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.
Can the Phoenix Suns Move Nurkic and Get Butler At Once?
Oct 26, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic (20) against Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford (21) in the first half of the home opener at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas/Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
We’re in the thick of NBA trade season and the Phoenix Suns are once again at the center of all of it.
On today’s episode we discuss the latest rumors while attempting to answer whether the Suns can get rid of Jusuf Nurkic and acqure Jimmy Butler all in one fell swoop. That means being creative with their assets.
Multiple reports over the weekend connected Phoenix to Hornets center Nick Richards, with the idea being that Charlotte might take back Nurkic on top of sending out Richards, all for the price of just the three 2nd-round picks the Suns own. That seems impossible, unless the Hornets send out injured forward Grant Williams as part of the deal. More likely would be Josh Okogie going to Charlotte along with one or two second-round picks for Richards.
That would still leave only one or two 2nd-rounders plus Bradley Beal and a 2031 1st-round pick to send out in a Butler deal.
It’s unlikely the Suns can assemble a package for Butler no matter what. Anything short of their full trove of assets makes it even less feasible.
That’s where the Suns could get creative. Rather than sending out Grayson Allen, for instance, in the same deal for Butler, Phoenix could ship him to a separate team for picks or young players that they could then redirect to Miami or whichever team takes Beal. They could do the same with Tyus Jones or Monte Morris, assembling assets that add up to a more appealing package to get Butler.
We even discuss splitting that 2031 1st-rounder into more picks, the same way the Suns did in 2023 in swaps with Memphis and Orlando, or how Dallas did at the 2024 deadline to get P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford on their way to an NBA Finals run.
With a .500 team and a top-heavy roster, the Suns will be hard-pressed to check all the boxes at the deadline. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible.
Jan 13, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) dribbles up court against the Toronto Raptors during the second half at Scotiabank Arena. | John E. Sokolowski/John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Something I realized last night at the Warriors-Raptors game, perhaps more pressingly than the last time the team was in town a season ago — this thing isn’t going to last forever.
You wouldn’t get that impression from Steph Curry, who takes his pre-game warmup last and happily engages with the fans who show up an hour before tip-off to watch him. Curry’s off-court presence, compared to his superstar contemporaries, has always been demure and private, but watching him revel and work within that outsized adoration is a privilege in itself. No fan in attendance watching him take feathery lob after feathery lob, or take a volleyball spike to the basketball so he could meet it mid-air for a dunk, was thinking about the finite nature of Curry — performer or competitor.
Even if the underlying desire of proximity to greatness stems from the understanding that one day that greatness will no longer exist, that reality doesn’t translate in the moment. In the moment, there’s just Curry, laughing with his coaches, signing the backs of jerseys, going through footwork, prepping for the night’s game.
Where the impression of a dynasty in its final stages becomes more pronounced is through the words of Warriors coach, Steve Kerr. Asked about how difficult it is to maintain a dynasty, and Kerr reverted to Curry.
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
Roster In a strategic move, the Phoenix Suns are adapting their lineup by bringing Bradley Beal off the bench and promoting Devin Booker and Tyus Jones to starting roles, aiming for increased adaptability. (Bright Side of the Sun)
Opponent The Valley Suns narrowly missed sweeping the Santa Cruz Warriors in their recent G-League matchup, providing valuable insights into their performance against future opponents. (Bright Side of the Sun)
Injury The Phoenix Suns have updated their injury report ahead of the game against the Atlanta Hawks, detailing the status of key players and their expected impact on the lineup. (Sports Illustrated)
Analysis A comprehensive 2025 NBA mock draft offers full two-round predictions and pro comparisons, providing insights into potential future stars for the Phoenix Suns. (Bleacher Report)
Preview The Suns will meet the Hawks at the State Farm Arena at 7:30 PM ET. Read the preview.(NBA)
Analysis TheDetroit Pistons are emerging as a serious surprise story this season. (TSN)
Biz Explosive court documents show co-conspirators and other shocking details in Jontay Porter’s ongoing betting scandal. (The Athletic)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
NBA Injury Update: Key Players Sidelined and Return Timelines For Fantasy Basketball
Jan 12, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz guard Isaiah Collier (13) attempts a three point basket against the Brooklyn Nets during the third quarter at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images | Rob Gray/Rob Gray-Imagn Images
As we approach the midpoint of the NBA season, injuries continue to play a significant role in shaping team dynamics and fantasy basketball strategies. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most impactful injuries across the league and their potential implications.
The Utah Jazz are once again at the forefront of injury-related drama. Lauri Markkanen’s back spasms and John Collins’ hip issue have raised eyebrows, with many speculating about potential load management strategies. Keyonte George’s heel soreness has kept him out for five consecutive games, while Jordan Clarkson’s plantar fascia injury could potentially end his season. The Jazz’s injury situation is one to monitor closely, as it could lead to increased opportunities for players like Kyle Filipowski and Isaiah Collier
In Philadelphia, Joel Embiid’s knee injury has kept him out for four consecutive games. This absence highlights the risks associated with drafting Embiid in the first round of fantasy drafts. With a busy schedule ahead, including back-to-back sets, Embiid’s playing time could be limited even upon his return.
For more insights and a deeper dive into NBA injuries and their fantasy implications, tune into the Locked On Fantasy Basketball podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Fantasy Basketball Podcast:
• Portland Trail Blazers injury updates
• Phoenix Suns roster changes and injury concerns
• Orlando Magic’s lengthy injury report and fantasy implications
3peat (ICYMI)
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.
