2024-25 Season Discussion and Speculation Part III

[BobbieL]

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This tells me the Heat are pressuring him to commit to another team.
I expect he'll be dealt to another team for just matching salaries and a 2nd rounder. That's it. Half year rental.

Jimmy is ALL Suns now. He really envisions himself as the perfect fit next to KD and Book doing all the other stuff that they can't do...defense, toughness, dribble penetration...

I think he is right about his potential fit on the team.

2 days.

Rest assured you guys will be heading the most highly motivated out for blood Jimmy there is. He’s going to do everything in his power to vault the Suns and rub it in Pat Riley’s face. He’s so damn petty and you guys will reap the rewards for atleast this season and next before he goes into Jimmy retirement mode. You’ll love him until he makes you hate him but the short term ride might be worth it for you guys with Durant and Book.

How is Jimmy Butler going to stick it to Pat Riley by losing in the second round of the playoffs? Do you mean that short term ride

The Suns are tied for 9th in the standings - three games from 6th but also three games from 12th with a very tough schedule

If Jimmy Butler wanted to stick it to Riley he would take the Memphis trade and win a title

The only reason Butler wants to come to Phoenix is he knows Ishbia is stupid enough to give him another $110m extension

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

Say F it and get Butler for Beal and a couple picks.

Trade Nurkic for Rui

Durant to GSW
Kuminga and Butler to PHX
Wiggins, Anderson, Nurkic and picks to MIA

Works in the trade checker.

[KdoubleDees23]

Say F it and get Butler for Beal and a couple picks.

Trade Nurkic for Rui

Durant to GSW
Kuminga and Butler to PHX
Wiggins, Anderson, Nurkic and picks to MIA

Works in the trade checker.

So run a team

Tyus
Beal
Butler
Kuminga
Richards

[BobbieL]

He would become my absolute hero. Seriously.

He would be my hero too! SAving the Suns and Ishbia from themseles
I would actually want Beal traded - if possible - if there is backlash that "god forbid the Suns didn't trade 3 FRPs to get Jimmy Butler!!!!"

Not sure he would be deserving of the backlash

Not criticizing, just curious...

What is the specific reason that Butler would be such a non-starter at this point? Is it just Butler himself, not into bringing the chaos?

I ask because they already dealt their '31 1st, so that lifeline has been let go. Even without him, they've already signed up for one more potential year in the wilderness. If they dont end up with Butler, those picks they got arent exactly looking like good ones and I'd be shocked if they didnt get dealt anyway. It seems like its either trade them for Jimmy or trade them for some lower end rotation pieces. Do you prefer that route over Butler?

Or are you thinking if they dont get Jimmy then they still might start a retool/rebuild this summer?

Like I said Im not even necessarily disagreeing with you, just asking.

Fair question. I don't think Butler is enough of a difference maker at this time of his career to totally screw your future for maybe getting to the second round. If you use all three picks and this will be the best shot as look at the West - its only getting tougher: OKC, Memphis, Houston, now the Spurs, the Lakers with Luka - all have better futures

I would say the Mavericks if Davis is healthy, are better than the Suns, Denver this year, better than the Suns. The Suns might be better than the Spurs this year - but not next year. Teams like Twolves are there too.

So why are you giving up your total future for the second round at best this year and nothing in teh future as Butler ages, Durant ages, the roster can't get better as they are over the second apron

But, you bring up the 2031 - and like GoK and Slim, to me, if you start the rebuild now, with those three picks, plus what you can get for Durant, Booker, Allen - that 2031 might be less valuable

If they don't trade for Butler but make a smaller move with Nurkic or Allen, see how it goes and assess - this summer, thats fine

But going all in for a guy who truly (by the media reports) doesn't care about winning and just cashing another check - to me is a long term bad move. He is turning down the Grizzlies who have a FAR better chance of winning a title than Phoenix does. FAR BETTER! As if the Butler experiment fails - this will be 10 years of terrible basketball with no future as they have no picks and aging players

If you start the rebuild now, using those three FRPs for the 2031, getting other picks from other trades, getting under the apron where you can make real trades and not your garbage for my garbage and lets hope it pans out...I think will be a better path to a title

And are you playing for the playoffs or are you playing for a title?

[BobbieL]

Say F it and get Butler for Beal and a couple picks.

Trade Nurkic for Rui

Durant to GSW
Kuminga and Butler to PHX
Wiggins, Anderson, Nurkic and picks to MIA

Works in the trade checker.

How many picks to Miami?

Are you extending Butler? As getting Butler to opt out would be the quickest path under the cap if Durant and Beal are gone

I don't hate this but does Butler want Phoenix or does he want to play with KD

[Saberestar]

Windhorst:

Butler's obsession with getting to the Phoenix Suns is bizarrely admirable. He has torched his relationship with the Heat and hurt the team's season. He has also blocked trade options that would be good fits, where he could have potentially gotten paid and been on a contender. But he's the rare difference-maker who can tilt the outcome of a playoff series and that comes with a lot of power. Butler is trying to use it.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/43678334/nba-trade-deadline-luka-butler-suns-warriors-everything-watch

[dremill24]

He would be my hero too! SAving the Suns and Ishbia from themseles
I would actually want Beal traded - if possible - if there is backlash that "god forbid the Suns didn't trade 3 FRPs to get Jimmy Butler!!!!"

Not sure he would be deserving of the backlash

Not criticizing, just curious...

What is the specific reason that Butler would be such a non-starter at this point? Is it just Butler himself, not into bringing the chaos?

I ask because they already dealt their '31 1st, so that lifeline has been let go. Even without him, they've already signed up for one more potential year in the wilderness. If they dont end up with Butler, those picks they got arent exactly looking like good ones and I'd be shocked if they didnt get dealt anyway. It seems like its either trade them for Jimmy or trade them for some lower end rotation pieces. Do you prefer that route over Butler?

Or are you thinking if they dont get Jimmy then they still might start a retool/rebuild this summer?

Like I said Im not even necessarily disagreeing with you, just asking.

Fair question. I don't think Butler is enough of a difference maker at this time of his career to totally screw your future for maybe getting to the second round. If you use all three picks and this will be the best shot as look at the West - its only getting tougher: OKC, Memphis, Houston, now the Spurs, the Lakers with Luka - all have better futures

I would say the Mavericks if Davis is healthy, are better than the Suns, Denver this year, better than the Suns. The Suns might be better than the Spurs this year - but not next year. Teams like Twolves are there too.

So why are you giving up your total future for the second round at best this year and nothing in teh future as Butler ages, Durant ages, the roster can't get better as they are over the second apron

But, you bring up the 2031 - and like GoK and Slim, to me, if you start the rebuild now, with those three picks, plus what you can get for Durant, Booker, Allen - that 2031 might be less valuable

If they don't trade for Butler but make a smaller move with Nurkic or Allen, see how it goes and assess - this summer, thats fine

But going all in for a guy who truly (by the media reports) doesn't care about winning and just cashing another check - to me is a long term bad move. As if Butler fails - this will be 10 years

If you start the rebuild now, using those three FRPs for the 2031, getting other picks from other trades, getting under the apron where you can make real trades and not your garbage for my garbage and lets hope it pans out...I think will be a better path to a title

And are you playing for the playoffs or are you playing for a title?

I see. Sounds like my disconnect was on the definition of "all-in," which prompted my question. To me, I'm not sure having a couple very late 1sts does a whole lot to facilitate a rebuild. I guess I'd say the "future" has been given up already, so was curious about how getting Jimmy ruins it any further. But what it seems you're saying is that those picks can help maintain a future, so I think that answers my question.

I do think the overwhelmingly likely reality is that those picks are gone either way, so it becomes more of a question of whether they're used for Butler or some other minor rotation piece(s).

[sunsbum]

I’m in for butler, Ishbia ain’t blowing it up.

[bullsaficianado]

You trade Durant in the summer not midseason. Go for Butler and give it all another swing.

Now trading Beal....yeah.....um....yeah....ok....yeah. Hopefully they can find a team to his liking not the Suns.

[King4Day]

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[MettaWorldPanda]

Suns are going to take this to the deadline for better or worse. They need to signal to Jimmy this ain’t happening so both the Heat and Jimmy can agree to move on. Will be so last minute at this rate. Things getting real interesting

[MettaWorldPanda]

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[MettaWorldPanda]

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No send me to Phoenix lol. They must really know Beal waiving his NTC to Miami

[BobbieL]

Not criticizing, just curious...

What is the specific reason that Butler would be such a non-starter at this point? Is it just Butler himself, not into bringing the chaos?

I ask because they already dealt their '31 1st, so that lifeline has been let go. Even without him, they've already signed up for one more potential year in the wilderness. If they dont end up with Butler, those picks they got arent exactly looking like good ones and I'd be shocked if they didnt get dealt anyway. It seems like its either trade them for Jimmy or trade them for some lower end rotation pieces. Do you prefer that route over Butler?

Or are you thinking if they dont get Jimmy then they still might start a retool/rebuild this summer?

Like I said Im not even necessarily disagreeing with you, just asking.

Fair question. I don't think Butler is enough of a difference maker at this time of his career to totally screw your future for maybe getting to the second round. If you use all three picks and this will be the best shot as look at the West - its only getting tougher: OKC, Memphis, Houston, now the Spurs, the Lakers with Luka - all have better futures

I would say the Mavericks if Davis is healthy, are better than the Suns, Denver this year, better than the Suns. The Suns might be better than the Spurs this year - but not next year. Teams like Twolves are there too.

So why are you giving up your total future for the second round at best this year and nothing in teh future as Butler ages, Durant ages, the roster can't get better as they are over the second apron

But, you bring up the 2031 - and like GoK and Slim, to me, if you start the rebuild now, with those three picks, plus what you can get for Durant, Booker, Allen - that 2031 might be less valuable

If they don't trade for Butler but make a smaller move with Nurkic or Allen, see how it goes and assess - this summer, thats fine

But going all in for a guy who truly (by the media reports) doesn't care about winning and just cashing another check - to me is a long term bad move. As if Butler fails - this will be 10 years

If you start the rebuild now, using those three FRPs for the 2031, getting other picks from other trades, getting under the apron where you can make real trades and not your garbage for my garbage and lets hope it pans out...I think will be a better path to a title

And are you playing for the playoffs or are you playing for a title?

I see. Sounds like my disconnect was on the definition of "all-in," which prompted my question. To me, I'm not sure having a couple very late 1sts does a whole lot to facilitate a rebuild. I guess I'd say the "future" has been given up already, so was curious about how getting Jimmy ruins it any further. But what it seems you're saying is that those picks can help maintain a future, so I think that answers my question.

I do think the overwhelmingly likely reality is that those picks are gone either way, so it becomes more of a question of whether they're used for Butler or some other minor rotation piece(s).

To your last point - you are correct. The one thing I should have added is for this to work
Ishbia would have to hire a good GM
and let that GM build the roster and that would take patience

The Suns are in a tough spot - but to me, blowing it up puts them closer to a title than going all in for Jimmy Butler. Unless the goal is to make the playoffs and lose by Round 2 maybe for a year or two - if thats the goal, fine, trade for Butler. He is not going to be the savior in Phoenix.

[Calvin Klein]

**** off Jimmy

[BobbieL]

Suns are going to take this to the deadline for better or worse. They need to signal to Jimmy this ain’t happening so those both the Heat and Jimmy can agree to move on. Will be so last minute at this rate. Things getting real interesting

Suns don't owe Jimmy Butler, the Heat or anybody jack squat

Butler is the reason Butler hasn't been traded.

[SunsRback4Good]

Suns are going to take this to the deadline for better or worse. They need to signal to Jimmy this ain’t happening so both the Heat and Jimmy can agree to move on. Will be so last minute at this rate. Things getting real interesting

We want Jimmy Butler and Jimmy wants us. Jimmy gonna bring us to the promise land I can feel it.

[MettaWorldPanda]

Suns are going to take this to the deadline for better or worse. They need to signal to Jimmy this ain’t happening so those both the Heat and Jimmy can agree to move on. Will be so last minute at this rate. Things getting real interesting

Suns don't owe Jimmy Butler, the Heat or anybody jack squat

Butler is the reason Butler hasn't been traded.

Reason Butler hasn’t been traded is because someone through back door channels has signaled to Jimmy to do everything he can to get to you guys. The Suns ownership group has to be steering this ship but Beal holds all the cards and the Heat for very good reasons can’t be saddled with Beal’s contract. Someone must know that Beal has agreed to waive his NTC for Miami but Miami refuses.

[BobbieL]

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Not sure how the salaries would match

and what does Nurkic do for them unless it involves a FRP
which makes no sense

[BobbieL]

Suns are going to take this to the deadline for better or worse. They need to signal to Jimmy this ain’t happening so those both the Heat and Jimmy can agree to move on. Will be so last minute at this rate. Things getting real interesting

Suns don't owe Jimmy Butler, the Heat or anybody jack squat

Butler is the reason Butler hasn't been traded.

Reason Butler hasn’t been traded is because someone through back door channels has signaled to Jimmy to do everything he can to get to you guys. The Suns ownership group has to be steering this ship but Beal holds all the cards and the Heat for very good reasons can’t be saddled with Beal’s contract.

I think the Suns are pivoting and Durant will be traded. At least that is my hope. It would serve Butler right to have to stay in Miami when the absolute perfect fit for him is Memphis.