Latest news with #PhoenixSuns
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Suns Guard ‘Expressed Interest' in Return Next Season Despite Disappointing Season
Suns Guard 'Expressed Interest' in Return Next Season Despite Disappointing Season originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Phoenix Suns have been quite busy early in the offseason. They went 36-46 and missed out on any postseason contention. As a result, owner Mat Ishbia began making significant changes, starting with the head coaching position, when he fired Mike Budenholzer shortly after the season concluded. Advertisement The next significant move came when he appointed James Jones to a senior advisory position, installing Brian Gregory, an old friend of Ishbia's, as the new general manager. Their relationship dates back to their time at Michigan State, when Ishbia was a player and Gregory an assistant coach. Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports Suns guard "expressed interest" in return next season The first significant move Gregory likely worked with Ishbia on was the trade that saw them send Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, and five second-round picks. While the Suns commonly relied on Durant and Devin Booker's offense to bail them out of games, they couldn't overcome being the third-worst team in the NBA in terms of defensive efficiency. One player who didn't live up to his billing was point guard Tyus Jones. Advertisement According to Arizona Sports 98.7 FM's John Gambadoro, the Suns could have a decision to make regarding Jones. "Tyus Jones likes it in Phoenix and has expressed interest in returning while the Phoenix Suns are still considering a 2nd contract, per [Gambadoro]." Jones signed a one-year deal with the Suns before this season, passing up more guaranteed years and money elsewhere. Some thought a true point guard to help facilitate was precisely what the Suns needed. It wasn't. He saw his assist numbers dip from 7.3 assists last season with the Washington Wizards to just 5.3 per game with a much more talented Suns team. It remains to be seen if the Suns choose to offer him a second contract, but it wouldn't be surprising to see Ishbia bring back a familiar face. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Hawks Among Favorites to Land $251 Million 3-Time All-Star in NBA Trade
Hawks Among Favorites to Land $251 Million 3-Time All-Star in NBA Trade originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Atlanta Hawks could acquire an All-Star before the start of the 2025-26 NBA season. After the moves the front office made to build a competitive team around Trae Young and their young core, adding another star could push them to the next level. Advertisement Phoenix Suns star Bradley Beal is linked to the Hawks. According to Bovada, the Hawks are one of the favorites to land the three-time All-Star. Atlanta has +400 odds to be the next home of the star guard via a trade. The Washington Wizards, Milwaukee Bucks and Golden State Warriors are some of the other teams rumored to land the 6-foot-4 guard. Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels (5) against Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (3).Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images According to a recent report by Suns insider John Gambadoro, the team could trade Beal next. This followed after they traded All-Star forward Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets. "There's a zero percent chance that Bradley Beal is back on this Suns team next year," the insider said. A trade for Beal might be difficult for any team. The former Washington Wizards star is on the fourth year of his five-year $251 million contract. On top of that, he's been through several minor injuries since his five-year deal started. Advertisement In the past three seasons, Beal has not reached the 60-game mark. The most games he played was 53, which was the amount games he played in each of the two seasons he's been with the Suns. Also, he's only averaged at least 20 points once since his maximum contract extension started. During his time in Phoenix, he's averaged 17.6 points, 3.9 rebounds and 4.3 assists on 40.7% shooting from deep. Although he isn't the star that he once used to, Beal has still shown that he could be an All-Star from time to time. Related: Hawks Roster, Projected Starting Lineup After Kristaps Porzingis Trade This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Phoenix Suns Have Offseason Bol Bol Verdict Before Free Agency
Phoenix Suns Have Offseason Bol Bol Verdict Before Free Agency originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Phoenix Suns are in the midst of a critical offseason. After a miserable season in which they went just 36-46, they failed to qualify for any sort of postseason, finishing as the No. 11 seed in a loaded Western Conference. This comes on the heels of being swept out of the 2024 NBA Playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves. Advertisement Changes began immediately, starting with the firing of head coach Mike Budenholzer. They later hired Cleveland Cavaliers assistant coach Jordan Ott to replace him, although the Suns still owe Budenholzer $40 million. The Suns also made a significant change at general manager when they moved James Jones into a senior advisory role to make way for Brian Gregory. Phoenix Suns have offseason Bol Bol verdict before free agency Gregory likely worked closely with owner Mat Ishbia before the deal was made to send star forward Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft and five second-round picks. It was notable that the Suns used that 10th pick to draft center Khaman Maluach out of Duke. They then shocked many by trading the No. 29 pick and a 2031 first-round pick to the Charlotte Hornets for center Mark Williams. With all of the moves made to bolster their frontcourt, that likely means the Suns will look to move certain players or just not bring them back. Advertisement According to Arizona Sports radio host John Gambadoro, it seems as though a decision has already been made regarding one of their pending free agents. "The Suns are expected to let Bol Bol walk in free agency, via [Gambadoro," Legion Hoops posted on X. To some, Bol Bol was the original Victor Wembanyama. At 7-foot-3, Bol displayed the ability to hit the outside shot and put the ball on the floor. Many were pessimistic when Wembanyama entered the league because they felt we had seen his prototype before in Bol. Bol had some strong showings in February, but they didn't translate into wins. Bol's rare blend of his size with his skillset will likely be enough to land him somewhere in free agency, but it's hard to envision him playing meaningful minutes on a playoff team. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
New York Times
10 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Assessing the Suns' return for KD
There will be new basketball leadership in Toronto. What else will the offseason bring? Follow along for the latest. Getty Images Since the season ended, Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia has promised an organizational makeover, one built around toughness and grit. This is the start. At the 2023 trade deadline, Phoenix had acquired Kevin Durant for a package that included Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson and four unprotected future first-round picks. While the Suns didn't come close to matching what they gave up to acquire Durant, this might have been the best they could do under the circumstances. Jalen Green is a high-scoring guard who has improved over his four NBA years. He's explosive, athletic and dependable. He's played all 82 games the past two seasons, and this season averaged a team-best 21 points while shooting a career-best 35.4 percent on 8.1 attempts per game. Last October, Green signed a three-year rookie extension worth $106 million. The obvious issue: The trade gives Phoenix an overflow of guards. Green joins a group that includes Devin Booker, Bradley Beal and Grayson Allen. Booker and Green could give Phoenix a dynamic backcourt if the chemistry is right, something Phoenix battled with Durant. Dillon Brooks is among the league's biggest irritants, a small forward who loves to get inside the heads of opponents. He has the toughness Phoenix seeks, but he often goes too far. His 19 technical fouls this season trailed only the Minnesota Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards. Brooks has two years left on a contract worth $41.1 million. The No. 10 pick positions Phoenix to add a solid rotation player at a position of need, someone like Duke center Khaman Maluach. The Suns also have the 29th pick, so they have an opportunity to change the roster quickly. Joe Camporeale / Imagn At first glance, Kevin Durant looks like a hand-in-glove fit for a Houston Rockets team that struggled offensively at times last season, especially in the halfcourt — deficiencies that were exposed by a veteran Warriors team in the first round of the playoffs. For all the benefits that the rebuild has brought, their lack of a consistent go-to scorer is arguably the biggest thing holding the Rockets back from making a deep playoff run. Durant's three-level efficiency will instantly raise Houston's ceiling and gives head coach Ime Udoka optionality with in-game lineups. One criticism about the Rockets' coaching staff was the lack of creativity in some of its play calling. With Durant, an analytical darling, there should be more rhythm and flow in Houston's execution. Alperen Şengün and Fred VanVleet (and Amen Thompson to a lesser degree) have the ability to create plays for others, but Houston's lack of outside shooting has been a consistent issue over the years. Now, Udoka doesn't have to put multiple non-shooters on the floor at the same time for extended periods, with the luxury of slotting Durant into any five-man pairing. According to tracking, Durant averaged 5.7 catch-and-shoot attempts last season, which led the team. His effective field goal percentage (66.9) and three-point efficiency (45.6 percent) also led the team. Envision a VanVleet/Şengün pick-and-roll on the weak side with Durant waiting in the opposite slot. Questions about Durant's longevity will naturally arise given his age, injury history and the opening of a title window in Houston. But there's no question that the Rockets' elite defense and Durant's elite offensive arsenal are a match made in heaven, if not extremely close to that. Christian Petersen / Getty Images Kevin Durant's future in the desert became clear at this season's trade deadline. Fighting to reach .500, the underperforming Suns explored trading the superstar without informing him, something Durant did not appreciate. Over the season's final weeks, Durant seemed to accept his fate. With Phoenix lacking roster flexibility as a second-apron team, the Suns needed to reset. Trading him was their best option. This marks the first blockbuster trade for Phoenix general manager Brian Gregory, a former college basketball coach who was promoted to his new role as part of a front-office revamp in May. After the Suns missed the playoffs despite boasting the league's highest payroll, owner Mat Ishbia set out to establish an organizational identity focused on toughness. GO FURTHER Suns trade Kevin Durant to Rockets for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, 1st-round pick: Sources What a way for Kevin Durant to find out the news he had been traded to the Houston Rockets. Christian Petersen / Getty Images Mark L.: Great trade for Houston. They overpaid Brooks and Green is a liability on defense. Only one 1st for Durant and they keep the best pieces of their core long term. They will be a threat to OKC next year if they stay healthy. Femi O.: If the Rockets believe that they are one player away from a title, it's hard to do better than this. It's reminiscent of the Raptors trading for Kawhi even though they didn't know if they would be able to keep him for more than one year. Larry P.: As a Rockets fan I have mixed feelings about this. Excited though to see how the season turns out. Robert G.: This doesn't seem like Houston gave up much for Durant. Drake T.: Strange to think this was the best offer PHX could get for KD. Thomas Shea / Imagn By Doug Haller, Sam Amick and Kelly Iko The Phoenix Suns are trading Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick in the 2025 draft and five second-round picks, team sources told The Athletic. Durant will play for his fifth franchise, following stints with the Seattle SuperSonics/Oklahoma City Thunder, Golden State Warriors, Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix. He has one year left on his current contract at $54.7 million, and is eligible this summer for a two-year extension worth up to $122 million. The 15-time All-Star turns 37 in September. ESPN first reported the trade. Green, 23, is a 6-foot-4 guard who has averaged 20.1 points per game across four seasons. He averaged 21.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists last season while shooting 42.3 percent. Brooks, 29, is an eight-year veteran who has averaged 14.2 points throughout his career. He shot a career-best 39.7 percent from 3-point range last season. He is also known as a physical defender and was second-team All-Defense in 2022-23. Read the rest of our story on the trade below. GO FURTHER Suns trade Kevin Durant to Rockets for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, 1st-round pick: Sources The Phoenix Suns have sent Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets in a long-rumored trade agreed upon mere hours before Game 7 of the NBA Finals. In exchange, Phoenix will receive Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the 10th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft and five second-round picks. Durant, who will soon turn 37, has been on borrowed time in Phoenix since the February trade deadline, when Phoenix and Golden State considered a deal that would have reunited Durant with his former Warriors teammate Steph Curry. This is the second blockbuster trade to be completed this month. Last Sunday, the Orlando Magic acquired Desmond Bane from the Memphis Grizzlies for Cole Anthony, Kentavious-Caldwell Pope, four first-round picks and a pick swap. Check back here for all the latest reaction on the Durant deal and other moves throughout the NBA's offseason. GO FURTHER Suns trade Kevin Durant to Rockets for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, 1st-round pick: Sources Kirby Lee / Imagn We want to hear from you! Have some opinions about the Kevin Durant trade saga? Send us your thoughts on the Durant trade, or anything else regarding the NBA offseason, via email at live@ We'll feature some of our favorite entries right here on the blog! Christian Petersen / Getty Images The NBA offseason waits for no one, not even the teams competing in the 2025 NBA Finals. We've already seen two big trades: Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets and Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic. Here are the other key dates you must know. Tomorrow : Each team may begin negotiating with upcoming free agents who finished the just-completed season on its roster. : Each team may begin negotiating with upcoming free agents who finished the just-completed season on its roster. Weds. and Thurs.: NBA Draft NBA Draft June 30: Each team may begin negotiating with all other upcoming free agents (beginning at 6 p.m. ET) Each team may begin negotiating with all other upcoming free agents (beginning at 6 p.m. ET) July 5-6, 8: California Classic Summer League (Warriors, Lakers, Heat, Spurs) California Classic Summer League (Warriors, Lakers, Heat, Spurs) July 5, 7-8: Salt Lake City Summer League (Jazz, Grizzlies, Thunder, 76ers) Salt Lake City Summer League (Jazz, Grizzlies, Thunder, 76ers) July 6: Each team may begin signing free agents to contracts (12:01 p.m. ET) Each team may begin signing free agents to contracts (12:01 p.m. ET) July 10-20: Las Vegas Summer League Kenneth Richmond / Getty Images Hello and welcome to The Athletic's ongoing coverage of the NBA offseason, which has begun before this current season officially ended. Hours before the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder prepare to do battle in Game 7 of the NBA Finals, the Phoenix Suns and Houston Rockets completed a blockbuster trade that sent Kevin Durant to Houston for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft and five second-round picks. If that move is any indication, this will be an active offseason. Stay tuned to this live blog for the latest.
New York Times
15 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
The latest on the Kevin Durant trade
The Phoenix Suns have sent Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets in a long-rumored trade agreed upon mere hours before Game 7 of the NBA Finals. In exchange, Phoenix will receive Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the 10th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft and five second-round picks. Durant, who will soon turn 37, has been on borrowed time in Phoenix since the February trade deadline, when Phoenix and Golden State considered a deal that would have reunited Durant with his former Warriors teammate Steph Curry. This is the second blockbuster trade to be completed this month. Last Sunday, the Orlando Magic acquired Desmond Bane from the Memphis Grizzlies for Cole Anthony, Kentavious-Caldwell Pope, four first-round picks and a pick swap. Check back here for all the latest reaction on the Durant deal and other moves throughout the NBA's offseason. GO FURTHER Suns trade Kevin Durant to Rockets for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, 1st-round pick: Sources
