To what extent are the Phoenix Suns truly performing at a high level?
The Phoenix Suns finished the season with a 36 to 46 record, placing them 11th in the Western Conference. This was a significant regression from their 49 win season in 2023 to 24, which ended with a first round playoff sweep, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2019. The 20 was a low point, especially for a team with the NBA’s highest peril at $366.6 million. Their season was marked by inconsistency, including a late eight-game losing streak that eliminated them from play in contention. This record alone suggests the Suns were far from a top tier team, but the reasons behind it reveal more about their performance. The big three, Booker, Durant, and Beal. The Suns roster was built around their big three of Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal, who collectively earned $150.6 million. However, their performance as a unit was underwhelming. Devin Booker remained a cornerstone, surpassing Walter Davis as a franchise’s all-time leading scorer on February 3rd, 2025 with a three-pointer against the Spurs. He reached 15,000 career points with the Suns on December 3rd, 2024, becoming the ninth youngest player in NBA history to hit that mark. In a standout game against the Spurs, he recorded 29 points, nine rebounds, and five assists. However, his leadership and ability to elevate the team were questioned with some suggesting he needs to prove he can be the primary star. Bradley Beal injury history continued to plague the Suns as he played only 105 games over two seasons with the team. His $53.7 million contract, no trade clause, and limited availability made him a difficult asset to move or rely on. The trio played together in just 37 games, going 1918 with a negative point differential, indicating that even at full strength, the Suns weren’t dominant. The Big 3’s lack of chemistry and overlapping skill sets led to a redundant offensive approach. The Suns ranked outside the top 10 in offensive efficiency for the second straight season, a surprising failure given their talent, roster construction, and depth issues. The Suns roster was criticized as poorly constructed with glaring weaknesses in depth and positional balance. Lack of a true point guard. The acquisition of Taius Jones and Monty Morris was meant to address the Suns turnover issues. Both players or lead and assist to turnover ratio, but their undersized frames and limited defensive impact didn’t fully solve the problem of orchestrating the offense. Center position weakness, the Suns failed to address the center position adequately in the offseason, relying on Juice of Nurk and Mason Plum Lee with rookie Oso Eigadaro as a developmental piece. A mid-season trade for Nick Richards from Charlotte aimed to bolster the position, but it wasn’t enough to salvage the season. The Suns finished with bottom five defense. A predictable outcome given their reliance on rookie Ryan Dunn for perimeter defense and the lack of a strong rim protector. Dunn showed promise, but expecting a rookie to anchor the defense was optimistic. Beyond the big three, the Suns lack consistent contributors. A failed trade attempt for Jimmy Butler alienated Durant and Beal, further disrupting team cohesion. The roster’s top heavy nature meant that injuries or off nights in the stars led to significant struggles. Rookie contributions. Despite the team’s overall struggles, rookies Ryan Dunn and Oso Egodaro were highlights. Oso Igodaro, while less impactful than Dunn, Igodaro’s athleticism and playmaking at the center position offered hope for the future. His role was limited, but he was seen as a potential contributor if veterans like Nerk or Plum Leafly faltered. These rookies provided optimism, but their contributions couldn’t offset the team’s broader issues. The sun cycled through coaches rapidly with Mike Bunholes becoming their third head coach in three years after Frank Vogle’s firing in 2024. The constant coaching turnover pointed to deeper organizational instability under owner Mattishbia. The Sun’s aggressive spending and roster moves while Bold didn’t translate on court success and their lack of draft picks limited their flexibility. A 4-ame winning streak offered hope, but the subsequent 8-game losing streak, including blowout losses to Golden State and Oklahoma City, sealed their fate. The Suns 36 to 46 record was worse than expected, but their tough remaining schedule and injuries to keep players like Beiel exacerbated their struggles. They finished just one game behind the Kings with the 10th seed, but their divisional record cost him a tiebreaker. The team prioritized scoring over playmaking and defense, leading to a lack of balance. Coaching mismatched but holeser system didn’t mesh with the stars and his refusal to consistently play done early in the season was criticized.
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