Where do we go from here?

[Superbone]

Matt Ishbia is going to have some tough decisions if we continue to trend in our current direction. He's not going to be happy to continue on this path although a lot of it (all of it?) was his own doing. We went from a home grown, fun Finals team on the brink of our first NBA championship to this "Big 3" injury prone team with inconsistent effort and not much defense. And then it really hurts that Booker has regressed.

I can't see this working out as constructed. I don't think there's a big trade deadline deal that turns this around. So, where do we go from here? Do we just stand pat and make major changes in the off-season? Do we still try to make a big trade at the deadline and then make major changes in the off-season? There's no way we're stuck in mediocrity for the next 7 years like some have stated, right? RIGHT?!

You get up to three selections in the poll. Do you want to keep some or all of the "Big 3" or blow it all up? Make your choices and then give your nuanced ideas below.

 

[Peter Sheldon]

The sad part is that the Suns actually had a pretty successful off-season and incredible draft considering their picks. But it’s all predicated on 2 out of 3 of our superstars stepping up. And we are only getting one and he’s injured half the time. Although we needed a true point guard, that was solved and we still are not better. What would have been better is low post defense and live with lack of PG.

 

[AzStevenCal]

The sad part is that the Suns actually had a pretty successful off-season and incredible draft considering their picks. But it’s all predicated on 2 out of 3 of our superstars stepping up. And we are only getting one and he’s injured half the time. Although we needed a true point guard, that was solved and we still are not better. What would have been better is low post defense and live with lack of PG.

I sort of agree but how would we handle low post defense if we had to still run Devin as our primary point guard? He was a huge weakness last season and expecting a center to guard his man and make up for matador perimeter defense is asking far too much from all but the most elite defensive bigs.

IMO we far too flawed to solve our problems with minor changes. We might have been able to pull off a miracle with good health and if Oso and Dunn surprised us all by playing like 4th year vets. But our health is about what we should have expected and our rookies are still very much rookies. They show some promise but they aren't quick fixes, and maybe not long term fixes either.

 

[Proximo]

This is a silly question to me because I know what the right thing is to do, and what is actually going to happen.

The right thing to do is trade KD, and maybe Booker.

The impossible thing to do is trade Beal

The thing that is going to happen is they are keeping all three and we will lose in the play in or the first round again.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Matt Ishbia is going to have some tough decisions if we continue to trend in our current direction. He's not going to be happy to continue on this path although a lot of it (all of it?) was his own doing. We went from a home grown, fun Finals team on the brink of our first NBA championship to this "Big 3" injury prone team with inconsistent effort and not much defense. And then it really hurts that Booker has regressed.

I can't see this working out as constructed. I don't think there's a big trade deadline deal that turns this around. So, where do we go from here? Do we just stand pat and make major changes in the off-season? Do we still try to make a big trade at the deadline and then make major changes in the off-season? There's no way we're stuck in mediocrity for the next 7 years like some have stated, right? RIGHT?!

You get up to three selections in the poll. Do you want to keep some or all of the "Big 3" or blow it all up? Make your choices and then give your nuanced ideas below.

I'm definitely in the "blow it all up" camp but "explore" feels a little wishy-washy to me. We have to rehab KD and Beal's value as best we can between now and the midseason trade deadline (and maybe Booker's too) and then move them for whatever we can get.

I don't think we can afford to go a full season before we take action. If we clear off all our cap issues, maybe we can regain some assets over the next few years by using our space and Ishbia's willingness to spend rather than insisting/waiting on getting good returns for our very flawed big 3.

 

[Proximo]

The sad part is that the Suns actually had a pretty successful off-season and incredible draft considering their picks. But it’s all predicated on 2 out of 3 of our superstars stepping up. And we are only getting one and he’s injured half the time. Although we needed a true point guard, that was solved and we still are not better. What would have been better is low post defense and live with lack of PG.

It's not just predicated on them being healthy, it is predicated on Book playing like a top 10 player, and Beal playing like a top 30 guy. Neither of those are remotely happening either.

 

[Proximo]

I'm definitely in the "blow it all up" camp but "explore" feels a little wishy-washy to me. We have to rehab KD and Beal's value as best we can between now and the midseason trade deadline (and maybe Booker's too) and then move them for whatever we can get.

I don't think we can afford to go a full season before we take action. If we clear off all our cap issues, maybe we can regain some assets over the next few years by using our space and Ishbia's willingness to spend rather than insisting on getting good returns for our very flawed big 3.

It's not happening. Ishbia is going to go down with the ship. Maybe if we are lucky they make a move in the offseason, but there is no chance of anything happening till then and if somehow the Suns made it to the 2nd round they will keep them together again for sure.

 

[AzStevenCal]

It's not happening. Ishbia is going to go down with the ship. Maybe if we are lucky they make a move in the offseason, but there is no chance of anything happening till then and if somehow the Suns made it to the 2nd round they will keep them together again for sure.

You could be right, I really have no clue what Ish will do. But AFAIC the writing is on the wall in giant capital letters, this team CANNOT win it all even if aliens abducted the best player off of every other team in the league. So why keep it together when doing so is just going to make it that much worse for us in the long run?

 

[Mainstreet]

About all the Suns can do is add a rotation 4/5 that is athletic, defensive minded, can plug the middle and hope that is enough.

Btw, the Suns have to stay healthy for even this slim hope.

 

[Mainstreet]

You could be right, I really have no clue what Ish will do. But AFAIC the writing is on the wall in giant capital letters, this team CANNOT win it all even if aliens abducted the best player off of every other team in the league. So why keep it together when doing so is just going to make it that much worse for us in the long run?

This is a question only Mat Ishbia can answer.

His continued desire to extend Kevin Durant gives the impression he is not willing to do so. I guess we will find out soon enough.

I look for trades to attempt to fix the problem as the next step.

Another, option is if a player steps up and demands a trade. This might open the floodgates.

 

[Covert Rain]

Another, option is if a player steps up and demands a trade. This might open the floodgates.

This is the only way we are getting massive changes.

 

[Proximo]

You could be right, I really have no clue what Ish will do. But AFAIC the writing is on the wall in giant capital letters, this team CANNOT win it all even if aliens abducted the best player off of every other team in the league. So why keep it together when doing so is just going to make it that much worse for us in the long run?

Because it is very hard for someone to admit they have made a mistake.

 

[Proximo]

This is the only way we are getting massive changes.

Probably correct. Don't see any signs of it yet.

 

[Proximo]

About all the Suns can do is add a rotation 4/5 that is athletic, defensive minded, can plug the middle and hope that is enough.

Btw, the Suns have to stay healthy for even this slim hope.

That is clearly not enough. Nor do I see any such player that exists that is available for our meager trade assets

 

[Mainstreet]

That is clearly not enough. Nor do I see any such player that exists that is available for our meager trade assets

It's certainly a long shot but Isaiah Stewart is one of the few players that might work and fills a need.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Because it is very hard for someone to admit they have made a mistake.

True but he has to weigh his ego against his desire for success, for wealth and even for popularity. If, (big IF), he becomes convinced that it's not working and can't work without a complete overhaul, I believe he'll admit the mistakes and make major changes. We'll just have to see if his ego will blind him to the truth - or at least, what many of us believe to be the truth.

 

[95pro]

The obvious answer within the context of how the season is going, is to move Beal. Easier said than done. Beal, even when playing isn't playing up to his 50M contract. Simple as that. Book and KD also making near the same, KD is invaluable when healthy, Book is our franchise guy.

Without moving anyone, moving Beal to the second unit would be the best compromise in getting the most out of the big 3.

 

[Cheesebeef]

The obvious answer within the context of how the season is going, is to move Beal. Easier said than done. Beal, even when playing isn't playing up to his 50M contract. Simple as that. Book and KD also making near the same, KD is invaluable when healthy, Book is our franchise guy.

Without moving anyone, moving Beal to the second unit would be the best compromise in getting the most out of the big 3.

Beal can’t be moved so that’s a non-starter.

KD should absolutely be moved.

And any franchise who’s franchise player is a Devin Booker level player will never be a championship contender and probably is a play-in level franchise.

Both KD and Book should be goners while their value is at their current peak. That only goes down from here.

 

[Covert Rain]

Beal can’t be moved so that’s a non-starter.

KD should absolutely be moved.

And any franchise who’s franchise player is a Devin Booker level player will never be a championship contender and probably is a play-in level franchise.

Both KD and Book should be goners while their value is at their current peak. That only goes down from here.

Agree but moving Beal to the bench could be the catalyst for him being open to moving and waiving his NTC. I know it won't happen but I have been saying he should come off the bench because I think it helps our rotations. So, maybe it can do both.

If we do blow it up though? It should include Book. Maximize the number of assets and reload the cupboard. If we trade away KD, Beal for example? Keeping Book does nothing if we can't get another another Superstar player to play alongside him.

 

[Superbone]

The obvious answer within the context of how the season is going, is to move Beal. Easier said than done. Beal, even when playing isn't playing up to his 50M contract. Simple as that. Book and KD also making near the same, KD is invaluable when healthy, Book is our franchise guy.

Without moving anyone, moving Beal to the second unit would be the best compromise in getting the most out of the big 3.

I agree that this is something at the very least we should do. Moving Beal to the second unit would be what's best for the team. He's not working out in the starting unit. I'd be fine with either Dunn or O'Neale starting in his place.

I'm frustrated enough with this team now that I'm ready to blow the whole thing up. And that pains me to say. Especially with Booker's loyalty to the team all this time. Of the three, I'd move him last though. I'm old enough to remember how impactful the Larry Nance trade was back in the day. That revitalized this franchise. We need something like that.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I agree that this is something at the very least we should do. Moving Beal to the second unit would be what's best for the team. He's not working out in the starting unit. I'd be fine with either Dunn or O'Neale starting in his place.

I'm frustrated enough with this team now that I'm ready to blow the whole thing up. And that pains me to say. Especially with Booker's loyalty to the team all this time. Of the three, I'd move him last though. I'm old enough to remember how impactful the Larry Nance trade was back in the day. That revitalized this franchise. We need something like that.

Here’s the issue… Booker is our Nance. He’s going to fetch the best return of any of them and that’s why he’s also got to go. There is no rebuilding around Booker that leads us anywhere but play-in game status and that is pointless, IMO.

 

[GatorAZ]

The Rockets would trade Jalen Green and Jabari Smith with a combo of fillers for KD right now. Green is another bad contract but I’d be okay taking him if we could get our 2027 pick back since we’d be tanking by then. Jabari has potential.

Trade Booker this offseason.

 

[Cheesebeef]

The Rockets would trade Jalen Green and Jabari Smith with a combo of fillers for KD right now. Green is another bad contract but I’d be okay taking him if we could get our 2027 pick back since we’d be tanking by then. Jabari has potential.

Trade Booker this offseason.

Yeah… if we could somehow get a Rockets trade that gets us some of our picks back, that would be optimal.

 

[hcsilla]

Here’s the issue… Booker is our Nance. He’s going to fetch the best return of any of them and that’s why he’s also got to go. There is no rebuilding around Booker that leads us anywhere but play-in game status and that is pointless, IMO.

Agreed. I also would trade Booker because his value is the highest among big 3, Durant would net much less than we traded for him while Beal is very close to untradeable.

Thompson, Sheppard, Green and Adams and all Suns picks including the 2025 swap of HOU pick to PHO pick for Booker.

Problem is the Rockets would lose too much depth.

 

[hcsilla]

The Rockets would trade Jalen Green and Jabari Smith with a combo of fillers for KD right now. Green is another bad contract but I’d be okay taking him if we could get our 2027 pick back since we’d be tanking by then. Jabari has potential.

No, thank you. Another overpaid SG? Don't we have two of this kind already?

Without KD we suck heavily, all our picks get much more valuable and go away at the same time which makes rebuilding longer by years.