The Official 2025 Offseason Thread Part 3

[KdoubleDees23]

We are not trading the #10 unless we get a proven player. Stop the insanity.

hahahahaha Suns about to prove out #10 and draft a bust like we always do. Give me Lauri for #10 and beal I would even give give a future pick!

[BobbieL]

I would do Beal for Dame in a heartbeat.

Me too but I think the reason it doesn't happen is because it doesn't drop our salary and I get the impression that is the key reason we want to move on from Beal.

Unless they can move Allen and O’Neale for less money

I just think Dame not playing helps

[DirtyDez]

We are not trading the #10 unless we get a proven player. Stop the insanity.

We have clowns running this franchise and we’re supposed to stop the insanity?

[TeamTragic]

We are not trading the #10 unless we get a proven player. Stop the insanity.

We have clowns running this franchise and we’re supposed to stop the insanity?

Do we want more insanity?

[lilfishi22]

Dont tell me that RJ and 9 wouldn't have been better than this. Or basically anything that was kinda rumoured. 2 idi*ts who cant play nba basketball with bad contracts. wtf

If RJ and 9 is all you're comparing to, I'll take Brooks and 10 any day of the week.

Oh wow, thats a bad take. Brooks is a clown that noone likes or respects in the league. He is 29 on a bad contract, and shoots 42% from the field and 35% from 3 for his career. He is like 6'5, doesnt rebound, gets as many assists as turnovers, not athletic, basically no improvement over his career. What is there to like about him or his play? Turd on a stick. Clown, wannabe toughguy who is not tough. He is a joke.
Meanwhile RJ 25, on an OK contract, athletic, averaging 20+/6/5 for basically the last 3 years... not sure what to say about that opinion...

I'm not a Brooks fan but the guy did all the dirty work (for better or for worse), shot 40% from 3 last season on over 6 attempts a game, the last 3 years played 72-75 games, doesn't take shots away from scorers, pretty low turnover guy and 3 seasons ago was an all-defensive 2nd team guy. He's also on $21.1m this season and next season it's down to $20m and expiring.

Would I prefer RJ? Yeah maybe but he's also more expensive and while he's younger, he's also not had much improvement over his career either. Basically been the same 20ppg scorer since the 3rd season in the league. He's also a worse shooter than Brooks.

[lilfishi22]

I would do Beal for Dame in a heartbeat.

Me too but I think the reason it doesn't happen is because it doesn't drop our salary and I get the impression that is the key reason we want to move on from Beal.

Unless they can move Allen and O’Neale for less money

I just think Dame not playing helps

That should be looked at regardless though. I don't know what the FO is thinking but the impression I'm getting based on all the talks about waiving and potentially stretching Beal, it sounds like they want to drop salary by a fair bit. Moving Allen and Royce also won't make a huge dent in salary reduction because it's more than likely teams at best will be able to give us back 10-25% less in outgoing salary unless we find a team that's just happy to absorb their salary entirely into cap space (haven't look but I doubt it). It's meaningful but I just feel like the want to go further

[Mulhollanddrive]

So whos in the 10 range with a big wingspan that plays SF/PF thats who were targetting

[Fo-Real]

So whos in the 10 range with a big wingspan that plays SF/PF thats who were targetting

Carter Bryant U of A?

[KdoubleDees23]

So whos in the 10 range with a big wingspan that plays SF/PF thats who were targetting

Carter Bryant U of A?

Hahaha give me Markannen or any vet over that scrub

[Ghost of Kleine]

Ring Magic and offer O'neil and Allen for Bitatzde and Isaacs.... give them 4 second rounders from Rockets as enticement.

No! Just no on giving up 4 2nd rounders for Bidatze and Isaac. Maybe 2, but definitely not 4 2nds man. That'd just he negligence at this point.

I mean if one of them is #59 in this year's draft its barely even a pick lol

I don't really care that much about the 59th pick, although they're likely to try and package it with other assets (acquired 2nds/ players) and try to move up higher in the 2nd round for specific targets.

But even at 59, you could still get some really good under the radar talent like Obinna Anuchili Killen, Aaron Scott, David Nguessan, Lamont Butler, RJ Felton, Jackson Moni, Cliff Omoruyi, Hunter Dickinson, Ousmane N'diaye,
Tucker Devries, Nate Bittle, Grant Nelson, etc.

But obviously, we need to have learned from giving away too much of our assets carelessly. I'd be ok with giving the Boston 2nds in 2030 and 2032. BUT we absolutely MUST KEEP the two 2026 2nds because that draft is absolutely loaded in both rounds.

Heck, I'd even be willing to instead give up one of our CLE "least of' 1sts rather than our newly acquired 2nds man. But honestly, after getting Bane, I don't see the magic having any interest whatsoever in Allen.

We just need to be smart and leverage the 10th pick along with a package of Allen/ Martin / Richards OR O'neale/ Martin/ Richards to Brooklyn for Claxton/ Clowney/ 19th pick/ 26th pick/:36th pick and possibly a future protected 1st (28)??

This way we'd have addressed our starting caliber defensive center option and exchange the 10th pick for multiple picks/ swings on young, athletic cost controlled talent to fill out multiple positions of need on our roster! And with the money saved from those rookie scale contracts generating more flexibility, we can target specific quality free agents.

Or we could just take that package and target Cam Johnson and those picks, and then package Allen or O'neale/ CLE 1st/ 2 2nds for Mark Williams or maybe do a deal for Valuncias or Vucevic?? But no more frivolously giving away draft assets.

That's the kind of shortsighted moves that got us into this mess. And we're going to definitely need all the assets we can get after the Suns took this puzzlingly bad illogical offer.

[DirtyDez]

We are not trading the #10 unless we get a proven player. Stop the insanity.

We have clowns running this franchise and we’re supposed to stop the insanity?

Do we want more insanity?

Wanting =/= expecting

[Ghost of Kleine]

Read on Twitter

I don't' want us to buy him out but if we do, absolutely don't stretch

Agreed! Let him expire to give us upwards of 60-70 million for the very loaded 27' free agency!

[Ghost of Kleine]

Is it possible to trade Beal for Lauri if the Suns give up the 10th pick? Would Beal approve, knowing he'd get bought out by the Jazz and a number of teams were interested in him for the MLE? Would the Jazz be willing to move Lauri for that?

Why are you so hellbent on trading away our only lotto.pick for close to the next decade man? Especially when we need young, athletic, cost controlled talent and were obviously nowhere close to competing.

I like Lauri, but come on now.

You've suggested trading out of the 9th or 10th pick after getting it in a KD deal countless times...

The difference in case you missed it man is that in my suggestions, I actually have us getting back multiple picks as well as picking up either Claxton or Johnson. Not just trading out of the lottery for a vet option and no other picks in a reload scenario that still isn't helping us compete anyways.

[Ghost of Kleine]

Is it possible to trade Beal for Lauri if the Suns give up the 10th pick? Would Beal approve, knowing he'd get bought out by the Jazz and a number of teams were interested in him for the MLE? Would the Jazz be willing to move Lauri for that?

Why are you so hellbent on trading away our only lotto.pick for close to the next decade man? Especially when we need young, athletic, cost controlled talent and were obviously nowhere close to competing.

I like Lauri, but come on now.

Because the SUNS are the worst drafting franchise in NBA history. I would take Markannen over anyone in this draft minus the top 2. That is probably why I would do it.

Were! Context matters though. You're talking about the period under Saver wherein he was such a parsimonious tightwad that we basically had no legitimate scouting department and ran a skeleton crew front office!! That contextually might have played a significant role in our unfortunate outcome.

Also, hiring a disinterested grifter "Yes man" in Jones who admitted that he didn't care about or even value the draft. So BOTH of those factors were significant negatives in actually identifying solid talent. Yet for all Ishbias' negatives, he's shown the willingness to actually spend on a legitimate front office and scouting department.

And low and behold, our last two drafts have identified solid underrated impact talents like Camara, Dunn, and Ighodaro. Obviously not bad for a small sample size under our new owner! But more importantly, it'd be important to consider that it's highly unlikely that Utah would even consider trading Markannen for the 10th pick when you reference their stated interest in koving up into the top 3 of the draft.

Although, we could likely swing a trade for Collins or Sexton and the 22nd pick for the 10 knowing Ainge if we're willing to get fleeced again for a lesser return than the value that we're giving up?

[Jesus_H_Macy]

GoK who would you take at 10 if we stay there (sorry if you already said and I missed it)

[Sunsdeuce]

Windhorst Thinks Suns Are More Likely to Trade Dillon Brooks Than Jalen Green

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25211717-windhorst-thinks-suns-are-more-likely-trade-dillon-brooks-jalen-green

Nah, we need to keep Brooks. This team desperately needs a lion. We have no alpha males in this team. Brooks is the type of player you want when you play the Luka’s of the world. Brooks is automatically the team leader and alpha on this team. Losing ain’t acceptable to him. He won’t be nonchalant about losing like Booker is. Brooks needs to stay!!!!

Windhorst also noted: "My understanding is that they're going to be aggressive this week," ESPN's Tim Bontemps said. "They're going to try to retool the roster... this is not the last move they're going to make. So we'll see (what) this team looks (like) in a couple of weeks."

[starbosa10]

Windhorst Thinks Suns Are More Likely to Trade Dillon Brooks Than Jalen Green

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25211717-windhorst-thinks-suns-are-more-likely-trade-dillon-brooks-jalen-green

Nah, we need to keep Brooks. This team desperately needs a lion. We have no alpha males in this team. Brooks is the type of player you want when you play the Luka’s of the world. Brooks is automatically the team leader and alpha on this team. Losing ain’t acceptable to him. He won’t be nonchalant about losing like Booker is. Brooks needs to stay!!!!

Windhorst also noted: "My understanding is that they're going to be aggressive this week," ESPN's Tim Bontemps said. "They're going to try to retool the roster... this is not the last move they're going to make. So we'll see (what) this team looks (like) in a couple of weeks."

I agree we could use someone with Brooks' attitude, i do think he is more likely to get traded just from the aspect that Brooks will have much more of a market around the league for the reason you just mentioned. Jalen doesn't have much of a market

[TeamTragic]

Windhorst Thinks Suns Are More Likely to Trade Dillon Brooks Than Jalen Green

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25211717-windhorst-thinks-suns-are-more-likely-trade-dillon-brooks-jalen-green

Nah, we need to keep Brooks. This team desperately needs a lion. We have no alpha males in this team. Brooks is the type of player you want when you play the Luka’s of the world. Brooks is automatically the team leader and alpha on this team. Losing ain’t acceptable to him. He won’t be nonchalant about losing like Booker is. Brooks needs to stay!!!!

Windhorst also noted: "My understanding is that they're going to be aggressive this week," ESPN's Tim Bontemps said. "They're going to try to retool the roster... this is not the last move they're going to make. So we'll see (what) this team looks (like) in a couple of weeks."

Not interested in trading either Green/Brooks unless we get a nice haul.

Focus on Beal and Allen/O'Neale. Then circle back and fill in the gaps.

[Sunsdeuce]

Windhorst Thinks Suns Are More Likely to Trade Dillon Brooks Than Jalen Green

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25211717-windhorst-thinks-suns-are-more-likely-trade-dillon-brooks-jalen-green

Nah, we need to keep Brooks. This team desperately needs a lion. We have no alpha males in this team. Brooks is the type of player you want when you play the Luka’s of the world. Brooks is automatically the team leader and alpha on this team. Losing ain’t acceptable to him. He won’t be nonchalant about losing like Booker is. Brooks needs to stay!!!!

Windhorst also noted: "My understanding is that they're going to be aggressive this week," ESPN's Tim Bontemps said. "They're going to try to retool the roster... this is not the last move they're going to make. So we'll see (what) this team looks (like) in a couple of weeks."

Not interested in trading either Green/Brooks unless we get a nice haul.

Focus on Beal and Allen/O'Neale. Then circle back and fill in the gaps.

I want Allen gone the most of any player. Most overpayed/useless player on the suns. If his threes weren’t falling he offered nothing else to this team. There was a myth he played great defense but that was proven false. I think I dislike Grayson more than I dislike KDs twitter account.

[Ghost of Kleine]

Is it possible to trade Beal for Lauri if the Suns give up the 10th pick? Would Beal approve, knowing he'd get bought out by the Jazz and a number of teams were interested in him for the MLE? Would the Jazz be willing to move Lauri for that?

Why are you so hellbent on trading away our only lotto.pick for close to the next decade man? Especially when we need young, athletic, cost controlled talent and were obviously nowhere close to competing.

I like Lauri, but come on now.

Why are you so hellbent on trading all of our players for draft picks? Every year, its the same thing. Trade our players for other players, then flip those guys to other teams to get draft picks. Then consolidate draft picks for a higher pick, or even trade down to obtain even more draft picks. I get it... you want the Suns to have 10 guys on rookie contracts, that are cost-controlled that way they have complete financial flexibility to do anything.

I wouldn't say Suns aren't close to competing. Everyone thought Warriors were done competing after 2021 not making the playoffs. Then the following season they won the championship. The Lakers traded away Shaq, had a couple of terrible seasons with just Kobe Bryant, then they traded for Pau Gasol and then they were good again and made 3 straight Finals appearances, winning 2 of them.

Additionally, I am basing my posts on what I am hearing about Beal possibly being traded. Last time I checked, nobody wanted Beal, and so in order to trade him, Suns might have to attach something of value. I was only trying to flip trading Beal into a player that might actually help the team.

I don't mind keeping the pick by the way.

The thing is man that obviously, the last two drafts yielded pretty positive results for us wouldn't you say?? It's not about having 10 players on rookie scale contracts or even about having a team filled with rookies either! We've tried this whole three max players " superteam" strategy, and obviously it hasn't played off at all.

Now we've already given up our entire cache of draft assets and flexibility for what exactly?? 36 wins and no assets and a passive, unathletic, undersized team that doesn't play defense, puts out questionable effort and can't even make the playoffs.

On top of that, look at our draft pick situation for the next decade or so. Prior to the KD trade, we'd have maybe 2 "least valuable of" 1sts that'll at best be in the late 20s if not the very end of the 1st round.

Putting aside the obvious that Utah likely wouldn't exchange Beal for Markannen even with the 10th pick because they're invested in trading into the top 3 of the draft with Philly, There's that little annoying key detail in that Beal has the NTC and would have to agree to he traded to whatever team we think of first.

And the likelihood of him agreeing to go to Utah ( who'd be a lottery team, moreso than they already are after trading Markannen) and he's gone on record stating he doesn't want that or to go to a place that's not on his list (Miami, LA, Golden state, and Denver) with Denver only because of Jokic.

Utah has neither consideration though man. So it's just not happening anyways. Please don't get me wrong here! I like Markannen, and think your creativity has been very impressive too. But mortgaging value and flexibility is what put us in this whole predicament and this just feels like doing it all over again.

The reason that we need to NOT attach the 10th pick just to try and swap out Markannen for Beal (would admittedly be awesome but never happen because of his NTC) is because we can leverage it for better cost effective options that'll allow us to upgrade through multiple mechanisms.

Again, if there were a world where it could happen, then kudos because it would very cleverly reset the Durant archetype (to a lesser extent) with a younger floor spacing option. But we'd still be up against the 2nd apron or more likely over once Booker's 8% increase hits along with our other scale increases and now you've given away our only legitimate lottery pick until 2032 and were only left with those CLE low value " least of" late firsts.

So we'll once again be hamstrung without flexibility to make any moves or upgrades, and we also won't be able to add young athletic talent, size, etc to develop desirable trade assets either except in using those 27 and 29 late 1sts. Unless we can somehow trade Allen and O'neale for more cheap players and picks?

It's intruiging and very creative, but doesn't really offer flexibility or cap reduction and young talent acquisition to balance our roster. Otherwise it's great!