Welcome to Inside the Suns, your weekly deep down analysis of the current Phoenix Suns team. Each week the Fantable — a round table of Bright Siders — give their takes on the Suns’ latest issues and news.
Fantable Questions of the Week
Q1: What are your thoughts on the Suns’ signing of Haywood Highsmith?
Diamondhacks: In theory, “Locksmith” seems to fit Ott’s prototype (wingspan, D, 3pt%), but I’m more generally wary of 29-year-old stoppers coming off knee surgery. My second impression of Highsmith is that his name is well above average. Not up there with Jamaree Bouyea or Oso Ighodaro. But it’s still pretty fun to say. Hay-wood High-smith.
Ashton: When this was first announced, I was like, “Who?”
This is one of those questions where it would be so much easier to link writers’ articles for background research. I highly recommend Bruce Veliz’s Player Breakdown article on Highsmith, while giving JV and the commentators some credit.
So, what can I add on a slow NBA week? The guy played for Wheeling Jesuit University and was selected as a DII Player of the Year in 2018. Seriously, raise your hand if you watched one game from what is now Wheeling University. I watch a lot of college basketball, but I am not that much of a CBB savant.
The cost is low, and this is a low-risk and potentially medium-reward scenario.
In the end, it really does not move the needle that much for me. I tend to agree with commenters that size would have been nice as a backup to RO.
OldAz: I understand the fans who wanted the Suns to sign Sochan or some other released player, but I file this squarely under “In Brian Gregory we trust”. At this point, he has earned that in putting together a roster that is both fun to watch and competitive right now. This is especially true after all the skepticism and doubt thrown his way when he was chosen as GM.
As for Highsmith, while the injury history might be a concern, his potential fit as an added wing that can shoot and his playoff experience is attractive. The low cost of a 2 year deal, with what I believe is a team option, makes this a low risk, high reward type of deal. As for those who still wanted Sochan, he reminds me too much of Kelly Oubre, who was a fan favorite but was far more style than substance when he was with the Suns. Maybe in a couple of years, Sochan will be more than that, but if he were right now, then San Antonio would have placed a higher priority on re-signing him.
Rod: I like it. Sure, I would have preferred a taller, PF type, but adding another long-armed 3&D wing that can guard multiple positions is not a bad thing. No one available was likely to significantly tip the scales for the Suns, but Swiss army knife types are always great to have around to plug injury-induced holes in the player rotation and/or bring in when a particular player is just having an off night.
Q2: Were you surprised at how well Devin Booker performed in the All-Star Weekend three-point contest?
Diamondhacks: I’m surprised, even after accounting for glaring contextual differences between shooting threes in-game vs standing next to a Rack Of Balls. Mostly because Devin’s woeful .311 3FG% looks to me validated by the magnitude (not just the frequency) of his misses. There’s been very little in and out from 3, to chalk up to a little fine-tuning here or random variation there. Even his relatively open threes look kinda broken. But if he’s got balls, rack em up!
Ashton: Absolutely! I was firmly on the side of putting Book’s ankle in bubble wrap and ice and let him sit this one out. If I were a gambling man, I would have said first-round exit.
But he looked really good up to those final three shots.
But I also side with the commentators that it helps not to have a man (or two) in your face. Maybe the ASG can restructure the three-point contest next year, because they are always tweaking something, so that the final rack involves a defender.
OldAz: Not really. He has been there before and won it in 2018. The contest setting is controlled, and he can get into a good rhythm. Unlike game situations, where sometimes his 3 is less reliable, he has far less to be concerned about, and he (by design) has his shoulders square and his weight under him. I am actually more surprised that he went cold and didn’t hit one or more of his last few shots to win it again. When under control, his form is about as good as it comes (behind all-time greats like Ray Allen and Reggie Miller’s picture-perfect from 3).
Rod: No, because it’s an almost completely different setting/situation. Book is a great shooter, and with all of the contest shots being basically set shots, it shouldn’t surprise anyone. To me, it points out just how important it is to set Book up for open three attempts in games instead of counting on him to create his own opportunities. In the mid-range, he’s really good at doing that but from three…not so much. Generating open threes for Book isn’t going to be easy though as he’s still the primary focus of opponents’ defenses.
Q3: It has been reported that Houston originally offered the Suns Jalen Green and Jabari Smith Jr. instead of Dillon Brooks for Kevin Durant, but the Suns turned down that offer and insisted on Brooks instead. If true, do you believe the Suns made the right decision?
Diamondhacks: In terms of tangible player evaluation (and regardless of Smith’s longer contractual obligation), I’d guess that most GMs coming off 36-46 would still tend to value 22-year-old Jabari Smith over Dillon (30). So much so that this seems to me more of a Governor’s initiative/preference.
Mat Ishbia was unusually outspoken this offseason about prioritizing a hungry vibe for the team over conventional industry wisdom about talent – and perhaps even wins and losses themselves. His team was going to go down fighting, annoying opponents, and now that Patrick Beverley has retired, I suppose Dillon Brooks may be the NBA’s ultimate MAT (Maximally Annoying Template).
Ashton: If you had this question on the trade between Durant and possibilities, I would have stumped for Jabari Smith Jr. over Brooks. I mean a third overall pick (2022) from a powerhouse team in Auburn at a position of need at Power Forward?
Sign me up. I have not even heard of this rumor or reporting, and I am not sure why the Suns brass would not have done this. Smith just scored his third double-double! And Houston doesn’t even really need him with KS managing the position.
This is a really tough question as Brooks has instilled the toughness culture in the Suns team and has basically been a Manimal. But how many more games do we get to see him as he simply can not stop flapping his gums. Suspension here, probably future suspensions there. This will not change.
Yeah, let’s see what the commentators have to say, but put me in the Dr. Who phone booth and take Jabari Smith Jr.
Too badthe Suns could not swing a trade for Brooks and Smith Jr.
OldAz: See my question #1 answer again. “In Brian Gregory we trust.” We have seen the folly of chasing the best talent with no consideration for chemistry or leadership. The Suns’ best seasons recently were with CP3 filling a leadership role next to Book. Despite his diminishing (although still great) skills during his time here, CP3 gave the team a heart and drive that fueled that team’s identity. The same can be said of Dillon Brooks and what he has brought this season. While there is a significant step down in talent between Smith Jr and Brooks, the impact of Brooks’ attitude and fit within Ott’s defensive first mindset has been obvious.
However, Smith Jr would seem to be a prefect fit defensively with his length and athleticism, so in the long run Suns fans could be lamenting missing out on such a pivotal piece, especially if Maluach does not develop into the 3rd piece coming back in that KD trade (I have to assume that the Green and Smith Jr version did not include additional draft picks like the Brooks version did). But even in this case, the choice of Brooks has helped establish an identity that the team was sorely lacking before this season. That chemistry and identity, along with Ott’s success, is maximizing a deep bench, will go a long way towards attracting the minimum contracts the Suns will need to maintain (and grow) this year’s success.
Rod: I remember a lot of fans voiced the opinion that they would have preferred Smith to Brooks when that trade happened and I was one of them. A young 6’11” power forward like Smith just fit the Suns’ needs better than Brooks but the culture change in Phoenix, which I give a lot of credit to Brooks for, is something that I hate to think we might have missed out on if the trade had gone down differently.
Could the team have actually turned out better with Smith rather than Brooks? It’s certainly possible but, as there’s no way to actually prove that, I’m not bothered by the way it turned out. GM Brian Gregory has done a really good job so far, and I definitely trust his judgment on roster construction matters more than my own.
As always, many thanks to our Fantable members for all their extra effort this week!
Quotes of the Week
“This one hurt a little bit. I wanted this one bad. Wish I was defending it in Phoenix but it’ll probably be the last time I do it next year if I get the invite. I’m looking forward to it.” – Devin Booker on his performance in the 3-point contest
“No matter what, through good or bad or indifferent, his loyalty has stayed present and his love of the game has stayed present. If they had a good team, if they had a bad team, his leadership style didn’t change. His joy for the game every day, trying to get better, is admirable for sure.” – Jamal Crawford on Devin Booker
“Dillon (Brooks) is a hardworking man. He’s someone to rally behind. He’s a fierce competitor. I wouldn’t want it any other way. I’d rather too competitive than to be the other way. It’s been a pleasure playing with him.” – Devin Booker
“I just don’t think we’ve been as good defensively, honestly. That’s where we got to get back to.” – Jordan Ott
“Coach Ott has done a tremendous job. He has created an environment where our guys are allowed and given permission to become the very best version of themselves. Not only as players, but as men as well.” – Brian Gregory
Suns Trivia/History
On February 20, 2002, the Suns traded Rodney Rogers and Tony Delk to the Boston Celtics for Joe Johnson, Randy Brown, Milt Palacio and a 2002 first-round draft pick. Although a rookie, Johnson quickly moved into the starting lineup in Phoenix playing in 29 games (27 starts) and amassed 9.6 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 3.6 APG and 0.9 SPG in 31.5 MPG.
On February 22, 1977, Alvan Adams recorded a triple-double with 47 points, 18 rebounds, 12 assists and five blocked shots against the Buffalo Braves. He is one of five players in NBA history (along with Elgin Baylor, Wilt Chamberlain, Russell Westbrook and Vince Carter) to have as many as 46 points and 16 rebounds in a triple-double performance. The night before the game, Adams also ate 47 chicken wings from a local Buffalo restaurant.
On February 25, 1983, Walter Davis set an all-time NBA record when he successfully scored his first 34 points before finally missing a shot. He made his first 15 field goals and converted four straight free throws before missing a jumper with 55 seconds left in the game.
On February 25, 2019, the Suns came back from a 63-52 halftime deficit to defeat the Heat in Miami 124-121 to break the longest losing streak in franchise history (17 games).
On February 26, 1987, the Suns appointed Dick Van Arsdale as Interim Head Coach to replace John MacLeod after he was fired following a 22-34 start for the Suns. Phoenix won 14-12 under Van Arsdale, finished the season 36-46 and missed the playoffs for the 2nd consecutive season. MacLeod had been the Suns head coach since 1973 and had previously led the Suns to the playoffs nine times (and their first trip to the NBA Finals in 1976) during his thirteen full seasons as head coach.
On February 26, 1988, the Phoenix Suns, unhappy with the prospect of heading for a fourth consecutive losing season, traded All-Star forward Larry Nance and Mike Sanders to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Mark West, Tyrone Corbin and Kevin Johnson. In the exchange, Phoenix also sent the Cavaliers the 1988 first-round pick they got from Detroit for William Bedford and received the Cavaliers’ first-round choice in 1988 and their second-round choices in 1988 and 1989.
The Suns then made their third deal in two days – an exchange of small guards – as Phoenix sent Jay Humphries to the Milwaukee Bucks for Craig Hodges and their 1988 second-round draft pick.
This Week’s Game Schedule
Thursday, Feb 19 – Suns @ San Antonio Spurs (6:30 pm)
Saturday, Feb 21 – Suns vs Orlando Magic (3:00 pm) NBA TV
Sunday, Feb 22 – Suns vs Portland Trail Blazers (6:00)
Tuesday, Feb 24 – Suns vs Boston Celtics (7:00 pm)
This Week’s Valley Suns Game Schedule
Friday, Feb 20 – Valley Suns @ Sioux Falls Skyforce (7:00 pm)
Sunday, Feb 22 – Valley Suns @ Sioux Falls Skyforce (3:00 pm)
Wednesday, Feb 25. Valley Suns vs South Bay Lakers (1:00 pm)
Important Future Dates
March 1 – Playoff eligibility waiver deadline
March 4 – Final day to sign players to two-way contracts
March 28 – NBA G League Regular Season ends
March 31 – 2026 NBA G League Playoffs begin
April 12 – Regular season ends (All 30 teams play)
April 13 – Rosters set for NBA Playoffs 2026 (3 p.m. ET)
April 14-17 – SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament
April 18 – NBA Playoffs begin