2025 Draft Night Picks Discussion

[sunsbum]

Oh ok. Podcasters are just fans trying to get attention. Never got into them, especially local sports podcasts. I get more out of people here and their/your info. People like you and the other people here have more info than some attention needy sports fans looking for attention. I think I have been on this forum for almost two decades now. Sometimes I’m very interactive and sometimes not very active for periods of time.

But point is, this place has given more insight and information over the last 10-15 years than any other source or attention needy local fans. We don’t always agree and people seem to get so heated at each other sometimes but it’s fun and I don’t take it personal.

I think we have some great posters here (I don't really consider myself one of them! I'm like the color commentary no one asked for lol) theres a few other places I visit from time to time but I always check in here pretty much daily. Sometimes I wish someone from this board would start a bi-weekly podcast or somthing like that but thats a big commitment.

if i did i would never say anything because most of you are way too mean

Bro, I can get nasty. I'm sorry...I actually don't mean to come off as sharp as I am in posts.

[Jesus_H_Macy]

As a resident hater I think I'm liking these moves so far. If we did lose on some of these deals it's at least not immediately obvious like it's been with Jones at the helm. Couldn't keep track of the flurry of traded picks, but it looks like the majority were guaranteed crappy ones so I'm OK with it if these dudes can contribute. I've had an eggplant for Mark Williams on this team for a while but it's because I thought he was an elite defender...hearing that may not be the case anymore. Either way if he stays healthy I think it'll be a good trade for us. What's the GoK take on Maluach? I feel good about it seeming to be a consensus good pick and him being a consensus good prospect but at this stage I'm all out on low IQ players. I want smart skilled players. Dude is massive though and his shot form looks good if slow. We'll see if the plan works out but the aggressive and quick moves indicate they have one, which is promising. If we don't have to pay to dump Beal (or just buy him out or let his contract ride), don't roll with Point Book, and don't dump Allen for nothing (or godforbid pay for that) they'll have my alignment until otherwise skewed.

[Dr Manute]

Now that this team has a real center (or two) and multiple hard nose, defenders - Maybe we should keep Beal for his offense of the bench? Just thinking.

[kennydorglas]

I'm actually hyped for Fleming.
He really looks like a real nba player.

[Rebound Mound]

I like the moves we have made. Not that much the trade with the Rockets, but luckily Maluach was there to be taken at 10.
Then the trade with the Hornets to get Williams is really solid.

Now we need to nail a couple of trades so we can create kind of a logical starting five with a couple of OGs and PFs in addition to our million SGs.

With all that said, Maluach, Green, Dunn, Oso, Fleming and Brea, or even Williams and Gillepie, do not fit the time of Booker (not to mention Beal). If we trade Allen and ONeale or even Beal, and young players arrive, then we could say we have gone from present to future within a few days.

Not bad. That was what many here were asking for. But then, this is not what the management was saying, unless they are delusional and believe we can compete with this roster.

So I believe the plan here is to work towards the future. That is why Booker is going to be paid 75 mllion/year: just to work as the leader of this team while we get competitive, even though that could mean we could have a chance when he is close to retirement. It is a compromise between Ishbia and him so both parts get what they wanted.

P.S. I could not be sadder thinking that Ball Ball will be gone. I believe he was treated unfairly and he has space here to still grow and contribute. Especially now, gaining PT against Dunn, Brooks, Fleming...

[Ghost of Kleine]

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[Ghost of Kleine]

I'm actually hyped for Fleming.
He really looks like a real nba player.

He'll be a better JJ Hickson. Possibly a fringe all star in a couple of years if he develops well.

[lilfishi22]

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I love love LOVE this

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F off Bailey. You have the privilege to play in the NBA and make millions.
Because he chose to be a dick, he's now in Utah instead of possibly Charlotte.
Now you don't go east and find yourself in an even worse situation than you had preferred.

EDIT: Also, Bailey and his agency will make this worse for him during the introductory presser. I hope he gets eaten alive

I didn't do much research into the guys likely to have gone top 5 but isn't Bailey one of those prospects with a pretty high bust potential? I would've passed on him if I was Utah, especially if I had good intel he was going to be a sook already. Absolute loser attitude

[Ghost of Kleine]

Now that this team has a real center (or two) and multiple hard nose, defenders - Maybe we should keep Beal for his offense of the bench? Just thinking.

Yes! Absolutely this. Booker and Green can't be the only ones trying to generate/ carry our offensive load. Beal should be coming off the bench and lighting up other teams benches while showcasing himself too. And they'll expire in two seasons giving us massive cap flexibility to use in 27' free agency.

[lilfishi22]

Finally letting go of Bol Bol. He was just a gimmick. There's a reason he can't get consistent minutes on any team. But it was weird seeing so many people demand he plays when he was obviously not very good and had one of the worst bball IQs I've seen.

That's it. And he's had legit opportunities as well wherever he's gone and under numerous great coaches. Sometimes he has great stretches where he flashes that unicorn potential but it's never consistent, there's always red flags in other glaring areas (defensive awareness for example) and he's turning 26 early next season. The book would've been closed on a lot of young players already if they had the same opportunities Bol's had and still failed to stick.

[Ghost of Kleine]

I haven’t trusted the Suns ability to draft a big man since Armon “The Hammer” Gilliam.

As far as hammers go, how would you compare arm n hammer (armon "hammer" Gilliam) to the polish hammer?? ( Marcin Gortat)?

Hindsight being 20/20, I'd take Gortat then MC Hammer then Sledge Hammer then Armon. I'd definitely take the bands, Hammerhead and Demolition Hammer, as well, before Armon.

To hammer home a point, that is.

[lilfishi22]

Passing on Maxi Raynaud will prove to be a mistake. Sure, landing a great shooter is good, but Maxi is a solid offensive player in so many ways w the potential to play PF as well. Nice asset to have.

Just don’t care for No-D shooters. May be Brea can be coached up, but physical limitations are difficult to overcome come.

Troy Daniels is a perfect example of evidence. Shooters that do nothing else don’t last in the NBA.

One comp I saw for Brea was Jimmer Fredette -- ouch! At least Brea is a bit taller. He does have a skillset to shoot the ball but he will need to find a bit more . Kerr wasn't the most athletic guy out of college

Jimmer was way more of a big time scorer with a big time scorer mentality which he took with him to the NBA and never let go when he should have. He couldn't do much off ball because so much of his value came from being on ball and at the NBA, he just wasn't that guy. Brea is a role player, he knows that and the reason he's a good prospect is because he's great at moving off ball and being able to catch and shoot at a high clip. He's coming into the league knowing what his strength is and I think it's something teams, including, would value.

[BobbieL]

Now that this team has a real center (or two) and multiple hard nose, defenders - Maybe we should keep Beal for his offense of the bench? Just thinking.

Yes! Absolutely this. Booker and Green can't be the only ones trying to generate/ carry our offensive load. Beal should be coming off the bench and lighting up other teams benches while showcasing himself too. And they'll expire in two seasons giving us massive cap flexibility to use in 27' free agency.

I think that is the most pragmatic approach. Even if its just one more year - he becomes a huge expiring next year that another team might want to take on for one year.

But they do need some scoring and he could probably open things up for Brea for instance. He will probably get 18-20ppg

[lilfishi22]

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Good for Devin to get the bag - I am not blaming him one bit for signing the extension
I just am not sure whats the rush but so be it

I think the direction of team with the moves this week - I think they complement his game so time for DBook to ball out , lead this team. Not expecting playoffs. Just basketball that might be more enjoyable to watch

I know 75mil is massive, but in a few years it'll probably be under what max players are getting. Think I read somewhere that players could be getting around 80-90 mil per year, if they get supermax or something.
I sense this was done so in a season or 2, we can consider trading him and not have to worry about him being an expiring and getting lowballed.

Every year one player signs the most expensive contract in NBA history. That's a feature of an increasing salary cap. It just might not be headline making news because it's incrementally more than the last most expensive contract. I remember when everyone's jaws dropped when I think it was Steph who signed the first $200m plus contract like 8yrs ago. Before long you got a bunch of allstar level guys getting $200m contracts and then everyone went crazy when Tatum signed the first $300m plus contract. It's just a pretty cool headline but someone is going to sign a $400m probably by 2028-2029.

[Ghost of Kleine]

As a resident hater I think I'm liking these moves so far. If we did lose on some of these deals it's at least not immediately obvious like it's been with Jones at the helm. Couldn't keep track of the flurry of traded picks, but it looks like the majority were guaranteed crappy ones so I'm OK with it if these dudes can contribute. I've had an eggplant for Mark Williams on this team for a while but it's because I thought he was an elite defender...hearing that may not be the case anymore. Either way if he stays healthy I think it'll be a good trade for us. What's the GoK take on Maluach? I feel good about it seeming to be a consensus good pick and him being a consensus good prospect but at this stage I'm all out on low IQ players. I want smart skilled players. Dude is massive though and his shot form looks good if slow. We'll see if the plan works out but the aggressive and quick moves indicate they have one, which is promising. If we don't have to pay to dump Beal (or just buy him out or let his contract ride), don't roll with Point Book, and don't dump Allen for nothing (or godforbid pay for that) they'll have my alignment until otherwise skewed.

Maluach is a good kid. Kind of spindly frame currently, he doesn't have elite fluidity either, and typical to his size, he's a bit awkward and mechanical in his movements. However, his length is elite, his recovery speed is very impressive, and he seems to have very solid defensive awareness.

It's funny that the Mark Williams comparison is made because he's actually very similar to him in measurables and archetypal outcome. Although I do believe that he'll have a higher ceiling impact due to his shooting potential.

Honestly, he's most likely to fall somewhere between Rudy Gobert and Mark Williams/ Walker Kessler. I don't see him ever being an all defensive center. But he's got a high likelihood of being a high level starter/ impact rotation big.

Alot hinges though on his ability to add strength and weight (too not get pushed around), and his shooting progression too. IF he fully commits to his development, he could
Become a defensive anchor/ 2nd team all defense (best outcome scenario).

[lilfishi22]

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How many years did we waive/stretch Little? I thought he was 5 years but this makes it out to be 6 (with last year being the first)

I believe he had like 3 years left on his deal when he was waived so stretching meant doubling the years left plus 1 for 7 years. His dead salary doesn't come off the books until 2030-2031

[BobbieL]

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How many years did we waive/stretch Little? I thought he was 5 years but this makes it out to be 6 (with last year being the first)

I believe he had like 3 years left on his deal when he was waived so stretching meant doubling the years left plus 1 for 7 years. His dead salary doesn't come off the books until 2030-2031

So he would have been off the books in 2027 and now its 2031 all to sign Lee or Bol.

And Keith Smith did confirm on Twitter that the Suns can buyout Beal at say 95m of his $110m and not stretch him. Granted, that won't give Ishbia the tax savings he wants -- will help get under apron levels - but also doesn't have to stretch him for five years. Essentially, the Suns won't have a tradeable contract but they will have a big expiring in 2027.

Now Ishbia wants to stretch him for one reason -- the tax savings would be like $80-$100m per year. Whereas if Beal took a buyout of $95m - what is that $7.5m per year or a lux tax savings of probably $30m per year

[lilfishi22]

How many years did we waive/stretch Little? I thought he was 5 years but this makes it out to be 6 (with last year being the first)

I believe he had like 3 years left on his deal when he was waived so stretching meant doubling the years left plus 1 for 7 years. His dead salary doesn't come off the books until 2030-2031

So he would have been off the books in 2027 and now its 2031 all to sign Lee or Bol.

Might've even been a trade candidate as a cheapish expiring as soon as next offseason.

Honestly though, it might be a smallish price to pay if it stops Ishbia from turning Beal into $20m+ and 5 years worth of dead salary.

[BobbieL]

I believe he had like 3 years left on his deal when he was waived so stretching meant doubling the years left plus 1 for 7 years. His dead salary doesn't come off the books until 2030-2031

So he would have been off the books in 2027 and now its 2031 all to sign Lee or Bol.

Might've even been a trade candidate as a cheapish expiring as soon as next offseason.

Honestly though, it might be a smallish price to pay if it stops Ishbia from turning Beal into $20m+ and 5 years worth of dead salary.

Zero doubt. He would have stretched Beal for five years.

But if you can get
Richards 5
Martin 8.6
Allen and O’Neale - say 10 combined
Beal 7.5 per year on a 95m buyout / if it works that way

That’s over 30m… pretty close to the second apron. Granted also have to pay players the vet min

[bwgood77]

The one positive when talking about the cap, Book's future salary and our draft pick situation, is that with us having late first round picks (like we have the worst of 3-4 teams' first round pick in 27. 28, and 30) is that a late first round picks is pretty much the best cost controlled young talent contract you can have (of course if the player adds value on the court)...you retain the rights for 4 years with team options in years 3 and 4 and right to match a contract or extend after that.

When looking at our picks, I know we had originally swapped our 26 pick, but where it lists all the details here with our 28 and 30 pick it says ("with pick incoming") but with 26, it doesn't.

Did we somehow deal our 2026 pick in one of the trades we did since we had a 2027 pick from the 2031 unprotected pick trade? I know we gave up pick 29 and a 2029 first we got from the 2031 unprotected pick trade, but know we still have the 2027 pick we got and thought we had all our swaps for 26, 28 and 30.

But it doesn't appear by the language here that we have a 26 first.

https://basketball.realgm.com/nba/draft/future_drafts/detailed