2023-24 season: 49-33
Spotlight of the season: A mid-January stretch when the crew ran off seven straight wins and appeared partly like what was promised by possession.
The way it ended
With brooms. The Suns, led by three offensive juggernauts in Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, didn’t win a single sport within the opening spherical of the playoffs, dropping 4 straight to the Minnesota Timberwolves, a crew ranked sixteenth in offense.
In what was presupposed to be a dynamic offensive season for the Suns, accidents largely saved them from fielding a crew of three stars and thus consistency lacked. It didn’t assist issues that the group prioritized top-shelf expertise, which with at this time’s CBA comes on the worth of depth. The Suns flat out couldn’t depend on their minimum-salaried veterans, and that led to what finally was an embarrassing collective efficiency within the first spherical.
The Suns did obtain one of many higher Durant seasons lately. The 35-year-old put up 27.1 factors per sport, whereas connecting on 52.3% from the sector and 41.3% from 3-point vary, whereas showing in 75 video games. That final quantity is essential, on condition that Durant has solely displayed modest ranges of availability since his Achilles tear in 2019.
Nonetheless environment friendly and efficient Durant proved to be, nonetheless, was undermined by the truth that Booker and Beal by no means fairly appeared to seek out widespread floor on ball-handling and play-initiation tasks. This solely worsened towards the Wolves as Booker, exterior of a 49-point Recreation 4, was reluctant to be aggressive and spent appreciable quantities of time observing as a substitute of attacking.
Finally, the Suns’ points have been apparent on the finish of the season. They failed to attain 120 factors in a single sport towards the Wolves, even failing to attain 110 in three out of 4, and now questions will rise as to the way forward for Frank Vogel and whether or not this present huge three can thrive.
Largest offseason want
Roster symmetry and depth. That is simpler mentioned than finished, nonetheless, on condition that the Suns are deep into the posh tax, and with the CBA introducing new roster building challenges, it will likely be troublesome for the crew to construct upon the present basis. Oh, and some extent guard wouldn’t be a foul factor both.
Organizational vibe
The 64-win Phoenix Suns of 2021-22 misplaced a heartbreaking seven-game Western Convention semifinals, traded the farm for Durant and misplaced a six-game, second-round set in 2023. So, they dealt the mortgage for Beal and have been swept from this season’s first spherical. It must be irritating to swap each out there rising expertise and draft asset for a $300 million payroll, solely to get demonstrably worse.
Paying Durant, Beal and Booker a mixed $150 million means the Suns have little recourse to enhance the roster past minimal contracts. In fact, they may commerce considered one of their three stars, however no one is lining up for the three years left on Beal’s deal, and buying and selling both Durant and Booker is asking for a downgrade. Name everybody this summer time and see if a savior arrives. In any other case, pray for good well being and the likelihood that another summer time collectively improves crew chemistry. — Ben Rohrbach
Draft focus
The Suns want some assist defensively within the paint and might be focused on 6-foot-11 Tyler Smith of the G League Ignite if he falls into the 20s, or they may take a swing on Purdue star Zach Edey if he falls. Dayton 6-10 ahead DaRon Holmes II may sneak into the primary spherical. He was a superb rim protector for the Flyers throughout his junior yr. He averaged 20.4 factors, 8.5 rebounds and a pair of.1 blocks per sport. — Krysten Peek
Projected draft picks (pre-lottery): No. 22
Wage-cap breakdown
The Suns are projected to be into the second apron, notably after extending Grayson Allen for $70 million, which is able to drive them to both settle for their lack of roster flexibility, or make uncomfortable trades like pivoting off Durant or Booker, neither of which appears sensible.
Moreover, the Suns can’t mix salaries to tackle extra money and can nonetheless should re-sign Royce O’Neale, which is able to add a big tax cost to their already costly invoice subsequent yr. It’s arduous to examine the Suns standing stronger subsequent yr.
Key free agent
Royce O’Neale (UFA)
Subsequent season’s aim
A greater end result than what simply transpired. Whether or not meaning a brand new coach, a extra streamlined roster or one thing else, the Suns are on the clock. They’ll’t afford to assume long run, and meaning it’s win or bust from right here on out.
What can transfer the fantasy needle
A primary-round sweep is grounds for dismissal for one of many huge three. Booker is the franchise participant, in order that leaves Beal or Durant. And since Beal has a no-trade clause, the Suns must be on the horn, exploring commerce choices for KD. Phoenix re-signed Allen, however there are much more holes to fill and transferring KD may internet extra position gamers or draft capital. If this occurs, Booker may creep into late-first-round draft standing by subsequent season. — Dan Titus
