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[Phoenix Suns]

Phoenix Suns make it official: Jordan Ott is the new head coach

Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images

The Phoenix Suns are betting on connection over clout with their latest coaching hire.

The Phoenix Suns are preparing to enter their 58th season as a franchise. Fifty-eight seasons of ‘almost’. Fifty-eight seasons of ‘what if’. A history steeped in heartbreak, defined by brilliance that always seemed to fall just short of glory.

Now, the team stands at yet another crossroads.

Since Mat Ishbia took the reins, stability on the sidelines has vanished. Monty Williams was shown the door. Frank Vogel followed. Mike Budenholzer didn’t last more than a year either. And so, as the Suns prepare to name their fourth head coach in as many seasons. This isn’t just about a clipboard and a whistle. It’s about vision. Identity. Alignment. The will to steer a franchise aching to matter again.

And into that void steps Jordan Ott, who was announced as the 23rd head coach in Phoenix Suns history on Wednesday.

The Phoenix Suns plan to hire Jordan Ott as their head coach sources confirm.

— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) June 4, 2025​

The organization has made its call, and Jordan Ott is the choice. A decade of NBA experience accompanies him, carved out across multiple franchises and levels within the league.

Like so many coaches before him, Ott began in the dim-lit back rooms as a video coordinator, first at Michigan State (where he earned his master’s), then on to Mike Budenholzer’s staff in Atlanta. His climb was steady, not flashy. From there, Brooklyn came calling in 2016, where he worked alongside Kenny Atkinson and stayed through the opening act of the Steve Nash era, coaching stars like Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving. In 2022, he shifted to Los Angeles, joining Darvin Ham’s Lakers staff, before reuniting last season with Atkinson in Cleveland.

The wrinkle, the one some fans can’t seem to let go of, is that Michigan State connection. The implication being...what? That a video coordinator gig and a graduate degree from the same university as Mat Ishbia somehow taints his résumé? I don’t buy it. And frankly, it feels like a hollow objection. It’s not a scandal for a team owner to want people in his organization who share his values, his approach, and his trust. That happens in every corner of professional sports.

And this isn’t some rinky-dink college program we’re talking about. This is Michigan State, a top-tier, well-respected basketball institution that churns out coaches and players at the highest level. If the loudest knock on Ott is where he cut his teeth, maybe what we’re really witnessing is generational skepticism. Maybe it’s the unfamiliarity of youth, of a new face, of a name without a championship ring already on his hand.

But for a franchise stuck in the rut of chasing yesterday’s names and yesterday’s narratives, maybe that’s exactly what this team needs.

Ott is a young mind with a well-earned reputation for building real, meaningful connections with players, a quality that’s no longer just a nice-to-have in the modern NBA, but a non-negotiable. In Phoenix, we’ve learned that lesson the hard way. The last two coaches who roamed the Suns’ sidelines reportedly struggled to forge that trust, loyalty, and connection within the locker room. And in today’s league — a players’ league through and through — that’s a death sentence.

The days of old-school, hard-nosed coaching have gone the way of the rotary phone. Direct feedback and tough love aren’t extinct, but they’ve been repackaged. You still have to hold stars accountable, but now it’s about delivery: couching critique in relationships, massaging egos while addressing flaws, and building enough equity with players so when the time comes to push, they don’t push back. Monty Williams once mastered that balance in Phoenix before his own favoritism and rigidity cracked the foundation.

After a comprehensive, four-round search that included over 15 candidates, the Suns' ownership and front office aligned on Ott, who joined Coach of the Year Kenny Atkinson's staff last summer and played a key coaching role on the East-best 64-win Cavaliers this season. https://t.co/p0RMv8lj9b

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 4, 2025​

Now, Jordan Ott steps in, and while the fanfare may not be deafening, the implications are real. His first order of business will be assembling a staff, a task as political as it is strategic. The irony, of course, is that he’ll likely have little to no say in shaping the roster he’s tasked with leading. The Suns are navigating a labyrinth of trade scenarios, cap constraints, and free agency puzzles that will leave Ott an NPC in the construction of his own team.

What this hire does signal is a philosophical shift. A recalibration. Phoenix isn’t chasing pedigree this time. They’re chasing fit, culture, and connectivity. And here’s the truth: it’s going to take time. This won’t be an instant turnaround. The road ahead will have potholes, speed bumps, and nights when the fan base wants to hit reset.

My advice? Resist the impulse. Give Ott a real chance. Not one season, not two. Give him three years to build relationships, implement his vision, and etch his identity into this locker room. It’s what this franchise needs. Patience. And the lack thereof is part of why they’re still chasing ghosts of the past.

Culture isn’t built in a press conference. It’s built over time, in film rooms, in off-day conversations, in moments of tension and triumph. Let’s not repeat the mistakes ownership has made. This hire is a good thing. And if we have the patience to let it breathe, it might just be the foundation this team’s been missing.

The Phoenix Suns plan to hire Jordan Ott as their head coach sources confirm.

— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) June 4, 2025​

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Listen to the latest podcast episode of the Suns JAM Session Podcast below. Stay up to date on every episode, subscribe to the pod on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, YouTube Podcasts, Amazon Music, Podbean, Castbox.

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Source: https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/...-coach-breaking-news-nba-coaching-change-2025

 

[Phoenix Suns]

The brutal truth about Beal’s future in Phoenix? They don’t want him here

Photo by Kate Frese/NBAE via Getty Images

Per Gambo: “They do NOT want him back.”

The Phoenix Suns have finally filled the two most visible seats at the table: a general manager and a head coach. But now comes the real reckoning. Their gaze must turn inward, toward a bloated, miscast roster in desperate need of salvation. They are paying for the sins of summers past. The wild, hubristic swings made under the intoxicating glow of potential, and the road to redemption will require many Our Fathers, a rosary or two, and perhaps a few stiff drinks to numb the ache of regret.

Chief among those sins is the acquisition of Bradley Beal, a move that felt reckless in real time and has only curdled further with age. Beal arrived in Phoenix two summers ago, dragging a Titanic-sized contract behind him and armed with the rare, player-empowering no-trade clause. It was a deal so universally derided that even the most optimistic Suns apologists could only squint and hope.

The front office, drunk on the intoxicating label of “All-Star,” convinced themselves that Beal would be the missing relic needed to fill the dusty, vacant space on their championship mantle. He wasn’t.

Two years later, the franchise is still buckling beneath the weight of that decision.

The NBA is a cold, unsentimental business, but this one remains personal. A ghost in the machine. The problem now is what to do next. Beal holds all the cards, the no-trade clause a force field against the franchise’s buyer’s remorse. As local insider John Gambadoro has candidly noted, the Suns would prefer he not return.

They do NOT want him back. But he is untradable and if he does not agree to a buyout they may be stuck with him. One of the questions they asked candidates during the coaching cycle was what you would do with Beal. They 100% don't want him and are looking at how to get out. https://t.co/skFOPh7T1r

— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) June 5, 2025​

Preference means little when the ink on the contract has long since dried, and the player controls his own fate. The path forward is murky, and perhaps, like all flawed quests for redemption, it begins with simply admitting the mistake aloud.

It’s an awkward situation. One that, if we’re being honest, I’ve probably beaten to death on this website in a hundred different ways. Through words, rants, sighs, and the occasional existential crisis masquerading as a blog post, I’ve laid bare how I feel about this entire Bradley Beal saga.

And let’s be clear: I hold no animosity toward the man himself. I’ve met him. He’s a good dude. This isn’t about the person. It’s about the organization that allowed this slow-motion car wreck to happen and keeps trying to drive through the debris like everything’s fine. Ishbia continues to try to absolve himself of handling the acquisition. yEaH. OkAy. wE bEliEvE yOu.

What’s maddening is how a player of Beal’s talent, albeit one with a body made of wishbones and duct tape, has become such a source of disdain. Not because of anything he’s done, but because his contract has financially handcuffed this franchise in a way that feels almost biblical in its stubbornness.

If you asked me, in a vacuum, with no strings attached, if I wanted Bradley Beal back next season? You already know the answer. It’s no. His on-court presence is duplicative of Devin Booker’s, and no matter how you try to massage the rotations, you end up with your franchise star playing out of position to accommodate a move that never made sense in the first place.

That contract, one Beal negotiated smartly, mind you, with a poorly run Wizards franchise, is absurd for any team to have taken on. For the Suns to do it, when they were already thin on assets and financial flexibility, was the kind of decision you look back on years later with the same sinking feeling you get when you remember an ex’s name and shudder involuntarily. His presence is the primary blockade to this team’s ability to genuinely retool. It might not be obvious in every possession, but it’s the stick in the spokes of the franchise’s future.

Reports are swirling now that the Suns don’t want him back. No surprise there. But Beal holds all the cards, and the Suns have no leverage.

What they do have is an inflated payroll, a newly minted GM with no experience navigating a quagmire like this, and a gnawing desire to move on from a decision they never should have made. What happens next? Buyout? Buyout and stretch? Pay him and pray? Nobody knows. But one thing is certain: no matter how this ends, the Suns lose. And it’s entirely their own doing.

As they pivot toward whatever this next era is supposed to be, trying to change the culture and identity of a franchise stained by reckless decision-making, it’s going to take years. Not a season. Not a trade deadline. Years. The system needs to be vetted, the waters need to be purified, and the ghosts of poor decisions past need to be exorcised. This is penance now. And the road ahead is long.

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Listen to the latest episode of the Suns JAM Session Podcast below. To stay up to date on every episode, subscribe to the pod on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, YouTube Podcasts, Amazon Music, Podbean, or Castbox.

Please subscribe, rate, and review.

Source: https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/...-problems-offseason-plans-devin-booker-future

 

[Phoenix Suns]

Is ESPN’s No. 25 NBA Draft prospect, French PG Nolan Traore, a good fit for Suns?

Photo by Esra Bilgin/Anadolu via Getty Images

The lengthy point guard comes with a wealth of pro basketball experience.

French point guard Nolan Traore entered the 2025 NBA Draft cycle firmly in most experts’ top 10s, but some underwhelming production this season saw him tumble down boards and into the Phoenix Suns’ draft range.

If you haven’t heard by now, Phoenix is set to pick 29th in the first round and 52nd in the second.

Given its payroll situation, it’d be smart to maximize both picks and find controllable assets who can contribute, rather than parlaying them for established players as has been the habit at times in recent memory.

The 6-foot-5 Traore could be a perfect example of that, given that if he can be a point guard of the future, suddenly Devin Booker has his backcourt mate under team control for potentially the rest of his NBA career.

Playing for Saint-Quentin in the French LNB Pro A — the same league Victor Wembanyama played in his final year before getting drafted — Traore averaged 11.6 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 5.1 assists in 22.6 minutes per game.

nolan traore did a good job in this game of weathering a rocky start that included some poor shot selection for him and a 15-0 deficit to start for the team.

settled the offense down, competed defensively and turned things around for a 16-point win. pic.twitter.com/Xrfy11b7uG

— Damon Allred (@iamdamonallred) June 6, 2025​

The assists were the only stat that didn’t see an uptick from his first season in France’s top division in 2023-24 (5.4 assists per game), but his turnovers did come down from 3.1 to 2.5 turnovers.

His 3-point shooting also jumped to a career-high 30.4% this season, including 43% over his last 10 games. He was below 30% each of his prior four seasons, including three in France’s third division before making the jump.

In total, he’s played 158 games of international or professional basketball, offering a wealth of experience that most others in the class, let alone domestically, just can’t. Most of that time was spent as the engine of his team’s offense, too.

So what kind of initiator is Traore?

You know how annoying it would get when the Suns brought the ball across halfcourt much too close to 16 seconds on the shot clock much too often? That doesn’t happen with Traore, as he’s far more interested in keeping the defense on its heels.

He’s crafty enough to capitalize by utilizing every inch and degree of an angle to his advantage. Sometimes that leads to plays on the weirder side, and other times he’s happy to take the easy opportunity.

think the two biggest things that stand out for me with french point guard nolan traore are his pace of play (usually fast) and his understanding of angles, whether they be of the passing or handling variety pic.twitter.com/Qc9BiEaOZO

— Damon Allred (@iamdamonallred) June 6, 2025​

While it’s hard to know exactly what the Jordan Ott offense will look like in Phoenix, there may be indicators in the Cleveland Cavaliers leading the league in offensive rating (121.0) and being top 10 in pace (100.31 possessions per game).

Traore fits the billing for that kind of offense not only with how he pushes the pace, but also with how he takes care of the ball. He’s carried an assist-to-turnover ratio of roughly 2-1 dating back to his final season in France’s third division, three years ago.

It’s easy to imagine him as a transition running mate for Devin Booker, similar to how transition looked at times with Mikal Bridges.

However, Traore has boxes to check first.

Yes, the deep shot is trending up, but a hot streak to end the campaign is the only reason he’s above 30% for a season for the first time in his career. That career sample is a big reason why he would be in Phoenix’s range at all.

He needs to put on some muscle mass, especially on his upper body. This is, of course, true for any teenager in the draft, but it’s become even more true with where the NBA is trending in recent years. Not to mention how much he loves to attack the paint, so he needs the power to hold up.

Saint-Quentin’s Nolan Traoré’s anthro measurements + athletic testing results from the 2025 NBA Draft Combine activities in Treviso:

6’3" barefoot, 175 lbs, 6’8” wingspan, 8’5 ½" reach, 7 ¾" x 9 ¼" hands

Sprint: 3.26
Pro Lane: 10.75
Shuttle: 2.85
No-Step Vert: 28”
Max Vert: 34” pic.twitter.com/9gTACGO9IS

— Jon Chepkevich (@JonChep) June 5, 2025​

Lastly — and this is another one that’s true for 99% of teenage prospects — his processing can get a few steps quicker. He’s already ahead of defenses, but if his reaction time was even quicker, he could prove lethal for years to come.

Bottom line: There won’t be many talents like Traore as far back as the Suns are slated to, and if he’s there, he’s worth the chance.

A rookie campaign with usage similar to, or even higher than, Ryan Dunn could be enough to set him on the right path, should he come in with a similar approach.

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Listen to the latest episode of the Suns JAM Session Podcast below. To stay up to date on every episode, subscribe to the pod on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, YouTube Podcasts, Amazon Music, Podbean, or Castbox.

Please subscribe, rate, and review.

Source: https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/...ct-french-pg-nolan-traore-a-good-fit-for-suns

 

[Phoenix Suns]

The rumor mill continues to heat up on Kevin Durant’s next team

Photos by Olivia Ramirez/NBAE via Getty Images

Raptors and Spurs the latest team to be in the mix for the superstar.

As we get closer to the conclusion of the NBA season and the NBA Draft, rumors on Kevin Durant’s next team continue to heat up with reports of him possibly going to Canada or Texas. The Toronto Raptors have “been painted by numerous NBA figures as a potential trade suitor for Durant,” according to NBA insider Jake Fischer. He adds that the possibility of the Raptors adding Durant is more likely “particularly if [Giannis] Antetokounmpo doesn’t reach the open market,” which he reports teams are starting to doubt the possibility of.

Additionally, on Arizona Sports radio yesterday, Phoenix Suns insider John Gambadoro reported that the slim reaper told someone he trusts that he might end up with Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs.

Kevin Durant was talking to someone he knows and trusts, and they asked “Hey where might you end up?” And KD replied “The Spurs”, per @Gambo987

(Via @AZSports, h/t @FiestaCityHoops) pic.twitter.com/F2GyQAxYoL

— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) June 6, 2025​

Both with top-10 draft picks and a litany of young players, Phoenix has a lot of options on the type of return they’d want for Durant if they deal him to Toronto or San Antonio. While both teams have players who recently won Rookie of the Year, it seems more likely that if they deal with either team, they’d get some of the team’s other younger players like Gradey Dick or Devin Vassell due to Durant’s age, contract status, and injury history.

Stay locked in with Bright Side of the Sun as we continue to cover every angle of the offseason, from trades, draft scouting, to free agent signings.

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Listen to the latest episode of the Suns JAM Session Podcast below. To stay up to date on every episode, subscribe to the pod on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, YouTube Podcasts, Amazon Music, Podbean, or Castbox.

Please subscribe, rate, and review.

Source: https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/...urs-suns-offseason-nba-draft-2025-free-agency

 

[Phoenix Suns]

The Valley jersey returns, but does the magic still come with it?

Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images

The Valley redux is a sequel. And not every sequel is a hit,

Every year, like clockwork, the Phoenix Suns make us wait. The sun beats down, monsoon season rolls in, and we’re still sitting here wondering: What threads are they trotting out next season? It’s become a weird little ritual, one I can’t say I’m fond of. The franchise holds the info hostage until August, maybe September, like it’s some kind of state secret. Why? Who knows. Maybe they think we like the suspense. Spoiler alert: we don’t.

The kicker? Most fans couldn’t care less. Maybe 15% of us obsess over this stuff. The late-night Reddit scrollers, the Photoshop mock-up warriors, the people who know the Pantone code for “The Valley” purple (it’s #5F259F). The rest are just trying to figure out how to stream the games without selling a kidney.

But this year? Something’s shifting. Teams are getting ahead of the curve. Uniform reveals are starting to pop before the confetti even settles from the NBA Finals. And honestly? That’s a win. Let the fans see what’s coming. Let the social team cook. Let the marketing machine rev up while interest is still peaking.

Look at the Orlando Magic. Have you seen their new set? Sleek. Nostalgic. It’s got that vintage soul with a futuristic edge. And the logo? Chef’s kiss. A nod to the past, dressed up for the next generation. The whole thing dropped pre-Finals, when the basketball world’s eyes are still open. Smart. Sharp. Capitalism in its purest, sparkliest form.

Here's a comparison showing the new Orlando Magic jerseys and team logos on the right versus the inspiration for each on the left, from the original team designs from the 1990s.

Full coverage of the new Orlando Magic logos and uniforms right here: https://t.co/ieFbQcQ3fO pic.twitter.com/eExgkkhIA2

— SportsLogos.Net (@sportslogosnet) June 5, 2025​

Let’s not kid ourselves. The NBA doesn’t swap jerseys every year for the sake of artistic exploration. It’s a cash grab. And that’s fine! Just be upfront about it. Show us the goods early. Give us time to love them, critique them, meme them, and — ultimately — buy them. I didn’t go to Wharton, but I’m pretty sure that’s how supply and demand works.

Every NBA team gets four looks. It’s like a fashion capsule. Association, Icon, City Edition, and Statement Edition. For the Suns, the Association and Icon sets are already known quantities. The classics. Home whites and road purples. Functional. Familiar.

But then you get to the fun ones.

This past season’s City Edition was a polarizing remix of ‘The Valley’, a throwback purple uniform with a wild western font that looked like it moonlighted on a saloon sign. The Statement Edition? A black beauty trimmed with the iconic Valley gradient, the letters “PHX” standing bold like they had something to prove. That jersey slapped. Full stop. It was loud. It was slick. And it felt like Phoenix: hot, unapologetic, and built for prime time.

But now those Statement beauties are heading into retirement. No fanfare. No funeral. Just gone. So, what’s next? What will the Suns wear when they want to turn heads without saying a word?

Well, here’s the good news for the jersey romantics and nostalgia junkies: ‘The Valley’ is back.

Not the watered-down reboot. Not the western-font bootleg. The Valley. The one that debuted in 2020–21, took us to the Finals, and made everyone on League Pass do a double-take. The one that dripped with energy, identity, and the heat mirage swagger of a team that finally knew who it was.

"I'm back."

-The Valley jersey

https://t.co/8cPIS0JRFQ

— Suns Uniform Tracker (@SunsUniTracker) June 7, 2025​

The Valley is back.

Not the place, but the jersey. The one stitched with magic. The one the Suns wore while etching some of the most unforgettable moments in franchise history into our collective basketball brain. The Valley Oop. A run to the NBA Finals. A 64-win campaign that felt like destiny in motion. Those threads weren’t just uniforms, they were armor. Worn by a team that played with fire, flair, and purpose.

So, yeah, there’s some weight behind that fabric. It’s not just polyester. It’s legacy.

And maybe that’s why I’m a little hesitant. A little standoffish about this return.

It’s not because I don’t love these jerseys. I do. They’re top-five in franchise history. No question. But what made them iconic wasn’t just the look. It was the moment. The roster. The runs. The sense that we were building something real, something lasting. Now? That magic feels...compartmentalized. Tucked away in a time capsule somewhere between the bubble and the broadcast booth.

It’s like the sunburst uniforms. You see them and immediately think of Barkley, KJ, Thunder Dan, and the 1993 NBA Finals. Iconic, yes. But haunted too, etched in memory because of what almost was. They wore those jerseys for seven more seasons, but let’s be real: everything after ‘93 felt like a cover band playing the same chords with half the soul.

That’s my worry with The Valley redux. These jerseys meant something because of who wore them, when they wore them, and what they accomplished. Slapping them on this version of the team — bloated payroll, undefined identity, no Finals forecast in sight — feels like playing dress-up with ghosts.

Would a variation have softened the sting? A white version, a purple remix, some visual evolution to suggest growth instead of regression? Maybe. But I don’t work in the Suns' marketing department. I just obsess over their decisions like it’s a full-time job. And apparently, across the NBA, the memo has gone out: recycle the glory years. Run it back. Because, frankly, the league seems fresh out of new ideas.

Now look, I get it. Uniform talk probably isn’t high on your priority list. There are bigger conversations to have around this team. Coaching changes. Roster construction. Kevin Durant’s mood. But if you’ve hung around here long enough, you know this kind of stuff matters to me. Design is identity. Identity is culture. And culture? That’s what separates a jersey from a uniform.

So here we are. The Valley returns. Is it going to be better than the original? Absolutely not. This isn’t Terminator 2: Judgment Day. This is Christmas Vacation 2: Cousin Eddie’s Island Adventure. Yes, that movie exists. No, you shouldn’t watch it. But like these new-old uniforms, it’s a sequel nobody really asked for...but we’re getting it anyway.

Source: https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/...urn-nba-uniform-reveal-city-statement-edition

 

[Phoenix Suns]

Inside the Suns - Topics: Hiring Jordan Ott, Trading Kevin Durant, Extending Devin Booker

Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images

Your weekly Inside the Suns analysis straight from the BSotS community who live and breathe the team.

Welcome to Inside the Suns, your weekly deep down analysis of the current Phoenix Suns team.​

Each week, the Fantable — a round table of Bright Siders — gives their takes on the Suns’ latest issues and news.

Fantable Questions of the Week​

Q1 - What is your opinion of the Suns’ process of selecting a new head coach and of the hiring of Jordan Ott?

Ashton: This question goes straight for the jugular and is currently being panned on national, local, and this site articles and comments (over 100 comments – woot!). I am sure most of you have read all about it, so I will not recap.

Ott has genuine coaching bona fides. I respect that. Anyone who works their way up from the ground floor to HC deserves a chance. Unlike a certain GM who seems like he went from the mailroom delivery boy to GM in some badly written Hollywood script.

Jordan Ott’s real calling card is in “player development”. This is what I have been waiting for in the visionary direction for the future Suns roster. Say bye-bye to the veterans and rebuild around a young, talented roster. Though it would be hilarious if Booker were traded after giving his stamp of approval to the coach.

Let’s get to the real meat (or vegan meat) and potatoes of a two-part question that questions “The Process”. Where have we seen this fail before? Ishbia is biting off more than he can chew. From internal memos stating that he will be more involved, basically makes him the de facto GM, HC, and not a de facto owner, as he is in fact the owner. I appreciate the ambition, but last I checked, Ishbia still has a mortgage company to run. I even read of his interest in acquiring a minority stake in the Minnesota Twins some time back.

This is what needs to be monitored by the fans. Micromanaging will burn you out, and let’s see if Matt can handle it while running what was a successful basketball franchise, while a successful mortgage franchise.

For all of the twists and sub-plots involving how the coaching decision was made, Costco has 1000 ft of aluminum foil for $34.99.

The winner in all of this is Michigan State recruiting.

OldAz: I know I have made a number of negative comments and bought into the innuendo of the problematic “Michigan connection” becoming pervasive in the front office. I am a fan of diversity of opinion driving organizations to the best outcomes and this has the smell of the exact opposite. My fear is that “alignment” will give way to an incestuous inability have an original thought.

That being said, Ott may very well be a great hire. I simply have trouble getting there right away when he was not even the lead assistant on the same team as another of the finalists. I personally (from a very uninformed seat) would have preferred Quinn only because of his pedigree of working under Spoelstra for the last decade. I don’t think Spoelstra gets enough recognition for how good a coach he is, and that is a model organization if you are leaning into player development going forward. Again, Ott may be a great selection, but I will have to see it on the floor before I can really buy in. If I see organized offense and defense, along with player accountability and hustle I will be loudly singing his praises.

Rod: I know very little of the man other than what I’ve read and mostly what I’ve read was good. He has a nice coaching resume, lots of experience and the only “bad” thing I’ve read was the Michigan State “connection” to Ishbia. That doesn’t really concern me. I wasn’t a supporter of him for the job in the beginning but I really didn’t strongly support any of the candidates so I’m content to just wait and see how well he actually performs his job before passing any sort of judgement. Right now I’m more concerned about what sort of roster the front office assembles for him to work with than anything else.

Q2 - There are rumors that the Suns are specifically seeking a center as part of the return in trade offers for KD. What are your thoughts on this?

Ashton: I feel like I am being baited into the DA arguments all over again. I had thought this was in the rearview mirror, but here we go again. Suns should have never traded DA in the first place. Are we all good?

What this question is specifically referring to is an SI article that brings up Gobert or Naz Reid as potential trade partners with the Minnesota Timberwolves. I am trying to make Rod’s life easier by not embedding links, but you are all smart fellows, you can find it. (Author’s Note: Actually it was in reference to a tweet I read that brought up this subject. I have not seen/read that SI article.)

The trend is to draft Centers. There is more control on rookie contracts and such. And I see a few good ones in the mock drafts in late lottery (8 – 14 picks and some PGs too).

I say pass. I realize that the KAT for KD rumors are out there with a currently dysfunctional Knickerbockers organization (Why fire Thibs? Why?) but I would draft one. Unless OKC wants to part with Isaiah Hartenstein.

OldAz: I said for a long time before DA was finally moved that the Suns would spend a long time (many seasons) searching for exactly what they gave up by moving on from him. Yes, his contract was too much for his production but that contract is way more palatable than the albatross of Beal’s $50M+ and NTC. Many people were down on DA and call him a bust, but I am sure the Suns would be happy to find a walking double-double on high efficiency that could be counted on for 30+ minutes a game, play good defense and couldn’t be played/schemed off the floor by the other team. They certainly need more players who are actually big and long with NBA front-court type bodies. Now they will continue to search for that Center through this offseason and I fear for many offseasons to come.

Rod: Well, I think that it’s fine for them to let other teams know that this is something that they’re looking for as long as it’s not a deal breaker on any trade proposals. I won’t get into specifics, but I did see a trade idea a few days ago that didn’t include a center but did include a pretty good young SG, which the Suns definitely don’t really need if the plan is to hang on to Book. But who says that trade couldn’t be expanded into a 3-team trade with that SG going to another team that sends a center back to the Suns? Or that player could be immediately flipped and traded to another team in a separate trade.

It’s good to let other teams know what you want back but a really good deal that doesn’t give you everything you really want could lead to another deal that does accomplish that thing. As long as the Suns’ FO remains flexible and takes the best deal they can get, I’m good with that, whether it brings back the center they want or not.

Q3 - What are your thoughts on Devin Booker possibly getting a 2-year $150 million contract extension this summer?

Ashton: I think it is pretty much obvious at this point that Book is being asked to be the leader of the team. Why invite him for input on the coaching search if he was not going to be a future foundation of the team’s makeup?

So, you do it. Pay the man his money, or potentially lose ticket sales and fan involvement. It is basically fait accompli at this point. In the worst-case scenario, Book’s value should hold in a trade in the future if he regresses.

OldAz: That’s a lot of money for any single player under the current CBA. We will have to see how the inexperienced GM navigates around that, as we have very few examples this season of teams with those huge salaries making their way deep into the playoffs. The teams that were in the final 4 certainly had more of a balanced team dynamic to their salaries. Of course those players on the Pacers, Knicks, Wolves and Thunder are going to want to get paid too, so there is no telling what the financial landscape of the league will look like in a couple years and if it is possible to build around a couple players dominating that much of the salary cap. It would be great if Booker had the mentality of a Tom Brady and would play for less to make sure there was enough to build the best team around him, but that is rare and way too much to hope for in the current NBA.

Rod: I can understand the objections brought up by this huge salary commitment but so far it’s just a statement of intent by Ishbia. Will Book just take it and not look back? That a question we still have no answer to. I’d love to see Book volunteer to take a lesser amount to insure more future cap flexibility or perhaps even turn it down and wait another year before considering an extension (he would be eligible for pretty much the same money per year then but for 3 years instead of just 2).

I’m not quite as concerned about it as some, though, because when it would begin in 2028-29 season it would still be at most 35% of the cap then, and presently there are no players on the cap sheet for that season. The Suns would still have almost $189 mil to spend on the rest of the roster before reaching the 1st tax apron and almost $205 mil left before reaching the 2nd tax apron. There’s plenty of time between now and then to plan for that if necessary.

As always, many thanks to our Fantable members for all their extra effort this week!

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Suns Trivia/History​

On June 10, 1977, the Suns drafted Walter Davis in the 1st round (5th pick) of the 1977 NBA Draft.

On June 11, 1993, Charles Barkley of the Suns and Michael Jordan of the Bulls each scored 42 points in Chicago’s 111-108 victory in Game 2 of the NBA Finals. It was the first time in NBA history that opposing players each scored 40 or more points in a Finals game.

On June 13, 1993, the Suns were down 0-2 to the Chicago Bulls in the NBA Finals after losing Games 1 and 2 at home in America West Arena. The series moved to Chicago Stadium, where the Suns pulled off a 129-121 triple overtime win behind Dan Majerle’s team high 28 points, a 24-point, 19 rebound game by Charles Barkley, and a 25-point, 9 assist night by Kevin Johnson. Johnson also set a Finals record by playing 62 minutes, and teammate Dan Majerle set a mark that still stands by playing 59 minutes without committing a personal foul. This was only the 2nd time in NBA history that a Finals game went into three overtimes, the first was played in 1976 by the Suns and Celtics in the Suns' first trip to the NBA Finals.

On June 13, 2021, with a 125-118 win, the Suns completed a 4-0 sweep of the Denver Nuggets in their Western Conference Semifinals playoff series. It was their first playoff sweep since they swept the San Antonio Spurs 4-0 in the Western Conference Semis back in 2010. It was also only the third 7-game playoff series sweep in team history. (The Suns also had 4 more first-round series sweeps, but those were back when they were still best-of-five series.)

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FYI - New CBA Rules​

This is a new feature here that I thought might be helpful or at least a bit interesting. This week I decided to focus on a few new rules pertaining to trades which may have some significance for the Suns this offseason.

1. While 2nd tax apron teams cannot normally aggregate salaries in trades, there is one exception. They are allowed to aggregate salaries IF the trade actually results in the team’s cap total being lowered below the 2nd tax apron.
2. Teams under the 1st tax apron can now take back up to 200% of their outgoing salary in trades where the incoming salary is $7.5 mil or less, as much as $7.5 mil over their outgoing salary for any incoming amount between $7,500,001 and up to $29,000,000, and 125% plus $250,000 of their outgoing salary in trades where the incoming amount is above $29,000,000.
3. There is now a limit on how many minimum-salary players can be aggregated for salary-matching purposes during offseason trades. From July through December 15, if the number of aggregating players going out is larger than the number coming back, only one minimum contract can be included in that aggregation.

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Last Week’s Poll Results​

Last week’s question was “Do you believe that Bradley Beal would agree to a buyout this summer?”

51% - Yes.

49% - No.

A total of 221 votes were cast.

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Important Future Dates​

June 17, 20 or 23 (after the NBA Finals) - Teams can begin negotiating with their own free agents

June 25-26 - NBA Draft

June 30 - Teams may begin negotiating with all other upcoming free agents (beginning at 6 p.m. ET)

July 6 - Teams may begin signing free agents to contracts (12:01 p.m. ET)

July 10-20 - Las Vegas Summer League

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This week’s poll is...

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Listen to the latest episode of the Suns JAM Session Podcast below. To stay up to date on every episode, subscribe to the pod on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, YouTube Podcasts, Amazon Music, Podbean, or Castbox.

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Source: https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/...ading-kevin-durant-extending-devin-booker-nba

 

[Phoenix Suns]

Giannis stays in Milwaukee; let the bidding war begin

Photo by Jeremy Chen/Getty Images

And it should benefit the Phoenix Suns.

All is quiet on the Eastern Front. As teams across the league ponder what their offseason moves will look like, many eyes remain locked on the Milwaukee Bucks and the uncertain fate of Giannis Antetokounmpo. The nine-time All-Star and two-time MVP is at the center of speculation once again: will he stay loyal to the Bucks, or will he seek a trade that could dramatically shift the balance of power in the NBA?

The Giannis domino carries real weight.

And how does this tie back to the Phoenix Suns? It’s simple. There are teams out there who think they have a shot at landing Giannis. And because of that belief, however misguided, they may be holding onto assets, preserving cap space, and structuring their offseason around a pipe dream.

It’s not going to happen. Giannis isn’t going anywhere. He’s staying in Milwaukee.

"Right now, there is no Giannis Antetokounmpo trade market, there is no Giannis Antetokounmpo trade discussions. He has not asked for it. The Bucks are not looking to trade him."

- Brian Windhorst

( @GetUpESPN / h/t @ClutchPoints )

pic.twitter.com/YFYGmeYCaw

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 10, 2025​

And with that news, Kevin Durant officially becomes the biggest prize on the offseason market.

For teams teetering on the edge of contention, those who feel they’re just one elite piece away from making a serious push, Durant represents the ultimate swing. With Giannis off the table and staying in Milwaukee, Durant’s availability could ignite a full-scale bidding war among front offices hungry for a title shot.

And that’s exactly what the Suns want.

No, there’s no trade package out there that will truly match Durant’s offensive brilliance. That’s a given. But the goal is clear: to extract as much value as possible. Quality players, draft assets, flexibility. The Suns have emptied their chest in the pursuit of a super team. Now, it’s about restocking the shelves.

So let the bidding begin.

We’re just over two weeks away from the NBA Draft, the day when the Suns can officially start navigating the trade waters. And with Giannis off the board, the rumors surrounding Durant are only going to intensify. The Eastern Front may be calm.

But the Western front? It’s starting to feel like the woods outside of Foy.

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Listen to the latest episode of the Suns JAM Session Podcast below. To stay up to date on every episode, subscribe to the pod on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, YouTube Podcasts, Amazon Music, Podbean, or Castbox.

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Source: https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/...in-durant-trade-rumors-phoenix-suns-offseason

 

[Phoenix Suns]

New voice, clear vision: Suns introduce Head Coach Jordan Ott

Coach Ott and Brian Gregory holding court during a June 10th Introductory Conference | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Jordan Ott wants the Suns to earn trust, build habits, and win the right way.

It didn’t take long for Jordan Ott to make one thing clear in his introductory press conference: he’s here to work. You can check out the entire Q&A here, and there’s a lot to like.

The 20-year NBA coaching veteran spoke with measured confidence, laying out a vision rooted in structure, accountability, and connection. Ott, who arrives in Phoenix with a reputation for detailed preparation and player development, isn’t pitching a revolution. He’s pitching a process.

“You have to be process-oriented in this business. There are so many highs and lows to it,” Ott said. “Are we getting better? That’s what I’m concerned about.”

The Suns are betting that steady, smart leadership can offer the kind of internal improvement the team desperately needs. In a Western Conference where small gains can shift a season, Ott’s emphasis on consistency, habits, and character might just be the kind of low-noise, high-output philosophy Phoenix needs.

New General Manager, Brian Gregory, echoed the sentiment, noting that today’s players are looking for substance in leadership, not slogans.

“Players today want quality,” Gregory said. “They want a coach who’s honest. They may not always like what’s being told to them, but they want an honest evaluation.”

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Trust as Foundation​

Throughout the press conference, one theme came up over and over: trust.

“Initially, everyone will be respectful of the position. But it quickly turns to—‘Can you help them?’” Ott explained. “Once they know you can help them, that helps the relationship. That helps you coach them.”

It’s a player-first approach, but not a player-coddling one. Ott discussed building relationships over time, being present, and maintaining consistency. It’s not hard to imagine that resonating with a Suns roster that has cycled through voices and styles in recent seasons. In Coach Ott’s words: “Relationships are built through trust and time. That’s what we’ll be looking to build.”

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On Development and Drafting the Right Way​

Ott’s identity is firmly rooted in player development. When the topic turned to the upcoming draft and evaluating young talent, his response was more philosophical than positional.

“It’s the guys that have high character,” Ott said. “This is a competitive league, and you have to trust that that player is going to do exactly what they say or it doesn’t work.”

Professional habits—such as showing up on time, treating others with respect, and putting in the work—are non-negotiables for Ott. He believes the combination of consistency and character gives players a chance to succeed in the NBA’s demanding environment. That’s the filter he’ll be applying in the weeks ahead.

“That’s what we want the Phoenix Suns to be about.”

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Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Jordan Ott reacts to engaging questions during his introduction as the new head coach for the Phoenix Suns

Familiarity with the Modern NBA​

At 39, Ott becomes one of the younger head coaches in the league, but he’s no stranger to the modern NBA. He’s coached superstars like LeBron James and Kevin Durant, worked in analytically driven front offices, reviewed countless hours of game tape, and helped NBA organisations develop players from the ground up.

“To survive multiple years in this league, it takes more than talent,” Ott said. “It takes consistency, professionalism, and care.”

That blend of old-school values and new-school experience could be exactly what this roster needs. He won’t sell dreams. He’ll sell the grind. And in Phoenix, that might be the perfect place to start.

“We’re all competitors—it just comes out in different ways,” Ott added. “Without that fuel, that day-to-day grind of it all, it’s really hard to get better and be successful.”

As Ott settles into the role, the next few weeks will begin to shape what his version of the Phoenix Suns looks like. Questions remain—how involved will he be in the upcoming draft? Who will join him on the sidelines as part of his coaching staff? For now, the message is clear: Jordan Ott is here to build, not borrow.

Is the dawn of a new day for Phoenix?

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Listen to the latest episode of the Suns JAM Session Podcast below. To stay up to date on every episode, subscribe to the pod on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, YouTube Podcasts, Amazon Music, Podbean, or Castbox.

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Source: https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/...ference-player-development-trust-draft-vision

 

[Phoenix Suns]

A quieter press conference but maybe a louder message from Jordan Ott

Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Maybe this is what a real culture shift in Phoenix actually looks like.

The Phoenix Suns introduced their new head coach, Jordan Ott, on Tuesday, and with that, marked an inflection point for a franchise in search of direction. Sitting beside general manager Brian Gregory, the 40-year-old Ott took questions from the media with a calm clarity, representing not just a younger voice, but a modern mind tasked with reshaping the identity of this team.

Trust, of course, isn’t built in a press conference. And while words at the podium don’t guarantee wins, being present at the Verizon 5G Performance Center, you could feel it. Something is shifting. A subtle but meaningful energy. Ott was poised, thoughtful, and direct. His focus on maximizing the opportunity ahead was apparent, not performative.

Yes, these press events often leave more questions than answers, but there’s a quiet optimism brewing. Perhaps not a seismic shift, but a strategic one. A sense that the Suns may finally be turning a corner, at least in terms of process and philosophy.

The biggest question now becomes: how?

How will Ott, with this fresh start, scheme and structure a team that has too often fallen short of its potential? Frank Vogel brought toughness and a defensive ethos. Mike Budenholzer arrived with a belief in volume threes and spacing. Both lasted just a year.

Ott’s philosophy? It centers around possession. Valuing each one, understanding its leverage, and building identity through intentionality.

When asked about his offensive a defensive philosophies, Ott responded, “Offensively, playing faster. I think a way to look at it is playing earlier in the clock. We know the efficiency of offensive possessions start high and they drop. How often can we get a good look early in the possession? So we’re going to play fast. We’re going to move, and you know the cutting piece is important.”

One of the issues that plagued the Suns in recent seasons was offensive stagnation. Under Budenholzer’s brief tenure, the system was built around precision and spacing. Players moving to specific spots on the floor, designed to create lanes and open looks. But the challenge came once they got there. They’d run to their marks…and stay.

The offense too often froze. The movement off the ball stalled. Back cuts were rare. Off-ball screens were scarce. What should’ve felt like motion became isolation. Too much watching. Not enough acting.

A simple recognition of this flaw and a commitment to reintroducing dynamic movement into the offense would be a meaningful first step toward evolution.

"We're gonna move." - Jordan Ott on his offensive philosophy pic.twitter.com/iLjrLNig7h

— Bright Side of the Sun (@BrightSideSun) June 11, 2025​

“We’re going to move bodies,” Ott continued, “and then we’re going to find ways to get extra possessions. So we’re going to crash. We know how important it is to win the possession game. “

“Defensively, I want to play aggressive,” Ott stated. “We see it in the playoffs. We see exactly two teams that are at the end of the day in the Finals.”

Yeah, some defense would be nice. The Suns were an outright joke on that side of the ball last season, finishing 27th in defensive rating at 117.7. For a team with championship aspirations, that’s embarrassing. It’s one thing to struggle offensively when shots aren’t falling, but when you can’t stop anyone either, you’ve got no margin for error.

“And then we’re going to communicate,” Ott added. “Offenses are becoming more conceptual in how we communicate. At the end of the day, defense needs effort. All-out effort all the time. And then we’re going to have to be connected. Through the 48 minutes, there’s going to be some type of adversity. Can we stay connected to move past that and be more connected for a longer period of time than the other team, and the last piece,e and I’ve already hit on a little bit is we’re going to do it collaboratively.”

Communication was one of the Suns’ biggest downfalls last season. Devin Booker brought it up regularly in postgame interviews — whether it was on missed switches, blown coverages, or late-game breakdowns. And it showed.

I like what I’m hearing so far. I do. Time will ultimately tell whether the Phoenix Suns can execute Jordan Ott’s vision. And, to be fair, we don’t even know who the Phoenix Suns are going to be yet. But if this is the vision — movement, connectivity, purpose — it’s a step in the right direction. And more importantly, it’s a step away from what we’ve all had to stomach these past two seasons.

With Royce O’Neale, Oso Ighodaro, and Ryan Dunn watching from the sidelines, Ott repeatedly emphasized the importance of building real relationships with his players; of forging trust before forging game plans.

“It has always been about the players,” Ott stated. “It’s incredibly tough what you do. You’re in the toughest environment in the world, in the NBA. I hope I made you better because I know you made me better.”

"It has always been about the players. It’s incredibly tough what you do. You’re in the toughest environment in the world, in the NBA. I hope I made you better because I know you made me better."

️ Head Coach Jordan Ott on the players he's coached and those he will coach pic.twitter.com/qe92Nkwucl

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) June 10, 2025​

Talked with Oso Ighodaro and Royce O'Neale about their new head coach, Jordan Ott.

"Coach Ott was authentic and he seems to be aligned with the front office, which I'm excited about." @FOX10Phoenix pic.twitter.com/3Lwp278ak0

— Megan Plain (@MeganPlain) June 10, 2025​

Again, actions speak louder than words, and only time will reveal whether this was the right decision. Personally, I’m jaded. After what we’ve endured the past two summers, it’s hard to get excited about another head coaching hire. But something about this feels different.

After the press conference, Ott lingered. He took extra questions, chatted casually, and presented himself in a way that felt…human. Relatable. I introduced myself and shook his hand. He looked me square in the eye. And you know what? Bud never did that. There’s something to be said for that kind of presence.

Maybe success next season won’t be measured in wins and losses. It’s going to be an uphill climb, no doubt. But to make that climb, you first need stable footing. And maybe the Suns are laying that foundation right now.

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Listen to the latest episode of the Suns JAM Session Podcast below. To stay up to date on every episode, subscribe to the pod on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, YouTube Podcasts, Amazon Music, Podbean, or Castbox.

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Source: https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/...press-conference-vision-trust-offense-defense

 

[Phoenix Suns]

DeMarre Carroll joins Phoenix Suns staff as coaching dominoes start to fall

Photo by Brian Kolin/NBAE via Getty Images

Jordan Ott’s first bench hire shows Suns are prioritizing familiarity and philosophy.

With a new head coach comes new voices on the bench. And now that the Phoenix Suns have officially brought on Jordan Ott to lead the charge, the next step begins: building out his coaching staff.

It’s a demanding stretch for Ott, who must balance the assembling of his bench with the evaluation of NBA Draft prospects, pre-draft workouts, and weighing in on trade and free agency targets that could define the franchise’s direction.

The first reported addition to Ott’s staff is a familiar face: DeMarre Carroll. The two share history, having worked together as assistants with the Lakers and Cavaliers.

JUST IN: Phoenix Suns coach Jordan Ott has added DeMarre Carroll as an assistant coach on his bench, league sources told @hoopshype. Ott coached Carroll with the Brooklyn Nets and both worked together as assistant coaches for the Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers. pic.twitter.com/MWgEJc20qB

— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) June 12, 2025​

Carroll, originally drafted in 2009 — the same loaded class that produced Harden, Curry, DeRozan, and Holiday — carved out an 11-year NBA career across eight teams.

Known for his toughness and defensive acumen, Carroll transitioned into coaching in 2022, joining the Milwaukee Bucks under Mike Budenholzer, who coached him during their Atlanta Hawks days. He then joined the Lakers in 2023, and this past season served on the Cavaliers’ staff.

Now, he becomes the first known assistant on Ott’s bench, a bench that will be shaped not just by résumés, but by shared vision and philosophy.

There will be more names to come, of course. But Carroll is the first domino. And if all goes well, we’ll see him alongside Amanda Pflugrad at halftime interviews next season, breaking down what’s working, what’s not, and how this new Suns era is starting to take shape.

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Source: https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/...rdan-ott-coaching-staff-nba-draft-free-agency

 

[Phoenix Suns]

Never tell me the odds: Offseason trade odds for the Suns

Breaking down the chances the Suns keep or move Kevin Durant this summer.

Welcome to UwishUwereMiah, one of our new voices here at Bright Side of the Sun!

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The question everyone in the Valley is asking: What now?

We’ve already covered the various ways the Phoenix Suns might escape Bradley Beal’s contract nightmare in previous posts on Bright Side. For the purposes of this piece, we’re assuming Phoenix finds a way — via trade (please God), stretch provision (highly likely), or another creative exit (Bitcoin deposited in an offshore account by Mat Ishbia) — to move on from Beal.

The topic now is to deal with a different domino that needs to fall to move on from this quagmire. He is the’s the off-season’s slimmest and grumpiest, I just wanna hoop domino in Kevin Durant.

At 36 years old, Durant is still a top-20 player in the NBA. But he’s also on the last leg of his deal, and the Suns are staring down a future with limited draft capital, no young core, and very little financial flexibility.

So, what are the odds the Suns move KD this off-season? What could they get back? And how likely are each of these paths? Well, FanDuel doesn’t have the odds. So I made up my own!

1. Keep Kevin Durant for One More Season​

Estimated Chance: 25%​

The most pragmatic option might be to stand pat. With Durant under contract and still elite, the Suns could give it one more try under a moderately retooled roster and a new coaching staff. His salary will come off the books at the end of the year, clearing cap space, and giving Phoenix some breathing room in the 2026 off-season to sign players they actually want rather than taking back 90% in salaries they kind of want in a Durant trade.

Upside:

• Maintains competitive relevance this year with the hope a new coach and a new system bring
• Still maintains some Durant trade value if a great offer comes at the deadline from a team desperate for that one last final piece
• Avoids selling low in a limited market if the offers just aren’t there right now

Downside:

• Aging star, declining team, he may be worth even less at the trade deadline
• No draft picks to soften a future fall
• Houston owns or controls many of Phoenix’s future picks, making a collapse even more damaging
• If KD doesn’t get an extension, how does he respond?

Projected Roster:

• PG: Free agent veteran minimum
• SG: Devin Booker
• SF: Kevin Durant
• PF: Ryan Dunn/Royce O’Neale
• C: Nick Richards/Bol Bol
• Bench: Built on the margins

2. Trade Kevin Durant for the ‘Valley’ Suns, Part 2: Revenge of the ‘Valley’ Suns​

Estimated Chance: 15%

This is from the heart of a fan who thought we should have kept the band together. We are not talking about the G-League Valley Suns, but the team that donned the Valley jerseys en route to the 2021 NBA Finals and won 64 games a year later. Look at how many times the Boston Celtics failed with their young core until they developed into champions. My fanboy heart is already nostalgic for the ‘Valley’ Suns.

Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images

If the Knicks view Durant as the missing piece for a championship run, this is the most logical way to start reshaping the future with a previously established identity and chemistry, which the Suns have lacked since trading for Durant. The Valley Suns 2.0 could compete now, they would play hard, the defense would be stellar, and the city would fall in love again. Would they win it all? No, but damn do I miss that feeling of loving my team and the players who wear the jersey.

Trade Partner: New York Knicks

• Durant → Knicks
• Return: Mikal Bridges, filler, and a top-8 protected first from the Wizards in 2026

A Durant-for-Mikal trade would be poetic and strategic. Bridges is beloved in Phoenix, still great at everything he has always done, and fits in any timeline. New York loves a superstar, and the Suns get a fresh restart with Booker and Mikal, as the core, and a chance to develop depth again in the future. Imagine the defensive possibilities of Mikal and Dunn playing side by side! The Jailer and The Warden. Book 'em, Devin.

Hear me out…Chris Paul is a free agent. He still comments on Book’s social media posts with fire emojis, which are the modern version of “I still love you, bro.” He played in all 82 games last year for the Spurs and is still an on-court coach. He was also the fire behind the original Valley Suns. He would come at a very low salary, and it’s perfect for CP3 to return to a city that loved him.

Bonus points behind the fact that they’ve already leaked that the Valley jerseys are coming back next year. Let’s get the band back together!

Pros:

• Reunites a competitive, beloved core
• Restores team chemistry
• Re-energizes the fanbase with energy, effort, and defense returning to the Valley

Projected Roster (Post-Knicks Deal):

• PG: Chris Paul
• SG: Devin Booker
• SF: Mikal Bridges
• PF: Ryan Dunn/Royce O’Neale
• C: Nick Richards/Bol Bol
• Bench: Suns #29 pick used on a PG

3. Full Rebuild: Trade Durant and Booker​

Estimated Chance: 3-5%, depending on the team

A very unlikely scenario, but worth discussing. I love Book, the city loves Book, but if Phoenix decides the current model is to broken to fix, which they may quickly realize. They could go nuclear: trade both KD and Book, and regain picks, and build from the ground up. This kind of reset would require ownership buy-in and some serious front-office precision decisions that may require a 3rd or even a 4th team, but here we go.

Potential Trade Partner: Houston Rockets (5% chance)

• Durant & Booker → Houston
• Return: Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Şengün, and all of Phoenix’s own picks back, plus extras

Alternate Partner: San Antonio Spurs (5% chance)

• Durant & Booker → Spurs
• Return: #2 and #14 picks in 2024, 2025 pick swap rights, Devin Vassell, and future picks

Spiciest Possibility: Trade for #1 Overall Pick in 2025 Draft (3% chance)

• Durant & Booker → Dallas
• Return: 2025 #1 pick (to take Cooper Flagg) plus more picks and whatever random players they have to cobble together to make it work with additional teams involved
• This would be a long-term bet on drafting a generational star

Pros:

• Regains control of the future
• Clears cap space and builds through the draft
• Long runway for development

Projected 2025 Rookies Drafted with each trade:

• San Antonio: Dylan Harper (PG) at 2, Rasheer Fleming (PF) at 14, Ryan Kalkbrenner (C) at 29
• Houston Rockets: Kasparas Jakuciounis (PG) at 10, best available at 29
• Dallas: Cooper Flagg at 1, best available at 29
• Bench: Youth movement + flexibility

4. Trade Durant at the 2025 Deadline​

Estimated Chance: 10%

This is a wait-and-see approach. Let Durant start the year, showcase his value, and pivot if the team under performs. The risk here is obvious. Durant’s value could dip due to injury or regression, but the potential return could increase if contenders get desperate.

Pros:

• Potentially more suitors in-season that are willing to give up more draft picks if they feel they are really close heading into the trade deadline
• Could recoup strong value from desperate playoff teams

Final Thoughts​

The Suns can’t afford to misstep. With a depleted pick cupboard and a narrowing window, the decision on Durant will define the franchise’s next five years. Running it back offers short-term hope. Trading KD for assets offers a strategic pivot. Going full rebuild is bold, unlikely, but not impossible.

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Listen to the latest episode of the Suns JAM Session Podcast below. To stay up to date on every episode, subscribe to the pod on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, YouTube Podcasts, Amazon Music, Podbean, or Castbox.

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Source: https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/...son-odds-possible-destinations-knicks-rockets

 

[Phoenix Suns]

Band of Brothers, foxholes, and knowing Durant trades won’t save the Suns, but they might save the future

Photo by HBO via Getty Images

What Band of Brothers reminded me about the Phoenix Suns’ offseason ahead.

There’s one tradition I keep every year. When June 6 arrives — the anniversary of D-Day, when Allied forces stormed the beaches of northern France in 1944 — I revisit what I believe is the finest television ever made: Band of Brothers. The 10-part HBO miniseries, released in 2001, remains as powerful today as the first time I saw it.

What makes this ritual meaningful is not that the story changes, but that I do.

Every summer, I take something different from the series. Band of Brothers follows Easy Company of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment from their training in Toccoa, Georgia, through the battlefields of Normandy, Operation Market Garden, the frozen woods of Bastogne, and into Germany, all the way to Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest in the Alps. It’s a portrait of ordinary men doing extraordinary things under impossible circumstances.

Through those stories, I’ve learned lessons about leadership, sacrifice, and resilience. But above all, it’s the power of camaraderie that speaks to me. Having served in the military, I understand the bond forged in adversity and the quiet strength drawn from those at your side. If you’ve ever been part of a true team, you’ve felt it too. That lesson has shaped how I lead and how I counsel those under my charge. I’ve often shared the Band of Brothers ethos during difficult moments, reminding others — and myself — that leadership is never about taking from those you lead, but standing with them.

It’s a series that resonates deeply with me, and once again, this year, it did.

So what did I take from it this year? Not surprisingly, it reminded me of the Phoenix Suns. Metaphorically, of course.

The Suns are about to march into one of the most pivotal offseasons in franchise history. A new general manager. A new head coach. A roster in flux. And a culture that desperately needs reshaping. None of this is easy. In fact, it’s one of the hardest things a sports franchise can do: reimagine itself while still trying to remain competitive.

As I watched Band of Brothers, I thought about how every decision the Suns make this summer, through the NBA Draft, the trade market, and free agency, should be guided by three clear objectives. And as a fan base, we need to understand and accept these goals if we want to climb out of the mess the team has made for itself.

The first is long-term financial flexibility.

The Suns have spent so recklessly over the last two years that they’ve boxed themselves into one of the most restrictive situations in the league. It’s not just about this offseason or next year. It’s about the future of the franchise. The new collective bargaining agreement punishes repeat offenders of the second tax apron severely. If the Suns cross that threshold again in 2025–26, it would be their third consecutive year, and the league will freeze their first-round pick in 2032 and push it to the end of the round. That’s the price of reckless ambition. It’s a warning shot to ownership that long-term stability has to matter again.

The second objective is short-term flexibility, and by short-term, I don’t mean the 2024–25 season. I mean the next three years, the prime window of Devin Booker’s career.

In two seasons, Bradley Beal’s contract comes off the books, and the team needs to start shaping a roster today that will be ready for what comes after. Any trade they make involving Kevin Durant or other major pieces should have that 2027–28 season in mind, because you don’t get another Booker in this market. You have to build around him carefully, wisely, and deliberately.

And the third objective is to remain competitive next season.

Not because it’s convenient or easy, but because you don’t waste years of a star’s prime. Unfortunately, that goal isn’t perfectly aligned with the first two. In fact, next season may end up being a transition year; a necessary step back as the team retools around Booker. But if done with clarity and purpose, it can be a step forward in disguise.

That’s what Band of Brothers reminded me of this year. The war was fought one hill, one town, one day at a time. You don’t win by chasing every fight. You win by picking the right ones, holding the line together, and keeping your long game in focus, even when the world’s on fire around you. The Suns would do well to remember that now.

There’s a quote from Band of Brothers that stuck with me this year, one I’ve heard countless times but hit differently now. Lieutenant Ronald Speirs says it to Private Blithe, who’s paralyzed with fear in his foxhole, overwhelmed by the chaos of combat. Speirs leans in and tells him:

“We’re all scared. You hid in that ditch because you think there’s still hope. But the only hope you have is to accept the fact that you’re already dead. And the sooner you accept that, the sooner you’ll be able to function as a soldier’s supposed to — without mercy, without compassion, without remorse. All war depends upon it.”

It’s brutal, unflinching, and honest. And while the stakes in professional basketball don’t carry life-and-death consequences, the message still applies: You can’t operate effectively when you’re clinging to false hopes or pretending your reality is different than it is. The Phoenix Suns need to accept where they are: a team that mortgaged its future, overpaid for stars, and now faces a difficult, humbling path to repair what’s broken. The sooner they confront that truth, the sooner they can start making real, sustainable decisions.

As Suns fans, I think that’s exactly how we need to approach this upcoming season: we’re already dead.

Given the state of the Western Conference and the brutal financial restrictions this team faces, defining success by wins and losses next year is unrealistic. The sooner we accept that, the sooner we can start functioning as a fan base with clearer eyes. And begin to recognize the short- and long-term flexibility this franchise desperately needs to reclaim.

A Kevin Durant trade isn’t going to magically fix this overnight. You might get a useful asset or two, but the true goal isn’t that first trade return; it’s what you can flip those pieces into, how you parlay them into future cap relief, draft picks, and players who fit a long-term vision. It’s about breaking down this bloated, mismatched roster and setting the foundation for what comes next. And yes, there will be growing pains along the way.

This team can still be competitive in the truest sense of the word. They can play hard, play with purpose, and execute the vision of Jordan Ott. Maybe they won’t win a ton of games, but if they play the right way, if there’s a visible culture shift, that effort will matter. It might not be a championship season, but it could be the start of something more sustainable.

Because truthfully, chasing a title next year isn’t a realistic goal. This is a two- to three-year rebuild in disguise, whether the organization admits it or not.

And that’s what Band of Brothers gave me this year. A reminder that the road ahead is going to be tough. The odds are long. The situation’s imperfect. But the sooner we accept the reality of where we are, the sooner we can start finding real hope again.

Three miles up, three miles down. Curahee.

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Source: https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/...ant-trade-band-of-brothers-leadership-lessons

 

[Phoenix Suns]

3 things the Suns can learn from the Thunder-Pacers Finals

Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Should the Suns be taking notes on what success in the modern NBA looks like?

Every year, NBA teams try to emulate or build their teams similarly to the top dogs of the league. By the time those teams’ visions come to fruition, the league typically has already shifted.

So this is not meant to be a guide on what the Suns should or shouldn’t do, but rather a checklist of things to keep in mind when building their team.

It’s not about emulating the trend in front of us, it’s about becoming the team that others try to emulate. How do we get there?

1. Find the right way to build around your young(ish) star​

The Phoenix Suns have Devin Booker. I do not see that changing any time soon. So that begs the question: what is the best way to optimize and build a contender around Book?

Devin Booker is still just 28 years old and has plenty of basketball left in his career. He has led a team to the NBA Finals. He has shown he is capable of being a playoff riser. Recency bias will never change the past.

Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

He wasted a good chunk of his early career in Phoenix, only to be rewarded with a stretch of brilliance after that playoff drought. Depending on how this offseason goes, his patience could be tested in the next couple of years.

Indiana built a roster around Tyrese Haliburton in a roundabout way. They already had Myles Turner in place as their anchor, but as time went on, they realized Haliburton was their core piece. Adding Pascal Siakam and drafting/acquiring athletic wings and forwards (Nesmith, Toppin, Mathurin, etc.) while sprinkling in some shooting was clearly the right direction. They installed a culture and identity and fueled it by adding depth and versatility. The perfect storm.

Speaking of “storm”, the Thunder have seen SGA grow into his role as a megastar in OKC. They added youth, athleticism, and more importantly, some absolute dogs in Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein once their young core showed they were ready to make that leap.

Booker is not in that same age demographic, but he is just entering his prime with plenty of runway left in the tank. It is not too late to salvage the next era of Phoenix Suns basketball with Devin Booker.

How? Lean into the things he doesn’t do. Add youth, athleticism, and size around him. Build a team with a defensive identity. Surround him with actual depth.

2. Sometimes the best move is the one you don’t make​

Patience is a virtue, which the Suns have seemed to lack in the past several seasons.

Let’s rewind back to when the Indiana Pacers signed Deandre Ayton to a max offer sheet in the summer of 2022. After several years of Myles Turner trade rumors, Indy wanted to make a move that would turn some heads. They haven’t been a spend-happy team historically, but they wanted to make a move for making a move’s sake in this case.

Phoenix quickly matched the offer sheet and retained their big man. Only to deal him in the following season alongside Toumani Camara for Grayson Allen and Jusuf Nurkic. Now, the Suns are stuck with one of the most inconsistent, uninspiring center rotations in the association.

RFA center Deandre Ayton has agreed to a four-year, $133M maximum offer sheet with the Indiana Pacers, his agents Nima Namakian (Innovate Sports) and Bill Duffy (BDA Sports + WME Sports) tell ESPN. The Phoenix Suns have 48 hours to match the largest offer sheet in NBA history.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 14, 2022​

Now, look at where Turner and the Pacers are after his name was constantly in trade rumors. This is one example, and it’s not a perfect one that could be applied to any situation the Suns are currently in, but rather, a philosophy that competent teams live by.

The Suns should not make trades just to make them and cut ties out of convenience. Especially if it means they’re selling players for pennies on the dollar, as we see so many teams do.

The return they get for Kevin Durant will determine the future of this franchise. The Beal situation, to a lesser extent, as well.

3. Team Building Matters​

The NBA Draft is crucial for finding cheap pieces and assets that allow you to make moves to improve on the margins.

On June 25th, the Suns will have a chance to kickstart this “retool,” if you want to call it that at this point. Which, I think, you do (call it that) if you keep Devin Booker.

Phoenix holds the 29th and 52nd picks in this year’s draft. That total could increase should a Kevin Durant trade come into fruition as the Suns look to stack on NBA-ready talent and some playable youth.

I do not expect them to draft a project. It will be someone in the mold of their recent picks that brings some upside, but more importantly, an ability to make an impact immediately.

Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

One thing remains true about playoff basketball. If you make it there and get hot at the right time, you can make a deep run. Luck is involved. Chemistry matters. But most importantly, you need to optimize your cornerstone’s surroundings.

The Suns may have one last chance to do that around Devin Booker this summer.

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

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Source: https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/...suns-can-learn-from-the-thunder-pacers-finals

 

[Phoenix Suns]

With Durant on the way out, what does this mean for other contracts on the roster?

Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images

Who is else could be traded from the Suns this offseason?

As we all know, the Phoenix Suns have been the recent topic of discussion in the NBA news. After the recent hiring of new coach Jordan Ott, the Suns’ primary focus is now to work on the roster. The first domino expected to fall in that regard is a Kevin Durant trade, as reports have surfaced over the last couple of days on that topic. Even with that being the Suns’ main priority, more work still needs to be done with this roster, and those discussions will be held as we know.

Who else could be gone?​

With the recent updates around Kevin Durant, we have heard some details on the situation from multiple sources. Marc Stein and Jake Fischer have news on other guys being sent out in the latest Substack. The Suns are willing to explore trades involving Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale.

This entices me as a Suns fan, as both players have trade value but are also on tradable contracts. For the Suns, who also need different roles on this team, this would allow them to add the pieces they need.

Per @JakeLFischer:

"There has been a good bit of chatter this week about the Suns' willingness to explore trades involving Grayson Allen and Royce O'Neale as part of the Durant discussions, sources say, to reduce their tax bill further." pic.twitter.com/Ypsa5gh4Lx

— John Voita, III (@DarthVoita) June 14, 2025​

What would they provide for other teams?​

Grayson Allen​

Allen provides valuable shooting on the guard/wing position for a team that needs scoring in their lineup. Allen can be a spot-up guy and a solid catch and shooter on a great defensive lineup. Allen can provide quality fifth starter minutes, but could be an impactful sixth man. Allen is also on a solid contract; he signed a four-year 70 million extension last offseason and makes close to 17 million this season.

Royce O’Neale​

O’Neale is a solid veteran wing who can help on both sides of the ball. On offense, O’Neal can be a solid catch-and-shoot scorer on the wing. On the defensive end, he can help stop the ball on the perimeter and in the paint. He is also on a solid contract; he signed a four-year 42 million extension last offseason. Next season, he will make a little over 10 million. A team looking for a solid veteran on a great deal could easily find a way to add him.

What could the Suns target in these trades?​

Draft Picks​

It is known that the Suns would like to add draft capital via a Kevin Durant deal, but why not add more in other possible deals? The Suns already have zero draft capital, so getting any would be a plus. With the Suns making all these big signings and trades in past seasons, this may be a new path to a better direction. With Brian Gregory at the helm, and his draft expertise being known, this could benefit the Suns if they continue to hit on draft picks like last year.

Asked about his philosophies, Jordan Ott mentioned playing faster, playing earlier in the clock, movement, cutting and finding ways to get extra possessions on offense. Defensively, he emphasized being aggressive, bringing effort, communication and connectivity

— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) June 10, 2025​

If the Suns get future draft assets, they could also use them down the line in a trade for another superstar, when one is available. We all know stars want to play with Book, so I don’t see that being an issue in the long run.

Defense​

The Suns lacked on this side of the ball, ranking near the bottom in this category this season. That is why the push for a trade to get Jimmy Butler was wanted by everyone. It is also why players like Ryan Dunn and Cody Martin were considered key defenders. Now that is no knock on them, they are great defenders in their own right and were effective, but if our rookie and random salary filler are our key guys on one side of the ball when we are supposed to be on a playoff run, what does that say about this team? It says we are built the wrong way.

Coach Jordan Ott stated he wanted to change that at his introductory press conference, when he highlighted how the Suns would play this season. That being said, the team will target players who embody that description. Anybody who can rim protect and bring paint protection would be ideal. Another point of attack defender, who can be ideally used as an on-ball target, would also be key. Anything to help on that side of the ball would be a plus for this team.

Final Thoughts​

I do think that one, if not both, of these guys will be gone for multiple reasons. With the Suns looking to make changes, both Allen and O’Neale are the following tradable contracts outside of the Big 3. With one of them being hard to trade, one staying, and one already going out, these would be the next two to look at. These are the most valuable contracts the Suns have to move off of, and they present the team acquiring them with a solid role player.

The Suns could very well keep both, but with them already having so many scoring guards, it seems one of them may be leaving.

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Source: https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/...on-allen-royce-oneale-jordan-ott-roster-moves

 

[Phoenix Suns]

The Phoenix Suns’ 2026 pick just changed hands again in the Desmond Bane trade

Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Could the Desmond Bane trade shape what the Suns get for Kevin Durant?

Trade season has officially arrived. Even with the NBA Finals still unfolding, the first seismic move of the offseason has already shaken the league.

According to Shams Charania, the Memphis Grizzlies are sending Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic in exchange for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, four unprotected first-round picks, and a first-round pick swap.

BREAKING: The Memphis Grizzlies are trading Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, four unprotected first-round picks and one first-round pick swap, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/UcQnmHbgZb

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 15, 2025​

Per Charania:

Orlando is sending to Memphis the No. 16 pick in the 2025 NBA draft, Phoenix’s first-round pick in 2026, plus its 2028 and 2030 unprotected first-round selections, sources said. The pick swap is lightly protected in 2029.

That’s right. The Phoenix Suns’ bastardized pick has been moved once again. Originally part of the three-team deal that brought Royce O’Neale to Phoenix, that pick swap with Memphis and Orlando is now fully in the Grizzlies’ possession. Add Memphis to the growing list of franchises banking on a Phoenix downturn, quietly shorting the Suns’ future in the ever-fluid stock market of draft assets.

With the Kevin Durant trade looming, it’s hard not to compare the going rate. Five draft assets — four unprotected firsts and a swap — for Desmond Bane? That’s a haul. Sure, Orlando gets a young, versatile scorer who adds much-needed perimeter shooting to the league’s worst three-point attack, and defensively, Bane fits like a glove. But the sheer volume of picks headed to Memphis is eyebrow-raising.

For Suns GM Brian Gregory, it’s the kind of deal that sets a market. Or at least shifts it. Durant may be aging, but he’s still Kevin Freaking Durant. Maybe he doesn’t fetch five picks, but this deal proves teams are willing to mortgage their future to get their guy. The only question left: Will KD be that guy for someone else?

Stay locked to Bright Side to find out.

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Source: https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/...izzlies-phoenix-suns-draft-picks-kevin-durant

 

[Phoenix Suns]

A sneaky Kevin Durant landing spot that makes a ton of sense

Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

Durant is the biggest name on the market and is the best available asset to get a team on the cusp of a championship over the hump.

The Kevin Durant trade market is heating up, and he has narrowed down his list of preferred landing spots. The Suns are reportedly working with Kevin Durant to find his next destination, but are not beholden to Durant’s requests either. At the beginning of the Durant sweepstakes, there were six known teams in the mix for landing the aging’ superstar's talents. But, there were also about half a dozen other teams that were not named but had shown interest.

Durant is on an expiring $54.7 million deal for 2025-26, and the Suns have made clear to six-to-eight seriously interested teams that they will make the best deal for the franchise – even outside of his preferred list of Miami, San Antonio and Houston. https://t.co/rz2Imn2lnU

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 15, 2025​

The Cleveland Cavaliers appeared to be one of those teams earlier this week when Brett Siegel reported that the Cleveland Cavaliers had checked in with the Phoenix Suns on Kevin Durant. An all-in move for a Cavaliers team that finished with the second-best record in the NBA but again fell short in the playoffs.

Per @BrettSiegelNBA: he’s heard the #Cavs have checked in on potentially trading for Kevin Durant.

— Grant Puskar (@grant_puskar_) June 12, 2025​

Later in the week, Sam Amico at Hoopswire reported that the Cavaliers are a “definite no” on Kevin Durant. A report that should be taken at face value, but as we know in the NBA, teams (especially owners) have a habit of changing their minds. Now, if the Suns were to trade Durant to Cleveland, it would add another intriguing layer to the ongoing feud between Mat Ishbia and Dan Gilbert. A beef that I am certain negates any chance of the future Hall of Fame scorer ending up a Cleveland Cavalier.

ICYMI: Cavs Are Not Interested In Trading For Suns’ Kevin Duranthttps://t.co/4j9Hjt63id

— Sam Amico (@AmicoHoops) June 13, 2025​

But it is the offseason, and I can dream, so, however farfetched a trade to Cleveland might be, I decided to see what a potential trade could look like and why it would work for both Cleveland and Phoenix.

With both teams over the second apron, it makes a trade between the two franchises almost impossible. Enter a third team that has an incentive to tank next season and gain assets: the Brooklyn Nets.

When the Nets traded Mikal Bridges to the Knicks for expiring salaries and picks, they announced themselves to the rest of the league as a team looking to rebuild, which numbered the days of Nic Claxton and Cam Johnson in Brooklyn. Johnson was shopped at the deadline in February, but was not traded because Brooklyn did not like the return they would have gotten. Claxton is an athletic rim running center who has shown flashes of elite level defensive play and physicality. He is a center that the majority of playoff teams would gladly welcome to its roster and start right away.

Now to the trade...

Phoenix hits a home run​

The Suns reunite with fan favorite Cam Johnson and find a starting caliber center in Jarrett Allen while gaining another rotation caliber wing in Isaac Okoro. Suns fans could not dream of a better, realistic return for Kevin Durant if they tried. Phoenix improves dramatically defensively, gains experienced and proven players, increases its length and the trade gives ownership a competitive roster that will compete for a playoff seed in the West. The Suns front office has been given the task of find a needle in the haystack, and this is as close as they could get.

Now to the drawbacks, It is possible that the Suns might have to give up draft compensation to get the Nets to part with Cam Johnson, Nic Claxton and the eighth overall pick, but giving up a couple late first round picks should not make Ishbia or the Suns fans sweat at this point.

Why Cleveland does the trade?​

This is where it gets interesting. The Cavaliers have the most to gain and the most to lose in a Durant trade. If Cleveland decides to go all in, trading for Durant and Claxton gives them the best shot at a championship next season. They gain one of the best scorers in NBA history, who has played 62 and 75 games in the previous two seasons. With this trade, Mitchell shifts to the point guard position, Durant slots in as the small forward, making the Cavaliers an extremely long and athletic team. The Cavaliers trade Allen, who has lacked playoff physicality the past two seasons, for a younger Claxton. They also trade Garland, who has struggled to stay healthy during his career and is the target of opposing teams' offensive game plans, but that is not all...

What finally gets Cleveland to accept the trade is Brooklyn’s 2025 first-round pick. The Cavaliers are currently a second apron team, and need to figure out a way to get below the second apron but stay at the top of the conference. With Durant’s current contract expiring at the end of the 2025-26 season, the Cavaliers would either have to extend the 37-year-old superstar or let him walk in free agency. A daunting decision that could end their championship window early, or enable them to be a championship favorite for the next three seasons. Getting a crack at the No. 8 pick is the perfect failsafe option for Cleveland because they get a young, inexpensive lottery talent. The Cavaliers would have a chance at drafting Jeremiah Fears or another point guard for the future.

Does Brooklyn say yes?​

In a vacuum, giving up Cam Johnson and Nic Claxton for Darius Garland is a win for Brooklyn. The Nets need franchise cornerstones to build around, and Johnson and Claxton are not those pieces. Garland is a cornerstone piece, but his availability next season is up in the air because of an offseason toe surgery. The Nets will have no motivation to bring him back quickly because they will want to tank for an even better pick next season.

Giving up the number eight pick is where this trade gets dicey. The whole point of tanking like the Nets did this season is to get into the lottery and hit on lottery talent. This draft is loaded with talent, and it would be hard to pass up a pick so high even for Garland. The Nets would need to value Garland as a better prize than whoever is potentially available at eight which is why the Nets would hold off on this potential trade until draft night to see if anyone were to fall. The Suns might even have to throw some picks in to entice the Nets as well.

Durant’s value​

Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

Any Suns fan, media member, and executive knows that they are not getting back what they gave up for Durant. However, that does not mean they have to settle for Harrison Barnes, Jeremy Sochan, and Keldon Johnson. Durant is the biggest name on the market and is the best available asset to get a team on the cusp of a championship over the hump.

You know the accolades, the scoring barrages, and his abilities. The Suns failed to build around Devin Booker and Durant, but he was still one of the best players in the world wearing purple and orange. While he is not at his peak anymore, he is still a top 20 player in the NBA, and he is the closer who can win you a championship. That is who the Suns are trading, and no matter where Durant wants to go, Phoenix still has avenues to get quite the return for one of the legends of the game.

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Source: https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/...-nets-jarret-allen-cam-johnson-darius-garland

 

[Phoenix Suns]

The Suns have three paths forward, but only one leads to long-term hope

Brian Gregory, Suns GM | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

All-in, bide time, or rebuild?

Welcome to Archie Frazer, one of our new voices here at Bright Side of the Sun!

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The upcoming offseason is vital for the Phoenix Suns. Their ‘big three’ hasn’t worked. While availability and coaching have played a role, there’s little justification for running this version of the team back.

It’s easy to say in hindsight that maybe trading for Kevin Durant wasn’t the move, but who can blame them? And who’s to say it wouldn’t have worked? We never really got to see it play out before the addition of Bradley Beal, and yet that may have been the move that put the nail in the coffin. Acquiring a third star with that salary was always going to be a risky move, but to bring in one whose skill set heavily overlaps with the talent already on the roster was a strange decision. Beal’s infamous no-trade clause has left Phoenix with minimal flexibility, and as we know, they have struggled since to reshape the roster into something that can compete.

The Beal situation is tough. A team built around Booker will struggle to start him with his defensive frailties, which is likely why we saw him come off the bench as a 6th man at times last season. One idea put forward by some is to cut him, waive, and stretch his contract. This is impossible, however, for it is against the rules for dead cap space to exceed 15% of the salary cap if you buy him out completely. You would need Beal to eat some money in the deal, as a $97 million buyout is the most you can do.

Because of this, the Suns are stuck with Beal until at least the last year of his deal (likely the full duration). This has a huge effect on the strategy going forward. The Suns have to try to make it work with Beal; however, the main thing is that they’re in a position to compete when that contract expires.

Now it is decision time. With little draft capital to play with and one year left on Durant’s deal, the Suns need to decide what direction they want to go in. This could be a sliding doors moment in their quest to win with franchise icon Devin Booker. Which direction do they think best positions them to push forward and compete starting in summer 2027?

Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

All In​

If the Suns want to see their past decisions through, they need to trade for players who are going to help them win now in Booker’s prime. This would mean getting the best value deal in a KD trade, making what few moves you can from there and trusting head coach Jordan Ott to build a system to make things work.

A trade down this line of thinking could involve the Raptors for someone like Brandon Ingram, or the Wolves for a Julius Randle. The players coming in from deals like these won’t be perfect fits, so it comes down to the coaching staff to develop a winning system that can incorporate these talents. This places significant pressure on rookie head coach Jordan Ott to deliver quickly — a tough ask.

The Suns would prefer prime-age players on good contracts as opposed to draft picks in this kind of deal, further helping their goal of winning now.

Bide Time​

Another direction they could take would be to focus on fit and culture rather than pure talent. In this scenario, the Suns have decided that Booker and Beal, combined with whatever they can get for KD, are not going to make them a serious contender.

They instead decide to retool their roster, cleaning their salary sheet and creating a proper system around Booker, ready for when Beal’s max contract expires. That is then their window, Booker would be 31, so they would still have a few years left with him at his absolute best to finally challenge again. This avenue allows Coach Ott time to develop his system, Ishbia to implement the culture that he raves about, and general manager Brian Gregory the chance to reshape the roster into one that plays winning basketball.

Going down this avenue allows them to get under the second apron and finally regain some much-needed flexibility. This can be used to redistribute salary into more important areas in the team and potentially target free agency options in the 2027 offseason, given the huge lump of salary coming off the cap sheet in the Bradley Beal contract. This gives them a stable foundation to push on from, and more options to take advantage of.

Rebuild​

Objectively, the best way for the Suns to maximize their chance of winning championships is to trade KD, trade Booker, get their picks back, and enter a full rebuild.

Tanking without trading Booker would be impossible, especially with Beal alongside. There is just too much talent to be a 15-25 win team that would realistically have a strong chance of getting top three picks in drafts going forward.

Breaking down the roster from a team with this much talent would be a big move in the NBA sphere, maybe the biggest tear down we have seen since the Brooklyn Nets. This only means that the Suns would have a larger asset pool than many teams tanking at the moment, giving them a quicker route to the top again.

There are a number of reasons as to why this will not happen, though. Mat Ishbia’s comments regarding rebuilds are a big one, and the franchise’s attachment to Booker is another.

Barring a sudden turnaround, the Suns are expected to make some major changes this summer. But not in Mat Ishbia’s all-in approach.

“For better or worse, there’s no ‘trust the process’ to Mat Ishbia.”

ESPN story on the state of the Suns: https://t.co/YPs8w9IMpz

— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) March 14, 2025​

Devin Booker is the Phoenix Suns. He is a franchise legend in the eyes of many fans, and even though it may be a tough ask, winning with him would just mean that little bit more, wouldn’t it? The Phoenix Suns aren’t the Boston Celtics, they aren’t the Los Angeles Lakers, they can’t just churn out talent and consistently win rings.

Having a player like Booker who is THEIRS means a lot to a fanbase that has never experienced their team win a championship. We saw a similar situation when Dallas traded Luka Doncic; it devastated the fanbase and caused a lot of trust to be lost in the ownership. Given the lack of trust fans already have with Mat Ishbia and his past failings, could that relationship ever recover if Booker were traded? Why should the fans trust them to perfectly execute a rebuild based on what they have seen so far? This is why I don’t believe a rebuild is a feasible option here.

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So what do they do? Everyone has their own ideas, as a fan myself, I think I like the idea of waiting out Beal’s contract and being picky for the talent they actually want in a KD trade. I don’t believe the Suns are near contention right now, but maybe they can get there in 2027, ’28, ’29, and onwards. I want to win with Booker, and if we push too hard too soon and it fails again, he may want out. Losing Booker without maximising his value would be disastrous - a scenario the Suns must avoid at all costs.

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Source: https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/...-devin-booker-bradley-beal-rebuild-or-contend

 

[Phoenix Suns]

3 NBA Draft picks the Phoenix Suns should ignore

Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images

The Phoenix Suns might be wise to steer clear of these 2025 NBA Draft prospects, especially if a Durant trade lands them in the lottery.

First, my 30-second elevator speech. My last formal writing was most likely in high school in pursuit of journalism. I was assigned topics that were meant to create derision. I served detention in high school for writing about installing condom machines in the men’s bathroom, and this was after interviewing local health authorities. The sources were clear, but it did not sit well with the authorities. Principal and such.

From there, I did some spots as a student reporter on a local TV channel and spent about five years working radio across three states.

Master of Science, where I did a lot of group projects that required a lot of editing. I am more of a technical writer. That is my bio. But I have a bit of a rebel streak in me, so most of what you read from me will just be an opinion piece. Again, I enjoy all articles on this site and the comments that come with it.

With all that said, nobody has any clue where the Suns will draft in 2025. We all know they have the 29th overall pick, but with so many trade discussions around Kevin Durant in the mix, it is not unrealistic to expect a lottery return.

So, I will highlight three draft picks to avoid across the full spectrum. This is mainly based on the late lottery that could fall to the Suns with a trade. Remember, any mock trade drafts change on a weekly or even daily basis. I am currently using HoopsHype for aggregate mock draft numbers.

Let's start with the number one to avoid.

Ace Bailey​

Do you like any trade that lands the Phoenix Suns in the top 5 in the lottery? That would include the trade scenarios that involve San Antonio. They own the number two pick, and a Wemby and Durant pairing would be fun to watch, at least for South Texas, and it is warm with riverside parades included. Tempe Town Lake in 118° does not quite cut it for riverside parades. Phoenix could do a riverside parade on the Salt River, though, in inter-tubes. That would be endlessly entertaining and maybe a bit harrowing based on water flow.

My focus is on Ace Bailey as the one to avoid, but if I am being clear here, I would pass on both Rutger players (Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey projected at number 2 and 3, respectively). Rutgers sucked in the college basketball season, they finished 15-17 in a weak Big 10 (finished 11th in standings) while loading up on wins in the out-of-conference schedule, against the Little Sister’s of Mercy conference. Rutgers never saw the postseason.

And yet, both of these players are bally-hoed consistently by national pundits and mock drafts? This is what I look for. Pundits who can’t seem to give up the ghost from their preseason predictions. They are stat-suffers who could never lead their team to dominance. So, this is a two-fer-one projection. Avoid the Rutger players.

Ace Bailey has been sliding in the draft projections due to his arrogance. He will not work out for teams that he does not want to go to. This a a bad idea. For the Suns, the main focus should be on strengthening the locker room. Ace Bailey does not fit the bill.

Ace Bailey’s draft stock has been falling due to his unwillingness to visit several teams and the fact that he has yet to conduct a single workout, per @DraftExpress

Bailey believes he’s a top-three player in the draft and wants to be selected by a team that will provide a… pic.twitter.com/qyhuteKr14

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 17, 2025​

Jase Richardson​

Oh boy. Can you imagine the haranguing the Suns will get if they draft a shooting guard from MSU? If the focus is clearly on creating national media attention, writing on a position that the Suns clearly do not need, this is the one.

Currently projected at #20, which Miami owns, which is a team that KD would not mind playing for under his Player Preference Clause, this would create a board and media “ishstorm”.

He could fall to number 29. Your guess is a good as mine. He has been sliding in the mocks. Or Ishbia says, “Okay KD, we are going to d you right. We will send you to South Miami for your retirement. We have a young pick in mind.”

An MSU player is a pick to avoid. For obvious reasons.

Carter Bryant​

I bet you all did not see this one coming. I am a proud University of Arizona alum. I watch all the basketball games. Do I wish that Bryant had returned to U of A for his sophomore year?

Yes. But I am not bitter. He is raw in the NBA world.

This is predicated on the fact that Houston is and still remains the Suns' best trading partner. They own the 10th pick from the Suns. Carter is climbing the NBA draft boards on his athleticism. And it is well-deserved.

You have to have serious Devin Booker vibes on Bryant Carter to trade for Houston at the ten spot. Bryant was not even the sixth guy off the bench in his freshman season. Did he show some elite athletic ability when he had his minutes? You bet your arse he did. This comes down to player development and as some say “a bridge too far”. I would have liked to see him in another year of college, and the Suns are not known for their ability to draft in-state university players and develop them.

Bonus: Khaman Maluach​

I bet you did not see this coming as well.

This is a Duke player that hails from South Sudan. I love his game and I am professed Duke hater. But if Houston trades the 10 or Toronto trades the 9, he has to be looked at.

Why does Khaman Maluach fall on my list? It really depends on the political climate. South Sudan is on a travel ban list, and I am not sure where that is going.

This is not to be a political comment, but it messes with college basketball and the NBA if they ever suit up for their respective teams.

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Listen to the latest episode of the Suns JAM Session Podcast below. To stay up to date on every episode, subscribe to the pod on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, YouTube Podcasts, Amazon Music, Podbean, or Castbox.

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Source: https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/...avoid-ace-bailey-carter-bryant-khaman-maluach

 

[Phoenix Suns]

Phoenix is walking the fine line of value and timing

Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images

The Kevin Durant deal is something that will be judged. But not yet.

We wait. We wonder. With less than a week until the NBA Draft, Kevin Durant remains a member of the Phoenix Suns, despite being quietly shopped since the All-Star break back in February. And the longer this lingers, the more it invites reflection.

Some will say this is the natural rhythm of things. Negotiations take time. The Suns are doing their due diligence, navigating a high-stakes market to extract maximum value from a 15-time All-Star nearing the twilight of his career. There’s only so much left in the tank, only so much left to gain. And yet, what remains still holds weight, enough to spark a bidding war.

So the offers roll in. The front office weighs them, pits them against one another, searching for leverage, chasing a return that justifies the risk. It’s a strategic tug-of-war. Some days it feels like Phoenix is in control. Other days, like they’re losing ground.

No matter how this plays out, one truth remains: the Suns will be giving up the most valuable asset in the trade. From a pure basketball standpoint, Kevin Durant is better than anything they’ll get in return. What Phoenix is chasing isn’t a better player; it’s financial flexibility and a foundation for the future. That’s what makes this deal appealing from the franchise’s perspective.

But as we sit back and wonder how these conversations are unfolding behind the scenes, it’s hard not to question whether having a first-time general manager at the helm is a disadvantage. Brian Gregory hasn’t made a move yet, which means there’s little to judge him on. And maybe that’s exactly where the concern begins: because nothing has happened.

Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images

Is the holdup a result of inexperience? Is Gregory overplaying his hand? Does he truly understand how to navigate a negotiation of this magnitude? We don’t know. Not yet. But once the trade finally goes down, we’ll start to get answers. And no matter what comes back in return, a portion of the fan base is bound to feel let down.

The reality is, not everything coming back will be a fit. There will be salary cap filler. There may not be as many draft picks as some are hoping for. And once the dust settles, the question becomes: will fans view the trade as a misstep, a rookie GM getting fleeced? Or will they recognize it as the best return the Suns could realistically hope for, one that simply reflects Durant’s value at this stage in his career?

These are the thoughts of someone, like you, stuck in the waiting game. Someone who’s refreshed the rumor mill one too many times this week and grown tired of the noise. The deal will happen. Then the scrutiny begins. Because it has to.

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Source: https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/...e-rumors-nba-draft-2025-news-updates-analysis

 

[Phoenix Suns]

Waiting on the trade winds: The Suns, the Slim Reaper, and the quiet before the draft

Durant [35] boxes out Jabari Smith Jr [10] during a match in May 2025. | Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images

He’s not calling the shots, but he’s setting the tone. Durant’s trade saga may just hinge on draft night.

It’s been the NBA’s most captivating subplot for weeks: Will Kevin Durant be traded? And if so, when? But with the NBA Finals between Oklahoma City and Indiana on the verge of delivering a riveting seven-game classic, league attention has (for now) shifted back to the court.

For Suns fans, however, the quiet has only intensified the anticipation.

Robert Edwards-Imagn Images
Kevin Durant [35] waiting on the play to resume

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There’s a strange calm over Phoenix. The kind of silence that hangs just before a monsoon breaks, or just before a franchise alters its trajectory with a single blockbuster trade.

Kevin Durant’s name has been tossed around more in trade rumors than in All-NBA debates lately. His preferences, reportedly, are out there now: Houston, Miami, San Antonio. Cities where the tax burden is lighter, the spotlight burns brighter, or the front offices are fresher. But despite the noise, he’s still here, still in the Valley. And maybe that’s where he’ll stay until the final minutes of NBA Draft night.

Durant wants control. The Suns want value. A global fanbase wants resolution. No one’s quite getting what they want...yet.

"The Suns have a price threshold that they want met in a trade for Kevin Durant and I had one team tell me today it's a game of chicken right now..

The Rockets, Heat, and Timberwolves are literally one or two pieces away from getting a deal done"@ShamsCharania #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/LLns2g1B4C

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) June 19, 2025​

The Clock is Ticking...But to What End?​

Trade chatter reached fever pitch last week, so much so that league insiders feared the saga would overshadow the NBA Finals. And rightly so. When Kevin Durant might be traded, for real this time, even a seven-game battle between Oklahoma City and Indiana has to fight for the headline.

But now, with Game 7 just two days away and the NBA Draft barely a week out, the window for a deal feels less like an open door and more like a pressure valve.

Here’s the crux: If Phoenix truly wants to extract top-tier value for Durant, they may need to be prepared to wait a little longer. Not forever. Just until their potential trade partners can see the full draft board, until suitors desperate for upward mobility, armed with mid-first-round picks and players on rookie contracts, show their hands, work out who wants what, and how the framework for a blockbuster deal gets done.

Because once those picks become players, they lose some of their flexibility as trade assets. And Phoenix, if they’re thinking wisely, is waiting on the wind to shift in their favor.

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The Leverage Illusion​

Durant doesn’t have a no-trade clause, but he’s playing the part anyway. By signaling preferred destinations, he’s trying to guide the hand of Phoenix’s new-look front office. It’s not an uncommon strategy — stars have done this for decades — but it does complicate matters.

The Suns are under no legal obligation to send Durant to a city of his choosing. But they are tied to a different kind of contract: the unspoken one, the handshake agreement between player and franchise to preserve goodwill. Teams that break that tend to lose more than they leverage—they lose credibility.

So Phoenix walks the tightrope. They shop the star but try not to sully the brand.

The Draft Day Dance​

Why wait until the draft?

Because by then, the offers become real. Pick protections lift. Rosters clear. Rookie-scale contracts come into view. Cap space tightens for others, but becomes more potent in Phoenix’s hands if the trade is structured properly. And let’s not forget: teams like Brooklyn, Houston, and even San Antonio all have the type of draft capital and youth that could reshape the Suns in a flash.

Waiting gives Phoenix optionality. It doesn’t guarantee a better return, but it might force more teams to the table. That matters.

The Risk of Waiting Too Long​

Of course, there’s risk: if Durant gets injured. If suitors pivot. If the market dries up. And then there’s the vibe, the awkward tension of keeping a discontented superstar around longer than anyone wants.

The Suns can’t afford a repeat of last year’s injury-disrupted disappointment. The locker room needs clarity, not shadow games. And currently, talk of keeping him and pretending none of this trade chatter was even warranted could add more storm clouds overhead. For some gripping and well-presented thoughts on this aspect of keeping Durant, look no further than this article by our very own Kevin Humpherys.

Brian Windhorst says he wouldn’t rule out the Suns considering keeping Kevin Durant

“I would not rule out the Suns not being able to get a trade they like and having to make a decision—like, do we not trade him at all?”

( @ESPNCleveland )

pic.twitter.com/Vg9Fru5ZyL

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 17, 2025​

But in a league where desperation drives deals, waiting just a few more days might be what finally flushes out the perfect package.

What Phoenix Must Get Right​

A Durant trade, if it happens, is a pivot point for the franchise. And unlike the rushed package that brought him here, the Mikal Bridges-sized hole in all our hearts still gaping, this one has to be about sustainability, balance, and winning depth.

Think: a starter-level forward, a capable center, a younger backcourt piece, a few picks. It doesn’t have to be flashy. It just has to be smart. It has to fit. And if that means waiting until the moment the draft clock starts ticking, so be it.

The Final Word: No Sudden Moves​

The monsoon hasn’t broken yet. The winds are swirling. Durant is still here. And so is the hope that Phoenix can get this right—not just for the fans, or for Devin Booker, but for the identity of a franchise that’s been searching for its soul since the moment it traded for a megastar who may have never quite unpacked.

Sometimes, the best trades aren’t rushed. They’re waited on like rain in the desert.

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Listen to the latest episode of the Suns JAM Session Podcast below. To stay up to date on every episode, subscribe to the pod on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, YouTube Podcasts, Amazon Music, Podbean, or Castbox.

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Source: https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/...d-the-quiet-before-the-draft-nba-kevin-durant