Phoenix Suns Wiretap

Isaiah Thomas, Suns To Sign 10-Day Contract

Mar 16, 2024 7:50 PM

Isaiah Thomas' journey has led him back to the NBA. Thomas is signing a 10-day contract with the Phoenix Suns.

Thomas played in four games with the Salt Lake City Stars of the G League. He averaged 32.5 points per game over the four-game stretch with the Stars.

Thomas returns to the Phoenix Suns, who he played with for part of the 2014-15 season. Thomas played in 46 games with Phoenix, before being traded to the Boston Celtics at the 2015 NBA trade deadline.

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Tags: Isaiah Thomas, Phoenix Suns, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor

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Mat Ishbia: We Made A Calculated Decision On Second Apron

Mar 8, 2024 12:05 PM

Mat Ishbia assumed ownership of the Phoenix Suns shortly before the NBA instituted a new collective bargaining agreement with a punitive second luxury tax apron. The second apron was designed to keep teams from maintaining a high payroll over an extended period of time, but the Suns responded by going deeply into it to maximize their chances of winning a title with a core of Kevin Durant and Devin Booker.

"I understand all the rules that come with the second apron. I understand exactly what the CBA tried to do," Ishbia told ESPN's Ramona Shelburne. "I read it, I know it inside and out, and we made a calculated decision that we think the team with the best players wins. Would I rather have Brad Beal, Kevin Durant and Devin Booker than just having two of those guys? I'd rather have all three a hundred times out of a hundred, and I don't think there's another GM or owner or CEO that wouldn't say that exact same thing.

"So now how do you maneuver around that? Well, you have to differentiate yourself. ... I have to create an environment where [we're] trying to be the best franchise in sports where the players want to come play."

Durant endorses the strategy of Ishbia.

"That's what you're supposed to do as an owner," Durant told ESPN. "It's about swinging for the fences every year.

"What else are you supposed to do? Sit back and hope that you get a draft pick that turns out to be Victor [Wembanyama]? No."

While the Suns made a number of bold moves over the past year, they have been uneven on the floor as Beal and Booker have struggled with injuries. The Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Los Angeles Clippers and Oklahoma City Thunder are a fairly firm top-4 the Suns are trailing.

"If we don't win this year ... which is possible... then we'll say, 'OK, what can we do better to try to win next year? Do I need to adjust? Do we need to run different plays? Do we need different players? Do [we] change something? What do I do?" Ishbia says. "All I'm focused on is how do we win right now. I'm not thinking about what our 2031 draft [is] going to look like. I'm excited about the 2024 playoffs."

"Everybody here is on the same page," Booker told ESPN. "We're in win-now mode. We want excellence. We know it's not going to be easy. It's a new team, but when you give up that much, we're trying to win this year and years to come."

Ramona Shelburne/ESPN

Tags: Phoenix Suns, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor, NBA CBA, NBA B-Ball IQ

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Phoenix Awarded 2027 NBA All-Star Game

Mar 7, 2024 9:30 PM

The Phoenix Suns have been awarded the 2027 NBA All-Star Game.

NBA All-Star 2027 will mark the city’s fourth NBA All-Star, having hosted the event in 1975, 1995 and 2009.

“Our NBA All-Star festivities in 2027 will showcase Phoenix’s love of everything basketball,” said Silver. “And we couldn’t be more excited to work with Mat Ishbia and the entire Suns organization for what promises to be an unforgettable celebration of our sport.”

“Phoenix is the ultimate basketball destination and we are excited for fans from around the world to experience our amazing city,” said Ishbia. “We will provide an NBA All-Star Weekend unlike any other, showcasing the passion of our fans, our city, and everything that we’re building here. Thank you to the NBA and the entire Phoenix community for rallying together to bring this marquee event to Phoenix and show the world what we are all about.”

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: Phoenix Suns, NBA, NBA All-Star

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Kevin Durant: I Think Suns Starting To Build Something, Form An Identity

Mar 7, 2024 12:01 PM

The Phoenix Suns have a high upside roster in Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, but injuries have plagued them this season where it remains challenging to predict how they may play in a playoff setting at full strength. 

In an interview with Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report, Durant talked about how he assesses their team.

"I believe in this team, and we believe in one another," said Durant. "Yes, playing with Brad [Beal] and Book is new, but as far as the game itself, I have seen everything in this league. Everything has been thrown at me. I just want to see us continue to grow as a unit. I like our chemistry. Not just the three of us, but our whole team.

"I think we're starting to build something and form an identity. And that takes time and reps. Our coaching staff is doing a great job. I'm not promising anything, but I like our chances against anybody."

Chris Haynes/Bleacher Report

Tags: Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns, NBA, NBA B-Ball IQ

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Devin Booker Day-To-Day With Sprained Ankle, Will Return in 3-7 Days

Mar 7, 2024 12:44 AM

Devin Booker is day-to-day with a sprained ankle and will return to the Phoenix Suns' lineup in 3-7 days, said Chris Haynes on TNT.

Booker has missed two games due to the injury.

Booker could return on March 9, though Haynes described it as a "longshot."

Haynes added that Booker would have played on Wednesday night if it were a playoff game. 

Chris Haynes/TNT

Tags: Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns, NBA, NBA Injury

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Suns Sign Ish Wainright To Two-Way Contract; Waive Theo Maledon

Mar 5, 2024 8:33 AM

The Phoenix Suns turned to a familiar face to fill a two-way roster spot. Phoenix signed wing Ish Wainright and waived guard Theo Maledon before Monday's deadline to make two-way contract signings.

Wainright previously spent two seasons with the Suns. He was waived ahead of this season and claimed by the Portland Trail Blazers. Wainright appeared in seven games for Portland before being waived in early-January.

Maledon appeared in four games for Phoenix. He was claimed off waivers from the Charlotte Hornets in mid-December.

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: Phoenix Suns, NBA, NBA Official Signing, NBA Waiver

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Devin Booker Sprains Ankle, X-Rays Negative

Mar 3, 2024 12:38 PM

Devin Booker suffered a sprained right ankle during the Phoenix Suns' loss to the Houston Rockets on Saturday night.

X-rays were negative on the ankle. Frank Vogel added that Booker could play on Sunday against the Thunder.

"We'll see how he responds overnight," said Vogel.

Jusuf Nurkic also left the game with a sprained neck. The center was cleared for concussion symptoms.

ESPN

Tags: Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns, NBA, NBA Injury

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Timberwolves To Sign TJ Warren To 10-Day Contract

Mar 2, 2024 12:02 PM

The Minnesota Timberwolves are planning to sign TJ Warren to a 10-day contract, sources told Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Warren will have a physical early next week.

Warren last appeared for the Suns during the 2022-23 season.

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Tags: T.J. Warren, Phoenix Suns, NBA, NBA Misc Official Transaction

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Most Olympics Roster Spots Already Targeted For Team USA

Feb 29, 2024 8:16 AM

Team USA has ramped up the selection process for this summer's Olympics in Paris. There are 11 players that the United States are counting on playing or are in strong consideration for a roster spot. The initial 11 are:

  • Bam Adebayo - Miami Heat
  • Devin Booker - Phoenix Suns
  • Stephen Curry - Golden State Warriors
  • Anthony Davis - Los Angeles Lakers
  • Kevin Durant - Phoenix Suns
  • Anthony Edwards - Minnesota Timberwolves
  • Joel Embiid - Philadelphia 76ers
  • Tyrese Haliburton - Indiana Pacers
  • Jrue Holiday - Boston Celtics
  • LeBron James - Los Angeles Lakers
  • Jayson Tatum - Boston Celtics

None of these players are considered absolute locks as of yet. But all 11 are under strong consideration and have mentioned interest in representing Team USA this summer, provided they are healthy enough to play.

Of that group, Booker, Curry, Durant, Embiid, Holiday, James and Tatum are considered to be the United States core group. Edwards and Haliburton are being considered after strong play at last summer's FIBA World Cup. Adebayo and Davis are garnering interest for additional frontcourt depth around Embiid.

Shams Charania and Joe Vardon/The Athletic

Tags: Bam Adebayo, Devin Booker, Stephen Curry, Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton, Jrue Holiday, Joel Embiid, LeBron James, Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics, Golden State Warriors, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, Philadelphia Sixers, Phoenix Suns, United States, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor, National, National Olympics, National Teams

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Phoenix To Host 2027 NBA All-Star Game

Feb 27, 2024 2:42 PM

The 2027 NBA All-Star Game will be held in Phoenix. 

Mat Ishbia formally applied for NBA and WNBA All-Star games in May 2023. The Mercury will host this year's WNBA All-Star weekend July 18-20.

Phoenix last hosted the All-Star Game in 2009 when Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal were co-MVP.

The 2025 All-Star Game will be held in San Francisco, while the 2026 edition will be at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood.

Duane Rankin/Arizona Republic

Tags: Phoenix Suns, NBA, NBA All-Star

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Bradley Beal On Track To Return Thursday From Hamstring Injury

Duane Rankin/AZ Central

Isaiah Stewart Punches Drew Eubanks In Face Before Pistons-Suns Game

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Sixers Called Lakers On LeBron James; Suns On Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Bradley Beal

Adrian Wojnarowski, Ramona Shelburne/ESPN

Suns Interested In Signing Danilo Gallinari

Duane Rankin/Arizona Republic

Thaddeus Young Agrees To Sign With Suns

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Jusuf Nurkic On Draymond Green: He Don't Deserve A Chance

Duane Rankin/Arizona Republic

Suns Acquire Royce O'Neale, David Roddy In Three-Team Trade With Nets, Grizzlies

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Bulls Looking For Multiple Second-Round Picks For Andre Drummond

Jake Fischer/Yahoo! Sports

Celtics, Suns Targeting Simone Fontecchio

Tony Jones/The Athletic

Suns Discussed OG Anunoby, Pascal Siakam With Raptors Before Trading For Kevin Durant

Zach Lowe/ESPN

Donovan Mitchell, Devin Booker Named NBA Players Of January

RealGM Staff Report

Celtics, Suns Interested In Jae'Sean Tate

Kelly Iko, Shams Charania, Sam Amick/The Athletic

Devin Booker, Giannis Antetokounmpo Named NBA Players Of Week 14

RealGM Staff Report

Kevin Durant On Tribute Video: We Didn't Accomplish Anything Worth Being Celebrated For

Duane Rankin/Arizona Republic

Suns, Pistons, Jazz Interested In Trading For Miles Bridges

Duane Rankin/Arizona Republic

Suns Not Considering Trading Grayson Allen

Jake Fischer/Yahoo! Sports

Kevin Durant, Joel Embiid Named NBA's Players Of Week 13

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P.J. Tucker Could Receive Interest From Suns, Bucks If Traded And Bought Out

Jake Fischer/Yahoo Sports

Kevin Durant Appreciates Years With James Harden, Russell Westbrook

Tomer Azarly/Clutch Points

Kevin Durant Out Wednesday With Hamstring Soreness

Duane Rankin/AZ Central