The Phoenix Suns were supposed to become perennial Finals contenders when Kevin Durant joined the team from the Brooklyn Nets at the start of 2023. However, despite making the Finals in 2021, the team hasn’t reached the Conference Finals with their current core of players.
The team is understandably desperate to find answers for their lack of a winning style of basketball with two of the most prolific scorers in the league donning the Suns jersey. Phoenix’s decision to hire Mike Budenholzer was supposed to become the catalyst to shoot the team up the Western Conference and secure their position as contenders for the title.
However, news of a roster change only exposes the chaotic nature of the team’s season. It may even clue the fans in on what to expect in the coming offseason if things don’t work out in this year’s playoffs.
Suns surprisingly bench Bradley Beal as analyst reveals upheaval in roster
NBA analyst Chris Haynes got wind of news that Phoenix are reportedly making adjustments on their starting lineup, with Bradley Beal’s move to the bench being the most surprising decision for some fans.
Sources: In midst of 4-game losing streak and tension in locker room, Phoenix expected to make drastic change by removing Bradley Beal, Jusuf Nurkic from starting lineup beginning Monday at Philadelphia. #haynesbriefs pic.twitter.com/utz0FNLppB
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) January 6, 2025
While he reported that Ryan Dunn and Mason Plumlee would take Beal and Jusuf Nurkic’s place at the starting lineup against Philadelphia, he also revealed that there are people inside the locker room who are frustrated with how things are going:
“There’s also tension in this locker,” Haynes reported. “I’m told certain players are uncertain [about] their roles and are frustrated with how they’re being used. The coaching staff, [and] they’re trying to figure things out, so this situation will be something to monitor moving forward.”
A quick peek at Beal’s stats this season may clarify to fans why Budenholzer is benching the three-time All-Star. He’s averaging 17.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists on 48.0%/39.2%/76.0% shooting splits. While these are decent numbers on any other player, it’s unacceptable for a player getting around $50 million a year.
If Phoenix does decide to move on from Beal, it will be difficult for them to find a proper replacement for him via the trade market. No one would be willing to take over such a ridiculously huge contract for production that could be acquired from a player worth at least $20 million less annually.
Ryan Dunn may not be a name casual NBA fans would be familiar with. However, the coaching staff may have found something nice with the 22-year-old during their training sessions they chose to promote him over players like Grayson Allen and Josh Okogie.
The Suns sit 11th in the Western Conference, so it’s understandable that drastic measures must be taken. Whether taking Beal off the starting lineup is the right decision remains to be seen.
If they fail to turn things around, it wouldn’t be strange to see him, Kevin Durant, and Devin Booker leave at some point in the future.
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