After missing two Suns practices to attend to personal matters, head coach Monty Williams intends to coach Phoenix against the Thunder on Wednesday, according to Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic.
The 8-7 Suns will host the 7-9 Thunder in the first game of a back-to-back homestand.
“We have to make sure we keep our foot on the gas and not let up at all,” center Deandre Ayton said in discussing the Suns’ recent swoon, which has featured four losses in five games. “We definitely have some answers and we have to redeem ourselves.”
There’s more out of the Western Conference:
- Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer considers next steps the Pelicans could take after their disappointing 5-10 start. New Orleans team president David Griffin is hopeful that star forwards Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram will begin to develop defensively, and mentioned new head coach Stan Van Gundy‘s Dwight Howard-era Magic teams as a possible blueprint. “They played really big,” Griffin said. “They played big, skilled basketball. They weren’t like blitzkrieg fast, but they were super skilled and very big.”
- Kelly Iko of The Athletic takes an in-depth look into the recovery of new Rockets starting point guard John Wall, who missed two calendar years of action during his time as a Wizard, due first to a left heel surgery and then a ruptured Achilles.
- A revised Thunder bench unit sparked an intriguing victory against the Trail Blazers in Portland, as Berry Tramel of the Oklahoman details.
3 teams have defeat Suns
Kings
Wizards
Pistons
Suns have played only 2 games vs top 10 teams
Suns will play 2 games at Dallas
It could be the 9th seed in a week
Story out NO is shopping Lonzo. I guess the honeymoon is over. I’ve always been a supporter. Always thought he has big potential for Big ast 2way PG. With his size he can be 2nd team all D. But he’s having a so so yr. Stories came out after bubble that he wasn’t happy in NO. That he wasn’t offered a contract. Well no one is paying you now. My Spidey senses tell me Something is wrong here. His stats are no better than Payton’s. And he should be our backup.
Both Ball and Redick have little trade value
Both can’t shoot from the three
3pt
Ball 29%
Redick 30%
Fair trade would be
Kelly Oubre for Ball and 2021 Pelicans top 10 protected First or Bucks First
Oubre is far better than Ball on defense
Oubre is shooting worst than both, plus Ball is actually a better defender for his position.
Don’t think GSW would be that interested in Ball. Curry is the PG so he would with be a back up or play SG. He can defend well enough for SG and 30% is enough of a shot but I just can’t see it happening
Ball is a good defender, certainly far better than Curry.
Maybe the Pelicans can trade him to Houston for Dante Exum.
The Rockets have plenty of picks now they can add to the deal.
NO is not trading Ball for Dante Exum. Hahaha. Gtfoh with that nonsense.
How can you say JJ Redick can’t shoot a three. He’s one of the best shooters in the nba.
Redick is not just a spot-up shooter; he can release quickly with a twist; unless he got old…
Griffin got the Big part right about Howard, but skilled? Howard? The guy is unique, but skilled isn’t a term I associate with Howard.
Blazers played an 8 man rotation & were pretty shallow in the depth chart. Not so sure about the prowess of the OKC 2nd unit.
The team that should be interested in Ball is the Chicago Bulls and he would fit perfectly with them allowing the Bulls to have Ball at PG, LaVine at SG and White to rotate in as the Sixth Man…
I agree he could do well there. Bulls should be looking into it
Personally I just think Ball and Bledsoe shouldnt start next to each other, at least not while they have a big like Steven Adams next to Zion. Their spacing is poor at times, and they could use at least another defender on the wing.
I feel like its financially a little weird to match salaries for all of those teams, but the fit is there…that being said there are still a couple of FAs that would help those teams similarly, so not sure how that weighs next to a trade for Ball
Portland, Denver, GS, Washington off the top of my head would make a lot of sense for Ball if they move him. Heat also could make some sense, if you add a piece or 2…Atlanta, Chicago, Minnesota, and Milwaukee arguably all make some sense as well
Griffin is behind the times. His Magic comment makes that apparent.
Stan Van Gundy will never lead the Pelicans any where. All hype no brain.
All brakes,no gas
He could lead them to a Golden Corral
He is also very handsome with the thick stache
Redick is washed up, can’t play defense any more, overpaid
Ball falls in the category of worst 3 point shooter
Griffin overvalue them too much