Suns 2024-2025 Season Discussions

[Mainstreet]

The Luka trade just seems insane at least on the surface. They had a generational talent and traded him for an oft-injured aging lesser talent. They didn't mortgage their future like we did but OTOH, they had a nice future in front of them that they just torched for no (apparent) reason. Now, if it turns out that Luka has a real drinking problem or any of the other things they hinted at, maybe it will turn out to not be quite so stupid. But I sure wouldn't count on it - IMO it will live on in infamy and not just in the Dallas area.

At least the Suns have the 2032 draft to look forward too if they don't trade their first round pick.

If the Suns had traded for Luka instead of Durant, this I could understand.

 

[Superbone]

I was quite angry when we made the KD trade as I felt it was one of the dumbest moves any franchise has ever made. Since then, for me, I've been feeling more like a passionless version of despair and disgust. I really don't think they could anger me at this point, my love of this sport and this franchise is a small fraction of what it's been for the past 50 plus years. Honestly, they could move the franchise and it wouldn't raise my blood pressure in the slightest, I would just take it as further proof of how incredibly stupid our front office is.

Wow, Steven. That is...I don't know. I am down but I guess not as bad as you. This too will pass. (Eventually). I hope you can recover.

Unfortunately, my identity is tied to the Suns since they've been a part of my life since I can remember. I'd be devastated if the Suns moved. This is definitely a low point but there have been worse times. The 80's drug scandal. The Sarver Josh Jackson/Chriss/Bender days. There was that 10 year period under Sarver after Nash that was really rough other than the one fun season where we barely missed the playoffs. I don't think it'll be 10 years before we're good again. Here's to hoping.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Wow, Steven. That is...I don't know. I am down but I guess not as bad as you. This too will pass. (Eventually). I hope you can recover.

Unfortunately, my identity is tied to the Suns since they've been a part of my life since I can remember. I'd be devastated if the Suns moved. This is definitely a low point but there have been worse times. The 80's drug scandal. The Sarver Josh Jackson/Chriss/Bender days. There was that 10 year period under Sarver after Nash that was really rough other than the one fun season where we barely missed the playoffs. I don't think it'll be 10 years before we're good again. Here's to hoping.

This is the first time in my life that I just don't see a way forward. And to me it will be far worse than the drug scandal years or even the worst of Sarver's years and that's saying something.

IMO the best we can do is trade away every veteran that has value and hope to gradually build a roster that might become the equivalent of an expansion team in a handful of years. And I just don't believe this front office will choose that path. They will try retool after retool using our precious future picks as they become available for us to trade away. IOW, a never ending attempt to become relevant all the while with one hand tied behind our back. The draft matters, maybe even more now and they don't seem to realize it.

 

[Superbone]

This is the first time in my life that I just don't see a way forward. And to me it will be far worse than the drug scandal years or even the worst of Sarver's years and that's saying something.

IMO the best we can do is trade away every veteran that has value and hope to gradually build a roster that might become the equivalent of an expansion team in a handful of years. And I just don't believe this front office will choose that path. They will try retool after retool using our precious future picks as they become available for us to trade away. IOW, a never ending attempt to become relevant all the while with one hand tied behind our back. The draft matters, maybe even more now and they don't seem to realize it.

It is a good question how/how long/if they get out of it. Time will tell. We finally get a free-spending owner and it instantly backfires on us. Let's see if Ishbia can pull it back out of the fire of his own creation.

 

[Yuma]

Missed this one on Valentine's Day:

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[Ronin]

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[SirStefan32]

I've been pretty vocal in NOT blaming the coach for the current situation, but the Dunn situation is just inexcusable.

 

[leclerc]

You suck, Bud! Play Dunn, Oso, Gillespie and even TyTy. At least Dunn.

 

[Yuma]

You suck, Bud! Play Dunn, Oso, Gillespie and even TyTy. At least Dunn.

There was good commentary by a former NBA player who said Bud is great at making journeyman NBA players better. He's not really known for developing young talent. Maybe our bench coaches can do that. Perhaps Bud is panicking he is going to lose his job and wants to go down with the ship by playing veterans.

 

[BirdGangThing]

i think we will be forced to play in the play-in due to tankage by the smarter teams who have first round draft picks

i think we lose handily to whomever we face - there's no need for match up scenarios - the other team will come out more aggressive while taking better care of the ball - that's the rub - that's the double whammy

 

[Superbone]

i think we will be forced to play in the play-in due to tankage by the smarter teams who have first round draft picks

i think we lose handily to whomever we face - there's no need for match up scenarios - the other team will come out more aggressive while taking better care of the ball - that's the rub - that's the double whammy

We'd be very lucky to get past the play-in round and if we somehow did, we would go down 0-4 against OKC.

 

[BirdGangThing]

We'd be very lucky to get past the play-in round and if we somehow did, we would go down 0-4 against OKC.

they might have to invent a new skunk rule if we face okc in a series - like if you go down 100 points (total) in the series - it's over

 

[SirStefan32]

There was good commentary by a former NBA player who said Bud is great at making journeyman NBA players better. He's not really known for developing young talent. Maybe our bench coaches can do that. Perhaps Bud is panicking he is going to lose his job and wants to go down with the ship by playing veterans.

That's the problem though- in every scenario, including Bud panicking, Dunn is the best move possible. They lack defense, athleticism, and heart. Dun has those three things, and he is a competent player on offense as well. No matter the scenario, Dunn would help.

Best case scenario for Bud is to sneak into the playoffs, where Suns will face a certain sweep. That's not going to save his job, if his job is in jeopardy. Durant is most likely going to be traded in the offseason, the Suns will get some assets, but not nearly as much as they've wasted, they are still going to be in cap hell, though they might sneak under the second apron for a hot minute. Your best bet is to develop what little cheap, young talent you have (Dunn, Oso, Bol, Gillespie) and hope that one of them ends up being a starter-level player and a couple others develop into bench contributors. Dunn is already, by far your best defender, best athlete, and has a bigger heart than anyone currently in the rotation. He is not great on offense, but he is competent.

Similar issue at PG. Jones and Morris are not coming back. You have no picks and no heart. Play Collin Gillespie and hope he ends up being a decent player. He is not a great defender, but he is better than Jones, he has great court vision, very good shoot, and he plays hard.

 

[elindholm]

Put Bud on the bench and let an ass. coach take over.

An ass coach? You mean like Lindsey Hunter or Earl Watson?

 

[GatorAZ]

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[Yuma]

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The only way to trade Booker is the receiving team HAS to take Beal, too! LOL!

 

[Covert Rain]

The only way to trade Booker is the receiving team HAS to take Beal, too! LOL!

Great in theory but not one team is going to dedicate both a Supermax Book contract and that albatross of Beal's contract. Those are going to have to be separate transactions or part of a 3 team deal that sends them both to different teams.

Not buying it though. The Suns have made it clear Booker is staying. Not that I agree with it but it appears to be the case.

 

[Mainstreet]

We'd be very lucky to get past the play-in round and if we somehow did, we would go down 0-4 against OKC.

I don't think there should be any concern about the Suns making the play-in.

When a team can't make stops, it only takes a few turnovers or lost rebounds to assure a loss.

 

[Yuma]

Great in theory but not one team is going to dedicate both a Supermax Book contract and that albatross of Beal's contract. Those are going to have to be separate transactions or part of a 3 team deal that sends them both to different teams.

Not buying it though. The Suns have made it clear Booker is staying. Not that I agree with it but it appears to be the case.

I don't want Booker to be traded, but if the Suns were to blow it up, it makes no sense to be stuck with Beal. That's why I think we are stuck from truly rebuilding until we are off his contract in a couple more seasons.

 

[Covert Rain]

I don't want Booker to be traded, but if the Suns were to blow it up, it makes no sense to be stuck with Beal. That's why I think we are stuck from truly rebuilding until we are off his contract in a couple more seasons.

I am somewhere around there. If the Suns can figure out a way to bring in a #1 to play with Book? Keep him. If they can't? Trade him or keeping him makes no sense. Get a boatload of assets for him while he is at peak value.

In terms of Beal's contract? I don't think that dude is going to bend which means we are stuck with that dang contract. I hope he changes his mind in the off season.

 

[Mainstreet]

You suck, Bud! Play Dunn, Oso, Gillespie and even TyTy. At least Dunn.

It doesn't matter. Play them all.

If the Suns supposed stars have to make cameo appearances, so be it.

 

[Yuma]

It doesn't matter. Play them all.

If the Suns supposed stars have to make cameo appearances, so be it.

I was disappointed that Dunn and TyTy didn't play against Memphis. They did a good job of staying in front of Ja when they played before. That's half the battle with him.

 

[Mainstreet]

I was disappointed that Dunn and TyTy didn't play against Memphis. They did a good job of staying in front of Ja when they played before. That's half the battle with him.

Hope I'm wrong, but it makes me wonder if such players like Dunn, Oso, Washington and Gillespie will be around next season.

Otherwise, why not give them minutes with the Suns going nowhere?

 

[Yuma]

Hope I'm wrong, but it makes me wonder if such players like Dunn, Oso, Washington and Gillespie will be around next season.

Otherwise, why not give them minutes with the Suns going nowhere?

I am "assuming" that since we are in striking distance of the tenth spot, Coach Bud is doing what he thinks will get us there. He has shortened his bench. We need to drop to 4 or 5 games back, with a clear sign we can't get there to get some of our young guys more time on the court. Heck, if Portland can leap frog us, that alone signals we are cooked!!

 

[Mainstreet]

I am "assuming" that since we are in striking distance of the tenth spot, Coach Bud is doing what he thinks will get us there. He has shortened his bench. We need to drop to 4 or 5 games back, with a clear sign we can't get there to get some of our young guys more time on the court. Heck, if Portland can leap frog us, that alone signals we are cooked!!

Yeah, Bud has done a great job with the Suns. Maybe the Suns can get worse than 5 games under .500.

If the Suns wanted to make the play-in, they would have made an assistant the interim head coach.

It may not have been a long term answer, but it would have got the team's attention and a few more wins.