars TCG?

Trying to find some kind of commonality for the wife and I to enjoy together, so Disney Lorcana.

[Qwigglez]

Yeah, I hardly cared for the WNBA, it was just incredibly boring to watch for me. I been following it a bit more and even some women's college basketball last year while Caitlin Clark was there. She has definitely brought a level of excitement for the league, and I hope she gets them on the right track. It's awful to see so many bad takes about her from analyst and former players.

I mostly entertain myself with watching chess videos on top tier play, and just self-learning a lot of stuff via YT. I've been slowly detoxing myself away from social media such as Instagram, Facebook. Never really got into TikTok.