The Phoenix Suns have been swept by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs. This is a very tough loss for the Suns who had such high playoffs hopes. The
Timberwolves will now advance to face off against the Denver Nuggets team that nearly swept the Los Angeles Lakers. While the 2-seeded Nuggets play against the 3-seeded Timberwolves in the Western Conference Semifinals, the Suns will start figuring out a new game plan while sitting out of the playoffs.
There are rumors that the Suns are going to make some changes to its coaching staff. It is early to know what exactly will happen, but rumors are being made about whether to trade one of the Suns big three superstar players. Could Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, or Bradley Beal get traded away from the suns and would that be wise? Apparently, the Suns intend to keep the big three and adjust to what is around those core players.
“The Suns are committed to contending for, and winning, a championship,” said Brett Siegel of Clutch Points. With that fact, the Suns organization have no desire to even entertain the thought of moving Durant during the offseason, sources said. The organization will do what is necessary to keep their trio on page for the 2024-2025 season because they believe in Beal, Booker, and Durant. The Suns had a good season earning themselves the 6-seed with a 49-33 record, but also earned themselves a first-round series against the tough Timberwolves. The Western Conference
is tough, but the trio seems content with sticking together.
Durant’s legacy has been discussed by sports analysts after his first-round exit. Some believe it is a huge blemish to his legacy because he has not had much playoff success since leaving the Golden State Warriors. Earlier in the season Durant said that he believes he does not have much more to prove since he has two NBA Championship titles along with two Finals MVPs to his name. However, Durant still has his winning mentality to still hunger for another NBA title.
In Game 4, Durant posted 33 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists in 46 minutes. Booker posted 49 points, 5 rebounds and six assists in 45 minutes. The rest of the supporting cast was not as effective in scoring points. It really hurt to not have Beal step it up and lose the game by just 6 points.
Suns fans believe that this first-round exit for a team owning the trio that it has, is just very
devastating. It did not help that the Suns were so injury prone too. The team finished with the
postseason’s second-lowest 3-point rate which should not have happened. Durant is one of the greatest outside shooters of all time, and he launched just eight non-corner 3s and 30 long 2s in the series.
The Suns will have to use their full talents to get any success that they want in the 2024-2025 season. However, the Suns still lack a true point guard since they traded Chris Paul to Washington for Beal.
It is also not too great that Kevin Durant will turn 36 by the time the next season starts. Durant says he feels more exhausted when he finishes playing his basketball games. We must remember LeBron James is in a league of his own at his age and not everyone can play like that when they are older.
Beals first season in Phoenix was not that great because he kept dealing with injuries. He could not develop the proper chemistry he needed to be workable with Booker and Durant. His performance in Game 4 against the Timberwolves was not too great because he finished with just 9 points, had six turnovers and six fouls in 31 minutes. What is even worse is that he is aging and will turn 31 in June, and he is owed $161 million through the 2026-27 season.
The Suns are a team that had lofty expectations for a championship because of their roster. Suns owner Mat Ishbia was questioned about whether the Suns will keep head coach Frank Vogel next season. Ishbia had declined to respond about the future of Vogel with the Suns organization. In fact, Ishbia said he has not had discussions about anything relating to the Suns, whether it be the
players or the personnel.
One year after the team fired head coach Monty Williams, the Suns’ star shooting guard Devin Booker has played under six head coaches in nine years. Ishbia said that everyone is accountable, and that he plans to talk to Vogel, the players, and general manager James Jones. Isbia said “We are not in a good position. We are in a great position.” Fans wonder why Isbia made such a statement.
Overall, the Suns need to stay healthy next season because they need to play enough games together to have the proper chemistry needed. It is hard to get into the post season and win without being consistent in the NBA regular season. If the superstar trio stays in Phoenix, then they need to really be coordinated with each other and have the proper players around them to help them. Even at their best, they will still have some of the toughest opponents to go up against
in the Western Conference.
Credit – AP
