Empire of the Suns

Golden State Warriors forward Harrison Barnes, right, and Portland Trail Blazers forward Al-Farouq ...
Kellan Olson

The Phoenix Suns should not answer the Harrison Barnes question

Unless you think Kevin Durant is leaving the Thunder, the most fascinating name to watch in NBA free agency is the Golden State Warriors' Harrison Barnes.
8 years ago
From left to right, Phoenix Suns  second-round draft pick Tyler Ulis and first-round draft picks Dr...
Kellan Olson

Suns’ trade for Marquese Chriss highlights Ryan McDonough’s aggressive mentality

Phoenix Suns general manager Ryan McDonough has always been about aggressive moves, and he made another one Thursday night during the 2016 NBA Draft.
8 years ago
Dragan Bender walks off the stage after being selected fourth overall by the Phoenix Suns during th...
Empire of the Suns

Post-draft pod: Suns go for it by drafting Dragan Bender, Marquese Chriss

While so much is to be determined in how Dragan Bender, Marquese Chriss and Tyler Ulis develop, the Suns at least won this NBA Draft night.
8 years ago
(AP Photos)...
Kellan Olson

Can the Suns’ new frontcourt of Dragan Bender and Marquese Chriss play together?

The Phoenix Suns made the biggest splash of the 2016 NBA Draft by selecting Dragan Bender and acquiring Marquese Chriss. The question is, can they play together?
8 years ago
Dragan Bender walks off the stage after being selected fourth overall by the Phoenix Suns during th...
Empire of the Suns

Who is Suns draft pick Dragan Bender?

Get to know Dragan Bender, the Phoenix Suns' first selection in the 2016 NBA Draft.
8 years ago
Empire of the Suns

NBA Draft’s late lottery full of frontcourt options for Suns

A look at Deyonta Davis, Domantas Sabonis and Henry Ellenson with an attempt to whittle down the potential options for the Suns in the 2016 NBA Draft.
8 years ago
LSU forward Ben Simmons (25) reacts during the second half of the Legends Classic semifinal against...
Empire of the Suns

NBA Draft: Strong takes, bold predictions for the Suns and the field

Last-minute predictions and a few hot takes as the Phoenix Suns ready for the 2016 NBA Draft.
8 years ago
Utah Jazz's Gordon Hayward (20) drives past Phoenix Suns' Jon Leuer, right, during the second half ...
Kevin Zimmerman

ESPN’s Stein: Suns among those interested in Jazz’s Gordon Hayward

The Phoenix Suns have inquired about acquiring Utah Jazz swingman Gordon Hayward, but the Jazz have no interest in trading their best player.
8 years ago
Utah Jazz's Derrick Favors, right, celebrates with Gordon Hayward after scoring against the Indiana...
Kellan Olson

Connecting the dots: Which ‘younger vet’ could the Phoenix Suns trade for?

Monday afternoon ESPN's Chad Ford joined Arizona Sports 98.7 FM’s Burns and Gambo show and cited that he's been hearing an ample amount of trade buzz concerning the Phoenix Suns.
8 years ago
...
Bryan Gibberman

Empire of the Suns Round Table: What to do with the 4th pick?

A look at what could happen with the Suns top pick in the 2016 NBA Draft.
8 years ago
Dragan Bender, Skal Labissiere and Zhou Qi....
EMPIRE OF THE SUNS

From Bender to Qi: A collection of our NBA Draft podcasts

The Empire of the Suns crew talks Phoenix Suns basketball in their podcast series leading into the 2016 NBA Draft.
8 years ago
...
EMPIRE OF THE SUNS

NBA Draft showdown: Jaylen Brown vs. Kris Dunn

Kris Dunn and Jaylen Brown are two prospects the Phoenix Suns could choose fourth in the 2016 NBA Draft. Which is the better fit?
8 years ago
...
EMPIRE OF THE SUNS

NBA Draft showdown: Marquese Chriss vs. Dragan Bender

We get to the bottom of the great power forward debate of the 2016 NBA Draft: Who is the better prospect between Marquese Chriss and Dragan Bender?
8 years ago
(Screenshot)...
Kevin Zimmerman

It’s looking more like Dragan Bender will be available to the Suns

It looks more likely Croatian forward Dragan Bender could remain on the board by the time the Phoenix Suns are ready to pick fourth in the 2016 NBA Draft.
8 years ago
(Dragan Bender/Facebook photo)...
Kellan Olson

Phoenix Suns could select multiple international prospects in 2016 NBA Draft

The 2016 NBA Draft could have at least nine international prospects selected in the first round, and seven of those prospects are ranked on big boards in the draft range of Phoenix Suns' selections.
8 years ago
Washington's Marquese Chriss (0) blocks a shot by Utah's Kyle Kuzma in the first half of an NCAA co...
Kellan Olson

Marquese Chriss should not be the pick for the Phoenix Suns at No. 4

Marquese Chriss' rapid rise in projections has been one of the biggest developments as the NBA Draft draws nearer.
8 years ago
Kentucky guard Jamal Murray reacts after making a 3-point basket during the second half of a first-...
Kellan Olson

Worst-case scenarios for Phoenix Suns and their two lottery picks in NBA Draft

The overwhelming consensus for the Phoenix Suns is they need to draft a forward.
8 years ago
Duke guard Brandon Ingram (14) gathers in a rebound in front of Notre Dame forward V.J. Beachem (3)...
EMPIRE OF THE SUNS

Mocking the lottery picks of the NBA Draft

It's time to mock. Our Empire of the Suns bloggers take a stab at selecting a player for the Phoenix Suns in the 2016 NBA Draft.
8 years ago
California forward Jaylen Brown (0) pauses as the team trails Utah during the first half of an NCAA...
EMPIRE OF THE SUNS

The best options for the Suns and their 4th pick in the 2016 NBA Draft

Dragan Bender, Kris Dunn, Jamal Murray and Jaylen Brown are options for the Phoenix Suns, who earned the fourth pick thanks to the 2016 NBA Draft Lottery.
8 years ago
Follow @KellanOlson...
Kellan Olson

Three keys for the Phoenix Suns in Tuesday’s NBA Draft Lottery

The NBA lottery is arguably the biggest event of the season for some teams in the NBA.
8 years ago
Portland Trail Blazers forward Al-Farouq Aminu (8) blocks the shot on Phoenix Suns forward Jon Leue...
Kevin Zimmerman

Blazers’ frontcourt success provides lessons for the Suns’ roster building

Targeting defensively-versatile combo forwards would be economically viable and conducive to improving the roster assuming the same group of guards return.
8 years ago
Follow @AZSports...
Haboob Blog

Raja Bell’s mom confronted Kobe, offered a hug after son’s 2006 clothesline

Raja Bell stopped by Highly Questionable and revealed a story about his infamous clothesline of Kobe Bryant in the Suns' 2006 first-round series victory.
8 years ago
In this Wednesday, April 13, 2016, photo, Phoenix Suns coach Earl Watson, left, stands next to assi...
Kevin Zimmerman

Suns’ Earl Watson displayed inventiveness but remains unproven as offensive mind

Interim Phoenix Suns head coach Earl Watson improved the defense and impressed in communicating with players but his offensive philosophies are a mystery.
8 years ago
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, left, drives past Denver Nuggets guard Gary Harris during the seco...
EMPIRE OF THE SUNS

Where Devin Booker definitively stands in the NBA Rookie of the Year race

Suns guard Devin Booker had himself a fine rookie campaign, but where does he stack up with Karl-Anthony Towns and Co. in the Rookie of the Year picture?
8 years ago