The Phoenix Suns have made it clear-they're sticking with their current roster as they gear up for the next NBA season. Their early offseason moves have shown a commitment to this strategy, resisting the allure of blockbuster trades for stars like Ja Morant or Aaron Gordon. Instead, they've opted to bolster their lineup through the NBA Draft, finding a player they hope can emulate the impact of a player like Gordon.
But as the NBA landscape shifts, one has to wonder if the Suns might have acted a bit hastily. With intriguing players like Jonathan Isaac now on the market, there's a case to be made for reconsidering.
Isaac, recently waived by the Orlando Magic, is a defensive powerhouse when healthy. His ability to lock down opponents is unmatched, and integrating him into a system like Jordan Ott's for even a modest 12 minutes a game could have been a game-changer.
Then there's Keon Ellis, a player still with the Cleveland Cavaliers but potentially on the move. With Dean Wade likely to return to Cleveland, Ellis might find himself squeezed out.
Though the Suns have brought back Collin Gillespie and Jordan Goodwin, adding Ellis to the mix could have provided a fresh dynamic. He’s a rotation-level talent who might thrive with a change of scenery.
The decision to bring back Gillespie was straightforward, but the Suns' previous willingness to part with Goodwin raises questions. Could this have been the moment to bring Ellis on board? The front office still has some flexibility to make moves, such as freeing up a roster spot, but time will tell if they'll seize the opportunity.
Royce O'Neale could be moved for a second-round pick, though that seems unlikely at present. Meanwhile, Haywood Highsmith remains an option, despite injuries limiting his impact since his arrival from the Brooklyn Nets. If the Suns believe in his potential as part of their rotation, it might explain their current roster decisions.
Owner Mat Ishbia has emphasized the importance of strengthening the team around the edges to build a sustainable winner. While Isaac and Ellis could have been key pieces in this puzzle, the Suns' current path reflects a belief in the group they've assembled. Whether this approach will pay off in the long run remains to be seen, but it's clear that Phoenix is committed to building a cohesive and competitive team.
In Other News...
Suns Still Have One Massive Move Left To Make
The Suns latest swing came with the addition of Miles Bridges from Charlotte, a move that only added to the sense that this roster is still being built in layers. Phoenix has been aggressive in trying to reshape its core, and every new piece seems to invite another question about how far the front office is willing to go to keep the push going.
One name that continues to linger in league chatter is Ja Morant, who has reportedly been available since the trade deadline and remains one of the more intriguing possibilities if Phoenix keeps hunting for another major upgrade. The fit would naturally raise bigger questions about the Suns backcourt rotation and what kind of guard-heavy package they might be willing to consider, but for now it remains a rumor with plenty of moving parts and no transaction to point to yet. [Read more 🡒]
Miles Bridges Arrival Could Set Up The Suns Move Fans Want
Miles Bridges arrival in Phoenix has already changed the board for the Suns, at least in a roster-building sense. The move opens up a spot and keeps the front office active at a time when the team still looks like its searching for the right backcourt fit alongside Devin Booker.
What makes this more interesting is that the Suns now have a little more flexibility to keep working the trade market, with several names suddenly back in the conversation. Not every big-name rumor around Phoenix carries real weight, but the Bridges addition at least gives the front office another pathway if it wants to chase a point guard upgrade and keep reshaping the roster around a tougher, more balanced identity. [Read more 🡒]
Miles Bridges Fallout Has Suns Fans Bracing For Ishbia's Next Move
The aftershocks of Phoenixs trade for Miles Bridges are still being felt, and the reaction around the move has only sharpened the focus on how Mat Ishbia likes to build his roster. Bridges has drawn criticism since arriving from Charlotte, and the conversation has quickly shifted beyond the deal itself to what it might mean for the Suns frontcourt mix and the kinds of players Ishbia may chase next.
Phoenix already has a forward group that looks crowded on paper, with Bridges and Dillon Brooks setting the tone on the wing, but there is also room for another change if the right opportunity comes along. Ishbias Michigan State ties have become part of the discussion, too, since they add another layer to how fans are reading his decision-making as they wait to see whether the Suns keep tweaking the roster or stand pat. [Read more 🡒]