The Phoenix Suns were supposed to be the next superteam in the vein of LeBron James’ Miami Heat. Instead, the power trio of Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, and Devin Booker just got swept out of the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The franchise is doing some serious soul-searching because it’s unlikely that things can get better fast. All three of the franchise’s superstars are locked into long-term contracts, some of them having no-trade clauses. The team has no wiggle room when it comes to salary or the ability to sign notable free agents. Reports have leaked that owner Matt Ishbia is over-involving himself in things. And there are serious concerns that head coach Frank Vogel might not be employed much longer.
All of which is to say that the Suns, who went to the NBA Finals just two years ago, might be screwed.
NBA insider Chris Haynes stopped by The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz on Monday to discuss the situation and painted a dire scene. He talked about how Durant has felt “unsettled” in his role in the offense, Beal has a lot of frustrations, and there’s a lot of friction between Vogel and the front office.
“Frank Vogel wanted a point guard on that roster,” said Haynes. “And the front office believed that bringing a point guard over would take the ball out of the hands of Bradley Beal, Devin Booker, and Kevin Durant.”
That’s when Le Batard really laid it all out there.
“They’re bleeped,” replied Le Batard. “No draft picks the rest of the decade. And Anthony Edwards is now in the division. And OKC is the youngest team in the league. And..it’s done. They made all of those moves. They’re not gonna be able to fix that. The old people are out in the NBA. It’s the young people’s time.”
Indeed, the future does not look bright for these Suns.