The Official 2025 Offseason Thread #4 Free Agency Opens!

[KdoubleDees23]

And yet, didn't they make the play-offs last year and probably will make it this coming year as they dumped PG13 to reset the roster. And the Suns are still trying to navigate this offseason. And so far, they are a rudderless ship with their decisions.

It is hard to remember the last time you said anything positive about our team. Why do you continue to follow this team?

I liked the picks of Fleming and Malauch
I think Brooks next to Booker was a really good fit
Green - though redundant with Booker - like what I have read. Plays hard

But,if comparing what the Suns and Clippers are doing - I think the Clippers offseason is better.

As for following teams: Chargers and Padres -- damn near 50 years following both; Suns - well over 30. I am loyal. When they do good and have a vision -- like the Chargers finally have a vision now, they get credit. Criticism for all three has been earned and warranted. Right now, Ishbia has earned it.

TBH Our offseason was way better than Clippers

Draft
Phoenix > Clippers (Maluach, Fleming, and Brea > Yanic Konan Niederhauser (this dude is trash, played at NIU and didn't even do good in the MAC)

James Harden: Re-signed on a two-year deal. ****no defense
Nicolas Batum: Re-signed on a two-year deal. ****OLD and washed
John Collins: Acquired from the Jazz in a three-team trade. ****Avg Role Player
Brook Lopez: Signed a two-year deal. **** Old and washed

SUNS got

Dillon Brooks = Nicolas Batum ****. suns need someone who has grit and voal
• Jalen Green = Harden *** younger, hustles, consistent in playtime, and can score and get better
• Nigel Hayes-Davis *** I bet he has a great year in a good role for the suns
• Mark Williams > Lopez & Collins

Give me the Suns over clippers.

[TeamTragic]

Any updates on Beal?

[sunsbum]

It is hard to remember the last time you said anything positive about our team. Why do you continue to follow this team?

I liked the picks of Fleming and Malauch
I think Brooks next to Booker was a really good fit
Green - though redundant with Booker - like what I have read. Plays hard

But,if comparing what the Suns and Clippers are doing - I think the Clippers offseason is better.

As for following teams: Chargers and Padres -- damn near 50 years following both; Suns - well over 30. I am loyal. When they do good and have a vision -- like the Chargers finally have a vision now, they get credit. Criticism for all three has been earned and warranted. Right now, Ishbia has earned it.

TBH Our offseason was way better than Clippers

Draft
Phoenix > Clippers (Maluach, Fleming, and Brea > Yanic Konan Niederhauser (this dude is trash, played at NIU and didn't even do good in the MAC)

James Harden: Re-signed on a two-year deal. ****no defense
Nicolas Batum: Re-signed on a two-year deal. ****OLD and washed
John Collins: Acquired from the Jazz in a three-team trade. ****Avg Role Player
Brook Lopez: Signed a two-year deal. **** Old and washed

SUNS got

Dillon Brooks = Nicolas Batum ****. suns need someone who has grit and voal
• Jalen Green = Harden *** younger, hustles, consistent in playtime, and can score and get better
• Nigel Hayes-Davis *** I bet he has a great year in a good role for the suns
• Mark Williams > Lopez & Collins

Give me the Suns over clippers.

brooks is WAY better than batum. Batum just in it for the traveling city girls at this point

[Calvin Klein]

Now would be a good time for a nice "sources" story about who really made the decisions in the FO. Do it, JJ

[Rebound Mound]

It is hard to remember the last time you said anything positive about our team. Why do you continue to follow this team?

I liked the picks of Fleming and Malauch
I think Brooks next to Booker was a really good fit
Green - though redundant with Booker - like what I have read. Plays hard

But,if comparing what the Suns and Clippers are doing - I think the Clippers offseason is better.

As for following teams: Chargers and Padres -- damn near 50 years following both; Suns - well over 30. I am loyal. When they do good and have a vision -- like the Chargers finally have a vision now, they get credit. Criticism for all three has been earned and warranted. Right now, Ishbia has earned it.

TBH Our offseason was way better than Clippers

Draft
Phoenix > Clippers (Maluach, Fleming, and Brea > Yanic Konan Niederhauser (this dude is trash, played at NIU and didn't even do good in the MAC)

James Harden: Re-signed on a two-year deal. ****no defense
Nicolas Batum: Re-signed on a two-year deal. ****OLD and washed
John Collins: Acquired from the Jazz in a three-team trade. ****Avg Role Player
Brook Lopez: Signed a two-year deal. **** Old and washed

SUNS got

Dillon Brooks = Nicolas Batum ****. suns need someone who has grit and voal
• Jalen Green = Harden *** younger, hustles, consistent in playtime, and can score and get better
• Nigel Hayes-Davis *** I bet he has a great year in a good role for the suns
• Mark Williams > Lopez & Collins

Give me the Suns over clippers.

Not agreed!

The Clippers did at least as well as us.
They got what they needed. A PF, a veteran centre who offers some shooting and still was one of the better shot blockers in the league at 36/37. He is going to play behind one of the best 5 centres in the league just for a few minutes, something they did not have.
They have traded for a PF who will allow them to create traditional fives with 3 bigs.
Thus Kawhi will be ready to play just SF, as they also kept Batum.
If they sign Beal, they would just need a different PG, as Harden is the de-facto PG. They have Dunn. They have Jones.
They needed no rookies. They need to win, as Harden is becoming old.
After all said, written and thought, Harden was the only one of those OKC kids who has agreed to take less money so the franchise could get better players.
May be this year.
Not my favorite player, team, owner, city or way of doing things, but I prefer them over the Thunder, Wolves, Knicks...

[TeamTragic]

https://www.reddit.com/r/suns/s/NtdxRewrN1

Gambo: Bradley Beal is still “weighing his options”

You took too long Bradley. Pick your team.

[BobbieL]

https://www.reddit.com/r/suns/s/NtdxRewrN1

Gambo: Bradley Beal is still “weighing his options”

You took too long Bradley. Pick your team.

Beal has no reason to rush the decision. Beal has to make sure its the right decision
Shouldn't really change the Suns strategy too much. But would be nice to see the next move they make.
I think the PG will be Brogdan

[Sunsdeuce]

Gambo talks out of his a&$, states the absolute obvious outcomes aka Capt Obvious and just guesstimates everything. He should at least give us the courtesy to turn around so we can hear him. And once again he was wrong about Beal being off the team in “24-48 hours”. Dude NEVER admits when he’s is obviously wrong.

[Sunsdeuce]

Wait did someone say Jalen Green = James Harden. Ummm yeah, I’m gonna have to sorta disagree based on all-star selections, PPG, RPG, APG and common sense.

[Biff]

Wait did someone say Jalen Green = James Harden. Ummm yeah, I’m gonna have to sorta disagree based on all-star selections, PPG, RPG, APG and common sense.

People just see he scored 21ppg and think that must mean he's good. He didn't even do it on league average efficiency. And he brings literally nothing else. Guy is massively overpaid and we once again are going to have 2 overpaid wings on the roster that can't play defense (3 until Beal is bought out).

[lilfishi22]

OKC about to feel the second apron hard after Williams gets his extension. They're crafty enough to figure things out but they have maybe a 2 year window with those 3 before one will be dealt.

Read on Twitter

The 2nd apron is going to kill potential dynasties. Could argue Boston has already been killed, in part due to Tatum's injury but also it was not sustainable in the 2nd apron era. Denver could've been. I think OKC's contender window is probably going to be cut in half from it's full potential as well.

The 2nd apron and the new CBA in general has made a significant impact in levelling the playing field but that's also at the expense of wrecking havoc to even well managed, home grown contenders.

[Qwigglez]

Watch on YouTube

4 years ago... (can see me and the wife at 9:07 )

[BobbieL]

OKC about to feel the second apron hard after Williams gets his extension. They're crafty enough to figure things out but they have maybe a 2 year window with those 3 before one will be dealt.

Read on Twitter

The 2nd apron is going to kill potential dynasties. Could argue Boston has already been killed, in part due to Tatum's injury but also it was not sustainable in the 2nd apron era. Denver could've been. I think OKC's contender window is probably going to be cut in half from it's full potential as well.

The 2nd apron and the new CBA in general has made a significant impact in levelling the playing field but that's also at the expense of wrecking havoc to even well managed, home grown contenders.

I think Presti was preparing for this year last with the Giddey trade. Caruso makes up under $20m and Giddey is probably going to get $30m+ from the Bulls

That said, the Thunder will have three players making like 80% of the cap once Williams gets paid. I think its one reason Presti is hoarding draft picks

[WeekapaugGroove]

Watch on YouTube

4 years ago... (can see me and the wife at 9:07 )

Was this the apex of the Suns franchise? Riding high after an awesome WC championship and up 2-0. Its definitely been down hill since. I guess some point in the Barkley finals run might qualify.

[NapoleonII]

Watch on YouTube

4 years ago... (can see me and the wife at 9:07 )

You guys look great!

Damn, we were so close...

[Qwigglez]

After being up 2-0 I was considering buying tickets to game 4 and even game 5. Game 5 tickets were super expensive, and actually game 4 tickets in Milwaukee were a bit more affordable. Ended up not going to any more games.

I would say that was the pinnacle of the Suns success as a franchise.

[Dr Manute]

After being up 2-0 I was considering buying tickets to game 4 and even game 5. Game 5 tickets were super expensive, and actually game 4 tickets in Milwaukee were a bit more affordable. Ended up not going to any more games.

I would say that was the pinnacle of the Suns success as a franchise.

Yes, Milwaukee was less expensive, but airfare wasn't cheap. I bought game 6 in Milwaukee - I would have traveled to see us win live. I ended up selling my two tickets (probably went to a Bucks fan) - just made a little $$. Not worth the stress of not finding a buyer.

[KdoubleDees23]

Wait did someone say Jalen Green = James Harden. Ummm yeah, I’m gonna have to sorta disagree based on all-star selections, PPG, RPG, APG and common sense.

Harden Career > Jalen Green - that is 100% for sure. But we are talking about now Harden vs Green.

Jalen 23 years old > Harden 35 years old
35 mill Jalen avg salary > Harden $40 mill
Games Played Jalen 82 > Harden 79
Harden 22.8 ppg > Green 21 ppg
Green 42.3 % fg > Harden 41%
Green 35.4% from 3 > Harden 35.2%
Green TO 2.5 > Harden 4.3 TO
Harden 5.3 rpg > Green RPG 4.6
Harden 8.3 APG > Green APG 3.4

I would say they are pretty equal for 2024 and we will see 2025

[kennydorglas]

Geez Green is earning 35M?????
Oh boy

[Weemsickew14]

Very long time member of this forum checking in for the first time in years. Great to see it still so active. Here are my off-season thoughts // write-up:

I personally am loving what the Suns are doing and think we've had a great off-season. The return for KD has made us young and hungry again and I love the Jordan Ott hire which took me a week or so to warm up to. Now, in saying that how good will we be, i'm not sure, but one thing is certain... I am now excited to watch Suns basketball after the horrible last season and have been very excited to see all the off-season movement and roster building.

Book at the 1 of course didn't work out the last few seasons, but I am hopeful this time it will be different. The old rosters played slow, iso-heavy, and relied a lot on tough shot making. Now that Book is running the show, is the undisputed first option again, and with our new play style I can see the floor being very wide open for him to have his best statistical season yet. Pairing that with our strong 3pt shooters on the wing, newly acquired lob threats, and Jalen Green attacking the rim, I am very excited to see the true point Book get unleashed. Having a roster that will fight for stops, get out in transition, move the ball constantly, and not play pickup iso ball will be great for him.

The draft I think was a home run for Brian Gregory. At the time I was thrilled Maluach was on the board then instantly was filled with confusion as the Williams trade was announced. Now that the dust has settled, the fact that we added so much size and potential has me excited to have great rim protection and size on the court at all times. Also, the potential of Maluach is so dazzling with his 3-point stroke looking good to him being able to move his feet well for a big guy that I am excited to see the lineup versatility we can unleash with Jordan Ott masterminding behind the scenes and developing the 18 year old in real-time. Addiontlaly, the work Gregory did on night 2 of the draft was some of the best i've ever seen. Somehow maneuvering up to grab Fleming and then also getting the best shooter in the draft in Brea is outstanding work. I can't want to see all 3 of our rookies in Summer League and hope they can all find some minutes & contribute during the regular season.

The Beal situation is finally almost over and we can move on. For a while, I was very against waiving and stretching Beal as I didn't like the idea of turning what would be a 2 year issue at the most into a 5 year issue. Since then, I have seen some twitter "cap experts" with some maybe right or maybe wrong projections which show that waiving Beal might not hurt us as bad as we think, especially with rising cap numbers and then the ability to get under the second apron after he is waived. I will say, if we do waive and stretch Beal, I hope there is a following move that is made that will make us better in the present and the future. Similarly to what Milwaukee did with Dame but without it being a 30 year old Myles Turner. I have had my eye on one scenario that seems plausible with how the Suns have been operating this offseason and it is here as follows:

-Waive Beal & he surrenders the roughly 14m to get us under the second apron
-Sign & trade Grayson Allen + draft capital to the Warriors for Jonathan Kuminga on a 3 or 4 year contract at roughly 25m AAV

I think this is plausible due to the fact that the Warriors do not want Kuminga and generally sign & trades do not net much in return for the team losing the free agent. Now, I am a little hesitant on Kuminga's fit due to him not being a great floor spacer and not being the highest of IQ players, but the desire our front office has shown of being young, athletic, and fast does make this seem like a possible outcome. Again, whether it works out is tbd but I would really enjoy watching these guys play and we would have several new pieces with an incredible amount of upside that I do believe Jordan Ott can unlock. In this scenario the depth chart would look like this:

Book/Gilly (Still hopeful for CP3 to sign as a free-agent to mentor the youngins)
Green/Royce/Brea
Brooks/Dunn
Kuminga/Fleming/Hayes/Oso
Williams/Maluach/Ricards/Oso

Would be very fun to root for this team, whether we add Kuminga or not. If we don't make the Kuminga move, we'd then be able to aggregate Grayson and Royce for an upgrade at the 4 or just keep the roster as currently constructed without Beal (and hopefully with CP3)

Thanks everyone for reading (or not) - It is great to be excited about this upcoming season. Can't wait to see what comes next