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Player development coach Vaughn Compton recently posted a picture of Fanbo Zeng (h/t to NetsDaily) with the caption being that it was "Great having Fanbo Zeng in Phoenix before he heads to the Brooklyn Nets. Have not seen many 6’11” guys that can shoot the way he can." To Compton's point, Zeng's physical profile is an interesting one for a player looking to carve out a spot in the NBA. In August, HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reported that the Nets had agreed to a deal with Zeng, who is considered to be one of the best prospects in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA).
Interestingly, it doesn’t seem like the NBA schedule puppet masters always consider rest days alongside travel. Last season, they made the Suns fly home the 1,300 miles from Minnesota to Phoenix for a game against the Magic the very next day. The Suns lost by 10. More broadly, it appears that the more back-to-back games a team has in a given month, the further they have to travel. Sure months with more back-to-backs likely have more games overall, but the teams still have to make the physical journey and you might expect the NBA to account for that.
Warriors show ‘zero interest’ in what Suns have to offer for Jonathan Kuminga
Per team sources, the talks between the Suns and Warriors have never progressed in any serious manner. So while it’s certainly notable that Phoenix is being so aggressive with its contract offer — four years and a combined $90 million, per ESPN — that part is irrelevant so long as Golden State continues to show zero interest in what the Suns have to offer.
Warriors' best offer to Jonathan Kuminga just two years, $40 million
Word is that the Warriors' best offers to Kuminga have topped out in the two-year $40 million range. Kuminga's camp has continued to seek out sign-and-trade opportunities, with Sacramento and Phoenix still regarded as the most determined suitors, but Golden State is said to want a first-round pick in any sign-and-trade deal. The Suns do not have an available first-round pick to offer.
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“That’s what happened when I got traded from Phoenix to Brooklyn,” said Cam Johnson. “It was my little brother that called me. And then my Dad, and then my girlfriend at the time was like ‘oh my God!… Because I wasn’t on Twitter, like I didn’t have Twitter. So, it was just like, I didn’t hear about it. Until they called me and said, ‘You got traded.’ I’m like, ‘Are ya’ll joking? It’s 1:30 in the morning.”
"Not to take any sort of slight at Phoenix, but playing with James is a whole lot different than what their situation was," Frank said. "Obviously, Brad had great success playing with John Wall [in Washington]. He actually had great success playing with Russ [Westbrook in Washington]. So, we can look at those situations. "I think some of the areas that, especially in his Washington days, that he was able to explore with not the same level of talent [there], I think we'll be able to get a little bit more out of [here]. Like with his pick-and-roll play, it's different when you have the guys that we have spacing the floor and the centers that we have that he will be playing with. Whether it's [Ivica Zubac], whether it's Brook, whether it's John Collins, and you have that nice balance of defense and offense on the floor."
Erik Ruby: To be honest, once I sent this I realized you would respond, which kinda plays into my whole point, enjoy your offseason of responding to people on Twitter. I wish nothing bad against you as a person, hope you find whatever happiness you are looking for. Kevin Durant: Cut the shit Erik, most of yall in Phx want me off the team cuz of the toxic experience it was online for you while u live tweeted games. KD Stan’s got most of Phoenix pissed, it ain’t bout nothing but that lol
Warriors not interested in Nikola Vucevic
Jake Fischer: Conversations between Phoenix and Golden State and Phoenix and Jonathan Kuminga’s agent Aaron Turner. Turner has had several meetings with Golden State to our understanding in Las Vegas. I believe some offers have been exchanged back and forth, but still seems like that's in a bit of a holding pattern. I do know that Kuminga’s representation was trying to figure out some sign-and-trade scenario that would have gotten both Josh Giddey and Jonathan Kuminga paid in Chicago. And I think that was something that would have been more likely if the Bulls waited and had Lonzo Ball to send back to Golden State instead of that deal that they already made with Cleveland. I think that would have been something that Golden State would have liked, but without that obvious piece, you know, there's the thought that Nikola Vucevic would be a potential outgoing piece in a sign-and-trade that the Warriors have had some interest there. I don't think the Warriors have much interest in Nikola Vucevic.
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Devin Booker very receptive to the Suns’ new direction
According to multiple sources, Booker was very receptive to the Suns’ new direction and had direct input on the type of team they wanted to assemble around him. Every move that Phoenix made was with Booker in mind as the focal point. His long-term commitment to the Suns was matched by their commitment to building a great team around him. Granted, the Suns understand they won’t be contending for a championship this season, and multiple sources acknowledged that expectations are different from three years ago. But despite having lowered title expectations entering the season, they still expect to compete, and Ishbia’s gone on record saying he expects to make the playoffs. The Western Conference is loaded, but either way, they want to establish a different reputation that was sorely lacking last season — one that’s built around several core components Phoenix has mentioned repeatedly over the last few months.
After a two-year run in Phoenix did not work out, the crux of the decision for Beal and his representation was finding the best basketball fit, first and foremost. Beal was granted permission by the Suns to speak to interested teams around the league, sources said. Bartelstein led an exhaustive process over the last several weeks, meeting with teams involved, that allowed Beal to make the decision to part with the Suns and control where he wanted to go.
Bradley Beal returned nearly $14 million to Suns as part of buyout
Michael Scotto: Bradley Beal gave back $13.8 million in his buyout with the Phoenix Suns, sources told @hoopshype . By using the stretch provision, Phoenix can get below the luxury tax and both aprons, be able to trade future draft picks and save money, giving them roster maneuvering flexibility.
Suns to play the Lakers twice in preseason
The Phoenix Suns will play the Los Angeles Lakers twice this preseason, with the latter game scheduled for Oct. 17 at PHX Arena, league sources informed The Arizona Republic. The Suns face the Lakers in the Palm Springs, California, area on Oct. 3. Phoenix has played Los Angeles at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, California, the past two seasons. It’s a home game for the Lakers. The Suns and Lakers played twice last preseason as well, with the second game in Phoenix.
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