2024-25 Season Discussion and Speculation

[SkyBill40]

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A shame, really. He's better than some of the players the Suns are retaining, but I get it from the cost side of things. I hope he makes it back to the league and as a member of this team would be great

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[bullsaficianado]

Get Lonnie Walker asap please!

[dremill24]

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A shame, really. He's better than some of the players the Suns are retaining, but I get it from the cost side of things. I hope he makes it back to the league and as a member of this team would be great

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Is he? I mean I know Bridges and Washington arent great but they're on two-ways, which Frank is ineligible for. Not sure who else I'd personally have him over.

[sunskerr]

It's entirely possible any random prospect is better or at the same level as kaminsky. Most end of bench guys in the NBA are at the level where there are like dozens other unsigned guys can bring a similar level.

That's why I typically advocate for using those one or two spots for young prospects instead of vets (because vets are known quantities). Most teams already do this, too.

[AtheJ415]

It's entirely possible any random prospect is better or at the same level as kaminsky. Most end of bench guys in the NBA are at the level where there are like dozens other unsigned guys can bring a similar level.

That's why I typically advocate for using those one or two spots for young prospects instead of vets (because vets are known quantities). Most teams already do this, too.

Kaminsky sucks. We are contending for a title and we shouldn't waste depth on popularity picks. He had 1 halfway decent season under Monty but lots of guys can cheer hard from the bench and have the ability to actually help us.

Being a "connector" as Monty called it is a cop out because he has no stats to show any real impact. He can't guard, has no athleticism, and can barely shoot. It's a shame he never shot like he did at Wisconsin in the NBA, but without it he is one of the worst players in the league, and we should be able to get something with more upside in that last spot.

[garrick]

I wonder how good the Spurs will be. Before CP3 kind of faded in year 3 after those year 2 playoffs in Phx, he had led every team he'd been on to the playoffs. Then he ended up in GS.

Even though he doesn't have much left, he will be good for that Spurs team, even just the intangible stuff. It doesn't matter if he doesn't contribute a lot shooting wise on the court, since they probably don't expect to make the playoffs, but he may have practiced his 3 a lot since his midrange game is kind of gone and he can't move like he used to.

But with Wemby adding 25 lbs of muscle and working with Jamal Crawford all offseason on different ways of scoring, along with the vet addition of Harrison Barnes, Keldon Johnson, Vassell, Zach Collins, Sochan, Tre Jones, etc, they could be pretty tough. We already know they beat us twice last year and I imagine they will be a lot better this year.

They'll be better but I don't see them being that much better unless Wemby takes another step and leads SA to a playoff berth.

25 lbs being added sounds good because all too often he was pushed out of the paint last season and even in the Olympics so if he can bulk up especially in his legs that would really make him unstoppable down low.

[bullsaficianado]

I wonder how good the Spurs will be. Before CP3 kind of faded in year 3 after those year 2 playoffs in Phx, he had led every team he'd been on to the playoffs. Then he ended up in GS.

Even though he doesn't have much left, he will be good for that Spurs team, even just the intangible stuff. It doesn't matter if he doesn't contribute a lot shooting wise on the court, since they probably don't expect to make the playoffs, but he may have practiced his 3 a lot since his midrange game is kind of gone and he can't move like he used to.

But with Wemby adding 25 lbs of muscle and working with Jamal Crawford all offseason on different ways of scoring, along with the vet addition of Harrison Barnes, Keldon Johnson, Vassell, Zach Collins, Sochan, Tre Jones, etc, they could be pretty tough. We already know they beat us twice last year and I imagine they will be a lot better this year.

They'll be better but I don't see them being that much better unless Wemby takes another step and leads SA to a playoff berth.

25 lbs being added sounds good because all too often he was pushed out of the paint last season and even in the Olympics so if he can bulk up especially in his legs that would really make him unstoppable down low.

I think they have been tanking the past few seasons and Pop was ok with it. If Pop wants this team to make the playoffs they have enough talent to do it I think they definitely could. At least on paper a team with Wemby, CP3, Barnes, Vassell, Sochan is a playoff team.

I also want to say I think CP3 would be a perfect replacement for Pop if he decides to retire as a player and Pop retires as a head coach. So this was a perfect fit for Chris because he likely could be the successor to Pop after playing a few seasons with Spurs.

[MrMiyagi]

I wonder how good the Spurs will be. Before CP3 kind of faded in year 3 after those year 2 playoffs in Phx, he had led every team he'd been on to the playoffs. Then he ended up in GS.

Even though he doesn't have much left, he will be good for that Spurs team, even just the intangible stuff. It doesn't matter if he doesn't contribute a lot shooting wise on the court, since they probably don't expect to make the playoffs, but he may have practiced his 3 a lot since his midrange game is kind of gone and he can't move like he used to.

But with Wemby adding 25 lbs of muscle and working with Jamal Crawford all offseason on different ways of scoring, along with the vet addition of Harrison Barnes, Keldon Johnson, Vassell, Zach Collins, Sochan, Tre Jones, etc, they could be pretty tough. We already know they beat us twice last year and I imagine they will be a lot better this year.

They'll be better but I don't see them being that much better unless Wemby takes another step and leads SA to a playoff berth.

25 lbs being added sounds good because all too often he was pushed out of the paint last season and even in the Olympics so if he can bulk up especially in his legs that would really make him unstoppable down low.

I think they have been tanking the past few seasons and Pop was ok with it. If Pop wants this team to make the playoffs they have enough talent to do it I think they definitely could. At least on paper a team with Wemby, CP3, Barnes, Vassell, Sochan is a playoff team.

I also want to say I think CP3 would be a perfect replacement for Pop if he decides to retire as a player and Pop retires as a head coach. So this was a perfect fit for Chris because he likely could be the successor to Pop after playing a few seasons with Spurs.

That's quite a leap there

[lilfishi22]

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A shame, really. He's better than some of the players the Suns are retaining, but I get it from the cost side of things. I hope he makes it back to the league and as a member of this team would be great

Sent from my SM-F936U using RealGM mobile app

I'm sure if we don't find anyone to fill that last roster spot or in 2 for 1 trades, he'll still be hanging around waiting to step in.

[lilfishi22]

I wonder how good the Spurs will be. Before CP3 kind of faded in year 3 after those year 2 playoffs in Phx, he had led every team he'd been on to the playoffs. Then he ended up in GS.

Even though he doesn't have much left, he will be good for that Spurs team, even just the intangible stuff. It doesn't matter if he doesn't contribute a lot shooting wise on the court, since they probably don't expect to make the playoffs, but he may have practiced his 3 a lot since his midrange game is kind of gone and he can't move like he used to.

But with Wemby adding 25 lbs of muscle and working with Jamal Crawford all offseason on different ways of scoring, along with the vet addition of Harrison Barnes, Keldon Johnson, Vassell, Zach Collins, Sochan, Tre Jones, etc, they could be pretty tough. We already know they beat us twice last year and I imagine they will be a lot better this year.

They'll be better but I don't see them being that much better unless Wemby takes another step and leads SA to a playoff berth.

25 lbs being added sounds good because all too often he was pushed out of the paint last season and even in the Olympics so if he can bulk up especially in his legs that would really make him unstoppable down low.

I think they have been tanking the past few seasons and Pop was ok with it. If Pop wants this team to make the playoffs they have enough talent to do it I think they definitely could. At least on paper a team with Wemby, CP3, Barnes, Vassell, Sochan is a playoff team.

I also want to say I think CP3 would be a perfect replacement for Pop if he decides to retire as a player and Pop retires as a head coach. So this was a perfect fit for Chris because he likely could be the successor to Pop after playing a few seasons with Spurs.

I think they could be a play-in contender for sure. Problem is most teams aren't tanking anymore outside of maybe 1-2 in each conference so easy wins are very hard to come by. Utah and Portland are the only easier outs and the rest all have good reason not to be on the outside looking in and while I think Wemby could take a big step forward, Pop is now coaching seriously and CP3 helps organise their team in a major way, I still can't say with confidence they are better than teams outside of the aforementioned tanking teams.

For them to be in the play-in, they'll probably need to have a mid-40's win total which would be like a 23 game improvement.

[lilfishi22]

From Reddit



With guys like Monte/Jones running point between the starters and the bench, guys like Grayson and full training camp O'Neal off the bench, Dunn potentially looking like a hidden gem and a coach who knows how to actually run a system that generates offense rather than relying solely on the Big 3, I feel far less dependant on needing all 3 of our Big 3 having good to solid games to be in games unlike last season.

[dremill24]

Hoping this isnt spammy but Im trying out some writing if anyone is interested.

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[lilfishi22]

Hoping this isnt spammy but Im trying out some writing if anyone is interested.

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That was a great read. Always welcome well written pieces backed with stats and good insights. Only comment I had was around the intro and the first half of the rotations sections where the sentences felt a bit short and read almost like dots points. I know you're just trying hit on each player in the rotation briefly so it's short but as a reader, I felt like they were a tease being so succinct.

Otherwise, once it got to the Dunn section, it was all gravy from there. And I'm happy for you to post links to new posts whenever you write them

[Saberestar]

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[bwgood77]

Hoping this isnt spammy but Im trying out some writing if anyone is interested.

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I saw the substack link in your sig a couple days ago but never got the email, not in spam or otherwise.

[Frank Lee]

From Reddit
………….rather than relying solely on the Big 3, I feel far less dependant on needing all 3 of our Big 3 having good to solid games to be in games unlike last season.

Do we really have a ‘big three’? Its purely a marketing term. IMO… and a bad one at that

Beal might be the fifth best player on this team…

He is ‘big’ in contract only and truly not going to be relied upon to win games. The dude is a solid role player and the proverbial stat stuffer on/from a bad team.

Here is an exercise… remove one starter for half the season or more…. Who you picking?




And thank the BBallgods they dropped the Shank

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

From Reddit
………….rather than relying solely on the Big 3, I feel far less dependant on needing all 3 of our Big 3 having good to solid games to be in games unlike last season.

Do we really have a ‘big three’? Its purely a marketing term. IMO… and a bad one at that

Beal might be the fifth best player on this team…

He is ‘big’ in contract only and truly not going to be relied upon to win games. The dude is a solid role player and the proverbial stat stuffer on/from a bad team.

Here is an exercise… remove one starter for half the season or more…. Who you picking?




And thank the BBallgods they dropped the Shank

I liked Frank and thought he was good depth. I guess they feel they'd rather go small if necessary than deploy the tank.

But as to your question - yeah, I'd lose Beal. My hope is that at some point we'll trade Allen and maybe others to get a starting forward and move Beal to the bench.

[Saberestar]

Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs has agreed to a five-year, $150.5 million rookie contract extension with the franchise, sources told ESPN.

Wow...is Suggs that great? Overpay IMO.

[lilfishi22]

From Reddit
………….rather than relying solely on the Big 3, I feel far less dependant on needing all 3 of our Big 3 having good to solid games to be in games unlike last season.

Do we really have a ‘big three’? Its purely a marketing term. IMO… and a bad one at that

Beal might be the fifth best player on this team…

He is ‘big’ in contract only and truly not going to be relied upon to win games. The dude is a solid role player and the proverbial stat stuffer on/from a bad team.

Here is an exercise… remove one starter for half the season or more…. Who you picking?




And thank the BBallgods they dropped the Shank

Don't really care what other people want to call it. For the sake of grouping the 3 most important guys to our success together (imo), I just call them the Big 3. You are right though, I do feel less dependent on all 3 guys having good games to be in games like last season, however in my view, the ceiling of this team is still determined by how well these three play and play together. Beal's ceiling is still the 3rd highest on this team so I disagree with you that he's the 5th best player. I mean, if it's all working, who is better and have more experience to perform than Beal? That's not to say Beal is several tiers better than say Grayson or Jones like Book/KD are, but I do put him solidly above everyone else.

[lilfishi22]

Always thought Suggs was a bit overrated a prospect and in the NBA, he hadn't really done much to convince me that he's more than a solid NBA pro. Not quite sure how they got to $30m a year but I suppose we might just need to reframe what a young NBA starting guard with potential is getting paid. I mean Jalen Green who I wasn't high on either just got $106m/3 so that's another $30m+ young guard with potential.