The Official 2025 Offseason Thread #4 Free Agency Opens!

[KdoubleDees23]

I really hope that we don’t sign Simmons.

When I was watching Summer League I thought a couple of times that Oso is siilar to current Ben Simmons.

Oso is our guy and obviously is much younger and healthier, so why not give him the opportunity to play some minutes coming of the bench as a secondary ball handler initiator/creator?

If we can get him for the minimum, I don't see a problem with it other than Booker and Simmons are eskimo bros, and wonder if they are mad at each other cause they dated the same women.

[ChuckS]

Marc Stein:

The Phoenix Suns are looking to add a veteran ballhandler after losing Tyus Jones in free agency, sources told Marc Stein of The Stein Line.

The team have been linked with Chris Paul, though Paul is now expected to sign with the Clippers.

The Suns have also been in recent contact with Ben Simmons, who has also drawn interest from the Knicks, Celtics, and Kings.

The Suns were also a finalist for Marcus Smart, though Smart signed with the Lakers after getting recruited by Luka Doncic.

This might seem overly optimistic, or downright stupid, based on his recent performance and health, but if at the vet minimum might be worth a gamble. With Ben Simmons we could solve both our current problems, point guard and power forward positions. His point guard skills haven't been questioned, and he was noted for being able to guard the one through the five at one time.

This would allow Book and Green to do their thing while giving us decent to good defense at the other three positions. We should also have decent to adequate scoring with the two guards and Williams. And Brooks is at least a double figures scorer who can shoot some threes. Ben's shooting timidity should be a minor problem.

IMO it cannot be any worse than last year or right now, and I really like Gillespie as a backup.

If the team/coaches and everyone else think he's washed just forget this.

[Saberestar]

I really hope that we don’t sign Simmons.

When I was watching Summer League I thought a couple of times that Oso is siilar to current Ben Simmons.

Oso is our guy and obviously is much younger and healthier, so why not give him the opportunity to play some minutes coming of the bench as a secondary ball handler initiator/creator?

If we can get him for the minimum, I don't see a problem with it other than Booker and Simmons are eskimo bros, and wonder if they are mad at each other cause they dated the same women.

We aren't gonna sign Ben Simmons IMO because we are trying to build a roster of hard workers, gritty players who love the game. Ben Simmons is basically the opposite of that.

You can question Jalen Green' shooting selection but you can't deny his passion for the game and his effort on and off the court.

[Sunsdeuce]

The Suns don’t have veteran free agents like point guards Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook or power forward Al Horford on their radar, league sources informed The Republic. Paul had interest in the Los Angeles Lakers, Suns and Clippers as he wants to be close to his family that resides in Los Angeles, sources say.
Arizona Republic

[Saberestar]

What about Talen Horton-Tucker?

Combo G that isn't small and is a playmaker. Solid defender with huge wingspan. He played on the Lakers when Ott was there. And he is a Rich Paul's client.

He is just 24 years old and his bad 3p shooting has been his biggest issue but I think he is a better option than most of the other available young Gs in the market.

Edit: It seems they were not together on the Lakers roster because Ott arrived in 2022.

[BobbieL]

Marc Stein:

The Phoenix Suns are looking to add a veteran ballhandler after losing Tyus Jones in free agency, sources told Marc Stein of The Stein Line.

The team have been linked with Chris Paul, though Paul is now expected to sign with the Clippers.

The Suns have also been in recent contact with Ben Simmons, who has also drawn interest from the Knicks, Celtics, and Kings.

The Suns were also a finalist for Marcus Smart, though Smart signed with the Lakers after getting recruited by Luka Doncic.

This might seem overly optimistic, or downright stupid, based on his recent performance and health, but if at the vet minimum might be worth a gamble. With Ben Simmons we could solve both our current problems, point guard and power forward positions. His point guard skills haven't been questioned, and he was noted for being able to guard the one through the five at one time.

This would allow Book and Green to do their thing while giving us decent to good defense at the other three positions. We should also have decent to adequate scoring with the two guards and Williams. And Brooks is at least a double figures scorer who can shoot some threes. Ben's shooting timidity should be a minor problem.

IMO it cannot be any worse that last year or right now, and I really like Gillespie as a backup.

If the team/coaches and everyone else think he's washed just forget this.

At this point - unless its Gary Payton for his defense, toughness, three point shooting - why not takea flyer on Ben Simmons.

You are correct - he can play both the PG and PF positions. Like you said, h e can defend. I get he has zero impact scoring so you have to make sure who he plays with -- but why not. For the VETERAN MINIMUM though. No need to use the TPMLE just to go over the lux tax line at this point. Save that for maybe the trade deadline if you outperform

The reason I don't hate it is I have low expectations for the team so swing a little for the fences. I know who Cam Payne is. See what Ben Simmons brings. I think Melton is going back to the Warriors once they figure out Kuminga

[garrick]

Marc Stein:

This might seem overly optimistic, or downright stupid, based on his recent performance and health, but if at the vet minimum might be worth a gamble. With Ben Simmons we could solve both our current problems, point guard and power forward positions. His point guard skills haven't been questioned, and he was noted for being able to guard the one through the five at one time.

This would allow Book and Green to do their thing while giving us decent to good defense at the other three positions. We should also have decent to adequate scoring with the two guards and Williams. And Brooks is at least a double figures scorer who can shoot some threes. Ben's shooting timidity should be a minor problem.

IMO it cannot be any worse that last year or right now, and I really like Gillespie as a backup.

If the team/coaches and everyone else think he's washed just forget this.

At this point - unless its Gary Payton for his defense, toughness, three point shooting - why not takea flyer on Ben Simmons.

You are correct - he can play both the PG and PF positions. Like you said, h e can defend. I get he has zero impact scoring so you have to make sure who he plays with -- but why not. For the VETERAN MINIMUM though. No need to use the TPMLE just to go over the lux tax line at this point. Save that for maybe the trade deadline if you outperform

Ben hasn't been a very impactful player since leaving Philly and with his reluctance to take any jumpers he is just going to make the spacing worse when we are probably going to play either Richards or Williams who are not 3pt shooters and then if you want Dunn or Oso out there as well now you got 3 players in the lineup who either are very streaky from 3 or just can't or won't take 3's.

[bigfoot]

This board is dead! Indication to a lot of stuff all pointing to lack of enthusiasm.

My enthusiasm ticked up a tad bit for the draft mainly due to Fleming. I already was not happy about the Maluach pick. But I was praying hard Fleming would be our AVON pick (“make-up” pick for the bad pick in Maluach). Welp, so far all i got out of it was a kick in balls and an unimpressive 7 PPG and 4 RPB. BUT now the enthusiasm is trending back down.

At this point, I’d even be happy if we had a chance to tank the season to get the #1 pick. That’s out the window. And not good enough to make the playoffs (if I had money I’d put money down Suns don’t sniff the playoffs). We can’t be bad right now but we aren’t good enough to be “good”. PURGATORY!

LOOK, I’m trying….i really am trying to find something to be excited about. It’s hard when you know this team is stuck in purgatory for the NEXT FIVE long years or half a decade depending on how you look at it.

If these draft picks don’t hit, I am speechless. I mean what can you say? This team will be the most dysfunctional team in NBA history without a doubt. No team has traded away every asset for half a decade and went over the cap and has been successful. Top it off with the new CBA where you can no longer buy a championship, where assets and draft picks are now the GOLD standard. We are now the guy going to Barrett Jackson with a fist full of nickels expecting to get Bugatti!

The whole point of being a fan is hoping to celebrate or have a chance at celebrating the rise of a trophy. OR watching your rebuild come to fruition.

Been watching the Suns since 1993 (I was obsessed to the point I knew every players number and stats without researching from 1993-2008. But That’s 32 years of my life waiting. Life is too short to keep waiting.

So you want to know why I hate dip$hipbia with the power of a million Suns, it’s because he is taking away a precious next five more years of my life because of his buffoonery! I’m more of a suns fan that than dipstick of a human. The Suns are just his trinket while most Suns fans lived and breathed this and are/were obsessed.

What do I have to look forward to the next five years to be enthusiastic about?

Ive a fan since 88. Can't recall being this apathetic towards a Suns season as this upcoming one. I can't sit through another 20 win season watching the team get blown out a good majority of time while the other team laughs away.

Actually I think its easier to watch younger players try hard and make mistakes than a mediocre team with KD and Beal being so apathetic about the whole situation.

[BobbieL]

This might seem overly optimistic, or downright stupid, based on his recent performance and health, but if at the vet minimum might be worth a gamble. With Ben Simmons we could solve both our current problems, point guard and power forward positions. His point guard skills haven't been questioned, and he was noted for being able to guard the one through the five at one time.

This would allow Book and Green to do their thing while giving us decent to good defense at the other three positions. We should also have decent to adequate scoring with the two guards and Williams. And Brooks is at least a double figures scorer who can shoot some threes. Ben's shooting timidity should be a minor problem.

IMO it cannot be any worse that last year or right now, and I really like Gillespie as a backup.

If the team/coaches and everyone else think he's washed just forget this.

At this point - unless its Gary Payton for his defense, toughness, three point shooting - why not takea flyer on Ben Simmons.

You are correct - he can play both the PG and PF positions. Like you said, h e can defend. I get he has zero impact scoring so you have to make sure who he plays with -- but why not. For the VETERAN MINIMUM though. No need to use the TPMLE just to go over the lux tax line at this point. Save that for maybe the trade deadline if you outperform

Ben hasn't been a very impactful player since leaving Philly and with his reluctance to take any jumpers he is just going to make the spacing worse when we are probably going to play either Richards or Williams who are not 3pt shooters and then if you want Dunn or Oso out there as well now you got 3 players in the lineup who either are very streaky from 3 or just can't or won't take 3's.

You make very valid points. All very true. I just don't know what options are that great at this point though
but you are correct - especially if he is out there with other not shooters

[Fo-Real]

Marc Stein:

The Phoenix Suns are looking to add a veteran ballhandler after losing Tyus Jones in free agency, sources told Marc Stein of The Stein Line.

The team have been linked with Chris Paul, though Paul is now expected to sign with the Clippers.

The Suns have also been in recent contact with Ben Simmons, who has also drawn interest from the Knicks, Celtics, and Kings.

The Suns were also a finalist for Marcus Smart, though Smart signed with the Lakers after getting recruited by Luka Doncic.

This might seem overly optimistic, or downright stupid, based on his recent performance and health, but if at the vet minimum might be worth a gamble. With Ben Simmons we could solve both our current problems, point guard and power forward positions. His point guard skills haven't been questioned, and he was noted for being able to guard the one through the five at one time.

This would allow Book and Green to do their thing while giving us decent to good defense at the other three positions. We should also have decent to adequate scoring with the two guards and Williams. And Brooks is at least a double figures scorer who can shoot some threes. Ben's shooting timidity should be a minor problem.

IMO it cannot be any worse that last year or right now, and I really like Gillespie as a backup.

If the team/coaches and everyone else think he's washed just forget this.

As much as I hate that dude, you may be right. Offensive pg skills (with no shot though), while having starting pf defensive abilities.

[BobbieL]

Marc Stein:

This might seem overly optimistic, or downright stupid, based on his recent performance and health, but if at the vet minimum might be worth a gamble. With Ben Simmons we could solve both our current problems, point guard and power forward positions. His point guard skills haven't been questioned, and he was noted for being able to guard the one through the five at one time.

This would allow Book and Green to do their thing while giving us decent to good defense at the other three positions. We should also have decent to adequate scoring with the two guards and Williams. And Brooks is at least a double figures scorer who can shoot some threes. Ben's shooting timidity should be a minor problem.

IMO it cannot be any worse that last year or right now, and I really like Gillespie as a backup.

If the team/coaches and everyone else think he's washed just forget this.

As much as I hate that dude, you may be right. Offensive pg skills (with no shot though), while having starting pf defensive abilities.

With this team, the reason Simmons is intriguing is he might have the highest upside. If the Suns were closer to being like the 8th seen, hell the 10th seed - the safer player, lower ceiling, higher floor - you know what you get - might be the right thing. I think Simmons is a swing for fences

[King4Day]

I'm surprised some here aren't excited about this season.
As long as you aren't going into it with title aspirations, it's fun having many (5-7 (7 if you include Williams and Green)) young guys to watch grow.
Seeing the roster construction and that most of this roster will dirty up the game, try hard, go after boards, have each other's back. Plenty of youth/rookies we can watch develop.

Sure, we aren't winning a ring.
Sure, we have no pick control for the next 6 off-seasons.
But we still have youth that we can develop, and we have a team that, on paper, we can be proud to watch.

[BobbieL]

I'm surprised some here aren't excited about this season.
As long as you aren't going into it with title aspirations, it's fun having many (5-7 (7 if you include Williams and Green)) young guys to watch grow.
Seeing the roster construction and that most of this roster will dirty up the game, try hard, go after boards, have each other's back. Plenty of youth/rookies we can watch develop.

Sure, we aren't winning a ring.
Sure, we have no pick control for the next 6 off-seasons.
But we still have youth that we can develop, and we have a team that, on paper, we can be proud to watch.

I like the move
Fleming
Brooks
really looking forward to seeing Green and Williams
should be a better team to watch

[King4Day]

I'm surprised some here aren't excited about this season.
As long as you aren't going into it with title aspirations, it's fun having many (5-7 (7 if you include Williams and Green)) young guys to watch grow.
Seeing the roster construction and that most of this roster will dirty up the game, try hard, go after boards, have each other's back. Plenty of youth/rookies we can watch develop.

Sure, we aren't winning a ring.
Sure, we have no pick control for the next 6 off-seasons.
But we still have youth that we can develop, and we have a team that, on paper, we can be proud to watch.

I like the move
Fleming
Brooks
really looking forward to seeing Green and Williams
should be a better team to watch

Looking at the Rockets of last year and the Suns of this year

Rockets:

FVV
Green
Brooks
Amen (or Smith)
Sengun

Suns:

Booker
Green
Brooks
Dunn
Williams.

Now, we aren't getting a 2 seed, but we have a competitive team. Williams doesn't have the offense of Sengun but he can defend. We have more defense than offense probably but why can they be competitive, but we can't? Bench maybe?

[NavLDO]

I'd imagine the last spots shake out during training cap. Probably moving Brea to a standard contract and bringing on Boogie Ellis under a two-way.

That's your team

Green/Gillispie/Ellis(tw)
Booker/Allen/Brea
Brooks/O'Neale/Livers(tw)
Dunn/Hayes-Davis/Oso/Fleming
Williams/Richards/Maluach/Huntley(tw)

I like your take on how the depth chart should shake out; I'm much more of the belief, that even if Booker might be the better 'PG' option over Green, we stand a better chance of success with Green bringing the ball up, with Booker being the 'off-ball' Guard, than Booker bringing the ball up, with Jalen being the 'off-ball' Guard. I'm sure it will likely be fairly close, like 60%-40% one-way or the other, but in simplest terms...

PG: Booker > Green

...but...

SG: Booker >>>> Green

Also, I hope they play/develop Hayes-Davis and Fleming at the 4seem better suited at PF, than SF; I just think they will defend the 4 better than our other options, outside of Dunn.

[BobbieL]

If Siegel is correct and I think he is Bay Area based --- that takes Melton off the list. Paul and Westbrook off the list

So who is left Cam Payne? Ben Simmons. Simmons to the Suns might have some legs after all. They know what they have in Payne --

Read on Twitter

[SkyBill40]

I'm not really excited about the proposition that is Simmons. Sure, he has great size, solid defense, and good vision... but he's a head case. Fans will NOT be kind when he passes out of shots he should take. And acquiring him pushes someone to the bench, most likely Green. And while I am certainly okay with that since Simmons is actually seen as a PG, it's likely to cause drama with Green as he fully expects to start.

[BobbieL]

I'm not really excited about the proposition that is Simmons. Sure, he has great size, solid defense, and good vision... but he's a head case. Fans will NOT be kind when he passes out of shots he should take. And acquiring him pushes someone to the bench, most likely Green. And while I am certainly okay with that since Simmons is actually seen as a PG, it's likely to cause drama with Green as he fully expects to start.

There just aren't a lot of options. I don't think anything needs to be done quickly at this points. Its not like the player they sign will make or break the team

[SkyBill40]

I'm not really excited about the proposition that is Simmons. Sure, he has great size, solid defense, and good vision... but he's a head case. Fans will NOT be kind when he passes out of shots he should take. And acquiring him pushes someone to the bench, most likely Green. And while I am certainly okay with that since Simmons is actually seen as a PG, it's likely to cause drama with Green as he fully expects to start.

There just aren't a lot of options. I don't think anything needs to be done quickly at this points. Its not like the player they sign will make or break the team

If they were to sign Simmons... that could very well make or break the team. But I don't expect he'd even want to come here in the first place, so there's that.

[KdoubleDees23]

If simmons can give us 8/8 and good defense. I would be happy. I just worry because well "its ben simmons"