PHOENIX – The Phoenix Suns 2024-2025 season has been put out of its misery. Phoenix was eliminated from Play-In contention after its 125-112 lost to Oklahoma City, who was without likely MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The Suns have had a rough season that dealt with injuries, drama, and demoralizing losses. Franchise cornerstone Devin Booker talked to the media after the Thunder loss, detailing that “more than one thing” needs to change for next season.
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Apr 9, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) reacts after a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Booker full words on Suns disappointing season:
“It’s been a slow bleed out. I’ve been feeling this way for the majority of the season,” Booker said. “I think the small glimpses of good stretches that we’ve played, I know gave me hope.”
Booker will miss the playoffs for the first time since 2020, and unlike last time in the bubble where Phoenix looked primed to make noise next season, this time seems like the beginning of the end. The four-time All-Star has detailed that he wants to stay in the Valley for his entire career, but he acknowledges that change is needed to progress.
Apr 9, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (3) and guard Devin Booker (1) react on the bench against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The Suns are expected to fire head coach Mike Budenholzer and trade 15-time All-Star Kevin Durant this offseason, which could qualify as Booker’s “more than one thing.” However, even if the franchise strikes a massive haul for Durant, it’s unlikely to fix all of Phoenix’s problems.
A possible Durant trade won’t fix the team’s cap situation, get them meaningful draft stock, and keep them competitive. Suns owner Mat Ishbia says he doesn’t want to rebuild, but that choice might be out of his hands.
Then, if Budenholzer is fired, how attractive is a Phoenix Job that has recycled through three coaches in the past three years? There isn’t time to install a system if a coach is only given a year or even a franchise time to establish when drastic changes are made during every offseason.
Apr 26, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (3) and Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) and Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) react while Minnesota Timberwolves celebrate during the second half of game three of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Booker described the season perfectly, saying the team slowly bled out. There wasn’t any structure or safety net for the franchise. The Suns started 8-1, and the first roadblock in Durant’s injury derailed the entire season. Retooling in the offseason is an obvious, lazy answer on how to fix the team, but installing structure and accountability is the tough thing that needs to change for Phoenix.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
