Matthew Lissy, a senior staff writer for Bright Side of the Sun and co-host of the Suns JAM Session Podcast, argues that the Suns’ struggles stem from their star duo, not head coach Mike Budenholzer. “I’m not buying into the idea that the Phoenix Suns need to move on from Head Coach Mike Budenholzer, and for one reason: I hold the players accountable for not reaching their full potential,” he states.
At the start of the season, the Suns looked like a championship-caliber team on paper. However, mentally, they have failed to apply pressure on themselves and show the necessary basketball IQ to close out games. Too often, they allow opposing stars—like De’Aaron Fox against the Spurs—to take control while Booker and Durant remain passive.
Lissy questions whether surrounding them with better players or acquiring a center like Nick Richards will change anything. “It’s not happening, and it won’t,” he asserts. He even suggests that if Bradley Beal were healthier, he might be a better fit in Booker’s place. If that experiment failed, it might be time to consider trading both Booker and Durant.
Though emotionally difficult, he acknowledges that change may be necessary. “I would hate to trade Booker because it would be an emotional move. We have so much invested in him. I would hate to trade Durant because he’s Durant, a master of the game. But the reality is, we cannot win with them.”
The pattern of bringing in different role players or coaches will likely yield the same results. “This team is built around Booker and Durant, two players who simply don’t have enough to compete at a high level night in and night out to win consistently,” he explains.
Lissy had high hopes that adding Beal would set the team up for a strong 3-4 year stretch, but that hasn’t materialized. The only constant? Booker and Durant.
He speculates that Durant might thrive on a team like Oklahoma City, where he could be the missing piece. “That would equal wins, and maybe a championship.” Similarly, Booker might be better suited as the third option on a championship team, perhaps alongside Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. in Memphis.
Despite a few promising stretches this season, Lissy remains unconvinced. “Durant as our true number one and Booker as his sidekick hasn’t consistently led to success,” he admits.
He also expresses frustration with ongoing debates about player rotations, particularly Ryan Dunn’s minutes. Even when Dunn played more earlier in 2025, the Suns went just 7-7. “Maybe I’m wrong. But that’s still just .500 basketball.”
Ultimately, his main concern isn’t role players—it’s the team’s foundation. “I want to see Dunn play, but only for his development—because at this point, that’s all we really have to look forward to for the rest of the season.”
P.S.: “I don’t hate Booker, and I don’t hate Durant. I hate that we can’t win with them.”
