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Tag: dillon brooks

  • NBA Notes: Suns, Dillon Brooks, Nuggets, roster, Bucks

    NBA Notes: Suns, Dillon Brooks, Nuggets, roster, Bucks

    Suns

    Dillon Brooks believes the Suns have more ways to play after adding Miles Bridges and Luke Kennard this offseason.

    Brooks told reporters that Bridges gives Phoenix additional size, athleticism and defensive versatility, while Kennard provides another high-level shooter. Kennard led the NBA in 3-point percentage last season.

    “I think we added some shooting, some spacing with both of those guys, and then some athleticism as well,” Brooks said, via Brendan Mau of NBA on SI. “We can interchange lineups.”

    Brooks is particularly intrigued by playing alongside Bridges defensively, saying the two should be able to switch assignments depending on matchups.

    He’s also looking forward to working with rookie Koa Peat, whom Phoenix traded up to select. Brooks sees some similarities between their games and joked that he can teach Peat everything except “the crazy.”

    Phoenix went 45-37 in Jordan Ott’s first season before being swept in the opening round of the playoffs.

    Nuggets

    The Nuggets managed 54 wins last season despite rarely having their preferred lineup available.

    Nikola Jokic missed 18 games, Aaron Gordon 46, Christian Braun 38, Cameron Johnson 28 and Peyton Watson 28. According to Logan Struck of Nuggets on SI, Denver’s preferred starting five went 18-5 when healthy.

    That explains why owner Josh Kroenke hasn’t lost faith in the group.

    “I thought that if this group was healthy, that this could be a 60-65 win team,” Kroenke said after last season.

    Denver’s bigger concern entering this season may be its depth. Tim Hardaway Jr. and Bruce Brown are gone, leaving the Nuggets thinner behind a starting group they’ll again be counting on heavily.

    Bucks

    The post-Giannis era isn’t exactly starting with a welcoming committee.

    Milwaukee faces a potentially nasty early stretch after trading Giannis Antetokounmpo to Miami and beginning a rebuild around a reshaped roster that includes Tyler Herro.

    From Oct. 24 through Nov. 23, the Bucks are scheduled to play 16 games against teams that reached the playoffs in either of the previous two seasons, Tre Allen of Bucks on SI noted.

    One particularly unpleasant stretch arrives in November: Toronto on Nov. 6, Boston on Nov. 8, at defending champion New York on Nov. 10, the Lakers on Nov. 11 and at Orlando on Nov. 13.

    For a team trying to figure out what it is without Antetokounmpo, the schedule may provide an answer fairly quickly.

  • NBA Notes: Cavs, Jonathan Kuminga, Suns, Dillon Brooks, Timberwolves

    NBA Notes: Cavs, Jonathan Kuminga, Suns, Dillon Brooks, Timberwolves

    Cavaliers

    The Cavaliers may have missed on LeBron James, but Chase Brownawell of Cavs On SI argues Jonathan Kuminga could still give the offseason a much-needed lift.

    Kuminga, a free agent who ended last season with the Hawks, remains one of the more intriguing young wings potentially available. Brownawell’s case centers largely on defense.

    The 23-year-old has already played five NBA seasons, owns championship experience from his Warriors days and showed in Atlanta that he can defend multiple positions. That’s especially appealing for a Cleveland team built around Donovan Mitchell and James Harden in the backcourt.

    Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen give the Cavs plenty of size inside. Brownawell argues Kuminga could give them somebody capable of taking tougher perimeter assignments.

    There would still be complications.

    Kuminga’s asking price remains significant, and a sign-and-trade with Atlanta would likely require Cleveland to send out players and draft compensation. Brownawell mentions Max Strus, Dennis Schroder and Sam Merrill as possibilities.

    Peyton Watson remains another option on Cleveland’s radar.

    The larger point: Kuminga may no longer be Plan A, but Brownawell believes he’d still fill an obvious need and qualify as a meaningful offseason addition.

    Suns

    Dillon Brooks isn’t being shy about what he wants from the Suns.

    “Championship is all on my mind,” Brooks told The Arizona Republic after signing a three-year, $73 million extension with Phoenix.

    Donnie Druin of Suns On SI writes that Brooks has quickly become an important part of the team’s identity.

    Brooks brought his usual defensive edge along with scoring last season and earned praise from coach Jordan Ott for the tone he sets behind the scenes.

    Ott specifically pointed to Brooks’ work habits, saying his willingness to consistently be in the gym has rubbed off on teammates.

    That helps explain why Phoenix was willing to make a significant commitment.

    Brooks is now under contract through 2028-29 and will remain part of a core that also features Devin Booker and Jalen Green.

    The Suns still have plenty to prove, but Brooks clearly doesn’t view simply making the playoffs as the goal.

    Timberwolves

    Tim Connelly has rarely been afraid to make a major move in Minnesota.

    Ben Beecken of Timberwolves On SI argues his latest pivot, acquiring LaMelo Ball to pair with Anthony Edwards, might eventually prove to be one of his best.

    Beecken traces Connelly’s tenure through several major roster changes, beginning with the blockbuster Rudy Gobert trade, followed by the Mike Conley acquisition, the Karl-Anthony Towns deal and now the move for Ball.

    His argument is essentially that Connelly has repeatedly accepted short-term risk in exchange for raising Minnesota’s ceiling or floor.

    The Ball trade is the latest example. When healthy, Ball has shown he can drive an elite offense. Beecken notes that Charlotte ranked first offensively from Jan. 1 through the end of last season, with Ball playing a central role.

    Pair that with Gobert’s defensive impact and Edwards’ star power, and Beecken sees the ingredients for one of the better teams in the league.

    There are obvious concerns. Minnesota sacrificed considerable depth in reshaping the roster, losing Julius Randle, Naz Reid and Conley, and there’s still a question at power forward.

    Still, Beecken points to Connelly’s broader track record. The Timberwolves have remained a playoff team through multiple major roster changes, including consecutive trips to the Western Conference finals before last season’s second-round exit. The gamble now is pretty straightforward.

    If Ball stays healthy, Minnesota may have enough offensive firepower to take another step. If he doesn’t, Connelly has far fewer assets available for another dramatic pivot.

  • NBA Moves: Suns, Dillon Brooks, Sixers, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Rockets

    NBA Moves: Suns, Dillon Brooks, Sixers, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Rockets

    Suns

    The Suns are keeping one of last season’s biggest surprises around for the long haul.

    According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Phoenix has agreed to a three-year, $73 million contract extension with forward Dillon Brooks. Suns insider John Gambadoro reported the deal is fully guaranteed and includes no player or team options.

    Brooks enjoyed arguably the best offensive season of his career in his first year with Phoenix, averaging a career-high 20.2 points after arriving from Houston in the Kevin Durant trade.

    The extension is another sign the Suns believe last season’s playoff run wasn’t a fluke. After exceeding expectations in 2025-26, Phoenix has prioritized continuity this offseason, also bringing back Collin Gillespie, Mark Williams and Jordan Goodwin.

    As Yossi Gozlan of The Third Apron noted, Brooks will remain trade-eligible at next February’s deadline because the extension is expected to be finalized before Aug. 11.

    Sixers

    The 76ers officially have another veteran champion in the fold.

    Philadelphia announced the signing of two-time NBA champion Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, completing a move that had been expected since he reached a buyout agreement with the Grizzlies nearly two weeks ago.

    Caldwell-Pope, 33, joins a loaded Sixers roster that now features LeBron James, Joel Embiid, Jaylen Brown, Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe.

    While his production dipped over the past two seasons with Orlando and Memphis, Philadelphia is betting the veteran wing can rediscover the three-and-D form that helped him win championships with the Lakers and Nuggets.

    The Sixers cleared enough financial room to complete the signing by trading rookie Johni Broome to the Clippers last week.

    Rockets

    The Rockets opened a roster spot by waiving guard JD Davison.

    A former second-round pick out of Alabama, Davison appeared in 28 games for Houston last season after spending his first three NBA campaigns with the Celtics organization.

    His biggest success has come in the G League, where he captured MVP honors with the Maine Celtics in 2025 after averaging 25.6 points and 7.7 assists.

    The move also nudges Houston just below the luxury-tax line, giving the Rockets a little more flexibility as they continue shaping the roster before training camp.

  • NBA trade propsal sends Suns’ Dillon Brooks to Cavs

    NBA trade propsal sends Suns’ Dillon Brooks to Cavs

    The Cavaliers missed out on LeBron James. So what comes next?

    Chase Brownawell of Cavs on SI offered an interesting possibility: Go get Dillon Brooks.

    To be clear right from the start, there has been no indication that the Suns are shopping Brooks, nor is there any indication the Cavaliers and Suns have discussed a trade. This is strictly a hypothetical. But as hypotheticals go, you can certainly see the appeal for Cleveland.

    Dillon Brooks, NBA, Suns, Cavaliers, Cavs
    Imagn

    Brooks is coming off perhaps the best season of his career, averaging 20.2 points for Phoenix while providing the same physical defense and edge that have defined his NBA career.

    Brownawell suggested a framework in which the Cavs could move Dennis Schroder along with Max Strus or Sam Merrill to make the money work. Again, that’s merely an idea. Published trade proposals rarely become actual NBA trades.

    The larger point may be more interesting. Brooks represents the type of player the Cavs could use.

    They already have plenty of offensive firepower with Donovan Mitchell and James Harden in the backcourt, along with Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen up front. What the Cavs could still use is a rugged two-way wing capable of taking difficult defensive assignments and making life miserable for opposing scorers.

    Brooks certainly checks that box. He also brings some of the playoff nastiness that the Cavs occasionally seem to lack. Brooks isn’t afraid of anyone, sometimes to his detriment, and his history with LeBron is well documented. Imagine that matchup in the playoffs.

    The Cavs don’t necessarily need another star after losing the LeBron sweepstakes. They need someone who complements the stars they already have.

    That’s what makes Brownawell’s Brooks proposal worth discussing. Phoenix would obviously have to be willing to listen first. But it may not hurt for the Cavs to at least place a call.

    RELATED | Cavs aren’t sweating LeBron James’ decision

  • NBA Notes: Suns, Dillon Brooks, Rockets, Marcus Smart, Nets

    NBA Notes: Suns, Dillon Brooks, Rockets, Marcus Smart, Nets

    Suns

    Suns forward Dillon Brooks says he’d like to cut down on the technical fouls — at least a little.

    Speaking with NBAT2 in comments highlighted by Evan Desai of the Arizona Republic, Brooks joked that one of his goals for next season is “not to get 17 technical fouls,” though he quickly admitted that may be easier said than done.

    “At least half of them are earned,” Brooks said. “Some of them are by the same refs. And some of them I don’t need to get. Costs my team some wins.”

    Brooks was suspended after picking up his 16th technical last season, but he also believes his fiery approach helps establish Phoenix’s identity.

    “It’s the energy that we live by,” Brooks said. “Some of them are called for, to get your point across.”

    The Suns embraced Brooks’ edge in his first season with the franchise, improving defensively while returning to the playoffs.

    Rockets

    The Rockets believe Marcus Smart gives them another veteran capable of impacting games even when he isn’t scoring.

    Varun Shankar of the Houston Chronicle wrote that Smart’s two-year deal reunites him with coach Ime Udoka, who coached the veteran guard to Defensive Player of the Year honors in Boston.

    Houston views Smart as another tough perimeter defender and secondary ballhandler while Fred VanVleet works his way back from a torn ACL.

    Shankar also noted that Smart’s arrival creates a crowded backcourt.

    Reed Sheppard, Amen Thompson and rookie Bruce Thornton are all expected to compete for minutes, making Houston’s guard rotation one of the team’s biggest storylines entering training camp.

    While Smart isn’t known for outside shooting, the Rockets are betting his leadership, defense and playoff experience outweigh any concerns about spacing.

    Nets

    The Nets may have completed most of their offseason work, but C.J. Holmes of the New York Daily News isn’t convinced they’re done.

    Holmes wrote that Brooklyn has improved its overall talent level by adding Julius Randle, Keon Ellis, Moe Wagner and rookie Mikel Brown Jr., but still has roster questions to answer before opening night.

    The biggest issue may be a crowded backcourt, where several young guards need developmental minutes while veterans are also competing for playing time.

    Holmes also pointed to the departure of Nic Claxton as a potential concern.

    “The frontcourt … still has an obvious question,” Holmes wrote.

    Without Claxton, Brooklyn lacks a proven rim protector, making another trade or roster move seem like a realistic possibility before the season begins.

    As Holmes noted, the Nets appear deeper and more competitive than they were a year ago, but they’re still searching for the right balance.

    MORE HOOPS | NBA free agents by position

  • Suns urged to consider Devin Booker trade, roster reset

    Suns urged to consider Devin Booker trade, roster reset

    The Suns may be coming off a better-than-expected season, but one cap expert believes a bigger reset should be on the table.

    Yossi Gozlan of Third Apron wrote that Phoenix should “seriously consider” rebuilding its roster, including the possibility of trading Devin Booker to stockpile draft assets.

    Devin Booker, Suns, NBA
    Getty

    The Suns won 45 games and reached the playoffs as the No. 8 seed in the West, emerging as one of the season’s surprises. Still, Gozlan views the current group as likely at its ceiling.

    The concern centers on the long-term outlook. Phoenix has limited assets and a difficult salary cap situation, highlighted by significant dead money tied up in Bradley Beal. The team may need to shed salary just to avoid the luxury tax and retain its own free agents.

    Gozlan noted the Suns are unlikely to move Booker or veterans such as Dillon Brooks. However, he added their value could be near its peak, and a Booker deal in particular would create significant financial flexibility moving forward.

    More Suns | Team owner Mat Ishbia preaches ‘continuity’ after playoff exit

  • Suns owner Mat Ishbia preaches ‘continuity’ after playoff return

    Suns owner Mat Ishbia preaches ‘continuity’ after playoff return

    The Suns have been anything but stable in recent years. That may be changing.

    Team owner Mat Ishbia struck a different tone at his end-of-season availability, emphasizing “continuity” after multiple summers of major roster moves.

    “I like the culture that we’ve built,” Ishbia said, via The Athletic’s Doug Haller. “We’re not going to do anything silly to mess that up.”

    Phoenix won 45 games and returned to the playoffs, outperforming expectations after a 36-win season the year before. The Suns were swept in the first round by the reigning champion Thunder, but Ishbia views the year as a step forward.

    “Can we win more games? Can we win a playoff series?” he said. “That’s what we’re going to focus on.”

    General manager Brian Gregory echoed that approach, pointing to internal growth over outside changes.

    “This is an ongoing process,” Gregory said, via Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic.

    There is belief in the core. Gregory said he is confident Devin Booker, Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green will look better together with more time.

    The message is clear. Less overhaul. More development. Whether that is enough in a loaded Western Conference is the real question.

  • Suns owner Mat Ishbia backs Devin Booker, calls out refs: ‘Not a good look’ for NBA

    Suns owner Mat Ishbia backs Devin Booker, calls out refs: ‘Not a good look’ for NBA

    The Suns are not backing off this one.

    Owner Mat Ishbia took to X on Thursday to publicly support Devin Booker, doubling down on the team’s frustration with officiating after Game 2 in Oklahoma City.

    “I am 100% behind Devin Booker here,” Ishbia wrote. “Last night was not a good look for our league.”

    That sets the tone. It didn’t stop there.

    Mat Ishbia, Suns, NBA
    File photo

    Ishbia made it clear he was not blaming the loss on the referees. The Suns fell 120-107 and now trail 2-0 to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Still, he said the bigger issue is respect and accountability.

    “If the referees are going to demand respect from the players, as they should, then the players should demand respect from the referees,” Ishbia added. “When a referee is missing calls and clearly disrespecting the players, almost mocking them, they must be held accountable.”

    That is a strong statement coming from ownership.

    Booker, who rarely criticizes officials publicly, voiced frustration after the loss, calling the situation “bad” and admitting it was the first time in his career he felt the need to speak out. He even acknowledged a fine could be coming.

    Dillon Brooks took it even further, suggesting reporters should be interviewing referees after games and saying the whistles felt one-sided.

    Now the Suns have their owner echoing those concerns.

    “Nobody who loves this game enjoyed watching that last night,” Ishbia wrote. “They want to see the players compete at the highest level. The league needs to be far more aggressive about this kind of thing.”

    Meanwhile, the Thunder just keep rolling. They have controlled both games, dictated the pace and taken a firm 2-0 lead behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

    Game 3 is coming. The series already had stakes. Now it has some real edge too.

  • Suns’ Dillon Brooks, Devin Booker rip officials after loss to Thunder

    Suns’ Dillon Brooks, Devin Booker rip officials after loss to Thunder

    The Suns didn’t just walk out of Oklahoma City down 2-0. They walked out heated.

    After a 120-107 Game 2 road loss to the Thunder, the conversation quickly shifted from the score to the whistles, and the frustration wasn’t exactly subtle.

    Dillon Brooks, who finished with 30 points before fouling out, made it clear where he stood.

    “Y’all should be interviewing the officials,” Brooks said, via Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic. “That should be a new thing in the NBA.”

    He didn’t stop there.

    “Officials got to explain themselves because it’s getting ridiculous… no control out there,”he said. “Now they’re just whistling on one side.”

    That’s Brooks, of course. He wasn’t alone.

    Devin Booker, who rarely goes down that road publicly, followed with his own pointed comments, which made it stand out even more.

    “I’ve been in this league 11 years,” Booker said. “For me to even be saying something out loud, it’s bad. It’s my first time… but it’s needed.”

    He even acknowledged what might come with it. “Whatever. I get fined for it.”

    Booker pointed to one sequence in particular, an offensive foul involving Alex Caruso that he felt didn’t line up with how the game has been called elsewhere.

    “Caruso is moving forward on that,” Booker said. “If that’s an unnatural shooting motion compared to what guys are doing to get fouls nowadays… pull the clips, run it back. I’m surprised this is happening on national TV in playoff games.”

    Meanwhile, the Thunder just keep doing what they’ve done all series. They’re up 2-0.

    They’ve controlled the tempo. Behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, they’ve largely dictated how these games are played.

    Heading into Game 3, this thing has a little more edge now. The Suns are searching for answers, not just in the box score.

  • Suns Notes: Jalen Green, Devin Booker, injuries, Dillon Brooks

    Suns Notes: Jalen Green, Devin Booker, injuries, Dillon Brooks

    The Suns needed a spark Friday. They got it from Jalen Green.

    After a season mostly lost to injuries, Green erupted for 36 points and eight threes in the play-in win over the Warriors, as detailed by Doug Haller of The Athletic.

    Jalen Green, Suns, NBA
    Getty

    Not bad for a guy who played just 32 games. The road back wasn’t easy.

    “Getting injured, coming back. Getting injured again, coming back,” Green said. “I think it happened three or four times. It was hard.”

    That part showed all year. Friday? Different story.

    And yes, beating Golden State meant a little extra after last year’s playoff exit with Houston.

    Still, Green took a moment postgame to connect with Stephen Curry, someone he’s leaned on for years, per Tristi Rodriguez of NBC Sports Bay Area.

    “He was telling me to handle business in OKC,” Green said. “Coming from Steph, it means a lot to chop it up with him and just hear from him at the end of the day, just because I was maybe 16 years old when he was having me come out to Oakland just to work out with him. So he’s kind of been somewhat of a mentor.”

    Tempers Late

    Things got heated down the stretch.

    Devin Booker and Draymond Green were both ejected after a fourth-quarter shouting match, Booker didn’t make much of it afterward.

    “It’s nothing man,” he said, per Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic. “I’ve been there before and I understand the situation. My big brother used to beat me in NBA Live back in the day and I’d throw a fit. He’s a competitor. He loves the sport.”

    Injury Watch

    Looking ahead to Sunday’s opener in Oklahoma City, the Suns could be shorthanded again. Mark Williams (foot) and Grayson Allen (hamstring) are both questionable, per Rankin.

    Williams played earlier in the week but sat Friday. Allen hasn’t played since April 10.

    Bonus Time

    One more thing. According to Bobby Marks of ESPN, Dillon Brooks earns a $1 million bonus thanks to Phoenix reaching the playoffs.

    It was considered unlikely before the season. Not anymore.

  • NBA Notes: Suns, Dillon Brooks, Hawks, Tony Bradley, Raptors

    NBA Notes: Suns, Dillon Brooks, Hawks, Tony Bradley, Raptors

    Suns

    The Suns received a favorable ruling from the league office regarding Dillon Brooks.

    Brooks’ technical foul from Sunday’s game against Chicago has been rescinded, the NBA announced. The reversal prevents Brooks from reaching the automatic suspension threshold, allowing him to remain available for Tuesday’s game against Houston.

    Brooks had been assessed his 18th technical foul during a verbal exchange with Bulls guard Mac McClung, whose technical was also rescinded.

    The veteran wing has already served one suspension this season after picking up his 16th technical in February. He also missed more than five weeks due to a broken hand before returning late last month.

    Phoenix remains in the mix for the playoffs, currently sitting seventh in the Western Conference and still attempting to move into the top six.

    Hawks

    The Hawks have waived Caleb Houstan and signed veteran center Tony Bradley for the remainder of the season.

    Bradley, who most recently played on 10-day contracts with Indiana, provides frontcourt depth after Jock Landale suffered a high ankle sprain.

    The 28-year-old is in his eighth NBA season and previously played under Hawks head coach Quin Snyder in Utah.

    Houstan, meanwhile, appeared in 18 games for Atlanta after being promoted from a two-way deal in February.

    Raptors

    The Raptors have signed guard Tyreke Key, per a team announcement.

    Key has spent the past two seasons with Raptors 905 and averaged 16.6 points while shooting over 52% from the field this season in the G League.

    Toronto had an open roster spot following the expiration of Markelle Fultz’s 10-day contract, allowing the team to add Key without a corresponding move.

  • NBA Notes: Clippers, Kawhi Leonard, Suns, Devin Booker, Nets

    NBA Notes: Clippers, Kawhi Leonard, Suns, Devin Booker, Nets

    Clippers

    The Clippers improved their playoff positioning with a 138-109 win over Sacramento on Sunday.

    Kawhi Leonard led the way with 26 points, including 13 in the first quarter as Los Angeles built an early double-digit lead. John Collins added 25 points, while Darius Garland and Kobe Sanders each scored 17.

    Kawhi Leonard, Clippers, NBA
    File photo

    The Clippers are now tied for eighth place in the Western Conference with Portland with four games remaining.

    Suns

    The Suns snapped a two-game skid with a 120-110 victory over Chicago.

    Devin Booker scored 30 points and Jalen Green added 25. Dillon Brooks contributed 15 points and played a key role in a late 11-2 run that sealed the win.

    Brooks hit a turnaround jumper and a three-pointer during the closing stretch as Phoenix pulled away after Chicago had trimmed the deficit late.

    Nets

    The Nets picked up just their second win in the past 14 games, defeating Washington 121-115.

    Nolan Traore finished with 23 points and seven assists, while Jalen Wilson added 19 points.

    Brooklyn used an 8-0 run late in the fourth quarter to take control, with Traore’s layup giving the Nets a 109-105 lead with two minutes remaining.

    The win keeps Brooklyn narrowly ahead of Washington in the race for lottery positioning.

  • Suns coach Jordan Ott: Defensive breakdowns starting to cost us

    Suns coach Jordan Ott: Defensive breakdowns starting to cost us

    Despite a strong overall season, the Suns are still searching for more consistency on the defensive end, particularly as they approach the postseason.

    Head coach Jordan Ott has emphasized a more physical defensive identity throughout the year, with veterans like Dillon Brooks helping set the tone.

    Following Thursday’s loss to Charlotte, Ott pointed to specific breakdowns that hurt Phoenix.

    “We’ll have to take a look. What hurt us was the middle pick-and-roll, small-small pick-and-roll. That hurt us there in that stretch,” Ott told reporters. “That’s two smalls, and they were able to beat us off the bounce and get to the rim.”

    Ott added that adjustments are ongoing as the team looks to tighten things up defensively.

    “Everything is on the table,” he said. “We’re trying to figure this thing out on the fly, and that’s what I just said. We’ve got to expedite it. There’s no excuse. We just have to figure it out.”

    The Suns have leaned on their offense, led by Devin Booker and Jalen Green, but defensive consistency could be key as they head toward the play-in tournament.

  • NBA trade idea sends Grizzlies’ Ja Morant to Suns in blockbuster

    NBA trade idea sends Grizzlies’ Ja Morant to Suns in blockbuster

    File this under interesting. Maybe even spicy.

    A hypothetical NBA trade floated by Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley has the Suns landing Ja Morant from the Grizzlies in a deal that would shake up both franchises.

    The proposal? Phoenix sends Jalen Green, Khaman Maluach and a 2027 first-round pick to Memphis for Morant.

    That would put Morant alongside Devin Booker in the Suns’ backcourt, with a familiar face in Dillon Brooks already on the roster.

    And yes, there’s some logic here.

    Morant, 26, has dealt with injuries and off-court issues, appearing in just 20 games this season. He averaged 19.5 points and 8.1 assists, though his shooting numbers dipped. Still, the talent is undeniable. Former Rookie of the Year. Electric playmaker. Game-changer when right.

    Ja Morant, Grizzlies, NBA
    Getty

    Meanwhile, Memphis may be headed in a different direction. The Grizzlies moved Jaren Jackson Jr. earlier this season and have at least explored Morant deals in the past. Whether that turns into action this summer remains to be seen.

    Morant is owed $42.1 million next season and $44 million in 2027-28, the final year of his deal.

    Other teams have been linked before. The Heat. Kings. Bucks. Timberwolves. You get the idea.

    For now, this is just a proposal. But it’s the kind that makes you stop for a second and think.

    Would Phoenix actually do it? Would Memphis really move on? We’ll see.

    RELATED | Potential Morant trade destinations