Empire of the Suns

Duke forward Jayson Tatum (0) goes to the basket against Louisville forward Ray Spalding (13) and f...
Kevin Zimmerman

Duke F Jayson Tatum is the most volatile of the NBA Draft’s top prospects

Jayson Tatum's stock as a tweener forward is as volatile as anyone's in the otherwise cut-and-dry tier of top players in this 2017 NBA Draft class.
7 years ago
Phoenix Suns' Alex Len, left, is defended by Brooklyn Nets' Trevor Booker (35) during the first hal...
Kellan Olson

Former top-5 pick Alex Len failed to do himself any favors in crucial contract year

Alex Len has failed to take advantage of his contract year, and might have made the Phoenix Suns' decision this summer easier than it had to be.
7 years ago
(AP Photos)...
Empire of the Suns

Empire of the Suns offseason lookahead roundtable

Should the Suns re-sign Alex Len? Should Eric Bledsoe be traded? Empire of the Suns looks ahead at Phoenix's offseason of questions.
7 years ago
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker gestures after he scored a basket, as fans cheer him at TD Garden i...
Empire of the Suns

Empire of the Suns 2016-17 season review roundtable

Empire of the Suns reviews the season, which included a poor season from Brandon Knight, and promising signs from Devin Booker and Eric Bledsoe.
7 years ago
Phoenix Suns forward Alan Williams (15) is fouled by Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) in t...
Kellan Olson

Alan Williams’ rise to productive NBA player leaves another question for Suns’ offseason

While draft picks and other players on the Phoenix Suns' roster will get more attention this offseason, Alan Williams is entering restricted free agency after a great 2016-17 season.
7 years ago
LA Clippers' Chris Paul (3) controls the ball as Phoenix Suns' Tyler Ulis, left, tries to strip it ...
Kellan Olson

Suns’ Tyler Ulis’ breakout rookie season showcases NBA’s latest second-round steal

The Phoenix Suns' second-round pick Tyler Ulis was a steal for Phoenix, but there are still questions as to how effective he can be for a full season.
7 years ago
Kansas' Josh Jackson (11) advances the ball to the basket as Michigan State' Miles Bridges (22) giv...
Kevin Zimmerman

Will the Suns see Josh Jackson as a star or an elite role player?

Josh Jackson could be an elite role player. He could also be a star. How does he look from the Suns' perspective in the 2017 NBA Draft?
7 years ago
Phoenix Suns forward T.J. Warren (12) moves the ball past Los Angeles Lakers forward Brandon Ingram...
Kellan Olson

After terrific start to season, Suns’ T.J. Warren trying yet again to find right role

T.J. Warren exploded at the start of the Phoenix Suns' season, but it's been a struggle back to his promising form after a head injury.
7 years ago
Kentucky guard De'Aaron Fox grabs the ball as UCLA guard Lonzo Ball and Kentucky guard Malik Monk l...
Kellan Olson

Empire of the Suns NBA Draft Big Board: Post-NCAA Tournament edition

The NCAA Tournament is over and with it comes several changes -- think Lonzo Ball and De'Aaron Fox -- to the Empire of the Suns 2017 NBA Draft big board.
7 years ago
FILE - In this Jan. 21, 2017, file photo, UCLA guard Lonzo Ball, center, shoots as Arizona forward ...
Kellan Olson

Empire of the Suns NBA Draft Big Board: Pre-NCAA Tournament edition

Empire of the Suns ranks their top-14 NBA Draft prospects prior to the start of the NCAA Tournament, when many players will move up and down big boards.
7 years ago
UCLA guard Lonzo Ball, front, picks up a loose ball as Colorado guard Deleon Brown pursues during t...
Kellan Olson

Three reasons Lonzo Ball should not be in the top-3 on the Suns’ NBA Draft board

UCLA freshman Lonzo Ball might be the most special college basketball player in over a decade, but is he worth a top-3 selection in this year's draft?
7 years ago
Charlotte Hornets guard Brian Roberts (22) and Phoenix Suns guard Tyler Ulis battle for a loose bal...
Kellan Olson

New second unit transforms Suns’ offense into one of NBA’s hottest

When an NBA team adds three players to its rotation in late February that haven't played much at al, that team is not concerned about winning games.
7 years ago
Phoenix Suns' Tyler Ulis (8) looks to pass the ball as Utah Jazz's Marcus Paige (16) defends during...
Kevin Zimmerman

Welcome the Suns’ new 2-man game, featuring Tyler Ulis and Alan Williams

Backup Phoenix Suns center Alan Williams has taken the bull by the horns, but he is getting a bit of help from point guard Tyler Ulis.
7 years ago
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Kevin Zimmerman

The Suns’ trade deadline moves make their lottery position a story to watch

The Phoenix Suns' trade of P.J. Tucker to the Toronto Raptors at the deadline set the table for the rest of the year and beyond.
7 years ago
Phoenix Suns' Brandon Knight, top, fouls Toronto Raptors' DeMarre Carroll during first-half NBA bas...
Kellan Olson

Brandon Knight’s mysterious decline since moving to the bench has him stuck

Brandon Knight has gone from future All-Star to Sixth Man of the Year contender at the start of this season to one of the worst players in the NBA.
7 years ago
Denver Nuggets guard Jameer Nelson, left, defends as Phoenix Suns guard Brandon Knight looks to pas...
Kevin Zimmerman

USA Today’s Amick: Suns’ Brandon Knight asking price sinks at trade deadline

When it comes to the market value of point guard Brandon Knight, reality has hit the Phoenix Suns as the trade deadline approaches.
7 years ago
Phoenix Suns forward P.J. Tucker (17) reacts to a call during the second half of the team's NBA bas...
Kevin Zimmerman

ESPN’s Stein: Raptors mulling P.J. Tucker trade with Suns

The Raptors are attempting to land a versatile forward before the trade deadline, and the Suns' P.J. Tucker is one such player they're keeping an eye on.
7 years ago
New York Knicks forward Mindaugas Kuzminskas (91) breaks away and dunks in the second half of an NB...
Kevin Zimmerman

Report: Suns ‘expressed interest’ in Knicks rookie Mindaugas Kuzminskas

Mindaugas Kuzminskas, a rookie from the New York Knicks, was reportedly drawing interest in the trade market from the Phoenix Suns.
7 years ago
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Empire of the Suns

Suns trade grades: Reviewing Ryan McDonough’s 2015-16 deals

Last season, the Suns traded Markieff and Marcus Morris twins and then pulled off a draft-day deal with the Kings to acquire the rights to Marquese Chriss.
7 years ago
Phoenix Suns center Tyson Chandler, left, and forward P.J. Tucker, right force a jump ball against ...
Kevin Zimmerman

Suns trade notebook: ESPN’s Stein says Tyson Chandler is the big question mark

Tyson Chandler drew interest in the trade market but it appears the Phoenix Suns had no intention of dealing him to the Portland Trail Blazers.
7 years ago
Phoenix Suns guard Isaiah Thomas (3) drives past San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan (21) in the s...
Empire of the Suns

Suns trade grades: Reviewing Ryan McDonough’s 2014-15 deals

The 2014-15 season included a flurry of Phoenix Suns trades, two of which involving Isaiah Thomas and Brandon Knight were painful trade deadline deals.
7 years ago
Phoenix Suns' Jared Dudley (3) drives against Los Angeles Clippers' Eric Bledsoe (12) during the se...
Empire of the Suns

Suns trade grades: Reviewing Ryan McDonough’s 2013-14 deals

Suns general manager Ryan McDonough's first season in 2013-14 saw Phoenix rebuild via a wrecking ball only to win 48 games
7 years ago
Sacramento Kings forward DeMarcus Cousins, left, and Phoenix Suns guard Brandon Knight go for the b...
Kevin Zimmerman

Suns trade notebook: Coveting star or assets, McDonough not pressed to deal

The Phoenix Suns want a star player or assets, but general manager Ryan McDonough doesn't feel the need to make a deal before the NBA trade deadline.
7 years ago
Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe, left, looks to pass the ball as Denver Nuggets guard Jameer Nelson...
Kevin Zimmerman

ESPN’s Windhorst: Now is time for Suns to examine trading Eric Bledsoe

Eric Bledsoe just might be having his best season of his NBA career. ESPN's Brian Windhorst says the Suns just might want to think about trading him.
7 years ago