The Phoenix Suns are making significant changes to their starting lineup as they look to turn around a season marked by inconsistency and locker room tension.
Amid a four-game losing streak and sitting at 15-18, the Suns are set to bench star guard Bradley Beal and center Jusuf Nurkic, according to NBA insider Chris Haynes.
The team, currently ranked 12th in the Western Conference, will insert rookie Ryan Dunn and veteran Mason Plumlee into the starting five beginning Monday night against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Beal, who is averaging 17.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists in 33.3 minutes per game, has been a key contributor for Phoenix, but the team has struggled to find a winning rhythm. Nurkic, adding 8.8 points and 9.5 rebounds per game in 24.3 minutes, has also failed to provide the stability the Suns need.
Plumlee, who is averaging 43 points and 6.1 rebounds in 17.6 minutes per game, and Dunn, with 6.5 points and 2.9 rebounds in 19.2 minutes per game, will take on larger roles in an attempt to shift the team’s fortunes.
The decision to bench Beal and Nurkic comes as trade rumors have swirled around both players. Beal and Nurkic, both integral parts of the Suns’ Big 3 alongside Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, have been at the center of speculation that Phoenix could look to move them to improve their roster.
The Suns’ 3-7 record over the last 10 games and the recent shift in the lineup highlight the team’s frustration and desire to spark a change. With tension mounting, the Suns are hoping the new lineup will bring the balance and performance needed to revive their playoff push.
