The Official 2025 Offseason Thread Part 1

[Ghost of Kleine]

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[BobbieL]

That's the last key for us to get a KD haul**

We need Denver to somehow upset OKC. Then OKC will panic and trade for Giannis....which in turn raises the stakes for Houston.

I think OKC can easily do a Chet/Caruso/Cason Wallace deal plus picks for him.

That happens, Houston will HAVE to make a deal. With us.

Presti hasn't panicked yet - he has a vision
Doesn't mean Presti won't make a trade but my guess it wouldn't be for Durant

I didn't say for KD, he trades for Giannis.

My bad -- I misread. Now that might make more sense - Giannis to OKC. They have the trade assets for sure

I also think Spurs make some sense for Giannis

[TeamTragic]

Read on Twitter

Zero interest in Green unless he is moved to a third team for picks or Zion.

[dremill24]

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Zero interest in Green unless he is moved to a third team for picks or Zion.

I think someone like Utah, Brooklyn, or maybe even Dallas could have some interest in Green if it played out that way.

[sunsfan1o1]

I think Jabari Smith is reasonable to get in a trade
I just am not sure it will be this A++ trade
The Rockets are trending in the right direction. Why do something stupid like what Ishy did

Hence- why I think if the Rockets trade for Durant - many Suns fans will be underwhelmed

Because no one is beating the Thunder or Celtics for the foreseeable future with their current roster construction.
Thompson and Brooks plus 3 unprotected 1sts
Or Smith and Thompson and picks
Or Smith, Brooks, Eason, Sheppard and all our picks back.

Knicks are a key bench player away from pushing Celtics.

No they’re not but ok.
Pistons should have won that series if NBA wasn’t rigged.
But Pistons and Magic will both be better than the Knicks next year

[sunsfan1o1]

I don't think the third one
I don't think they are giving up Thompson and 3 unprotected FRPs unless you mean their own picks
But I think they like Thompson

My guess it will be Brooks, Smith and a couple of the Suns picks back

0% chance Rockets are giving Amen in any trade

Yep. Reports say he's untouchable.

IMO, if I'm the Rockets, the only way I'm giving up Amen is if it's in a deal for Giannis. That's it. Not for Booker, and certainly not for KD

Then they don’t get KD. Simple as that. Or they can send back all the suns picks back plus Brooks and Smith.
They’re not beating the thunder with their roster ever.

[sunsfan1o1]

I don't think the third one
I don't think they are giving up Thompson and 3 unprotected FRPs unless you mean their own picks
But I think they like Thompson

My guess it will be Brooks, Smith and a couple of the Suns picks back

0% chance Rockets are giving Amen in any trade

I think Suns fans are going off the Durant to the Nets trade as a baseline for the Rockets. That was a stupid owner making a trade

I think the Rockets see the future. Yes, a player like Durant would have helped them in the half court last night. But this is also YEAR 1 - they aren't going to do something stupid -- stupid owners are saved for the Suns

Brooks, Jock Londale, maybe Jabari Smith and a couple FRPs - one the Suns and maybe one of Houstons -- that will be about. Maybe the glass is half empty but I just don't see anything more than "thats a good trade considering where the Suns are at, Durant is at.." from the NBA pundits and analysts type of narrative.

Yea ok.
Rockets can be like every other NBA team then and exit playoffs in the 1st or 2nd round for the next 3-5 years until they can’t afford their roster anymore.

[Saberestar]

Gerald Bourguet

The Suns announce the introductory press conference for new GM Brian Gregory will be tomorrow at 3:30 PM

[BobbieL]

0% chance Rockets are giving Amen in any trade

Yep. Reports say he's untouchable.

IMO, if I'm the Rockets, the only way I'm giving up Amen is if it's in a deal for Giannis. That's it. Not for Booker, and certainly not for KD

Then they don’t get KD. Simple as that. They’re not beating the thunder with Amen any time soon

What if the above is the best trade option they have? Are you keeping Durant out of spite and keeping the same issues you had this past year with less ability in the future to improve your roster and will be stuck with Durant as an expiring or trade deadline deal

The Suns just don't the leverage. Booker - sure - they don't need to take a better than below an solid A trade. Durant is a different story

[sunsfan1o1]

Yep. Reports say he's untouchable.

IMO, if I'm the Rockets, the only way I'm giving up Amen is if it's in a deal for Giannis. That's it. Not for Booker, and certainly not for KD

Then they don’t get KD. Simple as that. They’re not beating the thunder with Amen any time soon

What if the above is the best trade option they have? Are you keeping Durant out of spite and keeping the same issues you had this past year with less ability in the future

The Suns just don't the leverage. Booker - sure - they don't need to take a better than below a solid A trade. Durant is a different story

Yup. They’re not beating the thunder unless they get a HOF superstar like KD.
They won’t beat Mavs, Nuggets, and probably Suns (depending what we do) in the next 3 years either. If lakers get size and defense they won’t beat them either. Minnesota isn’t going anywhere. Spurs are coming.
I don’t think the Rockets are that good. They lost to a playin team.
Amen is ok but it’s not that serious.
Sengun and Jalen Green showed us they’re not built for high intensity playoff games. Smith is a bust. Tari Eason isn’t getting any better. Whitmore and Sheppard are trash.
FVV is old. Brooks has limited shelf life left.
All they have is Amen and our picks.

[King4Day]

Gerald Bourguet

The Suns announce the introductory press conference for new GM Brian Gregory will be tomorrow at 3:30 PM

Oof that's going to be a rough one. I hope the media people grill them about the idea Ishbia hired his yes-man

[sunsfan1o1]

Yep. Reports say he's untouchable.

IMO, if I'm the Rockets, the only way I'm giving up Amen is if it's in a deal for Giannis. That's it. Not for Booker, and certainly not for KD

Then they don’t get KD. Simple as that. They’re not beating the thunder with Amen any time soon

What if the above is the best trade option they have? Are you keeping Durant out of spite and keeping the same issues you had this past year with less ability in the future to improve your roster and will be stuck with Durant as an expiring or trade deadline deal

The Suns just don't the leverage. Booker - sure - they don't need to take a better than below an solid A trade. Durant is a different story

Suns already addressed their biggest issues (coach and gm).
The next issue is role players.
KD Book and Beal are not issues

[BobbieL]

Then they don’t get KD. Simple as that. They’re not beating the thunder with Amen any time soon

What if the above is the best trade option they have? Are you keeping Durant out of spite and keeping the same issues you had this past year with less ability in the future to improve your roster and will be stuck with Durant as an expiring or trade deadline deal

The Suns just don't the leverage. Booker - sure - they don't need to take a better than below an solid A trade. Durant is a different story

Suns already addressed their biggest issues (coach and gm).
The next issue is role players.
KD Book and Beal are not issues

If those three are back - the team at best will win 35 games. They are the problem - meaning those three are not complementary players. Beal can be released or traded but you are not improving the team.

[Ghost of Kleine]

Read on Twitter

Zero interest in Green unless he is moved to a third team for picks or Zion.

I think someone like Utah, Brooklyn, or maybe even Dallas could have some interest in Green if it played out that way.

What about to Brooklyn for Johnson? Or JGreen/ Richards/ 1 future 1st (from KD trade) for Johnson/ Claxton? Brooklyn needs quite a bit of salary to fill out their roster and meet the league threshold anyways. And they also aren't yet co8se to competing either. So they'd have time towards youth development with J Green being a good young core project for them?

[Saberestar]

Jake Fischer

The Rockets, league sources say, did not see
themselves as a championship threat ...not even
after snagging the West's No. 2 seed.

They understand that the Thunder, while even younger
are farther along in the chase for true contention
Yet much like Oklahoma City last season, Houstor nad been planning to use this entire seasor especially the playoffs - to evaluate a roster filled with recent lottery picks the plan was always to capitalize on the crucible of the postseason for crucial data collection before deciding what major swings, if any, to take this offseason it was strongly conveyed to The Stein Line going Into the playoffs that a Houston trade pursuit of Durant had become even "less likely" than previously thought.

The Suns naturally want the Rockets to want to Durant and, according to league sources, did try to engage them in Durant dialogue before the Feb.6 trade deadline.

It makes total sense for Phoenix, given that
Houston has swap-rights control of the Suns
first-round pick this June and again in 2027 and
2029, but the Rockets passed on the concept then and remain resistant to entertaining the idea of surrendering premium assets in a trade for a 36-year-old with one season left on his current contract.

https://www.reddit.com/r/nba/s/eNPJMrO5zl

[KdoubleDees23]

Suns trade KD
Bucks trade Giannis
Houston trades Jabari Smith, Jalen Green, Whitmore, and 1st

Suns get Giannis lol

[Rebound Mound]

If I am the Rockets I would not do a single important move this summer. Just retaining all the players, hope for the draft balls to be benefitial (let's see what Silver thinks... let's hope he does not want Flagg to SAS and ruin 15 years of NBA basketball)... I would just hire a good player development coach for Green, as well as a psychologist... that would be all.
Neither Giannis, nor KD fits their timetable. Too old or too many two pointers in a game where threes are essential.

Signing Adams, if he is not signed, get someone for Landale and, depending on the draft selection, trade Green or have a little patience. The boy has shown flashes of brilliance that have to be extended.

Other teams are dying for them to make mistakes. Especially, us. I would not trade Jabari, Green, Sheppard, Adams or a single pick for Kevin go to shoot 25 shots no matter what even if that means we are going to loose Durant.

[Ghost of Kleine]

What if the above is the best trade option they have? Are you keeping Durant out of spite and keeping the same issues you had this past year with less ability in the future to improve your roster and will be stuck with Durant as an expiring or trade deadline deal

The Suns just don't the leverage. Booker - sure - they don't need to take a better than below an solid A trade. Durant is a different story

Suns already addressed their biggest issues (coach and gm).
The next issue is role players.
KD Book and Beal are not issues

If those three are back - the team at best will win 35 games. They are the problem - meaning those three are not complementary players. Beal can be released or traded but you are not improving the team.

I'd think they'd just resign him, and then look to move him around the trade deadline again? But honestly, Giannis won't be leaving Milwaukee this season, and those teams building a package for him will either have to wait till next summer!

Or else, they might just get impatient and pivot to KD because obviously he'll cost much less than what will be surrendered for Giannis. Not every team has enough assets or the roster composition or situation that would make them legitimate options for Giannis or teams he'd consider. Those teams will understand that and pivot to KD for a slight bargain if possible.


Overall I'm not exceptionally worried about the KD offers we'll get apart from the distinct likelihood of multiple GMs salivating at the idea of our inexperienced GM and how they'll all intend to try and fleece us now! We really needed Bob Meyers, David Griffin or another well established name!


Because the majority of other GMs' will probably look at our new " dreamteam duo" of Gregory ( YES MAN PUPPET) and Ishbia (Silent puppet master/ 2K GM behind the scenes) and say.....................................

EASY PICKINGS!!!
But then shortly after, Booker will ask out once he signs his contract and understands that we can't come close to competing with this front office now or in the immediate future.

[sunsfan1o1]

What if the above is the best trade option they have? Are you keeping Durant out of spite and keeping the same issues you had this past year with less ability in the future to improve your roster and will be stuck with Durant as an expiring or trade deadline deal

The Suns just don't the leverage. Booker - sure - they don't need to take a better than below an solid A trade. Durant is a different story

Suns already addressed their biggest issues (coach and gm).
The next issue is role players.
KD Book and Beal are not issues

If those three are back - the team at best will win 35 games. They are the problem - meaning those three are not complementary players. Beal can be released or traded but you are not improving the team.

Again the issue was 1. Coaching 2. Lack of heart, 3. Size, 4. Soft

Beal, Booker and KD are none of those.

James jones targets only soft redundant players.

Keep the core 3 and Dunn and trade everyone else. Find 2 7 footers who rebound, lob threats, and don’t back down from anyone.
Find a lenky 6’8 athletic sf who just wants to play defense and can catch lobs and make wide open 3s.
Get Schroder or someone similar.
Get 1, I repeat ONLY 1 sharpshooter.
That’s all you need. Fill out the rest of the roster with this years draft picks and a vet who doesn’t play but has a presence and respect in the locker room amongst the players ie Jeff Green, James Johnson, Markieff, Deandre Jordan, Tristan Thompson.
Hire Royal Ivey or a gritty coach.
This team will be a top 3 seed.

[lilfishi22]

Hey, I asked ChatGPT to post a typical Ghost of Kleine trade. It doesn't seem typical, but here was what I got:

Can you write a typical Ghost of Kleine realgm Phoenix Suns NBA trade idea?

ChatGPT said:
Sure! A typical "Ghost of Kleine" trade idea for the Phoenix Suns would likely focus on a move that addresses the team's needs while also staying realistic within the constraints of NBA salary cap rules, while possibly shaking things up a bit with an unconventional or bold angle. These types of trade ideas usually try to balance short-term improvement with long-term flexibility.

Here’s a trade idea that would be in line with the kind of moves you'd expect from a "Ghost of Kleine" scenario for the Suns:

Trade Idea:

Phoenix Suns Receive:

Jaren Jackson Jr. (MEM) – Defensive anchor, stretch-5 potential, rising star.

Steven Adams (MEM) – Rebounder and tough interior presence, low-maintenance veteran.

Memphis Grizzlies Receive:

Devin Booker (PHX) – Elite scorer, franchise centerpiece, and team leader.

Damion Lee (PHX) – Solid 3&D contributor on a reasonable contract.

Rationale:

Suns: This is a bold move to retool their team around a defensively dominant core. Jaren Jackson Jr. gives them an elite shot-blocker and versatile defender at both the 4 and 5 spots. Adams adds depth to the center position with his rebounding and physicality. The Suns would lean on their remaining star (likely Kevin Durant, assuming Booker is dealt), while building a more balanced roster that can contend in a defensive-minded way. Additionally, adding Jackson gives them someone who could grow into a top-tier 3rd option alongside KD.

Grizzlies: Memphis is in "win-now" mode, especially with Ja Morant's window opening. Adding Booker to pair with Ja gives them a dynamic backcourt and an elite scorer to complement Morant. In exchange for Jackson and Adams, they get a 3rd superstar that can carry them through the post-season. Booker also adds the perimeter shooting and offensive reliability Memphis needs. The draft pick and Lee make the trade work financially, while also offering Memphis some future flexibility.

Why it Works:
For Phoenix: The Suns are taking a chance by trading Booker, but they would do so to build a roster that could ultimately thrive in a more balanced, defensive-oriented structure. With Durant and Jackson anchoring the team, plus Adams bringing toughness, the Suns might lean into a slower, more physical playstyle to make a push in the West.

For Memphis: Adding Booker is an instant upgrade, giving them another go-to scorer alongside Morant. With the young duo, Memphis could quickly ascend to the upper echelons of the Western Conference, having found their offensive leader to complement their strong defensive system.

Of course, this is one of those trades that would be debated heavily online—some people would argue the Suns are giving up too much in terms of future assets, while others might say it's time to pivot and let the older Durant lead the charge while they develop a more well-rounded team.

What do you think, does this look like the kind of trade you'd see from "Ghost of Kleine" on RealGM?

Still sounds too much like a human wrote this. Run it through about 5 more times and make it sound less like how people would normally write. Make sure to throw in a lot of phrases that everyday people just don't use like "furnished evidence of inside information establishing pattern of outcome and correlative substantiative factors towards my position."