2025 Suns Offeason News

[ShelC]

Is there anything to make of Jones being there or the fact the he hasn't been let go already? Obviously if he weren't there it would mean he's gone. Would they have him show up to answer questions about the season and then let him go or not renew his contract later on? Maybe everyone's just in a tough spot with timing but you gotta think Ishbia/Bartelstein have their minds made up about Jones.

[Split T]

Gambo has mentioned a reshaping of the front office a couple times…I also read that James Jones contract is up, so they don’t necessarily have to fire him, but just not retain him.

He could always take on a different role in the front office, but that seems kinda strange. If he’s being pushed out, why would he want to stay? The media availability could be interesting.

[Carno]

I suppose we don't really know when Jones' contract actually expires; maybe it's still active until June 30th or something. It does seem weird, though, to announce that all 3 of them would be at the presser if Ish was planning a near term change.

I know lots of fans are calling for Jones' head, but I think they've got the wrong guy. Why is Bartelstein getting a pass? The Timeline podcast (those guys are awesome) pointed out that Jones has a pretty solid record (with some miscues, as is true of all GMs). He completely rebuilt a failed roster in one off-season, hired the eventual Coach of the Year, built a final contender, and has drafted exceptionally well given the Suns draft position. What exactly has Bartelstein done? It was after he and Ish came along that the really suspect roster moves were made.

Personally, I believe Jones has been solid, and the Suns could very easily do worse if they let him go and hire someone else.

[Split T]

I think I read his contract expires with the league calendar year, so end of June. Maybe they’ll announce any front office reshuffling this morning at the media session.

I think it’s really hard to know who’s making decisions, but the moves of the last 2 years definitely feel different from the moves of the previous few years.

[Superbone]

Is there anything to make of Jones being there or the fact the he hasn't been let go already? Obviously if he weren't there it would mean he's gone. Would they have him show up to answer questions about the season and then let him go or not renew his contract later on? Maybe everyone's just in a tough spot with timing but you gotta think Ishbia/Bartelstein have their minds made up about Jones.

Maybe a new Jones contract is being announced today?

[TOO]

Is there anything to make of Jones being there or the fact the he hasn't been let go already? Obviously if he weren't there it would mean he's gone. Would they have him show up to answer questions about the season and then let him go or not renew his contract later on? Maybe everyone's just in a tough spot with timing but you gotta think Ishbia/Bartelstein have their minds made up about Jones.

Maybe a new Jones contract is being announced today?

[Superbone]

Is there anything to make of Jones being there or the fact the he hasn't been let go already? Obviously if he weren't there it would mean he's gone. Would they have him show up to answer questions about the season and then let him go or not renew his contract later on? Maybe everyone's just in a tough spot with timing but you gotta think Ishbia/Bartelstein have their minds made up about Jones.

Maybe a new Jones contract is being announced today?

Be careful for what you wish for. Isiah Thomas coach/GM incoming...

[ShelC]

Apparently they're not streaming the presser?

[JeremyG]

I think Ishbia likes having someone in Jones who will do whatever he wants.

[JeremyG]

Perhaps he’s letting Jones’ contract expire on June 30, since he’s already been preparing for the draft and/or he wants to keep him in a different role. But what about a KD trade? Seems like a team might want to trade for him before July, and we would want a new GM to make the trade.

[Superbone]

[JeremyG]

He could always take on a different role in the front office, but that seems kinda strange. If he’s being pushed out, why would he want to stay?

Maybe Ishbia will have Jones hire a GM under himself, and he will remain President of basketball operations?

[ShelC]

Some quotes and videos from the presser. Wasn't streamed which is weak. Ishbia took accountability by saying he doesn't have anything to do with trades and scouting. Changes are coming and everyone will be evaluated. Want to focus on creating an identity for Suns basketball built around toughness and defense.

Spoiler: show/hide

[Mori Chu]

Mat Ishbia: "I promise you we will. I promise you we will win championships, with an S at the end."

He wants to set the tone for what Phoenix Suns basketball is, like the Pittsburgh Steelers or Michigan State

This press conference does not inspire much confidence in me. Ishbia is still talking like an overconfident blowhard who hasn't yet learned his lesson. It feels to me like he is going to fire the people he can fire (coach, GM) and try to band-aid the roster by trading KD for some other veteran(s) and then slap a new coach on the team and off to the races, expecting a title run again. I don't think he gets the depths to which we are fucked right now, and the depths to which we will be even further fucked if he and the FO fuck up this crucial offseason.

I think we have not yet seen the worst of this Suns descent. And that's saying a lot.

[TOO]

Mat Ishbia: "I promise you we will. I promise you we will win championships, with an S at the end."

He wants to set the tone for what Phoenix Suns basketball is, like the Pittsburgh Steelers or Michigan State

This press conference does not inspire much confidence in me. Ishbia is still talking like an overconfident blowhard who hasn't yet learned his lesson. It feels to me like he is going to fire the people he can fire (coach, GM) and try to band-aid the roster by trading KD for some other veteran(s) and then slap a new coach on the team and off to the races, expecting a title run again. I don't think he gets the depths to which we are fucked right now, and the depths to which we will be even further fucked if he and the FO fuck up this crucial offseason.

I think we have not yet seen the worst of this Suns descent. And that's saying a lot.

Or, you can just wait and see what happens

[Superbone]

Here's what I don't like about what Ishbia had to say. By saying he doesn't get involved in basketball decisions in any way and is only there to facilitate their ideas, he's throwing his FO under the bus and taking no responsibility in spite of him saying he's ultimately accountable.

[Superbone]

Mat Ishbia: "I promise you we will. I promise you we will win championships, with an S at the end."

He wants to set the tone for what Phoenix Suns basketball is, like the Pittsburgh Steelers or Michigan State

This press conference does not inspire much confidence in me. Ishbia is still talking like an overconfident blowhard who hasn't yet learned his lesson. It feels to me like he is going to fire the people he can fire (coach, GM) and try to band-aid the roster by trading KD for some other veteran(s) and then slap a new coach on the team and off to the races, expecting a title run again. I don't think he gets the depths to which we are fucked right now, and the depths to which we will be even further fucked if he and the FO fuck up this crucial offseason.

I think we have not yet seen the worst of this Suns descent. And that's saying a lot.

Or, you can just wait and see what happens

Yep, a whole lot of speculation there.

[TOO]

He does seem to be emphasizing grit and grind a lot, Taylor Jenkins, you are the Phoenix Sun lol.

[ShelC]

[Split T]

Mat Ishbia: "I promise you we will. I promise you we will win championships, with an S at the end."

He wants to set the tone for what Phoenix Suns basketball is, like the Pittsburgh Steelers or Michigan State

This press conference does not inspire much confidence in me. Ishbia is still talking like an overconfident blowhard who hasn't yet learned his lesson. It feels to me like he is going to fire the people he can fire (coach, GM) and try to band-aid the roster by trading KD for some other veteran(s) and then slap a new coach on the team and off to the races, expecting a title run again. I don't think he gets the depths to which we are fucked right now, and the depths to which we will be even further fucked if he and the FO fuck up this crucial offseason.

I think we have not yet seen the worst of this Suns descent. And that's saying a lot.

What do you think he should do? Keep KD? Keep Bud? Don’t change the front office?

He said the season was embarrassing. He took responsibility for it. I think you(not just you as there are a lot of posters that feel the same) exaggerate the “depths to which we are fucked.” But even if it’s as bad as you say it is, do you want Ishbia to just throw up his hands and say, “I’m sorry guys, I messed this up and there’s nothing we can do about it.” Or should he try and fix it?

I don’t think our situation is all that bad. I don’t think we are winning a championship in the next 5 years, but I could say that about 20 teams. I am worried we make a dumb KD trade that keeps us stuck as a 1st round exit team…but even then we’d in theory have another asset we could trade if it doesn’t work. We don’t have the assets I think a lot of you want(High lotto picks), but KD and Book are assets and could return a lot if we ever decide to move them.