The Suns‘ run to the NBA Finals in 2021 caught some NBA fans and observers off guard, but team owner Robert Sarver is confident that his club is well-positioned to “compete at a very high level again,” as Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic relays. Sarver believe Phoenix has a solid foundation in place and that a handful of offseason roster tweaks will help the team remain in title contention.
“We added a few players that I think will help us,” Sarver said. “I think you’re seeing a little bit of that in the preseason so far. So I think between the additions, between the foundation and then between what I call the organic growth, which is just our younger players keep getting better and better and developing year by year, I think we have an opportunity to make another step.”
One of those “younger” players the Suns are counting on to play a big role is three-and-D wing Mikal Bridges, who is eligible for a rookie scale extension. Bridges and the Suns have until Monday evening to work out a new deal that would keep him off the restricted free agent market next summer, and he told reporters on Friday that his priority is to remain in Phoenix (video link via Rankin).
“We want to be here,” Bridges said of himself and teammate Deandre Ayton, who is also up for an extension. “Plain and simple. We love this team, love this organization, what it’s done for us.”
Here’s more from around the Pacific:
- Speaking to Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated, Suns point guard Chris Paul said he’s not thinking about retiring anytime soon and doesn’t have a specific goal in mind for what how many more years he’ll play. “I don’t know how long I’m going to play,” said Paul, who signed a new four-year contract in the offseason. “I’m going to play until God willing, and he says, ‘You need to sit down somewhere,’ or my kids tell me, ‘Daddy, you’re embarrassing us.'”
- Warriors sharpshooter Klay Thompson is expected to be cleared to practice in full within the next month or so, says Shams Charania of The Athletic (video link). That’s a pretty vague timeline, and Charania cautions that Thompson will require a ramp-up period once he begins practicing, so it remains unlikely that he’ll be back in Golden State’s lineup before sometime in December.
- The Clippers would rather have Kawhi Leonard on the floor, but while he’s recovering from ACL surgery, the team is glad he’s able to serve as a de facto coach on the sidelines, writes Mirjam Swanson of The Orange County Register. “He’s not like the loudest one, but no, he knows what to say, what to do,” Nicolas Batum said of his star teammate. “When he has (something) to say, especially on the side when we play five-on-five … he’ll take guys on the side and tell you what he sees, what he just saw the last previous play.”
There’s no chance Klay returns before December, it might not be until 2022.
You are a doctor now? When did you examine Klay? You always make this claim. I know you won’t answer. It is always kinda pathetic when people try to sound authoritative when they obviously don’t know what they are talking about.
Klay will def play this season
No one said he wouldn’t. All I said is he won’t be back that soon.
And your basing your assessment of Klay’s condition on what? Why do you say his doctors are wrong?
Who said his doctors are wrong? All you have to do is look at the recovery time for everyone with the same injury Klay Thompson had less than 11 months ago. It takes at least a year to fully recover from a torn achilles. Not to mention the fact that he had just recovered from his torn ACL right before that injury. Why would the Warriors risk his long-term health by bringing him back before he is 100%?
This is just common sense. Nothing to do with being a fan or not.
Do you not speak English? Where does it say the Warriors are going to bring back Klay before he receives medical clearance? Every story says they are waiting on medical clearance before he starts full practice. I don’t understand where you get this idea that the Warriors are going to force him into games before then?
Warriors obviously won’t force him into games he’s not saying that. He’s saying based off the timeline of his injury, his previous injuries and how important he is to the team, there is a big chance that he won’t be back soon. GSW won’t want to rush his recovery process if that’s a possible risk.
What your saying also makes sense that if the doctors say he’s fine and Klay wants to play then he will likely play cause why not. If the doctors say your healthy and your body is 100% then then there no stopping him.
However if running and jumping around, getting pushed and shoved and hitting the deck at an elite level is your job and you’ve had two seriously big injuries you’d probably feel abit hesitant to come back. I see both sides of your guys aren’t and not see why you need to argue over it. In reality who cares when he returns be it December or January
@Simmons You seem to be missing my point. The only person who has clear picture about Klay Thompson’s health is Klay Thompson. Anybody else who says they have a clear picture of Klay’s health is a moron.
@Greenwood
You’re contradicting yourself. You say you don’t disagree with his doctors and then you basically say his doctors are wrong
The problem is he just regurgitated the more authoritative article, not that he is wrong. Robohouston does this a lot, especially with teams he follows to put down, in CA, OK, NOLA, Brooklyn.
Or, he may not read the articles or be able to in the first place.
Turned over a new leaf ha.
The post was useless. Article summaries should be modded out unless declared as such, perhaps as in: “What HR meant was… “.
WallyWood can’t help himself. He has to chime in on every GS post. He really has a bizarre obsession.
I would value Bridges actually more than Ayton. I am sure Ayton eventually gets offered more, but the FO could make the rule, whoever signs first gets the most, like, •We have a 4/$85 and a 4/$80 to hand out, who wants it•.
That would be in Sarver’s style if not James Jones’.
I want rookie max if I’m Bridges. If I’m Bridges I would admit I’m not as good at offense as MPJr because it’s only like 10 guys that are more efficient, if that. But I argue I have All defensive potential to make up the gap, I am extremely efficient myself even if I might not be a volume guy and I’m not injury prone. I want max or at least non home team 4 year rookie max. I’d take 5/150 so at least you get to feel better that I don’t get the raises as cap raises. Like screw you Sarver, if you don’t somebody else will.
Ayton is already a top 10 centre, he’s only 23, a former number 1 pick that went to both high school and college in Arizona. In his second season in the league averaged 18-11.5-2–1.5 and then last year reduced his numbers to accomodate CP3 and went to the NBA finals.
He’s played 3 seasons in the league and already has 22 playoff games where he averaged 16-12.
He’s often compared to hall of famers.
I don’t think you max him but I think he should get something darn close. Like 4/110M (20-25-30-35) plus incentives
Yeah if Jarrett Allen gets 5/100, Ayton gets 5/125 minimum.
Cam Panye just got robbed so maybe Kames Jones is a guy ready to play hard ball
As good as the Suns are/were they are at n a bit of a cross roads right now.
They just went to the finals which is tough but had a bit of luck with their run in. They then decided to pay CP3 a bag and now have to decide what to do with some of the young guys and their extensions.
I think 4/120 was to much for CP3 who is 36, it was actually the second biggest deal signed by a free agent this offseason after Kawhi.
I think Lonzo’s 4/80 would’ve been a lot better. Save yourself 40mil, Lonzo is only 23 (13 years younger), and is developing great as a playmaker, defender and efficient shooter.
Also thought they could’ve gave Kelly Oubre another go, he ended up signing for 2/25. He had his two best season in Phoenix, knows most of the roster and would’ve fit well coming off the bench.
And although you cant tell what will happen after you draft a player I thought drafting Jalen Smith was a terrible decision. I thought they desperately needed a young back up PG to learn off CP3 and eventually take over and be paired with Booker. They could’ve had Tyrese Halliburton and how good of a combo would they have been. Even Cole Anthony would’ve been a better choice, him and Booker would be like Dame and McCollum.
Now I know this sounds absolutely crazy but what about going for a Ben Simmons trade.
CP3 and Mikal Bridges for Ben and Shake.
Suns would be solid defensively with Simmons Ayton and Crowder. Offensively you have Shake Booker Johnson Crowder Saric and Kaminsky all enough good floor spacers and even Ayton has looked to add range into his game. Monty Williams has also worked with Simmons in Philly.
As for the Sixers, you get a starting 5 of CP3 Green Bridges Harris and Embiid. CP3 as we all know is owned a lot of money like Ben but is still a very solid player. He has played under Doc for years and would transition easily. Him and Embiid would be elite together. The spacing would be great with Green Bridges and Harris. The bench remains solid with Maxey Curry Korkmaz Thybulle Niang and Drummond.
Would be a win now for Sixers and for the Suns it would be a remodelling for the future but still keeping them a very strong side
I’ve been saying the same thing.
Phx will say make it Thybulle or Maxey instead of Shake and they’ll argue about it till the last minute of the deadline. If I’m Philly I counter with letting them upgrade to Maxey but throw in Cam Panye (on one of the best deals in the League).
Cam Panye can play + offense and defense for 32 minutes a night at 6 million a year guaranteed for 3 years, shooting 40 from 3. Insane value.
To Simmons>Russ who is right and more like Simmons>>>Russ
The deal makes both teams stronger long term but I think Shake is not getting it done if CP3 still has gas in the tank this year. Either has to be Maxey maybe plus Koukmaz, another shooter on a cost assured deal for taking the unshooter Simmons. That or a Thybulle for Crowder swap that adds PHX value. Or PHX could say Green for Crowder just to be cheap and save some money.
Bridges is so good PHX may say no.
CP3
Curry/Thybulle
Bridges
Harris
Embiid
Is in a normal year a championship line up and can compete for a Top 3 seed in either conference.
Simmons
Cam Payne/Maxey
Booker
Cam Johnson/Crowder
Ayton
Killer line ups for the next 4+ years, with CP3 gone Ayton can go back to adding stretch potential to his game and Simmons is on the court with 3 guys that could shoot 40 from 3 and a crazy pace out there with Cam Payne. PHX is putting up 120 a game, track meet.