2025-26 Season News & Discussion

[garrick]

Surprised this wasn't brought up but CP3 got waived by the Clippers



IF we brought him on, would he be a net positive for our team, which is kinda vibing right now? I certainly feel like a lot of the guys on the roster would benefit from his knowledge and experience. And we know Book and CP3 had mutual interest in getting him back in the offseason before he signed with the Clippers. But this is also situation our front office wanted to avoid even if it wasn't guaranteed to happen and this being the main reason why they decided against bringing him back. Emotionally, I want him back on the team, I want him to retire as a Sun and I think he's a net positive but I also recognise there is risk there

Edit: and before anyone calls him washed, yeah he looks washed this year but this Clippers team is completely dysfunctional. Last season he played ALL 82 games, averaged 7.4APG with only 1.6TPG (4.7 A:T ratio), shot 37.7% from 3 on 4.5 attempts a game for a competitive, well coached Spurs team

Yeah that Clippers organization is so dysfunctional the way they let Kwahi do whatever he wants with zero accountability I am not surprised CP3 clashed with management.

I think he can be a good presence as an assistant coach although there is always the fear that he will finally wear on players because he's so vocal and outspoken. He might feel he has more insight than Ott so I think the potential for clashes could be pretty high but I don't think we have too much to lose.

I loved CP3 during his time here, but I'd hate it if we gave him minutes of Gillespie and Bouyea at this stage of his career - the young guns have earned their way into our rotation.

I would bring him back only as an assistant coach.

[mkot]

CP3 is the example of a player staying one year too long and suddenly he doesn't even belong.

He should have retired last season, finishing his career with the Spurs by playing all 82 games and leading a young team to contention if not for Wemby's injury. That would be a perfect ending for a HOF career, but oh no he believes he can still play and help a contending team. Guys nowadays just don't know when to let go.

[mkot]

Jamal Murray just scored 52 points and nobody wants to talk about it. SMH

Buddy let's talk about. What kind of feelings is Murray scoring 52 points stirring up you?

His 52 point game is stirring up pure excitement to be honest for me. You don’t see many scoring 50+ points on 76% efficiency (19/25 fg) & 91% 3 point shooting (10/11) those are superb numbers regardless of it was done against a bad pacers team. Thats all I wanted to get off my chest. I’ll be gone now. Sorry.

52 points in 36 minutes is pretty insane.

I was surprised he even played. He turned his ankle pretty bad last game, took himself out of the game and came back, then took himself out again. I thought he's gonna miss at least a few games.

He is a legit multi level scorer so when he is hot and goes deep into his bag, it's pure excitement indeed. He still holds the record of a 50pt game without a FT attempt, and he only shot a few in this game. It's just rare these days. All the 50+ point game this season had at least 11 FTs made in the game, except Jamal Murray. SGA and Austin Reaves had 20+ FTs in their 50 piece game.

EDIT: Correction, Aaron Gordon had a 50 piece with only 6 FTs made this season.

[Ghost of Kleine]

Read on Twitter

His contract is fully unguaranteed each year if he doesn't play a specific threshold of games! Phoenix with the right package could land an alpha star or if things don't work out, they could clear around 42 million in salary!


But would anyone take that risk to possibly pair Zion with Booker? Could we create a Booker, Zion, Williams trio possibly? But would need to keep Dunn and Gillespie obviously.

What kind of package would you guys consider if we entertained this?

Bringing back CP3 would help keep Zion in line along with our apparently new found tough/lunch pail locker room. IDK what to trade for him...Green would be the obvious but I kinda wanna see him play with our new team some b4 calling that one.

What will happen is Miami will get him for pennies on the dollar and he will finally hit his massive (no pun intended) potential for the Heat and wins MVPs/titles while fans in our forum and every other one on RealGM will be like:

"why didn't WE trade for him when the price was so low? Of course he kills once he escapes the netherworld that is New Orleans!!"

I've been shouting from every thread we've ever had here to make a play for him since 2020 lol so I'm of course down, I just do not know what the price would be.

Well I don't really know what to consider a decent offer for him under his current conditions, but given his concerns and their team management, (also the pistons connections with Joe Dumars- Thomas/ Ishbia) I can't imagine it being too steep!

For me, it's that he's a legitimate "alpha" level 1A star (when healthy) that our franchise would never ever get in their prime years. And if NOT HEALTHY, he'd at least be fully UNGUARANTEED CONTRACTUALLY, so we could clear upwards of 44 million from our cap situation.

It's an obvious risk either way, but with absolutely no picks for the next half decade, and no legitimate cap space to make moves either ( for the next 5 years) with his contract being unguaranteed as well as us mot being expected to be that good anyways, it's a risk I'd seriously weigh to give us an actual 1A tier star next to Booker's 1B option.

A batman to Booker's Robin, that's not almost 40 or in the last few years of their careers. Someone legitimately dominant to put beside Booker for the remainder of his time here.

It might take some combination of Brooks or Dunn, Allen or O'neale, and then one of Maluach or Richards/ Ighodaro. Not even sure they'd get a first for him though ( probably could).but I'd at least make an exploratory call/ offer to them to try and see?

[Fo-Real]

Jamal Murray just scored 52 points and nobody wants to talk about it. SMH

Buddy let's talk about. What kind of feelings is Murray scoring 52 points stirring up you?

His 52 point game is stirring up pure excitement to be honest for me. You don’t see many scoring 50+ points on 76% efficiency (19/25 fg) & 91% 3 point shooting (10/11) those are superb numbers regardless of it was done against a bad pacers team. Thats all I wanted to get off my chest. I’ll be gone now. Sorry.

WHO?!?!

[SunsRback4Good]

Buddy let's talk about. What kind of feelings is Murray scoring 52 points stirring up you?

His 52 point game is stirring up pure excitement to be honest for me. You don’t see many scoring 50+ points on 76% efficiency (19/25 fg) & 91% 3 point shooting (10/11) those are superb numbers regardless of it was done against a bad pacers team. Thats all I wanted to get off my chest. I’ll be gone now. Sorry.

WHO?!?!

[Fo-Real]

His 52 point game is stirring up pure excitement to be honest for me. You don’t see many scoring 50+ points on 76% efficiency (19/25 fg) & 91% 3 point shooting (10/11) those are superb numbers regardless of it was done against a bad pacers team. Thats all I wanted to get off my chest. I’ll be gone now. Sorry.

WHO?!?!

Kidding obviously BUT... What's crazy is that no one here is talking about Giannis basically waiting to figure out where the trade tornado he created lands him, BUT going down last night in a classic NON CONTACT usually achilles tear scenario!! I hope it wasn't what it is but it looks eerie.

[NapoleonII]

Please, no Zion. No Zion talk, even.

We have enough DNP's to deal with.

[NapoleonII]

I'm sure they got assistants and interns holding down a ziptied Mortgage Matty from making a trade for Giannis.

[Calvin Klein]

Please, no Zion. No Zion talk, even.

We have enough DNP's to deal with.

yeah, even if he somehow gets his motivation back, he'll never be healthy. No, thanks

[SunsRback4Good]

No more injury prone players for us please. We’ve had a share of them over the years Zion won’t move the needle.

[Slim Charless]

Read on Twitter

His contract is fully unguaranteed each year if he doesn't play a specific threshold of games! Phoenix with the right package could land an alpha star or if things don't work out, they could clear around 42 million in salary!


But would anyone take that risk to possibly pair Zion with Booker? Could we create a Booker, Zion, Williams trio possibly? But would need to keep Dunn and Gillespie obviously.

What kind of package would you guys consider if we entertained this?

Bringing back CP3 would help keep Zion in line along with our apparently new found tough/lunch pail locker room. IDK what to trade for him...Green would be the obvious but I kinda wanna see him play with our new team some b4 calling that one.

What will happen is Miami will get him for pennies on the dollar and he will finally hit his massive (no pun intended) potential for the Heat and wins MVPs/titles while fans in our forum and every other one on RealGM will be like:

"why didn't WE trade for him when the price was so low? Of course he kills once he escapes the netherworld that is New Orleans!!"

I've been shouting from every thread we've ever had here to make a play for him since 2020 lol so I'm of course down, I just do not know what the price would be.

Well I don't really know what to consider a decent offer for him under his current conditions, but given his concerns and their team management, (also the pistons connections with Joe Dumars- Thomas/ Ishbia) I can't imagine it being too steep!

For me, it's that he's a legitimate "alpha" level 1A star (when healthy) that our franchise would never ever get in their prime years. And if NOT HEALTHY, he'd at least be fully UNGUARANTEED CONTRACTUALLY, so we could clear upwards of 44 million from our cap situation.

It's an obvious risk either way, but with absolutely no picks for the next half decade, and no legitimate cap space to make moves either ( for the next 5 years) with his contract being unguaranteed as well as us mot being expected to be that good anyways, it's a risk I'd seriously weigh to give us an actual 1A tier star next to Booker's 1B option.

A batman to Booker's Robin, that's not almost 40 or in the last few years of their careers. Someone legitimately dominant to put beside Booker for the remainder of his time here.

It might take some combination of Brooks or Dunn, Allen or O'neale, and then one of Maluach or Richards/ Ighodaro. Not even sure they'd get a first for him though ( probably could).but I'd at least make an exploratory call/ offer to them to try and see?

Brooks or Allen plus Richards I would do all day, though I know a lot here wouldn't. Pels have to win as they don't have their pick so they have to value win now players.

[lilfishi22]

Read on Twitter

His contract is fully unguaranteed each year if he doesn't play a specific threshold of games! Phoenix with the right package could land an alpha star or if things don't work out, they could clear around 42 million in salary!


But would anyone take that risk to possibly pair Zion with Booker? Could we create a Booker, Zion, Williams trio possibly? But would need to keep Dunn and Gillespie obviously.

What kind of package would you guys consider if we entertained this?

Any deal for Zion will almost guarantee we blow up what we have right now. The guy makes $40m which mean you need to trade some combination of Brooks, Green, Grayson and Royce. Now I understand if it's purely a salary play to make room for guys like CG, Williams and giving us some cap flexibility in the medium term but that would mean this team, this identity and the way we play is going to fundamentally change. The fact is, he's had more sub-30 games played season than he's had 60+ games played season. We're more than likely not going to get Zion for less than half the season so we could probably say goodbye to any sort of potential playoff run. And it's also not guaranteed his contract is fully non-guaranteed next season either, he could go on a healthy run and a decent chunk of his $42m salary next season gets guaranteed. Then you'll go through this again next season for the following season's salary.

40% of 2025-26 salary becomes guaranteed if plays >= 41 games during 2024-25 season, additional 20% if plays >= 51 games, remaining 20% if plays >= 61 games

Salaries for 2026-27 and 2027-28 seasons can be re-guaranteed if above metrics are hit the season prior

I also just don't think he's the kind of player/attitude I want on this team. Everyone on this team from top to bottom gives it their all and sacrifices for the team. I just don't think Zion is that guy. He's talented for sure but talent isn't everything (see KD/Beal.) Nah I rather not go for the talent play and keep the guys who want to be here, want to compete and is willing to do everything to put themselves in the best position to be able to contribute to this team.

[enigmatics]

CP3 was the real coach of the Suns during his stint and the primary reason (imo) they went to the Finals.

That being said - FK NO! Do not sign that dude.

I don't care how dysfunctional the Clips org is we don't need to test those waters. Who knows, had he remained healthy he might have eventually gotten on everyones nerves at some point which happened wherever he went.

He clearly wants more PT. He's not what they need. Collectively they have managed themselves well to this point and I don't see that changing.

[lilfishi22]

Read on Twitter

His contract is fully unguaranteed each year if he doesn't play a specific threshold of games! Phoenix with the right package could land an alpha star or if things don't work out, they could clear around 42 million in salary!


But would anyone take that risk to possibly pair Zion with Booker? Could we create a Booker, Zion, Williams trio possibly? But would need to keep Dunn and Gillespie obviously.

What kind of package would you guys consider if we entertained this?

Bringing back CP3 would help keep Zion in line along with our apparently new found tough/lunch pail locker room. IDK what to trade for him...Green would be the obvious but I kinda wanna see him play with our new team some b4 calling that one.

What will happen is Miami will get him for pennies on the dollar and he will finally hit his massive (no pun intended) potential for the Heat and wins MVPs/titles while fans in our forum and every other one on RealGM will be like:

"why didn't WE trade for him when the price was so low? Of course he kills once he escapes the netherworld that is New Orleans!!"

I've been shouting from every thread we've ever had here to make a play for him since 2020 lol so I'm of course down, I just do not know what the price would be.

And you've been shouted down every time because we'd be in the same exact **** situation the Pels are in right now if we had done a trade. Since 2020 he's had 2 seasons where he's played more than 60 games and the rest were either under 30 games or he was out an entire year. And in the 2 postseason appearance the Pels have had in that time span, what were his stats?

What you're saying is you want to take a splitting migraine Pelicans have had for 7 years in the hopes that migraine will give you telekinesis...that to me is insanity.

[lilfishi22]

CP3 is the example of a player staying one year too long and suddenly he doesn't even belong.

He should have retired last season, finishing his career with the Spurs by playing all 82 games and leading a young team to contention if not for Wemby's injury. That would be a perfect ending for a HOF career, but oh no he believes he can still play and help a contending team. Guys nowadays just don't know when to let go.

IF he played all 82 games and put up some very respectable stats, why not give it another punt. It wasn't like he was already on his last legs last season and limping into this season. He was healthy, he was contributing positively and he deserves a last run. He just picked the wrong team

[Slim Charless]

I'm sure they got assistants and interns holding down a ziptied Mortgage Matty from making a trade for Giannis.

We don't have remotely what's needed for Giannis trade. Even Booker isn't enough IMO.

[lilfishi22]

Please, no Zion. No Zion talk, even.

We have enough DNP's to deal with.

yeah, even if he somehow gets his motivation back, he'll never be healthy. No, thanks

After 5 seasons of the team trying to keep DA motivated enough to play like a consistent star, I have no desire in bringing in another immensely talented baby into the fold, and an unhealthy one no less. At least DA played

This crew we have right now does't need constant praise and coddling to play hard and give it their all.

[Ghost of Kleine]

Read on Twitter

[lilfishi22]

Read on Twitter

The last few years when we were a destination and we were able to sign some guys who probably could've gotten more money elsewhere but chose Phoenix for less like Tyus, Plumlee, EG, and Gillespie too. Ironically, now I almost feel less inclined to open up our roster for the best talent and focus more on the right guys, with the right attitude without a promise of playing time or role and have them earn it if they want to be a Sun.