The Official 2025 Offseason Thread Part 1

[Revived]

Spoiler:

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If true! Then what is our alternative plan? Minnesota or New York or Denver? Would Miami be a legitimate option? Would anyone consider Orlando if the interest was mutual?

Eh, this comes down to who’re you gonna believe, Marc Stein or Shams? Answer should be obvious imo.

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[Ghost of Kleine]

Spoiler:

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If true! Then what is our alternative plan? Minnesota or New York or Denver? Would Miami be a legitimate option? Would anyone consider Orlando if the interest was mutual?

Eh, this comes down to who’re you gonna believe, Marc Stein or Shams? Answer should be obvious imo.

Read on Twitter

To me this is just typical postering to try and create the optics of leverage. I ultimately believe Shams is correct. And the Rockets are just putting this out there to try and drive down KDs' percieved trade value in hopes of suppressing the number of bids.

Because if they can create doubt of interest, then the offers should be more shallow, allowing them to end up surrendering less to Phoenix. Typical mind games and smoke and mirrors strategy...lol

[Ghost of Kleine]

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If true! Then what is our alternative plan? Minnesota or New York or Denver? Would Miami be a legitimate option? Would anyone consider Orlando if the interest was mutual?

Houston wants Booker

And if we were smart, we would give him to them.

For the right price of course.

[Ghost of Kleine]

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[SunsRback4Good]

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[sunsbg]

"We won't do the things like NBA does." OK, Matt, we know you are smarter than everybody else. You proved it last two years after all.

[Slim Charless]

Spoiler:

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If true! Then what is our alternative plan? Minnesota or New York or Denver? Would Miami be a legitimate option? Would anyone consider Orlando if the interest was mutual?

Eh, this comes down to who’re you gonna believe, Marc Stein or Shams? Answer should be obvious imo.

Read on Twitter

I believe Shams. He's proven to be right more than any of these ppl. Anything put out by Gambo or any PHX based person is being fed BS by the office in order to throw ppl off.

Houston likely DOES want Booker.....but will take KD if their playoffs end badly enough.

Go Warriors is basically what all of this sums up to.

[Saberestar]

At the moment, and I know that things are gonna change after the playoffs, I think that the Knicks will be our trade partner for KD.

Look...I think they are gonna struggle against the Pistons but they will survive to the first round but they will go down in the 2nd round.

KD wants to play in New York. I think he is gonna say to the Knicks that he is all-in and he will sign the 2-year extension with them.

And this is where our new identity comes...Ishbia said that we are gonna try to implement an identity from top to bottom (FO, coaches, players) with DEFENSE and GRIT as main concepts.

KD salary: $54.7M
Knicks package: $54.7M

Suns would get OG Anunoby, Mitchell Robinson, Tyler Kolek, 2030 unprotected FRP and three 2nds.

OG Anunoby under contract for the next three years. Top 10 defensive player in the league.

Tyler Kolek on a rookie contract for the next 3 years. We talked a lot about him at the draft, could be a nice backup PG for us since day one.

Mitchell Robinson on a expiring contract. Great shot blocker we can sign him again using Bird rights.

And draft capital with a premium unprotected pick.

We need to be under the 2nd apron to execute this trade. We would get depth, defense, a youngster and picks.

[Ghost of Kleine]

"We won't do the things like NBA does." OK, Matt, we know you are smarter than everybody else. You proved it last two years after all.

Maybe he meant they'll play more like the WNBA plays because our team is almost as athletic as they are (sans Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro).

[Calvin Klein]

Matty's motto:

[Calvin Klein]

Dude is seriously a real life Kendall Roy. Just as cringy as well.

[sunsbg]

At the moment, and I know that things are gonna change after the playoffs, I think that the Knicks will be our trade partner for KD.

Look...I think they are gonna struggle against the Pistons but they will survive to the first round but they will go down in the 2nd round.

KD wants to play in New York. I think he is gonna say to the Knicks that he is all-in and he will sign the 2-year extension with them.

And this is where our new identity comes...Ishbia said that we are gonna try to implement an identity from top to bottom (FO, coaches, players) with DEFENSE and GRIT as main concepts.

KD salary: $54.7M
Knicks package: $54.7M

Suns would get OG Anunoby, Mitchell Robinson, Tyler Kolek, 2030 unprotected FRP and three 2nds.

OG Anunoby under contract for the next three years. Top 10 defensive player in the league.

Tyler Kolek on a rookie contract for the next 3 years. We talked a lot about him at the draft, could be a nice backup PG for us since day one.

Mitchell Robinson on a expiring contract. Great shot blocker we can sign him again using Bird rights.

And draft capital with a premium unprotected pick.

We need to be under the 2nd apron to execute this trade. We would get depth, defense, a youngster and picks.

I still hope we get something better from a team like Mavs. I remember you wanted all their young players + picks to start talking, now you settle for a 28yo 4th option at best with a few 40 game seasons, always injured C, 2nd rounder who's similar to Gillespie, unprotected pick in 5 years from a team able to draw good FAs and stay relevant and some 2nd round picks. Looks like reality finally hit you and Ishbia.

[Ghost of Kleine]

At the moment, and I know that things are gonna change after the playoffs, I think that the Knicks will be our trade partner for KD.

Look...I think they are gonna struggle against the Pistons but they will survive to the first round but they will go down in the 2nd round.

KD wants to play in New York. I think he is gonna say to the Knicks that he is all-in and he will sign the 2-year extension with them.

And this is where our new identity comes...Ishbia said that we are gonna try to implement an identity from top to bottom (FO, coaches, players) with DEFENSE and GRIT as main concepts.

KD salary: $54.7M
Knicks package: $54.7M

Suns would get OG Anunoby, Mitchell Robinson, Tyler Kolek, 2030 unprotected FRP and three 2nds.

OG Anunoby under contract for the next three years. Top 10 defensive player in the league.

Tyler Kolek on a rookie contract for the next 3 years. We talked a lot about him at the draft, could be a nice backup PG for us since day one.

Mitchell Robinson on a expiring contract. Great shot blocker we can sign him again using Bird rights.

And draft capital with a premium unprotected pick.

We need to be under the 2nd apron to execute this trade. We would get depth, defense a youngster and picks.

I actually like the Idea of Anunoby and Mitchell. Although concerned about what their overall durability might be for the cumulative cost. But love the defensive concept premise for a change.

Although if I'm being honest, in a one for one or swap with New York, I might lean more towards KAT, as I think we could flip him for significantly more pieces and value in return than even KD due to his only being 29, being under contract for another 4 yrs, and putting up double/ Double production on great efficiency as a star tier 1B type star player like Booker.

I believe there would be a number of teams willing to.pay up value for him too. And his contract length would give us a slightly longer window to trade him as needed. I'll post the teams and trade package ideas later this morning in a couple of hours.

I love Anunobys' defense and skillset abilities, but might prefer KAT for production and trade value potential. Or Bridges back for the chemistry, fan vibe and feel good situation.

Also in taking back Bridges, (the lower salary player) that'd mean we'd also get hack more pieces in the deal like a Mitchell and fillers, or Hart and fillers and picks. Sending other pieces to a 3rd team for more value. But Anunoby would of course be solid value for our defensive premise too.

Although I do honestly believe we could get much of that defensive versatility/ impact with a young prospect like Adou Thiero at a fraction of the cost but with a very similar defense, athletic and two way skillset ( just not yet as offensively efficient). And then still get other key pieces like KAT or Bridges/ Hart/ Kolek or maybe McBride?? and some picks (from 3rd team)??

But again, my top choice might be KAT for his production, connection with Booker and trade value to other teams, that could very likely set us up with multiple pieces and premium pick value??

[Ghost of Kleine]

At the moment, and I know that things are gonna change after the playoffs, I think that the Knicks will be our trade partner for KD.

Look...I think they are gonna struggle against the Pistons but they will survive to the first round but they will go down in the 2nd round.

KD wants to play in New York. I think he is gonna say to the Knicks that he is all-in and he will sign the 2-year extension with them.

And this is where our new identity comes...Ishbia said that we are gonna try to implement an identity from top to bottom (FO, coaches, players) with DEFENSE and GRIT as main concepts.

KD salary: $54.7M
Knicks package: $54.7M

Suns would get OG Anunoby, Mitchell Robinson, Tyler Kolek, 2030 unprotected FRP and three 2nds.

OG Anunoby under contract for the next three years. Top 10 defensive player in the league.

Tyler Kolek on a rookie contract for the next 3 years. We talked a lot about him at the draft, could be a nice backup PG for us since day one.

Mitchell Robinson on a expiring contract. Great shot blocker we can sign him again using Bird rights.

And draft capital with a premium unprotected pick.

We need to be under the 2nd apron to execute this trade. We would get depth, defense, a youngster and picks.

I still hope we get something better from a team like Mavs. I remember you wanted all their young players + picks to start talking, now you settle for a 28yo 4th option at best with a few 40 game seasons, always injured C, 2nd rounder who's similar to Gillespie, unprotected pick in 5 years from a team able to draw good FAs and stay relevant and some 2nd round picks. Looks like reality finally hit you and Ishbia.

I also think the Mavs will emerge as a KD suitor too. But if New York, would prefer a KAT swap for the reasons I've mentioned above being able to flip him elsewhere for multiple other value pieces back.

Or else Bridges ( for the feel good moment/ vibes/ connections to Booker) and other pieces that we could flip to another team as well. It's gonna be a crazy summer for sure.

[Saberestar]

At the moment, and I know that things are gonna change after the playoffs, I think that the Knicks will be our trade partner for KD.

Look...I think they are gonna struggle against the Pistons but they will survive to the first round but they will go down in the 2nd round.

KD wants to play in New York. I think he is gonna say to the Knicks that he is all-in and he will sign the 2-year extension with them.

And this is where our new identity comes...Ishbia said that we are gonna try to implement an identity from top to bottom (FO, coaches, players) with DEFENSE and GRIT as main concepts.

KD salary: $54.7M
Knicks package: $54.7M

Suns would get OG Anunoby, Mitchell Robinson, Tyler Kolek, 2030 unprotected FRP and three 2nds.

OG Anunoby under contract for the next three years. Top 10 defensive player in the league.

Tyler Kolek on a rookie contract for the next 3 years. We talked a lot about him at the draft, could be a nice backup PG for us since day one.

Mitchell Robinson on a expiring contract. Great shot blocker we can sign him again using Bird rights.

And draft capital with a premium unprotected pick.

We need to be under the 2nd apron to execute this trade. We would get depth, defense, a youngster and picks.

I still hope we get something better from a team like Mavs. I remember you wanted all their young players + picks to start talking, now you settle for a 28yo 4th option at best with a few 40 game seasons, always injured C, 2nd rounder who's similar to Gillespie, unprotected pick in 5 years from a team able to draw good FAs and stay relevant and some 2nd round picks. Looks like reality finally hit you and Ishbia.

The Mavs doesn't have a player as great as OG Anunoby, he is a difference maker on both sides of the floor. He is a borderline All-Star player to me, better than Mikal. Ask to Knicks fans.

And the Mavs doesn't have much better draft capital than the Knicks.

So an offer from the Mavs to be a decent one would need to have Lively, PJ Washington and every available pick from them (not too many).

Regarding the Knicks offer that I said...obviously I would try to get another FRP but they only can trade one more and has protections. It's 2026 FRP from the Pistons (Top 11 protected in 2026, Top 9 in 2027 or just a 2nd if not converted).

OG Anunoby
Mitchell Robinson
Tyler Kolek
2030 Unprotected FRP
2026 (from Pistons Top 11 protected) FRP.
Three 2nds.

That's a good offer? YES.

Ideal package for KD? It's not, but it's a realistic one and have too many things that we need on the team. I like it.

EDIT:
I have proposed this particular trade on the trade board to get a better general feeling about the offer.

I was wrong and the Knicks doesn’t hace any FRP available for a trade. They can't trade 20230 and they don't have the Pistons pick anymore.

To the next one lol.

[Saberestar]

I actually like the Idea of Anunoby and Mitchell. Although concerned about what their overall durability might be for the cumulative cost. But love the defensive concept premise for a change.

Although if I'm being honest, in a one for one or swap with New York, I might lean more towards KAT, as I think we could flip him for significantly more pieces and value in return than even KD due to his only being 29, being under contract for another 4 yrs, and putting up double/ Double production on great efficiency as a star tier 1B type star player like Booker.

I believe there would be a number of teams willing to.pay up value for him too. And his contract length would give us a slightly longer window to trade him as needed. I'll post the teams and trade package ideas later this morning in a couple of hours.

I love Anunobys' defense and skillset abilities, but might prefer KAT for production and trade value potential. Or Bridges back for the chemistry, fan vibe and feel good situation.

Also in taking back Bridges, (the lower salary player) that'd mean we'd also get hack more pieces in the deal like a Mitchell and fillers, or Hart and fillers and picks. Sending other pieces to a 3rd team for more value. But Anunoby would of course be solid value for our defensive premise too.

Although I do honestly believe we could get much of that defensive versatility/ impact with a young prospect like Adou Thiero at a fraction of the cost but with a very similar defense, athletic and two way skillset ( just not yet as offensively efficient). And then still get other key pieces like KAT or Bridges/ Hart/ Kolek or maybe McBride?? and some picks (from 3rd team)??

But again, my top choice might be KAT for his production, connection with Booker and trade value to other teams, that could very likely set us up with multiple pieces and premium pick value??

I think Brunson and KAT are off the table for KD. I would prefer KAT too.

[Ghost of Kleine]

I actually like the Idea of Anunoby and Mitchell. Although concerned about what their overall durability might be for the cumulative cost. But love the defensive concept premise for a change.

Although if I'm being honest, in a one for one or swap with New York, I might lean more towards KAT, as I think we could flip him for significantly more pieces and value in return than even KD due to his only being 29, being under contract for another 4 yrs, and putting up double/ Double production on great efficiency as a star tier 1B type star player like Booker.

I believe there would be a number of teams willing to.pay up value for him too. And his contract length would give us a slightly longer window to trade him as needed. I'll post the teams and trade package ideas later this morning in a couple of hours.

I love Anunobys' defense and skillset abilities, but might prefer KAT for production and trade value potential. Or Bridges back for the chemistry, fan vibe and feel good situation.

Also in taking back Bridges, (the lower salary player) that'd mean we'd also get hack more pieces in the deal like a Mitchell and fillers, or Hart and fillers and picks. Sending other pieces to a 3rd team for more value. But Anunoby would of course be solid value for our defensive premise too.

Although I do honestly believe we could get much of that defensive versatility/ impact with a young prospect like Adou Thiero at a fraction of the cost but with a very similar defense, athletic and two way skillset ( just not yet as offensively efficient). And then still get other key pieces like KAT or Bridges/ Hart/ Kolek or maybe McBride?? and some picks (from 3rd team)??

But again, my top choice might be KAT for his production, connection with Booker and trade value to other teams, that could very likely set us up with multiple pieces and premium pick value??

I think Brunson and KAT are off the table for KD. I would prefer KAT too.

It'd kinda figure with our luck, I suppose! But if that's the case, then the value would have to be made up somewhere else. Otherwise, the value just isn't really close. I think in this scenario, though, I'd pivot to a package of Bridges/Mitchell/ McBride/Dadiet/ Beauchamp/ NYK 26' 1st (pick swap)/ 26' 2nd (via DET, MIL, or ORL)/ 28' 2nd (via IND or PHX)/ NYK 2032 1st.

** Next, I'm trading Allen/ Richards to Orlando for Isaac/ Harris ($7 million expiring)/ DEN 25' 1st (24th pick)!
** Next, I'm trading McBride/ O'neale/ Dadiet/ CLE 29' 1ST, (** least favorable of Cleveland/Minnesota/Orlando) to Brooklyn for the NYK 25 1st (26th pick).
24- Carter Bryant. PJ Washington
26- Adou Thiero. OG Anunoby
29- Rocco Zisarsky. Rudy Gobert

Booker/ Beal/ Bridges/ Aldama/Mitchell.
Paul/ Trent Jr/ Dunn/ Bol Bol/ Isaac.
Gillespie/ Tonje/ Thiero/ Bryant/ Ighodaro.

G League (3 two-ways allowed).
1- Rocco Zisarsky.
2- Donnie Freeman or Jackson Moni.
3- Cedric Coward.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Then I'm looking to trade Beal/ NYK 2032 1st/ CLE 27' 1st (least favorable of Cleveland, Minnesota, Orlando) to Utah for Markannen. That would give us a roster of:

Booker/Kennard/ Bridges/ Markannen/Isaac.
Paul /Trent Jr / Dunn / Bol Bol / Mitchell.
Gillespie/ Tonje/ Thiero/ Bryant/ Ighodaro.

*** I will say, though, that I do absolutely believe New York would trade us KAT for KD to limit the package value for KD to a 1 for 1, and so they could keep their wings, and also get under the 2nd apron after next season if things don't pan out with KD.

[bwgood77]

Matty's motto:

It was all Biden's fault!

[Calvin Klein]

I'd imagine Mikal is good in NY, likes his role and having friends on the team. Imagine taking that away from him for Durant AGAIN.

[Rebound Mound]

For those people clamoring for OG Anunoby in a KD to Knicks trade, I get liking him, but honestly, why pay $40-45 million per year for Anunoby and have to worry about his injury issues too when we could just draft Adou Theiro with an early 2nd round pick in a trade??

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He's currently ranked as the 37th pick of the 2nd round, and could be had fairly easily by acquiring an early 2nd from a trade of either Allen or O'neale.
.

I mean...do you really not know the answer to that question?

Well, obviously, I do know the difference wherein some fans prefer the proven/established vet player over a young yet unproven rookie. But our situation demands more consideration than just a shortsighted narrow narrow-minded perspective of deluding ourselves into thinking we're anywhere close to actually competing. I'm looking at the bigger cumulative contextual value from multiple points rather than just that he's got experience, so that trumps other factors.

One of the big factors I'm considering here is strategic cost control in order to afford us more flexibility at alternative positions because if you're at all familiar with Theiro, you'd know that he already provides very similar defensive impact/ versatility/ trajectory as Anunoby. And also is a very similar player with a nearly identical two-way skillset, although Anunoby being the more developed shooter/ scorer.

https://www.tankathon.com/players/compare?players=adou-thiero--o-g-anunoby
So basically, very similar two-way wings, with elite defensive potential and very solid offensive potential. Sure, Anunoby is obviously further along on the offensive end due to experience. But he's also making over 40 million for the next 3 seasons after this upcoming one! Statistically, both projects to offer very similar impact/production, only Theiro would cost a fraction of the price we'd have to pay for Anunoby. And doesn't carry the injury/durability concerns that Anunoby has! Now I get the argument most would offer that experience trumps inexperience for teams trying to compete!

But perhaps if we're able to really be honest with ourselves regarding the reality of our situation, we're currently a lottery team, not really anywhere close to competing, and can't even make the playoffs. So we could afford the development time for the benefit of cost control that'd allow us to redirect some of that money to another position of need, while still addressing that wing defender need at a much lower cost without losing much, if anything in terms of defensive impact. My premise would allow us to target a different centerpiece option while still adding a nearly identical archetype player that would fill that need at a fraction of the cost, again allowing us to cover two positions for the cost of one.

I'm utilizing strategic cost reduction to make our limited assets go farther and address more needs that we otherwise couldn't for the incurred cost. of Anunoby himself. And again, because we're not close to legitimately contending (within the next two years anyway), the development aspect wouldn't really negatively affect our current trajectory. Maybe pass on Anunoby in a KD to New York trade, and just do a KD for KAT swap or a Bridges/Hart/ picks or Bridges/ Mitchell/ picks (from 3rd team) combo and still get that Anunoby type player 9 on a cost-controlled deal) Who can grow into his role just like Dunn and Oso have, while we construct our roster.

Hello there.
While I share most of your basketball ideas for this franchise, I do not agree on this. Rookies take a while to develop. Even if you are LBJ, it takes 4/5 years for you to be the kind of experienced person to translate to a bb court what you are able to do as an athlete. When to run or stop, when shoot or pass. That takes time. Even to get the respect of coaches, teammates and referees.
Developing young players is a must and every team should have 2/3 players to develop among the 14 you play a season with. Another thing is prefering a rookie over a established veteran player who is strong, tough, good defender and not a bad shooter. Just that he is perhaps too short to play PF, but he makes for the lack of cms with strength.

If we do business with the Knicks, Anunouby should be part of the package. The the Knicks will discover that KAT and KD are not enough under the baskets.