2024-25 Season Discussion and Speculation Part V

[BobbieL]

Ya'll are crazy. We have a player who is still top in his position, wanting to play here long term and loyal! Yall are crying. I don't think we need a full on rebuild. Just KD and Beal need to be gone.

If we can’t find an alpha player to push Booker like CP3, Jimmy, Draymond then he needs to be traded. Booker plays better with another leader on our team.

Yes - but I want none of those guys as they are all older. Though Cp3 had a fine year - but he was right for the earlier version of the SUNS

[KdoubleDees23]

So -- give me some ideas of the roster around Booker

I already did with my idea for trade. then offseason signing! Catch up.

KD to Houston for FVV, Jabari Smith Jr, Eason and pick (Draft Carter Jr Florida)
Get Marcus Smart (6th man)

FVV, Carter Jr
Booker, Smart
Eason (Defense), Allen
Jabari Smith Jr, Dunn
Nick Richards, OSO

Trade Beal for something.

That gives us a leader FVV and vocal 6th man , Defense with Eason (top 5 lebron stopper)

Scoring and shooting and defense on the bench !

Sorry - my mistake. I did see this posted earlier - I would prefer younger players from the Rockets. FVV is up there

How will the suns sign Marcus Smart - for the minimum?

Beal - I just don't see a viable option without adding a bunch of draft capital which defeats the purpose

I only want FVV as a starting PG who is vocal and understands the game. He reminds me of a smaller Dillon Brooks. Gritty, Works Hard, Vocal. Age sucks, but he can mentor Carter Jr.

Smart for Minimum if possible (I can see smart going to Mavericks though to end his career)

Only trade I would do for KD other than this is to the Spurs if they would include castle, but doubt they will.

Beal I can see like I said Bulls, Mavs, Spurs, Rockets, Heat with sleepers being LA

[Boujack]

I really believe we all agree that we have to build a new team around our new Big three: Ryan Dunn, Oso and Gillespie.

[dremill24]

Ya'll are crazy. We have a player who is still top in his position, wanting to play here long term and loyal! Yall are crying. I don't think we need a full on rebuild. Just KD and Beal need to be gone.

So -- give me some ideas of the roster around Booker

(for the record I am pro trading Booker, but)

Whats the best we could realistically expect in return from Houston for KD? Could we get Green, Smith, Eason, and one of our picks? Part of me feels like we probly only get three of those four assets or its Whitmore instead of Eason, but maybe? I can think of a few places to reroute Green and maybe even Eason if all that was on the table.

[BobbieL]

Ya'll are crazy. We have a player who is still top in his position, wanting to play here long term and loyal! Yall are crying. I don't think we need a full on rebuild. Just KD and Beal need to be gone.

So -- give me some ideas of the roster around Booker

(for the record I am pro trading Booker, but)

Whats the best we could realistically expect in return from Houston for KD? Could we get Green, Smith, Eason, and one of our picks? Part of me feels like we probly only get three of those four assets or its Whitmore instead of Eason, but maybe? I can think of a few places to reroute Green and maybe even Eason if all that was on the table.

Thats part of why I am pro-trading Booker. I just don't think you can build enough around Booker with the assets from Durant

Now if it was reversed -- I think you could get more from Booker to build around Durant. So again, if Ishbia just has to keep Booker, what is the end goal? Make a few fans happy that "DBook" will bring the fans to the game

[Ghost of Kleine]

Read on Twitter

This would be a very bad outcome for us if Booker somehow asked out and would only agree to a trade to New York as the Knicks don't really have any picks to offer or desirable young talent/ players aside from maybe Bridges??

But if that was the outcome, I'd take back Bridges and Mitchell and have them send other players to teams with picks so we could get back draft picks for Booker in a 3 team or 4 team deal!

I think with Booker going to the Knicks - it would have to be a multi team deal
Not sure Bridges would be coming back

For my part I'd at least want Bridges and Beauchamp from the Knicks and other pieces and picks ( since the Knicks don't really have any themselves) from a 3rd team!

[BobbieL]

Read on Twitter

This would be a very bad outcome for us if Booker somehow asked out and would only agree to a trade to New York as the Knicks don't really have any picks to offer or desirable young talent/ players aside from maybe Bridges??

But if that was the outcome, I'd take back Bridges and Mitchell and have them send other players to teams with picks so we could get back draft picks for Booker in a 3 team or 4 team deal!

I think with Booker going to the Knicks - it would have to be a multi team deal
Not sure Bridges would be coming back

For my part I'd at least want Bridges and Beauchamp from the Knicks and other pieces and picks ( since the Knicks don't really have any themselves) from a 3rd team!

I for sure would welcome Mikal Bridges back... who knows, maybe Booker rethinks his stance

[Calvin Klein]

First thing Zach Lowe says in his first podcast is how long he's been waiting to make fun of Mat Ishbia.

[BobbieL]

First thing Zach Lowe says in his first podcast is how long he's been waiting to make fun of Mat Ishbia.

Thank you -- just downloaded for my morning walk tomorroiw
just to hear him make fun of Ishbia

[Ghost of Kleine]

Read on Twitter

[BobbieL]

Read on Twitter

So, if Marks is right, another short-sighted move to chase the pot at the end of the rainbow - and we all know there is not a pot at the end of the rainbow

I just saw somebody say on twitter that if you are able to stretch and waive Beal, it allows you to keep a FRP to attach to a trade with O'Neale or Allen - which means EVEN less assets to build around Booker. And all stretching Beal does is give you the MLE -- so basically Royce O'Neal or Grayson Allen - B Fing Deal!! Just a lateral move

I know it will suck to trade Booker but until I see otherwise - there is no path

[Ghost of Kleine]

Read on Twitter

[thamadkant]

I really believe we all agree that we have to create a new team around our new big three: Ryan Dunn, Oso and Gillespie.

Sarcasm and jokes aside, all 3 would be lucky to be in the NBA in 3 years time. Luck, opportunity and proper fit needs to be all ticked for any of them to thrive.

Dunn has the athleticism and energy as well as body... now he needs to be useful offensively to get solid minutes to do any damage. He looks OK so far but needs more fire and a really good off season.

[Ghost of Kleine]

Read on Twitter

[thamadkant]

I must be a dumb arse or something but for the ppl who say Book is not a #1 option, who was the best player when they were in the Finals a couple years ago? Who was the one everybody and their mama was saying he's a killer like Kobe, even Kobe himself said he's a killer like himself. Stop disrespecting this man, Book needs winners around him especially at the PG, it doesn't have to be superstars just players who are leaders and care about winning

Booker as number 1 option means a 35 win team.

He's like Lavine, both are excellent scorers as individuals but doesn't use their team mates better in a way that translate to success.

CP3 and Ayton were the key players that got Suns to the Finals in 2021. Booker did his scoring and lead in that regard but CP3 was leading everyone being the floor and chemistry general.

[BobbieL]

Read on Twitter

What are the three options - behind a paywall?

[BobbieL]

Read on Twitter

Do both -a bit of flexibility and adding talent

Granted, Booker isn't Kawhi and Beal isn't Harden so not sure the Clippers model will be the same

I agree that with Booker - 35 win team at best. The Zach levine comp is so accurate

[thamadkant]

Ya'll are crazy. We have a player who is still top in his position, wanting to play here long term and loyal! Yall are crying. I don't think we need a full on rebuild. Just KD and Beal need to be gone.

So -- give me some ideas of the roster around Booker

(for the record I am pro trading Booker, but)

Whats the best we could realistically expect in return from Houston for KD? Could we get Green, Smith, Eason, and one of our picks? Part of me feels like we probly only get three of those four assets or its Whitmore instead of Eason, but maybe? I can think of a few places to reroute Green and maybe even Eason if all that was on the table.

As previously posted here...

KD to Rockets for FVV, and a selection from Green, Eason and Smith... and Suns 2027 pick back.


Then go to Pistons and trade Booker for Ausar Thompson, Ivey and Harris... and a couple of first rounders, Pistons likely to put protections but so be it.

Suns don't trade Beal or waive him... because it's a waste. Use Beal and give him the Booker role and he will bring his value back up. Then come 2027, his expiring will be coveted by a few teams... get them to give picks or youth as well as their big salary.

[BobbieL]

So -- give me some ideas of the roster around Booker

(for the record I am pro trading Booker, but)

Whats the best we could realistically expect in return from Houston for KD? Could we get Green, Smith, Eason, and one of our picks? Part of me feels like we probly only get three of those four assets or its Whitmore instead of Eason, but maybe? I can think of a few places to reroute Green and maybe even Eason if all that was on the table.

As previously posted here...

KD to Rockets for FVV, and a selection from Green, Eason and Smith... and Suns 2027 pick back.


Then go to Pistons and trade Booker for Ausar Thompson, Ivey and Harris... and a couple of first rounders, Pistons likely to put protections but so be it.

Suns don't trade Beal or waive him... because it's a waste. Use Beal and give him the Booker role and he will bring his value back up. Then come 2027, his expiring will be coveted by a few teams... get them to give picks or youth as well as their big salary.

Thank you!!! Thats it right there. That team you outlined will be better than the team if you trade Durant, keep Booker and sell low or buyout Beal

There is zero reason to buyout Beal too early as he has no value. At least see what happens in the summer of 2026 - you might be able to trade him.

As for Beal - I wouldn't even care about picks - more just contracts that are more easily movable. Like three guys making $18m over one guy making $55.

[Sunsdeuce]

Read on Twitter

Beal ain’t the issue. The issue is Booker/KD/jones/Ishbia. KD gonna run anyway, him and Ishbia relationship seems dead so that problem is gonna be gone because KD is gonna make it happen.

Booker is a tick who is gonna suck this organization dry because Ishbia thinks too much of him/over values Bookers presence both local and nationally. So that problem ain’t getting fixed.

Jones gonna be fired. Ishbia will fire him. You can count on it. Jones was just collecting pay checks anyway. He hasn’t brought any real value and drained this organization dry of assets well before Ishbia.

Ishbia ain’t going anywhere so that’s not breaking news.

When it’s all said and done, this team is just going to regurgitate a different/unbalanced roster around Booker again and there is going to be another .500 or worse ball club next year because the leadership offers no real leadership on this team. Fixing half the problems isn’t fixing THE problem!