On the season, Beal is averaging 17 factors, 4.8 rebounds and three.5 assists. The numbers look OK, however the challenge is effectivity — 39.7% from the sector and 33.3% from three-point vary.
It is exhausting to guage Beal in solely 4 video games, however he has been injury-prone the previous 4 seasons — showing in 57, 60, 40 and 50 video games — and has seen a dip in his manufacturing. A career-high common of 31.3 factors in 2020-21 dropped to 23.2 factors in 2021-22 and 2022-23.
Whereas Beal has upset throughout his transient Suns tenure, Durant and Booker are taking part in at an MVP degree.
Durant is averaging 31 factors, 6.5 rebounds and 5.7 assists. These numbers, paired a 52.1 field-goal share and 50% taking pictures from three-point vary, provide you with one of the harmful scorers within the NBA.
With Paul gone, Booker has taken on the purpose guard function for the Suns, shelling out eight assists per recreation. The added playmaking burden has not affected his scoring, as he’s averaging 27.7 factors and placing up good taking pictures numbers from the sector (48.3%) and deep (43.3%).
When these two are taking part in at that degree, the Suns can beat anyone. Nevertheless, Phoenix nonetheless wants Beal to contribute. He not should be an All-Star or carry the offense, however including his offensive prowess would take some strain off Durant and Booker.
Again points are at all times difficult, although, and the likelihood that Beal will not be a giant contributor in 2023-24 exists.
Phoenix has acquired good play from depth gamers Grayson Allen (12.3 PPG, 46.8% three-point taking pictures), Eric Gordon (14.2 PPG, 2.9 APG) and Jusuf Nurkic (12 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 4 APG). None of them, nonetheless, is the ceiling-raiser Beal has the potential to be.
Even with out Beal, Durant and Booker could have the Suns within the championship hunt, however to noticeably threaten for the title, Beal should be a difference-maker.