Phoenix Suns

The Phoenix Suns are set to have their third different head coach in as many seasons after missing the playoffs, according to ESPN's Tim MacMahon.

MacMahon reported on SportsCenter on Sunday morning that the "widespread anticipation throughout the league" is that Phoenix intends to let Mike Budenholzer go.

Phoenix's 125-112 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder made the postseason a mathematical impossibility. Asked after the game about his future, Budenholzer said he hadn't yet spoken with team governor Mat Ishbia:

It's fair to say Budenholzer hasn't gotten the most out of his squad.

Phoenix went from winning 49 games to posting a losing record. The team ranks 27th in defensive rating (117.7) after being in the middle of the pack under Frank Vogel. Budenholzer and star Kevin Durant have had some tense moments on the sideline.

The Suns are are also stuck in a position where firing the head coach is one of the few things they can do to potentially change their current trajectory. Between dealing most of their best trade assets and amassing a huge payroll, they have limited means with which to improve the roster.

The challenge awaiting Budenholzer's successor might be too big for any one coach to solve, though.

It looks increasingly like Durant is on the way out, and trading the 36-year-old is unlikely to make Phoenix stronger right now.

Bradley Beal is signed for two more seasons and has shown he's perfectly happy to utilize his no-trade clause. There's no salary cap space to set aside for free agents.

The fact people are arguing the Suns should trade Devin Booker, their all-time leading scorer who's in the prime of his career, illustrates how bleak their short- and long-term outlook both are.

Like Vogel and Budenholzer, whoever takes over this team next year may struggle to avoid an outcome that falls well below the expectations Ishbia originally set when he first greenlit the Durant trade.

Devin Booker left it all on the court Friday night for Phoenix Suns fans.

The Suns defeated the San Antonio Spurs 117-98 in the final home game of the season. Phoenix missed on clinching a spot in the play-in tournament, and while he could have rested, Booker said it was important to play for the fans.

"It took a real Suns fan to be there tonight and still cheer with pride," Booker told reporters. "It's something I don't take lightly. They've always shown love to me. I pay respect to the person that it was either their first time or maybe their last time ever seeing me play."

Booker scored 18 points and added five rebounds and three assists in 28 minutes. The win improved Phoenix to 36-45 and the team will likely finish 11th in the Western Conference.

This was disappointing for a franchise that is second in the NBA in total salary cap allocations, per Spotrac, and had not missed the playoffs since 2019-20.

Booker is under contract through 2027-28 and should remain a franchise piece throughout that time. However, he also could fetch a haul in a return and would be an interesting trade chip if the Suns want to change the dynamics of the team.

Either way, Booker saw value in giving the Suns fans one last effort for the 2024-25 season before he and the team focus on a return to contention in upcoming seasons.

Bradley Beal would like another chance to run it back with the current Phoenix Suns' core.

The Suns guard spoke with reporters following the team's 117-98 victory over the San Antonio Spurs Friday night. When asked about whether the team should stick with its current design or blow it up, Beal expressed his hope to get another crack.

"I love Phoenix," Beal said, per Gerald Bourguet of PHNX Sports. "I love being here. I hope I can continue to be here. But I know Mat [Ishbia], he's gonna probably make some changes, but I enjoyed this group...I think that's what kinda hurts us the most is that we were a connected team"

Beal scored 21 points and added six assists and four rebounds in the victory. He averaged 17.0 points, 3.7 assists and 3.3 rebounds in 53 games this season for the 36-45 Suns.

Beal, who will turn 32 in June, is one of two players (along with LeBron James) that has an explicit no-trade clause in his contract.

So even if the Suns do look to shake things up and shop the veteran this summer, Beal will be able to control his own destiny and stick around in Phoenix for the foreseeable future.

As the Phoenix Suns limp their way toward the finish line this season while trying to make the play-in tournament, their lack of success hasn't gone unnoticed by players around the NBA.

On a recent livestream video, Dallas Mavericks guard Spencer Dinwiddie used the term "ass" to describe the Suns right now.

Expectations were high for the Suns coming into this season. They won 49 games in 2023-24 despite their main trio of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal only playing 41 games together. They went 26-15 in those games, which is a 52-win pace over a full season.

For perspective, the Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves were the only Western Conference teams that won at least 52 games last season.

The change in head coach from Frank Vogel, whose approach is more defensive-minded, to the offensive-friendly Mike Budenholzer was supposed to take a unit that finished ninth in offensive rating to another level.

Instead, virtually everything that could go wrong has gone wrong for the Suns this season. They are one game out of the final play-in spot with a 35-41 record, having lost four straight games.

The offense under Budzenholzer has improved slightly to seventh, but the defense has dropped from 13th to 28th. There have also been moments when Budenholzer and Durant seemed to be on different pages, though they have publicly downplayed any issues.

One reason the Suns have been under so much scrutiny this season is because they are the most expensive roster in the NBA right now. Their combined payroll and luxury tax payment is $366.6 million, more than $71 million ahead of the No. 2 team (Timberwolves: $295.2 million).

Durant's future has also been the subject of intense speculation after they reportedly made him unhappy by engaging the Golden State Warriors in trade talks prior to the Feb. 6 deadline.

If the Suns lose one more game, they will secure their first losing record since the 2019-20 season (34-39). That was also the last time they missed the playoffs.

The Phoenix Suns are fighting for their postseason lives down the stretch of the 2024-25 campaign, and they will have some much-needed reinforcements for Friday's road game against the Boston Celtics.

Head coach Mike Budenholzer said Thursday that Bradley Beal is expected to take the court after missing the last eight games with a left hamstring strain, according to Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic.

Royce O'Neale is also expected to play after he missed Tuesday's loss to the Milwaukee Bucks with an illness.

This comes after Beal said the fans had "every reason to be" annoyed that he had missed time because of injuries, per Rankin.

It is also all the more important since Kevin Durant is expected to miss at least the next two games because of a left ankle sprain. Durant was also sidelined for the loss to the Bucks on Tuesday.

"It's not ideal, obviously, it's not fun,” Beal said. "You don’t enjoy it. You control what you can control. That's all I can do. I always preach about being available and that's something I'm definitely kicking myself about, but that's sometimes how the cookie crumbles.

"All I can do is keep my head up and keep getting better. The staff has been great, my body is in a better place and I feel really good right now. Hopefully it continues to stay that way."

Phoenix is 35-41 and one game behind the Sacramento Kings for the final spot in the Western Conference play-in tournament with six regular-season games remaining.

For as frustrating as this season has been, the Suns can still turn things around with a strong finishing push to qualify for the postseason. The regular-season finale against the Kings could prove to be a win-and-in proposition.

Health has been an issue for the Suns throughout the season, but they are still a solid 19-18 when Durant, Beal and Devin Booker are all on the floor together. They could pose a threat for even the top teams come playoff time with that star power, but they have to make the postseason first.

That might require strong play from Beal, especially with Durant out, so it is a welcome development that he is set to reenter the lineup.

It has been a frustrating season for the Phoenix Suns, and Bradley Beal understands that fans are unhappy after he missed an eighth consecutive game with a left hamstring strain on Tuesday.

"I get it, I get it," he said, per Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic. "They have every reason to be. I am, too."

The guard hasn't played since a March 16 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Suns have lost four in a row. It certainly doesn't help that Kevin Durant was also sidelined for Tuesday's loss to the Milwaukee Bucks because of a left ankle sprain and is expected to miss the last two games of the three-game road trip as well.

While Beal said he feels "a lot better" and is participating in five-on-five scrimmages during practice, he sees where the frustration is coming from as the team slips further from the playoff picture.

"It's not ideal, obviously, it's not fun,” Beal said. "You don’t enjoy it. You control what you can control. That's all I can do. I always preach about being available and that's something I'm definitely kicking myself about, but that's sometimes how the cookie crumbles. All I can do is keep my head up and keep getting better. The staff has been great, my body is in a better place and I feel really good right now. Hopefully it continues to stay that way."

Phoenix is an ugly 35-41 on the campaign and is 1.5 games behind the Sacramento Kings in the race for the final spot in the Western Conference play-in tournament.

Perhaps things would have been different with better health, as it is 19-18 in the 37 games that Durant, Beal and Devin Booker all played together. Instead, it has far too often been just one or two of them asked to shoulder the majority of the offensive load.

From the fans' perspective, there may also be some lingering frustration from the trade deadline situation.

Beal has a no-trade clause, which limited the team's flexibility to make moves and even participate in discussions for players such as Jimmy Butler. It didn't make any significant headline moves and may even end up trading Durant during the upcoming offseason since he will have just one year remaining on his deal.

The Suns have the talent to be a threat in the West if they make the playoffs and are fully healthy, but they are running out of time in both categories with just six regular-season games remaining.

Kevin Durant's final game with the Phoenix Suns may have already happened.

Appearing on Tuesday's episode of First Take, ESPN's Brian Windhorst said it's "really possible" Durant won't play for the Suns again after suffering an ankle injury in Sunday's 148-109 loss to the Houston Rockets.

Durant suffered the injury in the third quarter when he rolled his ankle after stepping on Jabari Smith Jr.’s foot while driving to the basket.

ESPN's Shams Charania reported on Monday that Durant will miss at least one week after being diagnosed with a sprained ankle. The timeline means the earliest he would return is against the Golden State Warriors on April 8.

The Suns will only have four regular season games left when they return from a three-game road trip that starts on Tuesday against the Milwaukee Bucks. Their next five games are all against teams that are currently in the playoffs.

Phoenix is one game behind the Sacramento Kings for the final play-in spot in the Western Conference. This five-game stretch could determine its fate, depending on how things play out.

If the Suns miss the play-in tournament, the immediate focus will turn to Durant's future. His relationship with the organization reportedly went south after they engaged the Golden State Warriors in talks prior to the Feb. 6 trade deadline.

Durant might be softening his feelings toward the organization. The Ringer's Logan Murdock reported on Tuesday the two-time NBA Finals MVP is open to returning to the Suns next season.

Even if Durant wants to return, the Suns have a decision to make. They are projected to be paying more than $525.8 million in payroll and luxury tax in 2025-26.

If the Suns don't even make the play-in tournament this season, governor Mat Ishbia opting to run it back with this same core of Durant, Booker and Bradley Beal at that price with no playoff wins for the franchise since May 2023 would seem foolish.

Whatever flaws the Suns have isn't the fault of Durant. He is averaging 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game in 62 appearances this season as the sixth-oldest player in the NBA.

Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant made waves early last month for his testy exchange with head coach Mike Budenholzer during a game against the Los Angeles Clippers, and the reason for his anger has now been revealed.

Logan Murdock of The Ringer reported that Durant was unhappy with Budenholzer's complex offensive scheme, which has been difficult for some players to figure out.

"Sources say Durant was pleading with his coach to simplify the team’s offensive concepts to something better suited to the Suns' younger players," Murdock wrote.

Earlier in March, Durant downplayed a separate exchange as "a quick disagreement," but he hasn't been shy about voicing his frustrations to Budenholzer throughout the season.

At 35-40, the Suns rank 11th in the Western Conference and sit one game out of the final spot for the play-in tournament. Phoenix has been a disjointed team throughout the year, so it wouldn't be a surprise if it missed the playoffs to cap off its disappointing season.

It's been reported that the Phoenix Suns are likely to trade Kevin Durant this summer given their ongoing struggles and his reported unhappiness that they tried to move him before the Feb. 6 trade deadline. However, the door isn't fully closed on him staying in Phoenix next season.

Per The Ringer's Logan Murdock, Durant is "open" to remaining with the Suns. He will be eligible to sign a two-year, $122 million extension this summer.

The Suns have put themselves in a very difficult situation in both the short and long term. They have the most expensive roster in the NBA with $366-plus million in financial commitments this season between payroll and luxury-tax payments.

Despite that, the Suns (35-40) are currently one game behind the Sacramento Kings for the final spot in the Western Conference play-in tournament.

Phoenix hasn't won a playoff game since Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Denver Nuggets on May 7, 2023. The Suns were swept in their first-round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves last season.

After the Suns explored trading Durant to the Golden State Warriors earlier this season, ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported the two-time NBA Finals MVP was "not happy" to be the subject of rumors.

The Suns' path out of this purgatory is extremely complicated. Ishbia told ESPN's Tim MacMahon that he has no interest in trading Devin Booker. Even if the Suns were able to find a taker for Bradley Beal, he has a full no-trade clause that allows him to scuttle any deal.

That leaves Durant as the one big trade piece the Suns have left. Even though he will turn 37 before the start of next season, few players in the league score as efficiently as he does.

Durant is averaging 26.6 points on 52.7 percent shooting (43.0 percent from three) in 62 games this season. He will be entering the final guaranteed year of his current contract with a $54.7 million expiring salary in 2025-26.

Given how weak the top of this summer's free-agent class looks—especially if LeBron James stays with the Los Angeles Lakers—Durant could fetch a significant haul in a trade for a franchise that needs an infusion of long-term assets.

If the Suns believe they can make a swift turnaround with Durant and Booker in the fold, it's not hard to imagine them talking themselves into extending the future Hall of Famer. If Durant is open to staying in Phoenix, the Suns could at least sell tickets with him and Booker playing together, even if they aren't in legitimate championship contention.

Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant will undergo an MRI after he was ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's game against the Houston Rockets after suffering an ankle injury in the second half, head coach Mike Budenholzer told reporters following the game.

Budenholzer also noted that Durant "would not travel with the club to begin a three-game road trip, starting with the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday," per ESPN.com.

Durant suffered the injury while driving to the hoop near the midway point of the third quarter, drawing a foul on the play.

Oso Ighodaro entered the game to take the free throws for Durant and subsequently made one of his two attempts from the line.

Durant had 12 points and eight rebounds in 23 minutes prior to exiting. The Suns trailed 92-57 at the time of the injury.

He previously suffered a sprained left ankle during his team's 104-93 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Dec. 3.

ESPN's Shams Charania reported the next day that Durant was expected to miss one-to-two weeks and provided details about how the ailment occurred.

"Sprinting downcourt in transition with 4:30 left in the second quarter Tuesday, Durant drove to the basket and attempted to cut between Spurs defenders Julian Champagnie and Devin Vassell. Durant stepped on Champagnie's left foot as he rose to take a shot.

"Durant immediately fell to the floor, landing flat on his back before grabbing at his left ankle. He remained on the court and made the ensuing free throws before leaving the game 22 seconds later. He returned briefly for the start of the third quarter before walking to the locker room."

For the season, Durant is averaging 26.8 points (52.7 percent from field, 44.9 percent from three), 6.0 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game.

Phoenix has gone 11-2 with him in the lineup. The Suns started 8-1 with KD before he suffered a calf strain on Nov. 8. Phoenix went just 1-6 without Durant before he returned on Nov. 26. The Suns then won three of their next four games before he was sidelined.

Durant is one of the game's all-time elite talents, sporting a resume that includes 14 All-Star nods, four scoring titles, two NBA championships and two NBA Finals MVP awards.

Phoenix entered Sunday's game at 35-39, putting it one game back of the Sacramento Kings for 10th place in the Western Conference.