The Official 2025 Offseason Thread Part 3

[Sunsdeuce]

Suns have leverage with the league regarding centers this off season. I was going through looking for teams interested in Nick Richards and found this.

Bucks need a center.
https://behindthebuckpass.com/unexpected-draft-night-bucks-patch-center-problem

“To be blunt, the market this summer, whether that's through trade, free agency, or the draft, is not robust with centers. The Milwaukee Bucks won't have many options to address their glaring need. Richards could be a low-risk, low-cost big man who could help give this team some needed depth, whether it's via free agency or trade. They must monitor the situation.”

Bottom line, Nick has a lot of value right now. He’s a quality center on a very cheap contract. The Suns better guarantee his money because they will get assets back in a trade. He’s probably the valuable player for the Suns to get some assets back.

Here are some other sites I found discussing the need for Nick Richard’s. Nick is going to be in demand. If the Suns play their cards right, a protected 1st for Nick shouldn’t be out of the question.

https://pippenainteasy.com/suns-suddenly-crowded-frontcourt-should-have-bulls-clamoring-for-trade

https://lakeshowlife.com/lakers-next-trade-impossible-ignore-2025-nba-draft

[dremill24]

Suns have leverage with the league regarding centers this off season. I was going through looking for teams interested in Nick Richards and found this.

Bucks need a center.
https://behindthebuckpass.com/unexpected-draft-night-bucks-patch-center-problem

“To be blunt, the market this summer, whether that's through trade, free agency, or the draft, is not robust with centers. The Milwaukee Bucks won't have many options to address their glaring need. Richards could be a low-risk, low-cost big man who could help give this team some needed depth, whether it's via free agency or trade. They must monitor the situation.”

Bottom line, Nick has a lot of value right now. He’s a quality center on a very cheap contract. The Suns better guarantee his money because they will get assets back in a trade. He’s probably the valuable player for the Suns to get some assets back.

Here are some other sites I found discussing the need for Nick Richard’s. Nick is going to be in demand. If the Suns play their cards right, a protected 1st for Nick shouldn’t be out of the question.

https://pippenainteasy.com/suns-suddenly-crowded-frontcourt-should-have-bulls-clamoring-for-trade

https://lakeshowlife.com/lakers-next-trade-impossible-ignore-2025-nba-draft

Lets not get too carried away...he was just traded to a desperate team 5 months ago and returned two 2nds (net). Suddenly fetching any 1st round pick would be...something lol

[Sunsdeuce]

Suns have leverage with the league regarding centers this off season. I was going through looking for teams interested in Nick Richards and found this.

Bucks need a center.
https://behindthebuckpass.com/unexpected-draft-night-bucks-patch-center-problem

“To be blunt, the market this summer, whether that's through trade, free agency, or the draft, is not robust with centers. The Milwaukee Bucks won't have many options to address their glaring need. Richards could be a low-risk, low-cost big man who could help give this team some needed depth, whether it's via free agency or trade. They must monitor the situation.”

Bottom line, Nick has a lot of value right now. He’s a quality center on a very cheap contract. The Suns better guarantee his money because they will get assets back in a trade. He’s probably the valuable player for the Suns to get some assets back.

Here are some other sites I found discussing the need for Nick Richard’s. Nick is going to be in demand. If the Suns play their cards right, a protected 1st for Nick shouldn’t be out of the question.

https://pippenainteasy.com/suns-suddenly-crowded-frontcourt-should-have-bulls-clamoring-for-trade

https://lakeshowlife.com/lakers-next-trade-impossible-ignore-2025-nba-draft

Lets not get too carried away...he was just traded to a desperate team 5 months ago and returned two 2nds (net). Suddenly fetching any 1st round pick would be...something lol

Either way, he should absolutely get some assets back to the suns.

[Bogyo]

IDK guys im pretty excited about what the FO has done with trades/draft. We are now a young team with some great potential with our younger guys. I am actually excited to watch basketball now, last years team was a buzzkill, I maybe watched 2-3 games, couldn't stomach it. We got younger and got some size. I am not epexcting a deep playoff push but I am excited to watch the youth.

I liked our draft for sure. I also liked the trades done to get Fleming. Some smooth manuvering right there, which was never seen from JJ and his merry men... However, I do think that giving up two 1sts (albeit not too good ones) is a bit much for someone who has spent 2/3rds of his time on injured list during his first 3 NBA seasons. To me that just screams that he will not stay healthy, no matter what. I like him as a player, but he will likely not play an average of 50 games per year during his career. Is that worth 2 firsts?

Anyhow, drafting seems fine, and the mauvering as well as I said, so thats an A from me to answer the poll. Maybe an A- if I take the two 1st for Williams as a draft-day trade.

Also excited to see some of our youngins, as last years soul-less shell of a team would make me want to kill myself. I do not think we'll make the playoffs (unless we strike gold in trades and FA as well), so not sure why we are keeping Book - but thats another topic.

[Bogyo]

On another note, it's absolutely amazing what Presti has done. Not only are they the 2nd youngest team to win a title, but they were missing their rookie lottery pick, Nikola Topic this year, so next year they have Sorber, nearly a lottery pick at 15, and last year's 12th pick in Topic, starting. Then the next 2 years they have their own firsts plus all these coming from other teams...(and more coming from other teams the years after that)...

Other than getting lucky to win the championship since you can’t touch SGA it’s actually bad asset management. He’s hoarding and they can’t afford to keep all these guys and by not trading these picks for consolidation he’s lowering their value.

I don't think thats true necessarily. You can use some of those picks to get off of contracts if need be to keep your better guys and have flexibility, and then you can still maintain a couple. Its just a question of smart GM-ing - and he has done that (and then some) in the last couple of years.
For example: Hartenstein seems to have been a bit overpaid for what he got done, and they will also be facing apron issues next couple years b/c their extension needs. But if they have up and coming bigs from drafts (like this years pick Sorber), they can easily trade Hartenstein with a couple seconds (or a late future 1st) to a team needing a good starting caliber C (who might be a bit overpaid, but very solid overall).
Or the usual/obvious - he can package all of them and some of his players to get a true superstar or upgrade a starting position if someone becomes available that they need.

[sunsbg]

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 was wondering the same the other day and I think dremill pointed out the pick was gone in Nurkic trade. So no draft excitement next year. We'll only watch two time champion pick their stars of the future.

[Saberestar]

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 was wondering the same the other day and I think dremill pointed out the pick was gone in Nurkic trade. So no draft excitement next year. We'll only watch two time champion pick their stars of the future.

We traded that 2026 FRP (most likely a late pick because it had multiple swaps already) for a 2nd in 2026 (worse from Denver/GSW) in Nurkic's trade with Charlotte.

So next year we have a 2nd.

[Bogyo]

From an asset replenishment standpoint, Gregory did a pretty good job.

Williams, Maluach, Fleming, Oso, Dunn, Brea, Gillespie is a nice group of players in their early 20s with plenty of room to grow. Not sure of the ceiling on these guys, but all are pretty toolsy (and high character), and those sort of players typically stick around in the league, even if they don't grow into stars.

From a short-term perspective, very unsure how this team comes together. 29 year old Booker and a 23 year old Jalen Green (a very flawed player), are now the chief playmakers on this team - that's not really a recipe for any success.

If the idea was to quickly build a semi-contender around Booker, needed to pair him with either a quality PG or a quality 4/5 who can shoot and pass (basically a Sabonis or Markannen type at the very least).

Given the state of the roster, I don't forecast more than 30-35 wins. That's rough when we don't have our own picks till 2032.

More happy than not, but I have to add an "almost". Giving up 2 firsts for Williams is too much. The guy will not get a 3rd contract in the league, his body can not handle it. He played 106 games out of a possible 246. In his first 3 years. Thats Brad Beal numbers. How do you expect him to stay healthy in the next 3-5 years? How?
Oso, Brea are end of bench guys most likely, if that. Gillespie is nice, but just too short, even to be a McConnell. A poor mans McConnell? He can be that, and that is an OK second string PG, but not the "best bench PG in the league", which is fine with me as well. Better than what we had.
Maluach should be very good, and Fleming can be as well, and really hats off to the trades neting us this guy. So there is hope - but we don't really have any (good) picks until 2032. Couple of late-late first rounders, and a couple seconds. Not the picture perfect "asset replenishment" that we were hoping for in the KD trade - especially since there are rumours NOW that the Rockets are shoping Whitmore... what a clusterfk that trade was from an "asset replenishment" point of view... Here is hoping that was the worst move of this F.O. for a longlong time.

[Frank Lee]

It might take us 3 yrs to win 100 games.

I bet Vegas puts us at 32 wins.



0-58 … let us proceed

[Rebound Mound]

From an asset replenishment standpoint, Gregory did a pretty good job.

Williams, Maluach, Fleming, Oso, Dunn, Brea, Gillespie is a nice group of players in their early 20s with plenty of room to grow. Not sure of the ceiling on these guys, but all are pretty toolsy (and high character), and those sort of players typically stick around in the league, even if they don't grow into stars.

From a short-term perspective, very unsure how this team comes together. 29 year old Booker and a 23 year old Jalen Green (a very flawed player), are now the chief playmakers on this team - that's not really a recipe for any success.

If the idea was to quickly build a semi-contender around Booker, needed to pair him with either a quality PG or a quality 4/5 who can shoot and pass (basically a Sabonis or Markannen type at the very least).

Given the state of the roster, I don't forecast more than 30-35 wins. That's rough when we don't have our own picks till 2032.

Great comment to summarize all that we did in this week.
We are at the same time a better team, with a brighter future, a more balanced roster and with space to grow... but, at the same time, all that needs time to boil in order to get a good dish... also we depend on the trades we undoubtedly need to make. Richards, Beal, Allen and ONeale... two or three of them need to go.

From an economic point of view, we now have the ability even to cut Beal and pay him 20 million each year as we have a roster filled with rookies and Dunn and Oso still have three years to go, while Maluach, Fleming, Brea have four. Green has two.

We are still a PG (at least) and two PFs away from having a solid roster, whoever those players are.

This is going to be a season for breaking records.
The highest ever contract in the history of the league.
The highest ever bought out (whatever the definition) of a player.
Then almost 72 + 20 + 36 millions invested in three SGs. 128 million.
One of the youngest rosters we ever had.

[sunsfan1o1]

On another note, it's absolutely amazing what Presti has done. Not only are they the 2nd youngest team to win a title, but they were missing their rookie lottery pick, Nikola Topic this year, so next year they have Sorber, nearly a lottery pick at 15, and last year's 12th pick in Topic, starting. Then the next 2 years they have their own firsts plus all these coming from other teams...(and more coming from other teams the years after that)...

Other than getting lucky to win the championship since you can’t touch SGA it’s actually bad asset management. He’s hoarding and they can’t afford to keep all these guys and by not trading these picks for consolidation he’s lowering their value.

NBA first round picks are like premium land... they never lose value.

They lose value when you draft someone which is what he’s doing and what I meant.

[BobbieL]

From an asset replenishment standpoint, Gregory did a pretty good job.

Williams, Maluach, Fleming, Oso, Dunn, Brea, Gillespie is a nice group of players in their early 20s with plenty of room to grow. Not sure of the ceiling on these guys, but all are pretty toolsy (and high character), and those sort of players typically stick around in the league, even if they don't grow into stars.

From a short-term perspective, very unsure how this team comes together. 29 year old Booker and a 23 year old Jalen Green (a very flawed player), are now the chief playmakers on this team - that's not really a recipe for any success.

If the idea was to quickly build a semi-contender around Booker, needed to pair him with either a quality PG or a quality 4/5 who can shoot and pass (basically a Sabonis or Markannen type at the very least).

Given the state of the roster, I don't forecast more than 30-35 wins. That's rough when we don't have our own picks till 2032.

I think Gregory did a very good job. He worked around the second round picks to get the prospect in Fleming for sure that seems like very good value. Brea - has the one skillset - just hope he can do enough else. And Maulauch has potential. Williams - -I get the pick up but am concerned about the injury history. But that is every player.

Green and Brooks. I really like Brroks next to Booker. Green is kind of redundant so though I like the upside potential, athleticism and from what I have read, really plays hard, how will he mesh with Booker. I am not opposed to trading Green but it needs to be for somebody with similar upside and not just "well we didn't want to pay Green so we traded for "need" " type trade but that need player is not as good of a basketball player

Now the tough part - the salary cap -- and if Ishbia wants to get below certain levels
I personally think they should just roll with Beal for two years - get the expiring and do everything they can to trade O'Neale and Allen. Think longer than this year. So maybe just second round picks and expiring contracts. Allen and O'Neale are not moving any needles. Booker is signed for five years come next week - nobody they can get with stretching Beal will make them a playoff team

Play the young guys - and that includes Colin Gillespie - and see how the team grows.

[sunsbum]

It might take us 3 yrs to win 100 games.

I bet Vegas puts us at 32 wins.



0-58 … let us proceed

at least we aren’t watching whatever that **** sandwich was we were handed last year. I couldn’t even bring myself to watch 3 games.

[Sunsdeuce]

From a Rockets fan:
“Rockets fan here. You guys will grow to absolutely love Brooks. He sets the tone on the court and is loved by all his teammates. His role is to lockdown opposing teams best player, period. Not rebound, not set up an offence...he's an enforcer in a league where there are few. He will establish a culture of "take **** from nobody" on your squad. I hated it when we signed him, but before long he became one of my favorite Rockets. He's better now than he was in Memphis in terms of taking dumb shots. He still has his lapses though, but most players do.

About Green. He is actually a very serviceable defensive player. He is the type that focuses on offense most of the game, but in high pressure moments he ramps up the defense to help get the win. When he needs to play defense he's really good. So don't let his metrics fool you, he's become a decent all around player. Offensively? Oof. He can drop 40 one night, and 8 the next night. Hopefully he'll grow to be more consistent, but he is a peaks and valley player. Personally I'd take him over Booker, if not just because of the age and contract differences.

That's my two cents. Good luck on the season. I actually think some of these other moves the Suns made were promising.”

Found that comment in the comment section of the below article. Personally I like the perspective of a hardcore fan more than a podcaster or “insider”.

https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2025/6/28/24457266/suns-trade-kevin-durant-for-jalen-green-dillon-brooks-mark-williams-maluach-draft-grades

[Ghost of Kleine]

Read on Twitter

I was really hoping for him to be acquired for our team.

[Sunsdeuce]

Read on Twitter

I was really hoping for him to be acquired for our team.

Welp there goes the Beal trade. As far as Lonzo…..yeah that’s a full pass. I’ll take availability >>>>ability all day! Lonzo is never available. He offers no stability to a team that desperately needs stability at PG.

[Ghost of Kleine]

Read on Twitter

[Fo-Real]

Read on Twitter

Its truly been "House Suns/Hornets" since last year. If this happens, this will be like the 4th trade we have done with them in less than a calendar year?!?! Do we have some dirt on them?

[MrMiyagi]

I'd prefer to not have Miles Bridges in addition to Brooks and Grayson.....

[bwgood77]

Spoiler:

On another note, it's absolutely amazing what Presti has done. Not only are they the 2nd youngest team to win a title, but they were missing their rookie lottery pick, Nikola Topic this year, so next year they have Sorber, nearly a lottery pick at 15, and last year's 12th pick in Topic, starting. Then the next 2 years they have their own firsts plus all these coming from other teams...(and more coming from other teams the years after that)...

Other than getting lucky to win the championship since you can’t touch SGA it’s actually bad asset management. He’s hoarding and they can’t afford to keep all these guys and by not trading these picks for consolidation he’s lowering their value.

I don't think thats true necessarily. You can use some of those picks to get off of contracts if need be to keep your better guys and have flexibility, and then you can still maintain a couple. Its just a question of smart GM-ing - and he has done that (and then some) in the last couple of years.
For example: Hartenstein seems to have been a bit overpaid for what he got done, and they will also be facing apron issues next couple years b/c their extension needs. But if they have up and coming bigs from drafts (like this years pick Sorber), they can easily trade Hartenstein with a couple seconds (or a late future 1st) to a team needing a good starting caliber C (who might be a bit overpaid, but very solid overall).
Or the usual/obvious - he can package all of them and some of his players to get a true superstar or upgrade a starting position if someone becomes available that they need.

A lot of people look at their picks incorrectly. They HELP their cap management because they continue to allow OKC to add rookies on minimum contracts while others get repaid. They will let Hartenstein go or deal him if needed, and they gave Dort extra money while they could, and he will likely take less on his next contract.

Then when Williams and Chet's contracts kick in they will likely deal Caruso.

This will leave them with likely one super max and two 2nd contract maxes for Williams and Chet (not nearly the costly maxes that KD, Book and Beal have on their 3rd contracts) and only like half of what guys like Embiid and Book will get on his next contract.

Hartenstein will be on an expiring this coming year, Shai won't be eligible for a supermax until 28-29, Dort will be on an expiring this year (both him and Hartenstein have team options in 26-27. Dort likely will sign a lesser longer contract. Hartenstein probably moves on unless he takes less to stay.

Jalen Williams has a team option this year and will hit a 2nd year max the following year...right when Dort and Hartenstein are gone. Caruso's salary goes way up but I imagine he will be dealt. I don't know if he is overpaid starting next year, but if so, they could deal a pick. But I think a team would like to have him at that price anyway, so he is likely easy to deal. They could also deal Isaiah Joe. They still have Aaron Wiggins on a declining contract, will have Dort and Cason Wallace on a cheap rookie deal for another couple years, so losing Caruso isn't a big loss as these guys get better.

Then you have Topic coming in on a rookie deal in his 2nd year and Sorber just starting a rookie deal. I am unsure if Sorber will be able to take over for Hartenstein immediately, but they can keep Hartenstein for one more year.

Chet still has two years on his rookie deal so he won't need to be extended until Hartenstein is gone, likely Caruso is gone, and Dort takes less money.

I think Presti is a master at cap management.

Now I don't know if any of their younger guys other than their big 3 will command big contracts, but likely none of the ones like Wallace or Wiggins, and if Topic and Sorber do, it won't be for awhile and the cap will be much higher.

They likely don't really face cap trouble for 4-5 years, if they even face it at all. It's the teams with stars on their 3rd and 4th contracts that really hurt, because 2 of those guys cost more than 3 guys on max 2nd contracts...if on their 4th max 2 of them cost more than 4 max 2nd contract, or even more than 1 super max and two 2nd contract maxes.