Suns News: 2026 Postseason Edition

[Superbone]

[Superbone]

I like this proposal.

[JJ Slim]

Here's his full post

[Mori Chu]

I have pretty mixed feelings on Ishbia, but it is undeniably cool that he has made free broadcasts of Suns games available all throughout Arizona. I think that's an incredibly smart, and also kind, thing to do. Smart because it helps build the local fan base by removing barriers for them to watching the games. When I was a young fan, I was really disappointed that I couldn't even get the Suns games on TV despite having cable; they just weren't on in Tucson (second-biggest freaking city in AZ!!) and League Pass didn't exist yet. And even now that League Pass does exist, they black out a bunch of games and it costs a lot of money that casual (or potential) fans don't have. Make the games free and get people watching and loving the Suns. That's the way to do it. Kudos to Ishbia!

[Superbone]

[The Bobster]

I have pretty mixed feelings on Ishbia, but it is undeniably cool that he has made free broadcasts of Suns games available all throughout Arizona. I think that's an incredibly smart, and also kind, thing to do. Smart because it helps build the local fan base by removing barriers for them to watching the games. When I was a young fan, I was really disappointed that I couldn't even get the Suns games on TV despite having cable; they just weren't on in Tucson (second-biggest freaking city in AZ!!) and League Pass didn't exist yet. And even now that League Pass does exist, they black out a bunch of games and it costs a lot of money that casual (or potential) fans don't have. Make the games free and get people watching and loving the Suns. That's the way to do it. Kudos to Ishbia!

Yes, it's taken for granted now that everything should be available on TV and at our convenience (especially with the NFL now). I spent most of my early years ass a Suns fan listening to the large majority of the games on KTAR because so few of them were televised. If you can get the Suns or Cardinals free every game and that's great for the fans. The Diamondbacks, who are part of the mess that baseball regional broadcasting has become, would be well-served to get more of them on free TV.

Putting the Suns back on free TV was the best PR move that Ishbia could have done.

[Superbone]

[JJ Slim]

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/2 ... reak-Rules

NBA Draft Lottery Reform Proposal Includes Retroactive Streak Rules

A key clarification concerns the anti-consecutive-draft rule where no team can land the first pick in back-to-back drafts, or finish in the top five in three straight drafts. Sources confirm the streak attaches to the original team, not the pick's current holder.

"In the event a team's pick is drawn in the lottery in a position where it is not permitted to be, then such team's pick would be moved down to the first permissible position," the league wrote in its proposal.

The rules are also applied retroactively. The Washington Wizards, who won the 2026 lottery, cannot land first again in 2027. The Utah Jazz, which selected fifth in 2025 and second in 2026, cannot finish in the top five in 2027. Utah traded that pick to the Memphis Grizzlies for Jaren Jackson Jr., meaning the Grizzlies would be barred from receiving a top-five selection under the streak clause.

The retroactive clock also creates complications for existing trades. The Houston Rockets hold swap rights to the Phoenix Suns' unprotected first via the Kevin Durant deal. If Phoenix lands fifth in 2027 and third in 2028, Houston's acquired pick could not finish in the top five in 2029, retroactively reducing the value of a trade completed in July 2025.

[TOO]

He wasn't better than any of the guys who made it.

[Kryptonic]

He wasn't better than any of the guys who made it.

That’s the problem with media today…. Instead of having an honest, stats backed take we just go with “robbed” to rage bait everyone.

[The Bobster]

Its like the 10 players every year who were snubbed for the All-Star Game.

[Split T]

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/2 ... reak-Rules

NBA Draft Lottery Reform Proposal Includes Retroactive Streak Rules

A key clarification concerns the anti-consecutive-draft rule where no team can land the first pick in back-to-back drafts, or finish in the top five in three straight drafts. Sources confirm the streak attaches to the original team, not the pick's current holder.

"In the event a team's pick is drawn in the lottery in a position where it is not permitted to be, then such team's pick would be moved down to the first permissible position," the league wrote in its proposal.

The rules are also applied retroactively. The Washington Wizards, who won the 2026 lottery, cannot land first again in 2027. The Utah Jazz, which selected fifth in 2025 and second in 2026, cannot finish in the top five in 2027. Utah traded that pick to the Memphis Grizzlies for Jaren Jackson Jr., meaning the Grizzlies would be barred from receiving a top-five selection under the streak clause.

The retroactive clock also creates complications for existing trades. The Houston Rockets hold swap rights to the Phoenix Suns' unprotected first via the Kevin Durant deal. If Phoenix lands fifth in 2027 and third in 2028, Houston's acquired pick could not finish in the top five in 2029, retroactively reducing the value of a trade completed in July 2025.

Houston didn’t acquire that pick in the Kevin Durant deal, but I guess that doesn’t matter to the point the writer is making. I still don’t think it’s that big of a deal as the chances are very low our pick lands top 5 in both drafts. Also, Houston owns the 2027 pick too so I think they’d be just fine if that happened.

[Mori Chu]

Yeah there's almost no chance that our picks are top-5 in 2027 and top-3 in 2028. The article makes a valid point about the possibility, but it is very unlikely to happen. I think the point about Utah and JJJ is more interesting; that one could legitimately happen.

[Split T]

Ya that is more likely. Sucks a little for Memphis, but Utah was always going to try and win next year…overall it’s probably actually a better pick for Memphis as Utah will be trying and likely in that play-in range which gives decent odds now…if it lands top 5, Memphis just gets the 6th pick…I bet they’d be thrilled

[bajanguy008]

[Superbone]

That was a fun listen. Talked about two of our best PGs. And what a fun series that was to knock off Kobe and the Lakers. In fact, here's the shot:

[Superbone]

Does this sound familiar?

[Wally_West]

[Flagrant Fowl]

They literally just traded away a cheaper, younger, and better version of Gillespie.

[Ring_Wanted]

They literally just traded away a cheaper, younger, and better version of Gillespie.

tHeY SoLd hIgH