Suns 2024-2025 Season Discussions

[Mainstreet]

Based on his play we are lucky we got that.

I think Nurkic can play much better than he showed. IMO, he came into camp too light. What went on behind the scene, who knows.

However, the Suns traded a starter at a position of need and attached a first round pick to do so. That's not good.

 

[Suns_fan69]

I think Nurkic can play much better than he showed. IMO, he came into camp too light. What went on behind the scene, who knows.

However, the Suns traded a starter at a position of need and attached a first round pick to do so. That's not good.

The problem with Nurkic's play this season had nothing to do with his weight. His issues were, in no particular order, the inability to finish around the basket, defending out on the perimeter, turning the ball over on offense, not being a threat offensively outside of 2 feet.

He was actually still great rebounding and defending the post, which is where you would expect the weight to be an issue.

 

[BirdGangThing]

I'm not sure whether it's really true or not but still, it's nice to hear.

kd low-key sub-tweeted ish(bia) when he said he wasn't seeking an extension - it's kd's way of saying "F U 2"

kd is indeed booty hurt - sitting there talking about he understands and this is the life he chose - come on man - like being shopped is an insult - kd said it was because of us not winning but maybe it was also about him throwing the ball to the other team so damn much - when things go sideways he's supposed to right the ship - not make lazy passes or demand the ball when he doesn't even have position

im a kd guy but his sensitivity man... so damn sensitive - he says there's no disfunction but then says winning is the only way to fix it

 

[Mainstreet]

The problem with Nurkic's play this season had nothing to do with his weight. His issues were, in no particular order, the inability to finish around the basket, defending out on the perimeter, turning the ball over on offense, not being a threat offensively outside of 2 feet.

He was actually still great rebounding and defending the post, which is where you would expect the weight to be an issue.

I know about the future positive 2nd apron tax ramifications of the Nurkic trade.

However, trading a center at a position of need and attaching a first round pick to do so was a loss, IMO.

If healthy, I do think Cody Martin can help.

 

[Covert Rain]

I think Nurkic can play much better than he showed. IMO, he came into camp too light. What went on behind the scene, who knows.

However, the Suns traded a starter at a position of need and attached a first round pick to do so. That's not good.

That remains to be seen. His bad play actually started last year and continued into this year so it wasn’t just a weight thing. The idea was that his weight change would turn around how things ended last year. It didn’t.

Then he played himself out of the rotation. If I was another team I would not have given up more either.

 

[Mainstreet]

That remains to be seen. His bad play actually started last year and continued into this year so it wasn’t just a weight thing. The idea was that his weight change would turn around how things ended last year. It didn’t.

Then he played himself out of the rotation. If I was another team I would not have given up more either.

I suspect there was something more to it than Nurkic playing himself out of the rotation.

From reports, Bud and him were not talking, but it's time to move on as the trade is done.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I know about the future positive 2nd apron tax ramifications of the Nurkic trade.

However, trading a center at a position of need and attaching a first round pick to do so was a loss, IMO.

If healthy, I do think Cody Martin can help.

Loss or not, center was more a position of need when Nurkic played than when he didn't AFAIC. And to be fair, the first round pick we sent out wasn't much more valuable than the second they sent us.

I don't know if Nurkic dropping off the cliff has more to do with him or with the new coach/system but he wasn't helping us even when he played. I know PER has it's flaws but a 12.7 rating for any player is disappointing. When it's your starting center, with all those easy to grab rebounds falling into his lap, a sub 13 rating is a disaster.

 

[Superbone]

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A great leader adjusts his game for the betterment of the team. KD being a basketball junkie has to be able to see that running the offense through him isn't working. He should be pissed about his sloppy turnovers and yet he continues to make the same mistakes.

 

[Mainstreet]

Loss or not, center was more a position of need when Nurkic played than when he didn't AFAIC. And to be fair, the first round pick we sent out wasn't much more valuable than the second they sent us.

I don't know if Nurkic dropping off the cliff has more to do with him or with the new coach/system but he wasn't helping us even when he played. I know PER has it's flaws but a 12.7 rating for any player is disappointing. When it's your starting center, with all those easy to grab rebounds falling into his lap, a sub 13 rating is a disaster.

A money saving move at the trade deadline was not what I was expecting from a supposed contender, at least prior to the season.

It's almost an acknowledgement that the Durant and Ayton trades were a disaster, without the acknowledgement.

 

[AzStevenCal]

A money saving move at the trade deadline was not what I was expecting from a supposed contender, at least prior to the season.

It's almost an acknowledgement that the Durant and Ayton trades were a disaster, without the acknowledgement.

We got rid of a negative value contract, that always makes sense to me. And it also seems like Nurk's presence wasn't helping the chemistry either, just look at how much better this team has played once he was no longer out there - after our flukey but great start, we went 5-12 when Nurkic played.

 

[Covert Rain]

I suspect there was something more to it than Nurkic playing himself out of the rotation.

From reports, Bud and him were not talking, but it's time to move on as the trade is done.

There could have been more to it but he definitely played himself out of the rotation he was downright terrible for stretches last season and this season. He was not worth that contract. Bowen need to figure out a way to move Mr. Glass.

 

[Mainstreet]

We got rid of a negative value contract, that always makes sense to me. And it also seems like Nurk's presence wasn't helping the chemistry either, just look at how much better this team has played once he was no longer out there.

It was a negative contract because the Suns were pushed into the situation where they felt they needed to trade him. If Bud and Nurkic ever talked maybe the situation could have been resolved.

Regardless, the Suns traded a player at a position of need and didn't replace him.

I'm not defending Nurkic, but it seems the Suns accomplished very little at the trade deadline.

They didn't rebuild nor did make a move to contend. It was almost like they punted the ball.

 

[Yuma]

I was hoping for more than one 2nd round pick.

That was a miracle. We were hoping to use just ONE first rounder. Seeing how we made trades lately some had us giving up a first and a second, or two firsts to move on from Nurkic. I was AMAZED we got a second rounder back. Sincerely Amazed.

 

[Yuma]

It was a negative contract because the Suns were pushed into the situation where they felt they needed to trade him. If Bud and Nurkic ever talked maybe the situation could have been resolved.

Regardless, the Suns traded a player at a position of need and didn't replace him.

I'm not defending Nurkic, but it seems the Suns accomplished very little at the trade deadline.

They didn't rebuild nor did make a move to contend. It was almost like they punted the ball.

I was pushing for us to keep him and play him until the off season at least. I guess they felt Plumlee's plus/minus was better overall.

 

[Mainstreet]

There could have been more to it but he definitely played himself out of the rotation he was downright terrible for stretches last season and this season. He was not worth that contract. Bowen need to figure out a way to move Mr. Glass.

I think we can agree, that Nurkic wasn't worth his contract, but the Suns didn't bother to replace him either.

As I recall, the trade for Nick Richards was considered a stopgap trade to stop the bleeding at center.

 

[Covert Rain]

I think we can agree, that Nurkic wasn't worth his contract, but the Suns didn't bother to replace him either.

As I recall, the trade for Nick Richards was considered a stopgap trade to stop the bleeding at center.

I think Nick Richard’s has done a decent job replacing Nurk. It’s been a tad inconsistent but no more than the play we got out of Nurk and for cheaper.

 

[Ronin]

Rotation quibbles hang over Suns' fight for postseason spot

The dueling forces for what direction the Phoenix Suns should go in the future are actively playing a role in their current season.

arizonasports.com

 

[Mainstreet]

I think Nick Richard’s has done a decent job replacing Nurk. It’s been a tad inconsistent but no more than the play we got out of Nurk and for cheaper.

Nick Richards was a good acquisition for the Suns, but they needed more help, not less help at center.

JMHO, but I think Plumlee is at best a third center taking nothing away from his effort.

 

[Covert Rain]

Nick Richards was a good acquisition for the Suns, but they needed more help, not less help at center.

JMHO, but I think Plumlee is at best a third center taking nothing away from his effort.

I am actually OK with where we are at with the center for now. I think another PF is what we are missing.

 

[Mainstreet]

I am actually OK with where we are at with the center for now. I think another PF is what we are missing.

I'm not going to quibble over position label. The Suns needed a 4/5 and didn't address the position at the trade deadline.

 

[Superbone]

Nick Richards was a good acquisition for the Suns, but they needed more help, not less help at center.

JMHO, but I think Plumlee is at best a third center taking nothing away from his effort.

Plumlee seems to be declining with each passing day. He rarely takes it to the rim anymore. He'll often get to the rim and then pass out... not on the floor thankfully, but to a shooter.

 

[Mainstreet]

Plumlee seems to be declining with each passing day. He rarely takes it to the rim anymore. He'll often get to the rim and then pass out... not on the floor thankfully, but to a shooter.

I've noticed Plumlee can still elevate, but he lacks the quickness to do it in traffic under the basket without getting his shot blocked. At 34, it appears his career is winding down.

 

[AzStevenCal]

It was a negative contract because the Suns were pushed into the situation where they felt they needed to trade him. If Bud and Nurkic ever talked maybe the situation could have been resolved.

Regardless, the Suns traded a player at a position of need and didn't replace him.

I'm not defending Nurkic, but it seems the Suns accomplished very little at the trade deadline.

They didn't rebuild nor did make a move to contend. It was almost like they punted the ball.

I disagree. It was a negative contract because Nurkic has played like crap since last February. Bud and Nurkic could have been dance partners and it wouldn't have resolved a thing.

 

[95pro]

Nurkic was somewhat our point-center last year at the high post, on defense he played a lot of drop and got a lot of boards that way, and we used him on way more screens.

This year, he didn't have the ball in his hands much to be effective from the offensive standpoint. Without the ball in his hands, he really had nothing else to offer.

I will say on defense, imo, he's been bad from the start, so i've never seen a way for us to hide him.



*this may seem like a random post but at work and it's been sitting in my box to post for a few hours now.

 

[Mainstreet]

I disagree. It was a negative contract because Nurkic has played like crap since last February. Bud and Nurkic could have been dance partners and it wouldn't have resolved a thing.

Perhaps I could have said it more clearly, but I disliked the idea of giving up a first round pick to move Nurkic' contract.

Even more so since the Suns didn't address the elephant in the room, the lack of quality rotation depth at the 4/5 position.

This was a salary dump, even though it may pay dividends next season in regard to getting below the 2nd tax apron.

The idea of the Suns standing pat this season with a losing hand doesn't appeal to me.

Either go for it, or rebuild the team. James Jones and Mat Ishbia weren't shy about this when they made the trade for Durant.

Now all of a sudden they realize the CBA is real?