Empire of the Suns

Empire of the Suns

ArizonaSports.com's Kevin Zimmerman and Kellan Olson break down the storylines surrounding the Phoenix Suns every week. From in-depth analysis to breaking news reactions, the Empire of the Suns podcast has you covered for everything Suns.

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Most Recent Episode

Empire of the Suns
Trade deadline recap w/ Sam Cooper

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.

00:43:15
Feb 6, 2025 5:36 PM
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More Episodes

Empire of the Suns
This is a Suns podcast but Luka Doncic was traded to the Lakers

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.

00:35:10
Feb 2, 2025 1:8 AM
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Empire of the Suns
A pre-NBA deadline Q&A: Jimmy Butler and other Suns trade options

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.

00:24:21
Jan 29, 2025 4:6 PM
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Empire of the Suns
Phoenix Suns make a trade before the possible Jimmy Butler trade

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?

00:26:18
Jan 24, 2025 3:5 PM
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Empire of the Suns
Suns keep digging for answers with Nick Richards trade

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.

00:29:06
Jan 17, 2025 3:43 PM
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Empire of the Suns
Bradley Beal is benched and the smoke around Suns' Jimmy Butler trade interest is suffocating

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!

00:31:30
Jan 7, 2025 3:56 PM
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Empire of the Suns
The sample size is too large to ignore: The Suns are one of the worst teams in the NBA lately

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.

00:26:35
Jan 2, 2025 3:26 PM
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Empire of the Suns
Devin Booker gets hurt, and a loss to the Pacers is a microcosm of the Suns

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.

00:23:57
Dec 20, 2024 2:6 PM
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Empire of the Suns
Jimmy Butler is apparently interested in the Suns, just like this podcast

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.

00:39:27
Dec 12, 2024 9:50 PM
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Empire of the Suns
The Suns need a break in the worst way

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.

00:26:02
Nov 21, 2024 3:17 PM
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Empire of the Suns
We're learning about the Suns' weaknesses with Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal out

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?

00:29:54
Nov 14, 2024 3:18 PM
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Empire of the Suns
Kevin Durant and the Suns' defense has them at 7-1 to start 2024-25

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.

00:43:07
Nov 7, 2024 3:23 PM
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Empire of the Suns
Suns' vibes are mostly good through 4 games

Mike Budenholzer's Phoenix Suns have shown their depth and promising efforts even through rough patches over their first four games. Ryan Dunn's stock is up, while Jusuf Nurkic's is down.

00:31:22
Oct 29, 2024 1:23 PM
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Empire of the Suns
Are the Suns 2024-25 title contenders? Plus, preseason takeaways and more

With the Empire of the Suns duo hosting Arizona Sports at Night, Kellan and Kevin take advantage to touch on the Phoenix Suns' preseason and their title chances with a look at the NBA as a whole. Finally, we make our 2024-25 season predictions for MVP, title winner and more.

00:45:34
Oct 18, 2024 10:33 PM
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Empire of the Suns
Promising Suns preseason so far: Rookies Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro, 3-point volume stand out

We know it's the preseason, but the Phoenix Suns' spacing on offense and contributions from its two draft picks Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro are hard not to notice.

00:23:31
Oct 9, 2024 6:59 PM
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Empire of the Suns
Suns media day reaction: Everyone is vibing, especially Bradley Beal

Bradley Beal admitted he struggled last year. He's just trying to have fun. We give our Phoenix Suns media day reactions and touch on the change in the Western Conference contenders stemming from the Karl-Anthony Towns trade.

00:37:25
Oct 1, 2024 4:12 PM
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Empire of the Suns
Al McCoy was more than a legend. Plus a look ahead to Suns media day

We're back after an offseason hiatus. Kellan and Kevin remember Al McCoy being larger than life before looking ahead to Phoenix Suns media day.

00:28:08
Sep 27, 2024 2:14 PM
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Empire of the Suns
Suns waive Nassir Little, and can Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro find rotation time?

The Phoenix Suns waived Nassir Little and E.J. Liddell in a move that saves $10s of millions in taxes. Was it related to the Suns' confidence in their two quite unique rookies?

00:18:11
Aug 23, 2024 12:17 PM
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Empire of the Suns
The Tyus Jones signs with the Suns episode

Why does the Tyus Jones signing only bring more questions for the Phoenix Suns? Plus, we take in what Devin Booker and Kevin Durant have done for USA Basketball in wins over Serbia and South Sudan.

00:36:06
Jul 31, 2024 5:32 PM
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Empire of the Suns
Suns land Monte Morris, Mason Plumlee in free agency

The Phoenix Suns didn't do anything groundbreaking but added two reliable veterans at point guard and center: Monte Morris and Mason Plumlee.

00:24:37
Jul 3, 2024 3:39 PM
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Empire of the Suns
Oso Ighodaro is the Suns' 2nd-round pick, Jalen Bridges signs a 2-way

The Phoenix Suns' 2024 NBA Draft is complete with a couple of trades to add Oso Ighodaro out of Marquette, and the team even followed by signing Jalen Bridges on a two-way deal. Plus, an NBA free-agency preview.

00:50:29
Jun 27, 2024 7:51 PM
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Empire of the Suns
Suns pick Virginia's Ryan Dunn after an NBA Draft-day trade with Nuggets

Ryan Dunn went 58th overall to the Phoenix Suns, who piled up picks from the Denver Nuggets in the process. While the Virginia wing is perhaps one of the best defenders in the 2024 NBA Draft class, his offensive holes leave concerns about his upside.

00:33:39
Jun 26, 2024 10:28 PM
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Empire of the Suns
Our Phoenix Suns NBA Draft big board for the 22nd pick

We run down each of our top players in the 2024 NBA Draft who should be in range of options for the Phoenix Suns with their No. 22 overall selection.

01:13:11
Jun 20, 2024 4:0 PM
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Empire of the Suns
The big 2024 NBA Draft preview: Do Suns swing big or play it safe?

The Phoenix Suns will have plenty of experienced, ready-to-go prospects available to them in the 2024 NBA Draft. But if they stay at No. 22, high-ceiling prospects could also be there. Kellan Olson and Kevin Zimmerman are joined by draft guru Damon Allred to cover a laundry list of prospects and how they might fit in Phoenix.

00:55:24
Jun 11, 2024 3:39 PM
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Empire of the Suns
Why the Suns will work out Bronny James before the draft + an NBA Finals preview

The Phoenix Suns working out Bronny James before the NBA Draft doesn't have much to do with that LeBron fella. Plus, a look at the new G League team's situation and an NBA Finals preview.

00:34:37
Jun 4, 2024 3:33 PM
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