SportSpyder - The Latest Phoenix Suns News

17 March 2025

• [Sports Illustrated] - Phoenix Suns' Biggest Regret Revealed
  The Phoenix Suns shouldn't have traded their top asset near the deadline.
• [Fansided: Valley of the Suns] - Suns should consider trading Devin Booker for obvious reason
  The Phoenix Suns would be doing the organization a disservice if they didn't listen to Devin Booker trade offers this summer.
• [Last Word on Sports] - Suns Shouldn’t Fire Mike Budenholzer This Offseason
  There are already calls for the Phoenix Suns to fire Mike Budenholzer. To his detractors’ point, the team’s play and rotations this season. With a 31-37 record, the Suns are now 11th in the Western Conference. They’ve been doing so poorly that they haven’t even managed to outperform the Dallas Mavericks, who are still in Play-In contention at 33-36; 10th in the Western Conference standings. At this rate, their 2024-25 campaign looks a lot like the COVID-shortened 2019-20 season, when they went 34-39. ’s role has once again been thrust under the microscope. has been weighed, measured and found wanting.’s been uncharacteristically inefficient. has fallen out of the rotation without a clear reason. This has led to their star-laden roster ranking 15th in points per game (114.2) and 22nd in opponents’ points per game (116.1). Suns Shouldn’t Fire Mike Budenholzer This Offseason Budenholzer isn’t blameless. Durant could be involved more frequently. Dunn shouldn’t be rotting on the bench when they’re struggling to contain players on the perimeter. Those are coaching decisions. Then there’s the team’s intangibles. As of late, they’ve either been trying to fight fire with fire or just been frustrated, as Durant, , and —the latter of whom has been traded —getting into dust-ups. Though they might be in need of vocal leadership, Budenholzer has asked Booker to tone it down. All of this speaks to a coach that doesn’t have the command or pulse of his locker room. His decision-making is problematic but that is what could be the straw that breaks the camel’s back. Indeed, many a coach has been fired because of locker room disconnect. This season, it was in the Sacramento Kings parting ways with Mike Brown. Last offseason, it was the Cleveland Cavaliers dismissed J.B. Bickerstaff. Shortly after they were eliminated from the 2024 NBA Playoffs, the Suns decided to replace Frank Vogel for . Quick Fixes Are A Risky Strategy One season isn’t always enough time for coaches to build the that they want. For all Phoenix knows, this could be a repeat of Budenholzer’s tenure with the Atlanta Hawks. In his first season, he led them to an unimpressive 38-44 record. The next season, they went 60-22 and then had a run to the Conference Finals. Since then, Budenholzer’s teams have finished with an above-.500 record seven more times. In four of those seasons, they recorded at least 50 wins. For comparison, the Suns have had five seasons with an above-.500 record since Budenholzer first became a head coach. In only two of those seasons have they finished with at least 50 wins. All of that is to say that Budenholzer’s been more successful individually than the Suns have been collectively. Firing him isn’t necessarily an irrational decision given their struggles. However, they could certainly be jumping the gun by not giving him the benefit of the doubt. Besides, teams that are always looking for a shiny new toy or a quick-fix to their issues are doomed to repeat their mistakes. That’s been the case with the Los Angeles Lakers for awhile. It’s been a problem for the New York Knicks as well. Both organizations’s owners —Jeanie Buss (Lakers) and James Dolan (Knicks) —have . The Suns should see themselves in both franchises. Firing Monty Williams for Vogel didn’t work out. Dismissing Vogel for Budenholzer hasn’t worked out. Neither has replacing , and with Beal and Nurkic. The Last Word On The Suns’ Offseason If the Suns are determined to remodel their Big 3 this offseason, the team that Budenholzer coaches next season could be much more suited for success. Playing all three of the team’s heavy-hitters at the same time could be simplified. Upgrading from and could improve their perimeter defense. Given Durant’s trade value, they if they decide to move him. Durant’s departure will be a big deal because of his skill level. Yet, he’s been for two seasons and with two different head coaches. Thus, moving him could provide tranquility for their calamity. Beal’s value isn’t nearly as high as Durant’s but for him as well. With so much already in-flux though, bringing on their fourth head coach in four years could be chaotic. Maybe Budenholzer’s hypothetical replacement will make Durant and Beal more comfortable. Maybe he’ll make better rotation decisions and shore up their defense. But what if they don’t? Will the Suns just fire them after a year, too? © Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images The post appeared first on .
• [Sportskeeda] - "How much longer are you gon' let Luka Doncic son you?" - Ex-NFL linebacker shreds Suns for underwhelming run with KD & Devin Booker duo
  LA Lakers guard Luka Doncic returned to the starting lineup where he had an incredible game as the Lakers defeated the Phoenix Suns 107-96 on Sunday. The Suns' performance, where they shot 39.
• [Sports Illustrated] - Devin Booker Criticizes Phoenix Suns
  The Phoenix Suns simply need more energy and effort, according to Devin Booker.
• [Sports Illustrated] - Kendrick Perkins Rips Suns for Quitting on Mike Budenholzer Amid Elongated Slump
  Kendrick Perkins took aim at the Suns over their lack of effort and for 'quitting' on head coach Mike Budenholzer.
• [The Arizona Republic] - Suns injury update: Phoenix down starter, key reserve in rematch against Toronto
  Phoenix Suns are one and half games behind Dallas for the 10th seed and final play-in spot in the West.
• [Sportsnaut] - NBA rumors: Phoenix Suns could let third coach be fall guy to appease Kevin Durant and Devin Booker
  A huge new NBA rumor suggests the Phoenix Suns could fire a third straight head coach to appease their top stars.
• [Sports Illustrated] - Adebayo Disrespected in Landing On List of Players Who Have Regressed
  When you’re mired in one of your longest losing streaks in a 17-year span and among the NBA’s most disappointing teams, criticism is going to come from all angl
• [Sporting News] - Mavericks predicted to make 'panic mode' trade for Suns star in offseason
  Dallas has backed itself into a corner.