Bradley Beal is gone, and a 2025 Suns Summer League review
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.
Jul 18, 2025•52 min
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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Episodes
2025 NBA Draft review: The Suns have a crop with Maluach, Fleming and Brea
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.
Jun 27, 2025•36 min
Suns draft Khaman Maluach and trade for Mark Williams
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.
Jun 26, 2025•25 min
Who could the Phoenix Suns pick at No. 10 in the 2025 NBA Draft?
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!
Jun 24, 2025•57 min
Kevin Durant is a Rocket, and the Suns' return in the trade is confounding
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.
Jun 22, 2025•35 min
2025 NBA Draft preview as a Kevin Durant trade lingers
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?
Jun 16, 2025•47 min
Kevin Durant trade season has begun for the Suns
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.
Jun 12, 2025•52 min
Suns hire Jordan Ott as head coach, and Mat Ishbia sends a letter
Mat Ishbia's internal memo that followed the Jordan Ott hire as head coach might be the bigger news for Phoenix Suns observers.
Jun 04, 2025•38 min
The Suns' head-coaching search is down to a few guys
The Phoenix Suns are eyeing Micah Nori, Sean Sweeney, Chris Quinn and a handful of other head-coaching candidates. That and NBA Playoffs talk.
May 21, 2025•28 min
The optics don't look great around the Suns' promotion of GM Brian Gregory
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.
May 02, 2025•21 min
Mat Ishbia's accountability about Suns is self-aware but still leaves questions
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.
Apr 18, 2025•48 min
Reaction to the Phoenix Suns firing Mike Budenholzer with Sam Cooper from The Timeline
Sam Cooper from The Timeline joins Kellan Olson to discuss the firing of Phoenix Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer on Empire of the Suns.
Apr 15, 2025•34 min
Kevin Durant is hurt and the Suns are tailspinning to the end
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.
Apr 01, 2025•32 min
The Suns are finally playing good ball: Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro appreciation
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.
Mar 26, 2025•47 min
James Jones could be the Suns' scapegoat. Or he could help them dig out of this hole
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.
Mar 20, 2025•34 min
It gets noisy around the Suns, plus a Bol Bol hat-tip
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!
Mar 03, 2025•22 min
Where do the Suns go from here?
Kevin is back on the podcast but the Phoenix Suns' problems have only gotten worse in the past three weeks.
Feb 21, 2025•24 min
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.
Feb 07, 2025•44 min
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.
Feb 02, 2025•36 min
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.
Jan 29, 2025•25 min
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?
Jan 24, 2025•27 min
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.
Jan 17, 2025•30 min
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!
Jan 07, 2025•33 min
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.
Jan 02, 2025•28 min
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.
Dec 20, 2024•25 min
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.
Dec 13, 2024•40 min
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.
Nov 21, 2024•27 min
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?
Nov 14, 2024•31 min
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.
Nov 07, 2024•44 min
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.
Oct 29, 2024•32 min
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