Empire of the Suns

The Phoenix Suns might be locked into the No. 7 seed, but there is still room for slippage if they falter in the next five games. Plus, Kellan Olson and Kevin Zimmerman talk about Arizona's Elite Eight run so far and NBA Draft prospects in the NCAA Tournament.

The Phoenix Suns are in the thick of a race to avoid the play-in, but their recent run makes it look like they've hit their ceiling on offense, which hasn't been helped by the dips in defense. Plus, a look at the NCAA Tournament and how important it'll be in the shuffling of a very talented 2026 NBA Draft class.

The Phoenix Suns responded to their worst loss of the year with two wins, including one against the surging Charlotte Hornets. Khaman Maluach and Rasheer Fleming are standing out, while Jalen Green and Ryan Dunn are trying to find themselves.

Phoenix Suns coach Jordan Ott appears aggressive in finding out lineup answers quickly, and we're at a tipping point for Mark Williams in a bad way and Rasheer Fleming in a good way.

Devin Booker, Dillon Brooks, Jordan Goodwin and Grayson Allen have already gotten hurt, the Phoenix Suns are still surviving and rookies Rasheer Fleming and Khaman Maluach played meaningful minutes.

Nick Richards was dealt in a three-team deal that brings back Amir Coffey and Cole Anthony's contract. What did the Phoenix Suns gain by standing pat, and what else stood out NBA-wide?

Dillon Brooks is coming off a career game against the Detroit Pistons, while the Phoenix Suns hope to get Jalen Green back from injury. We talk about Devin Booker's and Brooks' NBA All-Star possibilities and more.

Dillon Brooks, Grayson Allen, Royce O'Neale and others have built strong value on the Phoenix Suns. How tradeable are they? And would the Suns even consider moving them?

The win of the year against the Oklahoma City Thunder was more evidence that the Phoenix Suns will make the postseason. So a month from the trade deadline, how do they approach it?

The Suns beat some struggling Pelicans and Wizards teams before falling to the Cavs. What could their rotations look like once Jalen Green and Grayson Allen are healthy?

Dillon Brooks has produced a few whoopsie moments lately, but the Phoenix Suns are still treading water despite individual players, including Devin Booker, finding their first ruts of 2025-26.

The Phoenix Suns stole another game they probably should not have against the Minnesota Timberwolves before getting clobbered by the Oklahoma City Thunder. You could say they're in a holding pattern until Devin Booker and Jalen Green can return.

Devin Booker has gone down with an injury, but the Phoenix Suns have showed they might be able to stay afloat behind hot starts from Dillon Brooks and Collin Gillespie.

Devin Booker has had a rough go of late, but the Phoenix Suns' bench has kept things relatively afloat more than we thought possible. A review of a loss to the Houston Rockets and a look ahead to, yes, NBA Cup standings.

A blown lead against the Atlanta Hawks led to a loss, but the Phoenix Suns rebounded against the Portland Trail Blazers. It was a good sign about this team's toughness, but it also said a lot about how the coaching staff thinks.

The Phoenix Suns are 8-5 and appear to have a clear identity. They shoot threes and are top 10 in offense and defense. Devin Booker is back. Dillon Brooks is hilarious. Now it's about whether that can keep up.

As the Jalen Green debut nears, the Phoenix Suns have found some traction in the past week with Devin Booker picking his spots and Mark Williams in the starting lineup.

Are the Phoenix Suns the gritty, fiesty, defensive team they said they would be? Through a 1-3 start, they're hitting only some of the marks and only sometimes. It's a long season, but there are many questions they've yet to answer.

Devin Booker is the man. Jalen Green and Mark Williams have been slow-rolled. Which rookies and young guys stood out in the preseason and how will they impact the 2025-26 Phoenix Suns?

Devin Booker has unfinished business, coach Jordan Ott and GM Brian Gregory have already hit the ground running and now it's time for the Phoenix Suns to implement schemes and expectations after they - gasp - have spent a lot of time with each other before official practices begin.

With media day set for Wednesday, Kellan Olson and Kevin Zimmerman are back as the Phoenix Suns ramp up for 2025-26 with a weird, reset roster.

Bradley Beal is gone but the Phoenix Suns still have roster questions. Plus, we recap the four Summer League games where Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro stood out.

The Phoenix Suns have more moves to make, but their 2025 NBA Draft haul of Khaman Maluach, Rasheer Fleming and Koby Brea is a promising crop, especially considering the moves made to get those players.

The Phoenix Suns double-dipped at center by picking Khaman Maluach 10th and trading for Mark Williams. Kellan Olson and Kevin Zimmerman are joined by Luke Lapinski and Mitch Vareldzis as part of Arizona Sports' live draft special.

Collin Murray-Boyles, Thomas Sorber and more are potential options for the Phoenix Suns in the 2025 NBA Draft. It's tomorrow. So let's cram!

The Suns traded Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets, whose package in exchange included Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks and picks, leaving the Suns with an out-of-balance roster.

Who could fit the Phoenix Suns in the 2025 NBA Draft if they stick at No. 29? What if they move into the top 10 with a Kevin Durant trade?

We go over what teams like the Spurs, Rockets, Timberwolves, Clippers, Raptors and more that might be willing to offer the Phoenix Suns for Kevin Durant.

Mat Ishbia's internal memo that followed the Jordan Ott hire as head coach might be the bigger news for Phoenix Suns observers.

The Phoenix Suns are eyeing Micah Nori, Sean Sweeney, Chris Quinn and a handful of other head-coaching candidates. That and NBA Playoffs talk.

Brian Gregory is now in charge of the Phoenix Suns' front office, a move that leaves a lot more questions than answers for Mat Ishbia as CEO Josh Bartelstein and now-senior advisor James Jones appear to be taking on lesser roles.

Mat Ishbia, James Jones and Josh Bartelstein held a press conference to discuss Mike Budenholzer's firing and the Phoenix Suns' direction moving into a crucial offseason.

Sam Cooper from The Timeline joins Kellan Olson to discuss the firing of Phoenix Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer on Empire of the Suns.

Will the Phoenix Suns still make the play-in despite Kevin Durant's injury and a return to poor play before it? We look at the final stretch of the season.

Ryan Dunn, Oso Ighodaro, Cody Martin and Collin Gillespie have given the Phoenix Suns juice enough to revive their season. It's good basketball! Plus, Duke. Arizona.

If the Phoenix Suns find James Jones to be the scapegoat, well, the next general manager better draft as well as him. We talk the importance of the upcoming draft, a few NCAA Tournament prospects to watch if you're the Suns and end with some 'Cats talk.

The tumult around the Phoenix Suns has gone public with the Devin Booker and Mike Budenholzer friction. Plus, Bol Bol is doing some positive stuff!

Kevin is back on the podcast but the Phoenix Suns' problems have only gotten worse in the past three weeks.

Kellan Olson is joined by guest co-host Sam Cooper to run through the trade the Suns made before the deadline, and more importantly, the ones they did not make.

This is a Suns podcast but Luka Doncic was traded to the Lakers for Anthony Davis. It might make the teams better this year? But the Dallas Mavericks still traded one of the best players ever in his prime.

Will the Phoenix Suns trade for Jimmy Butler? Is it a good idea? What else can they do before the NBA trade deadline. We answer our listeners' questions.

It sure looks like the Phoenix Suns took another tiny step toward landing Jimmy Butler. What do we make of a 1-for-3 draft pick trade with the Utah Jazz?

The Phoenix Suns traded for Nick Richards, but it appears the rest of the NBA sees their busy phone lines as a desperate team trying to fix things by staying the course.

Jimmy Butler apparently wants the Suns. Phoenix apparently is interested in Jimmy Butler. Meanwhile, Bradley Beal doesn't appear entirely pleased after being benched. Buckle up, because it's conspiracy theory time!

The Phoenix Suns have failed to defend due to a handful of reasons of late. We run through the numbers of what's made them one of the worst teams in the league over the last several weeks.

Devin Booker is hurt just as Bradley Beal returned. Defensive lapses against the Pacers showed the Phoenix Suns are who they thought they are, regardless of who's healthy or who's head coach.

Jimmy Butler trade rumors are live thanks to reporting from Shams Charania and our John Gambadoro. What do we make of a potential Heat and Suns trade? We know Butler likes to make a scene on his way out of his past stops.

We aren't making grand proclamations about the Phoenix Suns' losing streak! Or is this a shocker? They need to avoid losing stars Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal as much as possible the rest of the way.

Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal have gotten dinged up, and the Phoenix Suns have come down to earth after a red-hot start. How worried are we?

Kevin Durant has been clutch. The Phoenix Suns' defense has been top-10 good. And that combination has Phoenix eeking out games despite some inconsistencies.