The Phoenix Suns have struggled this season, falling short of expectations despite having a star-studded roster featuring Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal. With the highest payroll in the NBA, the team was projected to be among the Western Conference’s top contenders. However, as the regular season nears its end, their playoff chances have dwindled.
Currently, the Suns hold an 11th-place spot in the Western Conference with a 28-33 record, trailing the Dallas Mavericks by four and a half games for the final Play-In position. If they fail to make the playoffs, it would be a significant setback for the franchise. Many expect the team to make substantial roster changes in the offseason.
Reports suggest that if the Suns decide to revamp their roster, they will prioritize building around one key player. As ESPN’s Shams Charania stated, the organization intends to “retool their roster around Booker in the offseason unless they can make a deep playoff run with their current core.”
This strategy likely means moving on from Durant and exploring trade options for Beal. However, Beal’s no-trade clause complicates any potential move. The Suns had already attempted to trade him before the deadline but were unable to find a suitable deal. Similarly, they considered offers for Durant, but he declined a possible trade to the Golden State Warriors, unwilling to be part of a midseason deal.
Since both players have already been involved in trade discussions, the expectation is that the Suns will revisit those options in the offseason and restructure the team around Booker.
