Even though the Phoenix Suns were swept in the first round of the NBA playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves, owner Mat Ishbia said after the season that his team was in a “great position.”
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Ishbia explained further that the Suns will have continuity to build on heading into next season with the entire starting 5 under contract after their first year together.
#Suns owner Mat Ishbia to our @brendan_mau on the importance of continuity:
“It was never, ‘we’re gonna win a championship this year or we got to blow it up.’ It’s just ridiculous stuff.”
“Knowing we have the whole starting 5 back (next year), I feel pretty good about that.” pic.twitter.com/7VQCGcOsCl
— Burn City Suns Talk ????️ (@BurnCitySuns) May 2, 2024
This will not come with a massive price in more than one way for the team. Phoenix is projected to have the highest payroll in the NBA next season at $209 million.
This means the Suns will pay a projected additional $120 million in luxury tax and are operating over the second-tax apron next season, which is estimated to be set at $190 million, severely limiting the team in terms of moves and trades it can make.
In this threshold, Phoenix is unable to sign incoming free agents to anything other than veteran minimum contracts. In terms of trades, the Suns will not be able to take in more salary than they send out, include cash in deals, aggregate contracts or use a preexisting trade exception.
General manager and president of basketball operations James Jones has said that the team’s Big 3 of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal will not be going anywhere.
"Those guys aren't going anywhere."@Suns president of basketball operations James Jones puts to bed any speculation that a member of the 'Big 3' would be traded this offseason.
????: https://t.co/9FB7poCRrL pic.twitter.com/eN6ohlRo8P
— The Burns & Gambo Show (@BurnsAndGambo) May 17, 2024
Kevin Durant
As for Durant, Jones previously stated that the Suns have big plans to maximize his potential, even after a big season this year and him turning 36 in September.
“A constant focus for us is to continue to figure out how to maximize Kevin Durant,” Jones said. “No one’s done it yet. I believe we’d be the first team to do it. Because if we can maximize him, we can maximize our entire roster (and) we’re a better team.”
The Suns gave up a lot of their future pieces to acquire Durant from the Brooklyn Nets ahead of the trade deadline in Feb. 2023. Even at age 35 and five years removed from an Achilles tear, Durant still played in 75 games this season and averaged the fifth-most points in the NBA at 27.1 per game on 52.3/41.3/85.6 shooting splits to go along with 6.6 rebounds and 5.0 assists after only playing eight regular season games for Phoenix in 2023.
Durant has stated that he has big future goals with the Suns and for his career in Phoenix.
“I’ve been on so many teams, and I’ve said this before, (but) right now, in this moment, today, without thinking about the next moment, yeah (I want to finish my career in Phoenix),” Durant told ESPN’s Malika Andrews in February. “But that’s just saying right now, and I can’t really predict what may happen. But I love playing in Phoenix. I love the fanbase, the city. I’ve grown to understand what our mission is being in the Valley and how deep these people care about their team.
“I started understanding the history of the Suns, and I’m glad to be a part of it. I want to go up in that Ring of Honor one day, so however long that takes.”
"I want to go up in that ring of honor one day."
Kevin Durant on playing for the Suns.
(via @malika_andrews) pic.twitter.com/GmHjeApZrv
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) February 22, 2024
Immediately after the Suns were swept in the playoffs, The Athletic’s Shams Charania released a story detailing some of the frustrations in the Suns’ locker room, including with Durant:
“Meanwhile, Durant, among the best scorers in NBA history, was not always happy with how he was used. Sources briefed on the matter told The Athletic that Durant never felt comfortable with his role in Phoenix’s offense alongside Booker and Beal this season. Those sources said Durant had persistent issues with the offense, feeling that he was being relegated to the corner far too often and not having the proper designs to play to his strengths as the offense was built around pick-and-rolls. At the same time, some teammates and people close to the organization believed Durant needed to voice his concerns more adamantly and directly with (Frank) Vogel and his coaching staff.”
Less than a couple weeks after this report came out, the Suns moved on from Vogel after one season and replaced him with Mike Budenholzer.
Durant was once thought to be a player that stayed with one team his whole career when he was with the Oklahoma City Thunder. However, he has since played for the Golden State Warriors, Nets and Suns.
With all this said, Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz writes that Durant requesting a trade would be the Suns’ “biggest fear” this offseason:
“The Phoenix Suns are a bit of a mess at the moment.
“This could become the most expensive roster in NBA history next season, especially if Royce O’Neale gets a new contract. The Suns are already projected to cost a whopping $328.7 million in salary and luxury tax penalties, yet they failed to win a single playoff game in their first-round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
“Phoenix is on its third head coach in 13 months. The draft picks are all gone, with first-rounders still owed to the Brooklyn Nets in 2025, 2027 and 2029. On top of all of this, ESPN’s Michael Wilbon said on PTI that ‘I don’t hear great things about the Suns and Kevin Durant.’
“If Durant wants out, the Suns are really in trouble.
“For all that’s gone wrong, the 35-year-old is still playing All-NBA-level basketball and was mostly healthy last season (75 games played).
“A trade request would be devastating for Phoenix.”
Even with the limitations they face, the Suns will look to upgrade their roster this offseason through trades, with the No. 22 pick in the NBA Draft beginning on June 26 and free agency, which the legal tampering period starts on June 30.
James Jones wants Suns to be the first team to ‘maximize Kevin Durant’
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Brendan Mau is a senior writer covering the Phoenix Suns and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @Brendan_Mau
