Locked On Suns - Daily Podcast On The Phoenix Suns

Why the Phoenix Suns stood pat at the trade deadline and how they stack up in the NBA with Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic Apr 01, 2021

Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic and azcentral sports joins the show to examine why the Phoenix Suns did not make a major move at the NBA trade deadline, what needs to happen for them to be at their best during the stretch run, and why the relationship between James Jones and Monty Williams works so well.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14, @DuaneRankin

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Postgame Pod: It's time to stop calling these ugly wins for the Phoenix Suns and start appreciating them Mar 30, 2021

The Phoenix Suns took down the Hawks, 117-110 on Tuesday night after some more late-game chaos, but don't call these wins ugly anymore. Between Monty Williams' adjustments and surprising late-game plays from everyone from Mikal Bridges to Deandre Ayton to Jae Crowder, a win is a win, and there are lessons to be learned. Hear what those lessons are and how the Suns' bench bounced back at home in this episode.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14

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Should James Jones be the NBA Executive of the Year? Mar 30, 2021

As the Phoenix Suns approach their 2019-20 win total just over halfway through this season, it's time to evaluate the candidacy of James Jones as the NBA Executive of the Year. First, a look at how this Suns roster was built, then a closer examination of Jones' roster building philosophy, then a ranking of the NBA's leading executives in 2021, including why Sean Marks in Brooklyn is such a tough competitor for the award.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14

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Mondays with Zona: Phoenix Suns learning to close out games on the road, plus lingering NBA trade deadline thoughts Mar 29, 2021

Brandon Duenas of Bright Side of the Sun and Zona Hoops joins the show as he does every Monday to discuss two Phoenix Suns wins to close out a four-game East Coast swing, including how Mikal Bridges and Torrey Craig could become the energy players the Suns need in those moments. Then, another edition of NCAA tournament stock watch, including another look at two Baylor guards who could be on the Suns' radar. To close, a snippet of our Locker Room conversation from last week on the Suns' clutch strategy and trade deadline options.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14, @AZSportsZone

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A LaMarcus Aldridge prediction plus how the NBA trade deadline affects the Phoenix Suns Mar 25, 2021

After a quiet NBA trade deadline day for the Phoenix Suns, it's time to talk about how the Western Conference stacks up moving forward. Plus, why the Suns did not get involved on Aaron Gordon, JaVale McGee or others, and to close, a breakdown of how the Suns could clear an extra roster spot and who they could look at, from LaMarcus Aldridge to Austin Rivers.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14

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Postgame Pod: Back to back bites Phoenix Suns as they drop close game to Magic Mar 25, 2021

On the eve of the NBA trade deadline, the Phoenix Suns dropped a game to the heavily rumored Orlando Magic, who were led by All-Star Nikola Vucevic. Listen for how Mikal Bridges' missed corner three was the nail in the coffin for the Suns and how the Suns giving the Magic the matchups they wanted doomed them.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14

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Postgame Pod: Phoenix Suns start road trip off right, take down Heat behind huge Deandre Ayton night Mar 23, 2021

Deandre Ayton led the way with a monster two-way night against the Miami Heat as the Phoenix Suns won the first of their four road games, 110-100. Listen for how the cheesing Suns put the finishing touches on the victory in the fourth quarter, as well as who Chris Paul added to his hit list tonight from Miami. Plus, thoughts on Torrey Craig's night and what's up with Dario Saric.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14

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Should the Phoenix Suns trade for Aaron Gordon plus an NBA trade deadline mailbag Mar 23, 2021

Aaron Gordon is on the block, so it's time to investigate whether the Phoenix Suns would be smart to pursue him in a trade. Is the price of two first-rounders worth it? Is giving up Jae Crowder worth it? Or does Gordon potentially re-upping with the Suns make all that OK? To close the show, your mailbag questions are answered on buyout targets, Jalen Smith's future, and more.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14

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Mondays with Zona: Chris Paul's impact on the Phoenix Suns plus NCAA Tournament stock up/down Mar 22, 2021

Brandon Duenas of Bright Side of the Sun and Zona Hoops joins the show as he does every Monday to discuss Chris Paul hitting the 10,000 career assist mark and what he has meant to the Phoenix Suns. Then, we discuss whose stock is up (Jared Butler) and whose is down (Ayo Dosunmu) after the first round and a half of the NCAA Tournament.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14, @AZSportsZone

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Postgame Pod: Monty Williams takes the blame as the Phoenix Suns fall to bottom-dwelling Wolves Mar 18, 2021

Brendon goes solo to recap the Phoenix Suns' 123-119 loss to Minnesota, which came despite Devin Booker's efficient 35 points. Hear from Monty Williams and Mikal Bridges about what went wrong and how they will fix it for tomorrow's rematch, plus a breakdown of how Minnesota stole the game in the fourth quarter.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14

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Why trading for Torrey Craig was a great value play for the Phoenix Suns Mar 18, 2021

Brendon goes solo to react to the Torrey Craig acquisition by the Phoenix Suns and why giving up only cash made the whole deal worth it. Plus, why the biggest impact of the deal is helping Mikal Bridges out and a look at where the Suns are with assets and roster spots now that we are just a week away from the NBA trade deadline.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14

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How Monty Williams and Devin Booker led the Phoenix Suns back to relevancy with Cameron Cox of 12 News Mar 17, 2021

12 News sports reporter Cameron Cox joins the show to discuss when it felt real that these Phoenix Suns could push for a high seed and a deep playoff run, how signing Monty Williams to coach the team changed things in the Valley, and how the trade for Chris Paul made the promise of Devin Booker a reality. Plus, why the drama around Booker asking out is all but silenced now, and whether a name like P.J. Tucker could make sense for the Suns at the deadline.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14

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Postgame Pod: Devin Booker keys another Phoenix Suns win as they steal season series from Memphis Mar 15, 2021

Brendon goes solo for a Postgame Pod to recap the Phoenix Suns' 122-99 victory over the Grizzlies as Devin Booker once again led the way with 27 points. Hear clips from Chris Paul and Monty Williams, plus a breakdown of Booker's shooting this season and how the Suns were able to shut down Ja Morant to take the season series from Memphis.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14

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Mondays with Zona: How will the Phoenix Suns big man rotation stack up plus redrafting the 2019 NBA Draft Mar 15, 2021

Brandon Duenas of Bright Side of the Sun and Zona Hoops joins the show as he does every Monday to help break down the dynamic between Deandre Ayton and Dario Saric and how it's affecting the Phoenix Suns. We also look at the ongoing starting spot Frank Kaminsky is holding and overall what the Suns' big man rotation will look like come playoff time. To close, we redo the lottery of the 2019 NBA Draft to see where Cam Johnson lands.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14, @AZSportsZone

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Phoenix Suns keep it rolling as Devin Booker leads the way over Portland with 35 Mar 11, 2021

Brendon goes solo to recap the Phoenix Suns' 127-121 victory over Portland, including how Devin Booker took over in the third and fourth quarters on his way to 35 points, where Booker is at with his left knee injury, and how Dario Saric and the Suns' bench have become a legitimate strength of the team. To close the show, why it's time to add Damian Lillard to the list of players whose number Mikal Bridges has.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14

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Inside the Phoenix Suns at the halfway point with Suns radio broadcaster Jon Bloom Mar 11, 2021

Phoenix Suns radio broadcaster Jon Bloom of Arizona Sports joins the show to discuss what it's been like to call games during this unusual NBA season, then gives his thoughts on the season so far and the impact Chris Paul has had on the Suns. To close the show, we break down what to expect in the second half, including how the Suns can maintain the hunger they've had since the Bubble and whether the team makes a deal before the NBA trade deadline.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14, @JonBloom

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Phoenix Suns trade value rankings and a preview of the second half of the NBA season Mar 10, 2021

Brendon goes solo to go top to bottom on what is the most valuable trade asset for the Phoenix Suns ahead of the 2021 NBA trade deadline, including who is likely untradeable and where the Suns' first available pick in 2027 might slot in. But first, a preview of the second half of the 2020-21 NBA season, with a breakdown of why the final two weeks of April will make or break the Suns ahead of the Western Conference playoffs.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14

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Deal or no deal for the Phoenix Suns at the NBA trade deadline with John Voita of Bright Side of the Sun Mar 09, 2021

John Voita of the Suns JAM Session podcast and Bright Side of the Sun joins the show to preview the options available to the Phoenix Suns ahead of the NBA trade deadline on March 25. We break down the Suns' biggest needs, whether they should be in a hurry to make a move, and what they have to give up in a deal. Then we discuss targets ranging from Austin Rivers to Thaddeus Young, and how future cap space and Chris Paul's next contract should factor into the Suns' thinking.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14, @DarthVoita

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Mondays with Zona: Grades for the Phoenix Suns rotation at the halfway point Mar 08, 2021

Brandon Duenas of Bright Side of the Sun and Zona Hoops joins the show as he does every Monday to dole out grades for Devin Booker, Chris Paul, Deandre Ayton and Co. as we fill out report cards for the entire Phoenix Suns rotation. From Booker winning Player of the Month to even Cameron Johnson's up and down February, we break it all down.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14, @AZSportsZone

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Phoenix Suns beat Warriors for fourth straight win, head into break with top-two record in the NBA Mar 04, 2021

Brendon goes solo to recap the Phoenix Suns' 120-98 blowout win over the Warriors, including how the bench continued its strong play from the Lakers game, led by Dario Saric, Cameron Payne and even Abdel Nader. Then, impressions from the first half of the season, including how the Suns became an elite defense and how the city of Phoenix has come alive as a basketball town again now that the team is competitive every night.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14

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Fallout from Devin Booker's ejection, the versatility of the Phoenix Suns, and more with Kevin Zimmerman of Arizona Sports Mar 04, 2021

Kevin Zimmerman of Arizona Sports joins the show to discuss the fallout from Devin Booker's ejection, including which word he used to get ejected, his response to the referees, and what it means for the Phoenix Suns in the NBA playoffs. Then Kevin gives his thoughts on the Suns so far, including the brilliance of Chris Paul and the value of Dario Saric. We close with a conversation about the careers and growth of Booker and Kyler Murray as they mature into sports pillars in the Arizona community.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14, @KZimmermanAZ

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Phoenix Suns take down rival Lakers despite ridiculous Devin Booker ejection Mar 02, 2021

Brendon goes solo to recap the Phoenix Suns' 114-104 road victory over the Lakers, where the Suns overcame the silly ejection of Devin Booker in the third quarter and 38 points from LeBron James to take down the Lakers. With the win, the Suns claimed sole possession of second place in the entire NBA standings, and Brendon breaks the game down from every angle, including how Booker is officiated and why Mikal Bridges was so important yet again.

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Which types of NBA teams do the Phoenix Suns match up best with? Mar 02, 2021

Brendon goes solo to dive into how the Phoenix Suns have won their games this season, and what that tells us about their ideal matchups in the NBA playoffs. Listen for why the Suns will be just fine on offense and Devin Booker is going to score no matter who he faces, how Deandre Ayton could be a secret weapon, and finally which under-the-radar Western Conference team could pose a challenge to the Suns in the postseason.

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Mondays with Zona: Devin Booker goes off for 43, plus a Phoenix Suns' fan's guide to March Madness Mar 01, 2021

Brandon Duenas of Bright Side of the Sun and Zona Hoops joins the show as he does every Monday to react to another scoring explosion from Devin Booker, this time to the tune of 43 points in a big win over Minnesota. Then, we preview March Madness for Phoenix Suns fans thinking about the NBA Draft for the first time, including "James Jones Guys" in the late first-round and point guards who could be brought in to learn from Chris Paul.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14, @AZSportsZone

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Mailbag: A closer look at the Phoenix Suns' defense, could Larry Nance be a trade target, and more Feb 26, 2021

Brendon goes solo to take your questions on all things Phoenix Suns, including the state of the Suns' defense and how it can improve, whether Chris Paul stays in the Valley past this season, big man trade targets such as Larry Nance Jr. and Khem Birch, and much more.

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Devin Booker reminds us he's an All-Star while the Suns drop a nail-biter to Charlotte Feb 24, 2021

Brendon goes solo to break down Devin Booker's outstanding night on the day he was announced as an NBA All-Star, as well as the loss that it coincided with and the defensive errors that sprouted up yet again for the Phoenix Suns. Because of LaMelo Ball's strong clutch performance, the Suns fell to the Hornets, 124-121. So to close the show, Brendon reveals the statement he's finally willing to make about the Suns' defense and gives ideas for how to fix it.

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Devin Booker's All-Star snub and the bond between Chris Paul and Monty Williams with Gina Mizell of Suns.com Feb 24, 2021

Gina Mizell of Suns.com joins the show to give instant reactions to Devin Booker being snubbed from the NBA All-Star game, while Chris Paul got in and Zion Williamson also snuck in ahead of Booker. What more does Booker have to do? We close the show by discussing Gina's recent story on the bond between Paul and Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams and how it has changed since their days together with the New Orleans Hornets.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14, @ginamizell

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Devin Booker explodes, defense clamps down as Phoenix Suns take down Portland for third straight W Feb 22, 2021

Brendon goes solo to recap the Phoenix Suns' 132-100 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers at home on Monday night. Listen for a breakdown of Portland's mistakes in the first quarter and odd game plan against Devin Booker, as well as the keys to Deandre Ayton's big night. And stay tuned for a clip from Portland head coach Terry Stotts on what has made the Suns' defense so good this season, starting with Ayton.

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Mondays with Zona: Chris Paul keys two big wins, why both Suns guards will be All-Stars, and scouting the G League Bubble Feb 22, 2021

Brandon Duenas of Bright Side of the Sun and Zona Hoops joins the show as he does every Monday to recap the Suns' three-point barrage against the Pelicans and Grizzlies, predict how Devin Booker and Chris Paul get into the NBA All-Star game, and break down the performances of Ty-Shon Alexander and Jalen Smith in the G League Bubble in Orlando this month.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14, @AZSportsZone

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NBA All-Star debates and a preview of the Suns' final eight games with Sam Cooper of The Timeline podcast Feb 19, 2021

Sam Cooper of The Timeline podcast and Bright Side of the Sun joins the show to give his thoughts on NBA All-Star voting from the Phoenix Suns' perspective, including the possibility of an Anthony Davis injury replacement and why he stans Zach LaVine so hard. Then, we preview the final eight games of the first half for the Suns, including a big upcoming three-game stretch against West playoff foes and two big matchups against the Lakers and Warriors to close.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14, @scooperhoops

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A new way to think about Ayton, lingering thoughts on Suns-Nets, and ranking the most important games of the season Feb 18, 2021

Brendon goes solo for a grab-bag of Phoenix Suns thoughts, including putting a bow on the Suns-Nets thriller from Tuesday night, a new way to think about Deandre Ayton night to night courtesy of GM James Jones, and finally a power ranking of the most important games of the season so far for the Suns, from this loss to the Nets to dropping one to the Thunder and spurring the nine-of-ten streak that came after.

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Suns learn valuable lessons from a shocking loss to James Harden and the Nets Feb 17, 2021

Brendon goes solo to sift through all the lessons the Phoenix Suns can learn from their 128-124 loss to the Nets on Tuesday night, including the value of their offensive system; the need to get Devin Booker the ball as often as possible; how to switch the right way on defense; the best way to deploy Deandre Ayton defensively; what lineups work against elite teams; and much more!

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14

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How the Suns put together this win streak and what comes next with Kellan Olson of Arizona Sports Feb 16, 2021

Kellan Olson of Arizona Sports joins the show to give his thoughts on the Phoenix Suns' win streak, including how the Suns have made it work with Frank Kaminsky in the lineup, why Devin Booker has been so good lately, his partnership with Chris Paul, and the bench's strong play. Kellan also asks whether the Suns should make a move on the trade market. But first, a reaction to the news of Jalen Smith being sent to the G League Bubble.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14, @KellanOlson

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Mondays with Zona: Takeaways from the Suns' thrilling six-game win streak Feb 15, 2021

Brandon Duenas of Bright Side of the Sun and Zona Hoops joins the show as he does every Monday to celebrate the Suns' six-game win streak and everything that is going right for the Suns right now. We discuss the overall chemistry and IQ of this roster, Devin Booker's scoring, the efficiency of Chris Paul, the hard work on defense, and more.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14, @AZSportsZone

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How the Suns can secure a top-four seed in the West with Jackson Frank of Dime Feb 12, 2021

Jackson Frank of Dime Mag and The Step Back joins the show to take the temperature of the Western Conference, including the surging Utah Jazz, the inconsistent Denver Nuggets, and the flailing Dallas Mavericks. To close the show, we look at teams in the West to determine who would be the best playoff matchup for the Phoenix Suns, and why it's imperative that they avoid the Los Angeles teams in the first round.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14, @jackfrank_jjf

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Offense clicks and Crowder comes in clutch on D as the Suns craft a signature win over Milwaukee Feb 11, 2021

Brendon goes solo to break down the Phoenix Suns' 125-124 victory over Milwaukee, including how Jae Crowder and the Suns closed the game defensively on Giannis, the evolution of the Chris Paul-Devin Booker partnership, and the reasons why the offense is flowing so well overall. To close the show, our usual postgame recap segments, including Bridges Breakout Watch and a new addition to the Facundo Campazzo All-Stars.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14

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Twitter mailbag on trade targets across the NBA, E'Twaun's spot in the rotation, and more Feb 10, 2021

Brendon goes solo to take your questions after the Phoenix Suns' big win against Cleveland, including how E'Twaun Moore's big game changes the Suns' rotation once they get healthy, who the Suns might target around the NBA on the trade market (P.J. Tucker?!) and whether Cam Johnson or Langston Galloway is the best pure shooter on the Suns' roster.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14

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Booker owns the fourth again, Suns come back against the Cavs to win their third straight Feb 08, 2021

Brendon goes solo to break down the Phoenix Suns' 119-113 win over the Cavs, including how Devin Booker's insane shot-making and a defensive adjustment from Monty Williams set off a comeback in the fourth quarter, as well as the importance of E'Twaun Moore stepping up to play 40 minutes as a starter. To close, another edition of Bridges Breakout Watch looking at Mikal Bridges' efficient scoring night and clutch play.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14

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Mondays with Zona: Monty goes big, Book takes down the Celtics, plus revisiting the 2020 NBA Draft Feb 08, 2021

Brandon Duenas of Bright Side of the Sun and Zona Hoops joins the show as he does every Monday to break down Monty Williams' decision to go big against the Pistons and Celtics as well as provide an early retrospective on the 2020 NBA Draft and the Phoenix Suns' decision to draft Jalen Smith tenth overall considering how well Tyrese Haliburton and others have played. To close, Brendon goes solo to break down the Suns' 100-91 victory over the Celtics at home, led by Devin Booker, who had a season-high 11 assists as well as the game-sealing jumper.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14, @AZSportsZone

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The state of the Suns after 20 games with Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic Feb 05, 2021

Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic joins the show to talk through the Suns' recent loss to the Pelicans and why they were unable to carry their momentum through the southwest road trip, as well as the trade rumors surrounding Deandre Ayton and what he can do to cement his value on this team. We close the show talking about the impact Dario Saric could make when he returns and how the bench depth can turn into a real strength for the team.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14, @DuaneRankin

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Old problems crop up again as Suns lose big time to Zion and the Pelicans Feb 03, 2021

Brendon goes solo for a recap show to break down the Phoenix Suns' 123-101 loss to the Pelicans, including how Monty Williams and Devin Booker explained the loss, why the Suns couldn't contain Zion Williamson who went off for 28 points, and why the same old problems keep showing up for this Suns' offense when the threes don't fall.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14

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The other side of the Suns-Mavs rivalry with Nick Angstadt of Locked On Mavs Feb 03, 2021

Nick Angstadt of Locked On Mavs joins the show to give the Dallas perspective on the Phoenix Suns' rivalry with the Mavericks. We break down how the Suns exploited the Mavs' starting lineup in its first game together all season as well as why Mikal Bridges is so effective guarding Luka Doncic. We close the show by discussing the similarities between Deandre Ayton and Kristaps Porzingis as well as whether Mavs fans consider this a rivalry the same way Suns fans do.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14, @NickVanExit

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Devin Booker continues to be legendary, hitting game winner to lift Suns over Dallas (again) Feb 01, 2021

Brendon goes solo for a recap show after the Phoenix Suns' 109-108 win over the Dallas Mavericks to break down the key stretch of the fourth quarter, including Devin Booker's game-winner, as well as the growth of the partnership between Booker and Chris Paul. To close the show, two new recap segments, including a new addition the Facundo Campazzo All-Stars and a look at the Backup Guard Carousel.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14

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Mondays with Zona: Grades for all the Suns' top players at the quarter mark of the season Feb 01, 2021

Brandon Duenas of Bright Side of the Sun and Zona Hoops joins the show as he does every Monday to give out grades for the top eight players on the Phoenix Suns' roster. Listen for why Devin Booker is ready to break out, how close Mikal Bridges and Dario Saric came to an A-plus, and how the past two weeks solidified Deandre Ayton's value for the Suns.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14, @AZSportsZone

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Suns respond on second night of back to back, blow out Warriors on national TV Jan 29, 2021

Brendon goes solo to break down the Suns' 114-93 victory over the Warriors, a big-time response by the Suns after their embarrassing loss to Oklahoma City last night. Hear why Monty Williams was so pleased with the performance, then a take on why this game shows that the Suns' offensive scheme isn't the issue, and finally a praise of Mikal Bridges' excellent night on both ends.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14

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Inside the Phoenix Suns' locker room after their worst loss of the season to the Thunder Jan 27, 2021

Brendon goes solo to take you inside the Phoenix Suns' locker room after another troubling loss. Hear Monty Williams call out his team for inconsistency, Chris Paul struggle for words to describe his struggles and the team's, and Jae Crowder's perspective on why this loss falls on the Suns players more than the coaching staff or anything else.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14

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A Twitter/Reddit Mailbag looking at the Booker and CP3 partnership and the NBA trade market Jan 27, 2021

Brendon goes solo to take your questions from Twitter and r/Suns on Reddit about the state of the partnership between Chris Paul and Devin Booker and how to maximize it, as well as the future of the point guard position for the Suns. The show closes with a quick who's who of the point guard crop in the 2021 NBA Draft as well as a look at the state of the NBA trade market right now.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14

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Does TNT's 'Inside the NBA' still matter in 2021 with Yasmin Duale of Basketball News Jan 26, 2021

Yasmin Duale of Basketball News joins the show to discuss the recent controversies surrounding Shaq, Chuck, and the whole 'Inside the NBA' crew, and how the show is seemingly getting more ridiculous to draw attention this season. We also revisit how Draymond Green's fine for telling Devin Booker to ask out of Phoenix was the beginning of this trend and why it keeps happening. But first, Brendon goes solo to preview this week's Suns slate.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14, @carmelohdrama

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Mondays with Zona: How the Suns can get back on track and win games without Devin Booker Jan 25, 2021

Brandon Duenas of Bright Side of the Sun and Zona Hoops joins the show as he does every Monday to break down the Suns' weekend losses to Denver, including their scoring problems in the clutch, the decision-making breakdown between Monty Williams and Chris Paul, and the issues with foul trouble from Mikal Bridges and Deandre Ayton. Then we diagnose how the Suns can still win games without Devin Booker on the floor as he recovers from a strained hammy, including a return to form by Chris Paul and the rejuvenation of the Suns' bench.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14, @AZSportsZone

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The Suns' strong D, the evolution of Devin Booker, and Deandre Ayton's ceiling with Mo Dakhil of The Athletic Jan 22, 2021

Mo Dakhil of The Athletic and Bleacher Report joins the show to give his thoughts on the Suns' strong start to the season and how the role players have led the way. Then we dive into the evolution of Devin Booker, how we will know when Chris Paul is rounding into form, and why this week's game show what the rest of the season and future could hold for Deandre Ayton.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14, @MoDakhil_NBA

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Deandre Ayton leads the way again as the Suns finish out a bounce-back win over Houston Jan 20, 2021

Brendon goes solo to recap the Phoenix Suns' 109-103 road victory over the Rockets, including the stretch in the third quarter that put the Suns up 17 and reaffirmed their defensive ceiling. Then, a deep dive into Deandre Ayton's 26-point, 17-rebound night (plus five blocks) and how he responded to criticism and a sitdown with Devin Booker to be the best player on the floor on Thursday night in Houston.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14

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From the media to behind the scenes with the team, plus biggest Suns surprises with Gina Mizell Jan 20, 2021

Gina Mizell of the Phoenix Suns joins the show to discuss her journey from covering the Suns as the beat reporter for The Athletic to working behind the scenes in the Suns' communications department. We also discuss covering the Suns virtually during the pandemic and give our biggest surprises from this Suns season so far.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14, @ginamizell

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Deandre Ayton returns to form as Suns drop a close game in Memphis Jan 18, 2021

Brendon goes solo to recap the Phoenix Suns' 108-104 loss in Memphis to the Grizzlies in an early-evening MLK Day battle, including the stretch at the end of the quarter in which Ja Morant stole the game from the Suns' clutches. That plus a breakdown of the Crowder/Johnson swap in the starting lineup, Jevon Carter's role in all of it, and the keys to Deandre Ayton's big game.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14

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Mondays with Zona: Suns basketball is back? Plus a deep dive on the Bridges/Ayton discourse Jan 18, 2021

Brandon Duenas of Bright Side of the Sun and Zona Hoops joins the show as he does every Monday to sift through the latest on the Suns' health and safety protocol situation and their scheduled nationally televised game against Memphis on Monday afternoon. Then we dive into the continuing debate over the value of Mikal Bridges/Deandre Ayton and how they both fit into the Suns' core long-term.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14, @AZSportsZone

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Booker's play-making, Saric's maturation and Western Conference All-Stars so far with Sam Cooper of The Timeline Jan 15, 2021

Sam Cooper of The Timeline podcast and Bright Side of the Sun joins to break down Devin Booker's play-making so far this season and why his turnovers have been so high, plus why Dario Saric is suddenly so comfortable on both ends for the Suns. We close the show by sifting through the Western Conference All-Star teams through a month or so of the NBA season.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14, @scooperhoops

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Suns-Hawks postponed plus James Harden trade reactions with Brad Rowland of Locked On Hawks and Dime Jan 14, 2021

Locked On Hawks' Brad Rowland joins the show to debrief on the postponement of the Suns-Hawks game from Wednesday night despite the Suns still showing no positive Covid cases. We discuss whether this is going to be life in the NBA for a while, what could change, and how it could have been avoided. Then, we hit put on our league-wide NBA analyst hats to look at the James Harden trade from every angle.

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How the Suns stack up in the West, what's being missed about the NBA and Covid, and a listener mailbag Jan 13, 2021

Brendon goes solo to zoom out and take a look at how the Phoenix Suns fit into the NBA right now, including why they're lucky to have avoided any problems with the coronavirus so far and how they stack up in a tight Western Conference. Then, two listener questions to close the show looking at potential backup centers on the trade market and Monty Williams' guard rotation so far.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14

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After loss to Washington, a look at why the Suns keep losing winnable games to worse teams Jan 11, 2021

Brendon goes solo to break down the Suns' 128-107 loss in Washington, including the first-quarter stretch the gave the Wizards momentum that they never let up on. Then, a deep dive on why the Suns keep losing to inferior teams, including their reliance on threes and the bench, plus how Devin Booker and Chris Paul have been less efficient than usual as scorers so far this season.

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Mondays with Zona: A statement win over Indiana, the growth of Bridges and Johnson, and do the Suns have a size problem? Jan 11, 2021

Brandon Duenas of Bright Side of the Sun and Zona Hoops joins the show as he does every Monday to break down a big Suns win over the Pacers on Saturday night. Then, we dive into the development of Cam Johnson and Mikal Bridges as well as what we saw regarding the Suns' size in the weekend back-to-back, and what they can do to get the most out of their front court now and as we head toward the NBA playoffs.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14, @AZSportsZone

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A check-in on Deandre Ayton in his third season with John Voita of Bright Side of the Sun Jan 08, 2021

John Voita of Bright Side of the Sun and the Suns JAM Session podcast joins the show to break down how Deandre Ayton has started his third NBA season. We get into his improved awareness, versatility and execution on defense as well as his methodical play on offense and what he can do to get better as the Suns make a playoff push. Then we close the show by discussing where Ayton fits in an increasingly perimeter-oriented NBA and whether he can become an All-Star type player by the time he's up for a max extension next summer.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14

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The Suns keep it rolling with a home win over the Raptors Jan 07, 2021

Brendon goes solo to break down the Suns' 123-115 win over the Raptors at home, including the more aggressive and efficient Devin Booker we've seen lately, how Jae Crowder got involved in the offense to score a season-high 21 points, and what it will take Mikal Bridges to maintain consistent offensive impact this season.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14

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Why these Phoenix Suns are legit with Nekias Duncan of Basketball News Jan 06, 2021

Basketball News' Nekias Duncan joins the show to discuss his recent piece on the Phoenix Suns' 5-2 start and all the areas they've excelled so far. We discuss the defense hitting the ground running, Mikal Bridges looking like maybe the best wing defender in the NBA, and how Chris Paul and Devin Booker are building chemistry. We close the show by looking at whether the Suns' ultimate ceiling in the Western Conference has increased since the start of the season.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14

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Can the Phoenix Suns really be a top-10 offense and top-10 defense in the NBA this season? Jan 05, 2021

Brendon goes solo to sift through what he was right and wrong about heading into this season for the Phoenix Suns, then breaks down how the Suns have succeeded on both offense and defense through seven games before answering the question of if the Suns can truly finish in the NBA's top 10 on both sides of the ball, which is typically the mark of a championship-contending team.

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Mondays with Zona: Observations from the Suns going 2-1 against Utah, Denver and the Clippers Jan 04, 2021

Brandon Duenas of Zona Hoops and Bright Side of the Sun joins for his first weekly show to break down the Phoenix Suns' weekend matchups with three top Western Conference teams. We dive into what went wrong against Paul George and the Clippers before rifling through some big-picture takeaways from this stretch, including Deandre Ayton coming alive on both ends, a more aggressive Chris Paul and his balance with Devin Booker, and finally how the Suns' defense has been so good already.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14, @AZSportsZone

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Bonus episode: Remembering Paul Westphal with Bob Young of the Arizona Republic Jan 02, 2021

Bob Young of the Arizona Republic and The Athletic Phoenix joins the show to remember and honor Paul Westphal, in many ways one of the most important figures in Phoenix Suns history, who died on Saturday after a short battle with brain cancer.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14, @BobYoungTHI

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The state of Phoenix Suns fandom heading into 2021 with Espo and John Voita Dec 31, 2020

Greg Esposito of the Suns Solar Panel podcast and John Voita of Bright Side of the Sun join the show for a debrief on what it's like to be a Phoenix Suns fan as we approach 2021. We discuss heightened expectations, the needed reprieve of the NBA during this mess of a year, how we'll remember the Bubble run, and more. Before that, Brendon looks back on his own 2020 and gives a special announcement about the show getting even better next season.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14, @Espo, @DarthVoita

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Suns move to 3-1 after a blowout win over the Pelicans plus what it's like covering a Suns game right now Dec 30, 2020

A recap of yet another big Phoenix Suns win, this time over Zion and the Pelicans on TNT. Listen for details on the Suns' big second-quarter run, why the rebounding improved the past two games, and audio from Jae Crowder on why the Suns' offense is so hard to defend at its peak. Then, something a little bit new as Brendon takes you inside Phoenix Suns arena during the 2020-21 season with all the new protocols and peculiarities of pandemic basketball.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14

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A Twitter/Reddit mailbag looking at Deandre Ayton, Mikal Bridges and the Phoenix Suns' season so far Dec 29, 2020

Brendon answers a ton of great questions from Phoenix Suns fans on Twitter and r/Suns on Reddit looking at all sides of the Suns' 2-1 start: how Deandre Ayton fits into the offense, Cam Johnson's development, whether Mikal Bridges is already the third-best player on the Suns' roster, and the present and future of the point guard position in the Valley.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14

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The Suns show how high their floor is during a weekend back-to-back in Sacramento Dec 27, 2020

Brendon goes solo to break down a whirlwind weekend for the Phoenix Suns, which included a narrow loss on Saturday night before a blowout win on Sunday that showed how good the Suns' offense can be. Listen for how the Suns failed to execute in crunch time on Saturday, the impact Frank Kaminsky had on the team, and how Cameron Payne emerged as the most reliable guard on the team so far. Plus, audio straight from Devin Booker's postgame Zoom call on how he was able to cut back his turnovers.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14

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A statement win for the Phoenix Suns over Luka's Mavs to open the season Dec 24, 2020

Brendon goes solo after a long night covering the Phoenix Suns' opener in-person in downtown Phoenix to recap the Suns' 106-102 victory over Dallas. Hear how the Suns stopped Luka Doncic; why Cam Payne and Langston Galloway stepping up is so big for the Suns; and how Devin Booker and Chris Paul took the game home in crunch time. Then, some new recurring segments for recap shows, including "Bridges Breakout Watch" and "How Many Free Throws Did Deandre Ayton Take Tonight?"

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14

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An interview with Phoenix Suns forward Cameron Johnson Dec 23, 2020

Phoenix Suns forward Cameron Johnson joins the show to discuss how he uses his NBA Draft slot as motivation, how the Suns' 8-0 run in the Bubble helped build the team's culture, his relationship with Mikal Bridges, why he already looks to Chris Paul for advice, which shooters he models his game after in the NBA, and what's next for him in his second NBA season.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14

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Western Conference tiers breakdown (Part Two) with Jackson Frank of Dime Mag and The Step Back Dec 22, 2020

In part two of our Western Conference preview, hoops writer extraordinaire Jackson Frank joins the show to break down the entire Western Conference standings. See who could break into the West playoff picture to join the Phoenix Suns, including the Sacramento Kings and San Antonio Spurs. But first, Brendon breaks down Monday's NBA extension deadline and why OG Anunoby set the benchmark for Mikal Bridges' second contract.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14, @jackfrank_jjf

Listen to part one here.

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Mega Western Conference tiers breakdown (Part One) with Jackson Frank of Dime Mag and The Step Back Dec 21, 2020

In part one of our Western Conference preview, hoops writer extraordinaire Jackson Frank joins the show to break down the entire Western Conference standings. See which tier the Phoenix Suns land in, where they rank in the NBA playoff picture, and why defense is key to whether they get homecourt in the first round or fall below teams like Denver, Utah and Portland.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14

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The state of the NBA superstar and Chris Paul's impact on the Phoenix Suns with Rohan Nadkarni of Sports Illustrated Dec 18, 2020

Sports Illustrated's Rohan Nadkarni joins the show to talk about where things stand with NBA superstars in 2021 and how teams can keep them happy. Then we discuss whether James Jones and the Phoenix Suns can replicate "Heat Culture in the Valley. We close the show with Rohan's big-picture thoughts on the Suns in 2021, including the impact Chris Paul can have on culture, how nobody in the Suns' rotation can get played off the floor in the NBA playoffs, and how good the Suns' young core can be right away alongside Paul.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14, @RohanNadkarni

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How the Phoenix Suns can overcome their 0-3 preseason start Dec 16, 2020

Brendon hits the Locker Room app postgame to take listener questions and recap the Phoenix Suns' 112-107 loss to the Lakers in preseason game number three. We discuss the backup guard woes and whether Cameron Payne or E'Twaun Moore can be the answer in the second unit or whether the return of Dario Saric to the lineup can be the solution that unit needs for the Suns. We also talk about Devin Booker's passing and whether staggering he and Chris Paul in the rotation can help fix things across all 48 minutes.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14

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Will Devin Booker be a top-10 NBA player in 2025 and a Suns season preview with Ricky O'Donnell of SB Nation Dec 16, 2020

Ricky O'Donnell of SB Nation joins the show to discuss the latest futures draft from the old SBN crew looking at the top 25 NBA players in the year 2025. We talk about our lessons from the exercise; why Booker fell to number 14; whether Deandre Ayton was a consideration; and how Booker can improve his status by the time 2025 rolls around. We close with a conversation about why the Chris Paul trade pushes the Suns into contention for a top-four seed out West and why it's a great time to be a Suns fan!

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14, @SBN_Ricky

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Takeaways from the Suns' second preseason game with Dave King of Bright Side of the Sun Dec 14, 2020

Dave King of Bright Side of the Sun and the Suns Solar Panel podcast joins the show to dissect the Phoenix Suns' second preseason game, a 111-92 rout at the hands of the Utah Jazz in Chris Paul's debut. We break down Paul feeding Deandre Ayton; the Suns' low assist numbers; Devin Booker's aggressive start; how comfortable Jalen Smith already looks; and whether Langston Galloway has improved his spot in the rotation after two strong games.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14, @DaveKingNBA

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No need to worry about Chris Paul's health yet plus more takeaways from the Suns' first preseason game Dec 14, 2020

Brendon goes solo to break down Chris Paul missing the first preseason game and why it's just par for the course. Then more on Paul's health regimen with the Phoenix Suns this season based on his recent comments in an interview. Finally, takeaways from the Suns' loss to the Utah Jazz in the first preseason game of the year, including Cam Payne's rough night, Cam Johnson's hesitancy as a shooter, and shoddy perimeter defense from the Suns overall.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14

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Would Devin Booker ever pull a James Harden plus previewing the first Suns preseason game with Corban Ford of Hoop-Ball Dec 11, 2020

Corban Ford of Hoop-Ball's NBA Today podcast joins the show to discuss the latest James Harden craziness in the context of NBA stars asking out and whether Devin Booker would ever do something similar. Then, we break down what to watch for in the Suns' first game of the preseason against the Utah Jazz.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14, @corbannba

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The return of Jae Crowder plus starting the Devin Booker MVP conversation Dec 10, 2020

Brendon goes solo to take you inside Jae Crowder's first press conference with the Phoenix Suns, then discusses why Devin Booker is finally getting more acknowledgment around the NBA, whether Booker could earn MVP votes in 2021, and who the best player in the league is who has not shot at winning MVP next season.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14

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Dreaming up Suns lineups with Brandon of AZ Sports Zone and Bright Side of the Sun Dec 09, 2020

Brandon Duenas, aka Zona Sports of AZ Sports Zone and Bright Side of the Sun, joins the show to break down some of the most fun Suns lineups for the 2020-2021 season. We explore the potential for the starting lineup; what changes between Cam Johnson and Jae Crowder playing with that unit; how the Suns could stagger Chris Paul and Devin Booker; how much Jalen Smith might play; and why it's so important to have buy-in from bench guys like Dario Saric, Jevon Carter and E'Twaun Moore.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14, @AZSportsZone

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The latest on Jae Crowder plus what we know so far about the Suns' rotation Dec 08, 2020

Brendon goes solo to break down the latest from Phoenix Suns training camp, including what's going on with Jae Crowder, who is seemingly not at camp right now. Then, more on Cam Payne's role on the team plus what the on-court partnership between Chris Paul and Devin Booker will look like and how it could affect the rotation and style the Suns deploy this season.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14

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Why the Warriors keep targeting Suns players with Connor Letourneau of The San Francisco Chronicle Dec 07, 2020

Warriors beat reporter Connor Letourneau of The San Francisco Chronicle joins the show to discuss a story he wrote this week about why the Warriors have made a habit of targeting ex-Suns players in recent seasons. We discuss Kelly Oubre Jr.'s comments about making a home in Golden State, why Marquese Chriss excelled for the Warriors last season, and whether the connections between the two franchises played a part in the acquisitions.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14, @Con_Chron

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Takeaways from Suns media week and training camp preview with Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic Dec 04, 2020

Duane Rankin, the Suns beat writer for The Arizona Republic and azcentral, joins the show to recap the virtual press conferences from Suns media week, including why the Suns made the deal for Chris Paul and whether they're ready to win. We close the show talking about what Monty Williams the Suns have on their hands during training camp and preseason to get ready for the 2020-21 NBA season.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14, @DuaneRankin

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Inside Chris Paul's first press conference as Phoenix Suns point guard Dec 03, 2020

Brendon goes solo to take you inside Phoenix Suns media week as Chris Paul gave his first interview as a member of Suns point guard. Hear about Paul's leadership style and why he's excited about joining the Suns as well as what Cam Johnson makes of the trade and the heightened expectations in Phoenix.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14

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More quotes from media week and is the perception of the Suns changing with Mike Vigil of The Timeline podcast Dec 02, 2020

Mike Vigil of The Timeline podcast joins the show to break down the latest quotes from Monty Williams and Mikal Bridges as Phoenix Suns media week continues, plus what to make of Jae Crowder saying on local radio that he took less money to come to Phoenix. Finally, we discuss whether the perception of the Phoenix Suns is finally changing around the NBA.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14, @protectedpick

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What the Chris Paul trade can tell us about the Phoenix Suns going forward with Robby Kalland of Uproxx Dec 01, 2020

Uproxx senior sports writer Robby Kalland joins the show to discuss his recent piece on the Phoenix Suns and how trading for Chris Paul serves to cement the team's identity. We chat about why now was the right time for the Suns to go for it and all the ways Paul will help the team. First, Brendon goes solo to take you inside James Jones' press conference on Monday morning.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14, @RKalland

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What Chris Paul brings to the Phoenix Suns with Olivia Panchal of Daily Thunder Nov 30, 2020

Daily Thunder senior writer Olivia Panchal joins the show to explain how Chris Paul returned to his All-NBA form with Oklahoma City in 2020 and what lessons the Phoenix Suns can learn from his season with the Thunder as the Suns look toward their own NBA playoff run in 2021.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14, @OliviaPanchal

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Holiday weekend mailbag: How Devin Booker could improve in 2021 plus the Suns' rotation and team identity Nov 27, 2020

Your Twitter questions are answered once again as Brendon goes solo to break down what Devin Booker can do to get even better in 2020-21 as well as project the Suns' rotation this season, whether the new depth poses any challenges for Monty Williams, and what the team's overall identity and culture can be moving forward.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14

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The future of activism in the NBA and the Suns' ceiling on offense and defense with Michael Pina of GQ Nov 25, 2020

First, Brendon goes solo to give his thoughts on the controversy regarding Kelly Oubre Jr. and his comments about Suns' ownership and the locker room. Then, Michael Pina of GQ and FiveThirtyEight joins the show to discuss his recent profile of Jaylen Brown and the future of activism in the NBA, as well as the Suns' additions this offseason and where they figure to finish offensively and defensively this season.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14, @MichaelVPina

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Dario Saric's new contract, a breakdown of the Suns' rotation, and are the Suns a playoff lock with Gerald Bourguet of FanSided Nov 24, 2020

Gerald Bourguet of FanSided joins the show to evaluate Dario Saric's new, three-year contract and his place on the Phoenix Suns going forward, as well as break down the entire Suns rotation and sort through the Western Conference to determine if the Suns are a lock for the NBA playoffs in 2021.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14, @BourguetGerald

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The good and bad of the Jae Crowder signing, why paying Jevon Carter makes sense, plus a mailbag on what comes next for the Suns Nov 23, 2020

Brendon goes solo to explain why the Jae Crowder signing was a good one for the Suns, why keeping Jevon Carter was always likely, whether the end-of-bench additions will make a difference, and what comes next with Dario Saric and the final few roster spots. Then, some mailbag questions from Twitter to close the show!

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14

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Next-day thoughts on the Jalen Smith pick, getting excited about the Chris Paul fit, and free agency preview with Nekias Duncan of Basketball News Nov 20, 2020

Nekias Duncan of Basketball News joins the show to discuss what the Jalen Smith pick means for the Phoenix Suns this season and in the future and why the Suns weren't one of his losers in the 2020 NBA Draft. Then we get excited all over again about Chris Paul's fit in Phoenix and preview NBA free agency, including how the Suns should use their exceptions on the open market.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14, @NekiasNBA

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Reactions to the Suns' Jalen Smith pick and a surprising NBA Draft with AZ Sports Zone Nov 19, 2020

Brandon from AZ Sports Zone joins the show to help recap the 2020 NBA Draft, specifically the Phoenix Suns' surprising selection of Jalen Smith, the sophomore big man out of Maryland, at No. 10 overall. Why they made the pick, how Smith fits on the floor, what it means about the team's identity going forward, and what they gave up picking Smith over other guys available.

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The best-case scenarios for the Phoenix Suns on draft night Nov 18, 2020

Now that the Chris Paul trade is complete and one crazy night in the NBA is in the rearview mirror, the Phoenix Suns turn their attention to the NBA Draft. Brendon goes solo to break down all the latest rumors about the top 10, including how the Suns could walk away with promising young wing Devin Vassell. To close out the show, a few draft-night trades that could give the Suns more veteran talent, including the potential return of one fan favorite to Phoenix.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14

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Six lingering questions from the Chris Paul trade with Kellan Olson of Arizona Sports Nov 17, 2020

Kellan Olson of Arizona Sports joins the show to talk about how the Chris Paul trade changes what the Phoenix Suns might do this week in the NBA Draft and free agency, whether to worry about losing cap space or Paul's health, and how Paul will fit in as the Suns continue to build a culture.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14, @KellanOlson

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Jackson Frank returns to talk Tyrell Terry, the latest LaMelo Ball and Obi Toppin rumors, and more Nov 16, 2020

Draft week is finally here! Frequent guest Jackson Frank of Dime Mag, Liberty Ballers and The Athletic joins the show to discuss his wonderful Tyrell Terry profile, the latest NBA Draft buzz, and who the Phoenix Suns might target at No. 25 if they make a pick swap with the Thunder in the Chris Paul trade.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14, @jackfrank_jjf

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Instant reaction to Chris Paul being traded to the Phoenix Suns Nov 16, 2020

Brendon breaks down the trade sending Chris Paul and Abdel Nader to the Suns in exchange for Ricky Rubio, Kelly Oubre Jr., Ty Jerome, Jalen Lecque and a 2022 first-round pick.

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Mega offseason preview and Chris Paul trade breakdown with David Nash Nov 13, 2020

Cap guru and onetime Suns podcaster David Nash joins the show to break down all the Suns' options in free agency this year, from creating huge cap space to various trades to operating over the cap. Then we break down all the different options relating to a potential Chris Paul trade, including whether it's worth giving up future cap space for an aging star point guard.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14, @theivpointplay

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Everything you need to know about a possible Chris Paul trade for the Suns Nov 12, 2020

Brendon goes solo to get you up to date on everything having to do with the latest reports connecting Chris Paul to the Phoenix Suns. Listen for the salary cap options, why Paul fits so well in Phoenix, and what else would be possible for the Suns even after they trade for Paul.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14

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Crossover special with Warriors beat writer Wes Goldberg plus THE NBA IS BACK! Nov 11, 2020

First, Brendon breaks down what the NBA return agreement means for the Suns. Then, Wes Goldberg of Locked On Warriors and The Bay Area News Group breaks down the Warriors' strategy in the 2020 NBA Draft, whether the Suns could be a trade partner on draft night, and all the possibilities for Kelly Oubre or Ricky Rubio to fit into Golden State's big traded player exception.

(This episode was recorded before the Chris Paul rumors broke, but keep your eyes peeled on your feed for a special episode if the trade goes through!)

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14, @wcgoldberg

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AZ Sports Zone on the latest Kira Lewis Jr. buzz and trade options for the Suns on draft night Nov 10, 2020

Brandon from AZ Sports Zone and Bright Side of the Sun joins to decipher the latest draft rumors linking the Suns to Alabama guard Kira Lewis Jr. ahead of next week’s NBA Draft. Then, we run through a few trade options involving the 10th overall pick in the draft as well as Kelly Oubre Jr.’s contract to see how aggressive the Suns could realistically be on draft night.

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What the we learned about the Suns in the Bubble and what it means for the offseason with The Athletic's Travonne Edwards Nov 09, 2020

Travonne Edwards of The Athletic joins the show as Brendon takes back over as co-host and they run through the Suns' performance in the NBA Bubble and what it means for the Suns as they prepare for the NBA Draft and free agency with hopes of helping Devin Booker to his first playoff berth.

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Twitter mailbag previewing an important Suns offseason Oct 22, 2020

On today's episode, Evan answers all of your twitter questions for our latest mailbag via @LockedOnPHXSuns. Whether it be trade scenarios, draft options, or free agency, all of them go under the microscope.

This is a jam-packed podcast, so stay tuned for all of Evan's insight related to what he thinks the Suns could do in this very important offseason. What moves can take Phoenix into the playoffs for the first time in 11 years?

Locked On Suns is locked and loaded as we approach the draft and free agency. Top-notch guests and analysis is on its way throughout the rest of the offseason period!

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Jerami Grant vs. Kelly Oubre, Deandre Ayton's important Year 3, plus the two most Suns-like draft prospects with David Nash Oct 16, 2020

On today's episode, as we return to podcasting action after a quick hiatus, Evan is joined by David Nash to go over all the latest Suns-related news and hot topics.

First up, Jerami Grant and Kelly Oubre Jr. Shams Charania reported on Thursday the Suns are one of three teams expected to pursue Grant if he hits unrestricted free agency. Is Grant worth it over Oubre from the Suns' perspective? Grant's lower usage role could help Deandre Ayton's development, but could Oubre actually tap into this himself in 2021?

Speaking of Ayton, an important Year 3 is upcoming for the big fella. Where does Ayton stand in the NBA in terms of centers and overall value right now? A max contract decision is right around the corner, so what should happen next season for that to be a for sure guarantee?

Closing out the show, Evan and David discuss the two 2020 draft prospects who check all the Suns' boxes. TCU's Desmond Bane and Florida State's Devin Vassell would be amazing fits in Phoenix. We explain how so, and why Bane could actually be this year's Cam Johnson.

All of this, plus so much more, in a jam-packed episode!

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Discussing Davis Bertans, Patrick Williams, and big trade scenarios with Zona Sports Sep 15, 2020

On today's episode, Evan is joined by @AZSportsZone to go over the latest Suns-related notes in the thick of their offseason.

First up, Davis Bertans. According to NBC Sports Washington, the Phoenix Suns are expected to pursue Bertans in free agency. However, is it worth it? Could Cam Johnson be a better version of Bertans long-term?

Patrick Williams, the Florida State wing/big, is generating lottery buzz. Could he make sense in Phoenix? We go over how Williams' versatile, high IQ playing style could really fit well with the Suns. However, is GM James Jones willing to roll the dice on a younger prospect?

Finally, we go over two maybe unrealistic trade scenarios. There's a lot of dots connecting Chris Paul, but does it even make sense for Phoenix to pursue? Also, for fun, how about Giannis Antetokounmpo and Devin Booker eventually pairing up?

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2020 NBA Draft Big Board Deep Dive Sep 04, 2020

On today's episode, Evan is back to unveil his lottery big board as we go 1-14 with in-depth analysis. This year's draft class lacks star talent, but there's plenty of prospects who could fit as long-term role players on the next level.

Who fits the best in Phoenix? Four players stand out from the rest, but others you should keep your eye on if they're still on the board at No. 10 overall.

You won't want to miss this one, Suns fans! Evan pulls out all the stops giving you his thoughts in a thorough scouting report.

Stay tuned, because Locked On Suns is now back M-F beginning next week! There's no offseason here on Locked On Suns!

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Suns reportedly preparing to pursue Fred VanVleet in free agency Aug 25, 2020

On today's episode, Evan and Brandon react to the news from Shams Charania revolving around Fred VanVleet. The Phoenix Suns are one of three teams preparing to chase him in free agency. What does this mean for the Suns' roster if this actually comes to fruition?

VanVleet is exactly what you want to put next to Devin Booker thanks to his shooting, defense, and playmaking versatility. However, will Phoenix have enough cash to reel FVV in? There's two scenarios the Suns can choose to make it happen.

Option A = Renouncing all of their free agents; Option B = Trading Kelly Oubre Jr. Which route makes more sense for Phoenix? The answer may surprise you.

Will Phoenix be in a playoff team if they add VanVleet? One thing is for sure: FVV, Booker, and Ricky Rubio soaking up all of their guard minutes would be one of the best in the NBA. It also helps that VanVleet fits right into this core's age timeline.

All of this, plus so much more, as FVV and his fit with the Suns goes under the microscope from all angles!

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Evaluating the Suns' core with Dave DuFour of The Athletic Aug 21, 2020

On today's episode, Evan is joined by Dave DuFour of The Athletic to go over the Phoenix Suns' 2019-20 season while also analyzing their intriguing young core. Monty Williams brought much-needed culture building to the table, plus many improvements across the board from multiple players.

Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton, Ricky Rubio, Kelly Oubre Jr., Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, and Dario Saric all go under the microscope as Dave offers up his analysis on all of them. Hint: He loves what Phoenix is putting together right now from a roster building perspective.

Closing out the show, we discuss whether the Suns should run it back with this roster next season. What's the most important need in their rotation? Also, should mid-40s be the realistic expectation for next season's win total?

This episode is a must-listen, Suns fans. Dave dropped some knowledge as he's bullish on what the Suns could become very soon in the Western Conference.

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Suns land No. 10 pick in 2020 NBA Draft Lottery Aug 21, 2020

On today's episode, Evan and Brandon (@AZSportsZone) provide their instant reaction to the Phoenix Suns landing the No. 10 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft Lottery. The highest probability ended up happening for Phoenix, but there's still plenty of possibilities that should intrigue the front office.

Suns GM James Jones spoke to the media right after and provided some thoughts on what Phoenix could do with their pick. From all indications, it sounds like Phoenix will keep their pick and add a prospect to this improving roster. Jones also went into detail on what they look for in draft prospects, which provides a guide to who to watch over the next few months.

Players such as Killian Hayes, Devin Vassell, Tyrese Haliburton, and Kira Lewis Jr. are the obvious candidates to watch at No. 10. However, could Jones surprise once more? Watch out for Aaron Nesmith and Grant Riller as dark horse candidates.

All of this, plus so much more, as the offseason has officially begun for the Suns!

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Post-Bubble Mailbag with Gerald Bourguet Aug 19, 2020

On today's episode, Evan is joined by Gerald Bourguet of FanSided to answer all of our listener questions via Twitter and Reddit.

From the biggest bubble takeaways to offseason acquisition scenarios, lots of intriguing topics tackled in our latest listener mailbag! How important is Year 3 for Deandre Ayton? Is Ty Jerome already off the roster? How about some more Kelly Oubre Jr. trade scenarios?

Speaking of Oubre, Gerald believes Oubre should be on next year's roster whether he embraces a bench role or not. In today's NBA, you can never have enough wings. Also, as we all know, Oubre's energy is the heart and soul of this team. Why not run it back and see what happens?

The bubble run, draft, free agency, trades, player assessments, and so much more! This is a jam-packed mailbag you won't want to miss, Suns fans!

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NBA Draft Lottery Preview with Zach Milner of The Stepien Aug 18, 2020

On today's episode, Evan is joined by The Stepien's Zach Milner to help preview Thursday's NBA Draft Lottery. With the Suns narrowly missing a playoff opportunity, will the ping pong balls be on their side this year?

Evan and Zach go over their five best fits for the Suns in this year's draft class, based off the range where they're expected to select (No. 10 overall). All of the following prospects go under our microscope: Killian Hayes, Devin Vassell, Tyrese Haliburton, Isaac Okoro, and Kira Lewis.

Hayes and Vassell top the list of home run outcomes for Phoenix, but why is that? Also, what are the strengths, weaknesses, and the overall fit in the Suns' system for all five of these players?

All of this, plus so much more, in a NBA Draft Lottery preview deep dive helping you prepare for another important day for the Suns' offseason!

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Suns finish 8-0 with blowout win over Dallas, but their season is over in heartbreaking fashion Aug 14, 2020

On today's episode, Evan is joined by Brandon (@AZSportsZone) to react to an eventual final day of Phoenix Suns basketball.

Even though Phoenix defeated Dallas 128-102 to go 8-0 inside the Orlando bubble, they unfortunately will not make the play-in game for a playoff opportunity. Damian Lillard and the Trail Blazers upended the Brooklyn Nets 134-133, plus the Bucks' reserves lost earlier in the day to Memphis.

We react to all the chaos, then dive into arguably the Suns' best game of the bubble. In dominant fashion, Phoenix controlled Dallas throughout. Devin Booker, Dario Saric, Cameron Payne, Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson, and Jevon Carter all deserved shoutouts in this one.

Closing out the show, we look ahead to the first offseason mark for Phoenix. The 2020 NBA Draft Lottery is exactly one week away.

Buckle up, Suns fans, and this momentum will hopefully carry over into the 2020-21 season for basketball in the Valley.

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Analyzing the 7-0 bubble Suns with Jackson Frank Aug 12, 2020

On today's episode, Jackson Frank of The Step Back and UPROXX joined Evan to discuss the hottest team in the NBA right now. That's right, it's the Phoenix Suns.

After another win to move to 7-0 in the bubble over Philadelphia, Jackson stopped by to analyze Phoenix as a whole throughout this whole process. From the Johnson/Bridges duo to Devin Booker and Cameron Payne, all parts of the rotation go under the microscope.

How important are these games to Phoenix's future? It could set them up for a big leap next season thanks to strong momentum.

Everyone wants to see Devin Booker vs. Damian Lillard in the play-in game. Question is, will the Suns get the help they need from either Milwaukee or Brooklyn on Thursday?

Tune in for a jam-packed episode, Suns fans!

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The Phoenix Suns are unstoppable inside the Orlando bubble Aug 11, 2020

On today's episode, Evan and Max go over how the Phoenix Suns are now unstoppable. No, really, we're serious.

After two more wins over the Miami Heat and OKC Thunder, can anybody stop this team right now? Moving to 6-0 in Orlando, Phoenix is now within striking distance of miraculously making the play-in game.

From Devin Booker taking the true superstar leap, to the bench coming alive thanks to three key players, everything is going right for this team right now.

Also, how about the Cam Johnson + Mikal Bridges wing duo? It's coming together as a long-term fixture alongside Deandre Ayton.

All of this, plus so much more, as Evan and Max go deep into the Suns' incredible stretch!

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Suns continue miracle bubble run winning by double-digits over Pacers, 114-99 Aug 07, 2020

On today's episode, Evan and Brandon (@AZSportsZone) recap the Suns' 114-99 victory over the Indiana Pacers.

In a game filled with runs, which included a 17-0 and 21-0 run by Phoenix at two separate points, the Suns finished on top comfortably at the end. Thanks to great outings from Deandre Ayton and Devin Booker, Phoenix is halfway through the bubble regular season undefeated.

However, Phoenix doesn't win this game without Cam Payne and Dario Saric. They were the ones who ignited Phoenix to their crucial run in the third quarter, which propelled the momentum back after Booker went into huge foul trouble.

Don't forget about Cameron Johnson and Mikal Bridges either. Both of these young wings did their part today, including Johnson being an insane plus-36 in the plus-minus category. Are these two the future in the frontcourt alongside Ayton?

Closing out the show, we go over some key stats and reminisce on how crazy this run has been for Phoenix thus far.

Watch out, NBA, the Phoenix Suns are back from this hiatus with a vengeance.

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Previewing Suns vs. Pacers with Tony East of Locked On Pacers Aug 05, 2020

On today's episode, Evan Sidery and Tony East go in-depth on the Suns vs. Pacers matchup. From T.J. Warren and Devin Booker's hot streaks to which individual matchups could be on tap, lots to go over from both sides.

For Indiana, they have embraced small-ball with no Domantas Sabonis. Warren has lit up Orlando scoreboards, but will he be able to do it again versus Mikal Bridges? Also, how has Victor Oladipo looked in the bubble thus far?

The Suns have been the talk of Orlando, but the win-now mentality must carry on. Booker has been incredible, but don't discount the importance of Ricky Rubio. Also, is Bridges going to be an All-NBA Defender in 2020-21?

Closing out the show, Evan and Tony provide their keys to the game and predictions. Who will exit this matchup still undefeated? Get ready for the action with this awesome crossover special!

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Devin Booker and Suns shock the Clippers on buzzer-beater, 117-115 Aug 05, 2020

On today's episode, the Suns' magical run in the Orlando bubble continues on as they pull off the upset over the Los Angeles Clippers. Thanks to Devin Booker's incredible buzzer-beater over Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, the 8-0 playoff run is still on the table.

Speaking of Booker, he was on fire throughout scoring 35 points and adding 8 assists. Also, solid efforts from the likes of Ricky Rubio, Cameron Payne, Dario Saric, Deandre Ayton, and Mikal Bridges were pivotal to Phoenix shocking the NBA world once more.

The Suns' offense right now is on a historic efficiency streak. Will it continue on when they face Indiana on Thursday?

Max and Evan close the show laying out the scenarios for how Phoenix can sneak into the play-in game for the No. 8 seed. Portland and New Orleans are the teams standing in the Suns' way right now, but don't count out Booker from continuing his heroics.

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Suns stun Mavericks in comeback win + Biggest takeaways in Orlando so far with The Stepien's Zach Milner Aug 03, 2020

On today's episode, Evan is joined by The Stepien's Zach Milner to recap the Suns' most thrilling win of the season over Dallas. Pulling off the 117-115 comeback victory, how did Phoenix do it? From Cam Johnson, Ricky Rubio, Devin Booker, and the bench mob, so many pieces went into making this happen.

Zach, who was high on Johnson during the pre-draft process, believes he's found a home in the Suns' starting lineup as their stretch 4.

The Suns survived a worst-case scenario game from Deandre Ayton, but the ref calls were very questionable leaning heavily in the Mavs' favor.

When the Suns' offense is firing on all cylinders, they are so hard to stop. Will this momentum continue for them heading into their matchup versus the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday afternoon?

Closing out the show, Zach provides his biggest takeaways so far in the Orlando bubble for Phoenix.

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Suns defeat Wizards in Orlando bubble opener, 125-112 Aug 01, 2020

On today's episode, Evan and David Nash recap the Suns' official Orlando bubble regular season opener against the Washington Wizards. Phoenix won 125-112 over Washington in a high-scoring shootout with many positive takeaways.

Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton led the way, but underrated performances as well from Dario Saric, Cameron Johnson, and Cameron Payne. Also, the bench unit held up well after some worrisome minutes in scrimmage action.

What were our negatives? Not many to parse through, but a change in the rotation could be coming soon.

Closing out with our stats to watch, an efficient offense usually leads to a Suns victory. That was the case once more in this outing.

All of this, plus so much more, as the Phoenix Suns start 1-0 in the Orlando bubble.

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The Mikal Bridges breakout + Twitter/Reddit mailbag with Kellan Olson Jul 30, 2020

On today's episode, Arizona Sports' Kellan Olson joins the show to go over all the latest Suns topics. From Mikal Bridges' ascension to Phoenix suddenly selling the NAZ Suns, all the bases are covered in this one.

First up, Mikal Bridges looks like a legit breakout candidate in the Orlando bubble. What did he show us through three scrimmage games, and what should be the expectations for him moving forward? Is Bridges making the decision on Kelly Oubre Jr. easier?

All of our listener questions via Twitter and r/Suns go under the microscope. Evan and Kellan analyze plenty of topics around Oubre, Ty Jerome, offseason scenarios, plus so much more!

You won't want to miss out on this jam-packed, nearly hour-long episode leading into Suns basketball finally returning!

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Suns vs. Celtics scrimmage thoughts with Zona Sports Jul 27, 2020

On today's episode, Evan is joined by Brandon (Zona Sports) to discuss the Suns' loss against Boston in their second Orlando bubble scrimmage.

Mikal Bridges continues to shine, previewing a huge leap soon. Also, Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton handled themselves well once more.

Dario Saric was playing very well until he tweaked his ankle, again showing a better feel offensively. Is Saric in the Suns' plans next season?

Ricky Rubio returned from coronavirus and displayed why he's such a vital piece to their offense, as it relates to ball movement.

On the negative side, Ty Jerome and Frank Kaminsky were net-negatives. This is a huge offseason upcoming for Jerome to prove his worth to the front office.

All of this, plus so much more, as we go over Phoenix's scrimmage from all angles!

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Biggest takeaways from Suns vs. Jazz scrimmage Jul 24, 2020

On today's episode, Evan is joined by Gerald Bourguet of FanSided to analyze some Suns action! For the first time since early March, the Phoenix Suns were back in action against the Utah Jazz for the first of three Orlando bubble scrimmages.

In a Suns blowout victory, there were plenty of positives we broke down along with our biggest takeaways. From Mikal Bridges' aggressiveness to Deandre Ayton finally exploring his three-point range, plenty to parse through in this one.

All of the following players were put under the microscope: Bridges, Ayton, Devin Booker, Ty Jerome, Cameron Payne, Dario Saric, and Cameron Johnson. Also, head coach Monty Williams had this team very well prepared on both sides of the court against a scrappy Utah squad.

Our usual game recap formats will return once regular season action resumes next week, but, in the meantime, enjoy some live Suns basketball analysis for the first time in months!

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Why the Booker, Ayton, Rubio trio works so well with David Nash Jul 22, 2020

On today's episode, David Nash returns as Evan parses through his first newsletter piece. Mainly, Evan and David go over how the Suns' newfound trio of Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton, and Ricky Rubio does so well together. Whether it be the eye test or advanced metrics, there's no doubting this 3-man lineup is the bread and butter for Phoenix's improvements.

Finally having stability at the point guard spot has led to Booker and Ayton seeing their own looks found in easier ways. It shows in Booker's career-high true shooting percentage plus the chemistry on lobs between Ayton and Rubio.

What have Ayton's improvements on the margins looked like? Setting screens goes under the radar, but Ayton has seen big growth there thanks to Aron Baynes.

If the Suns want to take the leap forward next year, this trio will need to be firing on all cylinders once more.

Closing out the show, Evan and David go over some pre-Orlando notes featuring Cam Johnson and Dario Saric.

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Lottery Mock Draft with Jackson Frank and Ben Pfeifer Jul 20, 2020

On today's episode, Evan is joined by draft gurus Jackson Frank and Ben Pfeifer as they do their first mock draft! With the draft lottery still a month away, this was fun experiment to find out where certain prospects land, especially for Phoenix.

After a simulation through Tankathon, where did certain teams land? A few surprise selections happened along the way, too.

For the Suns, this mock broke perfectly for them with three great options available for them. This will be a telling draft, if Phoenix keeps their pick, how GM James Jones operates.

This was a very informative deep dive on the 2020 NBA Draft class, so make sure to tune in as you learn more leading up to October!

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Talking Suns with Locked On Fantasy's Josh Lloyd Jul 18, 2020

On today's episode, Evan was a guest on the Locked On Fantasy show to talk all about the Phoenix Suns. A lot of ground covered in this 15-minute conversation related to player expectations down in the Orlando bubble.

How will Phoenix try to play spoiler to other squads, even with a less than 1% chance to make the play-in tournament? Will stars sit out eventually, or will they go for it all the way to the end for development purposes?

If Kelly Oubre Jr. doesn't play, what impact should we expect from Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson? Also, how will the backup guard spots look? Be prepared for more Point Book and a shorter rotation, at least early on.

All of this, plus so much more, as Josh and Evan chat all about the Suns!

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Crossover special with Locked On Grizzlies Jul 16, 2020

On today's episode, Mark King of Locked On Grizzlies joins Evan for our latest crossover previewing bubble action in Orlando.

For Memphis, what a surprising run it's been. Ja Morant's transition from rookie to star immediately has vaulted the Grizzlies into the No. 8 seed. Also, Jaren Jackson Jr. looks like the perfect compliment to Morant for an inside-out duo. We also hit on two former Suns: De'Anthony Melton and Josh Jackson.

How important are these games for Phoenix? Not only does it help their young core, but Devin Booker will take full advantage of this stage. Speaking of Booker, is there real worry among Suns fans he could leave eventually? Also, we touch on why Jackson didn't work out in Phoenix, and a lot of it has to do with the prospect refusing to adapt in the NBA.

All of this, plus so much more, in our newest bubble crossover!

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Crossover special with Locked On Kings Jul 15, 2020

On today's episode, our bubble crossover specials continue on as Locked On Kings' Matt George joins to analyze where both Sacramento and Phoenix have fared so far this season.

From the Kings' perspective, De'Aaron Fox looks like a future superstar but there's plenty of questions elsewhere. From Marvin Bagley III's health concerns and inconsistencies to Buddy Hield's drama, what does the future look like in Sacramento?

In Phoenix, Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton are the certified pillars but the help from Monty Williams to this roster has been evident from Day 1. What do the Suns need to do in order to take the much-needed leap forward to playoff contention in 2020-21?

Also, Evan and Matt talk through the Luka Doncic angle. Would both teams have been better off if they didn't pass on Doncic? From the Suns' viewpoint, Ayton has calmed many of those doubters while Sacramento is still kicking themselves hard with Bagley III.

Finally, what are the expectations for both of these squads in the Orlando bubble?

All of this, plus so much more, in a jam-packed crossover special!

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Crossover special with Locked On Spurs Jul 14, 2020

On today's episode, our second of five bubble crossover specials as Jeff Garcia of Locked On Spurs joins Evan to break both teams down.

What's the future look like in San Antonio? For the first time in years, the playoffs are very unlikely for the Spurs. Does this mean DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge could be moved this offseason to fully reset around their new young core? What are the expectations for San Antonio down in the Orlando bubble?

From Phoenix's point of view, Evan explains why the Devin Booker rumors are ridiculous at this stage. The Suns are on the clock for the next 2-3 years to improve a lot, but no reason to fire up false claims on Booker.

Also, how has Monty Williams done this season as he helps lead Phoenix into a new era? In Orlando, the Suns have the chance to play spoiler. However, their playoff mentality has already begun.

This was another fun bubble crossover, Suns fans, so make sure to tune in as we prepare for basketball resuming soon!

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Crossover special with Locked On Pelicans Jul 13, 2020

On today's episode, our first of multiple bubble crossover specials. First up, Jake Madison of Locked On Pelicans joins as we analyze both New Orleans and Phoenix.

In the Bayou, there's high hopes for the Pelicans. From Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram to David Griffin, all of the pieces are falling into place for NOLA to be a consistent playoff threat for years. What's the expectations for New Orleans in this Orlando bubble format?

Then, we move on into Suns talk as Jake peppers Evan with some questions. How has Monty Williams adjusted his style compared to his days in New Orleans? What happened after the Suns' hot start to the season? Will former Pelican Cheick Diallo stick around in 2020-21? All of this, plus so much more, on Phoenix!

This was a fun episode, Suns fans, so make sure to tune in throughout this week for even more bubble competition analysis!

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Suns mock offseason with Sam Cooper Jul 11, 2020

On today's episode, Sam Cooper is back as he joins Evan for our first Suns mock offseason exercise! What ends up happening as they both put on the GM hats for Phoenix?

Who should the Suns keep around? With team options and restricted tags on the table, there's a few decisions to make. Dario Saric or Frank Kaminsky for the backup power forward spot? Will Jevon Carter or Elie Okobo stick around? How about re-signing Aron Baynes, and at what price tag?

Will Kelly Oubre Jr. be on the move this offseason to improve the overall roster balance? Evan proposes a HUGE deal that could be a win-win for both sides, but especially Phoenix.

Then, we dive into our mock offseason completely revealing our free agency signings and other moves made along the way. How improved will the Suns roster look by the end of this?

This was a very fun episode, Suns fans, so make sure to gobble up all of this great offseason information before it officially begins in a few months!

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Analyzing how Anthony Edwards, Devin Vassell and other prospects fit in Phoenix with Spencer Pearlman of The Stepien Jul 08, 2020

On today's episode, The Stepien's Spencer Pearlman stops by to talk 2020 NBA Draft with Evan. They go over six more prospects who could make sense in Phoenix.

First up, Grant Riller and Theo Maledon are two intriguing guards with different qualities. If the Suns traded back, would either one make sense as a bench piece?

Then, Spencer and Evan dive into Tyrell Terry and Jalen Smith. Terry has a big range on draft boards, but Spencer is worried about him being able to translate his scoring onto the next level with a true lack of size. Meanwhile, Jalen Smith could be exactly what the Suns need if they're looking for a long-term backup center behind Deandre Ayton.

Finally, we close the show with two heavy hitters: Devin Vassell and Anthony Edwards. Could Vassell bring a similar brand of basketball to Phoenix as Mikal Bridges? Edwards is a boom-or-bust prospect who could either be a huge success or get a GM fired soon.

What should the Suns prioritize in the 2020 draft class? Spencer provides his answer in an in-depth episode as we dip our toes back into draft talk!

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What the Suns can do to avoid Devin Booker becoming the next disgruntled star with The Athletic's Mo Dakhil Jul 06, 2020

On today's episode, Mo Dakhil of The Athletic and Bleacher Report joins Evan as they analyze three key Suns topics. First up, how did the 2019-20 season go for Phoenix via Mo's perspective? Booker showed his worth with more competent teammates, but the development of Deandre Ayton is critical for future success.

What can the Suns do this offseason to improve their roster? Is Kelly Oubre Jr. a future trade chip? Mo explains why Phoenix should push their chips in for Danilo Gallinari in free agency.

Finally, we discuss Devin Booker. There's no need to worry now about Booker's future in Phoenix, Suns fans, but what can the front office do to avoid a worst-case scenario situation? Even though Booker has four years left, the window to improve has officially started. Ayton becoming a star plays a big role in this as well for this rebuild to work.

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Suns mega mailbag with Zona Sports Jul 03, 2020

On today's episode, Brandon (aka Zona Sports) returns as he joins Evan to answer all of your Suns questions for our mega mailbag! Thanks to all of our listeners via Twitter and Reddit, we were able to go deep on many Suns topics.

From the Orlando restart to offseason talk on multiple subjects, all of the bases are covered in this one.

Who are some optimal trade targets? Is Kelly Oubre Jr. in the Suns' future? Most interesting non-Suns players in Orlando? That's just a sneak peek as Evan and Brandon respond to all of our awesome questions!

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The Athletic's C.J. Holmes on Deandre Ayton's growth + Nico Mannion and Josh Green Jul 01, 2020

On today's episode, The Athletic's C.J. Holmes joins as we examine three University of Arizona angles with Phoenix Suns ties. First up, how much has Deandre Ayton grown from his college career to now? Is the next step of Ayton's development expanding his range?

Then, we dive into two Arizona prospects who could be intriguing fits for Phoenix: Nico Mannion and Josh Green. Is Ricky Rubio the ideal mentor Mannion? Will Green be able to become an immediate 3 & D contributor on the next level?

C.J. helps explain why both might be getting too overlooked in the pre-draft process right now.

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Ben Pfeifer of The Step Back analyzes LaMelo Ball, Obi Toppin, and more prospects Jun 29, 2020

On today's episode, The Step Back's Ben Pfeifer joins to discuss six more prospects in-depth related to their fit in Phoenix.

First up, Desmond Bane checks the sharpshooting box Suns GM James Jones desires. Could the TCU guard be able to add more gravity alongside Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton? Also, would Colorado's Tyler Bey be able to fit as a secondary rim protecter with some added offensive equity?

In the second segment, Evan and Ben put Leandro Bolmaro and Aaron Nesmith under the microscope. After Phoenix tried to acquire Luke Kennard, is it possible Bolmaro could provide a similar fit over time?

Finally, we go over the two heavy hitters on the podcast: Obi Toppin and LaMelo Ball. Should Suns fans be scared off by Toppin's defensive concerns? Phoenix is one of the best fits for Toppin, but Ben says buyer beware on the Dayton big. Why is Ball our No. 1 prospect? We go over that while also analyzing why he would help out Booker and Ayton tremendously.

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Talking Orlando + offseason scenarios with David Nash and Max McCauley Jun 27, 2020

On today's episode, David and Max are back in your podcast feeds! The duo who ran the awesome 7SOL pod joins Evan on Locked On Suns to discuss the Suns from all angles.

First up, we begin with the big fella Deandre Ayton. How important is his defensive development to the long-term growth of this rebuild?

Then, we dive into Orlando hitting on all of the following players: Mikal Bridges, Devin Booker, Cameron Johnson, Ty Jerome, and Ayton. Who has the most to gain during this 8-game sample size for Phoenix?

Closing the show, we discuss all the options Phoenix has on the table for another important offseason. From free agents at power forward and point guard to potential trades, David and Max help decide what makes the most sense. Also, has Kelly Oubre Jr. played his final game with the Suns?

Suns fans, make sure to tune in to this jam-packed, extra long episode filled with amazing content!

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UPROXX's Jackson Frank on six prospects who could land with the Phoenix Suns Jun 24, 2020

On today's episode, UPROXX's Jackson Frank stops by the show to talk 2020 NBA Draft with Evan. the two go over the following prospects in-depth: Onyeka Okungwu, Cole Anthony, Poku, Patrick Williams, Tyrese Maxey, and RJ Hampton.

Could Okungwu fit alongside Deandre Ayton, or are the spacing concerns too much to overcome? Is Cole Anthony a legitimate option for the Suns?

Patrick Williams and Poku could be the missing link to finally finding the answer at power forward. Which one would fit better in Phoenix?

Tyrese Maxey slots in well next to Devin Booker in a combo guard role, but does RJ Hampton's negatives scratch him off the list completely?

Stay tuned for more draft coverage as we will bring on one guest per week to discuss leading up to Suns basketball resuming!

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How Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton, and Mikal Bridges further developed in 2019-2020 with FanSided's Gerald Bourguet Jun 23, 2020

On today's episode, we dive deep into the Suns' core of Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton, and Mikal Bridges. Where steps in their developments did they take in 2019-20? FanSided's Suns insider Gerald Bourguet joins to explore what went right.

At this point, nobody should put a ceiling on Booker. Not only did Booker take a huge jump in efficiency, but his defensive effort and playmaking continued to improve. What's the next realistic step for Booker entering Year 6?

Ayton is the anchor of the Suns' defense, and that showed throughout his 30-game sample size. After huge question marks surrounding his defensive ability, Ayton quieted doubters doubling his block percentage. Phoenix also was noticeably better whenever he was on the floor. However, there's still one step missing from Ayton's game that needs to be improved upon in 2020-21.

Bridges has a huge opportunity in Orlando to step up in Kelly Oubre Jr.'s absence, and he was making the leap before the season was put on pause. The former Villanova Wildcat is well on his way to becoming an All-NBA defender very soon, too. What's a realistic step for Bridges to take entering Year 3?

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Kelly Oubre Jr. a no-go for Orlando Jun 19, 2020

A major domino fell this week as it was reported Kelly Oubre Jr. would not travel to Orlando with the Suns, instead taking the time to rehab his torn meniscus. We break down how the miscommunication between Oubre and the team happened, what it means, who stands to benefit most on the court, and whether it makes it more likely the Suns explore a trade this offseason.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @esidery, @BrendonKleen14

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Episode 700 special with Arizona Sports’ Kellan Olson Jun 16, 2020

What a ride it’s been on Locked On Suns. We have reached a huge milestone: 700 episodes! We brought on the Suns guru over at Arizona Sports — and our former host of LOS — Kellan Olson to cover everything facing the Suns the rest of 2020. Kellan helps us set expectations for Orlando, highlights three 2020 draft prospects he has his eye on, and looks ahead to free agency in the fall.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 6/15/2020: Scouting three possible Suns draft fits with Zona Sports Jun 15, 2020

We dive back into the 2020 NBA Draft as we ramp up towards the 2019-20 season resuming, as Bright Side Of The Sun’s own Zona Sports joins to discuss three prospects who could be on the board in October. We take a first look at Alabama's Kira Lewis Jr., Auburn's Isaac Okoro, and Maccabi's Deni Avdija, three lottery prospects who could be available for the Suns in the draft.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @esidery, @BrendonKleen14

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LOCKED ON SUNS 6/12/2020: Going all-in on Suns small ball possibilities with Sam Cooper Jun 11, 2020

The future of Suns basketball could easily revolve around small ball, especially if the front office buys in on Kelly Oubre Jr. and Mikal Bridges working long-term alongside Deandre Ayton. What type of advantage would this give Phoenix, and are there any concerns committing fully to it?

We also discuss one free agent who would complete this vision entirely. Anyone up for some extreme small-ball ideas?

Finally, we close on Point Book and whether the Suns should see that in their view eventually.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @esidery, @BrendonKleen14

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SPECIAL - Locked On's Black Lives Matter Roundtable - 8 Locked On Hosts discuss life as a black man in America Jun 11, 2020

In an eye-opening discussion, Ross Jackson (Locked On Saints) Aaron Freeman (Locked on Falcons) Tony Wiggins (Locked On Jaguars) John Hickman (Locked On Texans) Chris Carter (Locked On Steelers) Keith Pompey (Locked On 76ers) Coty Davis (Locked On Texans) and Your Boy Q (Locked On Raiders) come together for a special Locked On Podcast Network Black Lives Matter Roundtable. These eight Locked On hosts share their first-hand experiences as black men in America. When was the first time they clocked racism in their lives? What are the pet peeves they experience as a black man? In the wake of George Floyd's killing, does this movement feel different than those of the past? What needs to happen for this moment in time to have a lasting impact on society and to result in real gains for social justice? And, will these experiences change the next generation?

We take a momentary pause in our daily sports talk for this revealing and important special podcast episode.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 6/10/2020: A Reddit mailbag on the Suns’ upcoming offseason Jun 10, 2020

With the Suns officially resuming play for the 2019-20 season next month, it’s time to gauge our audience (that's you guys!) with another mailbag.

A lot of questions revolved around another important offseason incoming for Phoenix. Will Aron Baynes be a priority to re-sign? Should the Suns still explore big fish power forward options even though the Oubre/Bridges duo worked so well?

All of this, plus so much more, in a jam-packed mailbag, courtesy of r/Suns!

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LOCKED ON SUNS 6/8/2020: Kelly Oubre Jr. ready to go + latest on Orlando format Jun 08, 2020

According to Suns owner Robert Sarver, Kelly Oubre Jr. will be available for Phoenix when they make the trek to Orlando in late July. The team believes Oubre will be ready, four months after his meniscus surgery, to play.

Meanwhile, it looks like the Suns might have to sweep their eight-game slate to make the playoffs.

What exactly will this 22-team format look like? We dove into the ramifications for the schedule, roster sizes, and so much more.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 6/5/2020: Monty and Baynes comment on social injustice + Suns basketball is officially back Jun 05, 2020

Kicking off our show, Monty Williams and Aron Baynes spoke to the local media this week on the recent protests over police brutality and their perspective. On their Zoom video calls and in their powerful written letters, Williams and Baynes showed true leadership.

We then dive into the Suns officially being invited to Disney World to compete in the 22-team format as basketball resumes on July 31. Analyzing it from all angles, where do the Suns fit in to the NBA resuming play?

Also, how will a condensed offseason impact the Suns and other organizations?

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @esidery, @BrendonKleen14

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LOCKED ON SUNS 6/3/2020: Six 2020 NBA Draft prospects who fit in Phoenix Jun 02, 2020

Even though the 2020 NBA Draft might not be until October or November now, it’s never a bad time to discuss who could fit on the Suns’ roster.

Six names in particular stand out from the rest, based off how we know Phoenix’s front office operates.

How would Obi Toppin fit alongside Deandre Ayton? Is Killian Hayes or Tyrese Haliburton the ideal point guard next to Devin Booker? Drafting another wing is a realistic option? We dive deep into all of these scenarios on today’s episode.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 6/1/2020: Dissecting the latest 22-team plan from the NBA that would reportedly involve the Suns May 31, 2020

We discuss the latest from the NBA, as pro basketball seems on the brink of returning to our lives this summer. According to an ESPN report, a 22-game format including all teams within six games of the playoffs is trending among teams right now.

This would include the Suns, but what are the ripple effects for the season schedule, the Suns’ injured players, and the NBA draft lottery?

We dissect the plan from every angle.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 5/29/2020: What if the Kyrie Irving trade actually happened? May 28, 2020

The biggest What If in the Ryan McDonough era slipped through the Suns’ fingertips in 2017. Kyrie Irving was available for trade, but, reportedly, Phoenix wasn’t willing to part with Josh Jackson or other future assets to make it happen.

What if the Suns actually went through with this proposed three-way trade sending Jackson and Eric Bledsoe away? Paul George winds up as LeBron James’ new teammate, plus Irving helps form a lethal young backcourt alongside Devin Booker.

Does Irving stay in Phoenix long-term, or does he bolt for greener pastures after two seasons in the Valley?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 5/27/2020: What if LaMarcus Aldridge signed with the Suns in 2015? May 27, 2020

Our listeners have enjoyed our What If series here on the podcast, so we’re back with another one that could have changed everything in the Ryan McDonough era. What if LaMarcus Aldridge signs a four-year max contract with the Suns in 2015?

The plan for Phoenix was to sign Tyson Chandler alongside Aldridge, but a last-minute change led him to San Antonio. If that didn’t happen, does the Aldridge/Chandler frontcourt even survive in the modern NBA?

Also, how would the 2015 roster look? Is it actually a playoff team?

Not only would Aldridge’s arrival bring instant change, but it likely leads to some further roster reconstruction down the line. Does Devin Booker’s development slow due to Aldridge?

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @esidery, @BrendonKleen14

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LOCKED ON SUNS 5/25/2020: Will the Suns be playing at Disney World? May 25, 2020

Are we closing in on watching NBA basketball once more for the 2019-20 season? It’s pointing in that direction, as the latest news from insiders suggest some form of a season will happen in Florida later this summer.

The question is, how could the Suns get involved? Would the play-in tournament or 82-game format make the most sense?

Instead of Las Vegas, Orlando at Disney World’s sports headquarters now seems to be the play. How could quarantining impact performance?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 5/22/2020: What if the Suns won the coin toss for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar? May 22, 2020

For our next What If episode, we go back into the vault. During the first year Phoenix was awarded an expansion franchise, a generational talent was available in the 1969 draft. Between the downtrodden Milwaukee Bucks and the expansion Suns, both had the chance to land UCLA’s Lew Alcindor (aka Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) at No. 1 overall.

Unfortunately for the Suns, they called heads and it landed on tails. Kareem went on to play in Milwaukee alongside Oscar Robertson and win a championship.

What happens if Kareem donned purple and orange at the beginning of his career? Does he ever leave the Suns, like he did Milwaukee after six seasons, or does Phoenix have an NBA Hall of Famer for 20 years?

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @esidery, @BrendonKleen14

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LOCKED ON SUNS 5/20/2020: What if the Isaiah Thomas signing had panned out? May 20, 2020

The Hydra! No, we’re not talking about the Avengers storyline, but the failed three-guard experiment the Suns tried out during the 2014-15 season after signing Isaiah Thomas.

What if the Suns had made the signing work? McDonough’s rebuild would have jump-started much more quickly, but was it even possible?

From angering Goran Dragic to scrambling to find deals at the 2015 NBA trade deadline, the situation was full of plan Bs and big fixes, which the McDonough era would be defined by.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @esidery, @BrendonKleen14

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LOCKED ON SUNS 5/18/2020: What if Amar’e Stoudemire stayed healthy and Joe Johnson stayed in Phoenix? May 18, 2020

Continuing our What If series on the podcast, we dive back into the 7 Seconds or Less era, analyzing Amar’e Stoudemire and Joe Johnson. What happens if Stoudemire stays healthy and Johnson gets his extension?

Stoudemire’s microfracture surgery eventually led to a shorter peak, as well as the Suns saying thanks but no thanks on an extension in 2010. What if Stoudemire’s knee cooperated? It’s fair to say Stoudemire helps Phoenix win a title, and maybe an MVP for himself later on.

Meanwhile, the Suns let Johnson walk out the door over less than a million dollars. Suns owner Robert Sarver even admitted this move still bothers him to this day, as Johnson was a key piece to the puzzle. What changes if Johnson never leaves the Valley?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 5/15/2020: What if the Suns drafted Luka Doncic over Deandre Ayton at No. 1 in the 2018 draft? May 15, 2020

What happens if the Suns drafted Luka Doncic at No. 1 overall? How different is Phoenix in 2020 where Doncic has ascended to MVP contender?

Ayton has fared well for himself, but the adjustment for bigs in today’s NBA is more steeper than primary ball handlers. Would the fit with Booker and Doncic not be as smooth?

Also, Igor Kokoskov likely stays on as head coach with Doncic on the roster. Would Kokoskov’s scheme have actually worked with two great playmakers on the roster?

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @esidery, @BrendonKleen14

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LOCKED ON SUNS 5/13/2020: What if Jayson Tatum ended up in Phoenix? May 13, 2020

Jayson Tatum was dead set on joining the Phoenix Suns during the pre-draft process. However, the Suns’ front office felt there were better options.

As we all know, Tatum ended up in Boston. Meanwhile, the Suns selected Josh Jackson at No. 4 overall one selection after Tatum. What happens to Phoenix’s rebuild if Tatum takes Jackson's place?

We dive deep from all angles into how the Tatum and Devin Booker pairing would’ve changed the short and long-term hopes for Phoenix.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 5/11/2020: Handling Bulls’ dynasty vs. GSW dynasty May 10, 2020

With The Last Dance captivating sports fans everywhere, we revisit just how daring it was for the Suns to up the ante by trading for Charles Barkley during the peak of the Bulls’ dynasty. What went into that decision, and should they have tried so hard at a title with Michael Jordan at his peak?

Two decades later, with the Warriors cresting, the Suns tanked, avoiding any chance at competing with Golden State by cashing in on top-five picks every year. But did Ryan McDonough go far enough?

Last, which dynasty combat strategy was more effective and why?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 5/8/2020: An interview with Northern Arizona Suns GM Jeff Feld May 07, 2020

We are joined by first-year Northern Arizona Suns general manager Jeff Feld to discuss his career so far, how his relationship with James Jones helped him land the Suns job, and what year one was like as NAZ GM.

Feld discusses how the Phoenix and NAZ front offices are integrated, how the G League affiliate is proceeding into its offseason, and how he sees the Suns using the G League going forward after success with several rookies this year.

Feld also goes in-depth on the development of Jalen Lecque, why shooting is still so important for Lecque’s growth, and his expectations that Lecque remains mostly in the G League next season as well.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 5/6/2020: It’s mailbag time! May 05, 2020

A listener favorite is back! We opened up the mailbag to our Locked On Suns listeners not only on Twitter, but on the Suns’ subreddit, r/Suns, as well!

From Kelly Oubre Jr.'s future in Phoenix, to the plan at power forward, to what to make of Ty Jerome, all the bases are covered here.

This jam-packed episode touches on all the biggest questions swirling in Suns land right now.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @esidery, @BrendonKleen14

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LOCKED ON SUNS 5/4/2020: How soon until the NBA is back? May 04, 2020

On today’s episode, we give you the latest updates on when the NBA could return. There’s even a chance of regular season games (that means more Suns basketball!) being played out instead of going straight to the playoffs.

ESPN this week provided a blueprint for where and how this could all work out. Is the NBA heading to Disney World soon?

And if there are regular season games, what does that mean for the Suns?

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @esidery, @BrendonKleen14

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LOCKED ON SUNS 5/1/2020: The best moments (so far) of Devin Booker’s career May 01, 2020

Through the first five years of Devin Booker’s career, there’s been so many incredible moments you could already fill a whole scrapbook.

From Booker’s coming out party against Kawhi Leonard in Mexico City to the historic 70-point explosion versus the Boston Celtics, we take you through everything Booker has accomplished so far.

After looking back on Booker's first five seasons, what should we look forward to during the next phase of Booker’s career?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 4/29/2020: Talking Suns, team chemistry, and the return of the NBA with Michael Pina of SB Nation Apr 29, 2020

SB Nation’s own Michael Pina stopped by the show today to discuss a litany of topics with us. From the Suns’ bright future to how teams go about developing team chemistry, a lot of good nuggets littered throughout this one.

Pina recently wrote a tremendous story on the Suns, looking at how they are finally starting to show improvement after years of stagnation. Led by Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton plus Ricky Rubio’s studying presence, Phoenix is finally moving up, but what does Ayton’s true ceiling look like?

We close talking through Michael’s feature story on team chemistry in the Association. What were his biggest takeaways after writing it? Finally, what will the NBA look like when it resumes after COVID-19?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 4/27/2020: Tom Chambers changes free agency, Gar Heard changes Suns history, and Steve Nash changes basketball with Dave King Apr 26, 2020

We begin Best Moments in Franchise History Week on the Locked On NBA Network by revisiting three ground-shaking moments for the Suns. Dave King of Bright Side of the Sun joins to help us sift through Suns history.

First, Tom Chambers becoming the NBA’s first unrestricted free agent and choosing Kevin Johnson and the Suns. Then, Gar Heard’s fateful turnaround jumper that would become sealed in history as “The Shot Heard ‘Round The World.”

We close by talking about the chain reaction that led to Steve Nash signing with Phoenix as a free agent in 2004, and all that changed when Nash arrived.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 4/24/2020: The ramifications of the NBA hiatus with Jeff Siegel of Early Bird Rights Apr 24, 2020

What’s going to happen once the league is back from its current hiatus? Will we even have playoff games still, or just restart in 2020-21?

Early Bird Rights’ Jeff Siegel joined the show to dissect where the league could go. Should the schedule change to a December start time permanently moving forward?

We give our predictions if we see NBA basketball again this season, and in what type of environment expected without any fans, plus how it all could affect the Suns’ offseason.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 4/22/2020: The Devin Booker vs. Kyler Murray debate six months later Apr 21, 2020

We can’t get enough of the NFL this week so we we crossed over into football for a day. The future of Valley sports is bright, thanks in large part to Devin Booker and Kyler Murray, but which franchise cornerstone is more promising right now?

We revisit our debate from the fall looking at both young stars from their team’s point of view. How should the Arizona Cardinals avoid the mistakes the Phoenix Suns saw early on in Booker's career?

All of that, plus much more, in this fun episode for sports fans during NFL draft week. We finish by picking which player is the better franchise star at this point in time.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 4/20/20: News roundup on Suns schedule, Point Book, 2020 NBA Draft Apr 20, 2020

With the sports world in limbo, we had the chance to speak to Suns GM James Jones and head coach Monty Williams for a conference call on the 2020 season. From what happens next with the NBA’s schedule, Devin Booker, and draft prep, there is lots to go over.

Is Point Book the best idea long-term for this Suns team? We believe so, and it should’ve been utilized more often in 2019-20. Williams seemed to admit that as well.

All of this, plus much more, in a jam-packed episode! Everything you need to get caught up on the latest with the Suns and the NBA.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 4/17/2020: 2005-06 Phoenix Suns playoff game rewatch Apr 17, 2020

The 2005-06 Phoenix Suns season stands out as one of the big what-ifs in franchise history. During the 7SOL era, this team stood out for its resilience without Amar’e Stoudemire. The brilliance of Steve Nash campaign was easily noticeable on rewatch, too.

We went back and watched parts of Phoenix’s playoff run against the Lakers, Clippers and Mavericks. Boris Diaw’s underrated run continues to stand out, but fatigue reared its ugly head in the end.

If Stoudemire was never hurt, does this Suns team win an NBA championship?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 4/16/2020: “:07 Seconds or Less” author Jack McCallum joins to revisit the 2005-06 season Apr 16, 2020

Brendon is joined by Jack McCallum, the longtime Sports Illustrated NBA reporter and author of the definitive book on the Seven Seconds or Less Suns, “:07 Seconds or Less,” to revisit his time with Steve Nash, Mike D’Antoni and the most fun team in Suns history.

We discuss whether a book like this could ever be written now, why the playoff run solidified the season as one worth writing about, and Jack’s fondest memories of reporting on this group.

We also dive into Jack’s memories of modern Suns figures like James Jones and Robert Sarver, in addition to Jack’s biggest regret in writing the book and whether Steve Nash should have won the 2005-06 MVP award.

Of course, there’s much more. Don’t miss this one!

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LOCKED ON SUNS 4/13/2020: Reminiscing on the 2005-06 Phoenix Suns season - Part I Apr 13, 2020

It’s time for another week of talking about the best seasons in Phoenix Suns franchise history. After going over 1992-93, the 7SOL era has now arrived, as we take a deep look at the 2005-06 campaign.

From Steve Nash’s MVP run to the heartbreak ending against Dallas, we cover all the bases of a magical Suns season. Tune in to hear new perspective from Shawn Marion as well, courtesy of Rejecting the Screen, our network’s national interview show.

Also, don’t forget about how underrated this season was for role players like Boris Diaw in Phoenix.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 4/10/2020: Reminiscing on the Suns’ magical 1992-93 season - Part III Apr 09, 2020

Closing out our 1992-93 Phoenix Suns week here on the podcast, we rewatched three of the biggest games of the 1993 playoffs.

From the comeback victory in San Antonio to Charles Barkley out-dueling Shawn Kemp to John Paxson’s unforgettable Game 6 dagger, there were lots of fun memories to sort through.

Closing it out, we discuss the 99-98 loss to the Chicago Bulls in Game 6 of the NBA Finals. Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen controlled the game, but a late comeback attempt by Phoenix came so close.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 4/8/2020: Reminiscing on the Suns’ magical 1992-93 season - Part II (with special guest Greg Esposito!) Apr 07, 2020

Continuing the first week of our look back at the Best Seasons In Suns History, Greg Esposito joins to talk through more of how magical the 1992-93 season truly was in Phoenix.

This Suns team turned the Valley into a basketball state, and captured the heart of 10-year-old Espo.

From Charles Barkley’s arrival to Kevin Johnson’s injuries, plenty of angles are covered in this one. We also go step-by-step through the infamous brawl against the New York Knicks led by Johnson and Greg Anthony.

Finally, Espo answers the big question: Is this the best Suns team in franchise history?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 4/6/2020: Reminiscing on the Suns’ magical 1992-93 season - Part I Apr 06, 2020

All throughout this week, we will talk through one of the best seasons in franchise history for the Phoenix Suns. When Charles Barkley was acquired via trade, it turned Phoenix into a juggernaut.

Not only did Barkley go on to win MVP, but this Suns team helped revolutionize the game utilizing a small-ball lineup way ahead of its time.

It’s time to go down memory lane, Suns fans. Hope you enjoy, and stay tuned for an even deeper dive on Wednesday and Friday!

P.S. Make sure to leave your favorite memories of the season in a review or on Twitter!

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LOCKED ON SUNS 4/3/2020: Deandre Ayton player profile with Sam Cooper of The Timeline Apr 02, 2020

Closing out our week-long player profile series on all the most important Suns players, Deandre Ayton rounds out the list. Bright Side Of The Sun’s Sam Cooper joined to talk through Ayton's strengths, weaknesses, and real expectations entering Year 3.

From offensive upside to rim protection and staying healthy, we put Ayton under the microscope on this episode to find out what could happen next entering 2020-2021.

Should the expectation for the former University of Arizona big man be to make a leap to stardom by next year?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 4/2/2020: Ricky Rubio player profile with Arizona Sports’ Kellan Olson Apr 02, 2020

Kellan Olson of Arizona Sports joins the show again as we continue our Suns Player Profiles by hitting the team’s new starting point guard, Ricky Rubio, who was basically everything the team wanted in 2019-20.

However, injuries held him back, and it’s obvious the Suns need to find him a backup. We discuss how the Suns can continue to maximize Rubio next season.

We finish by discussing the best minutes range for Rubio next year and how he can be even better if the team adds more shooting.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 4/1/2020: Dario Saric player profile with Arizona Sports’ Kellan Olson Mar 31, 2020

After being acquired on draft night, expectations were raised for Dario Saric’s tenure in Phoenix. Did Saric live up to the billing? Kellan Olson of Arizona Sports joined to talk through Saric’s biggest positives and negatives negatives as well as what could come next for the Croatian big man.

Was the Saric trade a success landing Cameron Johnson via trade-back, even though he might be gone one year later?

We talk through that, plus quick hits on Saric’s best position and what teams he makes sense with for the 2020-21 season.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/31/2020: Aron Baynes player profile with Gina Mizell of The Athletic Mar 31, 2020

We are joined once again Suns beat reporter Gina Mizell of The Athletic, as Gina helps us break down the 2019-20 season for Aron Baynes.

Baynes was a Most Improved Player Candidate over the first two weeks of the season, then struggled with injuries. The high points for Baynes were some of the most exciting of the year, and his leadership and guidance in the locker room was helpful throughout.

What does it all mean for Baynes’ free agency, and how the Suns should think about his future with the team?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/30/2020: Devin Booker player profile with The Athletic’s Gina Mizell Mar 30, 2020

Continuing on with our Suns player profile series, which will last all throughout this week, we’re back to discuss Devin Booker. Phoenix’s star guard took another leap forward in his game, so what’s next in 2020-21?

The Athletic’s Gina Mizell helps dissect Booker’s biggest areas of growth, plus what he needs to still work on most heading towards Year 6. Also, how are the Suns doing constructing a roster built to support Booker as their true star?

All of that, plus much more, in a fun discussion with Gina. Stay tuned for tomorrow’s player profile as Gina returns to discuss more Suns basketball!

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/27/2020: Mikal Bridges player profile with Arizona Sports’ Kevin Zimmerman Mar 27, 2020

Our player profile series continues as we analyze Mikal Bridges in 2019-20, as he improved from a bench player with no confidence in his shot to a dominating two-way starter.

Kevin Zimmerman is back to help us break down Bridges’ season, who has more trade value between Bridges and Kelly Oubre Jr., and whether Bridges will remain the starter by next season.

Stay tuned for the rest of our player profile series through the end of next week!

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/26/2020: Kelly Oubre Jr. player profile with Arizona Sports’ Kevin Zimmerman Mar 26, 2020

Don’t worry, without Suns basketball right now, we’re still bringing you content to chew on. Kevin Zimmerman joins the show to kick off our player profile series.

We’ll venture through the entire Suns’ 2019-20 rotation here on the show over the next week, and today we start with with Kelly Oubre Jr., the heart and soul of this Suns team.

Kevin helps us walk through Oubre’s strengths, weaknesses, fit in Phoenix, plus much more.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/25/2020: Latest NBA salary cap updates on COVID-19 with Dave King Mar 25, 2020

Wondering how all the changes to the season affect free agency and your experience as a fan? We run through all the ways the NBA will change as a result of the continued suspension of play during the United States’ response to COVID-19.

The season is expected to resume in some form this summer, but what will that mean for teams’ spending power? It’s far from the most important aspect of the crisis, but various reports have the salary cap trending quite a bit downward — how might that affect the Suns during the offseason?

Dave King joins for part two of our conversation to break it all down with us.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/24/2020: Olympics postponed, possible new NBA schedule, plus a local COVID-19 relief fund with Dave King Mar 24, 2020

On today’s episode, Part I of our conversation with Bright Side Of The Sun’s own Dave King is here. We go over all of the following: the Olympics being postponed, a potential December-August NBA schedule, and Bright Side’s COVID-19 donation relief fund.

How will the likely postponement of the Olympics impact players like Aron Baynes and Ricky Rubio? Could less wear and tear equal more refreshed veterans for the 2020-21 season with the Suns?

This is a fun conversation with Dave, and it’s only going to continue into Part II, so look forward to that on Wednesday!

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/23/2020: Talking possible Suns free agent targets and classic films Mar 22, 2020

We finish off our mailbag questions from last week, which features plenty of free agency talk. Are Christian Wood and D.J. Augustin possible options to fill Phoenix’s biggest needs?

Also, with Dario Saric’s lack of success, will the Suns prioritize defense over shooting at power forward alongside Deandre Ayton?

We also were asked about classic film recommendations and Brendon had to admit how few sports movies he’s seen. Maybe a few episodes coming in the future on that note.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/20/2020: Quarantine hobbies, Dario Saric, Aron Baynes, and 2020 Draft with Arizona Sports’ Kellan Olson Mar 20, 2020

On today’s episode, Kellan Olson of Arizona Sports hangs out with us as we start to sift through the Suns’ offseason. We chat about how we’re passing the time cooped up in our homes, then dive into some fun Suns talk.

Ending our top moments week here on Locked On Suns, Kellan mentions a few of his favorites as well. Then, we discuss whether the Suns will keep Dario Saric and Aron Baynes around past this season. Baynes is the higher priority, but what’s an appropriate price tag?

Kellan also provides an early glimpse into who his favorite Suns draft target is. This player would be a great fit alongside Deandre Ayton.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/19/2020: Ranking the Suns’ 10 best moments of the season, Part III Mar 19, 2020

It’s finally time to talk through our top three, as we conclude a fun series!

From Devin Booker’s magic in the fourth quarter on multiple occasions to a few signature victories and franchise morale boosters, there are lots of great memories to reminisce on in Part III.

It’s hard not to mention Monty Williams picking the Suns over the Los Angeles Lakers to be their head coach. Booker finally donning an All-Star jersey brought a smile to all Suns fans, too.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/18/2020: Ranking the Suns’ 10 best moments of the season, Part II Mar 18, 2020

Continuing on in our 10 best moments of the Phoenix Suns’ 2019-20 season so far, we hit on several awesome snapshots from throughout the year for the Suns.

From Devin Booker’s scorching hot January stretch to Deandre Ayton finding his footing midseason to Kelly Oubre Jr. and the clutch gene, plenty stands out still from a memorable 65 games.

What moments from Booker, Ayton, and Oubre stand out most? Some impressive wins are included in this one, too.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/17/2020: Ranking the Suns’ 10 best moments of the season, Part I Mar 17, 2020

From Tuesday through Thursday, we’re going to unveil our favorite moments of the Suns’ 2019-20 season so far. This was a lot of fun to put together, and our lists defer as well.

From Mikal Bridges, Aron Baynes, Ricky Rubio and Phoenix’s hot start, plenty is covered here in Part I.

Suns fans, you can join in on this as well. Send us your favorite moments of the season and we’ll read them on the show!

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/16/2020: Mailbag on Aaron Gordon, Ayton’s growth, 2020 Draft, and more Mar 16, 2020

Though we’re without sports right now, Locked On Suns is still with you through the break. On today’s episode, we opened back up the mailbag on Twitter for Suns fans to toss us some questions.

From Aaron Gordon trade ideas to Deandre Ayton’s growth and Nico Mannion, Arizona Wildcats fans should enjoy this one.

Also, we hit on how Phoenix was faring with all of their injuries this season, and whether we undervalued just how much better the team got considering the absences up and down the roster.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/13/2020: The Athletic’s Gina Mizell helps analyze how COVID-19 has changed the 2019-20 NBA season Mar 13, 2020

The NBA season is officially in limbo. After Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell contracted the Coronavirus, the 2019-20 season has been suspended by the NBA.

What happens next? Gina Mizell of The Athletic stops by to helps us analyze those steps.

Also, if this is the end of the Suns’ season, what were our biggest takeaways? From Monty Williams’ culture-building to Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton’s growth, there’s plenty to go over.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/12/2020: How the Coronavirus could effect Suns’ schedule, plus Mikal Bridges and Aron Baynes since the ASB Mar 12, 2020

Disclaimer: This episode was recorded and published before the NBA announced it would postpone the 2019-20 season. We will have more for you in our Friday episode.

With the Coronavirus already impacting sporting events, how soon will we see scheduling changes for the Suns? Will the season be delayed, or will NBA teams play games without any fans?

Also, we hit on Mikal Bridges and his promising mid-season development. Will Bridges be the Suns’ starting small forward next season?

Finally, we close on Aron Baynes’ hot stretch. Is the veteran earning himself another year in the Valley?

Find us on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify!

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/11/2020: Carmelo Anthony closes the Suns out once again Mar 10, 2020

Brendon goes solo and breaks down the Suns’ 121-105 loss to the Trail Blazers, as the Suns’ lack of depth finally caught up to them. While just about every part of Portland’s roster contributed as needed, the Suns could not survive poor offensive nights from multiple starters.

Brendon discusses how Dario Saric can offset his defensive limitations by scoring and fighting on the glass, as well as Ricky Rubio’s aggressive scoring and the precise environment in which Cheick Diallo can thrive.

Then, the show closes with a breakdown of why Mikal Bridges has to keep scoring, and how the steal numbers told the story of the game.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/10/2020: How do the Suns keep beating good teams? Mar 09, 2020

Following two huge wins over Portland and Milwaukee, we decided to dive further into the formula Phoenix perfects during these situations. Games earlier in the season like Sacramento, at Utah, and Philadelphia certainly stand out, but there’s even more we discussed throughout the whole season.

Devin Booker usually goes off in these outings, but it’s an all-around effort featuring high efficiency and ball movement as well. Aron Baynes and Deandre Ayton have also showed Phoenix can win multiple ways with their big man utilization as well.

What game stands out most to you this season, Suns fans?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/9/2020: Suns put together best game of the season against title-favorite Bucks Mar 08, 2020

This win is certainly high on the list of the best wins of the season for the Suns, as they beat impressive the Milwaukee Bucks, 140-131. Not only did Devin Booker go off, with 28 points in the first half, but Ricky Rubio, Aron Baynes and Mikal Bridges stuffed the stat sheet as well.

Milwaukee was missing MVP favorite Giannis Antetkounmpo due to knee soreness, but the Suns were clicking on both ends of the floor against the NBA’s best team. Tune in for our Free Throws plus Stats to Watch. No surprise, but there were no negatives from this one.

Will consecutive wins over Portland and Milwaukee help turn their season around? It’s time to see how this Suns team responds as they continue to rally around each other during an important portion of the schedule.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/6/2020: Revisiting the Suns’ young player firesale Mar 06, 2020

We head into the weekend by dancing through the various players the Suns got rid of over the past 18 months, from Josh Jackson and De’Anthony Melton to Alex Len and Marquese Chriss.

We explore whether the Suns under James Jones truly had to get rid of all these players to change the culture and get on a winning track.

It’s not quite revisionist history, but we look back at what happened in the context of the present to see what worked and what didn’t as the Suns built out their 2019-20 roster.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/5/2020: What happens next following Deandre Ayton’s ankle injury Mar 04, 2020

The hits just keep on coming to the 2019-20 Suns roster. A week after Kelly Oubre Jr. went down with a season-ending meniscus tear, Deandre Ayton is now on the injury report. For the third time this season, Ayton is suffering from ankle issues.

Is it time to examine the Puma shoes with Ayton as a possible cause for these injuries? If Ayton is out the remainder of the season, he would only play 101 games in his first two NBA seasons.

How will the Suns respond? Is it even possible to fill 35-40 points nightly without Ayton and Oubre? We look ahead to their first test of that against the Portland Trail Blazers and Milwaukee Bucks.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/4/2020: Slide continues despite strong response against Toronto Mar 03, 2020

After getting out to a 17-point lead in the second quarter, the Phoenix Suns were well on their way to bouncing back. Unfortunately for the Suns, it didn’t matter after Toronto finished off a comeback victory.

Where do the Suns go from here? If Deandre Ayton is out moving forward recovering from what appears to be a fairly serious ankle injury, what happens?

We go through our Free Throws, Flagrant Fouls, and Stats to Watch from Phoenix’s latest loss in this nightmarish homestand.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/3/2020: How Kelly Oubre Jr.’s season-ending injury impacts the Suns’ final stretch Mar 03, 2020

Kelly Oubre Jr.’s season with the Suns ended once more with an injury. After a thumb issue stopped his momentum last year, now a torn meniscus puts a damper on possible playoff hopes in 2019-20 for Phoenix.

Without Oubre, who is the most impacted? For Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton, Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson, it will mean more opportunities, and more pressure. Will Ayton become the true 1B scorer to Booker, and will Bridges ascend to new heights?

We get into the numbers with and without Oubre, as well as how the Suns’ style of play will change and what that means for all involved. It’s going to get interesting.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/2/2020: Dissecting the Suns’ rock bottom after losses to Detroit, Golden State Mar 02, 2020

Losing to the Detroit Pistons and Golden State Warriors is one of the worst imaginable outcomes of a season-defining homestand for the Suns. Not only is losing to two of the worst teams this season concerning, but also it should be considered rock bottom.

What went wrong against Detroit and Golden State, and who deserves blame for it?

Also, we quickly go over the Jordan McRae news. What kind of punch will he provide off the Suns’ bench?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/28/2020: Kellan Olson of Arizona Sports joins to talk Rubio and the Suns’ upcoming offseason Feb 28, 2020

We are joined by Kellan Olson of Arizona Sports, who writes and talks about the Suns perhaps even more than we do. Kellan joins to talk a bit about Ricky Rubio after writing about the Suns’ point guard this week, especially as we near the end of the season and a draft in which the Suns have a chance to find (finally) a point guard of the future.

We also quickly break down the draft and free agency at the point guard and power forward spots. The Suns figure to have a lottery pick and more cap space than most teams in 2020.

Do the Suns have the goods to be major players this summer, or will it be more about internal growth? We break down the team’s options with Kellan.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/27/2020: Suns taken down by Clippers’ defense Feb 26, 2020

Coming to you live from Talking Stick Resort Arena, we recap the Suns’ defeat at the hands of the Los Angeles Clippers to begin their six-game homestand. Even though Deandre Ayton had himself a night on both ends, Phoenix was unable to contain Kawhi Leonard before the Clippers finally woke up.

Who stuck out the most for the Suns from a positive and negative standpoint? Tune in for our Free Throws, Flagrant Fouls, and Stats to Watch.

After tonight’s loss, it’s time for the Suns to regroup fast during an important stretch with playoff implications, so we dive into what comes next with regard to Kelly Oubre Jr.’s surprising right knee injury and the starting lineup while he is out.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/26/2020: Latest wins keep Suns’ small playoff hopes alive Feb 26, 2020

Sitting 4.5 games back of the No. 8 seed at 24-34, can the Phoenix Suns somehow climb back into this tight race? The next six at Talking Stick Resort Arena will help decide their fate.

Who are the teams we’re buying and selling on over the next few weeks between the Suns, Kings, Spurs, Trail Blazers, Pelicans and Grizzlies? If Phoenix can keep up their strong play, there’s a chance they can reach near-equal footing with the top competition.

We have all the numbers and news you need to figure out the Western Conference playoff picture.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/25/2020: Ricky Rubio serves up revenge against Jazz in blowout win Feb 24, 2020

What a surprising victory that was for the Suns! Led by Ricky Rubio and Devin Booker, Phoenix defeated Utah in Salt Lake City 131-111 and are now only 4.5 games out of the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference.

Where does this win rank for Phoenix? After a sluggish start that led to foul-happy possessions and lots of turnovers, the Suns settled in behind their refreshed backcourt.

Elie Okobo headlined the main negative from a 20-point win with his continued inconsistent play. Is it time for Okobo to be phased out in favor of Ty Jerome?

Finally, can the Suns gain ground in the playoff race during an important upcoming six-game homestand?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/24/2020: Suns split a road back-to-back out East Feb 24, 2020

It was a tale of two nights for the Suns over the weekend as they struggled with turnovers that ultimately cost them in Toronto against a more polished Raptors squad before they put together a great second half in Chicago to beat the Bulls.

Kelly Oubre Jr. couldn't get his shot to go in either game, but Deandre Ayton's impressive consistency helped the Suns stay afloat, as did continued versatile defense by Mikal Bridges and an energized version of Ricky Rubio.

On the other hand, the Suns still can't find a guard rotation they like, and now the power forward spot is in flux again as well. Can anyone on the roster help solve the shooting woes?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/21/2020: Which 2020 NBA draft prospects best fit the Suns’ identity? Feb 21, 2020

With the Phoenix Suns keeping their 2020 NBA draft pick for the time being, it’s time to start exploring this class more deeply. Which prospects make sense, if the Suns actually make their selection in June?

From Nico Mannion and Tyrese Haliburton to Obi Toppin and Patrick Williams, which young prospects best fit the Suns’ identity under general manager James Jones and head coach Monty Williams?

Also, who fits best next to this budding young core led by Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton, and how will the team build around its pillars going forward?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/20/20: Evan's 3 things to watch post-All-Star break Feb 20, 2020

As Brendon kicked us off yesterday, it’s time for Evan to unveil his three biggest storylines exiting the All-Star break. Deandre Ayton and Mikal Bridges have proven to be very important pieces to the Suns’ long-term puzzle. Their developments at rim protection and perimeter shooting have helped elevate the possible ceiling for this team.

If Ayton becomes a top-flight two-way big plus Bridges is a 3-and-D wing hitting 40 percent on 3s, then this entire calculus changes for the Suns. No surprise, those two are topping the list for what to watch for.

What’s the future hold for Bridges and Kelly Oubre Jr. as a frontcourt pairing next to Ayton? Could Bridges and Oubre hold their own alongside Ayton on a nightly basis against bigger lineups? So far, the advanced metrics suggest yes.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/19/2020: Brendon’s 3 things to watch coming out of the All-Star break Feb 19, 2020

Brendon goes solo to break down the three biggest things he’s watching for coming out of the All-Star break for the Suns.

They are: The fit between Devin Booker and Ricky Rubio, the end of Ty Jerome’s rookie season, and the next steps for Jalen Lecque after spending most of the season in the G League. Listen for advanced numbers on the Booker-Rubio pairing on quotes from NAZ head coach Bret Burchard on Lecque’s season in the G League.

Stay tuned tomorrow as Evan brings you his three things to watch.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/18/2020: Reassessing the Suns post-All-Star weekend with Michael Pina of SB Nation Feb 18, 2020

What needs to happen for the Suns to take the next step forward in 2020? We talk with Michael Pina of SB Nation about Phoenix’s progress and how their two building blocks stack up long-term.

Pina believes the team is surpassing preseason expectations but still has room to grow. From Devin Booker’s elite efficiency to Deandre Ayton’s two-way potential, we hit on what is already there and what comes next for the two young stars.

We go deep on the Suns and their one-two punch with Michael, so make sure to tune in for this one!

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/17/2020: Second Trimester Report Cards, Part II Feb 17, 2020

One of our favorite series to do on the podcast continues with Part II, as we break down the second portion of the season for Ricky Rubio as well as our first report cards for Deandre Ayton and Monty Williams.

Ayton’s constantly changing role makes for an intriguing grade, while Rubio stumbles and Williams tries desperately to win every game. This is an interesting group.

Make sure to check out part one as well!

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/14/2020: Second Trimester Report Cards, Part I Feb 14, 2020

Kicking off our second edition of this season’s trimester report cards, today’s episode features some heavy hitters. All-Star Devin Booker, Mikal Bridges, and Kelly Oubre Jr. go under the microscope from how they performed over the last three months.

Booker’s ability to carry the Suns consistently leads to high grades, but where do Bridges and Oubre land after improvements in their games?

Stay tuned for Part II on Monday featuring Deandre Ayton, Ricky Rubio and head coach Monty Williams!

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/13/2020: Suns enter break with win over Warriors as Booker’s All-Star candidacy takes center stage Feb 12, 2020

In their final game before the All-Star break, the Phoenix Suns never really had to worry going against this year’s Golden State Warriors. After sprinting out to a quick double-digit lead, Phoenix didn’t really have to worry the rest of the way.

Thanks to a big outing from Devin Booker, the Suns now have more wins than they did in the last two seasons.

The biggest story, though, was Booker’s candidacy to become the All-Star replacement for the injured Damian Lillard. Hear what Booker had to say about the possibility.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/12/2020: Midseason awards show Feb 12, 2020

Through the first half of the 2019-20 season, the Phoenix Suns have taken some much-needed steps forward internally. Not only have they already exceeded their win total from last season, but key pieces of their young core have developed even further.

Devin Booker might be the shoo-in for MVP, but Defensive Player of the Year and Most Improved Player were a healthy debate. Did Deandre Ayton do enough to dethrone Mikal Bridges for DPOY? How about a tight battle between Ayton and Kelly Oubre Jr. for MIP?

Who brings home your MVP, DPOY, and MIP for the Suns this season?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/11/2020: Suns trounced by Lakers as Ayton sits, Oubre moved to bench Feb 10, 2020

Coming into this game shorthanded, the Suns were expected to pick up a loss in Los Angeles. It ended being a 25-point loss in odd fashion, including a season-best performance from Rajon Rondo.

As Deandre Ayton sat out due with a tweaked ankle sustained in Phoenix’s last outing, the lack of size was obvious throughout. The most interesting decision, though, related to Kelly Oubre Jr. The Suns’ wing came off the bench, but the NBA TV broadcast hinted the move might’ve been disciplinary.

Mikal Bridges provided a strong outing as he begins to turn the corner at an opportune time. Just how important is this stretch for Bridges when it comes to the Suns’ long-term success?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/10/2020: Weekend back-to-back recap, plus looking at the West playoffs Feb 10, 2020

What a weekend that was for the Suns.

After blowing out the Houston Rockets thanks to Kelly Oubre Jr. and Devin Booker each scoring 30-plus points, the next night saw the opposite result versus Denver. However, we still saw plenty of promising moments from Deandre Ayton, including perhaps the best game of his career against Denver.

Closing out the show, we talk through the Western Conference playoff picture once more. Where does Phoenix stand in a sudden six-team race for the No. 8 seed?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/7/2020: Recapping a surprisingly quiet trade deadline for the Suns Feb 06, 2020

The Phoenix Suns' front office seems content with letting this season play out without any outside help. After the 2020 NBA trade deadline passed with no moves from Phoenix, what does this mean moving forward?

Devin Booker's best friends, Karl-Anthony Towns and D'Angelo Russell, are now teaming up in Minnesota. Plus, his agent Leon Rose is now the New York Knicks’ team president. How should Suns fans fell about all this?

Finally, we close with our thoughts on what could come next for Phoenix. If they were listening to offers on Kelly Oubre Jr., does that mean he could be the big trade chip to swing a star to the Valley this offseason?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/6/2020: Another loss for Phoenix as Kennard deal reaches impasse, trade calls come in for Oubre Feb 05, 2020

With another loss in Detroit, the Phoenix Suns are now 20-31 and six games back of the No. 8 seed. What were the biggest takeaways from the Suns’ seventh loss in their last nine games?

As playoff hopes dwindle, trade rumors are heating up. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Phoenix and Detroit are at an impasse on a trade for combo guard Luke Kennard. Protections on a future first-round draft pick seem to be the sticking point.

Meanwhile, a surprising name popped up as a possible trade candidate: None other than Suns starting small forward Kelly Oubre Jr. was mentioned by The New York Times’ Marc Stein in a report Wednesday afternoon which said the Suns are fielding trade calls on Oubre. What does this mean for Oubre’s long-term future in the Valley?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/5/2020: Breaking down the Kennard trade talks and James Jones’ latest comments as deadline nears Feb 04, 2020

Out of nowhere, the Phoenix Suns have been in the news for trade talks to help improve their bench. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported late Monday night that Luke Kennard could be on his way to Phoenix in exchange for Jevon Carter, Elie Okobo, and a future first-round draft pick.

Kennard checks all the boxes Suns GM James Jones seems to covet in players fitting alongside Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton. Is Kennard a long-term piece to help the Suns become a winning team, though?

After we break down the Kennard talks, we look into what James Jones said about his philosophy when it comes to this year’s NBA Draft.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/4/2020: Suns blown out by Nets as playoff hopes fading fast Feb 03, 2020

The rollercoaster season for the Phoenix Suns continues. After a near-.500 stretch of basketball in January, losses are now starting to mount at a high rate for this team. Now sitting at 20-30 following tonight’s blowout loss, hopes to stay in contention for the playoffs are fading away.

Even though Deandre Ayton and Kelly Oubre Jr. put together solid performances in Brooklyn, Devin Booker was the opposite, on one of those rare cold nights. Booker only finished with 11 points, as the Nets’ defense made it a priority for anyone else to beat them.

As usual in our immediate game recaps, we run through our Free Throws, Flagrant Fouls and Stats to Watch.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/3/2020: Booker’s All-Star snub plus recapping Thunder, Bucks losses Feb 02, 2020

Even though he’s putting up the best numbers of his career once again and leading the Suns to their best win total start in five years, Devin Booker was snubbed from the 2020 All-Star Game.

We go over why we think Russell Westbrook somehow got in over the Suns’ star, and why not making it this year doesn’t spell doom for 2021.

Then, we get into the two losses over the weekend for Phoenix. On Friday against Oklahoma City, a close one that saw the Thunder's depth be too much. On Super Bowl Sunday, Milwaukee overpowered Phoenix rather easily.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/31/2020: Pre-NBA trade deadline mailbag Jan 30, 2020

With less than a week away until the 2020 NBA trade deadline, what side of the fence will the Phoenix Suns land on? Will they be buyers, sellers, or stand pat altogether? From Tyler Johnson’s $19 million expiring to Dario Saric's restricted rights, we explore every avenue of what the Suns might be up to, using listener questions from Twitter!

We also touch on plenty of other big-picture stuff, too. How different would the Suns’ season be if Deandre Ayton was never suspended? Could the Suns really be playing .500 or above basketball right now if not for that mistake?

Stay tuned for that and much more in this jam-packed mailbag!

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/30/2020: Reliving Kobe Bryant vs. Phoenix with former Suns beat writer Paul Coro Jan 30, 2020

During the heyday of the Suns-Lakers rivalry, Kobe Bryant was squarely in the middle of it all. On today’s episode, we helped relive the top Kobe vs. Suns moments with former Arizona Republic beat writer Paul Coro.

Raja Bell clotheslining Kobe was one chapter, but there’s so much more under the surface, including whether Kobe deserved the 2006 MVP over Steve Nash. A few seasons later, the two clashed once more in the 2010 Western Conference Finals as Kobe finally broke through over Nash and the Suns.

When you look back on Kobe’s career, plenty of moments happened against the Suns. Rest in peace to a legend who left his mark on Phoenix over the years. This is our tribute to the Black Mamba.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/29/2020: Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton dominant in Suns’ blowout win over Mavericks Jan 28, 2020

Will this finally be the game where the Phoenix Suns can maintain some momentum moving into the All-Star break? A 29-point thrashing of the Mavericks on their own court might do the trick.

Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton both notched 30-plus point games, showcasing possibly what could be coming soon enough in the future. The Suns’ lineup change flipping Mikal Bridges and Dario Saric did wonders, too.

This ranks near the top of the list for wins this season for the Suns, because everything was clicking. Now, we’ll see what happens moving forward.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/28/2020: Mega trade deadline preview with 7SOL’s David Nash Jan 28, 2020

How will the Phoenix Suns operate at this year’s trade deadline? Will they view themselves as contenders and make an aggressive move? What about selling off pieces like Aron Baynes or Dario Saric?

The most realistic option is trading Tyler Johnson’s bloated expiring contract for some bench help. Where could the Suns find that type of deal? We go through teams who could provide relief for the Suns as they attempt a playoff push.

We close the show talking through whether Phoenix should trade Baynes and Saric or not. Baynes seems so valuable in the locker room, while Saric’s inconsistencies make a deal more appealing.

You won’t want to miss this episode before an intriguing trade deadline arrives, Suns fans!

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/27/2020: Kobe thoughts plus we recap the Spurs and Grizzlies games Jan 26, 2020

A few hours before the Phoenix Suns were scheduled for tip-off against the Grizzlies, the NBA world was hit with the shocking news of the death of Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna. We give our initial thoughts on their passing.

Then we recap the Suns’ weekend road trip, including a win in San Antonio and a loss in Memphis, in which the Suns were hampered by foul trouble and ineffective offense. Ugly games aren’t going the Suns’ way as much as they did early in the season.

Still, Devin Booker continues to dazzle, despite the loss of his idol on Sunday.

As usual, stay tuned for our Free Throws, Flagrant Fouls, and Stats to Watch as the Suns failed to make up ground against the Grizzlies in the race for the eighth seed.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/24/2020: News roundup on Suns part-owner Larry Fitzgerald, NAZ, and Aron Baynes trade rumors Jan 24, 2020

On Wednesday, everyone woke up to the news that Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald was now a part-owner of the Phoenix Suns. We talked through that, and what type of role the Cardinals legend could fall into eventually.

Brendon recently took a trip up to Prescott Valley to watch the NAZ Suns. After speaking with people around the organization, we did a quick assessment of the changes made under Suns general manager James Jones.

We close out the show by going over the latest reports involving Aron Baynes as a possible trade target for teams. Phoenix doesn’t sound interested in shopping their backup center, but will do it for the right price.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/23/2020: Suns suffer ugly home loss to Indiana Jan 22, 2020

What an ugly game that was for the Suns on Wednesday against the Pacers. After an entertaining first half, Indiana put down the clamps and turned this one into a blowout.

We start by debating whether it’s finally time for Mikal Bridges, the lone bright spot on Wednesday night, to enter the starting lineup in place of Dario Saric.

But with Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton and Kelly Oubre Jr. all having bad outings against Indiana, the Suns stood no chance against a deep Pacers team.

As usual, stick around for our Free Throws, Flagrant Fouls, and Stats to Watch live from Talking Stick Resort Arena. No surprise, not much on the positive side for Phoenix after an embarrassing home defeat in blowout fashion.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/22/2020: Where the Suns stand in the playoff race after 7-5 stretch Jan 22, 2020

After a rollercoaster first half of the season, where do the Phoenix Suns stand in the Western Conference playoff race? Memphis currently holds the No. 8 seed, but teams like the Suns, Spurs, and Pelicans are rolling lately.

How will Zion Williamson impact the race for No. 8? With his return this week, New Orleans now is a formidable threat to leapfrog Phoenix.

Are the Suns better than the Grizzlies and Spurs? We tried to answer that question, with each team likely battling for positioning throughout the season. Finally, who is receiving stock up and stock down in our latest playoff check-up?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/21/2020: Suns nearly pull off improbable 20-point comeback against Spurs Jan 20, 2020

Thanks to Bryn Forbes going unconscious from behind the arc for San Antonio, Phoenix was on the losing end Monday night at Talking Stick Resort Arena, 120-118.

Devin Booker was the Suns’ biggest star of the game, notching another 30-plus point performance. This time, Phoenix’s $158 million man finished with 37 points on high efficiency. Deandre Ayton also continued his aggressive play, notching his fourth consecutive game with 20 or more points.

As usual, we run through our biggest takeaways and notes right after visiting with the Suns players in the locker room. Who makes our Free Throws, Flagrant Fouls, and Stat to Watch tonight?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/20/2020: Suns close out road trip with fantastic all-around victory in Boston Jan 20, 2020

What a win for the Suns on Saturday night in Boston, thanks to huge performances from their young core. Devin Booker led the way with 39 points, but we saw Mikal Bridges finally break out, dropping 26 points and six triples. Deandre Ayton also had his second straight dominant outing, with 26 points of his own plus 15 rebounds.

For some reason, Phoenix just seems to love playing in Boston. Or maybe that’s more so Booker himself, but they’ll take it for sure.

As usual, we run through our biggest positives (Free Throws) and negatives (Flagrant Fouls) spectrum before closing with stats to watch.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/17/2020: Deandre Ayton’s first career 20-20 game propels Suns to blowout win over Knicks Jan 16, 2020

The Phoenix Suns finally put it all together on both ends of the court after a long stretch of inconsistency. During Thursday’s 121-98 win over the New York Knicks, Phoenix was led by it’s expected triumvirate of Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton and Ricky Rubio. Booker led the way with 29 points, while Rubio flirted with a triple-double.

However, the big story of this one revolves around the Suns’ former No. 1 overall pick. This was Ayton's first career 20-20 game, as he put up 26 points and 21 rebounds at Madison Square Garden. Ayton and Rubio’s chemistry seems to be picking back up where it left off in October.

Will the Suns use this blowout victory to lead them through a gut-check stretch of opponents to finish off January?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/16/2020: A deep dive on the Suns at the halfway point Jan 16, 2020

At the halfway point of the 2019-20 season, the Phoenix Suns are 16-24. That shouldn’t be surprising based on preseason expectations, but how they reached that mark has certainly been like a rollercoaster.

At this point, are the Suns contenders or pretenders for the No. 8 seed race?

Devin Booker has taken another step forward in Year 5, but what about everyone else? Kelly Oubre Jr. and Deandre Ayton are solid pieces, but Phoenix needs to invest in another self-creator sometime soon.

We close by going over the dynamic between James Jones and Monty Williams, including grades just less than a year into their partnership.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/15/2020: Suns now have to play catch-up during defining stretch after loss in Atlanta Jan 14, 2020

As the Phoenix Suns’ 2019-20 season continues to be a rollercoaster, Tuesday night in Atlanta was the latest free fall on the ride. Losing by 13 points on the road to a team with fewer than 10 wins is simply inexcusable, especially during a stretch of games where ground needs to be made up in the playoff race.

Devin Booker's 39 points, plus Mikal Bridges and Deandre Ayton providing solid performances, Phoenix was dormant on the offensive end. Meanwhile, Trae Young and Kevin Huerter were lights out for the Hawks, and a poor performance from Kelly Oubre Jr. made it hard for the Suns to keep pace.

We run through our usual Free Throws, Flagrant Fouls, and Stats to Watch as the Suns blew yet another opportunity right in front of them.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/14/2020: Another Ayton check-in, buying Oubre’s long-term stock, and the race for the eighth seed out West Jan 13, 2020

We explore how Deandre Ayton has done in the first seven games since his return from a suspension then ankle sprain. Currently coming off the bench, Ayton is close to an increased role soon. What should our expectations for him over the final half of the season?

Kelly Oubre Jr. has been playing the best basketball of his career over the last few weeks as a consistent 20-point scorer and consistent defender. Can Oubre take another leap in his game soon enough to make him an even more formidable two-way wing?

Finally, we run through the playoff race as the Suns are in a tight battle alongside Memphis, San Antonio, Portland, and others. These next seven games will be very important in seeing if this squad is truly playoff-caliber or not.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/13/2020: Suns regain momentum with weekend sweep of Magic, Hornets Jan 12, 2020

Even though the Suns are 16-23, they are still right in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race. Only 1.5 games behind Memphis at this moment, victories over the Orlando Magic and Charlotte Hornets this weekend went a long way toward the Suns staying afloat during an adjustment period.

Kelly Oubre Jr. continues to look like he’s taking a leap, providing consistent two-way production. Deandre Ayton is still finding his sea legs, but this weekend was a good sign of what’s to come for the former No. 1 overall pick.

Although Devin Booker didn’t have the best weekend scoring the basketball, Phoenix still won both outings. Booker’s slump couldn’t have come at a more perfect time with Oubre and Ayton helping pick up the slack.

Finally, the Suns’ second unit continues to be a major issue. And it could lead to big offseason changes in that area, if it doesn’t improve internally.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/10/2020: Parsing James Jones’ comments on team expectations, trade deadline, and Deandre Ayton Jan 09, 2020

This week, we had the chance to speak to Suns GM James Jones again in an exclusive setting at Bright Side Night 2020.

Jones spoke for around 30 minutes on a multitude of topics, delving into his expectations this year, the makeup of the roster, and Deandre Ayton’s progress this season.

It sounds like Jones and Co. were caught off guard by the early 7-4 start, and we might not hear any trade chatter until right before the deadline. Also, what’s up with Deandre Ayton not shooting three-pointers? Jones, along with head coach Monty Williams, both mentioned this situation is on Ayton’s shoulders.

We break all of Jones’ comments down.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/9/2020: Jackson Frank of The Athletic introduces us to the 2020 NBA Draft class Jan 09, 2020

Jackson Frank of The Athletic and DIME Magazine joins to give his initial thoughts on the 2020 NBA Draft, which is weak overall but stacked with players at the Suns’ positions of need.

That leads to flipping through the top play-makers in the class, including Nico Mannion, Cole Anthony and Tyrese Haliburton. Considering the Suns’ need for a point guard of the future, we discuss who fits best next to Devin Booker in Monty Williams’ system.

We close by breaking down some of the top forward prospects in the class, as it becomes increasingly clear the Suns don’t view Dario Saric as the long-term answer there. So we look at hyped players such as Precious Achiuwa and Jaden McDaniels as well as players like Obi Toppin and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, whom the Suns might value more.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/8/2020: Suns suffer epic collapse in second half against Kings; what comes next? Jan 07, 2020

What a way to squander a victory. Somehow, someway, the Phoenix Suns are coming up with new ways of accomplishing that since their 7-4 start to the season.

This time, what about a 21-point collapse in the final 15 minutes of regulation? This is certainly a new one, which could lead to changes all around the Suns soon enough. The problems are too wide-ranging and compounding to fix with small tweaks.

Devin Booker continued his incredible scoring streak, adding his seventh consecutive 30-point night, but what’s happened to the flow of Phoenix’s offense during that stretch?

We go over all of this on our usual free throws, flagrant fouls, and stats to watch postgame from Talking Stick Resort Arena.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/7/2019: Analyzing the Suns’ big rotation changes with Gerald Bourguet Jan 06, 2020

The Phoenix Suns have decided to embrace size in their starting unit, playing former No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton as their power forward alongside Aron Baynes. What does this mean for the Suns moving forward, if this duo continues to be trotted out? And is it even a good idea? It’s all Bayton everything on today’s episode, with guest Gerald Bourguet.

Speaking of rotation changes, Dario Saric looks to be the odd man out right now. And in the final year of his contract, that shows how Phoenix likely feels about him moving forward.

We analyze possible trade options for Saric leading up to February’s trade deadline to close out the show.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/6/2019: Suns unable to capture momentum to begin homestand Jan 05, 2020

What a disappointing end of the weekend for the Phoenix Suns. After an impressive comeback against the Knicks, that all vanished with another bad outing versus Memphis.

Monty Williams was so frustrated postgame he gave an opening statement, and then walked off.

It looks like the Aron Baynes and Deandre combination isn’t going to work long-term. We talk through the rotation changes and what it means for Dario Saric and Cam Johnson.

It’s safe to say an important stretch for the Suns right now is on the verge of being squandered away.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/3/2020: Revisiting 2019 free agency and looking ahead to 2020 for Baynes, Love and Gallinari Jan 03, 2020

After a report from Eric Pincus at Bleacher Report signaling the Clippers’ interest in Aron Baynes ahead of the February trade deadline, we explore the Suns’ growing trade possibilities this season.

While it’s unlikely the Suns part ways with Baynes any time soon, they certainly should be active. Kevin Love isn’t much of a fit with what the Suns need right now, but Danilo Gallinari’s defensive versatility and shot creation could be a big lift, if the Suns are willing to give up a first-round pick.

We close the show by looking at a slew of 2019 free agents that the Suns were reportedly interested in and whether they were right or wrong to pass them by.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/2/2020: Late rally not enough as Ricky Rubio gets hurt and Suns lose to Lakers Jan 01, 2020

Brendon goes solo to recap an up-and-down loss to the Lakers in Los Angeles. After a miserable first half, the Suns dominated the final 24 minutes but missed threes and an injury to Ricky Rubio prevented them from finishing off the comeback.

Brendon breaks down the strong play and aggressive energy from Deandre Ayton and Tyler Johnson down the stretch and what it could mean going forward.

Finally, more on why the Lakers are such a bad matchup for the Suns and how LeBron James got his triple-double to close out the show.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/1/2020: KAT trade talk, an up-and-down December, plus Devin Booker’s All-Star chances Jan 01, 2020

Is Karl-Anthony Towns about to set a new precedent for today’s NBA player empowerment movement? There’s lots of smoke around Towns being unhappy now in Minnesota during the first season of his five-year max extension. If he does indeed ask out sometime soon, will the Suns pounce on the opportunity?

Meanwhile, how about that rocky December for Phoenix? Finishing 5-10 on the month, what were the biggest takeaways?

We finish up talking about the chances Devin Booker makes his first All-Star appearance in 2020. Booker's team is improved, plus his numbers have maintained with even higher efficiency. Who are Booker's biggest competitors for a reserve spot?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/31/2019: Suns send a statement with 19-point comeback victory over Trail Blazers Dec 31, 2019

Well, that’s one way to pull off an important victory. After trailing 38-19 at the end of the first quarter, the Suns went on to outscore Portland the next three stanzas thanks to strong performances across the board.

Devin Booker continued to prove he’s back to his old self with another high-scoring, efficient outing while Kelly Oubre Jr. stepped up as the Suns’ 1B option behind their $158 million man.

Meanwhile, Dario Saric had another poor outing. Could we see more small-ball incoming, maybe even Mikal Bridges taking Saric’s starting spot eventually if these types of duds continue?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/30/2019: Recapping a rollercoaster back-to-back in Northern Cal Dec 29, 2019

What an eventful weekend back-to-back that was for the Phoenix Suns, right?

After a chaotic loss against the Warriors, Phoenix snapped their skid in Sacramento the next night thanks to Harrison Barnes missing a wide-open three-pointer.

Devin Booker seems to be figuring out when to flip the aggressive switch, while the Suns overall continue to struggle in clutch situations.

We break down everything we saw during the back to back this weekend.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/27/2019: Twitter mailbag on backup PG targets, the 2020 NBA Draft, to tank or not to tank, and Dario Saric Dec 28, 2019

We fired up the Twitter mailbag again and on today’s episode, we run through all of your questions. Hear what piques your fellow Suns fans’ interest the most right now 30 games in?

From trades to rotation discussion, we cover lots of ground in this one. Would we really consider a Deandre Ayton for Karl-Anthony Towns trade? How about an early look at the 2020 draft class, and what prospects would fit best in Phoenix?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/23/2019: Defensive woes, Mikal Bridges struggling, and the backup PG situation Dec 23, 2019

The Phoenix Suns are currently in a tailspin, losing their past six games. What can they do to shake out of this funk? It doesn’t get any easier closing out the month of December with top-tier opponents.

Then, we look into what’s up with Mikal Bridges? Phoenix’s second-year wing hasn’t been able to change his offensive style this year, and head coach Monty Williams seems to be getting frustrated by it as well.

Finally, we close on the backup point guard spot. Will any of Jevon Carter, Tyler Johnson, Elie Okobo or Ty Jerome cut it? If not, should the Suns explore trade options as we get closer to February’s deadline?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/20/2019: Analyzing trade season with Jeff Siegel of Early Bird Rights Dec 20, 2019

We are joined by the founder of Early Bird Rights, Jeff Siegel, to take a deep dive into what trade season could look like around the NBA and how Phoenix should operate.

What will the market look like for Kevin Love? The Suns have been mentioned as a possible destination, but there could be other teams more desperate to make a playoff push and take on his huge salary.

If not in a trade Love, how should Phoenix use Tyler Johnson’s expiring contract? As Siegel laid out, there are several intriguing options for Phoenix outside of Love to pursue using Johnson’s bloated salary.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @jgsiegel, @esidery, @BrendonKleen14

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/19/2019: Checking in on where Phoenix stands in the Western Conference playoff race amid a drought Dec 18, 2019

Following the Suns’ hot start, regression to the mean has sunk the ship a bit. However, that doesn’t mean Phoenix is nosediving to the Western Conference basement. The rest of the teams are bad enough that the Suns have stayed right in it.

They are clustered with the Thunder, Kings, Trail Blazers and Spurs for two playoff spots.

What needs to happen for Phoenix to stay afloat, and who are the contenders and pretenders in this battle for the bottom two seeds?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/18/2019: Clippers clamp down on Suns in Deandre Ayton’s return Dec 17, 2019

Even though the big fella was finally back, it wasn’t enough for the Suns against this Clippers juggernaut. Deandre Ayton fared well in his return with 18 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block in only 24 minutes.

What stood out to the most to us about Ayton?

Also, Kelly Oubre Jr. was up to the challenge of going one-on-one with Paul George, providing highlight plays on both ends. Oubre is proving he can fit whatever role is asked of him within Monty Williams’ system.

Finally, as always, stick around for flagrant fouls and stats to watch to close it out. Who landed on the negative side in a 121-99 loss in Los Angeles?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/17/2019: Melo and Dame bring Portland back from 16-point deficit to beat Suns Dec 16, 2019

We take you inside the Suns’ 1-point loss to Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers in a game the Suns in which led by 16 at one point. Carmelo Anthony was solid throughout and Portland’s star backcourt of Lillard and CJ McCollum took over in the second half.

Without Devin Booker, the Suns were hard-pressed for points. That made Kelly Oubre Jr.’s big night, especially in the clutch, even more impressive. But inefficient games from Ricky Rubio and Mikal Bridges hurt the Suns.

The Suns dropped two games in heart-breaking fashion leading up to Deandre Ayton’s return tomorrow night in Los Angeles. Will things change soon?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/16/2019: First Trimester Report Cards, Part II Dec 16, 2019

We finish up our annual trimester report cards looking at the first third of the Suns’ season by breaking down the performance of Cameron Johnson, Mikal Bridges and Aron Baynes.

The two young wings are sitting wasted on a broken bench, while Baynes has a chance to revitalize that bench when Deandre Ayton returns this week.

We discuss how Johnson can be better in small ball lineups while Bridges’ usage is a continuing concern regardless of his three-point percentage, as well as how Baynes’ defense can help him overcome regression from deep.

As always, it’s a heavy mix of stats and observations, with grades for each player. Dive in!

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/12/2019: First Trimester Report Cards, Part I Dec 13, 2019

A listener favorite is back, as we debut Part I of our Suns trimester report cards! Today, we dive deep into our takeaways plus advanced metrics for Devin Booker, Ricky Rubio and Kelly Oubre.

Booker is still in the 50/40/90 club through a third of the season. However, we are starting to notice some defensive regression. But don’t worry, Booker still received the best grade, which shouldn’t surprise anyone.

Rubio has been such a treat to watch, and the numbers show how important he is already to his new squad in the Valley. Where would the Suns be at this point without Rubio?

Finally, we go deep on Oubre. He’s put more of an emphasis on rebounding and finishing at the rim, but the inconsistency still shows itself from time to time.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/11/2019: Jaren Jackson Jr. and the Memphis Grizzlies hand Suns another candidate for worst loss of the year Dec 11, 2019

We break down possibly the Suns’ worst loss of the year, a 115-108 unraveling at the hands of the Memphis Grizzlies.

After the game, Monty Williams talked a lot about knowing personnel and how that was the story of the game. Jaren Jackson Jr. killed the Suns, Devin Booker looked possibly hurt, and the bench was hapless in a game that Memphis thoroughly won.

From about the 10:00 mark in the first quarter on, the Grizzlies played better, and Phoenix couldn’t take advantage after cutting the lead to four in the fourth period.

All the momentum the Suns gained by dominating Minnesota disappeared.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/11/2019: Zach Milner of The Stepien on Cam Johnson and Ty Jerome Dec 11, 2019

After the 2019 draft back in June, Zach Milner of The Stepien joined to discuss why Cam Johnson and Ty Jerome made sense in Phoenix. A quarter of the way through their rookie seasons, we brought Zach back on to assess what we have seen from both rookies thus far.

Johnson certainly looks the part of a plug-and-play wing, but he’s surprisingly holding up well in an area we originally doubted. Meanwhile, as Jerome settles in, we wonder what his most optimal role is with the Suns.

Stick around for some early 2020 draft talk, too! Who makes sense for Phoenix, if they keep their pick?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/10/2019: The offense fires on all cylinders in big win over Timberwolves Dec 09, 2019

Thanks to outstanding outings from Dario Saric, Ricky Rubio and Mikal Bridges, the Suns cruised to a runaway victory over the Timberwolves, their second win over the potentially playoff-bound Wolves.

Unlike the teams’ first battle, Booker wasn’t the only player who stepped up, and the overall balance helped propel the Suns to a dominating win.

As Deandre Ayton’s return nears, we look at what this game tells us about how he can help the Suns when he gets back into the lineup.

We close the show by breaking down how the Suns went small against Karl-Anthony Towns and Minnesota as well as the momentum they’re building offensively since the return of Rubio.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/9/2019: Aron Baynes injury update plus how the Suns fell short in Houston Dec 08, 2019

Even though the Suns lost and fell to 2-2 on their road trip, Devin Booker and Ricky Rubio still showcased how valuable they are on a nightly basis. An aggressive Mikal Bridges is also always a great sight.

What’s next for Frank Kaminsky, especially once Aron Baynes and Deandre Ayton are back? Right now, it looks like Kaminsky might be out of the rotation entirely unless we see drastic improvement soon.

Even though Kaminsky has struggled mightily, they will receive a huge boost from Baynes as soon as Monday against Minnesota. We discuss how much Baynes could help the Suns before Ayton’s return next week.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/6/2019: Another crazy one goes down to the wire as Suns beat Pelicans on the second night of a back-to-back Dec 06, 2019

We recap the second night of the Suns’ road back-to-back, which featured another wild game in which Phoenix came out on top. The Suns beat the Pelicans, 139-132, behind a season-high 44 points from Devin Booker.

As always, we bring you the highs and lows, including a breakdown of Booker’s sensational scoring night and why the Suns were unable to take advantage when New Orleans went small.

We close the show with a closer look at the rebounding battle, Ricky Rubio’s passing efficiency, and how the Suns took ONE-HUNDRED AND SEVEN shots!

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/4/2019: Suns put together forgetful outing in Orlando Dec 04, 2019

That was another rough outing for the Phoenix Suns, as they fell in Orlando on Wednesday 128-114. Thanks to porous defense, which helped Aaron Gordon and Mo Bamba dominate, Phoenix didn’t stand much of a chance in the second half.

Frank Kaminsky led the Suns in scoring, but his defense did no favors either. Small mistakes like Mikal Bridges fouling jump-shooters hurt the Suns as well.

For many Suns fans, this will be a game to forget. However, the regression to the mean is really hitting this team hard right now, meaning things could get better again soon.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/3/2019: Opening the Pandora’s box that is Tyler Johnson’s expiring contract Dec 04, 2019

Against the Charlotte Hornets on Monday night, Ty Jerome was playing in Tyler Johnson’s rotation spot. Meanwhile, Johnson was a DNP-CD. Is this a sign of what’s to come with Johnson?

If so, it’s time to start exploring realistic options for the Suns using his bloated expiring contract.

If the Suns believe trading him is the best decision for the future of the franchise, Johnson’s $19.25 million can be used in many different ways.

We explore who around the Association the Suns should consider trading Johnson for.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/3/2019: Kelly Oubre Jr. saves the Suns from their worst loss of the season Dec 02, 2019

What a crazy game that was.

After leading by 20 points at halftime, the Suns were trailing late against the Hornets before Kelly Oubre Jr. took the game over himself. Turning what would’ve been a crushing loss into a win could be exactly what this team needed moving forward.

Outside of Oubre, who stood out the most? The point guard duo of Ricky Rubio and Ty Jerome looked great combining for 17 assists and 0 turnovers, while an aggressive version of Mikal Bridges was a pleasant surprise.

We go over the biggest positives and negatives from the contest and we also break down the Suns’ stellar assist to turnover ratio as we analyze the game from every angle.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/2/2019: Revisiting the Cam Johnson selection and the 2019 draft Dec 01, 2019

Remember how confusing the 2019 draft was for the Phoenix Suns? Well, those old takes now look silly as the Suns have been helped tremendously by Cameron Johnson, who ranks No. 6 in win shares among rookies.

We discuss Johnson in relation to the 2019 draft class as a whole and how this class could influence future drafts. Will teams begin to go more towards experience over potential now with the recent success of Johnson, Brandon Clarke, and PJ Washington?

Before we dive deep into this, we go over the Suns’ latest injury report. Who will be available for the beginning of an important road trip?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 11/30/2019: Struggles continue for Suns against Wizards and Mavericks Nov 30, 2019

The hot start to the season for the Phoenix Suns is starting to fade into the distance. Early season momentum has vanished, so what’s going wrong? We went over exactly that for their outings against the Washington Wizards and Dallas Mavericks earlier this week.

Losing to Washington, especially on the second night of their back-to-back was inexcusable, but Luka Doncic was unstoppable for Dallas on Friday night. How will Phoenix regain their winning ways?

Entering an important road trip, it’s time for the Suns to prove whether they are truly for real or not.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 11/26/2019: Why the next 11 games are critical to the Suns staying afloat in the playoff race Nov 27, 2019

Before Deandre Ayton returns Dec. 17 from his suspension, the Phoenix Suns have an important stretch of games looming to stay in the top eight. How do we see these games going for Phoenix?

In the Western Conference, Dallas and Phoenix have been the two teams overachieving above their preseason expectations. We break down what it will take for the Suns to continue playing well, including several matchups before Ayton’s return against top West teams.

Finally, we close with our most intriguing numbers from the past couple weeks.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 11/25/2019: Kevin Zimmerman of Arizona Sports joins to talk Jerome’s return, Oubre’s rise and Luka’s dominance Nov 25, 2019

Ty Jerome is almost ready to make his official NBA regular season debut following an ankle sprain. What type of impact will Jerome have on this roster?

Arizona Sports’ Kevin Zimmerman joined the show to discuss Jerome, Kelly Oubre Jr., and the 2018 draft.

Speaking of Oubre, is this more efficient version sustainable? Through a 500-minute sample size, it sure does. We break down how he's taking better shots and being aggressive for free throw opportunities.

Finally, we close the show discussing the 2018 draft. Luka Doncic is averaging 31 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists right now as a legit MVP candidate. Deandre Ayton will always be linked to Doncic, but this doesn’t mean Ayton's upside isn’t superstar-worthy either.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @kzimmermanAZ, @esidery, @BrendonKleen14

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LOCKED ON SUNS 11/24/2019: A 1-1 back to back shows how top-heavy the injured Suns are Nov 24, 2019

We reconvene following the completion of a hellish week for the Suns, playing five games in seven nights and losing four of them. The injuries to Ricky Rubio and Aron Baynes are hurting the Suns even as the schedule eases up.

We stick to our usual recap format but look at both games together, digging into how the bench duo of Elie Okobo and Cheick Diallo is playing so well and why players like Frank Kaminsky and Tyler Johnson continue to struggle (easier said than done to explain that!)

We close the show by highlighting the Suns’ atrocious rebounding against the Nuggets and the magic of Devin Booker despite icky offense in Minnesota.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @esidery, @BrendonKleen14

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LOCKED ON SUNS 11/22/2019: Make it three straight! The Suns lose 124-121 to New Orleans Nov 22, 2019

Brendon goes solo after another low-energy game from the Suns without their veteran leaders, Ricky Rubio and Aron Baynes.

Highlights from the close contest include Elie Okobo stepping into the backup point guard role and playing well and Kelly Oubre Jr. looking increasingly comfortable as a legitimate secondary play-maker.

But why does Tyler Johnson not look like himself, and is there any way to get him out of it?

Finally, how the Suns nearly overcame a hot shooting night by the Pelicans by going small but were ultimately unable to stop Brandon Ingram.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @esidery, @BrendonKleen14

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LOCKED ON SUNS 11/20/2019: Gina Mizell of The Athletic on the story of Aron Baynes plus what we got wrong about the 2019-20 Suns Nov 21, 2019

We are joined by The Athletic’s Suns beat reporter, Gina Mizell, to take us through her incredible profile of Aron Baynes and break down the Suns’ first dozen games.

Gina takes us inside her conversations with everyone from national champion Tony Bennett to Baynes himself across the Aussie’s journey to Phoenix.

Then, we break down what we each were most wrong about heading into the 2019-20 season for the Suns. We close the show by discussing some of the cracks that have started to show up in the Suns’ success as they’ve dropped three of four games.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @ginamizell, @esidery, @BrendonKleen14

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LOCKED ON SUNS 11/19/2019: Too little, too late for Suns in close loss to Kings Nov 20, 2019

The Suns have now lost consecutive games for the first time this season as the second night of a back-to-back caught up with them in Sacramento in a 120-116 loss.

Devin Booker somehow finished with 30 points, but efforts from Mikal Bridges and Cameron Johnson can’t be ignored either as they continue to gain more confidence. Each reserve wing set a career high in scoring.

Meanwhile, poor outings once more from Dario Saric and Tyler Johnson are beginning to raise questions about their minutes and role moving forward.

Even without Ricky Rubio and Aron Baynes, Phoenix stayed afloat after a porous start. Will they build off this momentum found late in the game heading into Thursday versus New Orleans?

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @esidery, @BrendonKleen14

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LOCKED ON SUNS 11/18/2019: Suns throttled by Celtics without their point guard Nov 19, 2019

So, this is what it’s like to not have a bonafide starting point guard again. Without Ricky Rubio due to back spasms, and of course Deandre Ayton’s suspension that still lasts another month, Phoenix was too shorthanded versus a high-powered Celtics team operating at full speed right now.

They lost, 99-85.

After falling down by 15 at halftime, the Suns battled back after a 7-0 run cut the lead to 9, but it was too late to catch up against the current No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.

For the first time all year, it was tough to find many positives, but we discuss how the team can bounce back before playing Sacramento on Tuesday.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @esidery, @BrendonKleen14

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LOCKED ON SUNS 11/17/2019: Where the Suns sit in the West standings plus we preview the Celtics-Kings back-to-back Nov 18, 2019

Surprise! The Phoenix Suns are playing like a legit playoff contender through their first 11 games of the 2019-20 season. Will it sustain? We take a look at the Western Conference standings to see if teams are trending upward or downward.

Outside of the true title contenders — Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Houston Rockets, Utah Jazz and Denver Nuggets — Phoenix falls into a cluster alongside Dallas and Minnesota as young teams rising quicker than expected.

After diving even deeper into the early playoff picture, we close out by discussing an important back-to-back upcoming for the Suns against Boston and Sacramento.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 11/15/2019: Suns again blow out inferior opponent, dominate Hawks at home Nov 15, 2019

After the Suns fell behind 19-10 to the Atlanta Hawks, they outscored them 118-93 behind great team play. Even though Ricky Rubio and Aron Baynes had off nights, it didn’t matter as Devin Booker, Kelly Oubre Jr., and Dario Saric produced strong outings.

Phoenix’s efficient offense continues to slice through defenses, nearing 50/40/90 shooting almost every game. On Thursday night, they were oh so close to doing it again. The pieces within the Suns’ roster ares starting to fit together, and head coach Monty Williams is taking advantage.

This game proved to be similar to the Suns’ win over Memphis earlier in the year. They proved once more they can easily take care of lottery-bound competition, another good sign of what’s to come.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @esidery, @BrendonKleen14

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LOCKED ON SUNS 11/13/2019: 10-game awards for the Phoenix Suns Nov 14, 2019

Through 10 games of the 2019-20 season, the Phoenix Suns are finally starting to get some national buzz with a 6-4 record. With that being said, we borrowed an idea from The Ringer’s Bill Simmons and Kevin O’Connor, who spoke about the Suns a bit this week, to help further analyze the Suns’ hot start handing out some awards.

That means it’s award time. From MVP to DPOY to biggest surprises and disappointments, we cycle through a ton of different factors for this Suns team award-style.

Devin Booker is the easy winner for MVP, but who are some players we are buying and selling stock on? Some of the answers may surprise you!

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LOCKED ON SUNS 11/13/2019: Suns prove legitimacy in tightly contested loss to Lakers Nov 13, 2019

We break down Phoenix’s narrow loss to the Lakers, 123-115, at home in another promising game for the upstart Suns.

As always, we begin with the positives, and there were plenty, from the three-point shooting to the strong play of Ricky Rubio and Dario Saric. Despite giving up 123 points, this still felt like a game the Suns stayed in because of their defensive energy and shooting.

We also discuss Kelly Oubre Jr., who has struggled against two big playmaking wings in the past week in Jimmy Butler and LeBron James. Is there any way for the Suns to stop those guys? Could Cam Johnson be part of the answer after another strong game?

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @esidery, @BrendonKleen14

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LOCKED ON SUNS 11/12/2019: How the Suns’ rotation shortened and could continue to change throughout the year Nov 12, 2019

As the Suns become a team opponents must actually gameplan for, they will change. Coach Monty Williams showed that Sunday as he benched Jevon Carter.

Going forward, will Ty Jerome get Carter’s minutes, or will the veteran guards just absorb them? Will we finally see Point Book?

And of course, with Frank Kaminsky struggling and Deandre Ayton set to return in about six weeks, the big man rotation will look very different by the Jan. 1, 2020. Does Ayton start when he gets back? Is there a chance Frank is benched?

It’s time to start thinking about how the depth chart could fluctuate.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @esidery, @BrendonKleen14

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LOCKED ON SUNS 11/11/2019: It’s been a long time since the Suns were on this side of a blowout Nov 11, 2019

We react to a dominant performance by the Suns against the Nets in a 138-112 victory. Devin Booker and Ricky Rubio again led the way, generating efficient offense for Phoenix as they shot 50-40-90 as a team yet again.

We also touch on Kelly Oubre Jr.’s consistency and Cam Johnson’s first big game, as well as Jevon Carter getting cut out of the rotation and Frank Kaminsky’s struggles.

Finally, the Suns piled up 37 assists compared with just SEVEN turnovers. So we talked about that.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @esidery, @BrendonKleen14

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LOCKED ON SUNS 11/8/2019: Why it’s OK that the Suns lost to a good Miami team Nov 08, 2019

After being the talk of the NBA world over the past few days, the Phoenix Suns ran into a Miami Heat buzzsaw led by Jimmy Butler, losing 124-108. Butler's red-hot start with 30 points at halftime was the precursor to a Goran Dragic explosion later on.

Phoenix continuously fought back in this one with runs to cut double-digit deficits, but the Heat were just too much on both ends of the court.

As usual in our live recap episodes from Talking Stick Resort Arena, listen for our free throws, flagrant fouls, and stats to watch, as the Suns fell to 5-3 on the season.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 11/7/2019: Comparing these Suns to past surprise Suns teams with Jon Bloom of Arizona Sports Nov 07, 2019

After one of the most surprising starts to the season possible, the Phoenix Suns are the talk of the NBA right now. We brought Jon Bloom, the radio voice of the Suns, on the show to give his impressions of the Suns in addition to how they compare to the 2013-14 Suns.

What’s been Bloom’s impressions of not only Devin Booker, but Ricky Rubio and the other new additions? Can they keep it going to chase the 2013-14 team’s 48-34 record?

Don’t be surprised if Bloom’s 41-41 prediction looks the most correct of any Suns personality by season’s end, but what needs to happen for them to reach even higher than that?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 11/5/2019: Sixers-Suns thoughts plus an alternate history of the Mikal Bridges trade with The Athletic’s Jackson Frank Nov 06, 2019

Jackson Frank of The Athletic and Liberty Ballers joins the show to dive back into the Suns’ 114-109 victory over Philadelphia on Monday night before playing alternate history with us to close the show.

We discuss why Devin Booker always seems to go off against the Sixers, how the Suns were able to contain Ben Simmons, and Philadelphia’s struggles when Simmons isn’t initiating the offense effectively.

We close the show by imagining the butterfly effect of the Sixers not dealing Mikal Bridges. If they never traded him, they might not pull off the Tobias Harris trade, while the Suns would (reportedly) end up with Donte DiVincenzo. On the other hand, maybe Bridges is dealt to the Clippers for Harris and would be playing with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George right now.

This fascinating deal connects the current version of both franchises.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @esidery, @BrendonKleen14

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LOCKED ON SUNS 11/4/2019: Devin Booker plays his best game ever as Suns take down Sixers Nov 05, 2019

We break down the latest huge victory for the Suns as this team continues to dominate the first few weeks of the NBA calendar. Phoenix took down Philadelphia on Monday, 114-109, to move to 5-2 on the season. Huh!?

Relive the action with us as we explain how the Suns overcame an aggressive Sixers defense and an uncomfortable game rhythm to come away with the win.

This was one of the best games and most memorable nights of Devin Booker’s career considering his efficiency and the team coming away with a win. Has he been an NBA MVP candidate through seven games? We discuss.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 11/4/2019: Recapping another dominant win for the Suns in Memphis Nov 04, 2019

The Phoenix Suns flexed their muscles in Memphis on Saturday with a 114-105 victory, and it really wasn’t even that close. Leading by double-digits for most of the game, Phoenix saw contributions from countless players.

Devin Booker and Aron Baynes were the two biggest stars, but a total team effort helped propel them to victory. Monty Williams has the Suns playing their best basketball in years. Will it continue, though? As far as regression goes, we might have seen our first example on Saturday from one player.

We close the show with some quick preview thoughts on Monday’s home bout with the 76ers.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 11/01/2019: A jumbo listener mailbag on the Suns’ hot start Nov 02, 2019

Following the best start to a season in years, why not toss out a spontaneous listener mailbag? And everyone sure did respond, so thanks for that.

We start with the Aron Baynes vs. Deandre Ayton debate. Then, we answered questions on everything from the backup point guard battle to Mikal Bridges' cold start.

Also, is the preseason over/under win total of 29.5 too low for this team now?

Make sure to keep track of our Twitter page for our next mailbag or subscribe if you miss out before we record one. It might pop up at any time!

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @esidery, @BrendonKleen14

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/31/2019: How the Suns can keep up their unexpected success Nov 01, 2019

The Phoenix Suns are the story of the 2019-20 season thus far with their surprising growth on both ends of the court.

With wins over the Kings, Clippers, and Warriors thus far, this team definitely looks like it will be keeping up the competitiveness. But what numbers have the chance of falling off?

We take you inside how Devin Booker, Ricky Rubio, and Aron Baynes highlight the Suns’ resurgence and how head coach Monty Williams has done a masterful job crafting a system around the strengths of his players.

Then, we close today’s show going over shot luck, three-point and free throw percentages, plus the metrics that show how the momentum could continue for Phoenix.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @esidery, @BrendonKleen14

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/30/2019: Suns continue incredible turnaround with win over Warriors Oct 30, 2019

Once again, the Phoenix Suns surprised everyone with another victory, this time in Golden State against the Golden State Warriors at their new arena. What stood out the most as Phoenix improves to 3-2 on the season?

Devin Booker was once again the best player on the floor, while Aron Baynes had arguably the best game of his career. Dario Saric, Ricky Rubio, and Cam Johnson all were solid contributors as well who stepped up to the plate when called upon.

Monty Williams deserves major Coach of the Year buzz if this continues throughout the season. Is it time to start talking about this team as a fringe playoff contender? No, we’re not kidding.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/29/2019: Analyzing the resurgent Suns with ESPN’s Chris Herring Oct 29, 2019

If you’re an NBA fan, you know Chris Herring. Writing for ESPN and FiveThirtyEight, Herring has given an interesting perspective on the Association for years now, and he joined the show to discuss why the Suns caught his attention.

Herring explains why Monty Williams is doing a good coaching job so far, while the roster’s overall depth at each position is paying off. Herring also explained why Ricky Rubio’s addition was so huge to the growth of this team.

How do the Suns stack up against other young cores around the league? Herring let us know where they currently land in his eyes.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/28/2019: Phoenix finally has a competent basketball team again Oct 29, 2019

Are we safe to say the Phoenix Suns finally have a competent basketball team? What we witnessed the last two games should have anyone over the moon right now in joy.

Phoenix is 2-2, but their point differential is plus-35. Their two losses are by a combined two points. They have depth at every position, and they’re not beating themselves, showing all-out effort on both ends.

Yes, times are definitely changing within the Suns’ organization thanks to head coach Monty Williams and roster improvements.

We recapped not only tonight’s narrow defeat versus Utah live from Talking Stick Resort Arena, but also start off the show with our biggest takeaways against the Clippers.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/25/2019: What happens next with Deandre Ayton plus a Denver recap Oct 26, 2019

As the aftermath of Deandre Ayton’s 25-game suspension spirals toward the NBA Players’ Association, we give you the latest on the situation as well as our thoughts on what happens to the team without him.

Monty Williams said Aron Baynes will be the starter for now, but the big man depth of this team will surely be tested.

Brendon joins to talk Ayton and Evan closes the show solo with a recap of the Nuggets game, the Suns’ first without Ayton.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/24/2019: Deandre Ayton suspension and Game One breakdown with Sam Cooper of The Timeline Podcast Oct 24, 2019

In the middle of recording our takeaways from game one with Sam Cooper of The Timeline Podcast, a huge bombshell broke, via Adrian Wojnarowski: Deandre Ayton has been suspended 25 games by the NBA for testing positive for a diuretic.

What does this mean for the Suns’ chances in the short-term, as Ayton will have to sit out now until December 17. This situation will remain fluid up until tipoff tomorrow against Denver if not much longer, as the NBA Players’ Association will appeal.

We also break down the Suns’ upcoming schedule and our day-after thoughts on the Suns’ big win over Sacramento.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/23/2019: Suns blast Kings to begin 2019-20 season Oct 23, 2019

How about that for a season opener? What an impressive performance from the Phoenix Suns in their 124-95 victory over the Sacramento Kings.

Continuing our usual format from last season with our free throws, flagrant fouls (luckily zero tonight), and stat to watch, we talk through all the key figures in the Suns’ season-opener. From Ricky Rubio’s brilliant debut to Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton’s noticeable developments, plenty stood out.

Now, the question is will the Suns keep this momentum up or will deja vu happen with this win mirroring last year’s dominant opening night victory over Dallas?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/22/2019: Suns would you rathers with Max McCauley of the 7SOL Pod Oct 22, 2019

We are just as ready for the season as you, and today Max McCauley of the 7SOL podcast joins us to reconfigure expectations going into the 2019-20 season with some hypothetical questions.

More specifically, Max helps answer four would you rather questions that help us dig into the 2019-20 Suns season as well as the future of the team.

We close the show with a preview of opening night against the Kings.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/21/2019: No new deal for Dario Saric as NBA extension deadline comes and goes Oct 22, 2019

The 2 p.m. extension deadline for players on their rookie-scale extensions to sign new contracts is behind us. Dario Saric did not get a new contract. Still, from Buddy Hield to Jaylen Brown and Domantas Sabonis, we try to glean as much as possible from the new contracts signed around the NBA today.

How will this impact Saric? The Suns’ draft-night acquisition didn’t receive an extension before the deadline, so it’s time for him to prove himself to Suns GM James Jones. What does Saric need to do to receive a new contract from Phoenix in July?

Also, what type of salary figure makes the most sense for Saric if he does well in the Valley? It’s a pivotal year for not only the Suns to make a leap forward, but Saric to show why he deserves a nice payday.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/18/2019: How the Hield and Sabonis news affects the Suns plus we take your Twitter questions Oct 19, 2019

All of your latest questions were answered on today’s show as we open up the listener mailbag once more. If you want your questions answered, make sure to follow @LockedOnPHXSuns on Twitter!

Before diving into the mailbag, we discuss why the line continues to keep moving forward on player empowerment. If they don’t get what they want, leaving is suddenly in the cards. We discuss whether the Suns could be interested in any of the unhappy players.

Then make sure to finish off with answers on Ty Jerome to Frank Kaminsky and overall team structure as we head into the start of the regular season for the Suns.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/17/2019: D’Angelo Russell wants to play with Devin Booker and KAT Oct 18, 2019

There’s a lot of news to cover on today’s episode, less than a week before the Suns’ regular season opener. From Marquese Chriss and Draymond Green to Bradley Beal inking an extension with Washington, lots of ground was covered in this one.

The biggest news today is what D’Angelo Russell said at the end of a SLAM Magazine cover story also featuring Karl-Anthony Towns and Devin Booker.

“When we’re all on the same team — I ain’t gonna tell you which team because I don’t know — we’re gonna do this again,” Russell said.

Should we take this note seriously? Yes. Could the Suns be involved in this dream scenario one day with Booker, Towns, and Russell?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/16/2019: Reassessing the Suns' rotation after preseason Oct 16, 2019

We break down what we expect Monty Williams’ rotation to look like next week and beyond. Williams has stayed true to his 10-man rotation idea, but have too many players forced his hand for playing time?

The starting lineup seems like a lock — Ricky Rubio, Devin Booker, Kelly Oubre Jr., Dario Saric, and Deandre Ayton — and it’s one that could be prolific offensively. Also, the second unit has the chance to be the best Phoenix has put together in years.

Finally, we examine where the rookies fit in and how the Suns can use their newfound depth as a real advantage on a nightly basis.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/15/2019: Our top 6 preseason takeaways Oct 15, 2019

What can we learn from the Suns’ preseason where they went 2-2? A lot.

From the all-around roster change to the switch from Igor Kokoskov to Monty Williams, it’s leading to raised expectations and what looks like a legitimately competitive roster. Also, the experience provided from the Suns’ 2019 rookie class is pushing this rotation possibly to 11 instead of 10.

After multiple years where there seemed to be no direction and youth in place of experience, the opposite rings true now. Now, it’s time to see if Phoenix’s franchise pillars — Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton — can take advantage of the opportunity. What did preseason tell us about how ready these two are to do so?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/14/2019: Suns show life as they close out preseason against Portland and Denver Oct 14, 2019

Preseason has been hard to watch online or on TV this year, but we’re here to fill you in on everything you might have missed this week.

First, the Suns’ onslaught in Portland, as they made 24 threes and blew out the Trail Blazers. Then our live reactions from a difficult matchup against the Nuggets.

Are we any closer to knowing who will start at forward or who fills out the 10-man rotation for the Suns? Who has surprised us? What should we expect at the start of the regular season?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/11/2019: News roundup on Marquese Chriss, rookie options, Victor Oladipo and more Oct 12, 2019

Wondering how the 2016 draft class is doing for the Suns? At least one, Marquese Chriss, seems to be finding solid footing right now with Golden State. We go down memory lane once more.

This news shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone, but Deandre Ayton and Mikal Bridges’ third-year team options were picked up today. Both will be long-term fixtures on the Suns.

What was Ryan McDonough’s original draft plan? It might have been unveiled this week. McDonough mentioned on a podcast he was trying to trade up to No. 1 overall in the 2013 draft to select Victor Oladipo. Would things have changed much in the Valley?

We then close out the show looking ahead to the Suns’ next matchups against Portland and Denver.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/10/2019: Shooting woes lead to blowout preseason loss to Kings Oct 10, 2019

After the Suns’ preseason slate opened with an impressive win over Minnesota, poor shooting and missed opportunities headline a loss in Sacramento.

From Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton to Jevon Carter and Dario Saric, all angles of this game were covered on today’s episode. For those who couldn’t find the time to watch, this is a nice breakdown of what happened.

How much should we truly take away from preseason action, too? It’s a time to knock some rust off for some players, but are there trends out there that correlate?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/9/2019: The plan for Lecque, a closer look at the threes, and a quick preview of the second preseason game Oct 09, 2019

Brendon goes solo again as Evan gets settled into his new place, but the show remains the same: A closer look at what happened in the Suns’ 111-106 victory over Minnesota.

Jalen Lecque was one of two healthy scratches in the game after Monty Williams bluntly said pregame the team wouldn’t gift minutes anymore. What does this DNP tell us about the development plan for Lecque?

The Suns also conspicuously took very few threes in this game, and Deandre Ayton didn’t let a single long-range jumper fly. What gives?

Finally, a quick preview of the matchups and storylines as the Suns travel to Sacramento to play the Kings on Thursday.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/8/19: Finally, some competitive Suns basketball Oct 08, 2019

Suns basketball is finally back, which means Locked On Suns will be coming to you live from every home game once more at Talking Stick Resort Arena. There were plenty of positives to analyze as the Suns kicked off the 2019-20 season.

Is this what having a starting point guard feels like? Ricky Rubio’s presence sure looks to be an immediate upgrade over last year’s group already. The rookies also continue to impress as Cameron Johnson and Ty Jerome saw significant time on the court.

What other notes stood out following a well-organized game plan executed from head coach Monty Williams and his coaching staff?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/7/19: What to make of the injuries, plus we preview Suns vs. Wolves Oct 08, 2019

We break down the official injury updates on Kelly Oubre Jr., Mikal Bridges, Aron Baynes, Jalen Lecque and David Kramer to get you ready for this week in Suns land.

We also recap the final days of training camp as well as the team’s open practice in Phoenix over the weekend.

And we close the show with a quick preview of the first preseason game, including the Deandre Ayton-Karl-Anthony Towns matchup and Monty Williams’ desired 10-man rotation.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/4/19: Dissecting Deandre Ayton with Michael Pina of SB Nation Oct 05, 2019

As Michael Pina noted in his latest story at SB Nation, many fans rarely think of Deandre Ayton when they think of the Suns despite his impactful rookie season. Why is this?

Pina helps us run through his takeaways from Ayton’s rookie year, what he wants to see in Year Two, and how Ayton can turn into a solid pro over time. A more conservative defensive scheme and more threes and playmaking opportunities will help, but there remains an unknowable obstacle in terms of his understanding of the game.

Finally, we take a look at how the Suns’ added shooting and veteran depth might aid Ayton’s development right away.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/3/2019: More news from Suns camp, plus we get excited about the 2018 draft all over again Oct 04, 2019

We break down what's new with the Phoenix Suns as their preseason continues with training camp in Flagstaff.

Outside of the latest injury updates on Kelly Oubre Jr. and Mikal Bridges, this rookie class continues to draw early buzz. Are the expectations now higher for Cam Johnson and Ty Jerome?

The 2018 class is setting up to be very special. Not only Deandre Ayton, Luka Doncic, and Trae Young but all of the other young bigs as well. Marvin Bagley III, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Wendell Carter have the chance to fully breakout in their sophomore campaigns.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/2/2019: The latest developments from training camp in Flagstaff Oct 03, 2019

Suns basketball is finally back, which also means daily coverage from us here on Locked On Suns. Today, we run through all of the latest news and takeaways from training camp.

Ricky Rubio is an underrated piece to the Suns’ puzzle this year, but his leadership might be his most important trait. And are we underselling how much contribution Phoenix could receive from Ty Jerome and Cameron Johnson early on?

We close analyzing the differences noticed so far between Monty Williams and Igor Kokoskov as the head coach.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/1/2019: Thoughts from Day One of training camp with Kellan Olson Oct 01, 2019

Brendon takes over for the day in Flagstaff and is joined by Kellan Olson to revisit media day and break down Day One of training camp.

Hear what stood out to Kellan from media day and why he believes Ty Jerome is the early standout and a surprise candidate to earn minutes right away.

Then, we break down what we heard from Ricky Rubio, Monty Williams and Deandre Ayton after practice on Tuesday, and injury updates on Mikal Bridges and Kelly Oubre Jr.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 9/30/19: Live from Suns Media Day with Kelly Oubre Jr. Oct 01, 2019

From leadership to on-court freedom, we break down who said what on Suns Media Day 2019, and what it all means.

The playoffs were hardly mentioned at all this season. Instead, everyone was honest and open about what reasonable next steps look like for this franchise. We give you quotes and moments that give us early examples of what to expect from the 2019-20 Suns.

And finally, the moment you’ve all been waiting for, an exclusive interview with the original #ValleyBoy on his approach heading into his first full season in Phoenix and how he’s distanced himself from the turmoil in Washington.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 9/28/19: Josh Jackson heads to the G League plus a Media Day/training camp preview Sep 28, 2019

Before hitting all the top storylines heading into Suns media day on Monday, we break down the latest in the Josh Jackson saga, as Memphis is reportedly sending him to the G League until further notice.

Of course, that’s an excuse to debate the 2016 and 2017 drafts’ place in recent NBA infamy.

We close the show by breaking down some of our top questions and points of interest heading into a full week of Suns stuff, from media day to training camp in Flagstaff.

Get ready for the season with us!

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LOCKED ON SUNS 9/25/19: Voting no on Ayton at the 4, plus a listener mailbag Sep 26, 2019

We are back to get you ready for the start of the 2019-20 season, breaking down the latest controversy in Suns land and answering your Twitter questions.

First, it’s a quick detour toward the idea of Deandre Ayton playing the 4 this season and why it doesn’t make sense if the goal is maximizing the players on the roster for future success.

Then we dive into the mailbag and answer all your pressing questions heading into Suns media day on Monday. From wacky lineup combinations to the identity of the Suns under Monty Williams, we break down what we’re thinking about as the season nears.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 9/23/19: Awards predictions for the NBA and Suns Sep 23, 2019

Finishing off our predictions for the upcoming season, how do we see all of the NBA’s awards being distributed?

Going step-by-step through all of the categories — Most Valuable Player, Defensive Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Most Improved Player, Sixth Man of the Year — who takes home the hardware early courtesy of the Locked On Suns crew? Our predictions may surprise you.

Stick around as we close out the show going through all of these once more from a Suns perspective. Devin Booker winning team MVP seems obvious, if Phoenix wants to see real improvement this season, but it’s a real debate involving the others.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 9/20/19: Preseason playoff predictions Sep 20, 2019

Incredibly enough, we are less than two weeks away until training camp beginning. Time flies when you have plenty of topics to talk about throughout the offseason!

On today’s show, we predicted who will make the playoffs this season. Any surprises on either side as player movement was at an all-time high this summer?

This shouldn't shock anyone, but it’s going to take a miracle for the Suns to break through as a surprise playoff team with the Western Conference slate at an all-time high.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 9/18/19: The best and worst-case scenarios for the Suns this season Sep 18, 2019

The 2019-20 season is setting up to be one filled with improvement for the Phoenix Suns. However, what do these possible scenarios look like? It’s time to analyze them all from opposite spectrums.

Will the new additions like Ricky Rubio and Dario Saric adjust well? If so, how will that change the Suns’ offense? What’s the next leap look like for Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton?

This exercise really helps solidify what a realistic ceiling and floor could be for the upcoming season. No surprise, a lot of it relies on the success of their two franchise pillars aided by a newfound roster balance.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 9/16/19: Looking back on the Suns’ summer of change with Espo Sep 17, 2019

We are joined by the one and only Espo to break down the Suns’ summer and discuss what we should expect from the 2019-20 season.

James Jones had a ton of leeway in his first summer running the Suns, but is it a sign of greater autonomy or just the new car smell of a general manager’s first run? What can the past tell us about how things could go from here?

From the departure of Aaron Nelson to the stadium renovation deal passed in the spring, this summer symbolized a new era for the Suns, and there’s no one better to discuss the past decade of this franchise than Espo.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 9/13/19: The Suns’ big rotation is set up to maximize Deandre Ayton Sep 13, 2019

Saving the best for last (or maybe we just went from smallest to biggest), we break down the Suns’ big man rotation as we continue previewing the 2019-20 season.

Everything that went into reconstructing this group was centered around building around the lone holdover, 2018 No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton.

His backup is better, there is more shooting around him, and the end of the rotation is filled with young developmental depth pieces. This is where James Jones shined this summer.

Will it work?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 9/11/19: Wing rotation comes down to more than Mikal Bridges vs. Kelly Oubre Jr. starting Sep 11, 2019

We continue our positional breakdowns with a preview of the Suns’ wing rotation, where the question of who starts between Mikal Bridges and Kelly Oubre Jr. looms large.

However, both are expected to get significant minutes regardless, which begs the question of how they fit together and improve individually. With rookie Cam Johnson rounding out the group, the depth chart is heavy on shooting and weak defensively.

But before all of that, we react to the Sports Illustrated Top 100 and where a trio of Suns players landed on the list!

We close the show with our superlatives for the wing position.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 9/10/19: Devin Booker-Ricky Rubio partnership takes center stage in the Suns’ guard rotation Sep 10, 2019

We start our positional breakdowns off with a preview of the Suns’ guard rotation, with Ricky Rubio and Devin Booker front and center.

Can they take a leap forward with a real point guard next to Booker, or does the partnership take time to gel? Who amongst the young players is most likely to make an impact?

We close the show with our superlatives for the guard position.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 9/6/19: How the Suns’ newfound depth can create a balanced rotation for Monty Williams Sep 06, 2019

We toss out our early predictions of the Suns’ rotation for the 2019-20 season, including who starts at small forward, how many minutes new point guard Ricky Rubio plays, and which of the young guys at the end of the Suns’ bench play on a nightly basis.

How will new coach Monty Williams split point guard minutes between Rubio, Tyler Johnson and Devin Booker? Could Mikal Bridges and Kelly Oubre Jr. start together? Is there any position you can trust Cam Johnson to defend as a rookie?

So many questions, as our season preview continues.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 9/4/19: Who won the Suns' offseason? Sep 04, 2019

We revisit the key moments of the Suns’ offseason by breaking down the biggest winners from throughout the summer.

From James Jones earning the full-time general manager role to free agents getting paid and even one player getting away from Phoenix, we dig through all the potential candidates before each picking our winner.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 9/2/19: Grading Devin Booker on a star curve and what’s next for the Suns with Matt Moore of The Action Network Sep 03, 2019

We combine the end of our summer guest series with the beginning of our season preview content in September by bringing on Matt Moore to discuss Devin Booker and the 2019-20 Suns.

Booker is a gifted shooter and improving playmaker, but to truly get to a superstar level and provide value on his maximum contract, he has to continue to make his teammates better. What improvements will help him do it more consistently?

The conversation around Booker leads to a discussion of how the Suns tried to maximize him and Deandre Ayton this summer and what the team might look like this season.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 8/30/19: How Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton compare with other young Western Conference inside-outside duos Aug 30, 2019

As the season nears and rosters fill out around the NBA, we take stock of the young Western Conference to analyze how the Suns’ inside-outside duo of Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton compares with the rest of the West.

Using only players 25 or younger, we break down the top seven duos and each rank the Suns within this group.

Come for the never-ending Luka Doncic debate, stay for a top-three finish by the Suns!

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LOCKED ON SUNS 8/28/19: What the 2018-19 Kings can tell us about this year's Suns Aug 28, 2019

We dig through the ingredients that helped the Kings break out last season and connect them to how the Suns built their roster in 2019. There are more similarities than you’d guess.

As statistical projection models spit out win totals in the high 30s for the Suns, it’s starting to feel like following the Kings’ blueprint is the best way for Phoenix to get there. That means winning the turnover battle, taking and making more threes, and playing faster.

It may sound simple, but guys like Ricky Rubio and Dario Saric are exactly the efficient types of players you target when you want to tighten up on the basics.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 8/26/19: How Suns players stack up in fantasy hoops with Josh Lloyd Aug 27, 2019

We are joined by longtime fantasy basketball analyst and host of Locked On Fantasy Basketball Josh Lloyd to break down six Suns players and their fantasy projections for the 2019-20 season.

Devin Booker has turned into a bona fide fantasy star already, while Deandre Ayton could join him in that elite tier as soon as this year.

We also discuss Kelly Oubre Jr. and Mikal Bridges as well as newcomers Ricky Rubio and Dario Saric.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 8/23/19: How can Mikal Bridges improve in 2019-20? Aug 23, 2019

We wrap up Development Week on the show with a breakdown of Year Two for Mikal Bridges. This was a harder exercise, as Bridges is already such a polished role player that it’s difficult to poke holes in his game.

We narrowed onto three topics each that could help Bridges get to the next level.

Because he hit the ground running as a rookie, even minimal improvements could put him in contention for All-Defense teams and a heap of minutes on a nightly basis.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 8/21/19: The latest Devin Booker debate blows up plus how can Kelly Oubre Jr. improve in 2019-20? Aug 22, 2019

We laugh at the latest summer internet debate about Devin Booker before diving into the development of Kelly Oubre Jr.

Oubre was a revelation with the Suns during the second half of last season, turning up the volume on his energy, functional athleticism and shot creation. Can he keep it up during the 2019-20 campaign in a potentially smaller role?

Oubre is likely the favorite to start over Mikal Bridges based on his experience and payday, but can he improve his decision-making on both ends of the floor enough to earn that starting spot?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 8/19/19: How can Deandre Ayton improve in 2019-20? Aug 19, 2019

All week, we will be breaking down the individual developments for the rest of the Suns’ core group after doing the same for Devin Booker earlier in the offseason. Today we begin with Deandre Ayton, who has a lot riding on his development in year two.

We each break down three big areas that Ayton needs to improve in, from his aggressive mentality to his help defense.

Ayton showed a lot as a rookie but has plenty of room to grow. What is realistic to expect in 2019-20?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 8/16/19: Cole Zwicker of The Stepien joins to give his thoughts on the Suns’ offseason and preview the 2020 PG class Aug 16, 2019

We are joined by Cole Zwicker of The Stepien, who correctly predicted the Ricky Rubio signing just after the draft, to evaluate the Suns’ offseason.

Cole reacts to the Suns’ focus on shooting and experience as they filled out their roster, discusses the decision between starting Mikal Bridges or Kelly Oubre Jr., and imagines how the Suns will organize their defense around so many different types of players.

How does Devin Booker continue to develop as a playmaker with Rubio around? Where are the minutes for the rookies? Who should be the backup power forward? So many questions.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 8/15/19: The Kyler/Book hype machine and Suns All-Decade teams with Kevin Zimmerman of Arizona Sports Aug 15, 2019

We are joined by Arizona Sports’ Kevin Zimmerman to discuss the two most polarizing young stars in the state: Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray and Suns combo guard Devin Booker. Incredibly enough, Booker is only 10 months older than Murray heading into his fifth season.

Kevin breaks down what he’s seen from the Cardinals rookie who is drawing rave reviews from training camp. KylerMania is already bubbling up in Arizona, so how high can his star level truly rise?

Also, if you had to pick one player over the next decade, who would you rather have? Murray or Booker? Not everyone agreed on this topic.

Stick around as we unveil our Suns All-Decade teams, which goes to show how disappointing the on-court product has been over the last 10 years since the 7SOL era. Marcin Gortat and T.J. Warren anybody?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 8/12/19: Takeaways from the 2019-20 schedule plus our way too early predictions for the Suns’ record Aug 12, 2019

We react to the Suns’ 2019-20 schedule, which includes two six-game road trips and lots of tough games early on against Western Conference rivals.

Then, we go game by game to give you our way-too-early predictions for the Suns’ record this upcoming season.

Can the Suns beat any East teams on the road? Will their best players be sitting again in the spring to tank? We break it all down.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 8/9/19: Early expectations for the Suns' rookies in 2019-20 Aug 09, 2019

We break down a few guys who won’t get much attention once we start previewing the season — the rookies. And that lack of attention is a good thing! It’s all part of the plan. If all goes well, we won’t be hearing much from Cam Johnson, Ty Jerome and Jalen Lecque, so we dove in on each of them today.

Johnson is in line to be a candidate for backup wing minutes alongside Mikal Bridges until the Suns find a permanent second unit. Can he defend enough to stay on the court?

Jerome brings many of the same questions. How will he hold up physically against NBA athletes, and are there any minutes for him while Tyler Johnson is still around?

Lecque is the first test case for how James Jones will use the G League. What does a successful season look like for the Brewster Academy product?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 8/7/19: Where do the Suns fall within our Western Conference tiers? Aug 07, 2019

We take a bird’s eye view of the West after a busy summer on this side of the Mississippi, ranking the conference into tiers and imagining where the Suns will fall.

Before that, we talk about what the Suns will have to do to break into the top part of the conference and be major factors in the playoff race. It’s unlikely with so much talent on other teams, but it all comes back to Phoenix’s two young stars.

We close the show by talking about a few teams the Suns could realistically leapfrog in the standings this year to get out of the cellar.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 8/5/19: Statistical over/unders for six key Suns players this year Aug 05, 2019

Today, we bring a great solo show to you all after a great guest series to finish out the month of July. After getting a feel for various players through the thoughts of our guests, we reconvene to hit on over/unders for the top six players on the Suns’ roster this upcoming season.

From Kelly Oubre Jr.’s three-point shooting to Deandre Ayton’s rim protection to Ricky Rubio’s assist totals, we fly through the numbers to predict how the system and player roles for the Suns this year will play out.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 8/2/19: Vegas over/unders plus Booker vs. his peers Aug 03, 2019

We react to the initial over/under of 27 for the 2019-20 Suns, set by Caesar’s Sports Book last week. How does the negative national perception around the franchise affect this number? What has to happen for the Suns to surpass it?

We close the show by debating Booker’s place among other 2-guards in the NBA. Many argue he is worse than Jamal Murray and Donovan Mitchell in part because those players have been on winning teams. Is that legit? We explain why this year will tell us a lot about Booker.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 7/31/19: Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic joins to talk Rubio’s growth, the Suns-Wolves draft night trade, and Saric Jul 31, 2019

We are joined by The Athletic Minnesota’s Jon Krawczynski to break down all the connections between the Timberwolves and Suns this offseason.

Jon breaks down why he believes the new Minnesota front office wanted to move up in this year’s draft and why the Jarrett Culver deal surprised him. We also talk about the franchise’s tenuous relationship with Dario Saric and why he was ultimately dealt to Phoenix.

Stick around for a great breakdown by Jon of how Ricky Rubio has grown on and off the court since coming into the league and why he believes the Suns are a good fit for the veteran point guard.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 7/30/19: Cody Toppert joins to talk Devin Booker’s development, the pace-and-space era, and his new job at Memphis Jul 30, 2019

When it comes to talking about the basketball industry as a whole and all the levels of performance that come with it, there’s no one better to talk to than Cody Toppert.

It just so happens that Toppert was also the head coach of the Northern Arizona Suns as well as a player development assistant on Igor Kokoskov’s bench last year.

Toppert joined the show to discuss the growth from Devin Booker, training role players to narrow the scope of their game, big men in the pace-and-space era, and more.

We also discussed what it will take for big men like Deandre Ayton and Memphis recruit James Wiseman to make it in the modern NBA, and what happens from a development perspective when the draft age is decreased back to 18.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 7/26/19: A listener mailbag to recap the Suns’ busy offseason Jul 27, 2019

We use your questions to round out our offseason analysis on the show, answering about 10 great listener questions via Twitter.

In our final mailbag of the offseason, we touch on everything from the ceiling for Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton, transactions that could exceed expectations, and what the Suns could do on the trade market with their heap of expiring contracts.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 7/24/19: Jon Bloom of Arizona Sports talks Jalen Lecque and the new NAZ team, offseason thoughts, and more Jul 24, 2019

Jon Bloom of Arizona Sports drops in for an offseason check-in. The voice of the NAZ Suns joins to break down how the G League affiliate could be used under James Jones, the additions of Jalen Lecque and Jared Harper, and more.

We also discuss the Suns keeping the NAZ braintrust of Bret Burchard and Dylan DeBusk in place despite so much turnover in the rest of the front office and coaching staff.

Jon also discusses with us the Suns finally finding a replacement for Eric Bledsoe, surprises of the offseason, and the Suns players we are most excited to see next season.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 7/22/19: Gina Mizell of The Athletic on covering her hometown team, the Suns’ underrated offseason, and filling out the roster Jul 22, 2019

We are joined by Gina Mizell, The Athletic’s Suns beat writer, to discuss covering her hometown NBA team and much more after a crazy year in Phoenix.

Gina also gives her perspective on the Suns’ offseason. Why was it underrated? How does she value Kelly Oubre Jr.? Is Ricky Rubio going to finally solve the point guard woes? What can we expect from Deandre Ayton in his second season?

We close the show by recapping the latest flurry of moves by the Suns, including signing former Pelicans big man Cheick Diallo to a two-year contract, giving a two-way deal to Auburn guard Jared Harper, and adding Tariq Owens on a non-guaranteed training camp deal.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 7/19/19: Vince Marotta of Arizona Sports joins to discuss the new Suns culture, consolidating the core, and more Jul 20, 2019

We are joined by the man with the best seat in Talking Stick Resort Arena, Suns PA announcer and Arizona Sports host Vince Marotta, to break down the Suns’ offseason and the direction the franchise is heading under James Jones.

Among the topics discussed:Covering the Suns’ unpredictable 2019 draft live on the radioExpectations for Devin BookerThe importance of Monty Williams and the Suns’ vet signings choosing to play in PhoenixIs James Jones truly getting more leeway to go about his business than Ryan McDonough?We finish with a lightning round on Vince’s impressions from up close. He lists the most impressive player he’s watched from press row, the best home moment of Booker’s career, the best Suns crowds he’s seen, and more.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 7/17/19: The Ringer’s Jonathan Tjarks joins to recap the Suns’ offseason Jul 17, 2019

Jonathan Tjarks of The Ringer joins the show for what has become a summer tradition, recapping the Suns’ offseason and predicting what is to come for the team’s young core.

Starting with the draft, we discuss why Tjarks was high on Cam Johnson and why the pick makes sense as a way to maximize Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton, as well as reverse course from the low-floor draft picks of the Ryan McDonough era. We also touch on the Ty Jerome pick and what he has to do to become an NBA starter.

Then, thoughts on the Ricky Rubio signing, why point guards got overpaid this summer, and how Booker’s game will change alongside a traditional playmaker.

We close the show with analysis of the Western Conference as a whole, including how the bottom of the West got bigger, the burgeoning young Grizzlies, and why shooting is only getting more important in the NBA today.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 7/15/19: Do the Suns have to worry about Devin Booker in the age of player movement? Jul 15, 2019

With superstars like Kyrie Irving, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard and Jimmy Butler ushering in a more sudden and unexpected version of NBA player empowerment, we dive into whether the Suns are in danger of Devin Booker following suit.

How soon could it happen for Booker? Do his relationships around the NBA help or hurt the Suns? Did this summer change anything regarding the team’s relationship with him or his involvement in behind-the-scenes recruiting?

We dive into where Booker stacks up among the next possible disgruntled pre-agents and what the Suns are doing to avoid that situation.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 7/12/19: Celebrating our 500th episode with a Seven Seconds Or Less podcast crossover Jul 13, 2019

To celebrate and thank our listeners for 500 (!) episodes of support, we bring on Max and David from the Seven Seconds or Less Podcast to recap the Suns’ offseason.

With the Kelly Oubre Jr. deal complete, we talk about what happens next for the Suns as they gear up to potentially spend big in 2021.

We also discuss how the rotation might break down next season with most of the players locked in now, and close the show with offseason grades.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 7/11/19: Kelly Oubre Jr. re-signs with Suns Jul 11, 2019

We hopped on the line as soon as we could to break down Kelly Oubre Jr.’s two year, $30 million deal to remain in Phoenix and continue building with this team’s young core.

Oubre likely looked around the market and saw veterans getting the bag, but the Suns were willing to meet him in the middle with a bigger year-one salary on a two-year deal. We explain why this makes sense for both sides.

Then, we discuss how this sets the Suns up to be spenders in the summer of 2021 and why that summer is fixing to be so important for the franchise.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 7/10/19: Thoughts from Ricky Rubio’s introduction and Summer League Jul 10, 2019

We jump in with thoughts from Ricky Rubio’s press conference in Las Vegas and try to sift through how the Suns will use Rubio on the court and what he could bring as a leader.

We also bounce around the Summer League roster to discuss who might be a candidate for a two-way contract and what the plan is for Elie Okobo in Phoenix.

Finally, we break down how a wild free agency period for the Western Conference could impact the Suns and encourage them to grow the team steadily and patiently.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 7/8/19: Recapping the rookie press conference and first Summer League game Jul 08, 2019

We break down the comments from Cameron Johnson, Ty Jerome, Jalen Lecque and James Jones during Sunday’s press conference in Las Vegas as well as the Summer Suns’ win over the Knicks.

Jones explained some of the decision-making process from the offseason and the rookies walked through the limbo they’ve been in without being allowed to join the Suns officially until Saturday.

Finally, we discuss where things stand with Kelly Oubre Jr.’s free agency.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 7/3/19: Goodbye Josh Jackson Jul 04, 2019

We sift through two strange years of the Josh Jackson experience in Phoenix and discuss why Jackson’s career never got off the ground as he is now headed to Memphis in a salary dump.

Alongside Jackson on the plane to Memphis is De’Anthony Melton, who became the cost of doing business to dump Jackson after it became clear Melton didn’t fit the new identity of this Suns roster.

We close the show with a few thoughts on the Suns’ Summer League roster.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 7/2/19: Resetting Kelly Oubre’s market plus Frank Kaminsky and rotation thoughts Jul 02, 2019

We regroup after a crazy first two days of NBA free agency to go through Kelly Oubre Jr.’s market for a restricted free agent offer sheet and analyze Frank Kaminsky’s new, two-year deal for the room exception.

We also discuss whether Rubio’s contract was an overpay and how the Suns can stay flexible financially during the next three seasons.

Finally, we parse through the rotation assuming Oubre sticks around and ponder what role the Suns’ rookies will play this year.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 7/1/19: At long last, Phoenix gets its point guard in Ricky Rubio Jul 01, 2019

We break down what went into the Suns’ decision to pivot to Ricky Rubio on the first day of free agency as other point guards flew off the market at gargantuan price tags, as well as Rubio’s fit with the Suns.

Then we take a few listener questions and explain why the Suns opted not to sign someone like D’Angelo Russell, instead betting on their young core to grow into a contending team.

We close the show with a breakdown of Kelly Oubre’s market after Day One of free agency and how the Suns might fill their backup 4 spot.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 6/28/19: Final 2019 NBA free agency predictions Jun 28, 2019

In our final episode before free agency kicks off, we are here to unveil our predictions for what will happen with the Phoenix Suns.

First, we start with a would you rather segment revolving around certain options Phoenix can use to create flexibility and/or improve their roster.

Then, we dive into the odds of who we believe will be Suns at the start of next season, which includes possible free agency targets and current players on their roster. Will D’Angelo Russell reunite with his best friend in the Valley?

We close on big-picture questions revolving around the Suns. How does the Harrison Barnes contract (reportedly $22 million annually) impact Kelly Oubre Jr.’s restricted free agency, and what should the “walk-away” number be? Should Phoenix continue down the primary ball handler path long-term with Devin Booker, shaping their roster to best fit this idea? Stay tuned for all of this, plus much more, in today’s jam-packed episode.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 6/27/19: Breaking down the Suns’ point guard options, plus news roundup Jun 27, 2019

We are back to give our own thoughts on free agency, suddenly just three days away. Before breaking down the value of the Suns’ four main options at point guard, we catch up on the news, including a suggestion from The Athletic that a sign-and-trade might be in the cards for the Suns to get D’Angelo Russell, as well as the Suns’ coaching staff being finalized.

Then, we move onto dissecting how Russell might fit in Phoenix, as well as Cory Joseph, Patrick Beverly and Malcolm Brogdon. Each will come at a different price, but which makes the most sense?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 6/26/19: Why Cam Johnson could work out for Phoenix with Zach Milner of The Stepien Jun 27, 2019

We are joined by Zach Milner of The Stepien to discuss the piece he wrote on the case for Cam Johnson as a high-value draft pick. Zach explains why he believes Johnson’s outlier shooting ability could eventually make him a top-10 player in this draft, if the Suns properly build and develop the rest of the roster.

Zach also explains why he believes Ty Jerome was a decent value play at No. 24 but is a longshot to become a good starting option alongside Devin Booker and Mikal Bridges.

We close the show by responding to Shams Charania’s report that the Suns are interested in Cory Joseph and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, and other free agents who could make sense on this new-look Suns roster, including Maxi Kleber of the Mavericks.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 6/25/19: Jeff Siegel of Early Bird Rights joins to break down all of the Suns’ options in free agency Jun 25, 2019

Jeff Siegel joins the show to break down everything you need to know regarding the Suns’ multitude of options heading into free agency. We break down how the Suns could clear cap space to go after a big-money point guard, including D’Angelo Russell or Malcolm Brogdon, and what it would mean for Kelly Oubre Jr.’s future in Phoenix.

We also discuss Oubre’s market and whether the Suns will allow him to test the restricted free agency market or agree to a new deal with him quickly.

We close the show with a vision for the Suns next season that does not include a big-name point guard but rather a year of steady improvement that keeps the team flexible.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 6/24/19: Liberty Ballers’ Jackson Frank on Dario Saric, the draft, and building out the Suns’ defense Jun 24, 2019

We are joined by Jackson Frank, whose work you can find at Liberty Ballers as well as The Athletic and FanSided, to discuss the fallout from draft night as we are now less than a week from free agency.

Jackson gives his thoughts on Dario Saric as a floor-spacer and playmaker at the 4 spot next to Deandre Ayton and how the duo might fare on defense. Plus, did the 76ers move on from Saric because they didn’t want him, or just because Jimmy Butler was available?

The Suns’ draft gets a negative evaluation from Jackson, but we dive into what the upside is of getting two smart players who can drill 3s, even if the defense might be limited.

Finally, rapid-fire free agency thoughts on Kelly Oubre Jr.’s place on this roster and who could be available at point guard that fits this new-look Suns roster.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 6/21/19: Rethinking the Suns' plan after the 2019 draft with Gerald Bourguet of Hoops Habit Jun 21, 2019

With a night of sleep behind us to clear our minds and adjust for the shock factor of the Suns’ unexpected and widely panned draft night, we bring on Gerald Bourguet to analyze everything that happened in the 2019 NBA Draft.

Specifically, we try to consider what these moves mean for the Suns’ future. They clearly targeted shooting and veteran experience, but does this limit their flexibility moving forward, and does it show a different set of priorities for the front office than we thought?

We close the show with a few winners and losers from around the NBA.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 6/20/19: Sorting through a bizarre draft night for the Suns Jun 21, 2019

On today’s episode live from Talking Stick Resort Arena, we recapped the Phoenix Suns’ 2019 draft haul. It was totally unexpected featuring three trades and them somehow having less cap space afterwards.

First, the Suns traded T.J. Warren plus the No. 32 pick to Indiana for cash considerations. Why did Phoenix have to attach their second-round pick to offload Warren’s remaining salary? The Pacers ended up trading this pick for three additional second-round picks later on.

Next, Phoenix pulled off an absolute stunner. Before the draft even started, Phoenix traded No. 6 to Minnesota for Dario Saric and No. 11 overall. Saric will be the Suns’ starting power forward next season, but little did they know both Jarrett Culver and Coby White would’ve been available in their original position. Phoenix selected Culver for the Timberwolves, but the Suns selected ... Cam Johnson? Arizona Sports’ Kellan Olson quickly stopped by to give his thoughts on the Johnson selection, too.

Finally, the Suns’ final move of the 2019 NBA Draft featured them trading the 2020 Bucks pick via the Eric Bledsoe trade to Boston for the rights to Ty Jerome and Aron Baynes. Why did the Suns do this, and what does this mean for names like Elie Okobo, De’Anthony Melton and Richaun Holmes?

Fireworks were indeed delivered by the Suns, but how does it look immediately afterwards?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 6/19/19: Lottery mock draft plus Jackson/Warren trade predictions Jun 19, 2019

We mock the top 14 picks of the 2019 NBA Draft, including two big trades and a bad break for the Suns. We also discuss the latest rumors and possibilities in the lottery, and the biggest questions 24 hours out.

In the last segment, we give out final predictions for what happens to T.J. Warren and Josh Jackson on draft night, both of whom according to Woj are not expected to be on the Suns’ roster by the end of Thursday night.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 6/18/19: Is the sixth pick available or not, plus second-round targets Jun 18, 2019

We address the opposing rumors on each side about the availability of the Suns’ No. 6 pick in this week’s NBA Draft, including why it might make sense for the Suns to keep quiet and what options would be available to them if they choose to trade back.

We then make our way to the Josh Jackson/T.J. Warren rumors, indicating the Suns could offload their salaries on draft night and get a cheaper player late in the draft.

We dive into about a dozen players we like in the second round either using the Suns’ own pick at No. 32 or late in the second after a Jackson or Warren deal.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 6/17/19: Surveying the post-AD trade landscape of the draft with Kellan Olson Jun 17, 2019

Kellan Olson, the Suns reporter over at Arizona Sports, jumps on the show to reset the draft’s top questions in the aftermath of the Anthony Davis trade.

We look at what could happen with the fourth pick after it changes hands from Los Angeles to New Orleans, as well as what the Suns’ plan appears to be at No. 6.

We also touch on the growing rumors of D’Angelo Russell being available in free agency as a result of Kyrie Irving heading to Brooklyn, and why the Suns would be smart to get involved.

Finally, our top questions with four days remaining until draft day.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 6/14/19: Debating Jarrett Culver vs. Cam Reddish Jun 14, 2019

We’re now less than one week away from the 2019 NBA Draft, which means Part III of our prospect debate series. On today’s episode, we break down Jarrett Culver and Cam Reddish’s biggest strengths and weaknesses in our usual deep dive format.

Culver was the most improved player in college basketball this past season, expanding his game while also carrying a primary scorer usage rate. One of the most unique and safest prospects, Culver would be the Suns’ version of Caris LeVert as a secondary ball handler who can take pressure off Devin Booker while defending opposing point guards.

Reddish is one of the biggest risks in the lottery, but his physical traits and smooth shooting stroke have many teams intrigued long-term. Drafting Reddish at No. 6 would indicate the Suns’ wing rotation is once again in flux.

Would you draft one of Culver or Reddish instead of trading the pick, Suns fans?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 6/12/19: Debating De'Andre Hunter vs. Brandon Clarke Jun 12, 2019

With the 2019 NBA Draft just eight days away, we dive deep into the positives and negatives surrounding De’Andre Hunter and Brandon Clarke, the two big men who are expected to be most heavily considered by Phoenix at No. 6.

Hunter led his team to a title with 27 points in the national championship game this season, but his defense is the prize. He uses his length and strength to be an elite defensive forward, and will likely be capable of defending 1-5 in the NBA.

Clarke is more of a wildcard, as he’s much older and didn’t break onto the scene until his senior season after transferring to Gonzaga.

We give scouting reports of both players, discuss which we’d prefer, and determine whether trading the pick is a better option than picking either guy.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 6/11/19: Jeremy Woo of Sports Illustrated drops by to preview an already wild NBA Draft Jun 11, 2019

As promised, when big things happen, check your Locked On Suns feeds for a BONUS EPISODE. As the Hawks make moves, it appears Jarrett Culver is in their sights, and Jeremy Woo, who added fuel to that fire in his latest mock draft at Sports Illustrated, joined the show to break it down.

Woo, Sports Illustrated’s NBA draft analyst, explains why there is so much interest in Culver and what it could take to move up to draft him. Then, he explains why he believes Coby White is a solid consolation prize for Phoenix, as well as how the other players available at No. 6 could fit next to Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton.

Finally, Woo’s thoughts on how the Suns’ new front office might approach the 2019 draft and his prediction for where Phoenix goes at No. 6.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 6/10/19: Debating Darius Garland vs. Coby White Jun 10, 2019

As we gear up for the draft, we finally unveil our detailed breakdowns of the six top players in contention for the Suns at No. 6.

Throughout the week we will analyze two players per episode, and we begin today with the point guards, Darius Garland and Coby White.

Garland is a sweet-shooting guard who suffered a meniscus tear in his fifth college game and brings questions about his size and playmaking. White’s size is deceptive, making him appealing in theory but limited as a freshman at North Carolina.

The show closes with each of us choosing who we would prefer and whether either player is a better option than trying to trade the pick.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 6/7/19: Answering the draft's biggest questions with Chris Manning of Locked On Cavs Jun 07, 2019

We’re now less than two weeks away from the 2019 NBA Draft, which means coverage is going to heat up even more until then. Chris Manning of Locked On Cavs joined the show to discuss plenty of draft-related questions.

Following the Nets-Hawks trade, how does it impact the Cavaliers and Suns? For fans wanting Jarrett Culver on the Suns, Atlanta might be positioning themselves to leapfrog them with Cleveland.

Who are the best options for the Cavaliers at No. 5? Whatever they end up doing will have a direct impact on who the Suns select right behind them. Stay tuned for deep dives on prospects like Cam Reddish.

We close with thoughts on the possibility Cleveland trades J.R. Smith and Kevin Love. Phoenix could be one of the most interesting suitors for Smith due to his unique expiring contract that would essentially be free money.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 6/5/19: 2019 NBA Draft mailbag Jun 05, 2019

Catch up on the latest draft news and our player evaluations in a jumbo mailbag episode.

Thanks for all the great questions over @LockedOnPHXSuns on Twitter! We continue to build up our following and interaction over there and it makes for a better show.

Today, we reach into the mailbag to dissect your questions on the NBA Draft. We discuss everything from the fit of guys like De’Andre Hunter, Jarrett Culver and Brandon Clarke to potential trade-up targets in the late first round, to whether the Suns will use their first-round pick to acquire a veteran playmaker.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 6/3/19: News roundup on Julius Randle, the No. 6 pick, draft workouts Jun 03, 2019

We begin by addressing John Gambadoro’s report on mutual interest between the Suns and Julius Randle, in addition to how the Suns are valuing the No. 6 pick.

The reporting was compounded by ESPN’s Jonathan Givony, who said the Suns have made it known to rival teams they are willing to move the sixth pick for the “right” veteran guard. Who could that be, with Lonzo Ball, Chris Paul and Mike Conley scratched off the list?

Finally, we discuss the Suns’ first round of draft prospect workouts, which saw 36 prospects over the span of three days come through Talking Stick Resort Arena. We detail what the Suns’ plans might be bringing in so many guys who will likely go undrafted.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 5/31/19: The challenges of falling to No. 6 with Chris Stone of Sporting News May 31, 2019

We continue with our draft coverage by picking the brain of Chris Stone of Sporting News.

We begin by discussing the value of analytics in evaluating NBA draft prospects and which numbers are predictive and helpful compared with other less useful statistics.

Then, Chris gives his thoughts on players like Jarrett Culver, Coby White, Cam Reddish and Darius Garland who could be available at No. 6.

Finally, the Suns’ options at No. 32 and who Chris would consider a “sleeper” this year, plus whether the Suns would consider trading up based on James Jones’ comments Thursday.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 5/29/19: Cole Zwicker of The Stepien on all things NBA Draft May 30, 2019

Cole Zwicker of The Stepien joins the show to break down the 2019 draft from the Suns’ perspective as well as his philosophies on evaluations, trades and team-building.

This isn’t your usual draft preview, we dive deep into big-picture questions that teams like the Suns must answer as they prepare for June 21.

We break down Jarrett Culver’s fit to Phoenix, why Grant Williams could be on the board at pick 32, why the NBA draft doesn’t have as many trades as the NFL draft, Best Player Available versus drafting for fit, and more.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 5/27/19: Stock watch for six Suns free agent targets in the NBA Playoffs May 27, 2019

We look at six options Phoenix could prioritize once July 1 arrives and how their playoff performances could dictate the market.

Ricky Rubio is a savvy facilitator. Terry Rozier is an upside play. Darren Collison has all the ingredients to be a solid floor general. What’s the price going to be for all three, and how would they fit alongside Devin Booker in the Suns’ backcourt?

Thaddeus Young, Nikola Mirotic and Al-Farouq Aminu top the list for power forward targets. All three would be solid and help Deandre Ayton out tremendously. Can the Suns get any of them on the cheap?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 5/24/19: Gauging likelihood of trades for Lowry, Gordon, Love May 24, 2019

We look forward to the draft by profiling three players who could be on the Suns’ short list the night of the NBA Draft next month.

Kyle Lowry has shown his intangible value during these playoffs and is rounding into an even better playmaker as his career moves along. He might be the top Suns trade target at point guard.

Aaron Gordon has a very tradable contract and fits a position of need at power forward. But is he the right player to pair with Mikal Bridges and Deandre Ayton?

Kevin Love is the forgotten man with an enormous contract and an aging skill set. But he has a relationship with James Jones and fits nicely on offense with Ayton.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 5/22/19: AD sweepstakes, Monty Williams hiring and the 2019 playoffs with Michael Pina of SB Nation - LOCKED ON SUNS 5/22/2019 May 22, 2019

Michael Pina joins the show to discuss why he thinks an Anthony Davis trade is realistic for Phoenix, how he would approach the sixth pick in the draft, and more.

We rank Deandre Ayton among trade chips in the AD sweepstakes, why Michael would not have moved on from Igor Kokoskov, and how the Suns can learn from the big men in this year’s NBA playoffs.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 5/21/19: BONUS! Monty Williams is introduced May 22, 2019

We dispatch from the pavilion at Talking Stick Resort Arena to give our instant reactions to Monty Williams’ introductory press conference.

After coaching through to Game Seven of the second round of the NBA playoffs, Williams provided insight into what stood out about the Suns, how well he gets along with general manager James Jones, and what the team will look like on the court under his leadership.

Check out our reactions if you missed the press conference or want some analysis of what Williams’ words mean for the franchise.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 5/20/19: Six options for the Suns at No. 6 with Ross Homan of The Stepien May 21, 2019

We are joined by Ross Homan of The Stepien to break down two players from each position group that the Suns could consider with the sixth pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.

Starting with wings Jarrett Culver and Cam Reddish, we go deep on these guys. Next are big men Brandon Clarke and De’Andre Hunter, followed by guards Darius Garland and Coby White.

Hear from Ross on why he’s so high on Culver, especially with the Suns, and some names he would consider at No. 32 for Phoenix.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 5/17/19: Recapping the NBA Draft Combine from Chicago May 18, 2019

We discuss the latest on Jarrett Culver, Brandon Clarke, Coby White, Darius Garland and all the Suns’ options at No. 6.

Then, we wade into the rumor mill with speculation from Ramona Shelburne of ESPN and Michael Pina of SB Nation regarding the Suns’ potential as a fit for the likes of Kyrie Irving or Anthony Davis this summer.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 5/15/19: Zion would have looked great in purple and orange May 15, 2019

On today’s episode, we talk our way through what just happened to the Phoenix Suns. After winning only 19 games this season, they unfortunately now don’t even have a top-5 selection falling to No. 6 overall. This had the highest probability of happening, but this scenario puts Phoenix in a predicament.

If the Suns stay where they are, there are five prospects who we believe check boxes: Jarrett Culver, Darius Garland, De’Andre Hunter, Brandon Clarke, and Coby White. Would drafting either of these players be enough to sell to a fan base looking for immediate improvement?

Also, how will this impact possible trades? If they stayed at No. 3, the value would have been more than it is now because of RJ Barrett. All of the sudden, Phoenix is picking in the third or fourth tier of prospects.

Two teams to keep an eye on with draft day wheeling-and-dealing involving the Suns’ selection: Memphis (Mike Conley) and Orlando (Aaron Gordon).

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LOCKED ON SUNS 5/13/19: Monty Williams analysis plus final lottery thoughts with Mason Ginsberg of Bourbon Street Shots May 14, 2019

On today’s episode, we run through all the interesting connections taking place between the Phoenix Suns and New Orleans Pelicans with special guest Mason Ginsberg of Bourbon Street Shots.

What type of coach are the Suns getting in Monty Williams? Ginsberg remembers the days in New Orleans, plus suggests why he will be a vastly different coach this time around. Also, how was Jeff Bower’s tenure in the Bayou?

We also go over David Griffin poaching longtime Suns head trainer Aaron Nelson. What does it mean for the Pelicans franchise to finally have stability with Griffin?

Finally, our final predictions and thoughts less than 24 hours before the NBA Draft Lottery. Will Zion Williamson end up in Phoenix, New Orleans, or elsewhere? We shall find out soon enough.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 5/10/19: How to build a winning culture with Wes Goldberg of Locked On Heat May 11, 2019

On today’s episode, we go in-depth on what exactly it takes to rebuild a culture from the ground up. What does it take to go from a losing environment to one that is conducive to winning?

Wes Goldberg, co-host of Locked On Heat, knows plenty about this after watching Suns GM James Jones and other veterans remake Miami’s image to what has continued throughout the last decade.

Jones is already working on remaking the Suns’ environment to his liking. Multiple changes to floor zero and the front office have happened over the last few weeks, including firing Igor Kokoskov for Monty Williams.

How long will it take for Jones to overhaul Phoenix’s image and on-court production behind a newfound culture of success? The answer honestly may surprise you.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 5/8/19: In-studio with azcentral's Greg Moore and Dana Scott on the Suns' offseason May 08, 2019

We hop back on camera with the azcentral sports team to break down the hiring of Monty Williams, what it means for the Suns’ reputation around the league, and how the draft will impact the Suns’ future.

Columnist Greg Moore and spors reporter Dana Scott join to give their perspective on the relationship between Williams and Kevin Durant as well as who they would target if the Suns were to fall out of the top two in the NBA Draft or trade back.

Check out the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfJYvvtTi8Q

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LOCKED ON SUNS 5/6/19: Everything you need to know about Ja Morant with Murray State beat writer Ed Marlowe May 06, 2019

We are joined by beat writer Edward Marlowe discuss Ja Morant’s growth from freshman to sophomore year as well as the qualities that helped him lead the Racers to the second round of the NCAA tournament.

Marlowe discusses how Morant was able to change his game to help Murray State win in different ways throughout the season, and why he believes the Suns are the best landing spot for Morant.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 5/3/19: David Nash of the 7SOL pod joins to react to the Suns hiring Monty Williams May 04, 2019

We already had David scheduled before the Monty Williams news broke, but who better to sit in on our reaction show than the preeminent Igor Kokoskov Stan? We break down how the Suns landed Williams and what it means big-picture.

How will the on-court product look? What are the differences between Kokoksov and Williams? Is this a sign that Robert Sarver is taking a step back?

All that before a quick look at how this move affects the rest of the offseason.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 5/1/19: Aaron Nelson is out as James Jones puts his mark on the Suns May 02, 2019

We discuss the latest news on the Suns’ staff, most notably the departure of head trainer Aaron Nelson, who is heading to the Pelicans.

In addition, the Suns hired analytics and development assistant Riccardo Fois from Gonzaga, potentially to replace Jake Loos, who headed the analytics and tech department in Phoenix until this summer. The Suns also are partnering with Steward Health Care and the EXOS training center as they transition away from Nelson’s staff.

Does all of this show a franchise shaping into Jones’ vision or more of the same constant resetting in Phoenix?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 4/29/19: The latest news on the Suns' coaching search Apr 29, 2019

We sift through the latest news on the Suns’ coaching search, including the team flying to Philadelphia and Portland this weekend to interview Monty Williams, David Vanterpool and Nate Tibbets.

We discuss what might be going through Williams’ mind as he waits to choose between the Suns and Lakers jobs, as well as the impact of Gregg Popovich’s mentorship on the process. The Suns and Lakers both reportedly did not make offers to Williams over the weekend — why?

Finally, thoughts on the Portland assistants and what comes next in the Suns’ search.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 4/26/19: Ranking the NBA coaching vacancies Apr 26, 2019

We look ahead over the coming weeks to power rank the open head coach positions around the NBA. As Robert Sarver loves to say, there are only 30 of these jobs, but where do the Suns actually sit among the other teams looking for a head coach?

We contrast Phoenix’s roster, ownership and market with Chicago, Washington, Sacramento, Memphis, Cleveland and the Lakers.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 4/24/19: The Igor aftermath with Gerald Bourguet of Hoops Habit Apr 25, 2019

We are joined by Gerald Bourguet of Hoops Habit to react to the Wednesday morning press conference appearance by James Jones explaining his decision to fire Igor Kokoskov.

Jones touched on the big-picture reasons for the divorce in addition to what he wants from the next coach. He also discussed his relationship with Robert Sarver and what Suns fans can expect to come out of Jeff Bower’s role in the organization.

Does this change anything or is it more of the same for the Suns? Gerald joins to discuss.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 4/22/19: Emergency reaction to the firing of Igor Kokoskov Apr 23, 2019

We intended to bring on Kellan Olson of Arizona Sports to discuss the biggest questions of the offseason but had to pivot as news broke during recording that the Suns had moved on from Igor Kokoskov.

We break down how and why it came to this and whether this is another signal of instability or somehow part of a bigger plan. With Monty Williams reportedly the frontrunner, we ponder whether new front office executive Jeff Bower, who hired Williams to his first head-coaching position, played a role in the decision.

Take this journey along with us.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 4/20/19: In-studio with Greg Moore on Zion Williamson, Ja Morant and the No. 1 pick Apr 20, 2019

We are joined by columnist Greg Moore of azcentral sports to break down the stakes on lottery night as well as draft night for the Phoenix Suns as the team crosses its fingers for its second straight No. 1 pick.

Moore defends his maligned column pegging Ja Morant ahead of Zion Williamson and we get into why he believes Morant makes more sense for the Suns.

We also discuss some of the big-picture stories that are jumbled into this year’s draft for the Suns, including the direction of the franchise under James Jones, the future of Igor Kokoskov, and the level of involvement for new front office executive Jeff Bower.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 4/17/19: Coaching buzz, free agency thoughts and playoff inklings with Sean Deveney of Sporting News Apr 17, 2019

Sean Deveney of Sporting News jumps in to talk about his reporting over the past year on the Suns.

First, we break down Phoenix’s interest in Luke Walton — where it came from and whether the Suns might still fire Igor Kokoskov now despite Walton going to Sacramento.

We also discuss the Suns’ rumored interest in Aaron Gordon last year and whether Gordon might be available on the trade market.

Finally, some thoughts on Terry Rozier and Ricky Rubio and how their performance in the playoffs could impact their market in free agency this summer.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 4/15/19: Mega mailbag looking back at 2018-19 and previewing the offseason Apr 15, 2019

We answered about a dozen listener questions — thanks as always — touching on everything from a look back at the Kelly Oubre deal in December to various options on draft night if the Suns fall out of the top two.

We closed the show with a dive into the Suns’ options when it comes to T.J. Warren trades, as it looks like they have decided to move on from the 2014 lottery pick.

Come for the analysis, stay for a discussion about Coby White’s hair.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 4/12/19: Final report cards of the season on the Suns' supporting cast Apr 12, 2019

We dole out our final grades looking back on a full season from Mikal Bridges, Josh Jackson and Igor Kokoskov, three important parts of this team’s future who sit outside the spotlight.

Bridges played all 82 games after being outside the rotation on opening night and led the Suns in minutes as well but will need to improve his body to take his impact to another level next season.

Jackson continues to flummox us but made 38.4 percent of his 3s after the break and cut down on his turnovers. He will probably be back next season.

Kokoskov is the most controversial figure on this team and a decision on him has yet to be made. We discuss his future.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 4/11/19: Final report cards of the season on the Suns' Big 3 Apr 12, 2019

We analyze the final third of the season for each of the Suns’ three best players (for now) — that’s Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton and Kelly Oubre Jr.

Booker saw the most winning stretch of his career shortly after the All-Star break in addition to a scoring binge of historic caliber.

Ayton fell off slightly as his first NBA season seemed to get to him and an ankle injury might be the fallout from the effects of stamina.

Oubre looked like a whole new player on both ends and cemented himself as a part of the Suns’ future.

Listen in for how we graded each guy.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 4/10/19: Parting thoughts from Suns players and coaches Apr 11, 2019

We break down the biggest bullet points from the final Suns media availability of the year, with extended time from the whole roster as well as coach Igor Kokoskov.

Kokoskov didn’t sound like a man who was worried about his job security but should he be? Deandre Ayton talked about what he wanted to get better at, Devin Booker discussed culture, and EVERYONE raved about Jamal Crawford.

All that and more in our dispatch from Talking Stick Resort Arena.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 4/9/19: Dirk vs. Crossover plus our favorite games and moments from the 2019 Phoenix Suns season Apr 10, 2019

We discuss the epic and historic battle between Dirk Nowitzki and Jamal Crawford in Dallas in the Suns’ final game of the year before diving into big-picture takeaways from the 2019 season.

Crawford became the oldest player in NBA history to score 51 points while Nowitzki scored 30 in his last game at home. After the game, Nowitzki announced his retirement. It was a battle fans will always remember regardless of the game being meaningless overall.

We close the show with our favorite games of the Suns’ season, from the season-opener in Dallas to beating the Lakers to shut down their playoff chances in early March, as well as our favorite smaller moments of the season.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 4/8/19: A wild Jeff Bower has appeared Apr 08, 2019

After months of speculation about Kevin McHale taking over in Phoenix, suddenly Jeff Bower is the leading candidate for a senior front office role with the Suns. We break it all down, from his record in New Orleans and Detroit to what he might do in Phoenix.

Before that, we quickly discuss a bad loss to the Rockets as well as the news that T.J. Warren will officially miss the final game of the season with his right ankle injury.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 4/5/19: Suns go out with a bang in home finale with OT thriller Apr 06, 2019

On today's episode live from Talking Stick Resort Arena, we recap the craziness from the Suns' home finale with a thrilling overtime victory over the Pelicans.

Josh Jackson, Dragan Bender and Ray Spalding all had career-best games simultaneously, while Jamal Crawford also gave us a throwback performance. Who would've thought that's how Phoenix would close their season in front of the home crowd?

We also looked ahead to how these three could fit into the Suns' plans next season.

What a crazy, weird game all tied together, right?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 4/4/19: Latest news on injuries, the GM ‘search’ and other openings around the NBA Apr 05, 2019

We talk about the surprising announcement that Tyler Johnson’s “right knee soreness” turned into arthroscopic surgery for the former Heat guard, as well as the reports that TJ Warren and Devin Booker are both likely to be shut down.

Then, we discuss James Jones’ radio appearance on Wednesday and what to expect from the general manager search as the season winds down. We close by discussing why Phoenix is not being mentioned in the same breath as so many top front office candidates.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 4/3/19: Elie Okobo shows out as Devin Booker leaves loss to Utah Apr 04, 2019

We recap the Suns’ 118-97 loss to the Utah Jazz first by dissecting Devin Booker’s injury and the subsequent news he will be shut down. Was Booker’s heavy minutes load worth another late-season injury for the fourth-year guard?

Then, we break down a few players who stood out keeping the game close while Booker was out, including Elie Okobo and Richaun Holmes. Both guys made a good case for staying on the roster in 2019-20.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 4/2/19: An update to our 2019 NBA Draft big boards heading into the Final Four Apr 02, 2019

With the Duke quartet of freshman gone from the NCAA Tournament and the dust mostly cleared from the college basketball season, we reset the 2019 draft.

We discuss big risers such as Brandon Clarke and PJ Washington as well as the fall of Cam Reddish. We debate RJ Barrett vs. Ja Morant and why Barrett doesn’t fit in Phoenix despite potentially being more talented overall.

Finally, we explain why it’s so silly to worry about Zion Williamson fitting with ANY team, let alone the Suns.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 4/1/19: Jackson and Booker star as the Suns end their losing streak Apr 02, 2019

On today's episode live from Talking Stick Resort Arena, we recap the Phoenix Suns' 122-113 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Josh Jackson led the way with the best game of his career, finishing with 19 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, and 5 blocks on 7-of-11 shooting.

Devin Booker also chipped in, but this time it was his facilitating that made the difference. The Suns' star dished out 13 assists to go along with 25 points, which was the ninth instance he's done that already this season. How has Booker's all-around growth offensively changed his offensive profile?

Finally, we run through our favorite numbers where everyone shined across the board.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/29/19: Exposing bad Booker takes, Zion vs. Ja, and Ayton's trajectory with Max from the 7SOL podcast Mar 30, 2019

On today's episode, Max from the 7SOL pod joins to discuss plenty of topics, including analyzing one of the worst Devin Booker takes we've ever heard from a national writer. Outside of the wrong view of Booker nationally, what's stood out most during his scoring binge since the All-Star break?

Kelly Oubre Jr. seems ready to commit long-term to the Suns, but what will the price be? We go over that while also recapping his impressive season in Phoenix.

Zion Williamson and Ja Morant shouldn't be in the same room, as far as better prospects go, but many Suns fans are trying to make it into a debate. What stands out about both, though, and how could they improve the team? Also, would you trade Morant's rights for Jrue Holiday or keep the pick?

Finally, we quickly go over the growth process Deandre Ayton has endured this season. What should the expectations be for Ayton during his second season?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/28/19: What Devin Booker's career month means for the Suns going forward Mar 29, 2019

We break down the numbers and storylines behind Devin Booker’s incredible post-All-Star game stretch, in which he is scoring more than 30 points per game on elite efficiency.

Does this change our impressions of Booker’s ceiling? Does it prove anything with regards to his value as a playmaker?

Finally, we close with our thoughts on Kelly Oubre’s press conference on Wednesday and how likely he is to stay in Phoenix.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/27/19: Yes, Devin Booker is actually good at basketball Mar 28, 2019

On today’s episode of Locked On Suns live from Talking Stick Resort Arena, we recapped the Phoenix Suns’ 124-121 loss to the Washington Wizards. Even though Devin Booker has scored 109 points over his last two games, it unfortunately hasn’t ended with the Suns as winners.

That doesn’t take away from the best stretch of Booker’s career, though. Are we seeing peak Booker, and what does this mean for next season?

Outside of Booker’s scorching hot scoring binge, Dragan Bender, Deandre Ayton and Troy Daniels also chipped in solid outings to give Phoenix a chance at the end to send it to overtime.

Let’s also not forget that a legitimate media company actually asked the question in 2019 whether Booker is actually good at this sport or not. What a way to prove that notion wrong by dropping 50 once more.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/26/19: We just saw the best scoring night of Devin Booker's career Mar 26, 2019

We dig into Devin Booker’s career night, showcasing the growth he’s made on offense in his masterpiece — 59 points on 34 shots.

We talk about what Booker has added to his game, why this game was more impressive than his 70 in Boston in 2017, and finally what was going on with Jimmer Fredette in the fourth quarter.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/25/19: Resetting the free agent market for Kelly Oubre Jr. and Richaun Holmes plus March Madness thoughts Mar 25, 2019

We preview free agency for Kelly Oubre Jr., whose addition was the turning point in the Suns’ season, as well as Richaun Holmes, whose energy and hard work was a huge culture-setter in the big man rotation this year.

Is Oubre going to get Josh Richardson money or Aaron Gordon money? The answer will affect the Suns’ future flexibility in a big way. Plus, did Alex Len’s contract coincidentally set the market for Holmes when Len left Phoenix?

We look out to the summer before bringing it back to the spring, where NBA Draft prospects are duking it out in March Madness.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/22/19: News catchup on GM search, coaching rumors and injuries Mar 23, 2019

We react and analyze the rumors from The New York Times regarding the Suns’ ongoing search for new front office veterans that reportedly includes Kevin McHale and Jim Paxson already. McHale is the obvious frontrunner here.

Then, we discuss how realistic it seems that the Suns actually move on from Igor Kokoskov after one year based on their interest in Luke Walton, as reported by The Sporting News.

Finally, a prediction for the remaining nine games on the Suns’ schedule.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/21/19: Ja Morant wins and the Suns lose Mar 22, 2019

We go over the Suns’ 118-98 loss to the Detroit Pistons live from Talking Stick Resort Arena, which included notable outings headlined by Devin Booker and Mikal Bridges.

After rummaging through our main takeaways from Phoenix’s latest defeat, we dived head-first into the Ja Morant discussion. Following a triple-double in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, Morant Mania is about to hit its peak from a local perspective.

However, we have seen some try to say Morant is the No. 1 prospect in the 2019 Draft. That is unfortunately incorrect, and we advise everyone in the Phoenix market to please not start a prospect debate involving Zion Williamson versus Morant.

Finally, we gave our final thoughts on the Morant hype train by throwing out this hypothetical scenario: Select the Murray State point guard at No. 2 overall or trade his rights for someone like Jrue Holiday?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/20/19: Jimmer mania comes to Phoenix Mar 21, 2019

We celebrate the return of Jimmer Mania to the NBA in perfect timing for the start of the NCAA Tournament and what it means for the Suns. Is Tyler Johnson being shut down? Will we see less of De’Anthony Melton?

Then, we explore examples of the Suns’ success when it comes to player development this season under Igor Kokoskov.

Finally, a tank race update and we tell you what James Jones said about T.J. Warren on Wednesday.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/19/19: What Suns fans should watch for during March Madness Mar 19, 2019

We preview March Madness from a Suns perspective, looking at who could see their stock rise through opening weekend upsets or deep runs and burst onto the Suns’ radar in the draft.

Then, we discuss some interesting second-round candidates who could be a target for the Suns in the early 30s. We end with a breakdown of our Final Four and crown a national champion.

You can join our Bracket Challenge at ESPN, too! Click here.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/18/19: Suns look lifeless without their energizers versus Bulls Mar 19, 2019

On today’s episode of Locked On Suns live from Talking Stick Resort Arena, we recapped the Suns’ surprising 116-101 blowout defeat at the hands of the Chicago Bulls.

Deandre Ayton and Devin Booker combined for 50 points and 20 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough as others around them didn’t really step up to fill scoring voids.

Starting three rookies, and playing their first game without Kelly Oubre Jr. since he’s been in Phoenix, that wavy energy seemed to be the missing spark. From the beginning, the Suns came out flat and really never were able to recover.

We also quickly went over the surprising end of game incident between Igor Kokoskov and Jim Boylen to wrap things up.

With three games now separating Phoenix from the No. 4 spot in the reverse standings, having a share of the top odds at Zion Williamson likely locked in now seems to be the silver lining to take away from this one.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/15/19: Deandre Ayton redeems himself in close loss to Rockets Mar 16, 2019

We return to our usual recap format to take you through what you need to know from the Suns’ 108-102 loss to the Rockets on Friday night.

With Tyler Johnson inactive, it was the Devin Booker, Kelly Oubre Jr. and Deandre Ayton show, and the Suns stayed close.

Yet Jamal Crawford remained in the rotation despite De’Anthony Melton being healthy and needing another chance to get playing time heading into the summer.

We break it all down.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/14/19: Comparing Harden and Booker with Ben DuBose of Locked On Rockets Mar 15, 2019

Ben DuBose of Locked On Rockets joins us to break down the similarities between the team situations and overall skill sets of James Harden and Devin Booker as the Suns look to develop Booker into a lead playmaker and improved team defender entering the first season of his maximum contract extension.

Then, we get Ben’s thoughts on covering James Harden’s extraordinary season and whether he is the NBA MVP this year.

We end with some thoughts about Friday night’s matchup between the teams and what to watch for in Houston.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/13/19: Suns fall to Jazz as they turn on the jets late Mar 14, 2019

On today’s episode of Locked On Suns, we recapped the Suns’ 114-97 loss to the Utah Jazz live from Talking Stick Resort Arena.

Devin Booker chipped in 27 points, 4 rebounds and 6 assists on 9-for-20 shooting, but Phoenix’s first ever No. 1 overall pick was flummoxed by Rudy Gobert. Deandre Ayton ended his night with career-lows in points and field goal percentage as Richuan Holmes outplayed him.

Also, what should we make of Josh Jackson? Some games he’s on, some games he’s not. Another example popped up for Jackson tonight, and is it possible his role is reduced once T.J. Warren returns?

We break down all the hot topics as the Suns now fall to 16-53 on the season.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/12/2019: Talking Josh Jackson, Ja Morant and more with J. Kyle Mann of The Dime Drop Mar 12, 2019

We are joined by J. Kyle Mann of The Dime Drop to discuss his thoughts on Josh Jackson, Deandre Ayton and the rest of the Suns.

A bit of a longer episode this time but we know you will all enjoy this one!

We also discuss Ja Morant, who Kyle saw in-person at the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament last weekend and how he might fit in Phoenix.

Finally, some rapid fire discussion on the broader NBA to close the show.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/11/19: This is a whole new basketball team Mar 11, 2019

Before diving deep on the Suns’ big win over Golden State, we quickly talk about what went wrong in Portland and how Phoenix was able to overcome a weird night to come away with a huge victory on the second night of a back-to-back in Oakland.

It was Devin Booker’s night on Sunday, as the Suns’ star put together the best all-around performance of his career, scoring 37 points and notching 11 assists, including a 15 straight points at one point midway through the final period.

Plus, he’s getting support from up and down the roster, from Kelly Oubre Jr. to Tyler Johnson. We finish by discussing what these wins say about Oubre’s impact, Igor Kokoskov’s coaching and how the Suns can keep it up heading into the easiest portion of their schedule.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/8/19: Comparing PG and Bridges with Tony East of Locked On Pacers Mar 08, 2019

Continuing with our Suns comparisons series, we bring on Tony East of Locked On Pacers to discuss the early years of Paul George’s career, how he developed as a shooter and playmaker and what the keys were to his development.

Bridges already looks like a solid shooter and team defender, but Tony shares some ways that George was able to develop physically and with the ball in his hands to grow into the MVP candidate we’re seeing this year.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/7/19: The numbers behind the Suns' win streak Mar 07, 2019

We comb through the numbers for the Suns as a whole as well as the key performers from the Suns’ recent winning ways, including their three-game win streak and dating all the way back to last Monday’s win in Miami.

Phoenix is in the top ten in both offensive and defensive efficiency the past five contests and Devin Booker is a huge reason why.

Plus, co-stars Kelly Oubre Jr. and Deandre Ayton are rounding into form, and Tyler Johnson is proving how much this team needed another legitimate playmaker all along.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/6/19: Devin Booker goes off in Suns' blowout victory over Knicks Mar 07, 2019

On today’s episode of Locked On Suns live from Talking Stick Resort Arena, we recapped the Suns’ victory over the Knicks. Devin Booker went for a season-high 41 points, which is the most he’s also ever scored in a home game.

Also, Kelly Oubre Jr. continues to blossom in Phoenix with another solid secondary performance adding much-needed energy on both ends of the floor.

Yes, the Suns are going streaking. Three straight wins. Four wins in their last five games.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/5/19: Breaking down Kevin Arnovitz’s story plus a lottery mock draft Mar 05, 2019

We break down the damning story from ESPN's Kevin Arnovitz about the Suns’ “messy and dysfunctional” front office, how it tracks with our observations, and what it means for the Suns going forward.

Then, we close the show by crisscrossing through a mock draft after a wild Tankathon simulation pushed the Suns down to the sixth pick and made us pitch a trade with the Pelicans for the pick.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/4/19: The Phoenix Suns are the Milwaukee Bucks' kryptonite Mar 05, 2019

Wow, what a statement that was. The Phoenix Suns defeated the best team in the NBA, becoming the first team to do so twice this season. That’s right, the Suns have swept the Milwaukee Bucks.

We recap the action live from Talking Stick Resort Arena as Phoenix won 114-105 behind career nights from Kelly Oubre Jr. and Deandre Ayton while Devin Booker was his usual self as well. The Suns also deployed a great defensive game plan against one of the league’s best as Booker threw praise in the locker room to former Bucks interim head coach Joe Prunty.

Dare we say are these Suns possibly about to turn a corner with the lowly Knicks coming to town on Wednesday?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/2/19: Suns stun the Lakers as Ayton and Booker lead the way Mar 03, 2019

On today’s episode live from Talking Stick Resort Arena, we recap the Suns’ stunning victory over the Lakers. Deandre Ayton and Devin Booker combined for 51 points while also reviving solid outings from Kelly Oubre Jr., Mikal Bridges and Josh Jackson.

LeBron James nearly put up a triple-double, but Ayton’s solid defense rounded out one of his best all-around performances of the season with 26 points and 10 rebounds. Ayton also netted a career-high in free throw attempts (10-for-14), which could be a sign of things to come.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/28/19: Comparing AD and Ayton with Pelicans writer Shamit Dua Mar 01, 2019

We bring on one of the best Pelicans writers around, Shamit Dua, to discuss the first few years of Anthony Davis’ career and how New Orleans developed him into the player he is today.

We also touch on what Suns fans can expect in the Friday matchup between these two teams amid the ongoing trade demand drama with Davis and finish up with a discussion of Jrue Holiday and his fit in Phoenix should he become available this summer.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/27/19: Reacting to the Woj and James Jones war of words Feb 28, 2019

We give you the highlights of Adrian Wojnarowski’s report on the Robert Sarver’s failure to learn from his mistakes and general manager James Jones’ “unorthodox” stance toward the draft and, of course, we react.

Could the NBA really step in here?

The search for a GM is reportedly now underway as well and the Suns also expect to fill many of the positions vacated by the dismissal of Ryan McDonough and his staff in October. We talk about potential candidates and how the franchise could continue to change under Jones’ control.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/26/19: How the NBA tank race is shaping up around the Suns Feb 26, 2019

We break down the bottom seven teams in the NBA as the Suns again find themselves checking in on the reverse standings during the stretch run of the season.

Using this piece over at The Step Back written by yours truly, we discuss the incentives for each team to bottom out over the final 20 games of the year. Some, like the Wizards or Hawks, should ride out the growth of their young players while others, like the Knicks, are right to blow it up.

Finally, we imagine how this all could affect the Suns on draft night.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/25/19: The franchise-worst losing streak is dead, long live the losing streak Feb 26, 2019

We dive into a comeback victory by the Suns on the road in Miami, 124-121, which featured some aggressive defense to close things out, a savvy drawn foul by Devin Booker to earn a pair of free throws that gave the Suns their eventual winning lead and defense by Deandre Ayton on the final possession to close the game.

We also hit on Troy Daniels’ hot scoring night and whether he might stick in the rotation, why Josh Jackson was doomed to fail defending the 7-foot Kelly Olynyk and the playmaking opportunities Mikal Bridges’ bench role is opening.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/23/19: Twitter mailbag at the three-quarter mark, part two Feb 24, 2019

We open up the mailbag over on Twitter to take stock of the Suns season with your help, looking at positives and negatives for Devin Booker, how the draft shakes out from Zion Williamson down, and much more.

We also hone in on the point guard spot — who the Suns might keep between the two rookies and what they’re looking for in the backcourt long-term besides just the names that are always in rumors.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/22/19: Twitter mailbag at the three-quarter mark, part one Feb 22, 2019

We open up the mailbag over on Twitter to take stock of the Suns season with your help, looking at how to stay positive, taking stock of the point guard trade market and shuffling back through the Suns’ recent draft history.

We also take a look at the NBA MVP race and give a behind-the-scenes look at the time we put into Locked On Suns.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/21/19: No more excuses after losing to Cleveland Feb 22, 2019

We dig into the grotesque loss, 111-98, at the hands of the Cavaliers on the road. How do things continue to go so wrong?

From Tyler Johnson’s slow, inefficient adjustment to life in purple and orange to the peculiar change to the starting lineup with Josh Jackson remaining at power forward alongside Kelly Oubre Jr., we break this winnable game down.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/19/19: Early offseason outlook with Max and David from the 7SOL podcast Feb 19, 2019

We are joined for a crossover episode by David Nash and Max McCauley of the Seven Seconds or Less Podcast to give a snapshot of what this summer might look like for the Suns.

First, we discuss how the Suns might view T.J. Warren after his breakout season. Do they try to send him to a contender where he might be more valuable and reset at power forward or ease him into a bench role?

Then, we debate how seriously fans should take the idea that the Suns aren’t valuing their picks in this year’s draft after several comments from general manager James Jones indicating that might be true. Finally, we discuss whether Igor Kokoskov is safe if the Suns continue to play poorly and what the four of us would do to address the point guard and power forward positions this summer.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/18/19: All-Star break reset with Max and David from the 7SOL podcast Feb 18, 2019

We are joined for a crossover episode by David Nash and Max McCauley of the Seven Seconds or Less Podcast to discuss how this season has gone in Phoenix.

First, we imagine how the season would have gone if former general manager Ryan McDonough had not made his last trade swapping Brandon Knight for De’Anthony Melton.

Then, we evaluate Devin Booker’s injuries and break down the play of the Suns’ two rookies, Mikal Bridges and Deandre Ayton, as we approach the three-quarters mark of the NBA season.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/14/19: All-Star weekend preview and NBA Draft top fives Feb 15, 2019

We preview the Rising Stars Challenge and Three-Point Contest this weekend in Charlotte before moving on to the draft.

Each of us goes from five to one in the draft and we spend a little extra time on three guys who make a lot of sense for the Suns — De’Andre Hunter, Ja Morant and of course Zion Williamson.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/13/19: It doesn’t get much worse than this Feb 13, 2019

We quickly jump through all that fell apart in the Suns’ 134-107 loss in Los Angeles tonight, one of their absolute worst of the year.

The Clippers guarded Devin Booker more physically and violently than any team all year and took the scorer out of the game. No one else on the Suns responded and Phoenix got blown out for the umpteenth time this season.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/12/19: The James Jones progress report Feb 12, 2019

We respond to comments from co-interim general manager James Jones to 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station in two appearances Monday regarding his vision for the organization, his thoughts on the current roster and how he operates overall.

We also gauge the odds Jones is retained as permanent general manager (hint: they’re high), analyze his ideas about overhauling the roster and predict how he might build out the front office if he keeps the job.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/11/19: Where do the Suns go from here? Feb 11, 2019

We begin by digging into the Suns’ 117-104 loss to Sacramento on the road on Sunday, in which Devin Booker’s outstanding stat line was not enough for the Suns to beat the Kings.

Then, we dissect why inconsistency is such an issue for Phoenix this year despite more talent on the roster — is it inexperience, leadership, injuries, lack of depth?

We close by projecting the Suns’ next eight games, starting with the Clippers on Wednesday and finishing with seven winnable games coming out of the All-Star break.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/8/2019: Mikal Bridges keeps getting better but Suns lose to Warriors Feb 08, 2019

We break down the Suns’ tough performance against Golden State, led by Mikal Bridges, Kelly Oubre Jr. and Deandre Ayton, which ultimately resulted in Phoenix’s 13th straight loss.

Bridges kept Kevin Durant at bay and made 4-9 threes, Ayton tied the most field goal attempts of his career for his 30th double-double of the season, and Oubre put together perhaps his best all-around game in Phoenix. It just wasn’t enough.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/7/19: All's quiet in Phoenix on deadline day as the NBA explodes Feb 08, 2019

We wonder aloud why the Suns did not make another deal after flipping Ryan Anderson’s contract on Wednesday and discuss what doing that trade and nothing else shows us about how the Suns will approach the offseason.

We also talk about our most surprising trades from around the rest of the NBA, from Marc Gasol to Markelle Fultz, and discuss the top of the Eastern Conference, where four great, deep teams will battle it out this spring for the chance to take on the Warriors in the Finals.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/6/19: Tyler Johnson is now a Phoenix Sun Feb 07, 2019

The Suns acquired an interesting on-court fit on Wednesday but failed to nab an asset in return for helping the Miami Heat escape the luxury tax this season, taking Tyler Johnson and Wayne Ellington off their books in exchange for Ryan Anderson. We break that deal down.

Phoenix also played a game on Wednesday, losing 116-98 to the Jazz without Devin Booker. We discuss Booker’s lingering hamstring pain as well as Josh Jackson’s strong performance.

Finally, a rapid fire recap of the flurry of moves across the league on Wednesday and how they impact the Suns.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/5/19: The latest on Lonzo Ball and NBA trade deadline predictions Feb 06, 2019

After LaVar Ball’s double interview on 98.7 FM on Tuesday, we read between the lines of the latest Lakers-Pelicans scuttlebutt to diagnose the truth in the Ball-Suns connection (hint: It feels very real).

We also talk about what it might take to get Ball based on the latest Lakers offers and how the Suns should view Ball’s value.

Finally, we go rapid fire with predictions for the Suns at the deadline as well as the league as a whole.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/4/19: James Harden drops 44 points as Phoenix's losing skid continues Feb 04, 2019

On today’s episode of Locked On Suns live from Talking Stick Resort Arena, we chatted about the Suns’ 11th straight defeat. This time, it was against the Houston Rockets as Phoenix fell 118-110.

Josh Jackson and Kelly Oubre Jr. helped carry the scoring load with Devin Booker, but it ultimately wasn’t enough as Houston put their foot on the gas in the second half.

Elie Okobo also showed why he’s still a rookie by following up his best game of the season with arguably his worst. We discussed the growing pains rookie point guards often experience.

Closing the episode out, we circled back around to Harden’s effortless scoring binge. Is this the greatest individual scoring run we’ve seen in the modern era?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/1/19: Special trade deadline preview edition of our Twitter mailbag Feb 01, 2019

We head back into the Twitter mailbag for a special trade deadline preview edition, using your questions to dissect the Suns’ options ahead of the Feb. 7 deadline.

The Suns could upgrade at point guard early if they have a target in mind now, or hold pat and use bigger salaries like T.J. Warren and Ryan Anderson to grab future assets.

We also break news on the Suns’ scouting situation, their valuation of Lonzo Ball and how they plan to use Anderson’s contract this summer.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/31/19: Lonzo Ball rumors plus Second Trimester Report Cards, Part Two Feb 01, 2019

We break down the reported “mutual interest” between Lonzo Ball and the Suns before finishing up our Second Trimester Report Cards looking back at Deandre Ayton and Mikal Bridges two thirds of the way through their rookie seasons.

Ball’s fit alongside Devin Booker is exciting and he could at a more reasonable price than the Suns’ other options. But can he fix his shooting problems?

Looking back at the past two months or so for Ayton and Bridges, we saw each hit their own rookie wall and suffer through inconsistent stretches. Listen for how our opinions have changed 53 games into their careers.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/30/19: Second Trimester Report Cards, Part One Jan 30, 2019

Looking back at the two-thirds point in the Suns’ season, we give out grades to three members of the team’s young core in Part One of the Second Trimester Report Cards.

Starting with the backcourt, we take a look at the development and statistics of De’Anthony Melton, Josh Jackson and Devin Booker and how they project moving forward.

Listen to the end for our final grades for each player and why they earned the grade.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/29/2019: Rudy Gay ruins Suns’ perfect night Jan 29, 2019

We break down the Suns’ agonizing 126-124 last-second loss to Rudy Gay and the Spurs, their third loss at the buzzer in January.

Despite the misfortune of Gay’s shot going in over great defense from Mikal Bridges, Phoenix should feel great about how they played. The Suns shot 60 percent from the field and closed the game with a miniature lineup featuring Kelly Oubre Jr. at center.

Devin Booker also turned in a highlight-reel performance, scoring 38 points on 14-19 shooting in one of his best games of the year.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/28/19: Weekend recap on players only meeting, AD TRADE REQUEST (!) Jan 28, 2019

We break down the tough losses in Denver and Los Angeles, with frustrations mounting toward a players-only meeting in Denver on Friday night after the Suns’ worst loss of the year. Currently on pace for 18 wins, where do the Suns go from here?

Plus, Anthony Davis is officially on the trade block, whether the Pelicans like it or not. Davis and his agent Rich Paul (you know him) have asked New Orleans to trade the star big man ASAP. Do the Suns have a competitive package? Is it worth it? If not, where does AD land?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/25/19: Michael Pina of Vice Sports talks through the Suns' young wing quartet Jan 25, 2019

We are joined by Michael Pina of VICE Sports, who has written about Josh Jackson and T.J. Warren at length over the course of the season to break down the Suns’ young wing rotation — their development, their fit together and their future.

Plus, stay tuned till the end for Pina’s thoughts on the Suns’ rebuild and who he would target as the team’s point guard this summer in free agency.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/24/19: Suns suffer another blowout loss versus Trail Blazers Jan 25, 2019

On today’s episode of Locked On Suns, we come to you live from Talking Stick Resort Arena to recap the Suns’ 120-106 loss at home to the Portland Trail Blazers with our usual free throws, flagrant fouls, and stats to watch.

Even though Devin Booker was on fire in the first quarter, it didn’t matter much as nobody else really stepped up around him plus Portland outmuscled Phoenix on the glass big-time.

Kelly Oubre Jr. continues to be a valuable bench spark plug with another solid outing tonight, but why isn’t he in the starting lineup? Listen in to find out if we agree with starting Josh Jackson over Oubre Jr.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/23/19: How we would fix the Phoenix Suns Jan 23, 2019

For our 400th episode extravaganza, we give you our foolproof 100 percent correct no doubt about it plans to fix the Suns. From hiring a general manager to signing a point guard, we break it all down.

Then, a recap of the $230 million proposal that was passed by Phoenix City Council on Wednesday night to renovate Talking Stick Resort Arena.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/22/2019: Mike Conley is available and Devin Booker becomes a meme Jan 22, 2019

We react to the Woj Bomb declaring Mike Conley and Marc Gasol available, why Conley is such a great fit with the Suns and what a trade could look like with Memphis.

Then, we break down the Suns’ 118-91 loss to Minnesota at home, specifically what led to Devin Booker’s ejection in the third quarter. Before Booker became a meme, he played a quiet game and looked off from the start. Then he got into a fight with Timberwolves big man Gorgui Dieng and nearly fought him in the bowels of Talking Stick Resort Arena before security intervened.

It was an embarrassing situation within an embarrassing loss.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/21/19: Weekend recap on Charlotte flop and Minnesota battle Jan 21, 2019

We break down the Suns’ two losses from a weekend back-to-back on the road, in which they were dominated by Charlotte in a 20-point loss and nearly overcame a monster performance from Karl-Anthony Towns to beat the Timberwolves before Derrick Rose nailed a game-winner with less than one second left.

Topics include:Booker and Oubre Jr. are the only guys Phoenix can count onMore thoughts on a potential lineup changeWhy is Jamal Crawford right back to playing big minutes?RELEASE THE DRAGANAnd much more, including a preview of this week’s games!

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/18/19: Trade deadline preview with Jeff Siegel of Early Bird Rights Jan 18, 2019

Terry Rozier? Tyus Jones? Dennis Smith Jr.? As the Suns’ quest for a point guard continues, we bring on Jeff Siegel of Early Bird Rights to break down Phoenix’s salary situation and trade options heading toward the NBA trade deadline.

First, the Suns’ options alongside Devin Booker in the backcourt and what the team can realistically do now versus during free agency in July. Then, a breakdown of the Kelly Oubre Jr. and Richaun Holmes decisions for the Suns and their options this summer followed by some quick thoughts from across the NBA as teams look to upgrade their rosters over the next several weeks.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/17/19: Devin Booker returns to form but Suns lose to Raptors at the buzzer Jan 18, 2019

We break down The Pascal Siakam Game, as this one will probably forever be known.

Despite Devin Booker’s 30-8 game and magical second half, the Raptors’ depth stole the show at home. Without Kawhi Leonard, Toronto managed a 2-point victory over the Suns.

We also hit on the inevitable Kelly Oubre Jr./T.J. Warren swap as Warren’s funk continues, the poor play from the rookie point guards and Deandre Ayton not taking a single shot in the second half.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/16/19: The all Devin Booker episode Jan 17, 2019

We break down everything having to do with Suns star Devin Booker in a jam-packed off-day episode.

First, a look at this fall to the bottom of the Western Conference voting rankings for guards, behind lesser players like Lonzo Ball.

Then, a breakdown of who in the league is the right comparison for Booker at this point in the year, such as Bradley Beal and CJ McCollum.

Finally, a dive into what’s gone wrong with Booker’s cold shooting so far this season and how he can get right moving forward.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/15/19: Start Kelly Oubre Jr. Jan 16, 2019

It’s time. In a 34-point loss on the road in Indiana, swingman Kelly Oubre Jr. was somehow a plus-1 in the box score. The Suns’ most consistent player the past two weeks needs to take up his rightful place in the starting unit.

We hit on Oubre Jr.’s consistency and fit in coach Igor Kokoskov’s offense, Devin Booker’s foul trouble and poor scoring night, the defense and more.

Plus, why nights like this are further evidence the Suns need a better two-way player in T.J. Warren’s spot in the starting lineup.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/14/19: Weekend recap on Denver win, Dennis Smith Jr. rumors, and previewing upcoming road trip Jan 14, 2019

First, we go over the Dennis Smith Jr. rumors reported by Kevin O’Connor last week and whether a deal makes sense for the Suns to acquire the 2017 No. 9 pick.

Then, a quick recap of the Suns’ sweet win over the Nuggets on Saturday night and whether their defense is sustainable going forward in the second half of the season.

Finally, we guess the Suns’ record over their next four games, all on the road.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/11/19: Our 2019 NBA Draft big board update Jan 11, 2019

As draft night becomes more of a focus for the Suns, we once again dive into the scouting reports to bring you our 2019 NBA Draft big boards.

For now, just the top 10, as the Suns don’t own any other picks in this year’s draft and it seems less likely they make a deal to move up like they did in 2018.

From Bol Bol to Zion Williamson, we give our updated thoughts on everyone at the top of the 2019 NBA Draft.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/10/19: Breaking down exclusive James Jones interview from Bright Side Night 2019 Jan 10, 2019

After an exclusive opportunity to hear James Jones speak on Bright Side Night 2019, we break down the highlights of the Vice President of Basketball Operations’ comments.

Topics include:Free agency the most likely route for the Suns to acquire their point guard of the futureDevin Booker’s injuries are “part of the plan”Facility renovations part of long process of making Phoenix appealing to stars again

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/9/2019: Deandre Ayton disappears again in loss at Dallas Jan 09, 2019

We break down the Suns’ double-digit loss on the road on the second night of a back-to-back in Dallas and why Deandre Ayton’s disappearing act is so alarming.

Ayton put up just six points and five rebounds one night after riding the bench during the decisive third quarter comeback against Sacramento at home. Is this just a normal up and down season for the rookie or the sign of something more worrisome down the road?

On the other hand, the inconsistent Josh Jackson appears to have turned a corner during holidays and has sharpened into a valuable role player for the Suns.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/8/19: Kelly Oubre Jr. and Richaun Holmes' energy propel Suns to comeback victory Jan 08, 2019

On today’s episode of Locked On Suns, we come to you live from Talking Stick Resort Arena to the recap the Suns’ surprising victory over the Sacramento Kings.

Trailing by 19 points at halftime, Phoenix inserted Richaun Holmes and Kelly Oubre Jr. into the game early on in the second half. From there, the Suns closed the third quarter on a 28-12 run led by nonstop hustle and energy.

Oubre Jr. had his best game yet in a Suns uniform tying his career-high of 26 points while also stuffing the stat sheet on the defensive end with steals, blocks, and deflections. Meanwhile, Holmes continues to be so consistent on the glass and attacking defenders, which included a nasty black of Harry Giles at the rim.

Both Oubre Jr. and Holmes were the main stars for the Suns on Tuesday night, but many others stepped up and played efficient games on both ends.

At the end of their seven-game homestand, Phoenix finally notched a victory after a 5-2 east coast trip that had many thinking they finally turned the corner. Will this impressive comeback win without Booker turn into that catalyst?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/7/19: Twitter mailbag on the first half of the Suns' season Jan 07, 2019

We answer all your fantastic Twitter questions from over @LockedOnPHXSuns to help review the disappointing first half of the Suns’ season.

Do not despair though, we look forward, past this dismal start to the potential for growth.

Topics include:T.J. Warren’s value on the Suns and on the trade marketThe growth and potential of rookie guards De’Anthony Melton and Elie OkoboPoint guards in the 2019 draft such as Ja Morant and Darius GarlandSummer options at power forward, from Thaddeus Young to Kevin LoveAnd much more!

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/4/19: Latest loss to Clippers continues Suns' defensive collapse Jan 04, 2019

On today’s episode of Locked On Suns live from Talking Stick Resort Arena, we recapped the Suns’ 121-111 loss to the Clippers. Even though the scoreboard might not show it in the end, this game never really was close.

Plagued by lackadaisical defense and effort on the glass, Phoenix trailed by as many as 30 points in this one. And over the past few games, that disturbing trend of early blowouts is showing up again.

Before we went into our main negatives from this one, we highlighted the strong play from Richaun Holmes, who you never have to worry about bringing the energy every time he steps on the floor.

However, the major red flags headlined the show as we go into Deandre Ayton’s latest struggles while examining how the Suns can fix their defense before it sinks. Should head coach Igor Kokoskov make rotation changes?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/3/19: New Year, new expectations for Ayton, Booker, Kokoskov Jan 03, 2019

With 2019 officially upon us, we update our perspective on Deandre Ayton, Devin Booker and Igor Kokoskov, the core group for the Suns.

Ayton is picking up in the NBA where he left off in college, finishing over the top of defenses and imposing his physical will. Can he become a truly dominant rim protector or interior scorer?

Booker is more efficient and dishing more assists than ever, plus the Suns’ offense falls of a cliff without him. Is his ceiling higher than we thought heading into the season?

Kokoskov suffers from the rebuilding coach syndrome that so often results in a firing after a few seasons, but he’s made his impression felt on the team in a hurry. Can he stick around longer than the past few Phoenix coaches?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/2/19: Another rally as Suns make it close against Philadelphia Jan 02, 2019

We break down a rough night for the Suns at home against the 76ers, Round Two of Deandre Ayton vs. Joel Embiid and another chapter in Devin Booker’s scoring saga playing Philadelphia.

The Suns suffered another massive early deficit but cut the lead all the way down to four at one point in the final period.

Topics include:Troy Daniels quietly providing the boost the Suns needed on offense (with audio from Daniels postgame)Devin Booker’s “bad” games still look pretty goodNo defense against Sixers’ stars, Joel Embiid’s monster nightReferees take center stage as teams combine for 90 free throws

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/1/19: Breakdowns and inefficiency cost Suns third straight at home against Golden State Jan 01, 2019

The Suns stayed competitive for the first 18 or so minutes hosting the Warriors on New Year’s Eve but ultimately lost, 132-109. We discuss what’s stopping the Suns from really breaking through against the best teams.

Topics include:Deandre Ayton making short work of every center he faces these daysTeam defense from Melton and BridgesAll three Golden State stars go off, can’t win that way

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/31/18: Ayton’s career night, how to stop opposing point guards and the Durant-Booker connection Dec 31, 2018

We break down how Deandre Ayton was able to put up a career-high in scoring on Saturday against Denver as well as what the Suns need to do to corral opposing point guards after getting set ablaze by Russell Westbrook and Jamal Murray over the weekend.

Tune in to hear from De’Anthony Melton himself on what the problems are checking playmakers on defense over the past few games as Westbrook and Murray combined for 86 points in back-to-back games.

We end by talking through the Devin Booker-Kevin Durant connection and whether there is anything to gain by the Suns setting their sights on Durant this summer.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/28/18: Suns falter in the fourth quarter behind strong outing from Russell Westbrook Dec 28, 2018

On today’s episode of Locked On Suns, we recap the Suns’ loss against the Oklahoma City Thunder live from Talking Stick Resort Arena. What were our main takeaways on both ends of the spectrum?

Devin Booker’s evolution as a jumbo playmaker continues to open eyes as he puts up a near triple-double, while T.J. Warren continues to be one of the most consistent Suns all season.

Also, Mikal Bridges looks to be taking on the role of defensive leader with another outing featuring multiple steals and blocks. Is his presence coupled with the likes of Kelly Oubre Jr., De’Anthony Melton, and Josh Jackson helping shift the Suns’ mentality?

Finally, we hit on Russell Westbrook’s strong outing from OKC’s point of view. The Suns had no answers as Mr. Triple-Double himself nearly put another one on his way to a 40-point explosion.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/27/18: The Suns’ schedule is a tilt-a-whirl on overdrive Dec 27, 2018

We give further thoughts on the progress the Suns made on the east coast in December and how they can keep the momentum heading back home against a murderer’s row of opponents.

Deandre Ayton and Devin Booker put together their best individual stretches of the season over the past five games and the Suns went 3-2. That’s no coincidence. Booker’s offensive versatility and defense combined with Ayton’s defensive growth are a difficult combination to deal with.

We preview Ayton’s rematches with a few West centers as well as the scoring matchups for Booker during the next seven contests, from Kemba Walker to De’Aaron Fox. Finally, we predict the Suns’ record during the homestand.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/26/18: Overtime luck flips in Suns’ 122-120 win over Magic Dec 26, 2018

We break down the Suns’ exciting 122-120 victory over the Magic on the road to finish their December swing across the East Coast an impressive 3-2.

Topics include: This is the Devin Booker we expected to see in OctoberDeandre Ayton besting Nikola Vucevic in Round TwoLong, 3-and-D wings come in handyKelly Oubre looks right at home in PhoenixCarrying the momentum back home to start the New Year

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/21/18: News roundup on Austin Rivers, the trade market and this weekend's games Dec 21, 2018

On today’s episode of Locked On Suns, we gave our thoughts on the confusing Austin Rivers situation. Less than 24 hours after the trade was made official, Phoenix waived him. Was it a locker room ordeal, and where could we see Rivers end up soon?

We’ve also seen plenty of listeners clamoring for the Suns to trade their own first-round pick this year. Does it make sense to do so at February’s trade deadline? We ran through some names who could make sense either within the next few weeks, or even in the summer, which included the following: D’Angelo Russell, Terry Rozier, Mike Conley, Kyle Lowry, and Jrue Holiday.

Speaking of the Pelicans, if the Suns land the No. 1 pick, do they have enough artillery to possibly land Anthony Davis? We quickly went over that option, whether it’s unrealistic or not.

Finally, we previewed Phoenix’s next three road games at Washington, Brooklyn, and Orlando. How do we see them doing?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/20/18: Breaking down the Suns' four-game win streak Dec 20, 2018

After the Suns’ first four-game win streak since March 2015, we dove deep into what is working for this new-look Phoenix squad.

The Suns have the ninth-best offense and fourth-best defense over this weeklong stretch and their stars are putting it together on both ends. On top of that, the young rotation pieces are reading and responding to the game better than ever.

We dive into the stats, adjustments and storylines of note during the hot streak and discuss how the Suns can keep it going.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/19/18: Just keep winning, winning, winning, winning Dec 19, 2018

For the first time in three and a half years, the Suns are winners of four straight. They beat the Celtics, 111-103, in perhaps the most surprising victory of their streak yet.

We break it all down.

Topics include:How Deandre Ayton’s aggressiveness changes the Suns’ offenseKelly Oubre’s confident debutOvercoming the Celtics’ versatility on both endsThe rookies’ defensive impact on Devin Booker

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/18/18: Suns complete first three-game win streak since early 2017 Dec 18, 2018

We break down the Suns’ third straight win, a dominating 128-110 performance against the Knicks in New York City.

Topics include: Devin Booker looks GREAT againJamal Crawford’s career-high in assistsThe defensive support of rookies Mikal Bridges and De’Anthony MeltonDeandre Ayton didn’t get stymied by Enes KanterQuick preview thoughts on Celtics and the rotation when Rivers comes in

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/17/18: Trevor Ariza trade reactions with Arizona Sports' Kellan Olson Dec 17, 2018

We break down the Suns’ weekend deal with the Washington Wizards, sending Trevor Ariza to D.C. and snagging Austin Rivers and Kelly Oubre Jr., with Kellan Olson of Arizona Sports.

Topics include: Surprise over Washington landing ArizaDoes Rivers plug the hole at point guard?Is Oubre just a throw-in or part of the Suns’ future plans?What does the bench look like now? Do the new guys start?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/14/18: The Suns have the Mavericks' number Dec 14, 2018

We discuss Phoenix’s big performance on national television against the Mavericks which ended in a double-digit win, 99-89.

Powered by a huge, efficient scoring night from T.J. Warren, the Suns controlled the game all the way through.

His scoring and the Suns’ tough switching defense kept Dallas at bay long enough for the veteran Jamal Crawford to take the game home in the fourth quarter.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/13/18: First Trimester Report Cards, Part II Dec 13, 2018

In part two of the First Trimester Report Cards, we go through the Suns core to give out grades and analyze each player’s performance.

We end with the frontcourt — that means Deandre Ayton and T.J. Warren. To finish, we judge first-time coach Igor Kokoskov’s progress with this team through the first 27 games.

Has the No. 1 pick lived up to expectations? Is Warren a Most Improved Player Candidate?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/12/18: First Trimester Report Cards, Part I Dec 12, 2018

In part one of the First Trimester Report Cards, we go through the Suns core to give out grades and analyze each player’s performance.

We start with the backcourt — that means Devin Booker, Mikal Bridges and Josh Jackson, each with a very different story through the first 28 games of the year.

How do we judge Booker given his injuries so far this season? Is Jackson actually the worst player in the NBA as some believe?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/11/18: Trevor Ariza trade ideas and thoughts on the Eric Moreland signing Dec 11, 2018

We discuss the latest ESPN report on the Lakers’ efforts to acquire Trevor Ariza in a three-team deal as well as other Ariza trade options and give our thoughts on the Suns signing Eric Moreland to fill Isaiah Canaan’s roster spot.

Ariza could be headed to Los Angeles by the weekend, but the Lakers will need to find a partner willing to take on Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. The Suns want a pick and a point guard. Is there a solution here?

Or could a team like Charlotte, Indiana, Minnesota or Brooklyn make more sense?

Finally, quick thoughts on Eric Moreland’s place in Phoenix and whether he plays much at all off the bench.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/10/18: Rookies shine in OT thriller versus Clippers Dec 10, 2018

On today’s episode, we break down a close contest at home against the Clippers in which the Suns forced overtime and nearly beat a top team in the Western Conference.

De’Anthony Melton was the clear star of the game for the Suns, impacting every facet of the contest despite shooting just 5-16. A tough matchup against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Patrick Beverley did not faze the rookie.

There was tons more to like as well, from Deandre Ayton besting Boban Marjanovic to Mikal Bridges kicking out of his cold streak to hit a big 3 in the fourth quarter.

This could be a turning point for some of the young guys on the roster after eight straight losses heading into the game.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/9/18: Instant reaction to the 2018 Jerry Colangelo Classic Dec 09, 2018

On today’s episode, we come to you live from Talking Stick Resort Arena immediately following the Tennessee-Gonzaga game at the 2018 Jerry Colangelo Classic.

After seeing Deandre Ayton in-person at this even last year, what were our thoughts on this year’s crop of top prospects? Rui Hachimura stood out for Gonzaga, and he could be a fit next to Ayton if the Suns put together some more consistent winning efforts.

Brandon Clarke, a Phoenix native, really showed out on Sunday for the Bulldogs in a loss. Clarke has extreme bounce and athleticism, which was displayed on both ends often against the Volunteers. Do we envision Clarke as a riser for the 2019 class? Absolutely.

Finally, we hit on the star of the game: Admiral Schofield. Tennessee’s veteran leader has not only dramatically transformed his physical profile under head coach Rick Barnes, but Schofield’s improved shooting stroke could really help boost his stock later on. In Tennessee’s victory, Schofield poured in 30 points, 25 of which we’re in the second half.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/6/2018: Deandre Ayton's mysterious illness the big story in 108-86 loss Dec 06, 2018

On today’s episode, we highlight the three most intriguing players who stood out for one reason or another in the Suns’ second consecutive blowout loss, 108-86 in Portland.

Benched with an “illness,” Deandre Ayton came off the bench for the first time in his career but failed to make an impact despite checking in three minutes into each half and playing mostly with the starters. He struggled against Portland center Jusuf Nurkic.

We also saw extended run for Dragan Bender, whose energy was welcome in another game marked by unsightly slogging.

Finally, we break down De’Anthony Melton’s second night of real NBA action. The shot didn’t fall, but Melton still made his mark.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/5/18: Talking 2019 draft with Jackson Hoy of The Stepien Dec 05, 2018

On today’s episode, NBA Draft writer Jackson Hoy of The Stepien joins to break down the top of the 2019 class.

From Zion Williamson’s generational talent to R.J. Barrett’s scoring to Cam Reddish’s 3-and-D profile, we swing through all of Duke’s stars. Then, we finish up with Nassir Little from North Carolina and a rapid fire on a couple mid-to-late-lottery candidates.

We discuss how our impressions of all four projected top picks have changed since the summer and how each would fit in Phoenix.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/4/18: De'Anthony Melton shined while everyone else struggled in loss to Kings Dec 04, 2018

On today’s episode, we come to you live from Talking Stick Resort Arena recapping the Phoenix Suns’ latest loss, a 112-105 outing where they trailed 36-9 at one point.

De’Anthony Melton was the star of the game on his way to tallying up 21 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal in only 23 minutes. Should he start the next game and beyond over Elie Okobo?

Deandre Ayton also had another performance where he struggled mightily. The No. 1 pick in the draft only played 21 minutes, and never came back in after a rough sequence in the second half where he watched two defenders go right by him. Is Ayton hitting the rookie wall, and how can he bounce back? We discussed this plenty.

Finally, Mikal Bridges also seems to be hitting his own rookie wall struggling to shoot the ball from deep. After an outing where he went 0-7 on three-pointers, yet still provided solid on-ball defense, how will the Suns’ No. 10 overall pick fit into their new lineup without Devin Booker?

In the Suns’ latest blowout defeat, we decided to deviate away from the usual ‘Free Throws’ and ‘Flagrant Fouls’ to hone in on these three rookies instead. The usual format will return on Thursday when Phoenix faces Portland.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/3/2018: Devin Booker is hurt again and the Suns are interested in Frank Ntilikina Dec 03, 2018

On today’s episode, we briefly discuss the Lakers loss before digging into two bigger pieces of news from the weekend.

During Sunday’s 120-96 loss to Los Angeles, Devin Booker re-aggravated the left hamstring injury that cost him games earlier in the year. He will be out indefinitely — will the Suns win any games while he sits?

And when Booker finally comes back, the urgency to find a point guard to relieve him as a playmaker will go up a notch. Could Frank Ntilikina, whom Knicks reporter Ian Begley reported was a target for the Suns earlier this season, be that guy?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 11/30/18: Minus Booker and Warren, the Suns can't keep up with the Magic Nov 30, 2018

On today’s episode, we break down the Suns’ 98-85 loss to Orlando at home without Devin Booker or T.J. Warren.

It was Elie Okobo’s first start in weeks and coach Igor Kokoskov brought out Ryan Anderson and Troy Daniels to manufacture spacing, meaning the rotations were drastically different.

We discuss the good and bad of Josh Jackson’s high-volume playmaking night as well as a lot on Trevor Ariza’s waxing and waning effort.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 11/29/18: Listener mailbag at the quarter point of the season Nov 29, 2018

On today’s episode, we answer Twitter mailbag questions on the state of the Suns through 20 games.

Topics include:Is there a future for Markelle Fultz in Phoenix?How do the Suns best use Trevor Ariza as a trade chip?What portion of the blame this year falls on coaching versus roster construction?Did the Suns miss out on their chance to strike gold on a superstar trade?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 11/28/18: Back-to-back trip gets to Suns in loss to Clippers Nov 28, 2018

On today’s episode, we break down the first poor showing in a while from the Suns, a 115-99 loss to the Clippers in Los Angeles on the second night of a back-to-back.

The Clippers, coming off two nights of rest, throttled the Suns in the second half, led by Danilo Gallinari, Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell. They also gave Deandre Ayton a peculiar matchup between Harrell’s punch-you-in-the-mouth energy and Boban Marjanovic’s ridiculous length and efficency.

In the end, it was too much for Phoenix, despite consistent effort and a career night for rookie Elie Okobo as the new (for now) backup point guard.

We also touch briefly on Isaiah Canaan’s release.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 11/27/18: Growth continues to be shown in closely contested loss to Pacers Nov 27, 2018

On today’s episode of Locked On Suns, we go through our usual ‘Free Throws’, ‘Flagrant Fouls’, and ‘Stats to Watch’ from tonight’s 109-104 loss at home to the Indiana Pacers.

The Suns are sitting atop the reverse standings for the first time all season, but that might not be for long with how they are playing on both sides of the ball. Not only is Devin Booker functioning as the primary ball handler, but his effort on defense is visibly better over the past week.

Also, Josh Jackson and T.J. Warren seem to be rounding into form over this sash stretch as well. Jackson is continuing to play more within himself while not forcing mistakes, while Warren’s newfound three-level scoring attack is turning into one of the league’s more efficient scorers from all areas.

We also spoke on Deandre Ayton’s double-double, even though it seems the Suns are still trying to strike a balance between feeding him the ball while running effective perimeter sets.

Is this team starting to turn a corner? Find out as we discuss that idea, plus plenty more on our latest episode.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 11/26/18: Devin Booker is back and the Suns are getting better Nov 26, 2018

On today’s episode, we break down what is behind the Suns’ big improvements over the past two weeks, from Devin Booker’s quick recovery from nagging hamstring problems to Trevor Ariza returning to ordinary on offense.

The Suns are simplifying their system to take advantage of the Booker-Deandre Ayton two-man game with Booker the nominal point guard, and the offense is taking off.

Defensively, Ariza’s more consistent effort and the larger presence of Mikal Bridges has lifted the team to a league-average mark the past six games.

Finally, a quick preview of this week’s slate of games in which the Suns can take advantage of their growth.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 11/23/18: A wild win in Milwaukee saves the Suns' road trip Nov 23, 2018

On today’s episode, we highlight all the progress and luck that went into the Suns’ best win of the season, a 116-114 shootout in Milwaukee.

The Bucks shot just 10-44 on threes, so Phoenix survived Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 35 points to get the win.

We also talked about:Deandre Ayton’s improving switch defenseDevin Booker’s improved health and efficiency the past three gamesJamal Crawford’s smooth pull-up, which saved an otherwise ugly nightThe horrendous shooting of Brook Lopez

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LOCKED ON SUNS 11/21/18: Are rotations or bad luck to blame after another road loss? Nov 21, 2018

On today’s episode, we break down the Suns’ 124-116 loss to the Bulls in Chicago, their third straight defeat.

As always, there are many nits to pick after an ugly loss, but some specific problems stick out. We discuss:Chicago’s hot shooting and the Suns’ bad defenseWhy Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton should never be on the bench togetherHow Ayton’s passing is coming alongThe continued progress of Jamal Crawford in the Suns’ offense

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LOCKED ON SUNS 11/20/18: Wizards' woes boil over, can the Suns take advantage? Nov 20, 2018

On today’s episode, we dissect the latest Wizards rumors and decide whether it moves the Suns any closer to a trade with Washington.

John Wall reportedly cursed at coach Scott Brooks at practice over the weekend, and young star guard Bradley Beal responded, according to reports, by expressing anger over the last SEVEN YEARS of his career. Not great.

Can (and should) the Suns swoop in and grab one of these guys?

Finally, a quick reaction to Terry Rozier’s Tuesday morning tweet and Devin Booker liking it.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 11/19/18: Point Book debuts in closely contested loss to Sixers Nov 19, 2018

On today’s episode, we break down the many good things we saw in the Suns’ third consecutive competitive game, a close loss in Philadelphia, 119-114.

Devin Booker, in his first start of the season at point guard, scored 37 points on 28 shots to go with eight assists despite a matchup against Jimmy Butler.

Other topics include:Mikal Bridges keeps up the smart, solid play in the new starting lineupDeandre Ayton makes the most of his tough matchup against MVP candidate Joel EmbiidThe bench disappoints in a huge waySuns’ small mistakes like free throw shooting the difference in five-point game

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LOCKED ON SUNS 11/17/18: Suns drop to 3-12 after 110-100 loss to Thunder Nov 17, 2018

On today's episode, we come to you live from Talking Stick Resort Arena recapping the Suns' latest loss. This time around, the Oklahoma City Thunder led by Paul George and Steven Adams had their way against Phoenix.

Per our usual recap format -- free throws, flagrant foul, and stat to watch -- we highlighted what stood out from both sides.

Not only did Devin Booker continue to focus on facilitating as he nurses his hamstring injury, but Mikal Bridges continues to prove he's already the Suns' fourth-best player behind Booker, T.J. Warren, and Deandre Ayton.

Speaking of Ayton and Warren, we also analyzed their matchups against OKC alongside other notes.

With the Suns traveling to Philadelphia on Monday, they begin their East Coast road trip.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 11/16/18: 3 ways the Suns can keep winning Nov 16, 2018

On today’s episode, we break down the three biggest things the Suns can do to maintain their winning ways.

First, how Mikal Bridges’ impact can be maximized to help on both ends of the court.

Then, playing more aggressively and with better effort on defense, plus potentially switching more consistently to help out Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton.

Finally, Booker’s offensive burden being lifted a little and making life easier for him as a scorer and playmaker.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 11/15/18: The best win of the season... by far Nov 15, 2018

On today’s episode, we recap the Suns’ 116-96 blowout of the Spurs at home in typical Locked On Suns fashion, tossing up some free throws, calling a flagrant foul and then digging deep on a number to watch.

Topics include:Mikal Bridges’ first start and the ripple-effect on the rest of the rotationT.J. Warren’s continued scoring dominance (along with a stat comparing Warren to Steph Curry so far this season)Deandre Ayton vs. LaMarcus AldridgeJamal Crawford’s impact in the second quarter and throughout the game

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LOCKED ON SUNS 11/13/18: How Phoenix could benefit from the Butler trade, plus how Josh Jackson can get right Nov 13, 2018

On today’s episode, we recap the Jimmy Butler trade to Philadelphia from the Suns’ point of view and break down Josh Jackson’s struggles this year.

We also break down two non-Suns games that show the excitement and fear around Phoenix’s inability to consistently develop star talent during its rebuild.

Listen in for which Timberwolves point guard could be on his way to the Suns and which Duke star we like best so far.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 11/12/18: Strong third quarter too little, too late for Suns in 118-101 loss to Thunder Nov 12, 2018

On today’s episode, we break down the continued rise of Mikal Bridges, who was one of the most impactful players on either side of tonight’s 118-101 Suns loss in Oklahoma City.

We talk about what it would take to see Bridges start, why Trevor Ariza isn’t helping this team, and how T.J. Warren’s emergence as a more versatile player helps this team play its ideal style around Bridges, Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton.

Plus, we toss around some more trade ideas in the aftermath of the Jimmy Butler deal and discuss Jamal Crawford’s best performance of the season.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 11/10/18: Progress continues despite loss to Pelicans, sixth by 20 or more points Nov 10, 2018

On today’s episode, we break down the Suns’ second consecutive loss and 10th on the year, a 119-99 gut punch in New Orleans.

From the Suns’ perspective, it was another huge indicator of how big the need is at the point guard spot, with both Devin Booker and Isaiah Canaan playing poorly.

For the Pelicans, it was business as usual. Phoenix just could not handle the combination of Julius Randle and Anthony Davis inside.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 11/8/18: Suns fold up late in overtime loss to Celtics Nov 08, 2018

The Suns led by 20 in the fourth quarter, 14 with 4:30 minutes left. Somehow, they lost.

We react live from Talking Stick Resort Arena, where Devin Booker and Kyrie Irving also had an awesome scoring duel as well.

The usual recap format going through our free throws, flagrant foul, and stat to watch from tonight's 116-109 overtime loss to Boston.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 11/7/18: Tyson Chandler out, Dragan Bender could follow him, and point guard news Nov 07, 2018

On today’s episode, we quickly update everyone on the latest Suns’ transaction news, from Tyson Chandler’s buyout to Dragan Bender’s declined option to a few updates with regard to a point guard trade.

Chandler gave back the $2.1 million he will make with the Lakers. What will Richaun Holmes do in his place?

Bender just wasn’t worth his contract anymore, but could he be back in 2019 regardless?

Finally, the latest in the never-ending Terry Rozier and John Wall saga.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 11/6/18: It's never good to lose a must-win Nov 06, 2018

On today’s episode, we talk through the persistent problems that bubbled to the surface once again in the Suns’ 104-82 loss to the Nets at home on Tuesday night.

Topics include:Poor play from the second unit, especially Josh Jackson and Elie OkoboThe Nets’ aggressive, bizarre defense that rattled Deandre AytonThe pressure on Devin Booker when nothing else is workingIs this the final straw that could spur the front office toward a trade?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 11/5/18: Previewing Nets-Suns with Anthony Puccio of Nets Daily Nov 05, 2018

On today's episode, Anthony Puccio of SB Nation's Nets Daily joins to discuss the Brooklyn Nets before the Suns play against them.

How is Brooklyn building a contender, and developing a core around Caris LeVert and Jarrett Allen? What's the long-term future for Spencer Dinwiddie and D'Angelo Russell?

Anthony gave his thoughts on their core, including whether Russell would make sense for the Suns to pursue in a trade.

Finally, we discuss the game with an early prediction of overtime coming tomorrow night at Talking Stick Resort Arena.

This was a fun one, so tune in!

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LOCKED ON SUNS 11/4/18: Devin Booker and Mikal Bridges lead comeback victory over Grizzlies Nov 04, 2018

Live from Talking Stick Resort Arena, we give our immediate reactions to the Suns' thrilling comeback over the Grizzlies, 102-100.

Not only did Devin Booker score 14 points in the fourth quarter, but Mikal Bridges stepped up and became the Suns' star guard's much-needed partner chipping in 9 of his own. Should Bridges be inserted this early into the starting lineup?

Deandre Ayton had a quiet game, but he was great almost everywhere else, including solid defense on Marc Gasol.

We discuss all of this, and much more, in our usual recap format. This time, we finally are able to discuss a win.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 11/2/18: Suns keep it competitive against Raptors in loss Nov 02, 2018

Even though Devin Booker returned to the Suns' starting lineup, it wasn't enough as the 7th straight loss is now on the board. Kawhi Leonard and Kyle Lowry led Toronto in the second half as they put their foot on the gas.

Deandre Ayton had a productive night posting 17 points, 18 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks on 7-10 FGA. Should the Suns' No. 1 pick become more of a focal point in the offense?

We also ran through Igor Kokoskov's rotation changes as the schedule now gets even tougher over their November stretch.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 11/1/18: The youth movement progresses in loss to Spurs Nov 01, 2018

On today’s episode, we recap the Suns’ 120-90 loss at home to the Spurs, the sixth straight blowout loss for this young squad following an uplifting home win to start the year.

Despite the loss, the youngsters continue to stand out. This game marked Elie Okobo’s first career start, and two other rookies, Mikal Bridges and De’Anthony Melton, got extended run as well. Will playing through them be the way the Suns turn this around?

Finally, two stats to watch as we head toward the weekend, with two more home games awaiting.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/30/18: Previewing Suns-Spurs with Jeff Garcia of News 4 San Antonio Oct 30, 2018

On today’s episode, we get you ready for the Suns’ battle on Halloween night against the new-look San Antonio Spurs at home with Jeff Garcia of News 4 San Antonio and Locked On Spurs.

Without Devin Booker, the Suns will have an uphill battle to handle DeMar DeRozan’s scoring. It will take a big night from Deandre Ayton, who has his own tough matchup against LaMarcus Aldridge inside.

The Spurs, however, come off two straight wins and somehow have maintained solid play without three projected rotation guards, winning in overtime Monday night against Dallas.

We go through all the news with each team and finish with predictions for Wednesday’s game.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/29/18: How Jimmy Butler, Kevin Love news affects the Suns Oct 29, 2018

On today’s episode, we discuss three situations across the NBA that could impact the Suns.

But first, we welcome Evan back with his quick thoughts on the weekend’s doubleheader in the southeast.

Then, on to the slow starts in Cleveland, Washington and Minnesota and how they could end up drawing the Suns in.

We talk about what the latest Rockets-Timberwolves rumors say about Marquese Chriss’ and Brandon Knight’s value around the NBA, and whether Phoenix might eventually convince themselves into a Kevin Love or John Wall deal if things don’t get better.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/28/18: What stuck out in Memphis, OKC losses with Kellan Olson of Arizona Sports Oct 28, 2018

On today’s episode, Brendon hosts and invites on Kellan Olson of Arizona Sports to discuss the Suns’ two weekend losses to the Thunder and Grizzlies.

We discuss the continued playmaking problems, which were intensified without Devin Booker in the lineup, as well as our first impressions of Elie Okobo, who played a season-high 31 minutes on Sunday.

Then, we debate whether Josh Jackson has been the worst player on the team this year after an exciting preseason.

Finally, we give two stats to watch this week in a long homestand.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/25/18: What will it take to see more of Bridges, Okobo and Melton? Oct 25, 2018

On today’s episode, we discuss the reasons for low minutes totals for Mikal Bridges, De’Anthony Melton and Elie Okobo thus far in the young season.

Bridges has statistically been a huge boon for the Suns’ efficiency each time he has stepped on the floor, but coach Igor Kokoskov insists he wants to use him only as a spark off the bench. What gives?

Okobo and Melton, on the other hand, were inactive against the Lakers as they made way for Jamal Crawford to see his first extended run of the year. Is there any chance they see the floor soon?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/24/18: LeBron's Lakers cruise to easy victory over Suns Oct 24, 2018

The Lakers defeated the Suns 131-113, but it wasn't even that close. Many warning signs showed through, but we tried to also take away some positives as well.

Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton did well, Booker left with a hamstring injury, but nothing else around them worked outside of Mikal Bridges.

Will Igor Kokoskov finally change the rotations after another blowout?

There definitely will need to be something happening moving forward with a brutal stretch of games coming up.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/23/18: Standouts and disappointments through three games Oct 23, 2018

On today’s episode, we break down the Suns’ 1-2 start by highlighting the team’s most and least valuable players so far this season.

T.J. Warren has been far and away the most impressive Sun over three games, but who else has stood out?

And on the other side, it’s been tough not to be disappointed in Ryan Anderson’s start to the year, but there has been plenty of bad to go around.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/22/18: Are any changes coming after a Golden State blowout? Oct 22, 2018

On today’s episode, we recap the Suns’ ugly 123-103 loss to the Warriors on the road.

Topics include:T.J. Warren stays hotMore terrible transition defenseAre the right guys getting minutes at the forward spots?Booker deserves some of the blameHey, the Suns still need a point guard!And of course our normal stat to watch to finish the show.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/20/18: An uneven performance in 119-91 loss to Nuggets Oct 20, 2018

On today’s episode, we recap the Suns’ 119-91 loss to the Denver Nuggets, which wasn’t as terrible as the score would indicate.

Between poor shooting, poor transition defense, too many turnovers and foul trouble for Deandre Ayton, there were plenty of issues for the Suns on Saturday night.

But most of the problems were fixable — stuff that a good coach can fix and hardworking players can overcome. We talk about the difference between struggling and growing in our recap.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/18/18: Next-day thoughts on Mavs/Suns, and we catch up with Jeff Siegel of UPROXX and Forbes Oct 18, 2018

On today’s episode, we reconvene to break down the Suns’ big win over Dallas and catch up with Jeff Siegel of UPROXX and Forbes on what’s new this year with the Suns.

Going deep on Phoenix’s performance on Wednesday night, we talk to Jeff about what changed for the Suns with Devin Booker at point guard and how Deandre Ayton looked on both sides in his NBA debut.

Then, Jeff’s perspective on Ryan McDonough’s firing and how the Suns move forward.

Finally, each of us throw out one leaguewide takeaway from the first two nights of NBA games, including the Pelicans blowing out Houston and Dennis Schroder’s debut in Oklahoma City.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/17/18: Suns win 121-100 in season opener as Booker, Ayton, Ariza, Jackson, Warren put it all together Oct 17, 2018

On today's episode, Evan and Brendon are live from Talking Stick Resort Arena following the Suns' impressive season opening victory.

Not only did Devin Booker not have any rust to the tune of 35 points, but Trevor Ariza had a near triple-double while Deandre Ayton looks 100% like the real deal.

Also, how about T.J. Warren and Josh Jackson connecting on 3/4 3s each? Everything was coming together for the Suns on Wednesday night, including 35 assists (!!).

Plenty of positives to take away from this outstanding opener, one that will be remembered for a long time in Phoenix.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/16/18: Last-minute season predictions with Max McCauley of the 7SOL podcast Oct 16, 2018

On today’s episode, we throw out some big predictions on the eve of the regular season, with the help of Seven Seconds or Less Podcast’s Max McCauley.

First, it’s back to the drawing board on all-in trade targets who could propel the Suns to the winning team they want to be, from Kevin Love to Damian Lillard.

Then, the chances Devin Booker makes his first All-Star team, facing stiff competition from the likes of Lillard and Klay Thompson in the Western Conference reserves.

Finally, some last-minute standings predictions as we finish off our season preview here at Locked On Suns.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/15/18: Jamal Crawford in, Shaq Harrison out, plus we break down the rotation Oct 15, 2018

On today’s episode, we discuss why Jamal Crawford doesn’t make a lot of sense as the stopgap guard the Suns have been looking for, then predict how the signing affects the Suns’ rotation early in the season.

Crawford hasn’t been a team’s full-time point guard at really any point in his career, and he’s 38. Defense has never been a strength for him. Where does he fit in Phoenix?

Plus, why T.J. Warren’s transition to power forward clears things up in the rotation, and whether Dragan Bender has any role at all after a frustrating summer of basketball.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/12/18: James Jones speaks Oct 12, 2018

On today’s episode, we discuss the James Jones press conference Friday morning, and whether it really changes anything for the Suns.

Jones was tight-lipped about any major changes that could be coming, sticking to a surprisingly similar rebuilding script to the one Ryan McDonough used for five years. Maybe #TheTimeline lives on.

Finally, we close by discussing the shocking visit between free agent guard Jamal Crawford and Suns brass today at Talking Stick Resort Arena, as reported by Cronkite Sports’ Justin Parham on Twitter. (Hint: This makes no sense)

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/11/18: The Suns' up-and-down preseason is finished Oct 11, 2018

On today’s episode, recap the Suns’ 116-83 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers in the fifth and final game of the preseason.

Our usual recap format is back! We take some free throws on Josh Jackson’s playmaking and an interesting five-man lineup from the second half, then we call a flagrant foul on mistakes by Suns players and coaches. Finally, two stats to watch as we head into the regular season.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/9/18: Where do James Jones and the Suns go from here? Oct 09, 2018

On today’s episode, we address the latest rumblings surrounding the Suns’ front office, which include James Jones quickly emerging as the favorite in the general manager hunt.

In addition, revelations about Owner Robert Sarver’s continued, excessive involvement in the basketball operations in Phoenix bring new questions about the way the franchise moves forward.

We talk about what the future might hold.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/8/18: Reaction to Suns firing GM Ryan McDonough Oct 08, 2018

On today’s episode, we unpacked all of our thoughts into why the Suns fired general manager Ryan McDonough just over a week before the regular season begins. Beforehand, we quickly went over some takeaways from Phoenix’s surprising preseason victory on the road at Golden State.

When it comes to McDonough receiving the pink slip by majority owner Robert Sarver, there are many questions to ask outside of the timing.

Was McDonough placed into a lame duck position after James Jones was hired last summer, even though he was extended? Certainly seems like a plausible scenario at this stage, but the lack of progress over the summer is what Sarver pointed to in his interview with 98.7 FM. What does that say about the future of this roster, which Sarver said the rebuilding is done with?

Is James Jones a near lock at this point to have the interim tag stripped off him at season’s end. At this point in time, he’s the heavy favorite in both Evan and Brendon’s eyes due to the overhaul an outside addition would want to go through.

We will have more thoughts on this situation throughout the week, so be sure to tune in!

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/5/18: Is a preseason blowout to Portland cause for concern? Oct 05, 2018

On today’s episode, we discuss the Suns’ 115-93 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers and what it means for their progress over their first week playing games together.

We recap the game using a new format, so tune in to see how we’re breaking down each contest during the 2018-19 season.

Topics include:How much the point guard position is hurting the Suns’ performance in other areasDeandre Ayton’s continued productivity on both endsThe good and bad of playmaking Josh JacksonAssists and 3s still not where coach Igor Kokoskov wants them

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/4/18: Why Kyrie Irving committing to Boston impacts Phoenix, plus previewing the Blazers game Oct 04, 2018

On today’s episode, we discussed why Kyrie Irving announcing his intentions to remain in Boston directly impacts the Suns’ point guard search. With Marcus Smart also signed long-term with the Celtics, should General Manager Ryan McDonough get aggressive for Terry Rozier?

This discussion was a great segway into discussing the current situation on Phoenix’s roster. Who stood out most through two preseason games between Shaquille Harrison, Elie Okobo and De’Anthony Melton? Should Josh Jackson start in place of them instead alongside Devin Booker on opening night?

Finally, we did a quick preview of Friday’s final preseason home game against the Portland Trail Blazers. Deandre Ayton has done great thus far, but he’s in for his first real challenge against Jusuf Nurkic. And will someone finally separate themselves in the point guard race, possibly even veteran journeyman Isaiah Canaan once he returns from a thumb injury?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/3/18: Deandre Ayton dominant again, Suns barely beat Breakers Oct 03, 2018

On today’s episode, we break down what went right as the Suns won their first game under head coach Igor Kokoskov, beating the New Zealand Breakers, 91-86.

The biggest story was the continued dominance of Deandre Ayton, who posted another huge double-double and blocked three more shots. The Breakers’ physicality was no match for Ayton.

Around the rest of the roster, it was the veterans who stood out, from Trevor Ariza to T.J. Warren.

Plus, we saw our first glimpse of 2018 No. 46 overall pick De’Anthony Melton, his first competitive action besides Summer League since February 2017.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/2/18: Deandre Ayton dominates in preseason opener Oct 02, 2018

On today’s episode, Evan and Brendon recorded live from Talking Stick Resort Arena after the Suns’ loss to the Kings in their preseason opener. There were plenty of things to go over from Monday’s action.

Not only did Deandre Ayton flash great moments on both ends, even being fed down the stretch cutting Sacramento’s lead, but Josh Jackson’s budding playmaking ability might have found the perfect match with head coach Igor Kokoskov. We posed the question of whether Phoenix should start Devin Booker and Jackson in their backcourt instead.

Also, what’s going wrong with Dragan Bender? After another disastrous performance, just how crucial is this month-long stretch for his career? The Suns have to pick up or decline his fourth-year team option soon, so what do we think they will do? Hint: If Bender keeps this up, Evan doesn’t think he will be around for long.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/1/18: Recapping the Suns' open practice Oct 01, 2018

On today’s episode, we discuss the Suns’ open practice at Talking Stick Resort Arena on Saturday afternoon.

Notes include:How the four point guards lookedThe role Deandre Ayton played and what that means for his rookie seasonA more aggressive Dragan BenderAnd we quickly preview the first preseason game based on a few comments from Igor Kokoskov after Saturday’s scrimmage.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 9/28/18: Preseason Twitter mailbag Sep 28, 2018

On today’s episode, we brought back the Twitter mailbag for our loyal listeners as we are now only a few days away until the Phoenix Suns are facing a different team on the basketball court. Exciting times indeed, so we answered all of your questions.

What should we expect out of Dragan Bender and Josh Jackson this season under new head coach Igor Kokoskov? Are we buying what the Suns are selling with Deandre Ayton’s improvements already defensively? What are the best lineups at the Suns’ disposal?

We answered all of these, and much more, so tune in and make sure to give us a review on iTunes!

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LOCKED ON SUNS 9/27/18: Are we finally close to a point guard trade? Sep 27, 2018

On today’s episode, we sort through the three guys involved in the ongoing Minnesota-Miami negotiations for Jimmy Butler.

Wednesday afternoon, ESPN reported the Suns could get involved by taking the extraneous point guard if Minnesota were to acquire Goran Dragic in a deal. That seemingly would be Jeff Teague, but could become Tyus Jones, if the Suns offered a little more.

On the other hand, Phoenix has a clear Dragic connection and could target the Slovenian guard himself.

We dissect all the possibilities.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 9/26/18: Reporting from training camp with Kellan Olson of Arizona Sports Sep 26, 2018

On today’s episode, Evan and Arizona Sports’ Kellan Olson break down what’s been going on at Suns training camp this week.

It’s a fairly quick episode, looking at what Igor Kokoskov is doing to implement his system in Flagstaff and how the new pieces look.

Plus, instant reactions to the sudden reports that the Suns could end up with Jeff Teague or Tyus Jones as collateral damage from a Jimmy Butler-to-Miami trade.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 9/25/18: Thoughts from a busy Suns Media Day Sep 25, 2018

On today’s episode, we reconvene after the bustle of Suns Media Day to share our thoughts on the biggest stories of the day.

First, we discuss the big question looming over everything — who’s this team’s point guard?

Then, we move on to the other takeaways from the Suns’ practice court, including what real veteran leadership looks like, how Igor Kokoskov is similar to some of the best coaches in the league, and expectations for Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 9/24/18: Catching up with Mikal Bridges Sep 24, 2018

On today’s episode, we welcome special guest Mikal Bridges of the Phoenix Suns.

The rookie forward talks about his experiences during his first summer as a NBA player, from Summer League to offseason workouts with Josh Jackson and Trevor Ariza.

He also discusses the similarities on and off the court between Villanova and this collegiate Suns’ locker room.

You won’t want to miss this one — we had two special guest drop-ins from a couple other young Suns as well.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 9/21/18: Should the Suns get involved for Jimmy Butler? Sep 21, 2018

On today’s episode, we discuss Jimmy Butler’s trade request earlier in the week and whether the Suns could get involved.

Phoenix may not have the goods to outbid the best packages, but they might be the most aggressive in negotiations. Could Josh Jackson be the centerpiece?

But if teams like Philadelphia or Miami get involved, could the Suns swoop in to find a point guard in the shuffle?

All this, and a special announcement for our Monday episode, live from Suns Media Day.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 9/19/18: Judging Patrick Beverley's trade value with Robert Flom of Clips Nation Sep 19, 2018

On today’s episode, we sort through the latest round of rumors connecting Patrick Beverley to the Phoenix Suns with Robert Flom of Clips Nation.

Shams Charania of Stadium reported in a brief video Monday that Beverley is “at the top of the Suns’ list” in part as a culture-setter, as well as to plug the team’s obvious hole at point guard. However, Charania also reported the Suns are hesitant to include any first-round pick in their negotiations with Los Angeles.

Robert breaks down his read on the situation, how eager the Clippers are to clear out their clogged backcourt depth chart, and what it would take to pry Beverley loose.

In the end, we break down whether a package centering around a future Bucks’ first-round pick would get it done for Beverley.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 9/17/18: Jimmy Butler's future with Tim Faklis of The Athletic Sep 17, 2018

On today’s episode, we dive into the Jimmy Butler situation in Minnesota with contributing writer for The Athletic and A Wolf Among Wolves, Tim Faklis.

Butler met with Timberwolves officials Monday to discuss his future in Minnesota in what Shams Charania went so far as to call a “last-ditch effort” by the team.

Is there any chance the Suns could get involved in trade talks should Butler become available soon? What would the Wolves want?

Tim is here to give his answers, and reveal whether a Josh Jackson/2019 Suns first package gets it done.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 9/14/18: Is the national perception of the Suns fair? Sep 14, 2018

On today’s episode, we look at the Sports Illustrated Top 100 and the ESPN NBA Future Power Rankings to understand the national media perception of the Suns.

After a 21-61 season, it’s unfair to say the Suns should quite have the full respect and attention of national writers, but there are certainly signs for optimism that may not be accounted for.

Finally, we look into the state of the Suns’ franchise heading into a new season. Could they truly move up in the Future Rankings and show what a top-10 media market can do for a good, young NBA team?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 9/12/18: The Stepien's Jackson Hoy on Deandre Ayton, Mikal Bridges, Elie Okobo and De'Anthony Melton Sep 12, 2018

On today’s episode, Jackson Hoy of The Stepien joins the show for the first time since June’s draft. What did he think of the Suns acquiring Deandre Ayton, Mikal Bridges, Elie Okobo and De’Anthony Melton?

First, we kicked it off with Okobo and Melton. Both players have similar measurements, but are polar opposites in terms of what they can contribute right now. How does Jackson view Phoenix’s strategy on this, and which one has a brighter future?

Also, we touched on the possibility of the Suns rolling into this season with Shaquille Harrison, Okobo and Melton as their point guard rotation. Would Jackson be comfortable doing that until a bigger deal arises later on?

Then, Ayton’s defensive potential was a big focus. Does Ayton’s switching ability allow for Phoenix to properly construct an above-average defense around him? His rim protection ability as an anchor will be something to monitor long term, but if he could fill the Clint Capela role, it could go a long way in mirroring possible pre-draft concerns.

Finally, is Bridges the glue that will make Devin Booker and Ayton perform better? If Bridges improves his playmaking ability, does this make Josh Jackson eventually expendable in a star trade? We also talk about the potential perimeter trio of Bridges, Jackson and Melton surrounding Booker and Ayton.

This was a fun one, so tune in!

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LOCKED ON SUNS 9/10/18: The Suns still don't have a point guard and now Devin Booker is out Sep 10, 2018

On today’s episode, we break down the latest Suns news, which all seems to be circling around the guard rotation these days.

First, an update on the right wrist injury which took Devin Booker out of the final few weeks of the 2017-18 season and for which he needed surgery on Monday.

Then, a roundup of the latest reporting on the point guard sweepstakes, with the Suns seemingly targeting every extraneous ball-handler around the entire NBA.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 9/7/18: What will it take for Phoenix to land a quality point guard? Sep 07, 2018

On today’s episode, we continue the mock trade negotiation theme by picking out five more teams who could have what Phoenix wants.

After haggling through a George Hill deal on Monday with Locked On Cavaliers’ Chris Manning and Goran Dragic on Wednesday with Locked On Heat’s Wes Goldberg, Evan and Brendon have targeted five other point guards who check multiple boxes on their wishlist.

Those names are Terry Rozier, Kemba Walker, Patrick Beverley, Cory Joseph and Spencer Dinwiddie.

Ranked 1-5 beforehand, based on the likelihood said player gets moved, mock trades were made to be as mutually beneficial as possible. Will that mean Phoenix wins or loses most of these negotiations?

Finally, we discussed whether Phoenix can wait this situation out or if they have backed themselves into a corner towards making another move now?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 9/5/18: Mock trade negotiation with Wes Goldberg of Locked On Heat Sep 05, 2018

On today’s episode, Evan and Wes Goldberg, co-host of Locked On Heat, debate back-and-forth about what it will take for another Goran Dragic trade.

Before we went into mock negotiations, Wes and I discussed Miami’s future and where they go from here. Also, what does the immediate future look like for former Sun Derrick Jones Jr.?

During trade conversations, Miami was interested in either a star quality player or immediate cap relief for Dragic to help entice max-caliber free agents soon. Were the Suns able to pull off another surprising trade or was the asking price too high?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 9/3/18: Mock trade negotiation with Chris Manning of Locked On Cavs Sep 03, 2018

On today’s episode, we bring on Locked On Cavaliers host Chris Manning to debate our way through negotiations for George Hill to be the replacement Suns point guard.

The Suns’ goals are likely to get off of T.J. Warren’s salary long-term and create more minutes in the wing rotation, while Cleveland is looking for young talent.

The eventual deal includes a coveted 2018 rookie and an interesting young Cavs prospect on top of the primary pieces on each side.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 8/31/18: Making sense of the Phoenix-Houston trade with Dave King Aug 31, 2018

On today’s episode, Bright Side of the Sun managing editor Dave King swings through to give his analysis of Thursday’s four-player deal between the Suns and Rockets.

We hit a lot in this short episode:First reactions after initial Woj BombWhat comes next? Who are potential point guard targets?Impact on T.J. Warren and Dragan BenderHow does the rotation shake out? Does Ryan Anderson really start?What trading Chriss says about Ryan McDonough’s rebuildAny chance Phoenix can trade for a big name like Damian Lillard?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 8/30/18: Suns trade Marquese Chriss and Brandon Knight to Houston Aug 30, 2018

On today’s episode, we quickly recap what became an eventful Thursday night for the Phoenix Suns, as the team traded third-year big Marquese Chriss and presumed starting point guard Brandon Knight to the Rockets in a surprise deal.

Chriss’ departure effectively seals Dragan Bender’s fate in Phoenix as the chosen son of the 2016 draft, while Knight moves on to Houston and leaves a Devin Booker-sized hole at the point guard spot.

We hit the deal from every angle — does Booker really start at the one? Is Melton the best player in the deal? What types of lineups are now possible with all of this young wing talent?

You won’t want to miss our giddy initial thoughts to this wild deal.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 8/29/18: All of the biggest Suns questions with 7SOL's Max McCauley Aug 29, 2018

On today’s episode, we bring on Max McCauley of the Seven Seconds or Less podcast to talk about what the Suns’ roster should look like around Devin Booker and how Max would approach the 2018-19 NBA season.

We talk about:Is Booker better-suited to play on or off the ball moving forward? What kind of player is an ideal backcourt partner?Decision time on Dragan Bender and Marquese Chriss.How the wing rotation shakes out, who starts at small forward, and whether Josh Jackson or Mikal Bridges is the priority long-term.The Suns’ focus on the draft versus improvement in 2019.And finally, Max puts on the general manager hat and maneuvers through the next full calendar year for the Suns.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 8/27/18: What Arizona Republic columnist Greg Moore is watching for this season Aug 27, 2018

On today’s episode, we talk to Arizona Republic columnist about everything behind the scenes for the 2018-19 Phoenix Suns season.

Topics discussed:Taking stock of Ryan McDonough’s tenure nearing the halfway point of his contract extensionWhat James Jones brings to the Suns’ organization behind the scenesWhy winning will change how Devin Booker’s critics view his careerWhether Josh Jackson can be the third core piece for this teamWhat James Jones told Greg that led him to believe Deandre Ayton was the right pick at No. 1 overallWhy Igor Kokoskov’s passion for basketball and leadership make him such a great candidate to own the team and help the Suns improve

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LOCKED ON SUNS 8/24/18: Positional Preview Part Three - The Bigs Aug 24, 2018

On today’s episode, we break down the Suns’ frontcourt depth chart, from Deandre Ayton down to Tyson Chandler.

With fourth-year option decisions looming, the competition between Marquese Chriss and Dragan Bender for a future with the Suns is the primary storyline for this group.

Aside from that, newcomer Richaun Holmes represents an interesting developmental project for the Suns. Could playing under Igor Kokoskov help him?

Finally, Tyson Chandler looks like one of the surest buyout candidates in the league heading into what could be his final NBA season.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 8/22/18: Position Preview Part Two - The Wings Aug 22, 2018

On today’s episode, we break down the wing position on the Suns’ roster, which features three new additions and two guys with a lot riding on the 2018-19 season.

Mikal Bridges could be one of the most impressive rookies in this class if all breaks right for him this year, but he has three guys ahead of him in his fight for playing time.

Trevor Ariza is the newest addition to this team, but will face a different set of challenges playing with this young roster compared with his last few seasons in Houston.

Finally, T.J. Warren and Josh Jackson need to figure out how to stay on the court together and expand their offensive packages if they want to be a part of this team moving forward.

(We also talked about George King a little.)

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LOCKED ON SUNS 8/20/18: Positional Preview Part One - The Guards Aug 20, 2018

On today’s episode, we begin our Positional Preview series, beginning with the guard rotation.

What can we expect from Elie Okobo as a rookie backing up Brandon Knight? Could his quick development eliminate the Suns’ desire to trade for a star point guard?

How do the Suns handle the backup two-guard slot? Will it be a matter of the young wings on their roster sliding up a position, or will someone like Davon Reed get consistent time as a pure backup for Devin Booker?

Finally, who is the odd man out in this bloated group?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 8/18/18: What awards could Suns players be in line for this season? Aug 18, 2018

On today’s episode, we discuss which NBA awards the Suns could realistically be in contention for following the 2018-19 season.

We consider:Who would Devin Booker have to leapfrog to be an All-NBA guard?Can Deandre Ayton put up big enough numbers to fend off Marvin Bagley III or Luka Doncic for Rookie of the Year?Where does Mikal Bridges fall when contemplating this year’s rookie class? Could he make an All-Rookie team?Is there any chance TJ Warren accepts the sixth man role and plays well enough to get Sixth Man of the Year consideration?How good do the Suns have to be for Igor Kokoskov to earn Coach of the Year votes?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 8/15/18: Going bananas with hypothetical questions for former host Kellan Olson Aug 15, 2018

On today’s episode, we welcome back former host Kellan Olson to celebrate episode No. 300 of the show.

To properly celebrate, we dove right into the Suns’ present and future, chatting about various hypotheticals, including:How good does Devin Booker have to be for it to translate to more winning?Is Josh Jackson the only real top-notch trade asset on the Suns?How long before we finally see the cash-in trade Ryan McDonough has been building toward?We get into all of it (and plenty more) in a very fun episode.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 8/13/18: We go month by month through the 2018-19 schedule Aug 13, 2018

On today’s episode, we break down the Suns’ 2018-19 schedule month by month, ending up with a very early projection of the team’s record next season.

The Suns have two road trips longer than four games before the calendar flips to 2019. That means they get the very best Eastern Conference teams out of the way early on, but it’s a tough way to start.

However, Phoenix has a real opportunity to make up ground in January and February and gel as a team to finish the year.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 8/10/18: Getting hyped about Suns-Mavs opening night with Nick Angstadt Aug 10, 2018

The Suns are playing on national TV the first week of the NBA season!

To pump up the excitement of that matchup, at home against the Dallas Mavericks on Oct. 17, we brought on Mavs Moneyball contributor and Locked On Mavericks co-host Nick Angstadt to discuss the team’s offseason and the future of this sudden rivalry.

We get into plenty of the connections between the teams, and what to watch for on opening night:Why the league and ESPN got the matchup rightNick’s reaction to the trade that brought Luka Doncic to DallasThe Mavericks’ offseason compared with the Suns’Ranking the two teams’ young prospects

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LOCKED ON SUNS 8/8/18: Draft news and your Twitter questions Aug 08, 2018

On today’s episode, we break down the announcement that the NCAA is allowing agents into the game, talk about the guys who could be involved in the class of 2019, and circle back to the Suns with a Twitter mailbag.

The back-and-forth between college basketball and the NBA continues with this news, leaving the NBA to adjust its rules as it gears up toward allowing high school players back into the draft.

And since we’re on the topic of the draft, a quick preview of the top four guys in the class — R.J. Barrett, Cam Reddish, Zion Williamson and Nassir Little.

Finally, five Twitter questions on what to expect this upcoming season.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 8/6/18: Debating ESPN and Vegas win projections plus expectations for Devin Booker Aug 06, 2018

On today’s episode, we break down how our predictions differ from Kevin Pelton’s statistical projections at ESPN and the Vegas betting odds. Then, we dive into Devin Booker’s growth and how his improvement will determine how good the Suns will be next year.

Pelton has the Suns at 27.2 projected wins over at ESPN, a number potentially weakened by the tanking Suns’ underperformance last season. Bovada in Vegas has the season line at 28.5 wins for Phoenix.

We are on the record as having the team between 30 and 35 wins assuming relative health, but it’s difficult to argue with models slightly lower on the Suns.

Of course, Booker will make or break this team’s improvement. Is he ready to make the leap to the upper echelon of efficient NBA scorers?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 8/3/18: Talking Suns with Shaun Al-Shatti, a Suns fan and Senior Editor of MMAFighting.com Aug 03, 2018

On today's episode, we have a special co-host with Evan as MMAFighting.com's Shaun Al-Shatti joins for a wide-ranging chat on the Phoenix Suns. We have had this in the works for the past few weeks and finally got around to recording together.

Shaun, who grew up a Suns fan, stops by to talk about how this offseason went in his eyes alongside plenty of rapid fire topics on how he views their young core led by Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton.

How does he feel Ryan McDonough has done putting together this roster? What about the Trevor Ariza signing for 1-year, $15 million? Just how high is Booker's ceiling with all the additional talent and spacing surrounding him? Is T.J. Warren being underrated by the majority of the fanbase?

This, plus plenty more were talked about during the first 30 minutes of the episode before we went into MMA for the portion of today's show.

What if LeBron James dedicated his entire career to mixed martial arts instead of NBA? Would he have been the greatest fighter of all time?

This was a fun one, so make sure to tune in!

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LOCKED ON SUNS 8/1/18: Taking stock of the Suns' future with Mo Dakhil Aug 01, 2018

On today’s episode, a league insider takes us through how he thinks the Trevor Ariza signing might quietly be a key to the Suns taking a step forward in their prolonged rebuild.

Mo Dakhil, who worked with the Spurs, Clippers and the Australian men’s national team, talks about the difficulties of a switching defense, how he would go about building around Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton, and why he’s concerned about the vision going forward in Phoenix.

Mo also discusses his player-development and team-building philosophies, as well as his belief the Suns should operate with the future in mind rather than competing this year.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 7/30/18: Wrapping up the offseason with a look across the NBA Jul 30, 2018

On today’s episode, we dive into the offseason for the NBA as a whole, ranking which teams we thought had the best and worst summers in the league. Then, we wrap up with a dissection of the Suns’ position in the landscape of young teams on the rise.

Topics include:How did the Cavaliers, Spurs, Pelicans and Raptors do replacing stars on the move?Did the Pacers do enough to make them a real East contender?Are the Wizards better now?What in the world are the Lakers doing?Finally, we discuss the fact that the Suns will have less cap space than about eight or nine teams even if they dismantle their roster before next summer. Can they still make a leap?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 7/27/18: Deandre Ayton's pick-and-roll impact and getting to know Igor Kokoskov with David Nash Jul 27, 2018

On today’s episode, we zeroed in on how Deandre Ayton looked on both ends via pick-and-roll situations during Las Vegas Summer League. David Nash wrote an article on this very facet, and we dove in even further on how he looked compared to his tenure at the University of Arizona. Are people unfairly throwing Ayton into the same conversation Ben Simmons went through two years ago?

Also, we analyzed how Ayton and the rest of Phoenix’s young core will slide into how Igor Kokoskov wants to run things as the new head coach. Nash has a great Twitter thread on this while being one of the first advocating for Kokoskov’s hire before it gained steam.

Finally, how should we expect the Suns to perform this upcoming season? Is 30-35 wins a healthy barometer to set, and is it enough to attract big-time names next summer?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 7/26/18: Mikal Bridges' future and more with Michael Pina of Vice Sports Jul 26, 2018

On today’s episode, the focus is Mikal Bridges and the spot he holds in the future of the Phoenix Suns. Our guest, Michael Pina, recently wrote about Bridges and came on to talk about what type of player he can become.

Coming out of college, the only knock on Bridges was that he was older than the rest of his class and perhaps close to a finished product.

Pina’s story runs opposite of that theory, showing the drive Bridges has had since high school to develop into one of the best shooters in college basketball and a premier draft prospect.

We discuss the story, as well as Pina’s thoughts on how the Suns stack up with the rest of the NBA’s young teams.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 7/23/18: Recapping the Jared Dudley for Richaun Holmes swap Jul 23, 2018

On today’s episode, we dissect the Friday morning avalanche of moves that resulted in the Suns moving off of Jared Dudley’s salary to trade for backup big man Richaun Holmes.

Dudley and Tyson Chandler are both not in the team’s plans next season, but did they do their best to capitalize on the cap space they opened up in the Dudley deal?

How does Holmes fit on the Suns’ roster?

Should the team have targeted another playmaker with the 2021 second-round pick they traded with Dudley’s contract?

And finally, how will Davon Reed and Shaquille Harrison fit into the rotation moving forward?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 7/20/18: Talking Suns' Euro connections with Andrew Bernucca Jul 20, 2018

On today’ episode, Andrew Bernucca of FanSided joins to break down to dissect the European basketball as it relates to the Suns.

After falling to No. 31 on draft night, Elie Okobo impressed during the first two Summer League contests. How does he fit with Devin Booker long term?

Are we underselling the impact Igor Kokoskov could have on Dragan Bender, and vice versa?

Bernucca gives his outsider’s insight as FanSided’s chief Eurohoops writer.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 7/18/18: The Ringer's Jonathan Tjarks joins to talk Suns Jul 18, 2018

On today’s episode, special guest Jonathan Tjarks wiggles his way through the Suns’ present and future.

We briefly discussed the Kawhi Leonard trade to Toronto before diving in on the Suns.

Topics discussed include:Deandre Ayton’s ceiling relative to other top picksSummer League takeawaysJosh Jackson and Mikal Bridges as building blocks on the wing alongside Devin BookerHow the Suns stack up with the rest of the league now and in the futureDecision time on Dragan Bender and Marquese ChrissThis was a fun one.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 7/16/18: Final offseason Twitter mailbag Jul 16, 2018

On today’s episode, we dive into Twitter one final time for the summer to take listener questions in a mailbag reviewing the offseason.

Questions based on topics such as:Expectations for Deandre AytonWhat we know about Brandon Knight and his outlook for 2018-19Decision time for Dragan Bender and Marquese ChrissPossibilities at point guard and forward in the summer of 2019How the Suns can create financial flexibility next yearWe’ll be back with guest episodes the rest of the week, so stay tuned.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 7/13/18: Rotation predictions after digesting Summer League Jul 13, 2018

On today’s episode, we discuss the Suns’ four Summer League games through the lens of next season’s rotation.

After getting an opportunity in Las Vegas to play for their next contract, Shaquille Harrison and Davon Reed may hav just earned the chance to stay on Phoenix’s roster next year and have their contracts guaranteed.

What does that mean for the rest of the roster?

Plus, final thoughts on Devin Booker’s maximum extension, inked over the weekend.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 7/11/18: Impressions from the first weekend of Summer League Jul 11, 2018

On today’s episode, we go player by player reacting to the preliminary round of Las Vegas Summer League games.

Deandre Ayton’s debut has been less dazzling than we expected, but his value to the team is already apparent as an interior force.

The backcourt cluster of Davon Reed, Josh Jackson, Mikal Bridges, Shaquille Harrison and Elie Okobo has created more questions about next season’s rotations than answers.

And Dragan Bender, ever the lightning rod for Suns negativity, has had an uneven three-game performance.

We try to make sense of it all.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 7/8/18: Summer League Special Jul 08, 2018

On today’s episode, Brendon is joined by Bright Side of the Sun’s Dave King to discuss all the latest news surrounding the Summer Suns up in Las Vegas.

From Deandre Ayton, Josh Jackson, Mikal Bridges, Elie Okobo, Dragan Bender, and even Jack Cooley, we have you covered as they dish out their first impressions from the opening weekend.

After a dominant 2-0 start, are the Suns about to cruise through the playoff portion with their loaded roster?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 7/4/18: Understanding Phoenix's roster after a busy start to the offseason Jul 04, 2018

On today’s episode, we give our initial thoughts on Devin Booker’s looming maximum contract extension before diving into the shape of the Suns’ roster moving forward.

Despite a Tyler Ulis-sized speed bump perhaps stalling discussions momentarily, the Suns met with Booker’s group in Los Angeles Tuesday and in all likelihood wrapped negotiations on Booker’s extension, which will kick in for the 2019-20 season.

With Booker in place long-term and most of the rest of the roster still playing on their first contracts, we try to make sense of how this team can play and how it will be most effective.

Finally, a quick look at the point guard market — are there any obvious candidates to fill out the Suns’ rotation?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 7/2/18: The good and bad of the first weekend of free agency Jul 02, 2018

On today’s episode, we discuss the Suns acquiring Trevor Ariza, as well as the decision to cut Tyler Ulis and its impact on Devin Booker’s future.

Phoenix stole Ariza from the defending conference finalist Houston Rockets on a one-year, $15 million deal, satiating their reported desire for a(nother) 3-and-D forward.

And after moving back the guarantee date on Tyler Ulis’ minimum contract, the Suns indeed waived the third-year point guard, who was one of Devin Booker’s closest friends. This reportedly frustrated Booker, who of course is eligible for a maximum extension this summer. Does this situation really matter? We discuss.

Finally, a preview of the Marquese Chriss-less Summer Suns.

Note: We recorded this podcast before the Suns officially announced the release of big man Alan Williams.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 6/29/18: Free Agency Preview Part 3, featuring a mock offseason for Phoenix Jun 29, 2018

On today’s episode, we wrap up our free agency preview with a few final mailbag questions and a mock Suns offseason.

Our audience questions lead us to a discussion about the trade market for Marquese Chriss and Dragan Bender as well as a debate about the Suns’ targets for big man depth come July 1.

Then we try and address those decisions head-on through Evan’s mock offseason, with Brendon acting as facilitator/opposing general manager. Who do the Suns go out and get in our imagination?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 6/27/18: Free Agency Preview, Part 2 Jun 27, 2018

On today’s episode, our free agency preview continues with a look into the market for Aaron Gordon and several Twitter mailbag questions (keep submitting them to @LockedOnPhxSuns and we will answer the rest on Friday!) linked to the Suns’ potential interest in him.

Gordon’s restricted free agency could push the price too high for the Suns to clog their cap flexibility next week and limit their ability to add talent in 2019, but he would be a major boost in talent for the franchise.

The Suns’ willingness to spend money next year will determine how they handle their business this summer, as well as what they do about Devin Booker’s contract extension.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 6/25/18: Final thoughts on the draft and first look into free agency Jun 25, 2018

On today’s episode, we discuss our final takeaways from the Suns’ media availability after the draft and on Friday morning at the new players’ introductions. Then, we briefly start out week-long free agency preview.

With a weekend to breathe after the Suns’ surprising draft, we evaluate where the team currently stands from a roster and locker room standpoint. How does Mikal Bridges fit into each of those equations?

We go out by brainstorming three free agent guards and three free agent stretch bigs who could help the Suns next season.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 6/22/18: 2018 NBA Draft recap with The Stepien's Cole Zwicker and 7SOL Pod crew Jun 22, 2018

On today's episode, Evan was joined by The Stepien's Cole Zwicker plus David Nash and Max McCauley of the 7 Seconds or Less Podcast to recap the 2018 NBA Draft, especially diving in further from Phoenix's point of view.

How do we see Deandre Ayton blending in to the current ecosystem built for him alongside Devin Booker and Josh Jackson? Should we expect plenty of growth from Ayton defensively, and how about his fit into Igor Kokoskov's scheme?

Then, we went into the discussion relating to Phoenix's aggressive push for Mikal Bridges and getting great value with Elie Okobo at No. 31. How do we see Bridges' winning pedigree impacting the Suns, including his elite two-way wing skill set? For Okobo, he's raw but also has tantalizing upside. How do we see the Frenchman long term next to Booker?

Overall, the Suns are seemingly going all-in on Devin Booker as their franchise. Unlike last year, they now have given him so much space to operate that he could be on the verge of taking his All-Star leap in 2018-19. Are we heading down the James Harden path with Booker? It's certainly an intriguing idea.

We ended the podcast with overall draft thoughts. Who were the biggest winners? How does Luka Doncic have three teams pass on him while De'Anthony Melton, a lottery talent, slips into the 40s? There was definitely some interesting selections by some teams and it will have long term ripple effects for their future in terms of roster construction.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 6/21/18: Suns swing for the fences adding Deandre Ayton, Mikal Bridges and Elie Okobo in 2018 NBA Draft Jun 21, 2018

On today's episode, we recapped the 2018 NBA Draft live courtside from Talking Stick Resort Arena. Wow, what a night it was for the Phoenix Suns.

After landing Deandre Ayton at No. 1, Phoenix traded one of their most valuable assets in the 2021 Miami pick to Philadelphia for the rights to Mikal Bridges. Also, the Suns landed their possible point guard of the future at No. 31 with Elie Okobo, who GM Ryan McDonough said has a high long term ceiling.

With the addition of Bridges, what does this mean for T.J. Warren on the Suns? We dissected that even further alongside the strong haul Phoenix pulled off in its most important draft in franchise history.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 6/20/18: Twitter mailbag previewing the draft Jun 20, 2018

On today’s episode, we dove into the mailbag on Twitter and came out with several great questions from listeners about Thursday’s NBA Draft.

Conversation ranged from trade possibilities at No. 4 or No. 12 to get a guard such as Luka Doncic or Trae Young, to other options such as Michael Porter and Aaron Holiday.

It seems like the Suns will be right in the thick of things on draft night, and we could see some fireworks at Talking Stick Resort Arena.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 6/19/18: 2018 NBA Mock Draft, Part 2 Jun 19, 2018

On today’s episode, we finish up our 2018 NBA Mock Draft with picks 16-31, which includes a Suns selection as well as a trade of the No. 31 pick.

Listen in to find out how things line up for the Suns.

Elsewhere, Washington capitalizes on a trade in part one to come away with two first-round rookies to bolster their expensive roster.

In addition, the Celtics, Sixers and Warriors grab guys they hope will provide depth for their championship contenders.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 6/18/18: 2018 NBA Mock Draft, Part 1 Jun 18, 2018

On today’s episode we break into an in-depth NBA mock draft, charting the first 15 picks, including two trades at the tail-end of the episode.

There’s no surprises at No. 1, but things get interesting when the Bulls pick, and the Suns face an interesting trade possibility when the Hornets come to the plate at 11.

Things wrap up with a pick swap between Atlanta and Washington at 15, which prevents the Suns from getting their point guard of the future in Collin Sexton.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 6/15/18: Jackson Hoy of The Stepien on Kawhi Leonard, 2018 Draft prospects and possible trade up options Jun 15, 2018

On today’s episode, we recapped the latest in the Kawhi Leonard saga alongside NBA Draft coverage.

With Kawhi officially wanting out, how should the Suns maneuver this situation? Should they be aggressive and inquire about him or maybe try to help facilitate it to bring back another young asset? Jackson weighs in, and where he believes is the favorite for Leonard’s services.

Then, we dive in on some more prospects and how they might fit in with the Suns. Donte DiVincenzo, Kevin Knox, Lonnie Walker, Mikal Bridges, Miles Bridges, Aaron Holiday, and more were discussed.

Finally, we went over some trade up options for Phoenix. After trying to obtain a meeting with Trae Young plus being in attendance for private workouts of Wendell Carter Jr. and Michael Porter Jr., which player makes most sense to move all-in on the assets for?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 6/14/18: Realistic draft-day trades Jun 14, 2018

On today’s episode, we recap some of the latest rumblings before diving into seven trades the Suns could make on draft night.

First, we discuss whether there is any weight to the idea that the Suns are interested in pursuing Trae Young in a deal to trade back up into the lottery from No. 16. How would a team centered around Young and Deandre Ayton look?

Then, those seven glorious trades, including a look at the Kevin Love situation and what it might take to get off of Brandon Knight’s contract.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 6/13/18: Keeping up on draft news with Sporting News' Chris Stone Jun 13, 2018

On today’s episode, we bring back Sporting News’ Chris Stone to discuss the latest in draft news, only eight days out from the 2018 NBA draft.

Topics include Chris’ reaction to the Suns all but locking up their decision at No. 1 during last week’s Deandre Ayton workout, risers and fallers across the league, and Kevin Huerter’s injury.

As always, we try and parse through how the changes affect the Suns.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 6/8/18: Deandre Ayton breakdown with Ryan Kelapire of AZ Desert Swarm Jun 08, 2018

On today’s show, AZ Desert Swarm’s Ryan Kelapire joins as we go further in-depth on Deandre Ayton. We broke down strengths and weaknesses of Ayton’s game alongside how he was to cover from a media point of view this past season.

How does Ayton compare to other lottery talent to come out of Tucson? No surprise, but Ryan believes Ayton far and away trumps the likes of Aaron Gordon and Lauri Markkanen.

Also, how about the U of A effect on ticket sales next season? With majority owner Robert Sarver, who’s an alum, it could play a factor if their choice up top comes down to the little things.

We covered all of that and more, as Ayton seems destined to be the chosen Sun at No. 1.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 6/6/18: Live from the Deandre Ayton workout Jun 06, 2018

On today’s episode, we quickly break down everything we saw and heard at Deandre Ayton’s post-draft workout press conference.

Both Ayton and general manager Ryan McDonough spoke to the media following the hour-long workout, and all but guaranteed Ayton will be the first name called June 21.

We discuss exactly what that means for the rest of the draft, the Suns’ summer, and Luka Doncic.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 6/4/18: News catch-up and Reddit mailbag Jun 04, 2018

On today’s episode, we delve into the terrifying depths of r/Sunsto answer questions about the upcoming summer in a mailbag.

Before that, we quickly address the reports that the Suns have hired both Joe Prunty and Corliss Williamsonas assistant coaches.

Finally, we discuss everything from trade opportunities this summer, draft possibilities at Nos. 1, 16 and 31, and the Suns’ timeline to contention in the shadow of the Warriors’ dynasty.

Thanks to r/Suns for the content this week. And yes, we’ve finally given on the likelihood that Deandre Ayton goes first overall.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 6/1/18: European basketball reporter David Pick on Luka Doncic and scouting overseas Jun 01, 2018

On today’s episode, Brendon brings in the European Woj, David Pick, to discuss Luka Doncic’s performance at the EuroLeague Final Fourin a wide-ranging conversation that stretches beyond just Doncic.

Pick has been as close a source as any to Doncic throughout his journey since age 13 up to this point, now considered a contender to be the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft. He talks about Doncic’s development, the historic nature of his EuroLeague performance, and why the level of competition against which Doncic played is legit.

We also discuss how European scouting has become less mysterious over time for NBA teams, and how much more the league knows about Doncic than even Dragan Bender, whom the Suns took at No. 4 just two summers ago.

Finally, we drop in on Dzanan Musa, another player performing well overseas who could be in play for the Suns at No. 16, if they target wing offense at that spot. Pick discusses why players competing in lesser leagues and tournaments are still valued so highly in the draft.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 5/30/18: Previewing the offseason with cap maestro Jeff Siegel May 30, 2018

On today’s episode, Jeff Siegel, the propietor of Early Bird Rightsand a blogger across the internet, joins to preview the 2018 offseason from the Suns’ perspective.

We discuss the Suns’ ability to operate above the cap by keeping Elfrid Payton’s cap hold on the books, guaranteeing the salaries of the young players on the roster, and keeping both Tyson Chandlerand Jared Dudley. Jeff elucidates how that would help them be more flexible in 2019.

We also talk about the value around the league of guys like T.J. Warren, Dragan Benderand Marquese Chrisson their current contracts, and how the Suns could clear room using those players as trade chips if necessary.

Finally, Jeff explains the implications of Devin Booker’s next contract, and how the Suns’ cap situation changes based on his signing that maximum deal this summer as an extension or next summer as a restricted free agent.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 5/28/18: Scott Bordow and Kellan Olson discuss the No. 1 pick, plus a draft workout recap May 28, 2018

On today’s two-part episode, we’re trying to keep track of all the angles of the Suns’ 2018 draft strategy.

Part one features a conversation between Evan, Kellan Olson and Scott Bordow regarding the battle for the No. 1 pick. Kellan has been one of the loudest voices championing Doncic for the spot, while Scott has been reporting closely on the Suns’ leanings since the season ended.

Part two features a breakdown of the four most interesting prospects at the Suns’ Monday workout—Anfernee Simons, Hamidou Diallo, Tony Carrand Aaron Holiday. They all fit a similar mold as versatile, multi-skilled guards who could fit opposite Devin Booker.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 5/25/18: Suns host first predraft workout + going over Ryan McDonough's comments breaking down perceived weaknesses of Ayton and Doncic May 25, 2018

On today's episode we were live from Talking Stick Resort Arena as we discussed the Suns' first predraft workout, which was headlined by SMU guard Shake Milton. We go over the workout itself and also quickly break down why Milton would be a great fit for the Suns, if he's still available at No. 31.

Also, general manager Ryan McDonough spoke to the media today on plenty of topics but the Deandre Ayton vs. Luka Doncic debate made its way into it. After breaking down perceived weaknesses on both prospects (Ayton's defensive instincts, Doncic's lack of athleticism), we go over what comments stood out from McDonough's media availability. This was the final time McDonough will speak to the media until the week of the draft.

There's one main takeaway: Phoenix is nowhere close to being set on one prospect at the top. The Ayton vs. Doncic debate is legitimate.

(Scott Bordow of The Arizona Republic was unable to join us due to his writing deadline afterwards, but he will be on Monday's episode!)

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LOCKED ON SUNS 5/23/18: Talking all things draft with SB Nation's Ricky O'Donnell May 23, 2018

On today’s episode, Ricky O’Donnell of SB Nation joins us to talk about what he learned at the combine, why he favors Luka Doncic (and Jaren Jackson Jr.) over Deandre Ayton, and how he looks at the draft more broadly as an analyst.

We start with a deep dive on Ayton, exploring how to build a successful team around someone so physically imposing and defensively challenged. Then we move on to what makes Doncic a more intriguing team basketball player and why his specific position might not matter.

Then, we talk about some of Ricky’s favorite options for the Sunsat Nos. 16 and 31 based on his scouting and what he saw at the combine, including Robert Williamsand Troy Brown.

We also explore some bigger picture questions, ranging from the decision to stay in school or go to the NBA for fringe first-rounders to how to juggle the way the NBA plays today versus how it will function in the future.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 5/21/18: NBA Draft Combine Roundup May 22, 2018

On today’s episode, we finish off the news from the weekend’s NBA DraftCombine in Chicago, and dive deep on a few players who stood out.

From a Suns perspective, the versatile, athletic wings seem to be the starting point at each of their selections, with so many of those guys standing out in this class. The team reportedly spoke with several over the weekend, including Zhaire Smith, Troy Brown, Hamidou Dialloand Bruce Brown Jr.

The list at No. 1 also may have expanded to include Jaren Jackson Jr.we discuss the possibility that the Suns’ lack of interest in Jackson prior to the combine was a smokescreen from Ryan McDonough.

Finally, we broke down two candidates for the 31st pick, Donte DiVincenzoand Josh Okogie, who showed out at the combine.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 5/19/18: FanTable on Deandre Ayton vs. Luka Doncic May 19, 2018

On today’s episode of Locked On Suns, Evan went solo as he was joined by two knowledgable Suns in Max and David to discuss the biggest debate in recent memory: Deandre Ayton or Luka Doncic?

All three of us watched Doncic against CSKA Moscow so we broke down what stood out during his 16 point, 7 rebound, and 2 assist outing in the EuroLeague Final Four.

What are the main strengths and weaknesses to focus on for both prospects over the next month? Who fits better within their current roster construction?

Not only did we take deep dives on Ayton and Doncic, but we noticed this tweet went out during our debate from Devin Booker related to Karl-Anthony Towns

Reports surfaced earlier on Friday about news of possible friction between Towns and Minnesota, so could the Suns strike while the iron is hot with all their assets this summer? Would Minnesota actually want to do this built around the swap of likely Towns for Ayton?

We covered all of the bases Phoenix could go with their decision atop the draft, so tune in to this one!

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LOCKED ON SUNS 5/17/18: Draft news after Day 1 of the combine May 17, 2018

On today’s episode, we take a break from the tireless internet debate over Deandre Ayton and Luka Doncic to interpret comments from Ryan McDonough about how the team might attack the 2018 draft.

With picks at 1, 16, 31 and 59, the Suns have an opportunity to move up, take multiple versatile rookies, or stash players overseas. In Chicago this week, the team’s decision-makers are gathering intel that will help them make draft decisions that could define #TheTimeline.

We discuss a great article by azcentral’s Scott Bordow with many quotes from McDonough about the team’s current plan.

We also break down some of the most interesting pieces of news from the combine, including Melvin Frazier’s rise and Trae Young’s fall.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 5/15/18: Immediate reaction to Suns winning NBA Draft Lottery May 15, 2018

On today’s episode, we react live from Talking Stick Resort Arena following the Suns’ historic win on lottery night, securing the No. 1 overall pick. We also recruited Gerald Bourguet of Hoops Habit onto the podcast for his instant analysis.

The Suns will pick first for the first time in franchise history, and after a moment of celebration, debate will surely begin over who the team should take with the top pick. We discuss where the Deandre Ayton vs. Luka Doncic debate stands today.

Finally, we interpret comments from James Jones and Ryan McDonough tonight about the way that locking in the top pick affects their plans for the summer, and outline how we would attack things going forward into the summer.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 5/14/18: Reactions from Igor Kokoskov’s introductory press conference and lottery preview May 14, 2018

On today’s episode, we give our impressions of new Suns coach Igor Kokoskov based on his introductory press conference today at Talking Stick Resort Arena.

Attending the event in person, we got to hear a lot from Kokoskov, Ryan McDonough and James Jones about their vision for the team moving forward and how Kokoskov’s ingenuity and work ethic can help build that in Phoenix.

All three Suns decision-makers also referred often to the prospect of significant roster overhaul this summer, toward a scheme that fits Kokoskov’s philosophies more thoroughly and unlocks the young players’ talent.

Finally, some last thoughts before tomorrow’s draft lottery.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 5/11/18: Jackson Hoy of The Stepien returns May 11, 2018

On today’s episode, Jackson Hoy of The Stepien joins to talk all things draft, and give his insight as to how the Suns should attack things come June.

The show starts with a Luka Doncic update, reacting to his historic triple-double and our impressions of him over the course of the season.

Then we talk about a guy Jackson has become higher on since the season wrapped up, Kevin Huerter of Maryland, who we also briefly discussed on the show earlier this week.

Looking at the middle of the draft, we talk about guys The Stepien has been leading the charge on all season, Zhaire Smith and Jontay Porter. We also discuss other options at No. 16, like Lonnie Walker IV and Robert Williams III.

Finally, we end with a discussion of Deandre Ayton based on what we have seen in the playoffs and what works for the best teams around the league.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 5/10/18: Debating Mohamed Bamba vs. Wendell Carter Jr. May 10, 2018

On today’s episode, we dive into two guys from the second tier of big men in this year’s lottery, Mohamed Bamba and Wendell Carter Jr.

At Texas, Bamba went from one of the most exciting young prospects in the draft from a physical standpoint and as a prototypical versatile Suns piece, to being talked about in the back half of the lottery. He didn’t exert his advantages nearly often enough in college, but has gotten right to work this summer developing his jump shot with Joel Embiid and Embiid’s trainer.

Carter is a high-floor guy who has garnered Al Horford comparisons as an all-around big man, but will probably need to be in a perfect system to be maximized. He balances out Dragan Bender in interesting ways, but may never be a valuable enough offensive player to be a great starter in the NBA.

Who makes more sense for the Suns based on what we know about their needs and priorities?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 5/9/18: Talking Doncic/Ayton, the 31st pick, and late draft board risers with the Sporting News’ Chris Stone May 09, 2018

On today’s episode, Chris Stone of The Sporting News joins to discuss all things 2018 NBA Draft as we near next Tuesday’s lottery.

We begin with a breakdown of Chris’ big board, including Deandre Ayton falling to No. 5 behind Marvin Bagley, what he sees in Trae Young and Luka Doncic and the value of play-makers in the modern NBA, and who he believes are the Suns’ best options at the top of the second round.

Then, we make a pit stop talking about Zhaire Smith, whom we all agree is curious and terrifying and magnificent, all at once.

We finish by discussing what Chris would do in Ryan McDonough’s shoes at the draft next month, as well as a discussion of his overall philosophy when judging prospects.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 5/8/18: NBA Draft Twitter Mailbag May 08, 2018

On today’s episode, we answered seven questions regarding the 2018 NBA Draft, including our thoughts on the Suns falling out of the top two, trade possibilities this summer, and Luka Doncic vs. Deandre Ayton.

There was a lot of gloom about the potential for the Suns to end up at No. 3 or No. 4 this year once again, so we went over all the possibilities should that happen.

We also talked about young players from around the league who are candidates to end up in Phoenix based on the Suns’ cap room and trade assets.

Finally, we talked about how our feelings about Doncic have changed (or not) since Igor Kokoskov was hired as the Suns’ new coach.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 5/7/18: Thoughts on the draft combine and the summer ahead May 07, 2018

On today’s episode, we talked about what to expect from what will be one of the most interesting summers in franchise history.

That starts with the draft lottery and combine in Chicago this month. We talked about which players we will be looking at most closely during the combine, including De’Anthony Melton and Kevin Knox.

Then, we took a stock report of the Suns’ rebuild compared with those of NBA teams like the Golden State Warriors and Oklahoma City Thunder, as well as MLB teams such as the Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs. What can the Suns learn, and are they on track to peak as those championship-caliber teams did?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 5/4/18: Everything you need to know about Igor Kokoskov May 04, 2018

On today’s episode, we discussed the Suns’ historic hire of Igor Kokoskov with Jazz announcer and Locked On NBA host David Locke.

Locke was fortunate enough to create a friendship with the Suns’ new coach over the years in Utah, and is the perfect guy to introduce all of us to Kokoskov. From philosophical musings to intelligent basketball discussion, Kokoskov brings an interesting perspective to the game.

We also talked about what hiring Kokoskov means for Devin Booker and the Suns’ on-court style, as well as the importance of crafting a team identity in Phoenix.

Locke came ready with tons of stories in this one, listen to find out what makes the Suns’ new hire so exciting.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 5/2/18: Igor Kokoskov is the new coach of the Phoenix Suns May 02, 2018

On today’s episode, we gave our instant reactions to 46-year-old Utah Jazz assistant Igor Kokoskov being announced as the next head coach of the Suns.

Kokoskov will be the first NBA head coach to be born and raised outside North America, and brings a pedigree as an assistant in the league as well as a championship head coach overseas. It seems like there will be an instant culture change in Phoenix.

On the court, Kokoskov is known for pushing the tempo, creating open shots for everyone on the offense, and pushing players to develop into new roles. How does that bode for Devin Booker, Josh Jackson and the rest of #TheTimeline?

Finally, we answered a few mailbag questions on Twitter about how the hire changes things from a personnel perspective in the draft and free agency.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 5/1/18: Igor Kokoskov may just be the next coach of the Suns May 01, 2018

On today’s episode, we roamed through the latest news as the Suns move into their second round of head coaching interviews.

In an effort to fill the vacancy they created nearly eight months ago, the Suns spoke with around 12 or 13 candidates this summer, but appear to be rounding down that list. Igor Kokoskov earned an in-person interview Monday, while interim coach Jay Triano was informed the team would be moving on.

Unless James Borrego or Steve Clifford return for a second interview this week or a new name joins the mix, it appears the Suns and Kokoskov are on track to be reunited when the Jazz-Rockets second series ends.

We debated what hiring Kokoskov would mean for the franchise, and how might fans react.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 4/27/18: Debating Michael Porter Jr. vs. Mikal Bridges Apr 27, 2018

On today’s episode, we talked through two of the 2018 NBA Draft’s top wing prospects debate style, pitting Mikal Bridges and Michael Porter Jr. against one another in terms of their fit in Phoenix and overall upside.

Bridges is a two-time national champion who became the focal point of college basketball’s best team on both sides of the ball, developing his shot into a versatile, efficient weapon. His wingspan puts him in company with the best defenders in the NBA.

Porter has already drawn hype as the next Kevin Durant or Jayson Tatum, but a back injury in the first game of the season derailed the momentum he had building since high school. In the two games after his return, he flashed interesting upside as a small-ball big with primary scoring potential.

We closed with our answers regarding who we would take in the Suns’ position.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 4/25/18: Budenholzer drops out, plus names to watch in free agency Apr 25, 2018

On today’s episode, we tried to piece together the real Mike Budenholzer story after the Hawks announced they have parted ways with their coach of five years. Plus, a quick reaction to Mo Bamba’s apparently improved jump shot and finally, listed a handful of guys to watch as free agency nears.

Was Budenholzer’s ploy just a part of his plan to find a team that will give him personnel power, or is it really just the Bucks or Knicks jobs he wanted all along?

Does Bamba’s potential 3-point shot change much about our impressions of him from a season’s worth of vanilla output?

There are several prospective free agents who could be on the Suns’ radar in free agency as they look for frontcourt help and a starting guard opposite Devin Booker. We looked at names like Fred VanVleet, Danny Green, Luc Richard Mbah Moute and Joe Johnson, and talked young vs. old, long and short deals, and more.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 4/23/18: Coaching news and playoff takeaways Apr 23, 2018

On today’s episode, we gave our instant analysis on the news that the Suns have spoken with Jason Kidd and Vinny Del Negro about the coaching job before breaking down what’s winning in this year’s playoffs and what the Suns can learn.

Are the Suns going too far into the pool of coaches to make up for botching the hire in 2016? Or is this just an instance of two interested coaches’ agents being hyperactive? We agree the Suns should make a hire sooner rather than later if these are the names they’re getting to now.

Plus, we looked at the Utah Jazz, Indiana Pacers and Philadelphia 76ers to try and work out a blueprint for how these younger rosters are succeeding in the playoffs.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 4/21/18: Debating Jaren Jackson Jr. vs. Marvin Bagley III Apr 21, 2018

On today’s episode of Locked On Suns, Evan and Brendon threw on the debate gloves once more. This time around, instead of Luka Doncic vs. Deandre Ayton, we have two polarizing prospects in Suns circles.

Who is the better prospect for the Suns, if they land outside the top two? Is it Jaren Jackson Jr. or Marvin Bagley III who would fit general manager Ryan McDonough’s plans best?

We took deep dives on Jackson Jr. and Bagley III, including from an advanced metrics point of view.

Which one fits best alongside Devin Booker and Josh Jackson? Also, how do both bigs fit into the modern-day NBA?

Find that out, plus a lot more on two players barely separated on their big boards.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 4/20/18: Resetting the Suns' coaching search Apr 20, 2018

On today’s episode, we reset the Suns’ ongoing search for a new head coach following the news that Mike Budenholzer is no longer being considered for the job.

What exactly went wrong between the Suns and Budenholzer, and what does the future hold for the Hawks’ coach? Were the interviews this week merely leverage for Budenholzer’s ultimate interest in the Bucks’ vacancy?

We ranked the remaining seven names — David Blatt, James Borrego, Steve Clifford, David Fizdale, Igor Kokoskov, Kevin McHale, Jay Triano, and Frank Vogel — and discussed the guys that stand out from a Suns perspective. We also tried to estimate when the search starts to wrap up.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 4/19/18: Fourth Quarter Stock Reports! Apr 19, 2018

On today’s episode, we broke down the performances of the final three members of the #TheTimeline left standing over an injury-riddled last 16 games of the season.

Josh Jackson, Dragan Bender and Marquese Chriss were given plenty of opportunity as the season wound down without Devin Booker or T.J. Warren in the lineup. Jackson upped his usage big time, while Chriss regained his early-season form and Bender shouldered the heaviest minutes total on the team.

How did each player grade out?

Finally, a quick look at some of the supporting cast who got extra playing time over the final month and a half. Shaquille Harrison, Danuel House Jr., and Alec Peters each showed they deserve a chance at a roster spot this September.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 4/18/18: End of season Twitter and Reddit mailbag Apr 18, 2018

On today’s episode, we worked through a hefty list of mailbag questions from both Twitter and r/Suns on Reddit. We discussed what the Suns’ options are in free agency, how they might handle the draft with the possibility now in place that they make a trade for their new coach, and what the summer might mean for the current core youngsters.

We went about an hour to hit on some of the stuff we missed last week, and finished off the episode with what the Suns can learn from their last disastrous coaching hire, as well as what the 2018 playoffs tell us about the future the Suns are building toward.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 4/16/18: News roundup from the end of the season Apr 16, 2018

On today’s episode, we look back at last Wednesday’s media exit interviews, as well as other quotes given by Suns players and management over the last week.

T.J. Warren responded strongly when asked last week about the possibility of coming off the bench after perhaps the best season of his career. Is there a case for Josh Jackson replacing him in the starting lineup as it currently stands, and was he right to be frustrated by the question?

Remarking on that competition for playing time, Jared Dudley said in a radio interview on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station last week that he believes certain young players were gifted playing time this season without quite earning it. Who might he have been referring to, and was he right, even though winning wasn’t necessarily the team’s goal later in the season?

Finally, what can we take from Ryan McDonough’s continued insistence that all options are on the table this summer?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 4/15/18: An update on the coaching search Apr 15, 2018

On today’s episode, we react to the latest news on the coaching free agency front. With Steve Clifford recently fired and Mike Budenholzer reportedly made available for interview, how does the Suns’ outlook change?

In addition, it appears former Grizzlies coach David Fizdale will become one of the first interviews early this week as well. What can we learn about his tenure in Memphis and his relationship with Suns executive James Jones?

Finally, we discuss other assistants currently coaching for playoff teams who may also be candidates, including Igor Kokoskov in Utah and Etore Messina in San Antonio. Are any of them worth waiting for?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 4/6/18: Jackson Hoy of The Stepien joins us for another draft chat Apr 06, 2018

On today’s episode, we were joined by Jackson Hoy of The Stepien, who broke down why Luka Doncic should be the Suns’ target at No. 1 and who fans might be over-looking with the Miami and Milwaukee picks.

We discussed options at the top if the Suns miss on Doncic, including Jaren Jackson Jr., Marvin Bagley III, and Deandre Ayton. Hoy gave some perspective about why he has Ayton lower than the consensus top two found on other draft sites, as well as why he believes Jackson is too good to fail at the NBA level.

Looking at the middle of the draft, we touched on players such as Jontay Porter and Zhaire Smith, whose versatility would add to the Suns’ abundant flexibility and unlock even more interesting options for the team’s next coach.

Finally, we got Hoy’s perspective on the Suns’ core, where he believes they should go from here, and how important the next coach is for this young team.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 4/5/18: Mailbag + LOS Lottery Mock Draft 2.0 Apr 05, 2018

On today’s episode, it was Evan going solo as he ran through your latest mailbag questions. Also, he did a quick spin through tankathon.com and relayed the results with how he would do picks 1-14.

Did the Suns land at No. 1? How about the possibility of moving up or packaging their mid-first picks for an immediate contributor elsewhere?

All these questions are answered for you, including whether he believes Deandre Ayton or Luka Doncic sits atop their draft board.

Make sure to subscribe on iTunes if you haven't already!

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LOCKED ON SUNS 4/4/18: Win over Kings snaps losing streak, plus Kawhi Leonard news Apr 04, 2018

On today’s episode, we went in depth on the four standouts from the Suns’ 97-94 victory over the Kings before diving into ESPN’s latest report on the Spurs relationship with Kawhi Leonard.

Have Danuel House Jr. and Alex Len done enough this season to earn new contracts going into next season? If they were to leave Phoenix, what makes sense in terms of money and fit for each player?

Despite being used in a role that over-extends him with Devin Booker and T.J. Warren battling injury, Josh Jackson continues to show progress as a scorer and play-maker. What can we glean from his final month?

Finally, how important is it that teams are now circling the Spurs regarding Leonard’s availability, as ESPN reported Tuesday? We looked at how the Suns stack up compared with other franchises in terms of asset packages they could offer in a potential Leonard trade.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 4/2/18: The youth is starting to change Apr 02, 2018

On today’s episode, we quickly broke down some of the bigger takeaways from the Suns’ loss to Golden State on Sunday evening, 117-107.

In a game where the Warriors coasted through the first half before breathing fire onto the Suns’ young roster for 12 third-quarter minutes, the visiting team showed signs of progress we’ve desperately wanted to see over the last two months. Aside from Danuel House Jr.’s massive unassisted alley-oop over Nick Young, we also saw strong performances out of Shaquille Harrison, Marquese Chriss, and Dragan Bender.

Finally, an update on Josh Jackson’s performance as a primary creator, especially his ability to avoid turnovers and make positive plays. Do his signs of progress over the past two weeks help the Suns feel more comfortable taking a big man at the top of this year’s draft?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/31/18: Debating Luka Doncic vs. Deandre Ayton Mar 31, 2018

On today’s episode of Locked On Suns, Evan and Brendon finally put on the debate gloves for this one.

Who is the better prospect for the Suns at the top of the draft? Is it Luka Doncic or Deandre Ayton who is the prize in general manager Ryan McDonough’s eye?

We took deep dives on not only Doncic and Ayton but answered your mailbag questions throughout in this 45-minute episode. Enjoy!

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/30/18: Discussing the Suns' first entertaining game in two months, a loss to the Rockets Mar 30, 2018

On today’s episode, we had our first competitive game in a while to break down. The Suns’ 104-103 loss to Houston came down to the final minute, in which James Harden, Josh Jackson, and Gerald Green traded buckets before Green ultimately won the game for the Rockets.

What a beautiful, perfect tanking loss.

Jackson and Tyler Ulis both continued to play well without Devin Booker and T.J. Warren, while Dragan Bender was benched in the first half and struggled with aggressiveness on offense once again.

Off the bench, young guys like Danuel House Jr. and Alec Peters got their first real shot in a while, with each playing over 20 minutes and providing a spark. It looks like Alan Williams has infused that unit with energy since returning on Monday.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/29/18: Suns youngsters look more competitive against Clippers Mar 29, 2018

On today’s episode, we recapped the Suns’ 111-99 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, in which strong performances at the guard spot helped make it a more competitive and entertaining game than we’ve become used to.

Before that, we started the show with another update on the tank standings after another Grizzlies victory last night, which puts the Suns three losses ahead of both Memphis and Atlanta for the top lottery spot and a guaranteed top-three pick.

Tyler Ulis and Shaquille Harrison continue their strong play, and though it hasn’t been enough to lift the Suns without their two best scorers, it may have earned them consideration for a roster spot next season.

Josh Jackson continues to earn more ball-handling responsibility for the Suns this year, though his jump shot continues to be a concern, especially based on the awkward new catch-and-shoot form he’s shown recently. Does his development change how the Suns should build the roster going forward?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/27/18: Loss to Boston shows developmental strides of Suns' youngsters Mar 27, 2018

On today’s episode, we looked at the Suns’ 102-94 loss to the Celtics through the prism of the summer of 2018 and beyond for this rebuilding team.

The game was another glaring microcosm of the differences between Dragan Bender and Marquese Chriss, as well as Elfrid Payton’s worst game in Phoenix. It appears change is coming in the frontcourt and backcourt for one or more of those three.

In addition, for a game in which Alan Williams was making his return from injury, it was Tyler Ulis who suddenly looked spry and had his best game of the season, saying after the game that it is his own health that has made the biggest difference lately.

We end the podcast by looking at who might be on the roster next season, especially with a top-3 pick nearly locked up after another Grizzlies victory last night. T.J. Warren might not be as much of a lock as it seems based on his price tag and scoring production.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/25/18: Orlando and Cleveland losses reignite Chriss-Bender debate Mar 25, 2018

On today’s episode, we recapped the Suns’ two most recent games, both losses, to the Orlando Magic and Cleveland Cavaliers.

For about half the episode, we dove back into a debate we thought had passed: Whether the Suns should prioritize Dragan Bender or Marquese Chriss this offseason. If one were to move, who would we rather see go?

We also looked at how Josh Jackson has looked as the team’s primary initiator with T.J. Warren and Devin Booker out during this back-to-back. How has he looked compared with Elfrid Payton?

Finally, another look at the coaching search after an interesting Elite Eight battle between Jay Wright and Chris Beard earlier today. Does Beard make sense as a second-tier candidate for the Suns’ job?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/22/18: Previewing the Sweet 16 draft prospects Mar 22, 2018

On today’s episode, in anticipation of the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight this weekend, we broke down all the first-round prospects to watch as the Suns mull their options with likely three first-round picks this June.

Marvin Bagley III and Wendell Carter Jr. at Duke have cemented themselves in the top 10, but which fits better in Phoenix? Which is a better overall prospect? How does Mikal Bridges fit into the mix at the end of the top 10, and can he do anything this weekend to raise his stock?

Additionally, Zhaire Smith and Texas Tech play Purdue tomorrow night, and Smith has an opportunity to vault even higher into the first-round after nearly posting a triple-double in the second round against Florida.

Which of these guys would you trade up for?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/21/18: The tank race and coaching search heat up Mar 21, 2018

On today’s episode, we look at how the Suns’ coaching staff went with a more balanced rotation Tuesday night against Detroit, with T.J. Warren and Devin Booker injured. The Suns lost, 115-88, but giving those young players time over the final 10 games will be important.

We looked at how the youngsters performed given the opportunity, including Davon Reed and Josh Jackson. Plus, we discussed the chances of the front office shutting down Warren and/or Booker for the remainder of the season after coach Jay Triano implied this week that it was not his decision.

Finally, after Marc Stein’s report in a New York Times newsletter this week that Villanova coach Jay Wright and Utah assistant Igor Kokoskov were the Suns’ top candidates, we take stock of the coaching situation around the league. How does Triano stack up as a candidate after the team’s struggles this season?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/18/18: Discussing Josh Jackson's career night, the tank race, and March Madness Mar 18, 2018

On today's episode of Locked On Suns, Evan and Brendon ran through a lot of topics. Not only did we chat about Josh Jackson's breakout performance -- 36 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block -- but also how the likes of Marquese Chriss, Troy Daniels, and T.J. Warren played off of Jackson's infectious energy.

Is it time to start Jackson over Warren? Will Davon Reed ever play? It's nearing that time.

After Memphis snapped their 19-game losing streak, Phoenix now sits tied with them for best odds to land the No. 1 pick. We also ran through Memphis' upcoming schedule to see who will create distance.

In the end, we quickly ran through what's stood out to us so far in March Madness. Is this a worst-case scenario playing out from a scouting point of view? Both Evan and Brendon came away impressed with Kentucky's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Do any names make sense in a trade-up scenario with their Miami and Milwaukee picks in the mid-first, which are looking likely convey? There are plenty who fit the billing and named off a few we liked most.

We should get Josh on Locked On Suns more often for these career nights, right?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/16/18: An exclusive 1-on-1 with Josh Jackson Mar 16, 2018

This has been in the works for awhile, and it’s finally happening. On today’s episode of Locked On Suns, I was joined by a very special guest in Josh Jackson.

We bounced around on plenty of subjects related to his rookie season, how he plans to improve this summer, an up-close view of when Devin Booker gets scorching hot, and much, much more in our 25-minute interview right outside the Suns' practice court.

They switched locations last minute so I was unable to get to your reader questions without my laptop in front of me but this is well worth a listen as Jackson had plenty of intriguing answers littered throughout our discussion.

Hope you enjoyed this as much as I did, and make sure to subscribe on iTunes! This is the first of a lot of exclusive content with players that will be going on all throughout this offseason.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/15/18: Twitter Mailbag Mar 15, 2018

On today’s episode, we touched briefly on the Suns’ 116-88 loss to the Utah Jazz before diving into a Twitter mailbag.

Earlier in the day, we asked for questions over on our @LockedOnPhxSuns handle and you sent in some solid questions. We answered four of those questions, touching on topics from the draft, Marquese Chriss’trade value, and the Suns’ tanking strategy.

Excuse us if our brains seem scrambled, as we recorded shortly after Buffalo finished throttling Arizona in the first round of the NCAA tournament, ending any hope of a long, Deandre Ayton-led March run.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/14/18: Every loss looks the same Mar 14, 2018

On today’s episode, we took a look at the Suns’ 129-107 loss to the Cavaliers at home, after which Devin Booker said that the team has been “babied” and “spoiled.”

We talked about whether or not we agree with Booker’s comments, what can be done to fix this team for the remaining 13 games of the season, and what it says about coach Jay Triano’s future that this team has performed so miserably game after game.

Finally, we talked about how the Suns’ trajectory stacks up to that of the Cavaliers and Warriors, considering the Suns are playing the past two champions at home within the span of a week. What is the next step toward that championship level?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/11/18: Mock drafting the first 16 picks Mar 11, 2018

On today’s episode, we ran through the lottery, mock draft style. To keep things interesting and include some extra Suns analysis, we stretched the mock all the way to No. 16, where the Miami Heat pick is currently slotted.

The main questions we looked at: Who is the top selection between Luka Doncic and Deandre Ayton? What are some of the best fits overall in the lottery? What do the Suns do with their other two first-rounders?

The Suns came away with Doncic, Daniel Gafford, and Lonnie Walker IV. We discuss how we would feel if that was indeed the haul this June.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/10/18: Shorthanded Suns fall to Hornets, 122-115 Mar 11, 2018

On today's episode of Locked On Suns, Evan and Brendon recap the Suns' 20th loss in their last 22 as they fell this time to Charlotte, 122-115.

We discussed our main takeaways from Saturday's defeat, which saw Phoenix shorthanded as Devin Booker, Josh Jackson, and T.J. Warren were all held out with injuries.

Not only did Shaquille Harrison continue to break down the door of opportunity with a career-best outing, but Davon Reed and Tyler Ulis (a double-double after DNP's for a month) also shined on this afternoon.

From a negative standpoint, Elfrid Payton had his third consecutive subpar outing. In his 10 starts with Phoenix, he has a total plus-minus of -152. The second-worst Sun after Payton is Jackson at -96. That is a -52 difference!

What does this say about Payton and his future in Phoenix as he continues to slump this past week?

Also, the co-hosts chatted about Dragan Bender, who came alive in the second half from beyond the arc. However, we ask the question about how unique of a situation this is with a top-five pick. Bender is slow developing, specifically as a driver to the rim, but is this going too slow?

Finally, we talked about one main prospect this week: Collin Sexton of Alabama.

As he continues to shine in March, Sexton's name will likely be one that rises in the general public's eye up until the draft. We weighed on his overall ceiling plus his fit alongside Booker in Phoenix.

Is he a possible trade-up candidate? How does he compare to other point guards like Shai Gilegous-Alexander and De'Anthony Melton?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/8/18: Another loss to OKC and draft sleepers Mar 08, 2018

On today’s episode, we quickly recapped an ugly loss to the Thunder, in which Devin Booker again scored 30 points but the Suns fell, 115-87.

T.J. Warren missed the game due to injury and Josh Jackson left at halftime after a 1-8 start, meaning the entire scoring burden fell on Booker. He was shockingly efficient in spite of all that, but no one was able to support him, and the Oklahoma City armada over-powered the Suns’ defense.

After that, we looked at how the tank race has changed since we last recorded. The Suns sit half a game behind Memphis for the No. 1 lottery spot.

Finally, we each gave two draft sleepers to consider based on the Suns’ interest in the depth of this year’s class.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/8/18: Another loss to OKC and draft sleepers Mar 08, 2018

On today’s episode, we quickly recapped an ugly loss to the Thunder, in which Devin Booker again scored 30 points but the Suns fell, 115-87.

T.J. Warren missed the game due to injury and Josh Jackson left at halftime after a 1-8 start, meaning the entire scoring burden fell on Booker. He was shockingly efficient in spite of all that, but no one was able to support him, and the Oklahoma City armada over-powered the Suns’ defense.

After that, we looked at how the tank race has changed since we last recorded. The Suns sit half a game behind Memphis for the No. 1 lottery spot.

Finally, we each gave two draft sleepers to consider based on the Suns’ interest in the depth of this year’s class.

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LOCKED ON SUNS: Three-Quarter Stock Reports Mar 06, 2018

On today’s episode, we dove deep on the key players in #TheTimeline, stock report style, as we have throughout the season.

The last quarter encompasses 24 games, in which the Suns went 3-21. However, many of the young players made legitimate progress despite not winning many games at all.

Devin Booker has turned into one of the more consistent and efficient scorers in the NBA during his age-21 season.

Elfrid Payton has changed the rhythm of this team completely since joining at the trade deadline. Since his arrival, the Suns’ pace is nearly three possessions higher per game.

Josh Jackson slowed way down in January and February, and he has become an effective two-way player thanks to a ton of in-season improvement.

T.J. Warren returned to his inconsistent ways, thanks in some part to injury and a change of role. How do we feel about his extension going forward?

Dragan Bender is on his way to becoming an elite two-way role player. Is that a ceiling we can accept for the former No. 4 overall pick?

Finally, we looked at the coaching situation heading into the offseason. With March Madness coming up and Luka Doncic lingering at the top of the draft, where should the Suns’ coach come from?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/6/18: Heat bludgeon Suns on the second night of a back-to-back, 125-103 Mar 06, 2018

On today’s episode of Locked On Suns, Evan and Brendon recap the Suns’ 125-103 loss in Miami. After coming up short in Atlanta on Sunday afternoon, this result was to be expected against a stronger opponent. We examined our main takeaways from this outcome.

Devin Booker once again put together another 30+ point outing, which is his 21st such occurrence in 51 total games. He’s the only player in the league right now who scores 30 greater than 40% of the time he steps foot on the court.

This game was a prime example of Booker showing up yet his teammates failing to produce alongside him, which has been the case in many Suns blowout losses.

Not only did the co-hosts discuss Booker, but also the performances of T.J. Warren, Dragan Bender, Marquese Chriss, and many more.

After recapping Phoenix’s 18th loss in their last 20 games, we quickly looked at the reverse standings. If the Suns ended up with Deandre Ayton, does his severe lack of rim protection instincts deter them at all near the top?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/4/18: Phoenix loses to Atlanta, but it might turn into a long-term win Mar 04, 2018

On today’s episode of Locked On Suns, Evan and Brendon recap Phoenix’s 113-112 loss on the road to the Atlanta Hawks. Taurean Prince hit a game-winning three with seconds on the clock, and Devin Booker wasn’t able to answer on the next possession at the buzzer.

Even though Booker had a cold first half that saw him with more turnovers than points, he settled down to help propel the Suns’ offense late when needed most. He finished with 20 points while his running mate, T.J. Warren was scorching.

Warren scored 35 or more for the third time this season as he ended up reaching that threshold alongside 4 rebounds. He was efficient and is creating a nice on-court chemistry with Elfrid Payton.

Speaking of Payton, he recorded his second triple-double in only his ninth start as a member of the Suns. That also includes five double-doubles over that timeframe. The former Orlando Magic guard continues to impress in Phoenix, so will this have an impact on general manager Ryan McDonough decision if this continues?

We discussed that, plus much more (hello, Marquese Chriss!) in a losing effort that could turn into a long-term win if they vault up to a top pick come May 15.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/3/18: Discussing what a competitive loss to OKC means for the future Mar 03, 2018

On today’s episode, we recapped the Suns’ home loss to the Thunder, 124-116. What can we take from the team’s recent competitiveness?

The ongoing debate between Josh Jackson and TJ Warren reared its head again last night as Jackson was, surprisingly, the more efficient scorer and clearly the more impactful defender. Are we going to see a change in role soon for either of these two?

The backcourt of Devin Booker and Elfrid Payton continues to play well and the two are building chemistry on the court. We discussed how our feelings about Payton as a long-term piece have changed (or not changed).

Finally, a recap of the projected first-round draft order. The Suns could have three picks in the top 16 this summer — does their play over the last two weeks alter the perspective on how they should use those assets?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/1/18: Recapping a fun win over the Grizzlies Mar 01, 2018

On today’s episode, we discuss the Suns’ 110-102 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies, in which Devin Booker posted his third straight 30-point performance and Josh Jackson notched his career-high with 29 of his own.

What has made Jackson so much more effective lately? Is there more truth than we think about the idea of a player learning and adjusting to the NBA game during his rookie season?

Then, a quick run through some of the other players who helped lead the team to its first February victory last night: Dragan Bender’s defense on Marc Gasol, and Shaquille Harrison’s energetic 18 minutes.

Finally, what does the team’s success without T.J. Warren and Tyler Ulis mean going forward? Is it time to move Warren to the bench? Will Ulis stay in Phoenix next season if a G-League player on a 10-day contract can steal his minutes so quickly?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/28/18: Marquese Chriss, draft sleepers, and a quick Memphis preview Feb 28, 2018

On today’s episode, we ran through the quote that Scott Bordow of the Arizona Republic tweeted, in which Marquese Chriss went into detail about his mentality before the All-Star break. We discussed what it might mean for Chriss going forward and what he can do to get right.

We also went back and forth on a couple mid-to-late first-round sleepers in the 2018 draft, including SMU guard Shake Milton and Ohio State forward Keita Bates-Diop. The Suns are in a good position to add an instant contributor with one of their picks from 15-40.

Finally, we gave our thoughts on the Grizzlies-Suns matchup a few hours before tip-off. Each team is trying to snap a gross 10-game losing streak.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/27/18: Anthony Davis hands Phoenix their 10th straight loss Feb 28, 2018

What a game Monday, right? Two former Kentucky Wildcats — Devin Booker and Anthony Davis — put on a show in New Orleans as the Pelicans handed the Suns their 10th straight loss 125-116.

Booker nearly posted his first career triple-double in historic fashion as he tallied 40 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists while shooting 50% from the field. However, Davis trumped him with an even more dominant performance. The Brow collected a stat line of 53 points, 17 rebounds, and 5 blocks.

Maybe the most impressive thing Davis did last night was foul out three Suns players in the process. Dragan Bender, Marquese Chriss, and Alex Len all played 25 minutes or less due to Davis’ dominance.

Outside of the Booker-Davis duel, I also touched on how the rest of the roster looked but more specifically Elfrid Payton, T.J. Warren, Josh Jackson, and Bender.

With Brendon not available, I actually ran this episode solo so he threw in his two cents throughout.

I had to ask the question about Davis, though. How would he look next to Booker in Phoenix? Would you trade the No. 1 pick for him if Davis ever asked out this summer? As I mentioned in today's episode, I totally would. I have a hard time seeing how that duo fails if they are together for 7-10 years.

In the end, I quickly discussed a sleeper prospect to watch out for with the Miami pick and that’s Creighton guard Khyri Thomas. On my big board, which will be updated and released later this week, sits right outside the lottery at No. 15.

Make sure to subscribe on iTunes, and leave a review to let us know your thoughts!

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/25/18: Our takeaways from Phoenix's latest loss Feb 25, 2018

On today’s episode of Locked On Suns, Evan and Brendon recap the Suns’ 106-104 loss to Portland.

From the litany of topics we dissected included a quick chat about Devin Booker returning to his normal role, and increasing his perimeter output. How has Elfrid Payton changed the floor spacing for him?

With another 30 point effort last night, Booker now has 17 such instances so far this season. Another interesting note to follow here is that in three games with Payton as his backcourt partner, Booker has attempted 11 3s on average.

Also, we looked at another change that took place in their guard rotation. Shaquille Harrison, who is on a 10-day contract from the NAZ Suns, once again took Tyler Ulis’ usual minutes. Harrison even saw crunch-time minutes and nearly converted a game-sealing steal on Damian Lillard, who finished with 40 himself including a game-winner with 0.9 seconds.

Are we approaching the end of Ulis in Phoenix? If so, how did we get here from last April? His contract next season is not guaranteed, so it’s plausible that they have already decided to move in a different direction.

Make sure to subscribe and stay tuned for more Suns draft coverage as March Madness begins in a few weeks.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/24/18: Discussing another double-digit loss to the Clippers and Deandre Ayton Feb 24, 2018

In today’s episode, we discussed the Suns’ 128-117 home loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday night, as well as a report implicating Arizona coach Sean Miller in the FBI’s NCAA corruption investigation.

The Suns had a hollow 117 points trying to claw back from an early 20-point deficit (sound familiar?) at home against the Clippers. They allowed 65 combined points to Tobias Harris and Lou Williams, once again showing a complete lack of defensive energy. And it was one of the worst games in a while from the Dragan Bender-Marquese Chriss frontcourt.

What gives?

And what does the investigation mean for Miller and Deandre Ayton, and for college basketball going forward?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/22/18: Will Kawhi Leonard's fraying relationship with the Spurs lead to action by Phoenix? Feb 22, 2018

On today’s episode of Locked On Suns, Evan and Brendon discuss the latest reports out of San Antonio via ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

As the relationship between Kawhi Leonard and the Spurs has seemingly headed south related to his recovery on a season-long quad injury, this opens the door for Leonard possibly wanting out this summer.

If that’s the case and he’s the next to follow in Kyrie Irving’s footsteps in terms of the next superstar asking out, is this the perfect time for Phoenix to swing for the fences? What's the best trade package Phoenix could offer San Antonio this summer?

Also, we discussed three prospects in-depth after our Kawhi discussion: Wendell Carter Jr., Mikal Bridges, and Michael Porter Jr. Evan believes Carter Jr. could have been in the discussion to be a top-five selection if he never played alongside Marvin Bagley III.

As we found out earlier today, Porter Jr. has been medically cleared by doctors after his back surgery in November. How does this change our boards, if at all?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/21/18: Aaron Gordon joins the list of potential Suns targets Feb 21, 2018

In today’s episode, we discuss Sporting News writer Sean Deveney’s report on Aaron Gordon’s pending free agency, in which he names the Suns as a potential suitor.

Deveney points to the fact that Gordon attended college for one season at Arizona as one reason Gordon might be interested in a return to the state. On the other hand, the Suns stack up as an interesting match because of their ability to create tons of cap room compared to the rest of the league.

Does the pairing make sense? What does the rumor tell us about the Suns’ place in this summer’s free agency market?

Finally, we discuss the top stories to watch as the Suns begin the final third of their season on Friday night at home.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/17/18: Devin Booker wins the JBL Three-Point Contest - Immediate Reaction Feb 17, 2018

Devin Booker is the NBA Three-Point champion.

On tonight’s quick episode, we talk about how fun it is to finally see a Sun represented among the league’s top players.

As small an accomplishment as this may seem to be, setting the all-time single-round record in the contest and taking home a hulking trophy is awesome, in a season where there hasn’t been a ton to get excited about.

We wanted to get an episode up before Twitter breaks down into another no-holds-barred Booker vs. Donovan Mitchell debate with Mitchell in the dunk contest, so it was a quick one.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/16/18: Scouting Bamba, Bagley, and JJJ Feb 16, 2018

With the All-Star break upon us, we took the time today to bridge the gap until Devin Booker’s 3-point contest performance with some draft talk.

Marvin Bagley is one of the most productive players in all of college basketball this season, leading a disjointed Duke roster to a promising season and maintaining his stock as one of the top available big men in this year’s draft.

Jaren Jackson Jr. has made the most of limited opportunities under Michigan State coach Tom Izzo and finally looks to be turning the corner after an explosive performance against Minnesota this week.

Mohamed Bamba has grown into a dominant rim protector and potential floor-spacer this year on a thin Texas roster, but questions remain about his motor and passion.

Which of these three is the better overall prospect? Which fits best in Phoenix? That and more in this peek at the top of the 2018 draft.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/15/18: Another loss and Marquese Chriss's unhappiness Feb 15, 2018

Brendon and Evan recap Wednesday’s loss to the Jazz, which showed just how big a difference Devin Booker’s presence in the lineup can make. The Suns’ star guard got hot from behind the arc and it was actually fun to watch the Suns again.

New point guard Elfrid Payton had a triple-double in his third game with the Suns. Does his recent play change how the Suns view the draft or the offseason? Should it?

Finally, the hosts discussed an interview Marquese Chriss gave to the Arizona Republic’s Scott Bordow earlier this week. Chriss was at a loss for words trying to describe his mood and rhythm since returning from a January injury. What do we make of his comments?

And at the end, some typical draft chatter as we prepare for Arizona-ASU Part II in the Valley tonight.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/13/18: Deep Dive on Elfrid Payton Feb 13, 2018

On today’s episode of Locked On Suns, cohosts Brendon and Evan discuss the trajectory of Elfrid Payton’s career as it touches down in Phoenix.

There’s no better person to join them in that discussion than Philip Rossman-Reich, the managing editor of FanSided’s Orlando Magic blog and the host of Locked On Magic.

The discussion begins with general observations about Payton’s growth as a defender, shooter, and leader and how it was stunted by the constant change and turmoil in Orlando. The hosts try their best to imagine whether it will be different in Phoenix, and how Payton will look next to Devin Booker.

Finally, Philip compares stories of the Magic’s rebuild to that of Phoenix. Are veteran leaders valuable? Is fit between players required?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/11/18: Josh Jackson and Dragan Bender are prime candidates for post All-Star breakouts Feb 11, 2018

On today’s episode of Locked On Suns, Evan and Brendon recap the Phoenix Suns’ 123-113 loss to the Nuggets on Saturday night.

Not only did we witness the debut of Elfrid Payton, but it led to T.J. Warren, Dragan Bender, and Josh Jackson having great performances. Warren led the Suns with 31 points, but the Suns’ top two picks in 2016 and 2017 continue towards likely breakouts here soon.

Jackson ended his night with 20 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, and 4 blocks while Bender tallied a career-high 23 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks, and 3 three-pointers made.

We went more in-depth on Phoenix’s loss, especially the play out of Payton, Warren, Jackson, and Bender.

What were our main takeaways as they head towards a trip to Golden State on Monday?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/2/18: Instant reaction to Elfrid Payton trade Feb 08, 2018

The Suns on Thursday traded the Memphis Grizzlies’ second-round pick for fourth-year point guard Elfrid Payton. It wasn’t exactly a groundbreaking move, but nevertheless, your faithful hosts convened for a quick recap.

First, Brendon and Evan discussed how little the move costs the Suns. The outgoing second-round pick arrived in Phoenix just five months ago, attached to Troy Daniels in a deal during training camp. Now, it becomes Payton.

Another angle of the deal is Payton’s contract. He will be a restricted free agent after the season, meaning the Suns can match any offer sheet he signs on the open market. What advantages does that bring the team?

Finally, the Suns’ desperate need for a point guard was on full display in last night’s loss, so how does the addition of Payton affect their ability to compete on the court?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/6/18: 2018 NBA Draft MegaPod with Cole Zwicker and Kellan Olson, Part 1 Feb 07, 2018

On today's episode of Locked On Suns, we have a very special episode for you. Evan was joined by Cole Zwicker from The Stepien and Kellan Olson from Arizona Sports 98.7 to discuss the 2018 Draft.

We discussed a multitude of secondary ball handlers in Part 1, including prospects such as Jevon Carter, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Shake Milton.

We also recapped Oklahoma vs. West Virginia. What stood out in Trae Young's 32-point performance?

Near the end of Part 1, we started to do thorough, in-depth prospect dives on the top seven prospects.

Enjoy this one first, as Part 2 will feature more breakdowns of prospects the Suns could possibly take near the top of the draft.

It's 2 hour NBA Draft MegaPod time!

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/6/18: 2018 NBA Draft MegaPod with Cole Zwicker and Kellan Olson, Part 2 Feb 06, 2018

In Part 2 of Locked On Suns NBA Draft MegaPod with The Stepien's Cole Zwicker and Arizona Sports 98.7's Kellan Olson went in-depth on the top prospects.

We looked at the following names and broke down their profile and overall fit in Phoenix: Jaren Jackson Jr., Marvin Bagley III, Mohamed Bamba, Deandre Ayton, Luka Doncic, Trae Young, and Michael Porter Jr.

Also, how should the Suns use their assets and attack this important summer? Cole and Kellan are given the keys to the Suns and try to fix it. Do they like the idea of Avery Bradley being pursued by them in free agency, too?

Enjoy Part 2 of our 2018 NBA Draft MegaPod!

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/5/18: Recapping the weekend's games Feb 05, 2018

Over the weekend, the Suns lost two games in disappointing fashion, dropping their record to 18-41 with the trade deadline looming this Thursday.

Altogether, the losses were by a combined 47 points, marking one of the worse two-game stretches by the team all year. There were two main positives:

Josh Jackson’s streak of 20 point games increased to four, marking the best week of his young career by far.Dragan Bender took advantage of heavy minutes in each game to flash a lot of the offensive tools that made him such an intriguing prospect two summers ago.On the negative side, it mostly came down to defense and Devin Booker. Booker appears to be struggling mightily with two abdominal injuries, and the hosts discussed whether it makes sense to shut him down for the five remaining games heading into the All-Star break.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/3/18: Sporting News' NBA Draft writer Chris Stone joins the show Feb 03, 2018

On today’s episode of Locked On Suns, we decided to split it up. In Part 1 of our draft discussions, Brendon went solo and talked to Chris Stone of Sporting News.

Brendon and Chris chatted about names who make sense with their Miami pick, including prospects such as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Landry Shamet, and Shake Milton who fit the mold of ball handlers alongside Devin Booker.

Then, they quickly discussed Chris’ board at the top, which featured the likes of Luka Doncic, Marvin Bagley III, and Deandre Ayton. Who is Chris’ favorite fit for Phoenix?

Chris also watches a lot of Kansas Jayhawks basketball, so they talked about Josh Jackson’s improvements as of late.

This was a really informative episode on the latest draft prospects, so tune in.

On Monday, Evan will be joined by The Stepien’s Cole Zwicker for Part 2.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/2/18: Recapping the Suns' win over Dallas + preview of Jazz matchup Feb 02, 2018

On today’s episode of Locked On Suns, Evan and Brendon recap the Suns’ 102-88 win over Dallas in primetime Wednesday. Then, we looked ahead to what we predict will be a fun battle against Utah.

During our recap, we discussed Josh Jackson’s continued strong play, an update on Devin Booker at point guard, and possible trade scenarios involving Aaron Gordon.

According to Michael Scotto of The Athletic, Orlando is quietly gauging Gordon’s trade value.

Do the co-hosts believe Gordon is the right piece long-term in Phoenix? Would they even give him a max contract? We looked towards possible scenarios, but Orlando will be asking a heavy price before he hits restricted free agency this summer.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/30/18: Grizzlies recap, Avery Bradley/Blake Griffin news, mock draft Jan 30, 2018

The Suns lost, predictably, to the Grizzlies on Monday night, 120-109. Brendon and Evan touch on why it was more of the same for the Suns in Memphis, minus Devin Booker and Marquese Chriss. We also break down another 20-point performance for Josh Jackson.

We also discussed two NBA breaking news pieces concerning from yesterday and how they relate to the Suns’ team-building pursuits. First, John Gambadoro’s report that the Suns will target Avery Bradley in free agency this summer. Also, what Blake Griffin being traded to Detroit means for the Suns.

Finally, ahead of Evan’s first mock draft for Bright Side, we mocked the lottery, including the Suns pick at No. 3 overall.

This is a must-listen if you want all the latest on the Suns and draft prospects Phoenix could select this summer.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/28/18: Ryan McDonough plans to move #TheTimeline forward Jan 29, 2018

On today’s episode of Locked On Suns, Evan and Brendon spent the first half talking about Phoenix’s loss in Houston.

We touched on not only Devin Booker’s first career 30 point, 10 assist game but covered it from all angles related to the main core pieces of #TheTimeline.

Over the second portion of this podcast, we discussed Scott Bordow’s exclusive interview with Suns general manager Ryan McDonough. With the emergences of Booker and T.J. Warren, McDonough believes it’s time to be more aggressive this summer compared to previous seasons.

The co-hosts chatted on a multitude of topics, including how Warren and Josh Jackson will fit long-term alongside how Phoenix can shed contracts for cap space. Keep an eye on Tyson Chandler, Jared Dudley, and Troy Daniels over the next few weeks if they want to exceed over $45 million in room this summer.

How should the Suns not only attack this year’s trade deadline but the summer and moving forward?

It’s safe to say we are finally approaching McDonough’s all-in move.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/27/18: Suns face a turning point in their season Jan 27, 2018

The Suns lost again last night, but these days that’s just not newsworthy enough to be the focal point of a Locked On discussion.

After briefly swinging through the reasons for a 107-85 loss at home to the Knicks on Friday night, Brendon and Evan discuss the bigger news of the evening: Devin Booker becoming the starting point guard. He struggled in his debut in that role, scoring just 12 points on 12 shots. But what can that lineup change do for the team going forward?

(Yes we touched on the Kanter-Dudley Twitter beef.)

Finally, the co-hosts break down a fabulous Saturday of college basketball, including the Collin Sexton-Trae Young battle and big games for Mohamed Bamba and Marvin Bagley. How are the point guard and big man classes looking for the 2018 draft?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/25/18: The Fan Panel Jan 26, 2018

On today’s episode, Brendon and Evan were joined by Kris and Max, two Suns fans they know from Twitter, about several different topics.

First, they touched oh-so-briefly on tonight’s blowout at the hands of the Indiana Pacers, a loss not worth discussing much at all. Indiana did exactly what they did in Phoenix two weeks ago, dissecting the Suns’ perimeter defense on their way to a huge win.

Next, Brendon and Evan traded off questions about the team’s future, allowing Kris and Max to step into GM Ryan McDonough’s shoes for a few decisions about the team’s future. Who is the best building block for the team moving forward -- Dragan Bender? Marquese Chriss? Josh Jackson?

Is Devin Booker’s real co-pilot available in the 2018 draft, and if so who is it? All four weighed in.

Note: I want to point audio was a little shaky at some points, especially with Max, due to poor WiFi connection on Google Hangouts. Apologies for the cut-outs for mere seconds at points a few times in advance, but it settled down after first few minutes.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/22/18: Turnovers plague the Suns once again in loss to Bucks Jan 22, 2018

On today's episode of Locked On Suns, Evan and Brendon recap the Suns' 109-105 loss in Milwaukee. After firing Jason Kidd a few hours before tip, the Bucks were able to pull it out but not without Phoenix being bitten by the turnover bug yet again.

Through the first of the episode, we discussed our biggest takeaways for the Suns. This led to the point guard discussion and Tyler Ulis' poor play of late, seeing him attempt 0 shots and Isaiah Canaan takes the majority of second-half minutes.

With the increasing likelihood we see Brandon Knight next year, what's that about to look like next to Devin Booker? We tried to make sense of the point guard situation, which we believe heavily relies on how the ping pong balls play out in May.

Also, we brought up Adrian Wojnarowski's report of rumored friction between Kawhi Leonard and the Spurs. How does this relate to the Suns? Is it something to monitor moving forward if you're general manager Ryan McDonough?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/20/18: Suns pull off an all-around team win in Denver Jan 20, 2018

On today's episode of Locked On Suns, Evan and Brendon recap Phoenix’s 108-100 victory over the Nuggets.

We touched on Devin Booker, T.J. Warren, Josh Jackson, and the current point guard situation for them. Should Point Book just continue to blossom with Canaan and Ulis primarily off-ball?

Since Booker returned to the lineup, he has five instances of 30-5-5 games already. That leads the NBA, with Russell Westbrook right behind him with four.

also, we quickly previewed the upcoming contest against Milwaukee. Without Giannis Antetokounmpo once again, can the Suns steal another one on the road?

Listen in, and make sure to subscribe!

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/19/18: With Kemba Walker placed on the trading block, should the Suns pursue? Jan 19, 2018

On today’s episode of Locked On Suns, Evan and Brendon discuss ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski’s report of Kemba Walker being officially placed on the trade block. With the Hornets looking to shed cap space while pressing the full-scale rebuild button, Walker plans to be their main piece in whoever helps reshuffle their roster.

For the first 25 minutes, we brought up a lot of angles from a Phoenix perspective. Outside of the Knicks, Pacers, and Clippers, we believe Phoenix is definitely in the running for Walker if they so desire.

First, what would the Suns have to give up? We discussed what value we believe Walker has league-wide, as well as what could intrigue Charlotte. Also, we brought up the inevitable question: Marquese Chriss or Dragan Bender? Who would you rather keep if one has to be shipped away sometime soon?

General manager Ryan McDonough will have a tough decision to make. Keep with the plan of possibly acquiring another top-five pick or trade for Walker and bring Booker some immediate help?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/15/18: Recapping the Suns' Bright Side Night defeat + James Jones' exclusive interview Jan 15, 2018

On today's episode of Locked On Suns, Evan and Brendon recap the Suns' 120-97 loss to the Pacers on Bright Side Night.

By the way, thanks to everyone donating. We sent 2,100 underprivileged children to their first NBA game, so that's awesome!

We gave our takeaways from Sunday's matchup (hello, Josh Jackson!), but also spent the last 30 or so minutes of the podcast discussing our chat with Vice President of Basketball Operations James Jones.

He was surprisingly open about a lot of current situations, so we gave our thoughts on that. Jones touched on the draft, Booker at PG, future team building ideas, and plenty more.

Also, we looked ahead for the Suns as they begin a tough stretch up until the end of January. How will it go for the league's youngest rotation?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/13/18: Phoenix falls to Houston 112-95 Jan 13, 2018

On today's episode of Locked On Suns, Evan and Brendon recap the Suns' 17-point loss to Houston on Friday. For the second consecutive time, the Suns have been blown out by the Rockets on national television.

We discussed the point guard situation for the Suns. With Isaiah Canaan returning Sunday, how should Jay Triano divvy out the minutes? Will Point Book be expanded upon with less Tyler Ulis? There are some ideas we thought of.

Also, we looked at the overall construction of Houston. The Suns not only are one step away, but multiple, including developmental jumps from Marquese Chriss, Dragan Bender, and Josh Jackson as Brendon pointed out.

Finally, we looked at the monstrous performances from Trae Young, Marvin Bagley III, and Deandre Ayton on Saturday. (Hint: This draft class is turning out to be rather important for the Suns' future.) In the end, we played a hypothetical scenario, too. If Luka Doncic and Ayton are the first two off the board and Phoenix lands at No. 3, who do they select? Young? Bagley? Bamba?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/11/18: Prospect talks on secondary ball handlers and wings Jan 11, 2018

On today's episode of Locked On Suns, Evan and Brendon discuss more prospects. This time, we look more towards possible names who could be selected, if they end up keeping Miami's first-round pick.

The best fits for Devin Booker could be a secondary ball handler with defensive acumen. We talked about all of the following names in this category: Trevon Duval, Troy Brown, Bruce Brown, Hamidou Diallo, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Shake Milton, Landry Shamet, Jevon Carter, Rawle Alkins, and De'Anthony Melton.

This led to a discussion about the red-hot Heat squad, winners of six straight. If the Heat continues to win, should the Suns deal it for a win-now piece? Also, is the 2021 Miami pick Phoenix's "Golden Goose" asset at the moment?

Going back into some prospects, we ended it with two wings who could be possible fits in the 8-12 range: Mikal Bridges and Kevin Knox. If Phoenix continues towards a positionless movement, which sees Devin Booker as the primary ball handler, either one of these names makes sense.

Also, in the beginning, we went over the Suns' injury news revolving around Marquese Chriss (hip flexor) and Josh Jackson (strained hip) for Friday's tilt with Houston on ESPN.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/9/18: Halfway Stock Reports Jan 09, 2018

On this episode of Locked On Suns, Evan and Brendon recap the last 20 games in our second of four stock reports.

We analyzed all of the following players, including Jay Triano: Devin Booker, T.J. Warren, Josh Jackson, Dragan Bender, and Marquese Chriss.

On all of them, we took in-depth analytical dives while looking at their latest trends over certain portions of this stretch. Booker was only apart of 10/19 games with an adductor injury.

So, how did the grades end up?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/8/18: Josh Jackson and Dragan Bender break out against OKC Jan 08, 2018

On today's episode of Locked On Suns, Evan and Brendon recap the Suns' best win of the season, 114-100, over Oklahoma City. In the process, we saw #TheTimeline blossom with career-best performances from Josh Jackson and Dragan Bender.

We dived into both of their performances, alongside Devin Booker, TJ Warren, Tyler Ulis, and the short time Marquese Chriss was out there as well.

Speaking of Bender and Jackson, could these two as plus-passers for their positions really open it up for Booker in the season's second half if it continues to gel? Seemingly Jackson, Chriss, and Bender are all putting it together simultaneously, which is a great sign for the future.

We also debated how important the summer of 2018 is for Phoenix. If the Suns finish with 30-33 wins, do they become more attractive to the top tier of the free agent class? Both of us agreed, though, that trading up in the draft could be in the cards with how general manager Ryan McDonough has laid out his assets moving forward.

How does the Locked On Suns crew see the season's second half going for the Suns now after this past week? Will it sustain?

What do you think, listeners?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/5/18: Should the Suns take the James Harden approach in building around Devin Booker? Jan 06, 2018

On today’s episode of Locked On Suns, Evan and Brendon recap the Suns’ 103-89 loss in San Antonio. Without T.J. Warren (illness), Phoenix relied upon Devin Booker to carry even more of a heavier workload, which included backup point guard duties with Isaiah Canaan also out.

From the Spurs matchup, we touched on Josh Jackson, Marquese Chriss, Dragan Bender, Tyler Ulis and Booker’s performances.

Also, we discussed Kevin O’Connor’s great article on Booker over at The Ringer. Diving deeper into his points, is building the roster around the 21-year-old much like Houston did with James Harden the way to go?

One interesting stat to follow, Booker now is third (fourth if you still somehow consider Harden an SG) in games where he dishes out 5 or more assists. He has done so 16 times in 31 contests, which puts him on a playmaking-type trajectory many never expected this early. Only DeMar DeRozan (21) and Jimmy Butler (19) have done it more, albeit in more opportunities.

This is a must-listen if you want our last thoughts on #TheTimeline before our halfway stock reports, which take place this weekend.

What’s your grades for the young Suns core parts at the halfway mark, and would you go the Harden path with Booker if you are general manager Ryan McDonough?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/3/14: Recapping the loss in Denver, and how important is the 2018 draft to this core? Jan 04, 2018

On today’s episode of Locked On Suns, Evan is joined by special guest, Bright Side’s managing editor and overlord, Dave King!

This was a fun one, as we recapped the loss in Denver but then we also explored a multitude of topics.When will Greg Monroe be off the roster?Did we expect this jump from Devin Booker in Year 3?If Dave was in general manager Ryan McDonough’s shoes, what would he do to get Booker some help?Has Marquese Chriss finally turned the corner after a career-best 5-game stretch?How important is the 2018 draft class to this core’s future? Would you rather see them win 30 games with Booker or fall off to get a top 3 pick? (Dave brought up how Booker and Deandre Ayton could be a new age Kobe-Shaq and now it’s stuck in my head.)Expectations for the season’s second half with Phoenix

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/3/18: Suns stun Hawks after 12-point comeback in final minutes Jan 03, 2018

On today’s episode of Locked On Suns, Evan and Brendon recap the Suns’ 104-103 win Tuesday night over the Atlanta Hawks.

And what a win it turned out to be.

After being down 12 after a lethargic performance the first 42 minutes, Phoenix flipped the switch led by Devin Booker, T.J. Warren, and Marquese Chriss yet again.

We discussed Booker’s ascension even more and discussed how he will be kept out of the All-Star game (he can’t if this keeps up, right?). Since his return, he’s averaging 31-4-5 with elite efficiency.

Also, we touched on the Denver game tonight. Will Josh Jackson get some burn after Booker and Warren played heavy minutes? Jackson was a DNP-CD for the first time.

Make sure to subscribe!

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/1/18: Suns fall to Sixers after valiant comeback attempt led by Booker, Warren, and Chriss Jan 01, 2018

On today's episode of Locked On Suns, Evan and Brendon recap the Suns' 123-110 loss to Philadelphia. Even though it ended in a double-digit loss, the Suns erased an 18-point deficit to take the lead in the fourth quarter.

Devin Booker, T.J. Warren, and Marquese Chriss were discussed after strong performances. After possibly the best 3-game stretch of his career, is this finally sustainable for Chriss?

In the second half of the show, we discussed the draft's point guard crop. Names we touched on: Luka Doncic, Trae Young, Collin Sexton, and Trevon Duval. We both agree that Doncic is the best-case scenario while Young and Sexton are great fits, too.

Also, we did a quick preview of the Suns-Hawks game and discussed why Dennis Schroder isn't a smart pairing next to Booker long-term if traded for.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/30/17: Suns are winners of 5 of their last 7 after defeating the Kings Dec 30, 2017

On today's episode of Locked On Suns, Evan and Brendon Phoenix's win over Sacramento, which puts them at 14-23 on the season. With their next three against Philadelphia, Atlanta, and Denver, the Suns have a chance to be sitting at 9th out West if the chips fall how they may over the next week.

We focused on the performances of Devin Booker, Marquese Chriss, and T.J. Warren. Warren scored 26 which means the Suns are now 8-0 when he scores 25 or more points. Plus, is this Chriss' best two-game stint as a pro thus far?

After recapping the game, we dove into the dominant night Mo Bamba of Texas had. Evan made his case as to why Bamba would be a fit alongside a veteran backcourt of Kemba Walker + Booker. Also, how do Bamba, Deandre Ayton, and Marvin Bagley rank right now over the last few weeks since we discussed prospects extensively? The answers we gave might surprise you.

Also, we touched on this year's Bright Side Night, which is reaching a record amount this year. If you haven't donated yet, check out BrightSideOfTheSun.com for more information on this awesome tradition Dave King has put together (NBA.com/Suns/BrightSide).

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/27/17: Devin Booker returns as the Suns beat the Grizzlies again Dec 27, 2017

On today’s episode of Locked On Suns, Evan and Brendon dive into everything surrounding Devin Booker’s return to the Suns’ lineup. He picked up right where he left off before missing nine games with a left adductor strain, scoring 32 points and leading the Suns to a two-point home victory.

How did he fit into the rotation that Triano crafted in his absence?

We revisited Alex Len’s hot streak and wondered where Len ranks on this team. How has he been so consistent, and how has he improved? Is he perhaps more valuable to the team than T.J. Warren?

Finally, we considered the addition of Isaiah Canaan and the impact it has had on the rest of the lineup, especially the second unit. His play has been a key factor in Dragan Bender’s recent emergence, which continued last night against Memphis with a game-winning assist.

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Locked On Suns Christmas Special: Revisiting Evan's one-on-one with ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski Dec 25, 2017

Merry Christmas, everybody!

On today's special episode, we are going to go back toward right before training camp for a special interview.

Before Evan took over as the new host of Locked On Suns, he had a chance to speak with ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowksi about all things Suns on his own platform, BrightSidery.

For our nearly 40-minute discussion, we did a complete State of the Suns, looking at their current crop of young players (Devin Booker, Dragan Bender, Marquese Chriss, etc.) and then-head coach Earl Watson.

Woj is a big believer in Josh Jackson, so his recent struggles should leave you feeling a little better after hearing him discuss the former Kansas Jayhawk.

A quick reminder if you never heard it the first time around, Woj does not have a Skype account. This means, at points, his audio could be a little murky because I had to record off of the TapeACall app, but for most of the time, it was completely fine to me.

Happy Holidays, Suns fans, and enjoy this flashback one-on-one discussion with Woj and me!

Note: Brendon and I will bring you our thoughts on the last two games, including the recent Mike James / Isaiah Canaan news in our next episode tomorrow, so stay tuned!

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/22/17: Phoenix grinds out another win against Memphis Dec 22, 2017

On today’s episode of Locked On Suns, Evan and Brendon recap the Suns’ 97-95 win over Memphis.

Alongside that, we discussed how dominant the bench has been after inserting Isaiah Canaan over Mike James. With James, it was a plus-minus for the group at -3.4, but with Canaan, it is +12.3 (!!!).

Also, we discussed the Blender (Dragan Bender and Alex Len) once more. Should they be moved into the starting lineup or continue to dominant bench units?

There’s a lot of thoughts on many players in the rotation we unpacked during our near 30-minute episode, so tune in!

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LOCKED ON SUNS: Recapping another loss in Los Angeles Dec 21, 2017

On today’s episode of Locked On Suns, Brendon and Evan looked back on another ugly, Devin Booker-less loss on the road.

The Clippers rode Austin Rivers to a home victory, but despite struggling to defend Rivers, rookie Josh Jackson had one of his better performances. We looked at Jackson’s performance compared to his season overall.

We also discussed, once again, what type of change in the starting lineup might jump-start the offense. Is there any way Tyson Chandler leaves the starting lineup? We talked through the point guard rotation as well, even considering whether Isaiah Canaan might be an option with the starters.

Finally, we looked into possible trade scenarios for the Suns as their roster begins to take shape for the second half of the year. Is Greg Monroe on his way out after sitting three of the last four games? Might Kemba Walker be a target for the Suns if Charlotte continues to struggle?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/21/17: Recapping another loss in Los Angeles Dec 21, 2017

On today’s episode of Locked On Suns, Brendon and Evan looked back on another ugly, Devin Booker-less loss on the road.

The Clippers rode Austin Rivers to a home victory, but despite struggling to defend Rivers, rookie Josh Jackson had one of his better performances. We looked at Jackson’s performance compared to his season overall.

We also discussed, once again, what type of change in the starting lineup might jump-start the offense. Is there any way Tyson Chandler leaves the starting lineup? We talked through the point guard rotation as well, even considering whether Isaiah Canaan might be an option with the starters.

Finally, we looked into possible trade scenarios for the Suns as their roster begins to take shape for the second half of the year. Is Greg Monroe on his way out after sitting three of the last four games? Might Kemba Walker be a target for the Suns if Charlotte continues to struggle?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/21/17: Recapping another loss in Los Angeles Dec 21, 2017

On today’s episode of Locked On Suns, Brendon and Evan looked back on another ugly, Devin Booker-less loss on the road.

The Clippers rode Austin Rivers to a home victory, but despite struggling to defend Rivers, rookie Josh Jackson had one of his better performances. We looked at Jackson’s performance compared to his season overall.

We also discussed, once again, what type of change in the starting lineup might jump-start the offense. Is there any way Tyson Chandler leaves the starting lineup? We talked through the point guard rotation as well, even considering whether Isaiah Canaan might be an option with the starters.

Finally, we looked into possible trade scenarios for the Suns as their roster begins to take shape for the second half of the year. Is Greg Monroe on his way out after sitting three of the last four games? Might Kemba Walker be a target for the Suns if Charlotte continues to struggle?

Make sure to subscribe!

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/19/17: Have the Suns turned a corner following wins in Minnesota and Dallas? Dec 19, 2017

On today’s episode of Locked On Suns, we dove into the last two games for the Devin Booker-less Suns. How are the Suns succeeding without their top scorer and offensive focal point?

Specifically, we looked at Alex Len’s hot streak and how it affects the team’s long-term plans in the frontcourt. Then, we moved to his big man partner, Dragan Bender, and his performance over the weekend. We discuss whether the Timberwolves game was a turning point for him, or just another blip.

Finally, we spoke about the guard rotation, which has been upside-down since the Suns signed Isaiah Canaan a week ago. Mike James is out, Canaan is in, and Troy Daniels is scoring in bunches. We tried to make sense of it all, and discussed what might happen when Devin Booker (and Davon Reed) return to the lineup.

Thanks for listening, and make sure to subscribe!

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LOCKED ON SUNS: SI's Jeremy Woo joins us to discuss all things NBA Draft Dec 17, 2017

On today's episode of Locked On Suns, Evan and Brendon are joined by Sports Illustrated's Jeremy Woo to discuss all things NBA Draft.

We touched on all of the following prospects: Luka Doncic, Deandre Ayton, Marvin Bagley, Michael Porter, Trae Young, Troy Brown, Trevon Duval, Collin Sexton, Mohamed Bamba, Miles Bridges, Mikal Bridges, and more.

It's likely one or possibly two of those names are Suns come late June so this is a must-listen for everyone trying to get their latest draft fix.

We even put Jeremy in general manager Ryan McDonough's shoes for a couple questions and his answers might surprise you. (Ex: Which prospect would he put around Devin Booker to begin their ascent up the West?)

Enjoy, and make sure to subscribe!

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/14/17: Phoenix falls to 9-21 after 115-109 loss to Toronto Dec 14, 2017

On today’s episode of Locked On Suns, Evan and Brendon recap the Suns’ fifth straight loss, 10th in last 12 games.

After falling to 9-20, the Suns are quickly making up ground in the 2018 tank race alongside Chicago and Sacramento. We touched on that alongside the signings of Danuel House Jr. and Isaiah Canaan.

Also, how is the frontcourt looking to us? Interim head coach Jay Triano is still trying to juggle Greg Monroe, Alex Len, and Tyson Chandler’s minutes. How would we do it moving forward?

That, plus some discussion on #SarverOut billboards so make sure to subscribe!

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/14/17: Phoenix falls to 9-21 after 115-109 loss against Toronto Dec 14, 2017

On today’s episode of Locked On Suns, Evan and Brendon recap the Suns’ fifth straight loss, 10th in last 12 games.

After falling to 9-20, the Suns are quickly making up ground in the 2018 tank race alongside Chicago and Sacramento. We touched on that alongside the signings of Danuel House Jr. and Isaiah Canaan.

Also, how is the frontcourt looking to us? Interim head coach Jay Triano is still trying to juggle Greg Monroe, Alex Len, and Tyson Chandler’s minutes. How would we do it moving forward?

That, plus some discussion on #SarverOut billboards so make sure to subscribe!

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/12/17: Recapping 99-92 loss in Sacramento + Is it time to start worrying about Josh Jackson? Dec 13, 2017

On today's episode of Locked On Suns, Evan and Brendon recap the Suns' 99-92 loss in Sacramento. Phoenix is now 0-3 in their last three games without Devin Booker and has yet to eclipse 100 points.

After another subpar performance, we also looked at Josh Jackson. Compared to other rookie wings, he's been the worst (ex: Tatum, Anunoby). Is it time to press the panic button on him?

Also, we quickly looked ahead to tomorrow night's matchup against Toronto.

Make sure to subscribe!

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/11/17: ESPN's Baxter Holmes joins the show to talk some Suns and NBA Dec 11, 2017

On today's episode of Locked On Suns, ESPN's Baxter Holmes joins the show to talk about the Suns and the NBA in general.

Brendon hosted solo today with Evan busy, but we went over Baxter's feature story on Mike James, leadership importance in a young locker room, the Suns' potential, and much more.

Make sure to subscribe!

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/8/17: Recapping loss to Washington + our thoughts on Mike James' new contract Dec 09, 2017

On today’s episode of Locked On Suns, Brendon and Evan recap Phoenix’ 109-99 loss to the John Wall-less Wizards. We recapped the performances of T.J. Warren, Dragan Bender, Marquese Chriss, Josh Jackson, and more.

Also, we looked at Mike James’ new contract that keeps him around through July 1. To make room for James, the Suns waived Derrick Jones Jr.

Was that the right choice?

Then, finally, we quickly looked ahead to Spurs-Suns + Alabama-Arizona tomorrow night in Tuscon. Evan will be there scouting Deandre Ayton again alongside Collin Sexton up-close for the first time.

He actually really likes the long-term thought of a Sexton-Booker backcourt if their own pick conveys outside the top five.

Enjoy, and make sure to subscribe!

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/6/17: Lots of prospect and adductor muscle talk Dec 07, 2017

On today's nearly hour-long episode of Locked On Suns, Evan and Brendon are joined by Empire of the Suns' Kellan Olson to discuss all the latest Suns news.

All three of us were at last night's Valley of the Sun Shootout, which saw two likely top 10 picks, Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams, square off. We spent the first half of the podcast discussing that.

Also, we took a deep dive into how we think the Suns will fare over their next 10 games, all likely without Devin Booker after he injured his adductor muscle.

We also quickly discussed Woj breaking the news of Mike James signing a new contract before we went on to record. Trade Monroe or Chandler? Waive DJJ?

Lots of ground was covered from all angles, so tune in to this one!

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/4/17: Devin Booker drops 46 in a Suns win over Philadelphia Dec 05, 2017

In today's episode of Locked On Suns, Evan and Brendon recap the Suns' 115-101 win over the Philadelphia 76ers.

Led by a 46-point outburst from Devin Booker, the Suns snagged a road win on their east coast swing. We recapped that, plus a lot of other standout subplots.

We also looked at tomorrow's prospect matchup between Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams in Phoenix.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/2/17: Recapping 116-111 loss to the Celtics Dec 02, 2017

On today's episode of Locked On Suns, Evan and Brendon recap the Suns' close loss at The Garden, 116-111.

We touched on Booker's 38-point performance, plus inconsistency finding minutes for Jackson.

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LOCKED ON SUNS: Quarterly Stock Reports on #TheTimeline Dec 01, 2017

On today's episode of Locked On Suns, Evan and Brendon discuss their observations on the core five of the Suns (Booker, Warren, Jackson, Bender, Chriss) plus Jay Triano.

Who grades out the best so far?

Also, we look at the end of what long-term coaching profile fits this roster best.

This is a longer episode, about an hour, as we went rather in-depth. Enjoy!

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LOCKED ON SUNS 11/28/17: Recapping Phoenix’s win in Chicago + our thoughts on David Fizdale Nov 29, 2017

On today’s episode of Locked On Suns, Brendon Kleen and I recap Phoenix’s win over Chicago while also giving our thoughts on what went down with David Fizdale in Memphis. Should the Suns make a move for him to be their next head coach?

We also discussed Devin Booker’s performance on Tuesday night, with a 33-9-4 line. If he keeps this up, will All-Star discussions gain steam?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 11/27/17: Learning more on the Bledsoe trade from the Bucks perspective with FanSided's Ti Windisch Nov 27, 2017

On today's episode, Evan is still out of town until the next episode recapping the Chicago game, so Brendon was joined by FanSided's Ti Windisch to discuss more on the Bledsoe trade from a Milwaukee perspective, alongside what Phoenix has right now in Greg Monroe.

Also, they touched on a lot of other fun topics, so tune in!

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LOCKED ON SUNS 11/25/17: Recap of loss to the Pelicans + Mailbag Nov 26, 2017

On today’s episode of Locked On Suns, it was just Brendon recapping last night’s loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, alongside answering your questions from Reddit (By the way, shout out to the r/Suns community for flooding the mailbag!).

Evan is currently out of town for the holiday, but Brendon and he will be back together next episode with a lot of guests lined up for the near future.

Make sure to subscribe on iTunes podcasts!

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LOCKED ON SUNS 11/20/17: A recap of Phoenix's 113-105 win over the Bulls Nov 20, 2017

In today's episode of Locked On Suns, co-hosts Evan Sidery and Brendon Kleen recap the Suns win Sunday over Chicago.

We touched on the likes of T.J. Warren's start and overall performance this year, Mike James, Point Booker, Troy Daniels, Josh Jackson, and Chicago's Lauri Markkanen,

Also, Brendon and I looked quickly towards the freight train that is Giannis Antetokounmpo rolling towards Talking Stick Resort Arena alongside Eric Bledsoe Wednesday in his return.

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LOCKED ON SUNS: 2018 draft prospect first impressions with Kellan Olson Nov 19, 2017

On today's episode of Locked On Suns, we have a special one indeed. Evan was joined by Empire of the Suns' Kellan Olson to discuss his top 6 prospects as he unveiled his initial big board this week.

Want thoughts on Jaren Jackson, Marvin Bagley, Michael Porter, Deandre Ayton, Mo Bamba, and Luka Doncic as prospects + their overall fits in Phoenix? We have you covered there.

Outside of draft talk, we ended with discussing what should be gaining more national steam soon: Devin Booker's historical start as a 21-year-old. Evan and Kellan gave their thoughts on that and what's ahead for the Suns' star guard.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 11/18/17: Houston + LA recap, Greg Monroe's debut, and Devin Booker's historic start Nov 19, 2017

On today's episode of Locked On Suns, Evan Sidery and Brendon Kleen recap Phoenix's two-game stretch against Houston and LA. Also, how did Greg Monroe look in his debut?

We also spent some good time discussing Devin Booker's leap into the elite. Is it time to discuss him being a possible all-time All-Star snub? Sure looks like it thus far if this continues for the Suns' 21-year-old star.

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LOCKED ON SUNS: Takeaways from round 2 against the Lakers Nov 15, 2017

On today's episode of Locked On Suns, Bright Side's Evan Sidery and Brendon Kleen recap Phoenix's 100-93 loss to the Lakers. What were some positives and overall thoughts we took away from the Suns as they drop to 5-10?

Devin Booker, T.J. Warren, Dragan Bender, and Marquese Chriss have their games looked over, as well as Booker's historic start for a 21-year-old as only KD and Steph are currently alongside him in a category.

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LOCKED ON SUNS: Bledsoe trade reaction and week in review Nov 13, 2017

In today's episode of Locked On Suns (sorry for the delay everyone, we have encountered some technical issues that should now be resolved moving forward Monday-Thursday), Bright Side of the Sun's Evan Sidery and Brendon Kleen bring you the latest reactions.

What are our thoughts on the Bledsoe trade? What's next for Ryan McDonough to pull? Should they maneuver through the draft, free agency or all?

Also, we look back on their last few performances before they face the Lakers on Monday.

(Note: Evan called in from the arena after the Suns win over Minnesota, so I could have scratchy signal at some points in this in the bowels of TSR Arena but it's fine for almost all of it.)

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Locked On Suns 11/2/2017: .500 and it feels so good Nov 02, 2017

Evan Sidery and Yusuf Saleem of Bright Side of the Sun discuss Phoenix's impressive back-to-back slate, which led to them being .500 for the first time since November 2015.

After wins over the Nets and Wizards, Jay Triano improved to 4-1 as the Suns head coach. Is this sustainable?

Also, we touched on the performances of Dragan Bender, TJ Warren, Devin Booker, and Josh Jackson over this back-to-back in-depth.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/31/17: Recapping a wild week of Suns basketball Oct 31, 2017

Happy Halloween!

In today's episode, Evan and Yusuf recap the Bledsoe situation, discuss Jay Triano's effect on the roster and take a look at a few players who have stood out through the first week.

Should Dragan Bender be starting? That and more are discussed so tune in!

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/24/17: What could the Suns get back in an Eric Bledsoe trade? Oct 25, 2017

In today's episode of Locked On Suns, it was a jam-packed one. Evan Sidery was joined by special guest Kellan Olson of Arizona Sports' Empire of the Suns to discuss all the latest on Eric Bledsoe. What could the Suns get back for Bledsoe anyways? We discussed that in-depth on many players and teams. Also, we touched on Earl Watson's firing and Jay Triano winning his first game + Mike James and Josh Jackson's impressive starts.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/22/17: Suns fire Earl Watson, name Jay Triano interim head coach Oct 23, 2017

Never thought we would be typing this only three games into the season, but Earl Watson was fired on Sunday afternoon. Evan and Yusuf dissect what went wrong for Watson and how Triano can look to improve upon it. Also, we looked at Eric Bledsoe's cryptic tweet. Is he on the move?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/21/17: Suns-Lakers recap, keys against Clippers Oct 21, 2017

In today's episode of Locked On Suns, co-hosts Evan Sidery and Yusuf Saleem look back on Phoenix's 132-130 loss last night to the Lakers. Who stood out? What went wrong? Then, we look ahead to tonight's matchup with the Clippers in Los Angeles. How should they attack them? Make sure to subscribe if you haven't already!

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/19/17: What just happened? Oct 20, 2017

Co-hosts Evan Sidery and Yusuf Saleem discuss what went wrong for the Suns in their 48-point season opening loss. We looked at what plays Earl Watson needs to scrap immediately, and is he already on the hot seat? Also, we quickly look towards Friday's matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers.

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Locked On Suns: Preseason recap, deep player dives Oct 17, 2017

New co-hosts of Locked On Suns, Evan Sidery (@esidery) and Yusuf Saleem (@SunsFilm) take deep dives on players throughout the roster. Also, we quickly discussed preseason and looked toward the year. How will rotations look?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/6/17: Suns-Blazers recap, practice observations Oct 06, 2017

On today's episode, I was joined by HoopsHabit's Gerald Bourguet. We recapped Phoenix's 114-112 victory in Portland, and we look at lineups and other notes seen thus far in practice.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/2/17: Warren extension, preseason expectations Oct 03, 2017

New host Evan Sidery is joined by former host Kellan Olson to discuss the T.J. Warren extension and preseason expectations.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 9/22/17: Williams injury, Bennett signing, Daniels trade, Len back? Sep 23, 2017

Kellan Olson runs through what was an extremely eventful past two days for the Phoenix Suns.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 9/17/17: One thing to watch for each returning player Sep 18, 2017

Kellan Olson runs through each returning player on the roster and the one thing he is watching for with each of them.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 9/10/17: EuroBasket impressions on Bender, Bogdanovic, Doncic Sep 11, 2017

Kellan Olson runs through his impressions of Dragan Bender, Bogdan Bogdanovic and Luka Doncic at EuroBasket.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 9/3/17: Davon Reed out, over/under win totals Sep 04, 2017

Kellan Olson runs through what Davon Reed being out 4-6 months means and the Suns' over/under win total.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 8/23/17: Kyrie Irving traded to Boston Aug 23, 2017

Kellan Olson is joined Bryan Gibberman to look at every angle of the Kyrie trade.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 8/20/17: Offseason winners and losers (Ep 143) Aug 21, 2017

Kellan Olson runs through his winners and losers from the NBA offseason.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 8/13/17: New jerseys, Alex Len Aug 13, 2017

Kellan Olson gives his thoughts on the new jerseys and Alex Len.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 8/6/17: Why the Suns might not have a top-5 pick next year Aug 07, 2017

Kellan Olson runs through win projections for next season and gives his teams he thinks will be in the discussion for the No. 1 overall pick.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 8/3/17: Upside of a Kyrie deal, 2018 NBA Draft class w/ Cole Zwicker Aug 04, 2017

Kellan Olson is joined by Cole Zwicker to discuss the upside of a potential Kyrie Irving deal and how the 2018 NBA Draft class is looking.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 7/30/17: Williams’ contract, backup SG, Len Jul 31, 2017

Kellan Olson goes over all the quotes from Ryan McDonough at Alan Williams' press conference.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 7/25/17: Brandon Knight tears ACL, likely out next season Jul 25, 2017

Kellan Olson goes over what the brutal news of Brandon Knight tearing his ACL means for him and the Suns going forward.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 7/21/17: How the Suns are linked to Kyrie Irving's reported trade request Jul 21, 2017

Kyrie Irving reportedly wants out of Cleveland and Kellan Olson explains how the Suns are linked in more ways than one.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 7/19/17: McDonough's extension, Jones in the front office Jul 19, 2017

Kellan Olson discusses the big news Wednesday of Ryan McDonough's extension and James Jones being added to the front office.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 7/10/17: Summer league impressions, Big Sauce back Jul 11, 2017

Kellan Olson is joined by Bright Side of the Sun's Evan Sidery to discuss what they've seen in Vegas from the Summer Suns.

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LOCKED ON SUNS: Slow free agency, summer league preview Jul 06, 2017

Kellan Olson runs through what has been a slow free agency period and then previews summer league.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 6/28/17: Feedback on the podcast, Dudley out, FA possbilities Jun 29, 2017

Kellan Olson addresses the latest feedback on the show with an update on the structure before going over notes and some free agent possibilities.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 6/23/17: NBA Draft recap w/ Cole Zwicker Jun 23, 2017

(Apologies for the audio issues. Looks like our laptops and internet connection were as tired as we were.) Kellan Olson is joined by your favorite NBA Draft expert Cole Zwicker. They share their thoughts on how the Suns did in the draft and then give their winners and losers across the league.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 6/21/17: Millsap's fit in Phoenix, best options at No. 4 Jun 21, 2017

Eddie House is back on the program with Kellan Olson to talk about Paul Millsap's fit in Phoenix and then the best options at No. 4.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 6/20/17: Trade buzz w/ Porzingis, Butler, Jordan Jun 21, 2017

Dave King joins Kellan Olson to discuss a crazy Tuesday full of trade rumors and reports.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 6/16/17: Potential No. 1-No. 3 trade with Cole Zwicker Jun 17, 2017

Kellan Olson and Cole Zwicker fight through their long Fridays to try and process what the potential Sixers-Celtics trade means. Then, they discuss their originally intended topic of how they both evaluate the roster long-term and if the Suns should go "BPA" at No. 4.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 6/13/17: Dissecting the first reports, rumors and smokescreens Jun 13, 2017

Kellan Olson breaks down the first batch of draft rumors, reports and smokescreens.

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LOCKED ON SUNS: 6/8/17: Best second-round prospects Jun 08, 2017

Kellan Olson runs through the second round and why the Suns have a better chance of getting a key contributor there this year.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 5/31/17: Isaac, Smith, Monk, Markkanen and Ntilikina May 31, 2017

Kellan Olson goes through the second half of your big board for the 2017 NBA Draft.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 5/24/17: Big update on Miami pick, new Suns big board May 24, 2017

Kellan Olson goes through a big update on the Miami Heat and how it could change how the Suns view the first-round pick owed to them in 2018. Then, he goes over the first half of the results of the Twitter big board.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 5/17/17: Answering your draft questions w/ NBA Draft expert Cole Zwicker May 17, 2017

Kellan Olson and NBA Draft expert Cole Zwicker answered the questions you had following the NBA Draft Lottery.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 5/16/17: Lottery reactions w/ NBA Draft expert Cole Zwicker May 17, 2017

Despite the Suns predictably falling two spots, could Josh Jackson be available at No. 4? Kellan Olson is joined by NBA Draft expert Cole Zwicker to discuss that and more.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 5/10/17: Should the Suns be worried about LaVar Ball? May 10, 2017

Kellan Olson gets Eddie House's perspective (as an NBA pro for over a decade) on LaVar Ball. Then, the two discuss the NBA playoffs so far and who they have picked for the NBA Finals.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 5/2/17: The Ringer's Jonathan Tjarks on Fultz, Jackson, Ball, Isaac May 02, 2017

For this week's offseason episode The Ringer's Jonathan Tjarks joins in to discuss Bender and Chriss in year one and how his top four prospects -- Fultz, Ball, Isaac and Jackson -- fit in Phoenix.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 4/21/17: Alex Len's poor season, offseason preview Apr 21, 2017

Kellan Olson runs through the results of the offseason preview polls.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 4/14/17: Suns MVP, biggest surprise, ROY, best role player Apr 14, 2017

Kellan Olson and Eddie House give their picks for the team's MVP, ROY, best role player, biggest surprise and best moment of the season.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 4/12/17: Season over, biggest disappointments Apr 12, 2017

Eddie House and Kellan Olson end the season by going back and forth on their biggest disappointments from this season.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 4/11/17: NBA Awards Apr 11, 2017

Eddie House and Kellan Olson make their picks for MVP, ROY, MIP, 6MOY, DPOY and COY.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 4/10/17: Staying at No. 2 after a great home win Apr 10, 2017

Eddie House and Kellan Olson discuss a wonderful home win for the Suns over the Mavericks.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 4/7/17: Stat padding drama, Suns snap 13-game losing streak Apr 08, 2017

Kellan Olson talks through what was one of the most compelling and bizarre Suns games in recent memory.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 4/6/17: Ball over Fultz, loss to Warriors Apr 06, 2017

Kellan Olson discusses the possibility of the Suns taking Lonzo Ball over Markelle Fultz and the loss 13 in a row.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 4/5/17: Should the Suns trade Bledsoe if they draft Fultz or Ball? Apr 05, 2017

Kellan Olson had Owen Sanborn on to discuss what the Suns should do at point guard this offseason with the potential of a top-3 pick coming to Phoenix.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 4/4/17: Revisiting Booker's 70, potential future backcourts Apr 04, 2017

Kellan Olson gets Eddie House's thoughts on Devin Booker's 70 points and the uptick in playing time for Tyler Ulis.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 4/3/17: No. 2 in lottery standings, Bender's back Apr 03, 2017

Kellan Olson discusses the Suns moving up to No. 2 in the lottery standings and Dragan Bender's return.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/31/17: Getting closer to a win, Chriss’ foul trouble, Warren’s rebounding Mar 31, 2017

Kellan Olson is joined by Dave King to discuss Suns opponents getting closer and closer to losing because of the team's consistent energy.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/29/17: Marquese Chriss All-Rookie First Team? Mar 30, 2017

Kellan Olson has Bright Side of the Sun's Dave King on to give his take on Devin Booker and if Marquese Chriss should be All-Rookie First Team.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/28/17: Devin Booker's long-term potential Mar 29, 2017

Kellan Olson responds to yesterday's tire fire of a comments section regarding Devin Booker's long-term potential and then briefly touches on a terrible game against the Hawks.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/27/17: NBA Draft expert Cole Zwicker on Bender and Ball or Jackson Mar 28, 2017

NBA Draft and cap expert Cole Zwicker (@colezwicker) joins Kellan Olson to discuss the long-term standing of the Suns, Bender at center, trading Bledsoe, Alex Len and Josh Jackson or Lonzo Ball.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/24/17: Devin Booker drops 70 Mar 25, 2017

Kellan Olson attempts to process Devin Booker scoring 70 points in Boston.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/23/17: Grading Watson's first year, the chance he leaves for UCLA Mar 23, 2017

Eddie House and Kellan Olson answer your questions from Reddit on Earl Watson, Tyler Ulis and Alex Len.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/22/17: NBA Draft big board special Mar 22, 2017

Eddie House and Kellan Olson are finally taking a dive into the NBA Draft. They talk about your top-five big board voted by on Twitter and run through the best of the bunch.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/21/17: Chriss' ceiling, possibility of shutting down Booker Mar 22, 2017

Eddie House and Kellan Olson recap another rough game of Suns basketball against the Heat.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/20/17: Knight should have played more, thin rotation in Detroit Mar 20, 2017

Kellan Olson and Eddie House give their extended thoughts on the Brandon Knight situation and have worries about Derrick Jones Jr.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/17/17: Brandon Knight out rest of season Mar 18, 2017

Kellan Olson gets your thoughts on the Brandon Knight situation and then briefly touches on a bad loss to the Magic.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/16/17: Eric Bledsoe shut down for season Mar 17, 2017

Eddie House and Kellan Olson discuss Eric Bledsoe getting shut down for the season and the loss to the Kings.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/15/17: The new-look Kings Mar 15, 2017

Eddie House and Kellan Olson discuss the new-look Kings and specific matchups to watch in tonight's game.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/14/17: Booker's comfort zone, the next step for Derrick Jones Jr. Mar 14, 2017

Eddie House and Kellan Olson discuss Jared Dudley's ejection, Devin Booker playing some of his best basketball and what the next step is for Derrick Jones Jr. as a defender.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/13/17: Jones Jr. gets his first start, Booker's game-winner Mar 14, 2017

Kellan Olson recaps an eventful weekend of Suns basketball, including Derrick Jones Jr.'s first career start and Devin Booker's game-winning shot in Dallas against the Mavericks.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/9/17: Reality check, Lonzo Ball's fit in Phoenix Mar 10, 2017

Kellan Olson gives his thoughts on the loss to the Lakers and reads your thoughts on the game from Twitter.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/8/17: What's next for Brandon Knight? Mar 09, 2017

Kellan Olson and Dave King discuss the latest main developments surrounding the Suns in the past two weeks.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/7/17: It got chippy again Mar 08, 2017

Kellan Olson and Owen Sanborn discuss the chippy loss to the Wizards.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/6/17: Three wins in a row Mar 06, 2017

Eddie House and Kellan Olson look back on two Suns wins and discuss how well the young guys are playing.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/2/17: Long-term outlooks and a great night for the offense Mar 03, 2017

Kellan Olson has his old podcast buddy Owen Sanbron on to discuss his thoughts on the team's present and future as well as tonight's bizarre win over Charlotte.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 3/1/17: Do the Suns need an enforcer? Mar 01, 2017

Eddie House and Kellan Olson discuss the loss to Memphis and if the Suns need an enforcer.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/28/17: Future roles for Chandler and Knight Feb 28, 2017

Eddie House and Kellan Olson discuss the rotation previews and how they will change the game against Memphis.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/27/17: Major rotation changes Feb 28, 2017

Kellan Olson discusses the major rotation changes the Suns had over the weekend.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/24/17: A potential blockbuster deal Feb 24, 2017

Eddie House and Kellan Olson discuss a potential blockbuster deal the Suns were offered according to their GM and the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/23/17: Missing out on Boogie, Tucker to Toronto Feb 23, 2017

Eddie House and Kellan Olson talk about why the Suns missed out big time on DeMarcus Cousins and then debate the value of the P.J. Tucker trade.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/16/17: Trade deadline predictions, Lakers blowout Feb 16, 2017

Eddie House and Kellan Olson go over the blowout win against the Lakers and give their predictions for the trade deadline.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/15/17: Trade deadline speical Feb 15, 2017

Eddie House and Kellan Olson answer your questions about the trade deadline including realistic possibilities for Eric Bledsoe, if McDonough can save his job at the deadline and more.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/14/17: Closing out, Booker's defense, Warren's consistency Feb 14, 2017

Eddie House and Kellan Olson attempt to explain a very odd loss against the Pelicans.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/13/17: Highs and lows Feb 13, 2017

Eddie House and Kellan Olson recap the weekend for the Suns with a win over the Bulls and... that other game.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/10/17: Len suspended, keys to stopping D-Wade Feb 10, 2017

Eddie House and Kellan Olson discuss Alex Len's suspension and the impact it has on tonight's game against the Bulls on ESPN.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/9/17: Booker's trash talk Feb 10, 2017

Eddie House and Kellan Olson discuss Devin Booker's trash talk and the scuffle at the end of the Memphis game.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/8/17: Bender's season possibly over Feb 08, 2017

Eddie House and Kellan Olson discuss the news about Dragan Bender's ankle surgery and preview tonight's game against Memphis.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/7/17: Rotation problems Feb 07, 2017

Eddie House and Kellan Olson have been discussing their issues with the Suns' rotation and is was more apparent than ever in the loss to the Pelicans.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/6/17: Consistently inconsistent Feb 06, 2017

Eddie House and Kellan Olson discuss the motto for this season and how it applied to both games over the weekend.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/3/17: Our picks for NBA All-Star Saturday night Feb 03, 2017

Eddie House and Kellan Olson reveal if they are picking Derrick Jones Jr. to win the Slam Dunk contest.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 2/2/17: Clippers loss, diving down the Bender vs. Chriss rabbit hole Feb 02, 2017

Eddie House and Kellan Olson briefly discuss the fifth Suns loss in a row before taking their stands on Bender or Chriss being the better prospect for the Suns.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/31/17: Should the Suns trade for DeMarcus Cousins? Feb 01, 2017

Eddie House and Kellan Olson discuss the latest trade rumor involving the Phoenix Suns and DeMarcus Cousins.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/30/17: Trying to defend the defense Jan 30, 2017

Kellan Olson talks about the issues surrounding Bledsoe's recent shooting trend, the team's defense and the matchup with the Grizzlies.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/27/17: Bad habits on defense Jan 27, 2017

After another Suns loss that had issues defensively, Kellan Olson asks Eddie House about some of the team's bad habits on defense.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/26/17: Markelle Fultz wows in Tempe Jan 26, 2017

Eddie House and Kellan Olson discuss Markelle Fultz's impressive game in Tempe, how to stop Nikola Jokic and the reported deal for Ronnie Price.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/25/17: A tough loss, Chandler's big game and Tucker's defensive impact Jan 25, 2017

Eddie House and Kellan Olson recap the loss at the buzzer to the Timberwolves.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/24/17: Suns diehard fan Brawadis Jan 24, 2017

Kellan Olson is joined by special guest Brandon Awadis, who has gained a massive following of over 1.5 million subscribers on Youtube all while repping his Phoenix Suns.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/23/17: Eric Bledsoe's outstanding performance in Toronto Jan 23, 2017

Eddie House and Kellan Olson discuss a career night for Eric Bledsoe and the importance of the next three games.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/20/17: Is now the time to trade Tyson Chandler? Jan 21, 2017

Kellan Olson gives his thoughts on the latest rumblings surrounding Tyson Chandler and P.J. Tucker and then answers all your questions related to the trade deadline.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/19/17: Failing to communicate Jan 20, 2017

Eddie House and Kellan Olson discuss a poor loss to Cleveland and break down some film to explain why.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/18/17: Markelle Fultz or Lonzo Ball? (January edition) Jan 18, 2017

Eddie House and Kellan Olson have their first conversation about two very good point guards in a very good draft. Then, they talk NBA including MVP candidates and Carmelo's ugly situation in New York.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/17/17: Playing much better, but is it too late? Jan 18, 2017

Eddie House and Kellan Olson discuss two promising Suns performances and if it's too late for the team to make the playoffs.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/13/17: Answering your questions Jan 14, 2017

Kellan Olson is flying solo today. He goes over Booker's big game and why he thinks it doesn't mean he's back. Then, he answers your questions for the rest of the show.

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LOCKED ON SUNS: 1/12/17: Dragan Bender or Marquese Chriss? Jan 13, 2017

Kellan Olson has Dave King on to check in on Dragan Bender and Marquese Chriss 40 games into the season.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/11/17: Frontcourt grades Jan 11, 2017

Eddie House and Kellan Olson go through the second half of their player grades.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/10/17: Part 1 of player grades Jan 10, 2017

Eddie House and Kellan Olson give their grades for the backcourt at the halfway point of the season.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/9/17: The best wasn't enough Jan 09, 2017

Eddie House and Kellan Olson talk about one of the best games the Suns have played all season.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/5/17: Two in a row, Tucker to NY and the problematic defense Jan 06, 2017

Kellan Olson is joined by Bryan Gibberman to discuss a dull win over the Mavs, Earl Watson's rotations and schemes, the P.J. Tucker to New York rumor and the potential problems with the Suns' defense down the line.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/4/17: Trade speculation special Jan 05, 2017

Kellan Olson is joined by Dave King of Bright Side of the Sun. The two quickly go over the Heat win and then take your questions on all things trade speculation.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/3/17: Is this team capable of a response? Jan 03, 2017

Eddie House and Kellan Olson wonder if the Suns are capable of a response to another bad loss with another reeling team up next on the schedule.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/2/17: Consistency Jan 03, 2017

Eddie House and Kellan Olson discuss getting hot in games, execution and the Clippers.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/30/16: What's going on with Jared Dudley? Dec 30, 2016

Eddie House and Kellan Olson discuss the great win over the Raptors and try to speculate as to why Jared Dudley isn't playing.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/29/16: A tale of two halves Dec 30, 2016

Eddie House and Kellan Olson discuss the loss to the Spurs and more.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/28/16: The Problem Dec 28, 2016

Eddie House and Kellan Olson look at the historic season of Russell "The Problem" Westbrook and preview tonight's game.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/27/16: The evolution of Dragan Bender Dec 27, 2016

Eddie House and Kellan are back. They go back a bit to talk about the win over Philadelphia, the amazing matchup on Christmas and where Dragan Bender goes next after a big night in Houston.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/22/16: Will the Suns finally beat the 76ers? Dec 22, 2016

Eddie House and Kellan Olson discuss the fun to watch loss against the Rockets.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/21/16: What it's like to play for Mike D'Antoni Dec 21, 2016

Eddie House tells Kellan Olson what it was like to play for Mike D'Antoni in Phoenix and New York and then the two give their thoughts on the Houston Rockets.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/20/16: The two-way street of Brandon Knight's play Dec 20, 2016

Eddie House and Kellan Olson discuss the loss to Minnesota and why Brandon Knight's play is a two-way street.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/19/16: Too easy Dec 19, 2016

Eddie House and Kellan Olson talk about how the Thunder's win over the Suns was too easy on Saturday.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/16/16: Fourth-quarter woes Dec 16, 2016

Eddie House and Kellan Olson discuss the winnable game against the Spurs.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/15/16: Spurs are back in town Dec 15, 2016

Eddie House and Kellan Olson discuss what the Suns can take away from their successful three-game run and turn it into a win against the Spurs.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/14/16: Signature win Dec 14, 2016

Eddie House and Kellan Olson recap all the positives from a signature home win over the Knicks.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/12/16: Were our expectations too high for Booker? Dec 12, 2016

Eddie House and Kellan Olson discuss the two positive games for the Suns this weekend and wonder if our expectations were too high for Devin Booker's second year.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/9/16: The national spotlight Dec 09, 2016

Eddie House and Kellan Olson are optimistic about the two games coming up for the Phoenix Suns.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/8/16: Fourth quarter woes Dec 08, 2016

Eddie House and Kellan Olson discuss the loss to the Pacers.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/6/16: Coming up short Dec 07, 2016

Eddie House and Kellan Olson take your thoughts on Twitter after the Suns' comeback came up short against the Utah Jazz.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/5/16: Brandon Knight's role Dec 05, 2016

Eddie House and Kellan Olson review the Warriors game, talk about Brandon Knight's role and preview Tuesday night against the Jazz.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/2/16: Third time's a charm? Dec 02, 2016

Eddie House and Kellan Olson discuss the third matchup for the Suns with the Warriors.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/1/16: Winning ugly Dec 01, 2016

Eddie House and Kellan Olson discuss how the Suns were able to pull out a win at home against the Hawks.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 11/30/16: Why Atlanta is a good matchup for the Suns Nov 30, 2016

Eddie House and Kellan Olson preview the Suns' matchup with the Hawks and believe it's a game the Suns could find success in.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 11/29/16: Scouting Atlanta, Knight's future Nov 29, 2016

Eddie House and Kellan Olson discuss what they saw the Hawks do against the Warriors Monday night before they take on the Suns Wednesday and then talk about Brandon Knight's future with the team.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 11/28/16: Keeping it real Nov 28, 2016

Eddie House kept it real on the Phoenix Suns' struggles as we near the 20-game mark of the season.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 11/23/16: A hard-fought win in Orlando Nov 24, 2016

Eddie House and Kellan Olson review the win for the Suns in Orlando and preview the two games coming this weekend.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 11/22/16: Inconsistencies, Bender needs to play and expectations Nov 22, 2016

Eddie House and Kellan Olson break down the inconsistencies of this Suns team, why rookie Dragan Bender should be playing and the preseason expectations already fading away.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 11/21/16: Is three guards starting the way to go? Nov 21, 2016

Eddie House and Kellan Olson recap the two games over the weekend and discuss three guards in the starting lineup tonight against the Wizards.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 11/18/16: Alarming defensive statistics Nov 18, 2016

Kellan Olson talks about some alarming defensive statistics on the Suns perimeter and previews the Sixers.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 11/17/16: Inexcusable loss to Denver Nov 17, 2016

Kellan Olson and Eddie House figure out where it went wrong in the Suns' inexplicable loss to the Nuggets.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 11/16/16: The potential of the second unit Nov 16, 2016

Kellan Olson and Eddie House discuss why the second unit has the potential to be great and preview Denver tonight.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 11/15/16: Should we start to worry about Devin Booker's shooting? Nov 15, 2016

Kellan Olson is back with Eddie House today to talk about Devin Booker's poor shooting percentages in the beginning of his NBA career. Is it time to start worrying about that? Plus, the two have their MVP candidates at this point in the season.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 11/14/16: The bright lights theory Nov 14, 2016

Kellan Olson and Bright Side of the Sun's Dave King talk about the two losses over the weekend and why the Suns can't find consistency against lesser opponents.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 11/11/16: When's the turning point for Brandon Knight? Nov 11, 2016

Kellan Olson wonders what's next for Brandon Knight if his poor offensive play continues and then previews the back-to-back games for the Suns this weekend.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 11/10/16: Gaining momentum Nov 10, 2016

Eddie House and Kellan Olson discuss the Suns' win over the Pistons and why it felt like a big step forward.

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Bender's big night and Booker's zeros Nov 09, 2016

Kellan Olson and Eddie House recap the Suns' loss to the Trail Blazers and preview tonight's game against the Detroit Pistons.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 11/8/16: Going through the motions Nov 08, 2016

Eddie House and Kellan Olson talk about the discouraging games against New Orleans and Los Angeles. What's up with the rotation? Will Brandon Knight ever look comfortable? Is this team just going through the motions?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 11/4/16: Weekend preview Nov 04, 2016

Kellan Olson rolls through the stats from the first five games to preview tonight's game against New Orleans and Sunday's against the Lakers.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 11/3/16: Suns win! Nov 03, 2016

Kellan Olson and Eddie House finally discuss a Suns win!

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LOCKED ON SUNS 11/2/16: In need of a win Nov 02, 2016

Kellan Olson and Eddie House preview tonight's matchup with the Portland Trail Blazers.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 11/1/16: It's time to talk about Alex Len Nov 01, 2016

Eddie House joins Kellan Olson to discuss the loss to the Clippers and where it's going wrong for Alex Len.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/31/16: Warren's efficiency, Knight's slow start, Booker's injury Oct 31, 2016

The Suns lost two games last weekend, but there were plenty of positives in both games. Kellan Olson and Eddie House go over those and also preview tonight's game against the Clippers.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/28/16: Stopping Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant Oct 28, 2016

Eddie House and Kellan Olson preview the upcoming games against the Thunder and Warriors.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/27/16: You have lost connection to your opponent Oct 27, 2016

Eddie House (@EHouse_Mr61) and Kellan Olson (@KellanOlson) recap an extremely disappointing home opener and discuss Earl Watson's decision to change up the second unit.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/26/16: The season is here! Oct 26, 2016

Kellan Olson and Eddie House have their first episode of the 2016-17 Phoenix Suns season! The two preview the matchup tonight with the Sacramento Kings and give their predictions for the season.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/25/16: NBA predictions Oct 25, 2016

Eddie House and Kellan Olson give their predictions for the East, West, NBA Finals and all the big awards.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/24/16: Suns surprisingly release Archie Goodwin Oct 25, 2016

Kellan Olson (@KellanOlson) and Eddie House (@EHouse_Mr61) discuss the surprising release of Archie Goodwin. Eddie relates to Archie's situation and discusses the similar situation he was in at one point in his career.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/21/16: Comparing the two rebuilds Oct 21, 2016

Kellan Olson (@KellanOlson) and Dave King (@DaveKingNBA) compare the rebuilds between the Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns in preparation for tonight's game.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/20/16: T.J. Warren or P.J. Tucker as starting SF? Oct 20, 2016

Kellan Olson (@KellanOlson) and Dave King (@DaveKingNBA) question whether the Suns have enough offense in the starting lineup and if that means T.J. Warren should start over P.J. Tucker.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/19/16: The X-factors for the Phoenix Suns Oct 19, 2016

Eddie House (@EHouse_mr61) and Kellan Olson (@KellanOlson) discuss their 4 X-factors for the Phoenix Suns this season.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/18/16: A preview of the Pacific division Oct 18, 2016

Eddie House and Kellan Olson preview the Pacific division and give their thoughts on how the Phoenix Suns will fare this season.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/17/16: Chriss starting, Bender at SF and Len's contract year Oct 17, 2016

Kellan Olson answers your twitter questions for today's episode. Could Marquese Chriss start at PF on opening night? How long will Dragan Bender play SF? Will this be the year for Alex Len?

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/14/16: Previewing tonight's game against Dallas and the Knicks Oct 14, 2016

Eddie House and Kellan Olson preview tonight's game against the Dallas Mavericks and then take a look at the New York Knicks.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/13/16: Len's struggles, Goodwin's promise and the rookie PFs Oct 13, 2016

On today's episode Eddie House and Kellan Olson review the win over the Utah Jazz Wednesday night. Alex Len continues to struggle with efficiency, Archie Goodwin is still promising in year 4 and the two give their impressions on Dragan Bender and Marquese Chriss' preseason thus far.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/12/16: Previewing the Jazz and Eddie on KD and D-Wade Oct 12, 2016

Eddie and Kellan preview the Utah Jazz before tonight's preseason game against the Suns. Later, Eddie gives his thoughts on KD's decision to leave Oklahoma City, and they end on his former teammate in Miami Dwyane Wade heading to Chicago.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/11/16: Eddie House on Earl Watson, Brandon Knight and season expectations Oct 11, 2016

Eddie's here! Kellan's partner in crime on the podcast Eddie House makes his debut. Kellan makes a strong case for why Eddie should have got more Sixth Man of the Year love for his year in Phoenix, and then the two discuss Earl Watson having the support of the locker room, Brandon Knight's adjustment to the bench and expectations for this season.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/10/16: Booker's eruption, Knight's effort and Chriss at PF Oct 10, 2016

Kellan is joined by Dave King of Bright Side of the Sun to discuss the Suns' loss in Portland Friday. Devin Booker proved he is still really good at basketball and the effort of both Brandon Knight and Marquese Chriss stood out for both. Enjoy!

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LOCKED ON SUNS 10/7/16: Preseason impressions and Portland preview Oct 07, 2016

Gerald Bourguet from Hoops Habit joins Kellan Olson to discuss preseason impressions on Brandon Knight and the two lottery picks, followed by a discussion on the Portland Trail Blazers and a preview of tonight's preseason matchup.

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