A few days before the start of the regular season, DNA of Sports finishes its traditional presentation, franchise by franchise, of the upcoming NBA season. Like every year, this takes the form of a countdown, from the teams expected at the bottom of the ranking to our favorite for the champion title.
We continue today in the West, since after the Warriors yesterday, it is the turn of the Suns offseason to be scrutinized. There is a lot to say about Phoenix as the franchise has been turned upside down in recent months. NBA finalists in 2021, the Suns have had two “failures” in the conference semi-finals, against Dallas in 2022 (4-3) then against the future champion, Denver, last season (4-2). Not enough to call everything into question at first glance.
A brand new “Big Three”
It was ultimately behind the scenes, at the highest levels of franchise management, that change and the start of a new era arrived. After the forced departure of Robert Sarver, the arrival of Matt Ishbia as new owner in December 2022 was accompanied by a major reshuffle. The team was already very good, but the new boss wanted to take it to a new dimension.
After having achieved a big success by attracting Kevin Durant in its nets in February, the new management did not stop there. The offseason started very strong with the dismissal of Monty Williamsreplaced by Frank Vogeland a new size adjustment in the roster with the departure of Chris Paul to bring in Bradley Beal. The Suns had a brand new “Big Three” there.
It remained to complete the roster with the best profiles while trying to make good moves with the little remaining payroll. There was a first with veteran fullback Eric Gordon, and some good picks like Yuta Watanabe, a referenced “role player”, and potentials like Chimezie Metu, Bol Bol or even Keita-Bates Diop.
“Role players” who just want to shine
The “supporting cast” turned out to be a bit correct, but that was before the final bouquet of the Suns “front office”. By playing the adjustment variables to allow Portland to send Damian Lillard to Milwaukee, Phoenix recovered Jusuf Nurkic to replace Deandre Ayton, but also Grayson Alleninteresting “3&D”.
Ultimately, the roster is very promising on paper and these Suns trio Beal-Booker-Durant will undoubtedly be one of the attractions of the coming season. The hardest part is now on the horizon: we will have to put a collective in place, in which everyone can flourish.
The Suns may have put all the chances on their side, but the mission will not be easy. After the departure of Mikal Bridges, Phoenix this time lost Chris Paul, who had greatly helped the team get out of the bottom of the league. The leaders of Arizona undoubtedly thought that this was the price to pay to give themselves the best chance of taking this last step and finally lifting the Larry O’Brien trophy. Time for the truth on the ground.
SUMMER MOVEMENTS
Arrivals: Bradley Beal (Wizards), Jordan Goodwin (Wizards), Drew Eubanks (Blazers), Keita Bates-Diop (Spurs), Chimezie Metu (Kings), Yuta Watanabe (Nets), Eric Gordon (Clippers), Bol Bol (Orlando), Keon Johnson (Blazers), Nassir Little, Jusuf Nurkic (Blazers), Grayson Allen (Milwaukee)
Departures: Chris Paul (Warriors), Landry Shamet (Wizards), Cameron Payne (Bucks), Deandre Ayton (Blazers)
THE PLAYER TO FOLLOW: BRADLEY BEAL
Bradley Beal has finally taken the plunge. Like Damian Lillard, the guard finally left his lifelong franchise after eleven years in Washington, marked by more complicated seasons than memorable successes. With the desire also to finally be able to compete in the fight for the title. This is what he will be able to do in Phoenix, where he will enter another dimension alongside Devin Booker and Kevin Durant.
His season will be interesting to follow in more than one way, since he will have to acclimatize to a new environment, something he has never experienced before after spending his entire career in DC.
On the ground too, adjustments will also be numerous. Alongside Devin Booker and Kevin Durant, he will undoubtedly often be third in the number of shots attempted, which will be a big novelty for a player who has averaged just over 20 attempts per game over his last six seasons.
Fact, he will therefore have to be more organizedand it is undoubtedly his ability to remain effective in his new role, but also more invested defensivelywhich will determine the success of this “Big Three”.
Average age: 27.7 years
Payroll: $198 million (3rd)
THE IDEAL SCENARIO
The “Big Three” of the Suns lead a rockstar train and outclass practically all their opponents thanks to their fiery attack. Building on their dazzling start, the three leaders managed to be used with caution in view of the final sprint. Despite fragile health, Bradley Beal, Devin Booker and Kevin Durant held on and thus placed Phoenix at the top of the hierarchy in the Western Conference.
But what really makes the difference, as is often the case at the highest level in the NBA, is the contribution of the role players. In this case, that of Jusuf Nurkic completely changes the situation, offering Frank Vogel’s team reliable guarantees in hardness and physical impact under the circle. Enough to make these Suns 2023/24 version unplayable in sequences and allow them to shine until the first title in the club’s history.
THE WORST SCENARIO
The departure of Chris Paul, and overall the absence of a professional leader to dictate the tempo and organize the attack, is quickly felt. With a team completely changed during the offseason, it is complicated for the slew of recruits to find their way, between “hooray basketball” and playing in excessive isolation.
The three stars of the team do their job offensively but cannot play together and perform well at the same time. And as is often the case at the highest level in the NBA, offense is not enough to win.
Defense is indeed a recurring problem for these Suns, also weighed down by the recurring physical problems of Bradley Beal and Kevin Durant. Especially since the lack of cohesion and collective experience does not allow us to raise the bar, and the 2023/24 epic ultimately turns into a fiasco.
