Valley fans aren’t going to like to hear this, but the answer isn’t going to make you happy.
The Phoenix Suns aren’t the only team with an older, talented roster that had an underwhelming season a year ago. Heading into this season, the Valley is looking to redeem themselves from a disappointing season. Suns fans won’t want to hear this, but if you look at the roster and the team’s recent history, the team in the most similar position to them in the NBA right now is the Milwaukee Bucks.
Here are three reasons why:
Underwhelming Seasons after Big Trades
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After dealing for Damian Lillard in a blockbuster deal before last season, the Milwaukee Bucks underwhelmed in his first year with the team. After going 30-13 in their first 43 games, the Dear fired head coach Adrian Griffin, hiring experienced NBA coach and then current ESPN Color Commentator Doc Rivers to take over. The team went 19-20 to finish out the regular season with Rivers and finished the year as the third seed, losing in six games to the Indiana Pacers. Giannis Antetetokoumnpo missed the entirety of the series with a calf strain and Damian Lillard was limited to just four games in the series due to an Achilles injury.
After trading for Bradley Beal before last season, the Phoenix Suns had an underwhelming year. Also finishing the year 49-33, Bradley Beal, Devin Booker, and Kevin Durant played just 41 games together, and the Valley also lost in the first round, getting swept by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Both teams head into the 2024-2025 season attempting to improve on lackluster seasons that they entered as title contenders.
Massive Pickups on the Minimum
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In their quests’ to bounce back after underwhelming seasons, both the Suns and Bucks hit the jackpot on minimum free-agent signings in free agency. Due to the new CBA, a limited market was created for many starting caliber players and both Milwaukee and Phoenix took advantage of it.
The Bucks inked former Toronto Raptors guard/forward Gary Trent Jr. to a one-year minimum contract, slotting him into the team’s shooting guard spot, and replacing sharpshooter Malik Beasley. Considering his elite shooting and solid scoring, Trent’s signing for the Bucks at the minimum was a steal. The same can be said for Tyus Jones going to the Suns on a minimum. His signing gives the Valley a starting point guard; a pass-first guard careful with the ball, and will be looking to set up the big three on a possession-by-possession basis to succeed.
With both teams limited to what they can offer free agents, the signings of Jones and Beasley help the Bucks and Suns improve their roster by offering an opportunity for players to recuperate their value to receive a larger payday next offseason from another team.
Limited Success Since the 2021 Finals
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Neither team has been to the Finals, let alone the Conference Finals since their clash in the 2021 Finals; roster construction, health, and underwhelming performances are some of the reasons. Either way, the pressure has continued to brew on both franchises as they look to bring titles home. In the three seasons since the Finals, both teams have had a season where they led the NBA in regular season wins.
The faces of both franchises, Devin Booker and Giannis Antetokoumpo have remained playing at their elite statuses, with Booker making the All-NBA team two of the last three seasons and Antetokounmpo extending his streak of All-NBA seasons to eight this past year.
Expectations are high, payrolls are even higher, and time is ticking for both teams to deliver strong results to their fans after a rough previous year.