Mat Ishbia doesn't do "quiet." If you've been following the Valley of the Suns lately, you know the vibe in Phoenix is basically a mix of high-stakes gambling and a surprisingly functional chemistry experiment. After the absolute chaos of the 2024 season—the kind of year that leaves fans staring blankly at box scores—the Suns decided to hit the "reset" button on everything except their franchise icon.
It worked. Sorta. Actually, it worked way better than anyone expected.
The current landscape of nba rumors phoenix suns fans are obsessing over is no longer about how to fix a broken "Big Three." That dream is dead. Kevin Durant is hitting game-winners in Houston. Bradley Beal’s contract was stretched and waived into the abyss of dead money. Instead, the Suns are sitting at 24-16, leaning on a gritty culture led by Devin Booker and a cast of "scrappy" guys like Dillon Brooks. But with the February 5 trade deadline looming, the rumor mill is spinning faster than a Grayson Allen transition three.
The Jonathan Kuminga Smoke and Why It Fizzled
For months, the biggest name linked to Phoenix was Jonathan Kuminga. It made sense on paper, right? He’s young, athletic, and was clearly disgruntled with his role in Golden State. NBA insider Jake Fischer has been tracking this since the summer. But the latest word from The Stein Line is that Phoenix has officially backed away.
Why? Because the Suns actually like their depth.
Honestly, the emergence of rookie Khaman Maluach and the "leap" from Oso Ighodaro has changed the math for Brian Gregory’s front office. They aren't desperate for a project anymore. They need a finisher. If they’re going to move assets, they want someone who fits the "Jordan Ott-fense" perfectly, not someone who’s going to complain about touches.
The "Sneaky Buyer" Label: Who Is on the Radar?
Despite Mat Ishbia telling Arizona Sports that he "loves our guys" and doesn't want to mess with a good thing, nobody in the league believes him. He’s a competitor. You don't get to where he is by standing pat when a play-in spot is within reach.
The Suns are being labeled as "sneaky buyers" because they have some mid-tier contracts that are surprisingly tradable.
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- Nick Richards: He’s the most likely name to be wearing a different jersey by February. He’s a serviceable backup center on a $5 million expiring deal, but he’s been getting DNPs because the young guys are outplaying him.
- Grayson Allen: This is where it gets spicy. Allen is having a career year—he just dropped 33 on the Pistons while Booker was out with an ankle sprain—but his $16.8 million contract is the perfect "salary filler" for a bigger fish.
- The Jalen Green Factor: Green was the crown jewel of the Durant trade, but a hamstring injury has kept him sidelined for two months. The Suns are reportedly telling teams he is "untouchable." They want to see what he looks like next to Booker before they even think about moving him.
Rumors have recently swirled about a potential pursuit of Robert Williams III from Portland. The Suns need interior defense and rebounding. Williams is a high-risk, high-reward guy, but if he’s healthy, he changes their ceiling. Rival executives are watching this closely because the Suns could aggregate Richards and another piece to make the money work.
Should the Suns Actually Trade Devin Booker?
There is a segment of the national media—looking at you, Valley of the Suns contributors—suggesting the Suns should "sell high" on Booker. The argument is that at 29, his timeline doesn't match the rookies, and his new $133 million extension is a lot of weight to carry.
That’s a hard "no" from anyone living in Arizona.
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Booker is the culture. He’s averaging 25.3 points and 6.4 assists while playing through a left ankle sprain that would have sidelined most guys for a month. Trading him now would be a PR disaster and a competitive suicide. The organization views him as the bridge to the next era, especially with Jalen Green and Khaman Maluach showing flashes of being legitimate running mates.
Dealing with the Salary Cap Reality
The Suns are still operating in a world of pain when it comes to the CBA. They are projected to have zero cap space for 2026. Even after shedding the Durant and Beal contracts, the extensions for Booker and the arrival of Jalen Green have kept them in the "expensive" category.
They are currently about $18 million below the second apron, which gives them a tiny bit of breathing room to take back more salary in a trade than they send out. That’s a luxury they didn't have last year. It’s why you’re seeing these nba rumors phoenix suns whispers about being "buyers." For the first time in the Ishbia era, they can actually make a 2-for-1 or 3-for-1 trade without the league office immediately vetoing it for cap reasons.
Actionable Insights for the Deadline
If you’re a betting person or just a die-hard fan, keep your eyes on the "Power Forward" spot. Royce O’Neale is a warrior, but at 32, he’s a bit undersized for the 4 in a seven-game series against a team like Houston or Denver.
- Watch the Nick Richards / Robert Williams III connection. If the Blazers decide to fully embrace the tank, Richards plus a second-round pick might be enough to snag Time Lord.
- Monitor Jalen Green’s return. He’s expected back in late January. How he integrates into the starting lineup will dictate whether the Suns go all-in or stay quiet.
- Don't expect a superstar. The era of the "Big Three" in Phoenix is over. The rumors you should believe are the ones involving "3-and-D" specialists and rim protectors.
- The "Grayson Allen Trade" is a trap. Unless the Suns are getting an elite, starting-caliber wing back, they aren't moving him. His shooting is too valuable for the spacing Booker needs.
The next few weeks are going to be wild. The Suns are no longer the laughingstock of the league; they are the team nobody wants to play in the first round. Whether they stay the course or make one more move, the basketball world is finally paying attention to Phoenix for the right reasons.
Keep an eye on the injury reports—especially Booker’s ankle—as that will be the true catalyst for any late-night trade calls from the 602 area code.