This has been a curler coaster season to this point for the Suns. After beginning off 4-6 amid accidents to Bradley Beal and Devin Booker, Phoenix reeled off seven straight victories after Booker returned to carry an 11-6 document.
Nevertheless, the Suns have gone 3-8 since and are at present an underwhelming 14-14 heading into Monday’s sport in opposition to Dallas. Beal has solely appeared in six video games, first coping with a again damage after which spraining his ankle, which is able to likely keep him out till January.
Showing on NBA Countdown, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski mentioned star ahead Kevin Durant is rising pissed off by the state of affairs in Phoenix (YouTube link).
“Begin with Kevin Durant. You discuss to folks in Phoenix and round that group, you realize, they will really feel the frustration with Durant,” Wojnarowski mentioned. “A part of that actually is the missed video games for Brad Beal. This staff was construct round these three stars.
“The underwhelming supporting solid that comes from these large trades for Durant and Bradley Beal that actually gutted the group and left them having to signal numerous minimal gamers to fill out the payroll. After which an understanding that they lack the property, the draft picks, the commerce capital to essentially enhance this staff.
“That is one thing they’re going to must handle in Phoenix with Kevin Durant. You’ve seen it earlier than. And it reminds you — it’s a stark reminder — of how in need of a window, and the way this staff has to win large, they usually must win large rapidly, based mostly on the way it was constructed. And having Kevin Durant nonetheless taking part in at an All-NBA degree, and a wholesome Kevin Durant. There’s lots at stake for this group. It’s obtained to alter quickly.”
As Wojnarowski alluded to, it’s ironic that Durant is pissed off by a state of affairs he particularly requested to be traded into — and never simply as soon as, however twice. Brooklyn ultimately acquiesced and despatched him to the Suns in February 2023, however he initially requested to be traded in the summertime of 2022.
The Nets acquired Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson, 4 unprotected first-round picks and a first-round swap from the Suns for Durant (plus a pair second-rounders from the Bucks for Jae Crowder). A kind of Suns picks has already conveyed — Brooklyn chosen Noah Clowney No. 21 general in 2023.
Durant is 35, so some degree of win-now frustration is comprehensible to an extent. And Wojnarowski is actually appropriate that the 13-time All-Star continues to play at an elite degree, as Durant is averaging 30.9 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 5.4 APG and 1.1 BPG on .521/.473/.871 capturing in 24 video games (36.6 MPG). His 47.3% mark from three-point vary at present leads the NBA.
The Suns don’t have many choices main into the February commerce deadline. They don’t management any of their first-round picks, and Jusuf Nurkic, Grayson Allen and Nassir Little — who have been all acquired within the offseason as a part of the commerce that despatched Deandre Ayton and Toumani Camara to Portland and Damian Lillard to Milwaukee — are the one the one mid-sized contracts on the roster.