Suns 2024-2025 Season Discussions

[Chaplin]

I would still like to see Beal come off the bench but with that contract they are not going to do it.

Yeah there was no way that was going to happen. Maybe if he stinks it up at the beginning of the season, but definitely not for the opener.

Beal gets a lot of flack on this board, but I believe he was the 2nd best "3rd best player" in the entire league last season -- although not sure how valid that is, might just have to dump it into the "per36" bucket.

What Beal does provide, and possibly can provide in spades, is GRAVITY. With Tyus out there now and hopefully we'll see a more spry Nurk, we can be really dangerous. Especially with Beal doing back cuts along the baseline, with Book and KD near the free throw stripe. We will FEAST if we have the movement.

 

[Yuma]

Would be great if it happened, but how?

He only makes 2.8. Could be an easy trade for us.

 

[AzStevenCal]

re: Frank Kaminsky returning with a training camp invitation.

When Kaminsky was last with the Suns and actually playing on occasion, I had barely started paying attention again, so I'm hardly familiar with how they used Kaminsky. Tell me if I have him pegged wrong. is Kaminsky basically a Tim Kempton, a player who is a reliable professional but nevertheless strictly third-string? Also, this season would you predict that Kaminsky's appearances will be like Brian Scalabrine's for the 2008 championship Celtics? Scalabrine was called a "human victory cigar" in reference to what Red Auerbach (in)famously did when his Celtics won. WIll Kaminsky even make the roster? I would expect him to, because he's a seasoned professional and because everyone says ad nauseum that this team lacks big men.

Or is Kaminsky honestly better than either of those players?

I have no idea what Kaminsky is today as too much time has passed since we saw him last but he was a solid player for us the year before his injury. The only problem was that Monty kept forgetting he existed or at least that's the excuse he gave when asked why Frank didn't get to play in key games.

 

[Raindog]

I read something the other day that 80% of Americans have some strain of herpes. Blew my mind. I remember that being much lower 20 years ago, although I can't say for certain if the previous stat included all versions.

So what you're really saying is that 80% of the NBA has some type of Frank Kaminsky on their roster?

 

[Hoop Head]

So what you're really saying is that 80% of the NBA has some type of Frank Kaminsky on their roster?

He infected that chain he's wearing. Now pieces of Frank are everywhere around the league.

 

[Phrazbit]

Cutting Frank right before the 2022 playoffs has always bugged me. The players all loved him, he was a coach on the court, even while injured he lurked in every huddle, he would get in dude's ears and pump em up, the absolute definition of a glue guy... and we cut him in April, because he hadn't fully recovered from his knee injury, which might be a defensible decision but for the fact that we already had several players who had no prayer of seeing the court unless disaster struck.

It probably doesn't make a difference, this is probably just 'Suns fan trauma' playing out in my head, but that 2022 team unraveled internally, they beat themselves... I wish Frank had still been there, I don't know how much his leadership would have changed things but he would have counted for a helluva lot more than freakin Elfrid Payton.

 

[Mainstreet]

I wonder if the Suns would sign Frank to the 15th spot, providing he earns shows something, with the idea they could still make a trade later on for a position of need. Any luxury tax moves can get pricey.

 

[Superbone]

Frank is a great locker room guy though.

Right. And herpes, not so much.

 

[Mainstreet]

Right. And herpes, not so much.

I'm not sure how that got going. Frank is one of my favorite people.

 

[GatorAZ]

I would still like to see Beal come off the bench but with that contract they are not going to do it.

I was really hoping Beal would sacrifice for the betterment of the team and be willing to come off the bench. Of course it would only happen if he were the one that instigated it but money and ego are undefeated. I wonder what our lineup will be to start the 2nd qtr.

 

[somethingshesaid]

Cutting Frank right before the 2022 playoffs has always bugged me. The players all loved him, he was a coach on the court, even while injured he lurked in every huddle, he would get in dude's ears and pump em up, the absolute definition of a glue guy... and we cut him in April, because he hadn't fully recovered from his knee injury, which might be a defensible decision but for the fact that we already had several players who had no prayer of seeing the court unless disaster struck.

It probably doesn't make a difference, this is probably just 'Suns fan trauma' playing out in my head, but that 2022 team unraveled internally, they beat themselves... I wish Frank had still been there, I don't know how much his leadership would have changed things but he would have counted for a helluva lot more than freakin Elfrid Payton.

In light of that, it makes Kaminsky look even better that he is willing to return. Yeah, yeah, it was the previous coach and owner, and also, he needs a job. Still, it cements my impression of Kaminsky as a professional.

 

[somethingshesaid]

I wonder if the Suns would sign Frank to the 15th spot, providing he earns shows something, with the idea they could still make a trade later on for a position of need. Any luxury tax moves can get pricey.

It would make more sense than the prospect of giving that spot to one of these rookie summer-camp players and minor leaguers we keep hearing about, like the latest D-league signing--this David Stockton guy who is the son of John Stockton. (Interesting, but practically, I don't care.)

 

[somethingshesaid]

Instead of complaining too much about having to hear jokes about *venereal disease while reading Suns discussion, I'll just say that my "ignore" button is coming out.

*Yes, I used the old-fashioned term. Did it on purpose.

 

[somethingshesaid]

I would still like to see Beal come off the bench but with that contract they are not going to do it.

I'm not sure I agree. I don't say the opposite; but it depends on how much control coach B. is given and how flexible a coach he is. Perhaps he'll try it and find that Beal does great as the bench commander, while another player has great chemistry with Booker, Durant and Nurkic. I don't suppose B. is a wizard of weird lineup tricks like Cotton Fitzsimmons was.

Also, of course, on how much ego Beal has. I have no idea. Whether he would react like Dan Majerle and Danny Manning in 1995 when coach benched them (e.g., like a consummate professional).

 

[Mainstreet]

It would make more sense than the prospect of giving that spot to one of these rookie summer-camp players and minor leaguers we keep hearing about, like the latest D-league signing--this David Stockton guy who is the son of John Stockton. (Interesting, but practically, I don't care.)

I think the Suns let Okafor go so he could sign a training camp deal with the Pacers. If the Suns have any interest in Stockton, it's to add another point guard for their G-League team.