PHOENIX — The Phoenix Suns still have their star players Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal after a hectic trade deadline, but they now face the task of rejuvenating a season that has not gone as planned, with approximately 30 games remaining.
Despite fervent rumors regarding potential trades for Beal and Durant, the Suns maintained a relatively low profile at the deadline, leaving many to wonder about the organization’s future strategy. General manager James Jones remained tight-lipped, providing few insights into his considerations regarding trading any of the trio before the game against the Utah Jazz.
“It always gets noisy when you’re not winning,” Jones admitted. “And we’re not winning.”
With a record of 26-25, the Suns managed to break a three-game losing streak with a 135-127 overtime victory over the Jazz. However, both Durant and Beal were sidelined due to injuries, a recurring issue that has plagued this team for the past year and a half. The All-Star trio has consistently battled various injuries, significantly limiting their time on the court together.
This season has been particularly challenging for Durant; the Suns have a record of 24-15 with him playing but are just 1-10 when he is absent. Even during the few instances when all three players have been healthy, the Suns have struggled to realize significant success. After a disappointing exit in last year’s playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the team underwent substantial changes, including firing coach Frank Vogel and hiring Mike Budenholzer, but results have yet to improve.
As opportunities dwindle for this roster to find a winning formula, Jones expresses confidence that the Suns can still turn their season around. “I think the injuries are a part of it,” he said. “I also think we just haven’t performed well enough. … But we do see glimpses of success, and for right now, these last 32 games of the year give us an opportunity to maximize what we do.”
Beal has found himself at the center of trade chatter for several months, primarily due to the hefty $110 million left on his contract over the next two years. Although he possesses a no-trade clause, Jones mentioned they have never discussed waiving it with him. Beal, aged 31, is currently averaging 17.4 points per game and was recently moved to the bench during the current season.
In contrast, speculation regarding Durant’s availability caught many off guard, especially in the days leading up to the trade deadline. Despite being 36 years old, Durant remains one of the league’s most formidable scorers, with an average close to 27 points per game. He is set to participate in his 15th All-Star game later this month and is contracted for the next season as well.
Although it’s uncertain how the rumors have impacted Durant, Jones labeled him a “pro” when it comes to maintaining focus. “He’s always shown and will continue to show, and I think this team will continue to show, that despite the things outside of our walls, we will focus on the task at hand and that’s ball,” Jones noted.
With a wealth of experience from his 14-year playing career, including three NBA championships, Jones believes the team has untapped potential that could lead them to a deep playoff run. Additionally, the Suns traded away center Jusuf Nurkic to the Hornets, bringing in Cody Martin and Vasa Micic to enhance their depth on the perimeter.
Although some may view Jones’ optimism as a stretch, the team must rally around the belief that improvement is possible moving forward. “We understand that there’s a lot of work to do,” Jones concluded. “But it’ll be fun. It’ll be a challenge and we’re up to it.”
