Locked On Suns - Daily Podcast On The Phoenix Suns

Latest Episodes:

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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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Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON,” and you’ll get $10 off your first order.

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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

Show notes

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?

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

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Built Bar

Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON,” and you’ll get $10 off your first order.

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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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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.

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

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!

Built Bar

Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON,” and you’ll get $10 off your first order.

Blinkist

Right now, for a limited time Blinkist has a special offer just for our audience: Go to

Blinkist.com/NBA try it FREE for 7 days AND save 25% off your new subscription.

And visit lockedonpodcasts.com/advertising to partner with us!

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

Show notes

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?

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

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Built Bar

Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON,” and you’ll get $10 off your first order.

Blinkist

Right now, for a limited time Blinkist has a special offer just for our audience: Go to

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

Show notes

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.

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

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!

Built Bar

Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON,” and you’ll get $10 off your first order.

Blinkist

Right now, for a limited time Blinkist has a special offer just for our audience: Go to

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

Show notes

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

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!

Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON,” and you’ll get $10 off your first order.

And visit lockedonpodcasts.com/advertising to partner with us!

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