Phoenix Always Rises: 2034-2035 Season Preview

[thecoolestjedi]

Phoenix Suns headquarters, where the front office makes or breaks this team daily


Practice for the Suns as they look to improve on just a few wins last year.
The Phoenix Suns are a bad, bad team. Not bad in that they are cool or fashionable, but bad in the way that they suck at basketball. They plainly just suck at basketball and for four seasons, Phoenix fans have watched a terrible product. Since drafting Cade Cunningham who was to be the face and leader of this team for years to come, the team has not been good. The team has not had many bright spots and there have been trades that have very much set the team back.


Rumors persisst that Cade is irate with the Suns and how this rebuild has so far been going
Rumors have persisted of Cade being unhappy in Phoenix and particularly how the organization has handled things. Cade has long been the figurehead of the Phoenix rebuild after being selected 2nd overall and really kickstarting the post-Tatum trade era. Kofi Cockburn has shown that to be a mistake and that Cunningham is not as good as Cockburn has been, but Cade represents a front office and their steps to be better. If they lose him, then another rebuild is guaranteed and that is to show exactly how far back this team will be.


An impressive summer league campaign for Camara is something to build off
The 6th pick in the CSL draft was Toumani Camara, who was long coveted by Phoenix for his defense, which the team sees as a huge issue. They wish to build up from the defensive side with Hoard at the 3 and Chet at the 5 for the Suns. This team didn’t look for offense in the draft because they saw a need for the team in defense, which is something they have continued to suffer from. Camara will be asked to step in and be that defensive anchor from day one, which will show if he is going to sink or swim.


Big splashes made in Free Agency to pick up some folks for the Suns
The team has picked up new signings in Keyonte George, Jared Rhoden and Ismael Kamagate over free agency. George was picked up as a backup Point Guard as the Suns look for Cade to take main responsibility handling the rock this year. With Rhoden being used as the main shooting guard option as Cam Thomas lacks the proper ability with the Suns right now. Finally, Ismael Kamagate was brought in as backup for the Center position and his role there should be secure this season as he hopes to provide depth for the Suns at the Center position.

There is no question that the Suns have a lot to look at in terms of where the future lies and the team is looking to compete. Will this team of young guys and thrown together veterans be enough is the real question.

[TheTwoWallaces]

Nice write-up. Although I will say that I've noticed a certain sort of doomer tone that creeps into some GMs' articles (Marcus, looking at you too my man) when a rebuild is taking a while. I could be misreading between the lines, but sounds like a bit of frustration seeping in.

Idk if you have already been doing this, but don't hesitate to seek out advice from more experienced GMs. I've been there too where my team just can't stop sucking, and other GMs have helped me better think about things like how players fit together, the importance of efficiency, and even underrated ratings like IQ and consistency.

Regardless, Cade/Hoard/Camara/Holmgren is a solid foundation. Best of luck

[thecoolestjedi]

Nice write-up. Although I will say that I've noticed a certain sort of doomer tone that creeps into some GMs' articles (Marcus, looking at you too my man) when a rebuild is taking a while. I could be misreading between the lines, but sounds like a bit of frustration seeping in.

Idk if you have already been doing this, but don't hesitate to seek out advice from more experienced GMs. I've been there too where my team just can't stop sucking, and other GMs have helped me better think about things like how players fit together, the importance of efficiency, and even underrated ratings like IQ and consistency.

Regardless, Cade/Hoard/Camara/Holmgren is a solid foundation. Best of luck

Thank you, I think this core can do something nice and if it’s bad I can hopefully fall upwards to a nice draft pick.

I wouldn’t say doom and gloom? I enjoy the league, the game and enjoy writing articles. This has been a long rebuild here and I’m hoping to see it Through maybe this year? The only time I’ve been really frustrated is last year when we were racking off wins against contenders then lost 1 and morale plummeted, that’s when I almost quit this league or got angry and wanted to trade everyone and still hated trading Snail, tho think it was the best solution long term

[rh0xxy]

This team is silently taking shape into one of the more formidable rebuilding team. Exciting times ahead and I'll be watching closely on how this rebuild will turn out.

[emplep7]

I think you're doing it the right way and being patient through the rebuild. I would continue to stay the course and see what you have while continuing to add solid pieces all around your core. I think the biggest thing will be to find that identity as I feel thats the biggest thing that's lacking with the current roster makeup, but really like the Camara pickup as he should be a great complimentary piece to Cade and Chet.

[cb4raptorscb4]

You have a nice young core. There's plenty of young talent on some of the rebuilding Pacific teams like LAL, LAC and you guys. At least you aren't the Warriors who have like 1 potentially good player

Plus you're 2-0 right now! On pace to go 82-0

[hardenwithnod]

Yeah, this team will take some time to develop. Also will need to figure out what pieces are worth keeping, and which pieces you need to sell on. Chet looks like he hasn''t been doing much, same with Hogg and Cam Thomas. Camara looks like a stud so far.

I think you should have been more aggressive during this past free agency and gone after one of those big fishes. But you will have another chance for this upcoming off-season before that Cade extension kicks in.

[blackice]

I really liked Cade a lot in his draft class but I think you can really turn this franchise around if you stay patient! I know it can be hard to see losses pile up but the pay off is that you can avoid becoming a middle of the pack team. Camara/Holmgren is such a potent defensive minded front court, just add a wing or two in the next few draft classes and you're set!

[bt]

Camara looks great and Cade is on fire so far even though it's only 3 games.

Chet is the one to closely watch. Has been underwhelming so far and hopefully he comes on. Great start and it's all starting to come together for you.

[Flaming Homer]

Cade really made some progress the past tow seasons and it looks more and more he could be the leader for this young Suns team. Like others said, it takes time and it is a frustrating process at time. Especially since it seems that the Suns for some reason always start the season much better than expected (and the talent actually is)but then take a step back. Typical DDS I would say ...

Chet and Camara are looking like really good and important defensive pieces to assist Cade, I always thought that Hoard is underrated too. A pass first PG would look great beside them. But overall a nice base to build on, stay the course!

[Marcos_Beck]

I'm going to say I didn't like the Cade pick back in the draft not even a bit. Still continue not liking it since Kofi was available but at least he's becoming a very good player indeed. That's good player development there.
Chet is very talented but his DI issues are alarming, at least he's developing really well, and you got a GREAT one in Camara who likely gets the boost which helps your roster building big time as he's a foundation for you with the superb development. Few pieces missing here and there and it is not time to strike yet but once those guys are developed you'll be able to attacht some vets to them and make this a very good team IMO.

[Jestor]

I’d love to see Cade officially shifted to SG in the next TC. His size advantage still plays well there and reclassing him as a SG opens up the possibility of playing him 1-3, giving you more flexibility in matchups.

I would explore trade options for Chet. His shooting percentage hasn’t budged in three years and I’m wondering if he’s the right fit for this roster.

Cade and Camara are definite keepers, with Chet possibly a third. There’s a C+C Music Factory joke in here somewhere.