Rockets acquire Suns picks, return Nets picks to Brooklyn

What is your proof Tari cant guard fast guys? We are rolling out the same guys as last year sans DB who sucked at guarding quick guys and Jalen Green. While Green has been a really good defender last year, he wasnt the lynchpin on defense I doubt we miss him defensively esp with Amen taking his place.

Reed can also guard fast guys he only gets blown by big guys but small guys he can keep up. I feel like you are making a mountain out of a molehill.


Finally FVV will play lots of mins regardless ehat you think. He is Ime's fav player they even take boxing training together.

 

Well, he did make a miraculous improvement .... from the worst statistical defender in the league to a passable defender.

It's easy to confuse some people ....

 

Green, much like Sengun had made great strides into being plus team defenders.

The amount of work those two have put into their defensive effort cannot be understated. Both of them went from matador level defense, into legit NBA defensive effort.

But neither is going to be on any all NBA defensive teams; but that isn’t a knock on either. Some fellas are built for defense, but guys like Green and Sengun are in the NBA because of their offensive acumen. Which means, they need to focus on being the best team defenders they can be with sheer willpower and disciplined focus.

 

The defense had issues* last season often when both Tari and JSJ played with Sengun. I have not broken down who specifically was at fault, but the team seemed slow.

*Defense was basically average, but a huge step down when one of them played with Brooks or Amen as the other forward.

 

Green was the weakest defensive link but he was much improved from the Silas days.....Alperen was just more improved.

 

I'm sure if I had the time to dig out some lineup stats and/or Tari's physical speed, there might be some "proof" to answer your question.

But you don't need stats to know something like: Amen is faster than Tari; Tari is faster than Jabari; Brooks and Tari are about the same speed, Tari may be a tad faster; etc. Just watch them play. None of Tari, Brooks, and Jabari is good at chasing fast guys in the perimeter. They can switch to defending fast guards in plays here and there, but not good if they are asked to stick to a fast guy in long stretches.

 

PHX's total is like 31 1/2?!?

They wont come close.

Most likely, 23 - 26 wins.

 

Maybe. Though, I expect 2-3 teams to get hurt that end up tanking while the Suns try their hardest to be within 8 games of the play in.

 

Agreed 100% the number that came to mind was 25 for me. They just don't have very much talent on the roster and I don't see Booker as the type to carry a talentless squad.

 

Uuuum. Jalen Green guys??

 

Fine, 22

 

LMAO!!!

 

We don't own that pick tho .... Washington does.

I'm more concerned about what they do the following year than this one.

I'd rather the wheels didn't fall off until next the 26/27 season when we do own that pick.

 

For several reasons I think the worse they do next year increases the likelihood of doing worse the next 2 years.

 

I'm just not sure what they could even do to improve all that much. They don't have a pick, they don't have any picks to trade, they don't have any players other than Booker who would command anything in trade, and they are unlikely to be a desired destination for quality free agents.

The future is pretty bleak in Phoenix

 

I am of this opinion. I want the Suns are so bad in 2025-2026 that they give up and decide to rebuild.

 

Exactly. This team tried to flip the script this upcoming season. And if they just do more losing it creates a negative atmosphere. With putting Booker in a strange spot of making a ton of money on a losing team.

 

If the wheels fall off next season it boosts the trade value of our 27 pick already. They won't be able to turn it around in one offseason, not without cap space or a high draft pick. I'm fine with them bottoming out right now.

 

Phoenix is in bad shape! The stretch of Beal's contract will constrain their cap until the 2030/31 season. The Booker contract extension is a monstrosity. They don't control their own draft pick until 2032 - with two years of no picks and 3 years of "The worst pick out of 3 or 4 teams." The 2027 and 2029 Phoenix picks may be the best assets available across the league - except for the 2026 and 2028 Phoenix picks. Their owner is an idiot. The coach is a nepo hire. Poor Phoenix Suns fans. At least they have Jalen Green to root for...

 

They do own their 2026 pick in some way actually. They have a swap with WAS but it’s 1-8 protected. If they are not stupid, they should tank hard this coming year.

In any case, they will have a pretty high pick next year in a strong draft class. So they are sort of rebuilding already. They just lack the full stack of means to rebuild properly and quickly.