There is a new coach at the helm of the Phoenix Suns this season, but the trio of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal are back to avenge the embarrassment suffered at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs.
A lot of eyes will be on the team this season, with the pressure ramping up even more to deliver a first NBA Championship for the franchise.
Last Season's Woes
After acquiring Beal in the summer of 2023 to team up with Booker and Durant, the expectations were sky high for the NBA’s newest big three. However, things did not go to plan for the Suns. Injuries, inconsistencies and lack of continuity meant they struggled to build a distinct style of play heading into the playoffs under then head coach Frank Vogel. This culminated in a disastrous playoff run, in which they were swept in the first round by the Timberwolves.
Health issues meant that the Suns were unable to put out consistent line-ups. A lingering back issue meant that Beal missed the beginning of the season, and played just three games before having to sit out another three weeks. He would also suffer from ankle, nose and finger injuries throughout the campaign, in total missing 30 games. Booker also missed some time, and it meant the trio did not play their first game together until December.
Despite all of this, they finished the year strong, ending with a 49-33 record as the sixth seed. Though it ultimately ended in disappointment, it offers optimism for the team in what will be an extremely competitive Western Conference next season.
A Strong Off-Season
The most important off-season change for the Suns was their position of head coach. An underwhelming campaign under Vogel, in which he failed to maximise the offensive talents on the team, had led owner Mat Ishbia and GM James Jones to a shift in direction.
To replace him, they turned to former Milwaukee Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer, who led them to an NBA Championship against Monty Williams’ Suns in 2021.
This season, there will be more of an emphasis on three-point shooting, especially with the abundance of shooting talent on the roster. Grayson Allen led the league in three-point percentage at 46.1%, whilst Beal was sixth with 43%. As a team, the Suns were fifth in three-point percentage, but 25th in three-point attempts. They did not reach 30 attempts in any of their four post-season games.
Another big issue for the Suns offensively was a lack of a true point guard, which often led to sloppy play and frequent turnovers, particularly in the fourth quarter of games. They were 25th in the league for turnovers with 14.9 per game. This is an area they prioritised in the free agent market, picking up two point guards in Tyus Jones and Monte Morris.
Jones is expected to start in the backcourt alongside Booker, with Beal, Durant and Jusuf Nurkic rounding out the starting five. Jones is a crucial addition to the team who will make the lives of both Beal and Booker easier, taking plenty of the creative burden off their shoulders. Last season, Jones’ assist-to-turnover ratio of 7.35 was the best single-season mark in league history. On a veteran mininum deal, this makes him one of, if not the most astute pick up in free agency.
Elsewhere, the Suns allowed free agents Drew Eubanks and Eric Gordon to walk, and added Mason Plumlee. Josh Okogie and Royce O’Neale were re-signed to longer term contracts. Despite being restricted in who they could add due to being over the second apron of the NBA’s luxury tax, it is hard to argue against the fact that the Suns got better this off-season.
Book and KD Lead the Way
It has been a busy summer for Durant and Booker, as they won gold for Team USA at the Paris Olympics. They will be desperate to achieve more success together this season, as they fight for the franchise’s first ever NBA title.
Both players will be candidates for the MVP award should they remain healthy and lead the Suns to a high place in the standings. Durant enjoyed an injury free campaign last year, missing just seven games whilst recording 27.1 points per game on 52.3% shooting. Booker took on a more creative role, though he also averaged 27.1 points in addition to a career high 6.9 assists.
Booker will once again be expecting to take a leap in his game, and continue on from his exploits in the Olympics. He was a starter for Steve Kerr and perhaps one of the most important players on their way to glory. His ability to play in any role made him a standout as he provided clutch shots and tough defense throughout. Although his status on this Suns team is far more prominent, his improving defensive attributes could prove crucial for a side who are lacking in this department. Granted, the team will not want this to take away from any of his offensive responsibilities, but he has shown he is capable and willing to do whatever it takes.
This will be the second full season Durant and Booker will play alongside each other, and at their best, the pair are near impossible to stop.
Look Out for Nurk
Of course, the big three are the main attraction of this Suns team, however a player to watch will be big man Nurkic. He was acquired prior to last season alongside Grayson Allen in the trade which sent Damian Lillard to the Bucks and Deandre Ayton to the Portland Trailblazers. Ayton was the Suns’ number one overall pick in 2018, but could not live up to his potential, and his relationship with the franchise was believed to be beyond repair.
Nurkic was seen as the ideal center to play with Booker, Durant and Beal, due to his ability to connect the offense, particularly under Vogel. However, whilst he excelled at times, there were plenty of instances where he would frustrate fans with his lack of physicality and ability to finish at the rim. Under new coaching, his fit in the side becomes less clear, making him an intriguing player to keep an eye on.
Budenholzer tends to prefer bigs who can stretch the floor with their three-point shooting, signified by his usage of the likes of Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis in Milwaukee, and Al Horford when he was the head coach of the Atlanta Hawks. However, Nurkic is just a 28% career three-point shooter, including 24.4% last season. This is not to say he cannot improve, but should he struggle to find his shot, do not be surprised to see the Suns review their options going forward.
Young Blood
Despite all the noise about their lack of draft capital, the Suns selected a player in each round who they believe will make an impact this season. Firstly, they drafted wing Ryan Dunn with the 28th pick, before selecting Oso Ighodaro at 40.
Dunn has been widely regarded as one of the better defenders in the entire draft, if not the best. At six-foot-eight, he is able to guard every position, though will have some struggles offensively. However, surrounded by the offensive talent on the Suns, these issues should largely be covered.
Ighodaro is a six-foot-10 center, who can also play at the forward position. His versatility offers some excellent depth in both areas, and he can provide an alternative skillset to that of Nurkic. Whilst Nurkic is more of a connector on offense, Ighodaro can be the lob threat that the Suns sorely lacked last season, though the youngster can show off his creative abilities if necessary. This makes him an ideal backup to the Bosnian alongside Plumlee.
This will also be the first season for the Suns new G-League affiliate, the ‘Valley Suns’ which should allow them to further develop any other younger players throughout the season and beyond.
Eyes on the Prize
With a big three of Durant, Booker and Beal, the minimum expectation for the Suns is to win a Championship. Last season they fell well short of expectations, but will be hoping for a better year of health, continuity and stability in order to be competitive in the playoffs. They decided to run it back for a second season, and it could be a defining campaign for the franchise, with many changes on the horizon should they fail once more.
Their main acquisitions have addressed their two biggest offensive weaknesses, projecting for a far better season at that end of the court. They still have some questions to answer defensively, but with the offensive talent they possess, they should be a very dangerous team to face.
Explore more stats, standings and news on VAVEL Data: Phoenix Suns
