Despite boasting one of the NBA’s most star-studded lineups with Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal, the Phoenix Suns have faced significant challenges this season.
Sitting at 26-25, Phoenix currently occupies the ninth spot in the Western Conference. General Manager James Jones recently addressed the struggles and explained the team’s underperformance.
In a tweet from Doug Haller, Jones said, “I think the injuries are a part of it. I also just think that we haven’t performed well enough. We’ve had opportunities and we built some momentum, but there’s just been, I would say times and lapses in our consistency.”
Injuries have undoubtedly played a part in the Suns’ challenges. However, the team’s inconsistency has been a recurring theme, leaving many questioning why the Big 3 hasn’t been able to consistently deliver.
Adding fuel to the fire, rumors of locker room discord began circulating after center Jusuf Nurkic, who had been benched earlier in the season, revealed a lack of communication with head coach Mike Budenholzer.
“We don’t have a relationship,” Nurkic admitted, sparking speculation about possible internal issues within the team. These remarks added to the growing concerns surrounding team chemistry.
To address these issues, the Suns made significant roster moves to improve their overall performance. On January 15, Phoenix traded Josh Okogie and three second-round picks to the Charlotte Hornets for center Nick Richards and a 2025 second-round pick, aiming to boost their interior presence.
Further bolstering their roster, the Suns traded their 2031 unprotected first-round pick to the Utah Jazz on January 21. In exchange, Phoenix acquired multiple first-round picks, including the weakest selections from other trades the Jazz made involving key players like Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert.
On February 6, the Suns made another bold move, sending Nurkic to Charlotte in exchange for Cody Martin, Vasilije Micic, and a 2026 second-round pick. The transaction is part of Phoenix’s effort to shake things up and find the right mix for a playoff push.
Despite the struggles, the Suns showed resilience in their most recent outing, defeating the Jazz with Booker leading the charge. Booker scored 47 points.
