Suns updates and discussion for the 2023-24 season

[gimpy]

The last thing I read on this subject is that a man doesn't fully mature, emotionally, until his early to mid 40's. I wouldn't call him a young kid but I wouldn't necessarily call him a grownup man either. Regardless, violence is violence and once you get past your terrible two's, it's tough to just write off violent outbursts as an understandable part of the development process.

Well, maybe you're right. I still call my 40+ year old sons, my kids.

 

[Yuma]

That's crazy and goes to show you can't always rely on the eye test.

This is how he played at GS. Plus his minutes are up too. Second most ever for him so far.

 

[Muggz]

To think all OJ Mayo did was smoke pot, and we never saw that dude again.

 

[GatorAZ]

To think all OJ Mayo did was smoke pot, and we never saw that dude again.

Those were the days when the NBA draft was fun:
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[Superbone]

To think all OJ Mayo did was smoke pot, and we never saw that dude again.

I don't know anybody that likes mayo in their OJ. I don't think it was the pot. Unless it affected his motivation. He must not have been very good at professional basketball.

 

[Superbone]

I just looked up Mayo. He's currently playing for Al Fateh SC in the Egyptian Basketball Super League.

 

[Raindog]

Those were the days when the NBA draft was fun:
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You must be registered for see images attach

Two guys with star careers (Westbrook, Love), one could have been (Rose), three good journeymen (B. Lopez, Gordon, Gallinari), and two career roster fillers (Augustin, R. Lopez)... and the rest were categorical busts.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Two guys with star careers (Westbrook, Love), one could have been (Rose), three good journeymen (B. Lopez, Gordon, Gallinari), and two career roster fillers (Augustin, R. Lopez)... and the rest were categorical busts.

That’s actually a fairly successful draft. Not sure I’d call brook looez, Gordon, and gallinari “good journeymen.” They’ve been very good starters and even all stars in their careers (except Gordon I think).

 

[Ronin]

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[Chris_Sanders]

You think so?? From local fans here I can see but media wise I don’t think so.

I think we become the absolute villains of the NBA. Like most hated team after the Lakers

 

[Chris_Sanders]

I think we trade Little just because he's expensive and buried at the end of the bench. If it's not Bridges expiring contract it will be someone else.

The fact Ishiba went to Michigan State I am sure he is willing to give Bridges a chance to redeem himself

 

[BirdGangThing]

We have 3 legit stars - we have a legit center in most settings lol and a couple legit snipers - Bol Bol finding his role - Eubanks figuring things out after whatever funk he was in - Okogie is worthy - Diop serviceable as well

I wouldn't say we have a legit shot but I'd say we have a shot - and it's not a matter of who we play but how we play

 

[Ronin]

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[CardsSunsDbacks]

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Should be pointed out that they are 10th in DRTG during this stretch. So have also been trending in the right direction on that end as well.

 

[Mainstreet]

Still hoping Grayson Allen gets chosen for the three point shooting contest at All-Star Weekend.

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[Ronin]

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[Mainstreet]

We have 3 legit stars - we have a legit center in most settings lol and a couple legit snipers - Bol Bol finding his role - Eubanks figuring things out after whatever funk he was in - Okogie is worthy - Diop serviceable as well

I wouldn't say we have a legit shot but I'd say we have a shot - and it's not a matter of who we play but how we play

I think the Suns have to get stronger inside at the forward position. A backup point guard wouldn't hurt either.

The Suns need to ask if they can beat the Clippers. They have the most talent and depth in the West.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

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I think he is better off starting. Allows us to potentially overwhelm teams to start off the game and then we can start staggering guys in and out the rest of the game.

Coming off the bench isn't for everyone and Beal has been a starter his whole career.

 

[Proximo]

We have 3 legit stars - we have a legit center in most settings lol and a couple legit snipers - Bol Bol finding his role - Eubanks figuring things out after whatever funk he was in - Okogie is worthy - Diop serviceable as well

I wouldn't say we have a legit shot but I'd say we have a shot - and it's not a matter of who we play but how we play

No we don't have a shot unless both Denver and the Clippers suffer injuries.

Why do you think we have a shot when the likes of Indiana, Orlando, and Atlanta just beat us in the last 7 games? None of those teams are top tier.

I will agree our offense has been looking better as of late, but our lack of rebounding and weak D means we have to be out of this world good on O to make up for it.

 

[Hoop Head]

ESPN has their deadline preview up where they break down stuff for each team. Here is the Suns portion....

Trade meter: 3
What to watch: The trade exceptions and buyouts
The additions of Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal were supposed to put Phoenix in contention for a championship. Instead the Suns are fighting just to get into the playoffs.
The uneven start is a result of injuries, poor bench play and overall lack of continuity. When you have a new head coach in Frank Vogel and then factor in 11 players signed or acquired via trade in the offseason, success early in the season should have been unrealistic. But considering that Phoenix went all-in with its roster and there is no turning back, patience is the Suns' most valuable trade asset.
The Suns' roster is top-heavy with Durant, Beal and Devin Booker earning $130 million. They do have three players earning between $6.2 million and $16.9 million (Jusuf Nurkic, Grayson Allen and Nassir Little). But Allen is shooting a career-high 49.1% from 3 and has been one of the Suns' more consistent players. He is a free agent in the offseason and -- despite their financials -- they can re-sign him and exceed the second apron. The cost, however, in salary and luxury tax could be as high as a whopping $80 million.
The Suns have two medium-sized trade exceptions ($6.5 million and $5 million) to acquire a player but would need to create a roster spot. Because Phoenix is over the second apron, the trade exceptions go away starting on the first day of the offseason. The Suns are allowed to sign a player waived during the regular season, but only if his preexisting salary was less than $12.4 million.
This is also the last time that Phoenix can send cash (it has $1.3 million available) in a deal or aggregate contracts in trade. What that means is that starting in the offseason, Phoenix would not be allowed to combine the contracts of Nurkic and Little for a player earning $24 million. The Suns are also not allowed to take back more money than sent out starting in the offseason.
Because of the trades with Brooklyn, Washington, Orlando and Memphis, there are no more first-round picks available to move at the deadline. The Suns do have their own 2024 first, but that cannot be traded until the night of the draft. Phoenix has three second-rounders available.
Front office trade history: James Jones and his front office are famous for blockbuster deals. Since November 2020, Phoenix has acquired Chris Paul, Durant and most recently Beal. In total, Jones has made 19 trades, seven since last January.
Last regular-season trade: Traded Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder, four first-round picks and a 2028 pick swap for Durant. The Suns also acquired Darius Bazley from Oklahoma City for Dario Saric and a future second.
Trade we would like to see: Little, Josh Okogie and two second-round picks (2028 and 2029 via Memphis) to Brooklyn for Royce O'Neale and Harry Giles III.
Trade exceptions: $6.5 million, $5.0 million, $1.8 million and $1.1 million
Cash available: $1.3 million (out) | $7.0 million (receive)
Salary info and restrictions

• The Suns are $21.5 million over the luxury tax. They are projected to pay a franchise-high $50.7 million tax penalty.
• Beal has a no-trade clause.
• Okogie and Damion Lee have one-year Bird restrictions. Either player is allowed to veto any trade.
• Booker has a 15% trade bonus. As of Feb. 8, the bonus is $4.7 million.
• Phoenix is not allowed to sign a player waived during the season who had a preexisting salary in 2023-24 greater than $12.4M.

Draft assets

• Phoenix can trade its 2024 first but not until the night of the draft.
• Washington has the right to swap firsts with Phoenix in 2024 if the Wizards' first is not conveyed to New York (top-13 protected).
• The Wizards also have the right to swap firsts in 2026 (if 9-30), 2028 (if 9-30) and 2030.
• Orlando then has the right to swap its 2026 first with the less favorable of Phoenix and Washington.
• Memphis has the right to swap the less favorable of Phoenix and Washington in 2030.
• The Suns owe Brooklyn unprotected firsts in 2025, 2027 and 2029.
• Brooklyn also has the right to swap firsts with Phoenix in 2028.
• The Wizards then have the right to swap the least favorable first-round pick of the Nets, Suns and 76ers in 2028.
• Phoenix has four second-round picks available to trade.
• Draft rights: None

 

[Covert Rain]

ESPN has their deadline preview up where they break down stuff for each team. Here is the Suns portion....

It's going to be real curious to see how this second apron impacts the entire league over the next few seasons.

 

[GatorAZ]

I think he is better off starting. Allows us to potentially overwhelm teams to start off the game and then we can start staggering guys in and out the rest of the game.

Coming off the bench isn't for everyone and Beal has been a starter his whole career.

KD, Book, Nurk and one shooter should be enough to overwhelm teams. Starting vs coming off the bench is strictly an ego thing considering the best players will all finish.

 

[BirdGangThing]

No we don't have a shot unless both Denver and the Clippers suffer injuries.

Why do you think we have a shot when the likes of Indiana, Orlando, and Atlanta just beat us in the last 7 games? None of those teams are top tier.

I will agree our offense has been looking better as of late, but our lack of rebounding and weak D means we have to be out of this world good on O to make up for it.

We've beaten good teams and lost to bad ones - that's why I said it's not who we play but how we play

 

[Cheesebeef]

We've beaten good teams and lost to bad ones - that's why I said it's not who we play but how we play

We haven’t really beat a lot of good teams.

 

[BirdGangThing]

We haven’t really beat a lot of good teams.

Just whooped Luka in his own playpen