Phoenix Suns superstar Kevin Durant knew his future would be even more a topic of conversation after being in trade talks and nixing a return to the Golden State Warriors.
“That’s probably the most frustrating part about being in trade talks is that microscope is going to be solely just me the rest of the season,” Durant said last month after the trade deadline. “My body language, how I speak to you guys after the games, how I’m looking on the bench, that stuff will be magnified, which sucks, but like I said, that’s a part of the business I got to deal with and accept.”
Durant isn’t the only hot-button topic for the Suns, though.
The Arizona Republic asked NBA national media burning questions about a team that’s under .500, currently out of play-in contention and facing the toughest remaining NBA schedule.
Why the Suns are in danger of missing the playoffs
“Leadership, defense and culture. Doesn’t seem like there’s a lot of accountability in the locker room.” – Greg Anthony, NBA TV.
“If you have two All-NBA players (check), a reasonably competent supporting cast (check), a proven head coach (check), and you can’t even reach .500? You have serious chemistry/fit/vibes issues.” – Howard Beck, The Ringer.
“In Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, there is more overlap than complementary skill sets. Who bears the responsibility for this team to be performing better? Yet we get Jusuf Nurkić as the most pressing issue that demanded a fix? I thought Tyus Jones was going to be the guy to organize the offense and get the ball to the right scorer at the right time. Guess I was wrong on that one.” – Steve Aschburner, NBA.com.
“The West is really good and deep. Last year’s conference finalists Dallas and Minnesota are play-in teams today. The Suns are decent offensively, but can’t get enough stops — 27th in defensive efficiency (as of Tuesday) ahead of three of the worst teams in the league: New Orleans, Washington and Utah. A mediocre bench doesn’t help — and above all, Durant, Booker and Beal have played just 32 games together. And the Suns are just 17-15 in those games (as of Wednesday morning). Even with those three playing together, Phoenix’s offense isn’t great.” – Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY.
Assessment of Suns team owner Mat Ishbia
“On some level, I admired the ambition and aggression, the willingness to do (and spend) whatever it takes to compete at the highest level. I’ve seen plenty of owners who are too cautious or fearful of doing anything bold, or who just don’t give a damn about winning. I could at least understand the Durant deal, even if it cost too much in draft capital. But the Beal trade was a catastrophic mistake; it was obvious in real time, and it will cost the Suns for years to come. The real question is: Will Ishbia learn from his mistakes?” – Beck.
“The NBA’s worst owners are apathetic and/or cheap. Clearly, neither of those criticisms apply to Mat Ishbia. But Ishbia has very clearly overpromised and underdelivered during his brief ownership tenure. The Beal trade was just a killer mistake, right up there with the Rockets trading for Russell Westbrook and the Lakers trading for Russell Westbrook. Hopefully, Ishbia has learned that chemistry and depth are important to team success. So are draft picks, and he’ll learn that lesson the hard way over the next five years.” – Ben Golliver, Washington Post.
“At a time when many governors have been afraid to pay the luxury tax, let alone go above the second apron, Ishbia has proven he’s financially committed to doing whatever it takes to try and win. The execution of the spending, however, has not worked well.” – Michael Scotto, HoopsHype.
Should the Suns fire Mike Budenholzer after one season?
“Do not fire Mike Budenholzer. He is a proven winner, you are not. It’s not him, it’s you … and the team you constructed. You can’t keep churning and burning coaches like these NFL teams do. Give Coach Bud a duo and a crew, and he can win with that. Won chips in San Antonio. Took the Hawks to East finals. Won a title with the Bucks. Please do not scapegoat him like you did with Frank Vogel.” – Rick Kamla, co-host of “Give and Go” on SiriusXM NBA Radio.
“I don’t think there’s any way you can fire Budenholzer. When you keep changing coaches and keep getting the same result … well, maybe it’s not the coach. In the case of the Suns, it’s not. At the moment, they look like a team that’s screaming for a roster makeover. But believe it or not, it’s still too soon to burn it down and start sifting through the ashes. Things look bleak now, yes. But all that matters is what happens from now to the end of the playoffs. You just have to get hot at the right time. I still think this team is capable of that.” – Sam Amico, senior NBA writer, Hoops Wire.
Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrakin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.
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