The Official 2025 Offseason Thread #4 Free Agency Opens!

[lilfishi22]

How? Remove CP3 and Dominayton and he's a career loser just like Beal.

That's like saying Lebron without Kyrie, Love, Bosh, Wade and AD is a career loser because he couldn't get it done without them.

Nope. Lebron with KD is not missing the playoffs.

So the difference between career loser and career winner is who they play with?

[sunsbg]

That's like saying Lebron without Kyrie, Love, Bosh, Wade and AD is a career loser because he couldn't get it done without them.

Nope. Lebron with KD is not missing the playoffs.

So the difference between career loser and career winner is who they play with?

Nope. You can make the playoffs or miss the playoffs with KD. There is a difference right ? Lebron has made it work with all the players you listed. Booker did not with KD, which just shows he's not good/versatile enough.

Career loser was over exaggeration and triggered Booker homers, but go on GB and ask neutral fans if Booker has earned that extension.

[lilfishi22]

Nope. Lebron with KD is not missing the playoffs.

So the difference between career loser and career winner is who they play with?

Nope. You can make the playoffs or miss the playoffs with KD. There is a difference right ? Lebron has made it work with all the players you listed. Booker did not with KD, which just shows he's not good/versatile enough.

Career loser was over exaggeration and triggered Booker homers, but go on GB and ask neutral fans if Booker has earned that extension.

Not sure why we're fans of a career loser franchise given the Suns has never won a championship. What has it done to earn fans?

[KLEON]

Are ppl really saying without D.A Booker would've been a scrub

[sunsbg]

So the difference between career loser and career winner is who they play with?

Nope. You can make the playoffs or miss the playoffs with KD. There is a difference right ? Lebron has made it work with all the players you listed. Booker did not with KD, which just shows he's not good/versatile enough.

Career loser was over exaggeration and triggered Booker homers, but go on GB and ask neutral fans if Booker has earned that extension.

Not sure why we're fans of a career loser franchise given the Suns has never won a championship. What has it done to earn fans?

Personally I became a fan when Suns were title contenders and fun team to watch. I assume that's the case for most fans with no AZ connection. Suns were none of this last two seasons with Booker as the franchise face, so I doubt it earned anything. More people lost interest probably.

[Rebound Mound]

I personally believe there is some kind of agreement between Ishbia and Booker, so he stays here with that veteran role, risking being on a team that is not going to win anything ever, in exchange for his super max contract.
He could have demanded a trade to a team with aspirations. Then that team could have said yes of no to his demands. But it could have been a team opting to win the ring in Booker's lifetime.

I do not understand paying or signing Booker now when his contract still runs a couple of years.

Also for me there is a huge difference between the contract you can give Jokic, Gianninis, LBJ, SGA... And the one you should give to Booker.

[Sunsdeuce]

At some point, people need to decide what name is more important to them as a fan. The name in front of the jersey or the name in back of the jersey.

[NapoleonII]

Would a lot of our roster fit problems be solved with trading for Jrue Holiday?

Portland, it seems to me, doesn't know if they're rebuilding or tanking or chasing mediocrity in the west. They now own their 2026 draft pick if it's #1-14, and I think reality will set in that they should be aiming for a full rebuild in the Western bloodbath.

Green as their SG of the future would be a perfect swing for them since they already have Scoot at the 1 (who maybe turns it around this year?). They get to play a ton of young guys and quiet-tank for a high pick. Green / 2nd for Jrue?

We then get a legitimate PG / veteran who's still got a lot in the tank and plays defense. We suck less and balance out our roster.

Assuming Beal gets stretched and 1-2 of Allen/ O'neal / Richards gets traded for cap relief / future draft picks, we roll out:


Jrue Holiday / Gillespie
Booker / Koby Brea / Allen
Brooks / Dunn
Dunn / Oso / Fleming
Williams / Khaman

[BobbieL]

At some point, people need to decide what name is more important to them as a fan. The name in front of the jersey or the name in back of the jersey.

Simple question but don't dare ask that of the PHNX_Suns podcast team. They are all in on Booker and Ishbia - 100%

[Sunsdeuce]

At some point, people need to decide what name is more important to them as a fan. The name in front of the jersey or the name in back of the jersey.

Simple question but don't dare ask that of the PHNX_Suns podcast team. They are all in on Booker and Ishbia - 100%

I’ve watched the Suns for close to three decades. Every player has come and gone. Some players are beloved by the city (and still are) but still got traded. There has been no player as beloved as Dan Majerle to the city of Phx and AZ (sorry Book fans, Dan was/is more beloved by the city than Booker has ever been) and Dan still got traded. Dan is still a huge fixture of Arizona.

There is no player that’s bigger than the team. KJ is the only player to retire a Sun and even he was traded to the Suns after his rookie year. Barkley is my all time favorite Suns player (followed by Ceballos, Majerle and KJ). No suns player has ever peaked as high as Barkley in a Suns uniform. But even I knew there came point we had to move on.

[garrick]

At some point, people need to decide what name is more important to them as a fan. The name in front of the jersey or the name in back of the jersey.

Simple question but don't dare ask that of the PHNX_Suns podcast team. They are all in on Booker and Ishbia - 100%

They are insufferable. That show died the day Lindsay was booted from the show...

[BobbieL]

At some point, people need to decide what name is more important to them as a fan. The name in front of the jersey or the name in back of the jersey.

Simple question but don't dare ask that of the PHNX_Suns podcast team. They are all in on Booker and Ishbia - 100%

I’ve watched the Suns for close to three decades. Every player has come and gone. Some players are beloved by the city (and still are) but still got traded. There has been no player as beloved as Dan Majerle to the city of Phx and AZ (sorry Book fans, Dan was/is more beloved by the city than Booker has ever been) and Dan still got traded. Dan is still a huge fixture of Arizona.

There is no player that’s bigger than the team. KJ is the only player to retire a Sun and even he was traded to the Suns after his rookie year. Barkley is my all time favorite Suns player (followed by Ceballos, Majerle and KJ). No suns player has ever peaked as high as Barkley in a Suns uniform. But even I knew there came point we had to move on.

I have been a fan since I moved to AZ to go to school in Tucson -- so like 1990. Barkley is the best player. Nash is probably close second. That is not saying Booker is not good - I just think Barkley was better. But I am partial to Barkley - I just think for a guy who at 6'5 (barely) - he played PF, could guard McHale, just a stud. And I think you can take four guys put them with Barkley and the same four guys and put them with Booker - Barkleys team wins

That said, you are correct about Thunder Dan - and yes, he was traded for a broken down Hot Rod Williams. I was never trading Booker - when I mentioned trading him for a substandard package. I thought Durant was different. But booker - I think they should have been open to seeing what his worth is - meaning it never should have been a non-starter

[Calvin Klein]

At some point, people need to decide what name is more important to them as a fan. The name in front of the jersey or the name in back of the jersey.

Beware of this, because this is what people said when we traded for Durant to the ones complaining about trading away Mikal/Cam/etc...

[BobbieL]

At some point, people need to decide what name is more important to them as a fan. The name in front of the jersey or the name in back of the jersey.

Beware of this, because this is what people said when we traded for Durant to the ones complaining about trading away Mikal/Cam/etc...

My problem with the Durant trade was based on two factors
1) age of Durant
2) compensation being paid for the player in line 1

A 27 year old Durant is different than a 34 year old Durant.

Your point is fair. The Twins were very popular. I would have been fine giving up Cam as I thought Mikal was the perfect player alongside Durant and Booker

[dremill24]

Would a lot of our roster fit problems be solved with trading for Jrue Holiday?

Portland, it seems to me, doesn't know if they're rebuilding or tanking or chasing mediocrity in the west. They now own their 2026 draft pick if it's #1-14, and I think reality will set in that they should be aiming for a full rebuild in the Western bloodbath.

Green as their SG of the future would be a perfect swing for them since they already have Scoot at the 1 (who maybe turns it around this year?). They get to play a ton of young guys and quiet-tank for a high pick. Green / 2nd for Jrue?

We then get a legitimate PG / veteran who's still got a lot in the tank and plays defense. We suck less and balance out our roster.

Assuming Beal gets stretched and 1-2 of Allen/ O'neal / Richards gets traded for cap relief / future draft picks, we roll out:


Jrue Holiday / Gillespie
Booker / Koby Brea / Allen
Brooks / Dunn
Dunn / Oso / Fleming
Williams / Khaman

Portland JUST traded for Holiday with the intention of him helping them continue to get better. Not sure what the confusion is on their direction.

They could theoretically pivot at the trade deadline if they come out and suck buttermilk this season, but there's no reason to think they'd trade for Holiday to get better and then immediately trade him again to get worse before he has even suited up for them.

[KdoubleDees23]

Am I the only one excited to see what Jalen Green does this year? I would rather have a 23 year old Green over Holiday right now.

[KdoubleDees23]

Watch on YouTube

He is going to make this team athletic and fun to watch again! He has speed, athleticism, and is only 23 years old! He is the same age as one of our rookies Brea!!! I personally can see him transition to a PG! Dude is already a combo guard and brings the ball up!

[Waylay13]

https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2025/7/13/24466983/bradley-beal-buyout-suns-contract-stretch-dead-money-cap-space-2025-advance-salary
Interesting read

[Saberestar]

Am I the only one excited to see what Jalen Green does this year? I would rather have a 23 year old Green over Holiday right now.

I am excited about Jalen Green, he is underrated around here.

He is so good on so many things...people is focused on the few things that he doesn't make great but he is a terrific young player.

[BobbieL]

https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2025/7/13/24466983/bradley-beal-buyout-suns-contract-stretch-dead-money-cap-space-2025-advance-salary
Interesting read

So let me get this straight
Beal is owed:
2025/2026 - -53,666,270

2026//2027 - 57, 128, 610
Total: 110,794, 880

If Beal gets 25% of the upcoming season salary, that would be $13.416 - that reduces what Beal is owed down to $40,249703 this year and the$57m plus next year

As the article states that would be $97.4m stretched or $19.475 - which is too high
But if you take off 5.3m for the TPE - that would get the Suns in line

Under this scenario, Beal will end up getting well over $105m of the $110m owed to hin

If that is the case - Ishbia is really pretty damn terrible at this. Beal will have only given up 5.3m and other owners will see Ishbia for what he is
A stooge. Again, if this is how it plays out.

So this year, the cap number would the $13.4+19.4 or almost 33-- plus if he uses the TPE - another $5.3m - so thats over 38
Beal was only getting 53m

How is paying out $38m this year instead of $53m -- while adding three years of dead money that great of a deal? I hope this article is not accurate but I have a feeling it will be.