The Phoenix Suns have been struggling, losing seven of their last eight games and four straight. For a team coming in with such high expectations set by owner Mat Ishbia, this is not where fans saw the season going. With all of this unfolding, the Suns have decided to make a switch to their starting lineup. The Suns have agreed to move Bradley Beal and Jusuf Nurkic out of the starting lineup and onto the bench. In doing this, they have decided to start rookie Ryan Dunn alongside Mason Plumlee as replacements. This has excited the fans as they could finally see some change. The only question that remains is what this ultimately does for the team.
Does This Move By the Suns Change Anything?
Center Debacle Solved?
With the Suns moving Nurkic to the bench, this finally sparks some needed change. This season, Nurkic has had numerous issues throughout the season that have led the fanbase to turn on him. His ability to stay healthy this season has surely limited his play for starters. He also got suspended and will now hit the bench in his first game from returning from that. Not only that, but the Suns have a better offensive, defensive, and net rating with him off the court in 300 more minutes this season.
Among starting centers, Nurkic also ranks in the bottom five in points, blocks, FG%, and TS%. Now, with statistics, they tell most of the story, and that one would be a nightmare for Suns fans. As we all know, the eye test is also a viable tool. For starters, Nurkic’s availability already limits the eye test. Then you look at him passing up wide-open layups, not being able to catch a pass while cutting, and also missing wide-open layups, and you see why he cannot start. Unfortunately for the Suns, even benching Nurkic does not solve their center issues.
The Dilemma
They lack center depth. Plumlee has been solid, but he is not a trustworthy starter. Oso Ighodaro is also a rookie, so throwing him into the gauntlet, or expecting him to be impactful nightly is unreasonable. Hopefully, with Nurkic coming off the bench, he can build some value as a backup big man. Indeed, that is his role now, and sadly, at $18 million, that could be difficult for the Suns to offload. Expect the Suns to move him if they find a way to get under the aprons, as it will be easier.
Is Bradley Beal’s Issue Fixed?
For many Suns fans, this is a move they have been asking about for a while now. With Beal in the lineup, the Suns have a net rating of -9.3. With him off the court, they have a +3.3 net rating. This difference takes them from 28th to ninth in this set statistic. A lineup with three ball-dominant scorers who needed the ball to create their shots would work, right? The Suns thought so. With Beal now being moved to the bench, this opens up the opportunity for the Suns to go on a massive win streak, right? Nope, this truly sets up the blow-up of this core of what we know it as.
Since Beal has a no-trade clause, it isn’t easy to move off of him. Also, his being owed $110 million over the next two seasons with a player option is not ideal either. He is a player who has dealt with multiple injuries over the last two years in Phoenix. With all of this, plus him scoring much less than he did with the Wizards, the Suns are genuinely in a pickle. Hopefully, this move to the bench will force Beal to grow frustrated and waive the no-trade clause. This would allow the Suns to pursue any moves they desire (cough cough, Jimmy Butler) if they found a third team that Beal wants to go to.
Will Dunn Make an Impact?
I believe Dunn is the best integration for this lineup. The Suns need defense and wing pressure, and Dunn presents both. He also showed in the Suns’ latest game vs. the Pacers how to cut and roll to the basket easily to score. We have not seen much of that with Dunn this season offensively, and it could spark a needed change. With Royce O’Neale hurt, Dunn has more pressure but picks up the required slack.
The Final Scoop
Ultimately, for the Suns, both of these moves are beneficial for some needed changes. The Suns have lacked any defensive pressure with this lineup of scorers and small ball handlers. With the addition of Ryan Dunn, they should see more spark in their lineup. Overall, they still need some more interior presence to compete. By making both of these moves, it patches up some issues, but overall, it does not solve the problem. They are still in the second apron, so they are limited to making moves. They also have two of the worst contracts in the NBA as their only movable assets. Will they find a way to solve this issue? I do not know, but I do know one thing. Mat Ishbia will do anything for Phoenix to compete, so don’t count him out.
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