Podcast

Empire of the Suns

Basketball, News, Sports, Sports News

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.

Episodes
102
Releases
Weekly
Typical length
43 min
On air since
2024
Latest episode
5 days ago

Episodes

102 episodes, newest first

  1. Do the Suns need a point guard? There is apparently frustration in the locker room

    Show notes

    A report surfaced that the Phoenix Suns are frustrated over the lack of a point guard brewing in the locker room. What does that mean? What lineup changes could happen down the road? And yeah, we'll throw out some potential trade targets just for fun.

    55 min
  2. Miles Bridges' Suns debut, Khaman Maluach starts and more post-blowout opener reaction

    Show notes

    It's hard to take much away from the Phoenix Suns' loss to the Blazers that opened the 2026-27 season. But it doesn't make us feel better about preseason worries about this team. How concerning was Miles Bridges' debut as a Sun, Khaman Maluach's debut as a starter and Devin Booker's nonchalant performance?

    32 min
  3. Luke Kennard getting dinged up brings up a worry about the Suns' pull-up 3-point shooting

    Show notes

    Luke Kennard might be fine. He could be hurt. But it led us to worry about the Phoenix Suns' 3-point efficiency and volume, especially when it comes to Devin Booker. Kellan takes a deep dive into Booker's pull-up numbers, and we look at the strides we are seeing from Khaman Maluach.

    50 min
  4. The Oso Ighodaro and Khaman Maluach center picture clears up, and more Suns preseason takeaways

    Show notes

    Kellan Olson and Kevin Zimmerman are back to talk the Phoenix Suns center rotation between Oso Ighodaro and Khaman Maluach through two preseason games, Ryan Dunn's role and more. The Empire of the Suns podcast will now stream LIVE every Thursday at 2:30 p.m. on YouTube. Join us there!

    29 min
  5. Media day takeaways: Suns have continuity, but their identity remains in flux

    Show notes

    Kellan Olson and Kevin Zimmerman are back as the Phoenix Suns opened 2026-27 with a media day, talking Year 2 under coach Jordan Ott and Year 12 for Devin Booker.

    24 min
  6. Dillon Brooks got extended, and we tier out the Suns' Western Conference

    Show notes

    Dillon Brooks got his extension. Miles Bridges is next up for the Phoenix Suns. Plus, we run down the pecking order and power rank the NBA's Western Conference.

    57 min
  7. Khaman Maluach, Koa Peat and Rasheer Fleming show out in Suns Summer League action

    Show notes

    Khaman Maluach, Koa Peat and Rasheer Fleming have shown signs in Las Vegas. We have a healthy debate about who's looked the best in Summer League and which Phoenix Suns might actually parlay that into NBA playing time.

    22 min
  8. Suns' Miles Bridges trade and Mark Williams signing get thumbs down from us

    Show notes

    The Phoenix Suns' trade to acquire Miles Bridges and signing of Mark Williams only adds to roster questions. Did they get worse?

    1 hr 5 min
  9. Koa Peat remains a Valley boy with the Phoenix Suns

    Show notes

    Arizona Wildcats and Perry Pumas product Koa Peat stays in-state for the triple-stage growth as an Arizonan after the Phoenix Suns traded into the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft. And as they say in the NBA, triples is best.

    49 min
  10. The 2026 NBA Draft is set after the Suns re-signed Collin Gillespie and Jordan Goodwin

    Show notes

    Collin Gillespie and Jordan Goodwin are re-signed with the Phoenix Suns. And that sets the table for a 2026 NBA Draft where we think the Suns will trade up to add an impact rookie.

    50 min
  11. Who could the Suns trade for this offseason? And how?

    Show notes

    We take a top-layer look at how much the Phoenix Suns could add, subtract and trade this offseason. Could Zion Williamson or any other big names be on the table? Plus, NBA Draft Lottery talk.

    1 hr 2 min
  12. What's next for the Phoenix Suns after getting swept by OKC?

    Show notes

    Devin Booker's future aside, there are roster defects for the Phoenix Suns. A sweep by the Thunder upheld some of those beliefs, but it also built up role players like Dillon Brooks, Collin Gillespie and Oso Ighodaro.

    34 min
  13. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander goes bonkers, and Suns are on the brink

    Show notes

    Devin Booker tweaked an ankle, the Phoenix rotation tightened but the Thunder remained a machine. Game 3 was the Suns' best shot at a win, but Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the star in front of a sleepy crowd at Mortgage Matchup Center.

    28 min
  14. Devin Booker goes at refs, Suns get Dillon Brooks heater in Game 2 loss to Thunder

    Show notes

    Devin Booker used his postgame press conference to point a finger at officials, Dillon Brooks went on an offensive heater and the Phoenix Suns showed a little more fight in Game 2 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, who lost Jalen Williams to a hamstring injury.

    31 min
  15. Game 1 of Suns vs. Thunder went about as we expected

    Show notes

    Devin Booker didn't get much help with Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green struggling, while the other Phoenix Suns gave even less. The Oklahoma City Thunder cruised to a 119-84 win in Game 1 of their playoff series.

    30 min
  16. The Suns beat the Warriors and played into the playoffs

    Show notes

    The Phoenix Suns will face the Oklahoma City Thunder thanks to a win over the Golden State Warriors that included a big Jalen Green effort and some Jordan Goodwin assistance.

    27 min
  17. Devin Booker's got the spotlight on him as Suns face do-or-die

    Show notes

    A loss in the 7-8 play-in game by the Phoenix Suns raised big-picture questions about Devin Booker and led to a flood of Jordan Ott complaints. How will the Suns rebound in a must-win game after Portland attacked their weaknesses?

    54 min
  18. It's Suns-Blazers in the NBA Play-In Game

    Show notes

    The Portland Trail Blazers have size and rebounding to cause problems for the Phoenix Suns in their NBA Play-In matchup. Where do the Suns have the edge?

    43 min
  19. Should the Suns prefer a play-in against the Clippers or Blazers?

    Show notes

    The Phoenix Suns, who are now locked into the No. 7 seed, have injuries and changing rotational pieces. It'll be a thrilling, odd play-in matchup against either the Los Angeles Clippers or Portland Trail Blazers.

    54 min
  20. The Phoenix Suns have TONS to figure out before a likely play-in berth

    Show notes

    The Phoenix Suns have Dillon Brooks and Mark Williams back, but they'll be faced with tough questions about rotations as the offense has faltered and the defense has fallen off with five games left in the regular season.

    26 min