The Official 2025 Offseason Thread #4 Free Agency Opens!

[KdoubleDees23]

Rejecting unprotected pick from a projected bottom 5-6 team for that doesn't look smart. Should've taken even a slim chance for a franchise player with how bad our picks situation is next few years.

Yea, the cardinals did that a few years ago and ended up with a far worse pick from a Texans team that was certified dog water by ever single talking head in the league. It was a shoe in top 3 pick, until it wasn’t.

Yeah there is a risk, but Maluach is a risk too. Depends on what you consider a greater risk. It requires some vision and direction by the team too. I'm not sure what is Suns direction. They want to win but pick the youngest and biggest project in the draft, who if the other two Cs are healthy and Suns are actually trying to win, won't see much time outside of GLeague.

Maluach will get 15 mpg .

[garrick]

Pressure will mount on Maluach after this rejected trade.
Just like that one we had (kyrie for Josh jackson) lolllll

If the Pels pick lands at the top, that's one thing, but next year isn't supposed to be a good draft.

Maybe we draft Fleming at 23 had this deal gone down?
We need youth to start building now. Not to bank on a team to be really bad next season in hopes to draft a player with the upside of.....Maluach.

Everything I've read tells me that 2026 should be a deep draft with 3-4 candidates already looking to be strong contenders for the #1 pick, a little too early for sure but this is not at all like the 2025 draft class where there were no doubts that Cooper was not going to be the top selection.

With a few candidates opting to return for another year in school the 2026 should be a lot deeper than the 2025 draft class.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/45585873/2026-nba-mock-draft-four-players-no-1-pick-options-peterson-dybantsa-boozer-ament

[KdoubleDees23]

Pressure will mount on Maluach after this rejected trade.
Just like that one we had (kyrie for Josh jackson) lolllll

If the Pels pick lands at the top, that's one thing, but next year isn't supposed to be a good draft.

Maybe we draft Fleming at 23 had this deal gone down?
We need youth to start building now. Not to bank on a team to be really bad next season in hopes to draft a player with the upside of.....Maluach.

Everything I've read tells me that 2026 should be a deep draft with 3-4 candidates already looking to be strong contenders for the #1 pick, a little too early for sure but this is not at all like the 2025 draft class where there were no doubts that Cooper was not going to be the top selection.

With a few candidates opting to return for another year in school the 2026 should be a lot deeper than the 2025 draft class.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/45585873/2026-nba-mock-draft-four-players-no-1-pick-options-peterson-dybantsa-boozer-ament

Suns don't draft well. Get players and not rely on draft. Make some trades.

[Saberestar]

Rejecting unprotected pick from a projected bottom 5-6 team for that doesn't look smart. Should've taken even a slim chance for a franchise player with how bad our picks situation is next few years.

Yea, the cardinals did that a few years ago and ended up with a far worse pick from a Texans team that was certified dog water by ever single talking head in the league. It was a shoe in top 3 pick, until it wasn’t.

Yeah there is a risk, but Maluach is a risk too. Depends on what you consider a greater risk. It requires some vision and direction by the team too. I'm not sure what is Suns direction. They want to win but pick the youngest and biggest project in the draft, who if the other two Cs are healthy and Suns are actually trying to win, won't see much time outside of GLeague.

"Youngest and biggest project in the draft" is just an exaggeration and it's not true.

Noa Essengue, Jeremiah Fears and Cooper Flagg are younger than Maluach, so your first sentence is false.

Any freshman is a project but Maluach has a pretty solid floor because of his physical tools and high character.

What about Carter Bryant? He isn't a huge project for you? What about Demim? Beringer...?

Yeah, there are too many super young players drafted in the Top 20 who look nice but they need to keep developing his game. Not a surprise and it's not something new in any draft...but you are someway trying to make Maluach as the only one not ready to make big contributions since day one in the NBA.

[King4Day]

Pressure will mount on Maluach after this rejected trade.
Just like that one we had (kyrie for Josh jackson) lolllll

If the Pels pick lands at the top, that's one thing, but next year isn't supposed to be a good draft.

Maybe we draft Fleming at 23 had this deal gone down?
We need youth to start building now. Not to bank on a team to be really bad next season in hopes to draft a player with the upside of.....Maluach.

Everything I've read tells me that 2026 should be a deep draft with 3-4 candidates already looking to be strong contenders for the #1 pick, a little too early for sure but this is not at all like the 2025 draft class where there were no doubts that Cooper was not going to be the top selection.

With a few candidates opting to return for another year in school the 2026 should be a lot deeper than the 2025 draft class.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/45585873/2026-nba-mock-draft-four-players-no-1-pick-options-peterson-dybantsa-boozer-ament

Maybe it's the 2027 draft that's not good. Otherwise, wherever I read it was misinformed.
Either way, it's a crapshoot. Pels aren't going to try to be bad this year.

[dremill24]

If the Pels pick lands at the top, that's one thing, but next year isn't supposed to be a good draft.

Maybe we draft Fleming at 23 had this deal gone down?
We need youth to start building now. Not to bank on a team to be really bad next season in hopes to draft a player with the upside of.....Maluach.

Everything I've read tells me that 2026 should be a deep draft with 3-4 candidates already looking to be strong contenders for the #1 pick, a little too early for sure but this is not at all like the 2025 draft class where there were no doubts that Cooper was not going to be the top selection.

With a few candidates opting to return for another year in school the 2026 should be a lot deeper than the 2025 draft class.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/45585873/2026-nba-mock-draft-four-players-no-1-pick-options-peterson-dybantsa-boozer-ament

Maybe it's the 2027 draft that's not good. Otherwise, wherever I read it was misinformed.
Either way, it's a crapshoot. Pels aren't going to try to be bad this year.

Neither are the Suns but...

[sunsbg]

Yeah there is a risk, but Maluach is a risk too. Depends on what you consider a greater risk. It requires some vision and direction by the team too. I'm not sure what is Suns direction. They want to win but pick the youngest and biggest project in the draft, who if the other two Cs are healthy and Suns are actually trying to win, won't see much time outside of GLeague.

"Youngest and biggest project in the draft" is just an exaggeration and it's not true.

Noa Essengue, Jeremiah Fears and Cooper Flagg are younger than Maluach, so your first sentence is false.

Any freshman is a project but Maluach has a pretty solid floor because of his physical tools and high character.

What about Carter Bryant? He isn't a huge project for you? What about Demim? Beringer...?

Yeah, there are too many super young players drafted in the Top 20 who look nice but they need to keep developing his game. Not a surprise and it's not something new in any draft...but you are someway trying to make Maluach as the only one not ready to make big contributions since day one in the NBA.

I think I'd feel better if he was youngest in the draft as I thought I read somewhere, but probably wrong. It's been mentioned a lot that he's played less basketball than anybody in the draft and it showed in SL, so I doubt your expectation of him playing 20mpg will come true(unless we are tanking for nothing). How much he develops as a likely 3rd string C we are yet to see. Obviously we all hope he does well despite questioning whether it was smart to reject an unprotected pick in a loaded draft.

[sunsbg]

Neither are the Suns but...

West is wide open so Suns Pelicans WCF, baby.

[sunsfan1o1]

Pressure will mount on Maluach after this rejected trade.
Just like that one we had (kyrie for Josh jackson) lolllll

If the Pels pick lands at the top, that's one thing, but next year isn't supposed to be a good draft.

Maybe we draft Fleming at 23 had this deal gone down?
We need youth to start building now. Not to bank on a team to be really bad next season in hopes to draft a player with the upside of.....Maluach.

Everything I've read tells me that 2026 should be a deep draft with 3-4 candidates already looking to be strong contenders for the #1 pick, a little too early for sure but this is not at all like the 2025 draft class where there were no doubts that Cooper was not going to be the top selection.

With a few candidates opting to return for another year in school the 2026 should be a lot deeper than the 2025 draft class.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/45585873/2026-nba-mock-draft-four-players-no-1-pick-options-peterson-dybantsa-boozer-ament

Doesn’t really matter. If Suns don’t make the playoffs we will keep our lottery pick or get the Wizards lottery pick. Wizards are likely going to be worse than the Suns.

[sunsbg]

Doesn’t really matter. If Suns don’t make the playoffs we will keep our lottery pick or get the Wizards lottery pick. Wizards are likely going to be worse than the Suns.

Nope. '26 pick was gone in Nurkic trade.

[KdoubleDees23]

Doesn’t really matter. If Suns don’t make the playoffs we will keep our lottery pick or get the Wizards lottery pick. Wizards are likely going to be worse than the Suns.

Nope. '26 pick was gone in Nurkic trade.

I just read this on a site. Is this not accurate about 2026 1st

WAS will receive the more favorable of its 2026 1st round pick, protected for selections 9-30, and PHX's 2026 1st round pick

[Ghost of Kleine]

Read on Twitter

[Puff]

We went into this off season with three main goals.
1. Move on from both KD and Bradley Beal - Check
2. Get Bigger and younger at the 3, 4 and 5 - Check
3. Add a PG - Check

Will these choices all pan out, probably not. However, we have added some legit replacements that will make this club interesting to watch. It is not all about Maluach but I think he will be fine when everything is said and done. Will he be the 2nd coming of Kareem? Highly unlikely but I think he will be better than either of the two choices we had last year in Richards and Plumlee although it may take a couple of years for him to develop. We also added Williams who will be the starter if he can stay healthy.

I liked and respected KD as a great player, but it was time to move on. l viewed him as our PF last year due to us not having anyone else on the roster to be a legit PF or SF. Everyone that played those positions other than KD were undersized compared to the competition. We are now loaded with options at the 3/4 in Dunn, Brooks, Fleming, Davis, Oso, Livers, Brea, Huntley, and O'Neale competing for minutes. Will any of theses guys be better than Kd, well no. We will be younger and more athletic, yes.

Will we better at the 2 guard without Beal? I do not know anything except for what I read about Jalen Green. He was selected 2nd in the NBA draft so I expect he has immense talent. His numbers are not all that inspiring, but he is only 23. I will hold out judgement until I see what our new coach cooks up the Green Booker back court. It could be really exciting or a mess. I also love that we kept Gillespie and added Goodwin or the other guy from Philadelphia. How much will they play?

This front office did what most wanted this off season. I am extremely interested to see what we actually have come training camp.

My only addition that I would make would be for Giddey. I would rather pass on Kuminga, while keeping Allen as our back up at the 2.

Coach Ott has a lot to work with and develop. Developing players is his strength, right. Well, he has the opportunity to shape the future of this franchise. I will be hoping for his success while enjoying watching Suns basketball again.

You can question every move that was made this summer. However, most wanted massive changes and that is what we got. Some or most wanted us to dump Booker. Well, that did not happen, and I am fine with that decision.

[Ghost of Kleine]

Read on Twitter

I would've taken it. I was looking more at OKC and Sorber but this deal would've been better.

Agreed. The 26' draft is absurdly loaded with star level talent and other high end prospects.
And with the 23rd pick, we still could have drafted any of Newell, Clifford, Wolf (my preference), Neiderhauser ( center), Kalkbrenner ( trade back scenario), or even 7'4 Zisarky.

But also acquired a much more critical high value asset in the 26' NOP lottery pick. Especially important considering how devoid we are of tradable assets currently.

[sunsbg]

Doesn’t really matter. If Suns don’t make the playoffs we will keep our lottery pick or get the Wizards lottery pick. Wizards are likely going to be worse than the Suns.

Nope. '26 pick was gone in Nurkic trade.

I just read this on a site. Is this not accurate about 2026 1st

WAS will receive the more favorable of its 2026 1st round pick, protected for selections 9-30, and PHX's 2026 1st round pick

It's normal it's wrong. Both NI and AI are confused by what Suns did with all the swaps and trades over last two years.

[KdoubleDees23]

Get Giddey from Bulls for Allen, O'Neale and future Pick. Just make it happen. Bulls are still not getting to where Giddey wants to be.

[SkyBill40]

Get Giddey from Bulls for Allen, O'Neale and future Pick. Just make it happen. Bulls are still not getting to where Giddey wants to be.

That's great and all, but we don't have any more picks unless you're talking about second rounders. And even those are in short supply.

Sent from my SM-F936U using RealGM mobile app

[KdoubleDees23]

Get Giddey from Bulls for Allen, O'Neale and future Pick. Just make it happen. Bulls are still not getting to where Giddey wants to be.

That's great and all, but we don't have any more picks unless you're talking about second rounders. And even those are in short supply.

Sent from my SM-F936U using RealGM mobile app

Yes, 2nd rounders .

Giddey
Green
Booker
Brooks
Williams

Would be solid in this era. Could also do a lot of different line ups! Would love to see that

[SkyBill40]

Get Giddey from Bulls for Allen, O'Neale and future Pick. Just make it happen. Bulls are still not getting to where Giddey wants to be.

That's great and all, but we don't have any more picks unless you're talking about second rounders. And even those are in short supply.

Sent from my SM-F936U using RealGM mobile app

Yes, 2nd rounders .

Giddey
Green
Booker
Brooks
Williams

Would be solid in this era. Could also do a lot of different line ups! Would love to see that

I'm not against getting Giddey at the point, but it's going to force someone out of position and that's not ideal. Booker at the three would be sad as he'd be getting worked by quicker and larger opponents. That said, I'd rather we move on from Green but it seems we're stuck with him at least for now. And playing Brooks at the four would be a colossal mistake as he'd get abused nightly. We need someone that's at least 6'8" or larger at the PF slot.

[Waylay13]

If the Pels pick lands at the top, that's one thing, but next year isn't supposed to be a good draft.

Maybe we draft Fleming at 23 had this deal gone down?
We need youth to start building now. Not to bank on a team to be really bad next season in hopes to draft a player with the upside of.....Maluach.

Everything I've read tells me that 2026 should be a deep draft with 3-4 candidates already looking to be strong contenders for the #1 pick, a little too early for sure but this is not at all like the 2025 draft class where there were no doubts that Cooper was not going to be the top selection.

With a few candidates opting to return for another year in school the 2026 should be a lot deeper than the 2025 draft class.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/45585873/2026-nba-mock-draft-four-players-no-1-pick-options-peterson-dybantsa-boozer-ament

Suns don't draft well. Get players and not rely on draft. Make some trades.

The Suns have rebuilt their scouting department and the last two years their drafts have been good. Under James Jones it was bad for the most part.