Brendon Kleen and Ben Garcia here, the hosts of the daily Locked On Suns podcast, with your daily Locked On Suns newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Suns and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Home and Away
Analysis Inside the Phoenix Suns explores key topics such as Josh Okogie’s role, Ryan Dunn’s potential, and anticipated NBA rule changes, providing deep insights into team dynamics and future prospects. (Bright Side of the Sun)
Analysis Devin Booker’s below-average start to the season is scrutinized, with a detailed look at his performance metrics and potential areas for improvement. (Bright Side of the Sun)
Legacy Will NBA expansion bring the SuperSonics back to Seattle? Find out. (The Athletic)
Biz Amid their early-season tank, the Sixers expected to scour the trade market for power forwards. (Real GM)
League at Large
Can the Houston Rockets keep this up?
They’ve had close wins, technical wins, nail-biters and blow-outs; they’ve (reportedly) turned down superstars and and currently sit third in the west with a record of 11-5 — In a Western Conference finally coming alive, can the Houston Rockets keep this up?
The Rockets are on pace to tie or surpass the franchise’s win record of 64, set by a team led by James Harden in 2017-2018. It was Harden’s — and all the failed years of being in the running for title contention — ghost that still hung over the franchise as recently as last season, no matter that Harden himself has been part of three different rosters since he sulked his way out of Houston. Everything from the Rockets brand of basketball to the team’s waylaid trajectory back into competition had been set and then upended by him.
It was something of an exorcism then, that Houston handily beat Harden’s current team, the Clippers, in back-to-back games this week.
What feels especially lasting about the winning pace the Rockets have set is that there’s plenty room for the team to improve. Houston’s sitting at 25th overall in field goal percentage, 27th in three-point percentage, and is still claiming the ninth overall offensive ranking in the league. Their starters have all been shooting well below their career bests, and yet, nothing about the Rockets’ wins have looked harried.
For a team that has an average of just four years NBA experience between them, there’s a wealth of patience. When the Rockets have been pressed this season, or teams like the Pacers and Bulls have tried to rush them with pace, they fall back on snapping passes and sinking into ball movement. There are still sequences of ISO ball and flubbed defensive rotations, but Houston has leaned into their transitions as opportunities to reset. No doubt in part to having the always unflappable Fred VanVleet driving this thing, plus the veteran offensive ballasts of Jeff Green and Dillon Brooks.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
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Franz Wagner A First Round Fantasy Basketball Player?
Nov 21, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner (22) celebrates with guard Jalen Suggs (4) after defeating the Los Angeles Lakers with a 3-point basket with 2.5 seconds left in the game at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
The Orlando Magic edged out the LA Lakers with a 119-118 victory. The game was a showcase of talent and strategy, with the Magic overcoming a deficit to secure the win. Franz Wagner was the standout performer, continuing his impressive form with a stellar 37 points, six rebounds, and 11 assists. His all-around game, including four steals and four threes, solidified his status as a top fantasy asset. Wagner’s recent performances have elevated him to first-round value in fantasy leagues, making him a potential sell-high candidate, though his current form might make holding onto him equally appealing.
Dalton Knecht’s Role and Performance
Dalton Knecht played a significant role for the Lakers, logging the most minutes on the team. While his 17 points, four rebounds, and one assist were solid, they highlighted the limitations in his fantasy profile. Knecht’s reliance on scoring and shooting efficiency means that while he’s a valuable asset, his contributions in other categories remain limited. Fantasy managers should monitor his role closely, especially as the Lakers adjust their rotations.
Anthony Black’s Consistency Concerns
Anthony Black’s performance was less consistent, with 4 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists on 25% shooting. While his recent games have shown flashes of potential, this outing underscores the volatility in his production. Fantasy managers who picked up Black for his upside should consider holding him through the Magic’s favourable schedule but remain cautious about his long-term consistency.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Suns podcasts.
Are the Trade Rumors Dragging the Phoenix Suns Down, Or Is It Something Else?
The Phoenix Suns dropped two terrible losses right as Bradley Beal for Jimmy Butler trade rumors started flying. Coincidence? Brendon Kleen and Ben Garcia debate how much the trade whispers are to blame for the Suns’ poor play as well as what the actual biggest issue is for the Suns right now. Then, one big Christmas wish for the Phoenix Suns to close out the show.
Phoenix Suns Lose Another Game and Another Star As Devin Booker Injures Groin Vs. Pacers
As soon as Bradley Beal is back for the Phoenix Suns, Devin Booker goes out and the Suns drop another bad home L to the Indiana Pacers. Is it too soon to call this rock bottom? Brendon Kleen and Ben Garcia bring a dispatch from inside Footprint Center after another disheartening Suns loss. Does the team’s spirit need an adjustment in addition to getting healthy? And why did they lose even with Booker’s injury?
Should the Phoenix Suns Big 3 Look More Like a Big 2? Plus Favorite Non-Jimmy Butler Targets
The Phoenix Suns have been elite this season with just Kevin Durant and Devin Booker on the court, begging the question of what they really need from Bradley Beal. Brendon Kleen and Ben Garcia break down whether the Big 3 should play more like a Big 2, and what the best role for Beal might be if he stays on the team. To close, we each pick our favorite non-Jimmy Butler trade target this season.
