The Phoenix Suns took the NBA by storm last season, catching several teams off guard. They were supposed to be the “easy win” on the schedule for opponents. Instead, they made it a 48-minute battle every time they stepped out on that floor, win or lose.
Towards the end of the year, teams caught on and the Suns started to crash back to reality a bit. Yes, injuries were a factor. But that was part of it. This year, they will not have that same luxury from the jump.
This article is not meant to be doom and gloom, just offering an alternative angle to combat some of the optimism that is oozing out of portions of the fan base. I will argue against myself in the next piece to look more at the… wait for it… bright side. But for now, let’s nitpick.
1) Lack of clearly defined roles
The Suns are asking a lot of guys to do things they normally don’t do. Or maybe things they aren’t particularly known for. Jalen Green as a point guard? Miles Bridges to take on less usage, hit threes, and improve playmaking? Dillon Brooks will not have the same freedom (health permitted to the rest of the roster) as he did last year. How does this quartet adjust together, assuming they are all on the court at the same time.
That’s not to say that it can’t work. We just need to see it first.
The Gillespie/Kennard/Goodwin bench trio is awesome. Jordan Ott will need to find a way to keep every one of these guys happy both from a minutes and field goal attempts standpoint. Injuries can naturally solve some of those issues, but let’s hope that’s not the case, especially with how last year went.
The center rotation is talented, but could be tough to get consistency from depending on Mark Williams’ health. If you are a believer in Khaman Maluach like me, and find Oso as a useful depth piece (also me) then you aren’t as worried about this position overall. Rasheer Fleming and Koa Peat figure to get spotty minutes depending on health.
But for me, it’s really about a team that is built awkwardly. They are talented and deep, but we just need to see how it all meshes together. And some of you may be thinking “they didn’t really change that much,” and you’d be right on the surface. But what I’m assuming is we get more Jalen Green, who we did not see a lot of last year, and with Miles Bridges in the mix plus Allen and O’Neale gone as rotation staples, it opens some discussion for what this team’s identity is at full strength.
The intangibles are on the bench, and the raw talent is starting. Jordan Ottt has to push the right buttons to blend this thing into a masterpiece.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – MARCH 22: Devin Booker #1 and Jalen Green #4 of the Phoenix Suns react after a basket during the second half against the Toronto Raptors at Mortgage Matchup Center on March 22, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
2) Lack of playmaking + floor spacing
This is the one that isn’t just focused on the lack of playmaking, but rather, the mentality/reputation of Green, Brooks, and Bridges all being more “me-first” offensively. I’m not aiming to knock them, but throughout their careers, they have been guys who have looked to create for themselves or feed off others’ creation.
Jalen Green’s playmaking is not a strength. Miles Bridges’ playmaking is not a strength. Dillon Brooks’ playmaking is not a strength. Mark Williams is not a playmaking center, and he cannot space the floor.
That puts a ton of pressure on Devin Booker to playmake, which he is capable of. But then we get into the floor-spacing concerns.
3PT% in 2025-26
Devin Booker – 33.0%
Jalen Green – 31.3%
Dillon Brooks – 34.4%
Miles Bridges – 33.3%
That is 80% of their projected starting lineup shooting under 35 percent from deep, and their starting center doesn’t shoot threes. It’s not the end of the world, but it’s something that needs to be talked about more. How do they make it work?
Book generated 1,053 points off his assists last season 📚
As noted, Phoenix caught a lot of teams by surprise a year ago, especially earlier in the season. This year, they will not have that same luxury. They earned the respect of their peers, and that does matter to an extent.
Teams will be better prepared for them both gameplan-wise and from a mentality standpoint. They will have more extensive scouting reports and film on guys like Collin Gillespie and Jordan Goodwin, who snuck up on them last year. Instead of teams coming in on autopilot in a random Tuesday night game in Phoenix, they will be ready for a dogfight. I’m not saying that happens all of the time, but the element of surprise is something that I think we all saw benefit the Suns more than once a year ago.
Can they sustain that level of intensity and outwork their opponents throughout an 82-game season again? It’s a tall task, but if they can stay relatively healthy, their identity should continue to shine through.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – APRIL 17: Jordan Goodwin #23 of the Phoenix Suns reacts after scoring against the Golden State Warriors during the second half of an NBA play-in tournament game at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 17, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Warriors 111-96. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The expectations are a bit higher this season, and we’ve seen that lead to disappointment in the past. Let’s hope this season is different, and the Suns build off their momentum from last season.
With the start of the 2026-27 NBA season less than two months away, Dallas Mavericks fans have many reasons to be excited. The continued development and ascension of 19-year-old Cooper Flagg is the biggest, but the return of star point guard Kyrie Irving has to be a close second.
It has been quite a while since we’ve seen Irving in action, as he tore his ACL in a game against the Sacramento Kings on March 3, 2025, and has been recovering ever since. Irving could’ve made his return to the court following the NBA Trade Deadline in February, but given how far back the Mavs were in the playoff race at that point, there was simply no reason to rush him back. Now, though, the nine-time All-Star and future Hall of Famer looks to be 100 percent again and ready to hit the ground running when the season gets underway in late October.
In a video that surfaced on social media earlier this week, Irving was seen putting on a show with his patented wizardry in an offseason open run. Obviously, we’ll have to see how Irving looks when real NBA games get here, but based on how he’s gliding around these open-run courts with ease, that has to give the fan base some added hope for what this upcoming season could potentially become. Right now, most critics aren’t expecting much out of Dallas this year, but with Flagg taking the next big step toward superstardom and Irving looking like this? You can’t tell me good things can’t happen if both of those guys can stay healthy.
On a recent episode of Curious Mike, Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. gave his thoughts on Irving after recently playing in some of those open runs with him.
“I was hooping with [Kyrie] yesterday, and this is off of his ACL. That dude was so cold, bro,” Porter said. “I couldn’t believe how he was moving out there… Bro, it was nutty. It was crazy.”
Irving is 34 years old and has an extensive and well-documented injury history throughout his career, but his last ACL injury was more of a freak deal than anything else, so the hope is that he can avoid that kind of misfortune here in the latter portion of his NBA career. In 128 games played over three years in Dallas, Irving has averaged 25.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 1.3 steals while shooting 49 percent overall, including 40.4 percent from deep and 91.7 percent from the free-throw line. If the Mavs can even get 75-80 percent of that kind of production in 60-plus games from Irving in 2026-27, they should end up being in better shape in the standings than many are projecting.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - DECEMBER 30: DeMar DeRozan #10 of the San Antonio Spurs smiles during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on December 30, 2020 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photos by Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The other day I stumbled upon an article on Blazer’s Edge, the Portland Trail Blazers version of Pounding The Rock. The post, Bidding Farewell to the Underappreciated Jerami Grant, is a heartfelt adieu to a solid player who stood with the Blazers during the time when they are struggling.
Jerami Grant, originally drafted 39th overall in 2014 by the Philadelphia 76ers, just completed his twelfth season in the NBA. He’s played with the 76ers, Thunder, Nuggets, and Pistons before landing in Portland. The four years he spent with the Trail Blazers was the longest tenure with one team of his career. After his first season in Rip City, Damian Lillard — the franchise’s centerpiece — requested a trade and left for Milwaukee.
Since then the Trail Blazers have struggled, and although there have been improvements (from 21 wins in 2024 to 36 wins in 2025 to 42 wins last season) they have simply been unable to get over the hump.
The author Adrian Bernecich stated,
“Grant was a Blazer. For a couple of years ensured the franchise wasn’t devastatingly bad. He may have held onto the ball but that was because the young guys hadn’t shown an ability to do it themselves. I think back to the night of the 2024 NBA Trade Deadline when the Blazers hosted the Pistons. Grant finished the overtime loss alongside rookie Toumani Camara, Ashtan Hagans, Matisse Thybulle and Jabari Walker. Anfernee Simons left the game early with injury. Grant was the only guy able to generate any semblance of offense.”
His take on having a player stay with the team took me back to the DeMar DeRozan’s stint with the Spurs from 2018-2021. The Spurs entered a downward spiral after the loss of Kawhi Leonard and the departure of the Big 3. This era brought the first losing records to San Antonio since 1997, and that was in large part due to injuries to David Robinson. Before that, the Spurs had a four year run of losing seasons between 1985 and 1989 when Alvin Robertson was the shining light on an otherwise dark time for the Silver & Black.
After being traded to San Antonio, DeMar DeRozan admitted he was shocked. He’d originally expected to play in Toronto for his entire career. During those three seasons, DeRozan averaged over 21 points per game and had career bests in assists and rebounds. While dishing out to a rebuilding core, he spread institutional knowledge to the young players. His veteran presence was essential to the growth of Dejounte Murray, Derrick White, Keldon Johnson, Devin Vassell, Lonnie Walker IV, and Tre Jones. Having DeRozan as a mentor made a great number of players better.
It takes a lot to play on, take on leadership, and give it your best when the chance for success seems slim. It’s a special breed of player. And hearing a Trail Blazer’s take on Jerami Grant really brought back the respect and admiration for DeMar DeRozan.
It got me thinking about other teams. From 2010-2014, the Cavaliers went from perennial contenders to nary a playoff berth. This was the period when LeBron James made his “decision” and spent four years in Miami. There had to be a player who attempted to carry the torch. It has to happen when any great team loses their top player.
Can you think of any other players who shone bright for a team during their darkest hour?
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As the offseason settles into the quiet, I’m taking a Warriors-centric look at Northwest Division. Let’s chat about those Denver Nuggets. They let 23-year old baller Peyton Watson walk and added a 37-year-old DeMar DeRozan. Watson signed a four-year, $22 million deal with Cleveland in a sign-and-trade while Denver told itself Watson’s number was too rich to match.
This is a difficult blow for Nuggets’ supporters who watched Watson develop into a solid piece for a Denver team not far removed from that 2023 NBA title parade:
Losing Watson is tough to swallow, there’s no way around that. Regardless of where one falls on their opinion of whether $22 million a season (and the much larger tax penalties) is worth it for Watson, the immediate return of a first and second round draft pick years in the future doesn’t inspire much hope in Denver’s immediate prospects to get a second ring with Jokic. Nor does it inspire a lot of belief that the organization truly prioritizes winning another championship with the greatest player in franchise history. Certainly those draft picks can help the Nuggets make further moves to improve the roster but the more likely scenario, at this moment at least, feels like those picks will just be used to offload more salary and further reduce the Nuggets tax penalties.
Watson has been establishing himself as a strong defensive option that could be trusted to take on the responsibilities of star assignments. His absence will absolutely be felt on that end. Denver is replacing that on the roster with DeRozan, who averaged better than 18 points a game last season in Sacramento on a team that spent the season in the cellar. He’s a bucket getter, no argument there. But don’t take my word for it, just ask the Denver Stiff blog:
The Nuggets will want DeRozan ready for the playoffs as well so he’ll play plenty next to Joker so that he too can acclimate to having a center as the hub of the offense, but the Nuggets desperately need an on-ball presence with the bench who can score without Jokic – and with almost 27,000 points in his career DeMar can absolutely score. His True Shooting Percentage of .594 last year showed he can keep his efficiency up as well, something else that will play extremely well in Denver.
Honestly I’m not even mad at it.
Demar DeRozan and Nikola Jokic should work extremely well together.
Spacing should be incredible, because DeRozan draws doubles into the post.
Interestingly, it looks like Denver’s core had a lot to do with DeRozan choosing the Nuggets from among his suitors. Chris Haynes says that Nikola Jokic, Aaron Gordon and Jamal Murray all talked with DeRozan about joining the team. Having another vet who has been through big moments will be huge.
Denver still has Jokic and him alone keeps them alive in every series they play. But we’ve seen the Joker can’t do it all without getting impactful support from his teammates. I can imagine Joker operating from the three-point line, firing a great pass to DeRozan on the wing and then clearing out space for him with the defender on an island. It’s definitely gonna be tough for the Dubs to defend that, which could be an important subplot come playoff time if the Warriors actually make it this year.
Defensively though? I’m very curious how they are gonna hold up.
Oh you got past Jamal Murray on defense? Well here's Demar DeRozan ready to slide over to help.
Oh you just ran past DeMar DeRozan too? No worries, we have Nikola Jokic ready to contest the shot
Oh you just scored a uncontested layup because Nikola Jokic didn't want to defend? https://t.co/GH21N7Lj3g
WHITE PLAINS, NY - APRIL 3: A general view of the arena before the game between the Maine Celtics and the Westchester Knicks during the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2025 G League Playoffs on April 3, 2025 at the Westchester County Center in White Plains, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Evan Yu/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Bummed out by the ticket prices at Madison Square Garden? Head over to the Westchester County Center in White Plains, where the jerseys look familiar and the seats are much more budget-friendly!
The Westchester Knicks released their complete 2026–27 schedule Friday. They open with two road games against the Maine Celtics on November 6 and November 8 before returning to their home gym to face the reigning G League champion Greensboro Swarm on November 14.
The G League season begins with a 14-game Tip-Off Tournament, with regional pods of teams playing one another. That leads into the Winter Showcase, held December 19–22 in Orlando, followed by a 36-game regular season in which every team’s record resets. Regular-season play begins around December 27.
You might be wondering whether G League games are as exciting as the big-league tilts. To which I counter: You would have had fun watching Tyler Kolek do this last season.
Here are a few games we’ll be zeroed in on during the 2026–27 campaign.
November 6 and 8 at Maine: Westchester immediately gets two games against Boston’s affiliate. The opening weekend should offer our first meaningful look at the Knicks’ developmental pecking order.
November 14 vs. Greensboro: The home opener gives us our first chance to see this roster in the flesh locally, while the Swarm arrive fresh off the first championship in franchise history.
Four early games against Long Island: Westchester faces Brooklyn’s affiliate twice during the Tip-Off Tournament and twice immediately after the regular-season reset. Four early games against the same opponent should provide a useful measuring stick, no?
January 18 and 20 vs. Cleveland: The Cavaliers’ affiliate comes to town for consecutive games, providing another useful glimpse at how Westchester compares with one of the Eastern Conference’s stronger developmental pipelines.
Three 11 a.m. School Day games: The annual chorus of several thousand children returns Wednesday, January 27; Tuesday, February 9; and Thursday, March 11. Bring earplugs.
The eventual assignments of Tyler Nickel, selected 47th in this summer’s NBA Draft, and New York’s other prospects will determine how closely we follow each date. Either way, I hope to see you at a few games this season. Go W-Knicks.
BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 7: The crowd and the bench react after Payton Pritchard #11 of the Boston Celtics made a three point basket against the Memphis Grizzlies during the second half at TD Garden on December 7, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
There are some givens for next year’s Celtics starting lineup: Jayson Tatum and Derrick White will be part of the opening five and you can pretty much pencil in Paul George at the 3. Joe Mazzulla has options at center. Neemias Queta was a revelation last year and signed a four-year extension to keep in Boston long term, but he’ll compete with the newly signed Mitchell Robinson for playing time.
Heading into training camp, that fifth starter is the bigger mystery. Last year, it was Sam Hauser as the fifth Beatle. Before Tatum’s return, Baylor Scheierman got some run as a point forward with Payton Pritchard moving to the bench after Anfernee Simons was dealt to Chicago for Nikola Vucevic.
So, will Pritchard regain his starting spot or remain the team’s super sixth man?
Fast PP is a very good starting guard (and I would be certainly support his start of this was the decision). Though in my opinion, I think he is elite when subbing in because (1) he is just far superior off an all rounded player against opposing bench guards, (2) the flow/energy of the game stays positive if the starters are playing well or recalibrates positively when he enters off the start is more flat, and (3) it is possible for him to end all four quarters in rhythm where his play at times has been magical.
I think he recognizes this as well since he repeatedly has shared that he is okay in any role as long as he plays.
Another factor I think is George, Tatum, and Big Country Robinson unlikely playing back to backs (B2B) is what I am guessing (Tatum/George offset the B2B or play together in one and sit together in the other, and we will probably go much smaller when Robinson sits). As a result, I can see Pritchard get starts sprinkled in throughout the season.
Starting or coming off the bench, we can all agree that Pritchard will be a big part of Boston’s success next year and our friends at FanDuel still have the Celtics (+1500) with the fifth highest odds to win a championship behind the Thunder (+230), Spurs (+280), Knicks (+950), and Sixers (+1000).
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 1: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Dillon Brooks #3 of the Phoenix Suns look on during the game on December 1, 2025 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Rivalries in the NBA might not carry the same weight they once did. Perhaps that’s because, from a Phoenix Suns perspective, we haven’t won a playoff game since 2023. And for rivalries to truly exist, postseason battles usually have to come with them.
But getting to the postseason is a challenge in itself, and part of that means handling your division. Even then, division rivalries don’t carry the same importance they once did. Sure, you still see your division opponents more than any other teams in the league. Four games against each of the other four teams means 16 games on the schedule are tied directly to the division.
Division standings haven’t truly mattered in the same way since 2014–15. That was the season the Portland Trail Blazers won 51 games, which was only the sixth-highest total in the Western Conference. Because they won the Northwest Division, however, they received a higher playoff seed than both Memphis and San Antonio, who each won 55 games. The Board of Governors changed that rule the following offseason.
Division standings still matter to a certain extent, though. They remain part of the playoff tiebreaker process. The hierarchy goes:
Head-to-head record
Division winner over a non-division winner, even if the teams are in different divisions
Division record, but only if the tied teams are in the same division
Conference record
Record against postseason eligible teams in the conference
Record against postseason eligible teams in the opposite conference
Point differential
But alas, we really don’t care about division standings. If you’re somebody who likes to sprinkle a little movie money on NBA futures bets, though, they do come in handy. And I think there’s some opportunity here.
The Phoenix Suns began the offseason projected to finish third in the Pacific Division, and that’s not where the Bright Side community believes they belong. In our latest survey, 49% of the community picked Phoenix to win the division, finishing ahead of both the Lakers and the Warriors, who previously had better odds than the Suns.
That’s where I see some opportunity if you’re someone who likes placing a few preseason bets. It’s something I enjoy, especially this time of year when there isn’t much else happening. Why not throw $5 on the Suns to win the division and potentially have something to be very happy about next April? Because I believe Phoenix can absolutely win it.
The Lakers lack continuity and feel like a team that has been patched together like Frankenstein in an effort to build something around Luka Doncic. We still don’t know if it’s going to work, and that uncertainty creates opportunity. There’s also the reality that the Lakers are always overbet. Their fan base has a way of moving the lines.
So do what you will with this information. There’s opportunity there if you want to seize it. Of course, all of this is predicated on the belief that the Suns will actually win the Pacific Division, which clearly isn’t a guarantee This is also the part of the offseason where I probably find myself a little too optimistic and talk myself into believing the Suns might be better than they actually are. On paper, it makes sense to me. Which can be dangerous. Why? Because I talked myself into the idea that this team would win 35 games last season and more than 50 in each of the previous two seasons.
The lesson here is simple. I don’t know shit. The offseason has a way of doing that to you. You buy into a storyline, then time and overanalysis start reinforcing it until eventually you’ve talked yourself into the most extreme version of that belief. We’ll know more once the season tips off on October 21 in Portland against the Trail Blazers.
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 05: Egor Dëmin #8 of the Brooklyn Nets looks on against the Orlando Magic during the fourth quarter at Kia Center on February 05, 2026 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Nostalgia is coming back to Brooklyn in 2026.
According to the NBA Uniform Tracker, the Brooklyn Nets will bring back their 2018-19 City Edition uniforms for the 2026-27 season.
The Brooklyn Nets are bringing back their 2018-19/2025-26 "City Edition" for the upcoming season pic.twitter.com/GOWtIIPlCO
This will not be the uniform’s first return. The Nets brought back the Coogi-inspired “Brooklyn Camo” design for 11 games last season, beginning with Biggie Night against the Toronto Raptors on November 11.
In 2018, the Nets outperformed the consensus expectations. After an over/under win total set at 31.5, Brooklyn went on to go 42-40 while finishing sixth in the Eastern Conference.
Although they lost in the first round of the playoffs, it was a very fun season that created core memories for the fanbase. D’Angelo Russell had a major breakout, making his first All-Star team while leading the squad in scoring.
Caris LeVert and Jarrett Allen emerged as the faces of the team’s young corps, and Spencer Dinwiddie was the scoring punch Brooklyn needed off the bench.
Now, the 2026-27 Nets should look to follow a similar blueprint.
Nobody should expect this team to return to the playoffs immediately, but there are several areas where it compares to the 2018-19 squad.
Egor Dëmin and Mikel Brown Jr. are looking to solidify themselves as the future of the Nets’ backcourt, and Brooklyn has an opportunity to become a scrappy and competitive team under head coach Jordi Fernández that opponents hate playing against.
If the Nets can overachieve while feeling confident that Dëmin and Brown Jr. are long-term building blocks, that would be a successful season for the organization.
Either way, seeing those jerseys back on the court should be a welcome sight for Nets fans.
Shaquille O’Neal never dunked on either Mike Francesa or Chris Russo, but he might have played a small part in breaking up a powerhouse radio duo.
Former “Mike and the Mad Dog” producer Sal Licata, who was working for the show at the end of its run in the summer of 2008, said one of the final straws in the often-tense relationship between the iconic co-hosts had to do with the trade of Shaq to the Suns in February 2008.
“I think there was an issue over the Phoenix Suns’ ‘Over’ win total,” Licata said on the Awful Announcing podcast. “That Mike was on one side of it, Dog [Russo] was on another side of it, and they were fighting because they had the same bet together. And Shaq got traded to the Suns.
Mike Francesa (left) and Chris Russo of ‘Mike and the Mad Dog’ get together for a SiriusXM Town Hall hosted by Chazz Palminteri at SiriusXM Studios on Thursday, July 6, 2017, in New York City. Getty Images for SiriusXM
“I remember that being a little bit of an issue. I’m not saying that is the straw that broke the camel’s back or whatever, but that was a little bit of an issue.”
Licata explained that Russo thought O’Neal landing in Phoenix was a boost for the Suns’ win total, while Francesa thought the deal was going to lower the win total.
It sounds like a foolish debate.
“I know it sounds crazy,” Licata admitted. “But I’m telling you the truth. Now there was obviously other stuff at play. I don’t think it was all that. But that definitely caused some tension between the two.”
It was Heat executive — and former Knicks coach — Pat Riley who traded O’Neal to the Suns.
Riley is part of the “Mike and the Mad Dog” fabric because he was a regular guest on the show before playoff games in the 1990s, and then the program ripped into him for faxing in his resignation to leave for the Heat after the 1995 playoffs.
Phoenix Suns center Shaquille O’Neal runs up the court against the Sacramento Kings on, April 3, 2009, in Phoenix. AP
Russo left to start his own SiriusXM radio channel, while Francesa remained at WFAN through 2020.
For what it’s worth, the Suns finished 55-27 but were bounced in the first round of the playoffs.
O’Neal was an All-Star during his first full season with the Suns in 2009.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 18: The sneakers worn by Robert Baker #27 of the Indiana Pacers during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans during the 2025 NBA Summer League game on July 18, 2025 at the Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Los Angeles, CA, Sunday, March 8, 2026 - Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) shares a laugh with referee Tre Maddox (23) during a break in the action against the New York Knicks at Crypto.com Arena. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
It’s no question that the Lakers made a big gamble this summer.
Gone is not just LeBron James, but the entire starting five for most of the team’s series against the Rockets, which they won in six games. In are not just a lot of fresh faces, but a lot of unexpected names.
The Lakers identified players who can fit around Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves and within head coach JJ Redick’s system. The Lakers have a high floor because of their superstar, but it’s still a risky proposition.
But so risky that they’re set up to be the most disappointing team in the league?
That’s where ESPN has them in their preseason predictions. As part of their preseason predictions, ESPN’s NBA reporters voted on various superlatives, including one titled “Disappointing teams: Which team will take a tumble this season?” The Lakers topped those standings.
Los Angeles Lakers: 32 points
Detroit Pistons: 27 points
Golden State Warriors: 26 points
Miami Heat: 22 points
Boston Celtics: 17 points
This really just feels like a clickbait category, and I guess they got their clicks here. But the question is what are we really ranking here? Because if it’s simply who is going to take a tumble, not mentioning either the Hornets or Clippers, two teams who traded away their superstars after being in the play-in last year, is crazy work.
Given the teams listed, though, it feels more like a vote on who will be disappointing, which feels both silly and apropo with ESPN’s other predictions this summer, too. Earlier in the week, they projected the Lakers to finish with a 45-37 record this year, an eight-win drop from last season. Perhaps they’re just doubling down on their prediction.
You can point all around at who else should be considered a team to take a tumble, but really, the Lakers are the team everyone loves to predict to be worse than they will be, particularly in the last few years. Summers have been full of hearing how they won’t even be the best team in LA only for everyone to begrudgingly acknowledge that the Lakers are good but not that good.
The only difference this year is no one is pretending the Clippers will be good. Outside of that, we’ll see the same pattern and can revisit this in February or March to point and laugh.
Welcome to Inside the Suns, a deep down analysis of the current Phoenix Suns team in which the Fantable – a round table of Bright Siders – give their takes on the Suns’ latest issues and news.
Fantable Questions of the Week
Q1: ESPN recently predicted the Suns to finish 8th in the West this season. What’s your opinion/prediction?
zenzino: I’m not mad. As we learned from previous seasons: expectations are the killer of joy. I think they can certainly do better, though.
As I said in a previous comment, there is a crazy logjam in the middle of the Western Conference and the Suns should be at least in the middle of it this time. Let’s look at who was above the Suns and who was below last season.
The Thunder and Spurs are comfortable at the top and not part of the logjam. The Rockets got better with FVV returning and adding Marcus Smart. I expect them to be following closely behind the top two and out of the reach of the Suns.
The three other teams above the Suns:
Nuggets: Bad offseason. They gave up defense and depth. They are the most vulnerable. If Jokic doesn’t play at least 65-70 games, they could fall the hardest. Gordon’s declining durability is also a concern.
Lakers: Mixed bag. They won some and lost some. Luka finally has the center he wanted. This is a ‘wait-and-see’ team for me. It would be stupid to discount any team with Luka on it.
T-Wolves: Interesting offseason, to say the least. Adding Kuminga definitely helps them in the scoring department. If he and LaMelo can stay healthy (a big if), they will be an exciting team on the offensive side. Defense is iffy.
Threats from rising teams:
Naw. The Jazz are a year away from being a couple of years away. Who knows what the hell the Grizzlies, Pelicans, and Kings are doing. They’ll be fighting to just not be the worst.
That leaves just three more:
Dallas: Kyrie coming back paired with Flagg will make for some watchable highlights. As good as Flagg will be, he’s still a year or two from being able to carry a team, which is what he’d have to do for the Mavs to be in the playoff hunt.
Warriors: Pretty sure they’re the oldest team in the NBA. Still… Steph can carry a team when healthy. Jimmy Buckets coming back mid-season(ish) gives them a wildcard to be a threat in the play-in. Health is critical.
Blazers: More than a threat last season, they knocked the Suns off the 7th seed. This season, not so much. The Shaedon Sharpe injury hurts them. Their new owner also hurts them. I think even with Dame coming back and Ja in the mix, they take a step back this season (how many guards do they have?).
In conclusion, I think the Suns are a bigger threat to 3 of the teams than finished above them than any of the teams that finished below them are to the Suns.
If Bridges gels and they stay relatively healthy, I can definitely see the Suns finishing as the 4th or 5th seed. How awesome would that be?
Ashton: Ah, we finally get to a question that I wanted to predict a few weeks ago. Great leadoff question. Let’s start with this: if ESPN knew what the hell it was talking about in predictions, they would not have employed Stephen A. Smith. Seriously, I want to join a fantasy pool of CBB bracket pool with this guy to take his money. Which leads me to my next point: I decided to dust off my long dormant DraftKings account just to see what the Vegas side is saying these days. The sacrifices I make for you, the viewers, and no, I didn’t place a bet. I am just there for their numbers and the fact that I can’t seem to place my remaining .12-cent bet on ping pong.
Vegas states that the Suns have the third-highest odds to win the Pacific Division, but there is a local site poll on that. That is after the Lakers and GSW, with the Suns ringing in at third highest at +310. This is important. It is your perspective if the Lakers or GSW are being a little too overhyped.
Now for the Western Conference, Vegas (DK) has the Suns with the ninth best odds to win it all at +7000. Above Portland and Houston and certainly above the Lakers. My final analysis is that the preseason analysts do not know what they are talking about, and the same with Vegas analysts. I have always suspected that national analysts base their writings on Vegas odds to not appear that they have no spine, in which case, ESPN actually defied Vegas, barely. Still, a cooperation between the two suggests that AI is the source.
So, look, I am just a blog commentator, but BS (Sorry Johnny CYA’s son, have your Dad explain BS to you, and do not go bull or cow-tipping or with your friends as you get older).
The Suns will not finish eighth (or ninth) in the league with all the turbulence in Portland and LA ownership issues. I literally expect to turn on HGTV and see a show called “Franchise Flipping in LA and Portland hates their owner who may just move the franchise if he doesn’t get what he wants. Vegas anyone? Add in the Jazz infatuation with acquiring picks while not really developing talent, Sacramento’s. New Orleans and Memphis general ineptness, eighth in the Western is a bridge too far for me. Great, sad movie but not for the Suns. Let’s just say sixth in the West
Oh, yeah, take the over that the Suns win 40 games or more. Don’t bet the house on it and try not to overreach but this is a 40-win range team.
OldAz: Here was a time when ESPN was the undisputed “worldwide leader in sports” with anchors and personalities that actually loved, lived, and most importantly watched all the games. Now they are closer to the Sports world’s TMZ mixed with the advertising arm of whichever leagues and teams are paying the bills (sorry SEC football fans, you know it’s true).
To paraphrase a quote from the great football movie “Varsity Blues”: That ESPN (Moxon) ain’t with the Charmin extra soft he wipes his butt with. That being said, this prediction could be perfectly accurate considering it’s right about where they finished last season and the separation between 4th and 10th stayed close all season.
This fits with ESPN’s level of analysis, which is to start where the teams ended last season and then adjust up or down based on how many clicks or views their hot take might get. Might as well search X for videos of the dog bouncing basketballs into labeled wastebaskets for your predictions if you ask me.
My prediction is that they will be better this season, but will still be fighting for the 5-8 seeds most of the season considering how competitive the West always seems to be. (Note: my opinion should not be used for betting purposes as it probably has the same value described in the above movie quote).
Rod: I’ve really gotten to the point where the only reason I go to ESPN’s site is for box scores and/or game schedules. Their opinions/predictions don’t mean much to me but, in this case, I’d say that they have the Suns at the lower end of my own personal projection range. After granting that OKC and San Antonio will be the top two teams in the West in 2026-27, I’d say that the Suns could wind up finishing the season anywhere between 2nd and 8th in the West.
I admit that 3rd-5th is a bit of a stretch, but a lot of the other teams I believe could fall into that range have question marks about them that might turn out badly and/or they could find themselves bitten by the injury bug that seemed to chew away at the Suns more last season. And if that bug stays mostly away from the Suns this year…well, that’s just another plus for Phoenix.
Right now, I’m cautiously predicting the Suns to end up 5th or 6th in the West.
Q2: Last season, for the 1st time since 2017-18, the Suns only had 2 starters averaging more than 30 minutes per game. This team finished with 24 more wins since that one. With their current depth, do you think limiting the starters’ minutes this season will be important?
zenzino: Yes. But not for the sake of limiting minutes.
In 21-23, more than 2 starters averaged over 30 minutes, and that worked out pretty well. That being said, starters playing fewer minutes means more gas in the tank come playoffs (see Knicks 24-25 vs 25-26).
Since ‘the trade’, more starters had to average more minutes because they were the only ones who could be relied on. That’s what happens when you fill your roster with NBA minimum players.
I don’t think Ott should ‘limit minutes’ as much as use the depth on the roster. The result will be the same, but it’s a different mindset. Mindset matters. If more starters average over 30 minutes, that means something has gone wrong with the roster or with the coaching. And I’m not worried about Ott at all. He’s a student of the game, and I expect him to have progressed as a HC as well.
This Suns team is deep. It would be a waste if they didn’t use that depth. I expect the starters to get more runtime for the first part the season to see what the fit is like with Bridges and Green with the rest of the starters. Then we’ll see more of the depth being used in the middle of the season. Then the rotation will tighten up at the end and into the playoffs. Like an upside-down bell curve.
Ashton: Oh, you betcha! I was so tired of the injury minutes or articles related to a player’s performance based on nagging injuries that they were going to play through. Or the BS reports on players’ health. Oh, such and such will be back in two weeks and the like. It was like reading a political script; do not trust it. To me, limiting starter minutes is the way to keep them healthy, and if it limits their chance of being an All-Star and receiving their accolades for further contract reimbursement or their trade value, then it is the right thing to do. Most players want to play past their expiration date, and the Suns should embrace limiting the minutes.
Do Suns fans get the screw on buying tickets to see their favorite player sit? Yup, absolutely. And Silver clearly does not like it with his anti-tanking rules, but hey, pare down the game schedule, and we wouldn’t be talking about rest management or if a player qualifies for an NBA award. This is a mess from the NBA commissioner, the CBA, ownership, and big money from the Networks. The reality is that players need time to recover.
OldAz: I loved that Ott limited the starters’ minutes last season and seemed to make that a concerted effort right up until the last month or so of the season. Comparing those teams’ records is more correlation than causation, however, because the 17-18 roster was built to earn the #1 pick after enduring years of McDoofus’ mismanaging the draft. Last season’s team had far more NBA-level talent, and Ott instilled a culture of effort and intensity to match.
The limiting of starters’ minutes, I believe, was strategic in saving the starters in case a late-season or even postseason run was possible. Unfortunately, I don’t think Ott went far enough because he should have limited Williams even more, or more precisely, made sure that another big was on the floor more often with Williams to keep him from being overextended and taking on too much on the defensive end. Hopefully this year’s roster is better constructed to provide for both of those issues by splitting the center minutes amongst 3 and having a little more length alongside whatever center is on the floor.
Rod: There undoubtedly will be games where many of the starters will have to play excessive minutes, but I do believe that they won’t need to do that often. The fact is that the Suns don’t actually have enough top-end talent in their starting 5 to make it a necessity to play them for a great deal of minutes, so wearing them out, which having so many quality players on the bench would be counterproductive.
The Suns will have a number of players on their bench that could be starting for other teams, so they should utilize that depth to its fullest…and not just to keep the starting 5 rested. With the depth they have, keeping the starters’ minutes down doesn’t have to be something Ott needs to be overly concerned with. His most pressing problem will be giving enough minutes to deserving players outside of the starters.
Q3: If Jordan Ott runs a 10-man player rotation, who (other than the two-way contract players) do you think will start off on the bench, getting DNP-CDs, early in the season?
zenzino: Again, I’m tempted to reject the premise. This ties into the previous question of using the depth. I don’t see Ott running a 10-man rotation. Especially since MW is going to be on injury management and will probably only start 50ish games. Oso will start games MW is unavailable in the beginning, and maybe Man Man takes that over later in the season. They also may limit Mark’s minutes on a per-game basis, so both Oso and Man Man could share extended backup duties.
Starters: Book, Green, Brooks, Bridges, MW/Oso
1st off the bench: CG, Goodie, Sheer, Oso/Man Man, Kennard
That leaves Dunn, Peat, Highsmith, and Bouyea fighting for minutes. Peat is the only one I see that will get consistent DNPs. The rest of the guys will get popped in depending on situation. It might only be 3-5 minutes. Need quicker defense? Dunn gets a few minutes. Need reliable 3-and-D? Highsmith. Need some energy and quick scoring? Bouyea’s got it. Of course, injuries will jumble all of that up.
Yeah… I definitely don’t see a 10-man rotation happening.
Ashton: I still can’t help but laugh at the phrasing of this question. Rod hired a lawyer to write it.
Okay, we (Fantable) can’t answer the two-ways as starting off the bench. And we have no idea what the DNP-CDs will be, which means you read Question 2 and followed the flow of where this ends up.
The DNP-CD’ers are the main question as well as the “I “ word, injuries. I see that mainly in the center position, but with the guards highly circumspect to get the backup start.
I think this question is answered easily by Oso Ighadoro getting the start in favor of Mark Williams (rest management or injured) for the DNP-CD category.
OldAz: What a great question, except I think it might be based on a flawed premise. Through much of the year last season Ott was perfectly comfortable playing 12 or 13 or even 14 players in many games through much of the season. It was only very late in the season when he pulled it way back to an eight-man rotation and the massive shift in playing time philosophy became an obvious topic of discussion. However, for the sake of the column, let’s play out this hypothetical.
You have six “locks,” assuming everyone is healthy in Booker, Green, Brooks, Bridges, Williams, and Gillespie. This is already far more balanced than the top six players on last year’s roster, but it only leaves 4 spots to play with in this 10-man rotation. One of those four, and only one in my opinion if we are limiting it to a 10-man rotation, will be a center. That competition between Oso, whom Ott obviously loves and trusts, and Maluach, who could be better in every single way (except passing) by the end of training camp, will be fascinating. Personally, I would give the edge to Maluach, but this hypothetical still has Jordan Ott making the decision, so this one is a toss-up. Either way, there’s no room in a 10-minute rotation for three centers.
The next two spots go to Fleming and Goodwin based on Ott’s focus on defensive intensity, which leaves Highsmith and Kennard fighting it out for the final spot. Both are similar height and length, but Kennard brings shooting and no defense, while Highsmith is far more balanced. Personally, I would go with Highsmith. I just hope Ott doesn’t go with both Kennard and Highsmith in this scenario along with Oso, and bury the 2 sophomore players on the bench.
Ultimately, I think it is far more likely that Ott starts the season off playing a lot of players and limiting his starters’ minutes as discussed in question #2.
Rod: I really can’t see how Ott could get this roster down to a 10-man rotation. There are just too many players that could be useful off the bench (especially in certain circumstances) to do so and if he decides to actually keep the starters’ minutes low like last season, I believe he’ll have to go more than 10-deep to do it. Maybe a better question would be “which players are likely to be 11th through 15th on the Suns’ depth chart’ at the beginning of the season. That is a little bit easier to answer…but just a little bit.
Out of all the non-two-way contract players, the only two I can really consider as out of a 10-man rotation are Bouyea and Peat…and Peat is there simply because he’s a rookie. Then there’s Dunn and Highsmith. One of them would be out of that rotation, but it’s way too early to say for sure which one. I’d need to see them both play in preseason before making that decision. And Goodie complicates that decision as I don’t know what position he’s going to get his minutes at. If he’s getting most of them at SF, then both of them could be out of a 10-man rotation. If he’s getting most of his minutes at SG, where does Kennard get his minutes? As for the center rotation, Williams is the best bet to be starting, but without getting a look at Oso and Khaman in preseason game…you might as well just flip a coin.
I simply can’t see Ott even trying to play in just a 10-man rotation. I honestly think that the only situation in which a 10-man rotation would make sense would be if the Suns go into a game already down several players due to injuries.
As always, many thanks to our Fantable members for all their extra effort this week!
Suns History/Trivia
On September 3, 1968, the Phoenix Suns opened their first-ever training camp, running mainly conditioning drills at Brophy Prep with camp at the high school lasting for one week. Phoenix also lost another coin flip with the Milwaukee Bucks on this day for the right to first to make a player claim off waivers.
On September 3, 1994, the Suns signed Danny Manning as an unrestricted free agent. A 2-time All-Star, Manning signed a 1-yr, $1 million contract with Phoenix (all their cap situation would allow afford at the time) after making $ 3.5 million the previous year and turning down a 5-year, $35 million contract from Atlanta.
The year before, Manning had made the rare choice of accepting his qualifying offer rather than signing an extension with his previous team (the LA Clippers) and becoming an unrestricted free agent for the 1994/95 season. When questioned about Manning’s decision to sign with the Suns for much less money, his agent replied, “It is not about money. It never has been and never will be with Danny. It is about winning.”
Unfortunately, Manning would tear his ACL during a practice on Feb. 6 and miss the remainder of the season after averaging 17.9 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 3.3 assists in 32.8 minutes per night. Up to that point, the Suns were 36-10 and on top of the Western Conference. They were 29-13 for the rest of the season (59-23 overall) and lost 4-3 in the WC semi-finals to the Houston Rockets.
On September 3, 2013, after arranging a buyout, the Suns waived Michael Beasley only one year after signing him to a 3-year, $18 mil contract. This is probably the most underrated (or perhaps just forgotten) move that former GM Ryan McDonough made during his time with the Suns. Beasley was originally signed to his contract by McDonough’s predecessor, Lance Blanks.
Important Future Dates
Sept. 28 – Media Day Sept. 29 – Training Camp opens Oct. 5 – Suns @ Pistons (preseason) 4:00 PM Oct. 7 – Suns @ Bulls (preseason) 5:00 PM Oct. 10 – Suns vs. Spurs (preseason) 7:00 PM Oct. 14 – Suns @ Spurs (preseason) 5:00 PM Oct. 16 – Suns vs. Jazz (preseason) 7:00 PM Oct. 20 – 2026-27 NBA Season Begins Dec. 15 – Most players signed to new contracts can be traded Jan. 5 – 10-day contracts may now be signed Jan. 10 – All NBA contracts are guaranteed for the remainder of the season Jan. 15 – All players signed to new contracts can be traded Feb. 11 – Trade Deadline Feb. 19-21 – NBA All-Star 2027
May 7, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers owner Mark Walter attends the game against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year, we ask questions of the most plugged-in Lakers fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
With the sports world experiencing an unusual wave of team sales, most notably the Lakers, fans are understandably feeling apprehensive about these sudden shifts.
A few NBA teams have seen recent ownership shake-ups even excluding the Lakers, ranging from the Timberwolves to the Blazers and Celtics. Beyond the NBA, the Seahawks, Padres, and Rays have all also seen ownership changes in the last couple of years.
Everyone knows about the Lakers being sold two times in a short period of time, but let’s take a quick look at the other NBA sales.
In our national SB Nation Reacts survey this week, we asked fans how they’re feeling about the onslaught of new ownerships, and the results were very clear.
Fans are understandably concerned about these changes.
Trail Blazer fans have seen a very concerning side to Dundon and his cheap ways. An article published by The Athletic details many ways he’s earned the label of cheap. One instance saw members of the Blazers traveling party have to check out at 12:30 pm because he refused to pay more for late checkouts. He also didn’t allow two-way players to travel with the team in the playoffs and trimmed down the Blazers support staff. It seems he’s not a particularly fun owner, and that will understandably give fans stress and disgust.
The Wolves had their own controversies with Lore and Rodriguez battling previous owner Taylor for rights to the ownership after the latter had called off the sale. After all that, Lore then sold his stake to Stad. Celtics fans were not happy when the Grousbeck family put the team up for sale, and Chisholm, a private equity executive, bought it.
Billionaires and millionaires come with controversy and endless drama. It’s the name of the game. When fans invest their time and money into these teams, seeing a change in ownership can bring fears of rising costs, staff downsizing and other changes that could affect the organization in a not-so-positive way.
So yes, fans should feel uneasy. You shouldn’t have to feel nervous about the future of your team. But, again, there isn’t much we can do about it other than wait and see how things continue to shake up.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 7: Dalen Terry #7 of the Chicago Bulls dribbles past Will Richard #3 of the Golden State Warriors during the first half at the United Center on December 7, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Golden State Warriors only tentatively filled their final roster spots when they signed Georges Niang and Brandon Williams to contracts that were partially and non-guaranteed, respectively. That’s why their Exhibit 10 signing of Dalen Terry may be more than just training camp depth and stocking the roster of the Santa Cruz Warriors.
Dalen Terry is not two-way eligible
On an Exhibit 10 contract he’ll come to training camp with the Warriors, play preseason and most likely will wind up in Santa Cruz
Terry, a 6-6 point guard, turned 24 in July and was the No. 18 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft
Terry was selected by the Chicago Bulls with the 18th pick of the 2022 draft after two years at Arizona, where he was teammates with recent New Orleans Pelicans addition Bennedict Mathurin. He played for the Wildcats two seasons after Williams had his lone season in Tucson and now gets a chance to impress Wildcats legend Steve Kerr.
The Warriors have an affection for Arizona players, from Gilbert Arenas to Andre Iguodala to Luke Walton to Nico Mannion. And don’t forget Richard Jefferson, Jud Buechler, Tom Tolbert, and the immortal Chris Mills, who tried to fight the entire Portland Trail Blazers team and their bus driver in 2002. Terry will need to impress with his play but should also bone up on campus trivia and the Wildcats alumni song.
Terry’s main calling card is his defense, where his 7-foot-1 wingspan allows him to be disruptive on, well, the wings. He’s a decent passer and playmaker, but he never really developed into a part-time lead guard like he was in college. Instead, Terry has struggled as a shooting guard who doesn’t shoot well.
He’s had years where he made threes, like going 41.3% from distance in 2024-25 on 1.3 attempts. But his shooting is inconsistent, he’s been prone to turnovers, and his free throw shooting cratered to 53.3% last season — granted, he only had 30 attempts.
Could the Warriors end up deciding Terry is the best last man on the bench and choose him over Williams or Niang? Possible but unlikely, unless Terry has really improved his shot. He’s ineligible for a two-way deal because he’s played four NBA seasons, so the odds are he will end up in beautiful Santa Cruz, not the worst place to continue a G League career.
Terry is an interesting pickup albeit a longshot. At this point in the summer, adding any 24-year-old who was a first-round pick is a good bit of business, even if the title of “first-round pick” is somewhat tainted by the Chicago Bulls making the pick. Remember Chandler Hutchison? Yeah me neither.
Welcome to San Francisco, Dalen Terry! Let’s hope you packed some board shorts and beach sandals.
When reports leaked of Minnesota reaching an agreement with free agent Jonathan Kuminga — to massive headlines and the excitement of Timberwolves fans — there was one little problem: Minnesota didn't yet have the cap space to pay him. Yet. Minnesota was hard-capped at the second apron and just about $4 million below that number, but it needed more than $6 million in space to give Kuminga the promised taxpayer mid-level exception.
Enter a late Friday night trade: Minnesota is sending wing Josh Green to Utah and in return getting back Cody Williams and John Konchar, a story broken by Shams Charania of ESPN and confirmed Saturday morning by the teams.
A Green trade was expected, he had come to Minnesota as part of the LaMelo Ball trade, and clearing his $14.7 million contract off the books was the cleanest way for Minnesota to get the room under the apron it needed. Minnesota plans to keep Williams — taking a chance on the No. 10 pick from just two years ago, a 6'8" wing who was inconsistent, shot 21.4% from 3 last season, and never established himself with the Jazz — but will waive-and-stretch Konchar's $6.2 million salary, meaning a cap hit of just $2.1 million.
Once all the moves are completed, that gives the Timberwolves about $10.6 million under the second apron to sign Kuminga and have the breathing room for another move in season, if needed.
Utah lands Green, the six-year veteran who struggled last season in Charlotte after returning from shoulder surgery and averaged 4.3 points per game, but did shoot 42% from beyond the arc. Where Green can earn minutes for Will Hardy in Utah is with his defense, which has always been good and is a point of emphasis for Utah this season. There are minutes for Green to earn off the bench, he will get his chance.
