Suns 2024-2025 Season Discussions

[Mainstreet]

I remember one of the radio guys when we made the Butler trade said, "The Suns now own Beal until that contract dies, cuz NO ONE is ever going to take that on." I think he's right. So far, it seems to be working out that way. I am just assuming we WILL have Beal for two more seasons.

An interesting tidbit about extending KD, that would make his contract expire when Booker's is supposed to. UNLESS, this off season a show I listened to said the Suns window to extend Booker opens up. If true, Ishbia could extend BOTH Booker and KD! That would make at least half this forum explode in anger! LOL!

The Suns are likely stuck with Beal unless a team miraculously shows interest. It would likely require the Suns adding draft picks to move him, draft picks they don't have, unless they get a bounty of draft picks from trading Durant.

If KD is extended, I hope it's to another team. Three seasons of Durant is already too much for me.

 

[Mainstreet]

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.

Only the Mavericks can keep pace and I wouldn't be surprised they don't destroy the Suns today with a skeleton roster.

At least they seem to have heart.

I would miss the Suns if they moved the franchise, but not if this is the new norm.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Only the Mavericks can keep pace and I wouldn't be surprised they don't destroy the Suns today with a skeleton roster.

At least they seem to have heart.

I would miss the Suns if they moved the franchise, but not if this is the new norm.

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.

 

[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.