The Official 2025 Offseason Thread #4 Free Agency Opens!

[MrMiyagi]

Beal for Bron

[Dr Manute]

Beal for Bron

Make it so.

[bigfoot]

Hypothetical question:

How would each of you rebuild this team knowing in advance the following:
1) for the next 5 years 45-50% of your salary cap is used up on Booker and a bought out Beal

2) next 7 years just three couple late round draft picks and a couple 2nd rounders

3) 1 out of the 3 draft picks from this class actually work out. Obviously way way way to early to predict if this draft class pans out

I’m really interested how you all would approach this. Personally this is uncharted waters for me as a Suns fan. I’ve never seen this team so depleted of assets and maxed out on Salary all at the same time. I mean James Jones with Sarver wasted all our assets but there was still cap space. Now we have no cap space or assets.

Going to take some creativity and uncomfortable decisions that need to be made.

Don't panic ... take it one year at time. Focus on this season. Things change rapidly with other teams because of injuries and skillset needs. Those are ways to pick up draft capital come the trade deadline.

Everything really depends on how the coach and culture change work out. Honestly the team has gotten significantly younger ... five players drafted in the last two years plus Williams and Green who are both 23. That's quite a few young players that could develop substantially.

If the team is productive this year and hovers around.500 do you let it develop? I probably would. Continuity of coaching and players has the biggest chance of improving success. Changing a few players each year is okay but wholesale changes are generally bad except for a rebuild. Stand pat and move a veteran (Brooks, O'Neale, Grayson, Richards) to make room for youngsters who are showing significant progress (Dunn, Oso, Brea).

If the team really struggles then move any/all of Green, Williams, Richards, Grayson, O'Neale, and Brooks for draft capital. Desperate teams might give 1st rounders for some of them. If a team makes a godfather offer for Booker you have to consider it but i would n't shop him. We've two picks coming in 2026. In trades I would be careful not to bunch them up and keep them spread over the next five plus years.

So see how the season pans out and make moves accordingly.

[bigfoot]

Hypothetical question:

How would each of you rebuild this team knowing in advance the following:
1) for the next 5 years 45-50% of your salary cap is used up on Booker and a bought out Beal

2) next 7 years just three couple late round draft picks and a couple 2nd rounders

3) 1 out of the 3 draft picks from this class actually work out. Obviously way way way to early to predict if this draft class pans out

I’m really interested how you all would approach this. Personally this is uncharted waters for me as a Suns fan. I’ve never seen this team so depleted of assets and maxed out on Salary all at the same time. I mean James Jones with Sarver wasted all our assets but there was still cap space. Now we have no cap space or assets.

Going to take some creativity and uncomfortable decisions that need to be made.

Realistically we are not going to have a lottery pick until 2032 so we have to try to acquire as many 2nd round picks and hope that some of them work out kind of like how Miami drafted solid players from the unsigned and 2nd round.

We no longer have any assets that will bring back a lottery selection unless we trade Booker so it's going to be a very painful few years until we are good again and it's unrealistic to think even half of our draft selections will pan out...

Really. No chance of a lottery pick? Suppose this year we suck and the Wizards suck. Say bottom dwellers of our respective conferences. What's the worst pick the Suns could get in 2026?

[dremill24]

Hypothetical question:

How would each of you rebuild this team knowing in advance the following:
1) for the next 5 years 45-50% of your salary cap is used up on Booker and a bought out Beal

2) next 7 years just three couple late round draft picks and a couple 2nd rounders

3) 1 out of the 3 draft picks from this class actually work out. Obviously way way way to early to predict if this draft class pans out

I’m really interested how you all would approach this. Personally this is uncharted waters for me as a Suns fan. I’ve never seen this team so depleted of assets and maxed out on Salary all at the same time. I mean James Jones with Sarver wasted all our assets but there was still cap space. Now we have no cap space or assets.

Going to take some creativity and uncomfortable decisions that need to be made.

Realistically we are not going to have a lottery pick until 2032 so we have to try to acquire as many 2nd round picks and hope that some of them work out kind of like how Miami drafted solid players from the unsigned and 2nd round.

We no longer have any assets that will bring back a lottery selection unless we trade Booker so it's going to be a very painful few years until we are good again and it's unrealistic to think even half of our draft selections will pan out...

Really. No chance of a lottery pick? Suppose this year we suck and the Wizards suck. Say bottom dwellers of our respective conferences. What's the worst pick the Suns could get in 2026?

The. Suns. Have. No. 2026. 1st.

[lilfishi22]

Realistically we are not going to have a lottery pick until 2032 so we have to try to acquire as many 2nd round picks and hope that some of them work out kind of like how Miami drafted solid players from the unsigned and 2nd round.

We no longer have any assets that will bring back a lottery selection unless we trade Booker so it's going to be a very painful few years until we are good again and it's unrealistic to think even half of our draft selections will pan out...

Really. No chance of a lottery pick? Suppose this year we suck and the Wizards suck. Say bottom dwellers of our respective conferences. What's the worst pick the Suns could get in 2026?

The. Suns. Have. No. 2026. 1st.

Yeah was used to salary dump Nurk

[Ghost of Kleine]

I'd say what you're missing is that he hasnt been a good NBA player in 7(!) years. Seems quite unlikely that he would magically get it back.

And if you're comparing him to Westbrook, Russ is better than him at basically everything, especially the playmaking you mentioned (this coming from someone who really dislikes Westbrook).

I'm talking about him from the perspective of a guard with size, defensive playmaking abilities and athleticism. And yes was curious about his playmaking abilities, because it's not like he'd have to be spectacular or anything to stand out on our current roster really.

Also the comparison to Westbrook (a player whom I like for his intensity. motor and statistical stat stuffing capabilities) was based upon that athletic archetype with some relative size. And again, the defensive playmaking prowess possibly being important so that Booker and Green could focus more on scoring.

Any playmaking potential would be a bonus to the previous positional attributes, as I'm not expecting much beyond that for the vet minimum.

Thanks for your input by the way man.

come on gok, this is purely because of name recognition. We don’t need another SG

Nah!
I'm genuinely intrigued by his defensive playmaking potential, potential facilitating abilities and athleticism. I mean sure his injuries were severe, and really derailed his career. But in his prime he was an elite defender who scored over 20 points a game while also averaging 4 assists and 2 steals.

He was athletic, versatile and very tenacious! Also known as a good leader in the locker room too. So on a vet minimum, and considering our current very limited options, I'm thinking we could do far worse than to take a very low cost flier on a vet option.

Whom with those attributes/ accolades/ skillset that could hopefully compliment Booker defensively and as a Ball handler that would hopefully allow him to focus more on elite scoring and secondary playmaking.

[garrick]

Really. No chance of a lottery pick? Suppose this year we suck and the Wizards suck. Say bottom dwellers of our respective conferences. What's the worst pick the Suns could get in 2026?

The. Suns. Have. No. 2026. 1st.

Yeah was used to salary dump Nurk

https://fanspo.com/nba/teams/Suns/24/draft-picks
I'm not sure if this is up to date but yeah maybe 2026 if Washington doesn't make the playoffs they have a pick swap with us.

Other years we might have a lottery pick depending on how well some of these other teams do.

[lilfishi22]

The. Suns. Have. No. 2026. 1st.

Yeah was used to salary dump Nurk

https://fanspo.com/nba/teams/Suns/24/draft-picks
I'm not sure if this is up to date but yeah maybe 2026 if Washington doesn't make the playoffs they have a pick swap with us.

Other years we might have a lottery pick depending on how well some of these other teams do.

I've primarily used fanspo to track future pick movements but after looking for our 2026 pick on there, it doesn't even mention the Charlotte trade so I'm a bit iffy on it.

From RealGM

More favorable of PHX and WAS 1-8 to WAS [or neither to WAS if WAS not conveyable];

two most favorable of (i) less favorable of PHX and WAS 1-8 [or (ii) PHX if WAS not conveyable], (ii) MEM and (iii) ORL to MEM then other to CHA
(via WAS swap for PHX; via MEM swap of ORL for PHX or WAS; via MEM swap for PHX, WAS or ORL; via PHX to CHA)

If I understand it right, the Washington/Phx swap only happens if both teams have top 8 picks in which WAS has the right of the higher pick ebtween the two of us.

In either scenarios, we'll walk away with a pick (either our own or Washington's worse pick). But then whatever pick we get, that then gets thrown in with Memphis' 2026 and Charlotte's own 2026. Out of PHX, MEM and CHA, Memphis will get the TWO best picks and the remaining goes to Charlotte. We lose the one pick we walk away with from the Washington/Phoenix swap.

[Ghost of Kleine]

I'm talking about him from the perspective of a guard with size, defensive playmaking abilities and athleticism. And yes was curious about his playmaking abilities, because it's not like he'd have to be spectacular or anything to stand out on our current roster really.

Also the comparison to Westbrook (a player whom I like for his intensity. motor and statistical stat stuffing capabilities) was based upon that athletic archetype with some relative size. And again, the defensive playmaking prowess possibly being important so that Booker and Green could focus more on scoring.

Any playmaking potential would be a bonus to the previous positional attributes, as I'm not expecting much beyond that for the vet minimum.

Thanks for your input by the way man.

come on gok, this is purely because of name recognition. We don’t need another SG

With how money tight we are (salary wise), I just don't see the point of taking a flyer on a guy who hasn't had a healthy season in like 7yrs. We also have another pretty injury prone guy at the C position already and one guy is more than enough for most teams

The beauty of this premise though would be that he'd be a vet min acquisition on a "prove it" type of deal, so if he can have a resurgence, then we have a cost controlled contributing piece.

But if he doesn't contribute or can't stay relatively healthy, then we'd just cut him for little to no detriment at all.

But for the minimal financial risk, and absent legitimate playoff contention too, this is exactly the type of low key needle mover situation we could and should explore.

[lilfishi22]

come on gok, this is purely because of name recognition. We don’t need another SG

With how money tight we are (salary wise), I just don't see the point of taking a flyer on a guy who hasn't had a healthy season in like 7yrs. We also have another pretty injury prone guy at the C position already and one guy is more than enough for most teams

The beauty of this premise though would be that he'd be a vet min acquisition on a "prove it" type of deal, so if he can have a resurgence, then we have a cost controlled contributing piece.

But if he doesn't contribute or can't stay relatively healthy, then we'd just cut him for little to no detriment at all.

But for the minimal financial risk, and absent legitimate playoff contention too, this is exactly the type of low key needle mover situation we could and should explore.

If we're taking flyers, hell bring back Monte Morris who was done dirty after we brought in Jones. Give me Cam Payne. Give me Chris Paul. Give me Simmons. Give me Russ. Give me Brogdan. Give me Cam Thomas.

Oladipo just isn't moving the needle

[Mr Puddles]

Beal for Bron

This makes a lot of sense for both teams:

1. The Suns get to upgrade their power forward spot, and get a better player overall on a shorter contract.
2. The Lakers get to undertake an altruistic endeavor and do something nice for an old man.

[garrick]

Yeah was used to salary dump Nurk

https://fanspo.com/nba/teams/Suns/24/draft-picks
I'm not sure if this is up to date but yeah maybe 2026 if Washington doesn't make the playoffs they have a pick swap with us.

Other years we might have a lottery pick depending on how well some of these other teams do.

I've primarily used fanspo to track future pick movements but after looking for our 2026 pick on there, it doesn't even mention the Charlotte trade so I'm a bit iffy on it.

From RealGM

More favorable of PHX and WAS 1-8 to WAS [or neither to WAS if WAS not conveyable];

two most favorable of (i) less favorable of PHX and WAS 1-8 [or (ii) PHX if WAS not conveyable], (ii) MEM and (iii) ORL to MEM then other to CHA
(via WAS swap for PHX; via MEM swap of ORL for PHX or WAS; via MEM swap for PHX, WAS or ORL; via PHX to CHA)

If I understand it right, the Washington/Phx swap only happens if both teams have top 8 picks in which WAS has the right of the higher pick ebtween the two of us.

In either scenarios, we'll walk away with a pick (either our own or Washington's worse pick). But then whatever pick we get, that then gets thrown in with Memphis' 2026 and Charlotte's own 2026. Out of PHX, MEM and CHA, Memphis will get the TWO best picks and the remaining goes to Charlotte. We lose the one pick we walk away with from the Washington/Phoenix swap.

https://basketball.realgm.com/nba/teams/Phoenix-Suns/23/draft-picks

This makes my head hurt...

Anyway yeah I see RealGM has the pick swap details included.

2026
More favorable of PHX and WAS 1-8 to WAS [or neither to WAS if WAS not conveyable];
two most favorable of (i) less favorable of PHX and WAS 1-8 [or (ii) PHX if WAS not conveyable],

(ii) MEM and (iii) ORL to MEM then other to CHA
(via WAS swap for PHX; via MEM swap of ORL for PHX or WAS; via MEM swap for PHX, WAS or ORL; via PHX to CHA)

[Ghost of Kleine]

With how money tight we are (salary wise), I just don't see the point of taking a flyer on a guy who hasn't had a healthy season in like 7yrs. We also have another pretty injury prone guy at the C position already and one guy is more than enough for most teams

The beauty of this premise though would be that he'd be a vet min acquisition on a "prove it" type of deal, so if he can have a resurgence, then we have a cost controlled contributing piece.

But if he doesn't contribute or can't stay relatively healthy, then we'd just cut him for little to no detriment at all.

But for the minimal financial risk, and absent legitimate playoff contention too, this is exactly the type of low key needle mover situation we could and should explore.

If we're taking flyers, hell bring back Monte Morris who was done dirty after we brought in Jones. Give me Cam Payne. Give me Chris Paul. Give me Simmons. Give me Russ. Give me Brogdan. Give me Cam Thomas.

Oladipo just isn't moving the needle

Lol. Sure! And I'd love to acquire most any of those names too over Oladipo too. But which of those names are even realistically connected to us? And which are we actually pursuing? As far as moving the needle, how much comparative variance would you he expecting from those names contextually.

And how many are willing or would sign for the vet minimum over the MLE? Because again, with Oladipo, I'm talking about the vet minimum and not having to spend the MLE in this scenario:

Monte Morris-
Would he even be willing to come back here and play for us on the minimum after not getting any playing time at all last season? Also, he's like what,

Cam Payne-
An undersized scoring guard with suspect defense who's in a better situation just going back and resigning with the Knicks where at least he can compete.

Chris Paul-
Our front office has already dismissed the idea of bringing back Paul, and even though I'd love to have him back to straighten out Booker and mentor our youngsters, it's much more likely he signs with the Clippers to actually have a chance at a championship and be much closer to his family too.

Ben Simmons-
I'd love Simmons as a defensive/ playmaking low usage utility guard with elite size that could move Booker back to his natural position at SG and compliment Booker in a very simplified role defensively.

However, our front office has shown no interest in him at all, and Simmons also likely wouldn't choose us over many of the interested contenders or even returning to the Clippers!

Russell Westbrook-
I've lobbied for Westbrook (much like Paul)
for awhile now, but clearly our front office isn't interested. Also, Westbrook has numerous interested teams/ contenders and better situations to consider over us.

Malcolm Brogdon-
Brogdon would be solid, but would he even consider playing for us on a vet minimum when he has a solid market of interest? Because I surely wouldn't want us to spend our MLE on him.

And really, at this stage of his career and given his post injury condition, is he really that much of a better option than an equitable flier on Olidipo though? Not really sure it even matters though because I'd strongly doubt that Brogdon would sign with us on a vet min anyways.

Cam Thomas-
Thomas is truly a good scorer, but does he do much else?? At 6'3 maybe 6'4 he would honestly be more redundant to Booker and Green as a scoring oriented guard with questionable defense.

But none of that would matter anyways because he's not a realistic option for us with the big payday that he's looking for. No way would we get him for the vet minimum, and probably not even the MLE.

Not that it matters, because he'd be a redundant and really poor fit, but also wouldn't come here to be logjammed with two other ball dominant scoring guards already on the roster.

What I'm looking at with the Olidipo premise is actual attainable players for the vet minimum, at that position with upside value (even as potential reclamation projects) that have size, athleticism and defensive versatility that could possibly compliment Booker and J Green. Do some ballhandling, defend and operate in a utility role ideally.

Olidipo, given our current conditions, fits that criteria fairly well. And even in a worst case scenario, if he couldn't successfully mount a comeback, he'd still be a vet min signing that we could just waive for little to no detriment.

It's a value swing we'd be looking at that hasn't definitive potential to move the needle if successful. But would cost us next to nothing if it didn't pan out. Sometimes it's more about being open minded to outlier opportunities in order to extract underlying value.

[Calvin Klein]

Beal for Bron

This makes a lot of sense for both teams:

1. The Suns get to upgrade their power forward spot, and get a better player overall on a shorter contract.
2. The Lakers get to undertake an altruistic endeavor and do something nice for an old man.

Yes, except the team would become "Lebron's goodbye parade" and not the Phoenix Suns. I'd rather watch the Shannon Brown/Michael Beasley Suns than that.

[King4Day]

Beal for Bron isn't happening. Teams aren't that dumb.
Why is it being discussed?

[Frank Lee]

Miyagi went trolling

[Dr Manute]

Beal for Bron isn't happening. Teams aren't that dumb.
Why is it being discussed?

Teams aren't in control of this decision - the only 2 players in the whole league with "no trade clauses" are in control. If the King wants it to happen - it will happen. I personally don't think it will happen, but I don't think it's impossible.

[King4Day]

Beal for Bron isn't happening. Teams aren't that dumb.
Why is it being discussed?

Teams aren't in control of this decision - the only 2 players in the whole league with "no trade clauses" are in control. If the King wants it to happen - it will happen. I personally don't think it will happen, but I don't think it's impossible.

If I'm the Lakers, I'd just buy out LeBron than take on Beal's contract. No reason to lose twice in the same deal.

[BobbieL]

Beal for Bron isn't happening. Teams aren't that dumb.
Why is it being discussed?

Teams aren't in control of this decision - the only 2 players in the whole league with "no trade clauses" are in control. If the King wants it to happen - it will happen. I personally don't think it will happen, but I don't think it's impossible.

If I'm the Lakers, I'd just buy out LeBron than take on Beal's contract. No reason to lose twice in the same deal.

It was reported - not sure if a real source or somebody like DOldestt - but the Lakers would only trade Lebron for expirings.
Thats not Beal