Empire of the Suns

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)...
Kellan Olson

Dragan Bender limits mistakes, has solid Summer Suns showing in Vegas

Third-year forward Dragan Bender had a poor performance in the Phoenix Suns' first two Summer League games but bounced back on Monday night.
6 years ago
Phoenix Suns' Davon Reed drives around Dallas Mavericks' Dorian Finney-Smith during the second half...
Kellan Olson

Davon Reed doing everything he can in Vegas to stay on Suns roster

The NBA Summer League is a space for plenty of players to audition themselves for a job and Phoenix Suns shooting guard Davon Reed could be playing for his.
6 years ago
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)...
Kellan Olson

Deandre Ayton lets game come to him with double-double in Suns win

After an awkward game to get through on Friday, Deandre Ayton let the game come to him on Saturday and had a double-double in the Summer Suns' win.
6 years ago
Phoenix Suns' Deandre Ayton dunks against the Dallas Mavericks during the second half of an NBA sum...
Kellan Olson

Ayton gets double-team treatment, other Suns step up in Vegas opener

Deandre Ayton is going to deal with extra defensive attention for the majority of his NBA career and that started right away in Vegas.
6 years ago
(Kevin Zimmerman / Arizona Sports)...
Kevin Zimmerman

Suns treating Vegas Summer League as a testing lab for roles

Igor Kokoskov already squashed any thought of Deandre Ayton playing anything but center. The rest of the Summer Suns might be more of a mosaic when it comes to piecing things together.
6 years ago
From left to right, Phoenix Suns' George King, Mikal Bridges, Deandre Ayton and Elie Okobo pose for...
Kellan Olson

The 5: Things to watch from the Summer Suns in Las Vegas

You can only learn so much watching NBA Summer League basketball, but there are a few key areas to keep an eye on with the Summer Suns.
6 years ago
Phoenix Suns guard Brandon Knight (11) drives around Atlanta Hawks center Dwight Howard (8) during ...
Kevin Zimmerman

Suns’ Brandon Knight could have the opportunity to reclaim his future

Make no mistake: The Suns' chances don't look great in 2018-19. Without better point guard options on the table, what's the harm in letting Knight find stability?
6 years ago
Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza (1) drives to the basket as Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl...
Kellan Olson

Suns once again prioritize flexibility with reported Trevor Ariza deal

The Phoenix Suns often brought up their cap space situation heading into this offseason as an asset for them to get better and it didn't take very long for them to use all of it.
6 years ago
(AP photos)...
Kellan Olson

Free agency preview: Power forward market dry for Suns, NBA

The Phoenix Suns want to add a power forward who can shoot or defend but there aren't many of those around in the free agent market.
6 years ago
Phoenix Suns general manager Ryan McDonough does an interview with The Doug & Wolf Show on 98.7...
Arizona Sports

Empire of the Suns: Complete preview of NBA free agency

When does NBA free agency begin? Plus, a complete preview of free agents the Phoenix Suns could covet, how much salary cap space they have and more.
6 years ago
Milwaukee Bucks' Thon Maker (7) and Jabari Parker celebrate after Game 4 of an NBA basketball first...
Kevin Zimmerman

Free agency preview: Would Suns want Jabari Parker after his ACL injuries?

Jabari Parker is a stretch forward who could add spacing to the Phoenix Suns' offense and take pressure off Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton. But is he a viable, long-term option who helps the team win now?
6 years ago
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Kevin Zimmerman

The 5: Options in the Suns’ search for point guard depth

Brandon Knight comes off a major knee injury and a benching prior to that as the clear-cut No. 1 point guard for the Phoenix Suns in 2018-19.
6 years ago
Detroit Pistons guard Avery Bradley (22) drives on Brooklyn Nets center Jarrett Allen (31) in the f...
Kevin Zimmerman

Free agency preview: Bradley brings value, but can Suns get him for value?

Avery Bradley is one of the few free agents the Phoenix Suns could target at a needed position who is good as both a shooter and defender.
6 years ago
4. Aaron Gordon, Magic (4, Magic)
 
KZ: Even in an alternate universe, a guy who I still think can ...
Kellan Olson

Free agency preview: Aaron Gordon’s RFA status makes him tough Suns sell

Aaron Gordon's restricted free agent status and the likelihood of the Orlando Magic matching an offer makes him a tough sell for the Phoenix Suns to sign.
6 years ago
Boston Celtics' Marcus Smart (36) drives past Cleveland Cavaliers' George Hill (3) during the first...
Kellan Olson

Free agency preview: Will Marcus Smart’s inefficiency detract Suns?

If the Suns want to fulfill their desire for a dramatic turnaround within two years, they are going to need to do it with players like Marcus Smart.
6 years ago
From left to right, Phoenix Suns' George King, Mikal Bridges, Deandre Ayton and Elie Okobo pose for...
Kellan Olson

Suns’ latest NBA Draft choices add on more decisions for crucial offseason

The Phoenix Suns' young core is complete after a great 2018 NBA Draft but there are still problems because of the short-term expectations put on the team.
6 years ago
(AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)...
Kellan Olson

Fitting trade: Deal for Mikal Bridges is win-now move for Suns

The Sixers traded Mikal Bridges to the Phoenix Suns in the 2018 NBA Draft for Zhaire Smith and a 2021 pick owed to Phoenix from Miami and it fits the Suns' needs greatly.
6 years ago
(AP photos)...
Kellan Olson

Deandre Ayton would be unstoppable learning from Amar’e Stoudemire

If Deandre Ayton could learn some of Amar'e Stoudemire's tricks as a face-up big, he could be unstoppable as an offensive player for the Phoenix Suns.
6 years ago
(AP photos)...
Kellan Olson

Empire of the Suns NBA Draft Big Board: Trading up, Nos. 16, 31

Empire of the Suns looks at the top three targets for the Suns in the NBA Draft for trading up, the mid-first round and the beginning of the second round.
6 years ago
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Kellan Olson

Empire of the Suns NBA Mock Draft: Final predictions for draft week

After months of discussing what the Phoenix Suns will do in one of the franchise's most important offseasons in years, we are finally at the week of the NBA Draft.
6 years ago
(Martti Kainulainen/Lehtikuva via AP)...
Kellan Olson

Suns will have limited draft-and-stash options in 2018 NBA Draft

The Phoenix Suns have always valued flexibility with assets, cap space and their roster, and that might come into play again during the 2018 NBA Draft.
6 years ago
(AP photos)...
Kevin Zimmerman

Wanted, veteran help: Draft-day trade targets for the Suns to consider

Could the Phoenix Suns deal their No. 16 picks for immediate veteran help on the day of the 2018 NBA Draft? Here are potential targets they might consider.
6 years ago
Phoenix Suns new head coach Igor Kokoskov, right, arrives with general manager Ryan McDonough to sp...
Kellan Olson

Diving deep into potential trade-up spots for Suns in NBA Draft

The Phoenix Suns want to be aggressive this offseason. Could that include trading up in the NBA Draft? Empire of the Suns examines a few spots in the Suns' range.
6 years ago
Phoenix Suns general manager Ryan McDonough does an interview with The Doug & Wolf Show on 98.7...
Empire of the Suns

Considering the possibility the Suns make an NBA Draft-day trade

Will the Phoenix Suns make a trade during the 2018 NBA Draft? It seems likely, and Empire of the Suns examines all the options for Ryan McDonough.
6 years ago