When the Phoenix Suns made the move to trade for Kevin Durant in February 2023 and pair him with Devin Booker, many placed a championship ceiling on the side, and rightly so. The then-26-year-old superstar had teamed up with a two-time NBA champion and future Hall of Famer. They immediately became one of, if not the best, duos in the NBA. Injuries meant they had only played eight games together before the 2023 playoffs. They reached the second round, where the eventual champions, the Denver Nuggets, defeated them in six games.
However, there were enough glimpses in their limited playing time together that the Suns would be a force to be reckoned with going forward, with Durant and Booker at the helm. But fast forward just a year and a half later, the Suns have a first-round sweep on their record and are now at risk of missing the playoffs altogether. Durant could be on the trading block in the offseason and the pairing that had so much promise looks set to be broken up. So where did it all go wrong?
3 Biggest Moves That Doomed the Phoenix Suns
Bradley Beal Trade
While Durant was new owner Mat Ishbia’s first big move, his next significant splash was to bring three-time All-Star Bradley Beal to the Valley. Beal’s no-trade clause meant any return the Washington Wizards received would not reflect his quality. Chris Paul, Landry Shamet and several second-round picks made their way to Washington.
This meant the Suns had a trio of Booker, Durant and Beal, the most expensive core in the NBA. Perhaps it was a show of perceived dominance, a sign that Ishbia wanted to continue to flex his financial strength. This put the Suns well over the second tax apron–meaning this move absolutely had to work.
Several injuries and an uncomfortable fit of the three star players have led the Suns to the position they are in. But accepting the move for Beal didn’t work is one hurdle; doing something about it is another story. It was clear that the Suns wanted to move on from the 31-year-old this season. They even benched him for a while amidst the trade rumors, but they have since returned him to the starting lineup. His albatross of a contract was a turnoff for any interested party, which forced the Suns into considering trading Durant.
Beal’s individual play has actually been good, although not worthy of his salary. It’s not his fault, though. In fact, his last two seasons have been his most efficient to date. The ownership and front office were naïve to expect three highly talented but injury-prone players to mesh perfectly together. Beal has a player option for the 2026-27 season and is an unrestricted free agent the following year. The Suns face a tough decision with Durant in the summer, but otherwise, they may remain in cap turmoil for seasons to come.
Jusuf Nurkić Trade
The trades did not stop with Beal, as later in the summer of 2023, the Suns parted with former first overall pick Deandre Ayton, replacing him with Jusuf Nurkić. It was part of the big transaction which sent Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks, as the Suns acquired Nurkić and Grayson Allen, sending Ayton to Portland alongside Toumani Camara.
An Ayton departure always felt inevitable, following the breakdown in the relationship between himself, previous ownership and former head coach Monty Williams. But with a new owner and head coach, hope existed that they could resolve any conflict. However, this wasn’t the case. This meant Nurkić was the Suns’ new center. He had his qualities: a very good passer and dominant rebounder, as well as an elite screen-setter. But his shortcomings were glaring, particularly on the defensive end, and he was a liability with his finishing at the rim. He had a solid first season, but things unravelled in the second as efforts waned. They eventually removed him from the rotation and traded him to the Charlotte Hornets before the deadline.
While Allen has proved a great addition, the Suns still lost the trade. And it’s not because of Ayton. Camara, the Suns’ 52nd overall pick in 2023, has a convincing argument to be the best player on the Phoenix-Portland side of the deal. His skill set would have been the perfect complement to the big three, for a roster devoid of tall, defensive wings. He is among the most versatile and impressive defenders in the league, able to guard any position.
In hindsight, keeping Camara would have elevated the Suns significantly and would have created a special young core alongside this year’s rookies Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro in the future. However, they will always wonder, “What if?”
Tyus Jones Signing
The free agency signing of Tyus Jones initially drew surprise and praise. But now, near the season’s end, it’s considered a mistake. On a veteran minimum contract, it is hard to pinpoint the move itself as a reason of downfall for the Suns. But it is what followed and made promises which make it so head-scratching.
Last season, the Suns had a serious turnover issue. They ranked 25th in the league with 14.9 per game, particularly struggling in the fourth quarter with 3.8 (ranked 27th). Booker and Beal shared playmaking duties, which often led to miscommunication in crucial moments, and also took away from their roles as score-first guards. To alleviate this flaw, they brought in Monte Morris and Jones, two point guards who are among the best in the NBA in assist-to-turnover ratio.
This is why people viewed getting Jones so cheaply as a shrewd acquisition. But upon his signing, the team promised him a starting role. With Beal and Booker already assured starting spots, it meant they were running with a three guard lineup that had enormous holes defensively. Unsurprisingly, the team has been abysmal on that end of the floor, ranking 27th in defensive rating (116.3). Opponents have particularly targeted Jones defensively. It is a key reason why they are struggling to win games.
Turnovers also remain an issue. Though their ranking has risen to 13th this season, they still average 14.0 per game. Jones himself is averaging 1.4 turnovers per game, the highest of his career. He has since been moved to the bench, and Morris is getting no minutes. It may be too little too late, and the front office is guilty of listening to outside noise that the Suns were in desperate need of a starting point guard.
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