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.
The Phoenix Suns Fall To The Charlotte Hornets In Embarrassing Fashion
Nov 6, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) and Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) look on during the first half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images | Joe Camporeale/Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
The Phoenix Suns suffered their fifth straight loss, this time to the Charlotte Hornets. Let’s break down the game and discuss the latest news surrounding Jimmy Butler and Bradley Beal.
• We hate to say it, but this might be the most embarrassing loss of the season. The Hornets are terrible, but they outplayed us.
• Devin Booker had a great game with 39 points and 10 assists, but it wasn’t enough. The second quarter killed us - we were outscored by 20.
• Our defense continues to be a major issue. We’re giving up easy transition baskets and allowing too many second-chance opportunities.
• Bradley Beal was moved to the bench, and he’s not happy about it. He claims he had no advance notice, which is surprising.
• There’s speculation that benching Beal might be a message about potential trades. Beal holds a no-trade clause, so he has leverage in any deal.
• Jimmy Butler is making it clear he wants to come to Phoenix. He’s reportedly telling other teams not to trade for him because he won’t re-sign there.
• The Suns seem to be the only team willing to pay Butler what he wants, but making the trade work is complicated.
• We’re not sure if the Suns have even talked to Beal about potential trades yet. If they haven’t, that’s poor management.
• The Heat might not be willing to take Beal in a trade, which complicates things further. Finding a third team to take Beal could be the key.
• We still think the Suns should pursue Butler if possible. Getting off Beal’s contract and adding a player who fits better could be worth it.
• The longer this drags on, the more games we lose. Our playoff chances are dwindling fast - we’re currently 12th in the West.
• The trade deadline is February 6th, but we can’t afford to wait that long. Our season could be over by then if we don’t turn things around.
• We need to explore all options, including potential center trades. Holding everything up for Jimmy might not be the best strategy.
• Stay tuned, Suns fans. Things could change at any moment, and we’ll be here to break it all down for you.
Jan 7, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) reacts after a fouled was not called against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second half at Smoothie King Center. | Matthew Hinton/Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
How can you know in the NBA if something’s real?
If a team really is on a sustainable upward trajectory, or if they’ve overachieved? If a player whose name has become synonymous with trade talks really wants out (or in somewhere else, depending on how you’re looking at it)? How can you tell the difference between talent and development, and when does it start to matter? And how do you know that regular season dominance will translate into postseason competence, let alone contention?
I’ve been thinking about NBA mirages, the things we will ourselves into believing over the course of a season, as a few of the league’s prominent storylines play out. What constitutes an NBA mirage is that it has justenough staying power at a distance, but like the real thing, when you start to interrogate it up close its corporeal outlines vanish.
Trades are a huge generator of NBA mirages. I hate to think how many ESPN’s NBA Trade Machine tool is pumping out per hour as the trade deadline approaches. Jimmy Butler’s request for a trade out of Miami is one of the reasons I started thinking about them, specifically, where they shift from fantasy to reality. The prospect of a trade, for Butler, is as solid as the car he gets in to drive himself to Heat games. For Pat Riley and the Heat’s front office, the trade’s an illusion (delusion, maybe, if you asked Riley). What’s real to them is Butler’s behaviour, which they emphasized by suspending him for seven games.
Does Butler, since then reported to have asked both the Bucks and the Grizzlies not to trade for him, make his potential trade more real by narrowing its scope? Or is he limiting himself and his chances of an exit — any exit — from Miami?
Shifting from trades to returns, Zion Williamson’s back on the floor in New Orleans. Williamson’s dunks, like his first in-game slam last night since early November, have a knack for calling to mind immediately the contours of the earth under your feet. I tend to curl my toes against the ground, checking it’s still there. Why then, does he make me think of mirages? The hope for Williamson, since he entered the league, has been consistency — in his health, his game, his career.
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.
Home and Away
Analysis The Phoenix Suns’ recent loss to the Charlotte Hornets highlighted significant issues with both the bench and the starters. Strategic adjustments are needed to regain their winning form. (Bright Side of the Sun)
Replay The Phoenix Suns fell flat in a 115-104 defeat to the Charlotte Hornets. Revisiting the game reveals critical moments where the team underperformed. (Bright Side of the Sun)
Opponent The Phoenix Suns stumbled in a disappointing loss to the Charlotte Hornets. Evaluating the matchup shows where the Suns need improvement against future opponents. (Sports Illustrated)
Rumor Insiders report that the Phoenix Suns are actively pursuing a trade involving Bradley Beal. Trade talks are intensifying as the team looks to bolster its roster. (Sports Illustrated)
Prediction The updated win-loss predictions for the Phoenix Suns suggest a challenging but achievable path ahead. Forecasting their season shows a potential for strong finishes despite recent setbacks. (Bleacher Report)
Rumor Speculation arises that the Suns might be alienating Bradley Beal to get him to waive his no-trade clause. (CBS Sports)
Must Read Amid Pacific wildfires, Steve Kerr and JJ Redick’s families have evacuated the area. (CNN)
Biz What the EuroLeague and IMG’s new deals mean for the future of basketball in Europe. (The Athletic)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Tuesday’s Key Fantasy Basketball Notes
Jan 7, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) signals to his team during the first half against the Charlotte Hornets at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images | Sam Sharpe/Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images
Tuesday’s NBA action brought a mix of surprises and disappointments across seven games. The Phoenix Suns, despite their recent lineup changes, continue to underperform, raising questions about their strategy and team dynamics.
The Los Angeles Lakers suffered a significant setback, losing to a depleted Dallas Mavericks team. This loss highlights ongoing concerns about the Lakers’ consistency and ability to compete against even weakened opponents.
In a thrilling finish, Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks showcased his clutch abilities by sinking a half-court shot to secure a victory. Young’s performance was stellar throughout the game, finishing with an impressive 24 points and 20 assists.
Injury Updates and Roster Moves
Several key players were sidelined due to injuries or illness. Jeremy Sochan of the San Antonio Spurs is out with a back issue, potentially impacting his trade value. Jerami Grant’s facial contusion continues to sideline him, opening up opportunities for players like Deni Avdija.
The Philadelphia 76ers are facing challenges with both Joel Embiid and Paul George out, though not due to a back-to-back situation. This absence further complicates the 76ers’ season, which has already been marred by inconsistency.
Ausar Thompson’s absence due to illness raises concerns, especially given his history of health issues. While the exact nature of his current condition remains unclear, fans and fantasy managers alike are hoping it’s not as serious as his previous bout with blood clots.
Waiver Wire Trends
The waiver wire has seen some interesting movement, with Bryce Sensabaugh emerging as the most-added player despite missing a game due to illness. Ryan Dunn and Nikola Jovic have also seen increased interest, though their long-term value remains questionable.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Suns podcasts.
Phoenix Suns Eek Out Victory Over Washington As Ryan Dunn Posts Career Night
The Phoenix Suns escaped Washington with a win over the Wizards despite an ugly fourth quarter from Devin Booker and Co. Brendon Kleen and Ben Garcia recap the 130-123 win, including how the fourth quarter slipped away, continued questions around Tyus Jones, the solid flow between Booker and Kevin Durant, and Ryan Dunn’s career night.
Phoenix Suns Acquire Nick Richards: How Much Of a Boost Will He Bring?
The Phoenix Suns upgraded their center rotation on Wednesday by trading for Nick Richards, who is expected to start right away. Brendon Kleen and Ben Garcia break down the deal, including the price of the deal sending Josh Okogie out, how much better Richards makes the Suns, and what comes next ahead of the NBA trade deadline.
Phoenix Suns Lose Tight Game In Atlanta Despite Kevin Durant & Devin Booker Combining For 66
The Phoenix Suns dropped a tight game in Atlanta despite Kevin Durant and Devin Booker combining for 66 points on the road. Brendon Kleen and Ben Garcia break down the loss, including how Bradley Beal came up short late, how familiar issues plagued the Suns again, and the night of growing pains for the Suns’ rookies.
