A year after losing by 33 points to the Mavericks in Game 7 of the Western Conference Semifinals in Phoenix, the Suns exited the 2023 postseason on Thursday in a similar fashion, suffering a 25-point Game 6 home loss to Denver.
Star forward Kevin Durant, who was acquired at February’s trade deadline to help push the Suns over the top, referred to the season-ending defeat as “embarrassing,” according to Tim MacMahon of ESPN. Devin Booker, the team’s leading playoff scorer, had just 12 points on 4-of-13 shooting in the loss and left the arena without speaking to the media, which MacMahon suggests is an “extremely uncharacteristic move” for the superstar guard.
As disappointing as the loss was, Durant expressed some optimism that the Suns will benefit from a full offseason together, noting that the team has a strong core to build around. As Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic relays (via Twitter video), Durant acknowledged that some roster “tweaks” may be around the corner, but didn’t necessarily agree with the idea that major changes are necessary.
“We just got to be better next year,” Durant said, per MacMahon. “It’s hard right now to see what the future will hold for our team, but we got a good foundation, good infrastructure. We can build on and move on from this and learn from it and get better from it. I’m sure as the summer and offseason starts, we’ll figure that out a little bit more.”
Here’s more on the Suns as their offseason begins:
- Given the discouraging way the season ended and the presence of a new, deep-pocketed owner (Mat Ishbia), Greg Moore of The Arizona Republic expects significant changes in Phoenix this offseason. In Moore’s view, head coach Monty Williams, general manager James Jones, and center Deandre Ayton are among those who share blame for the Suns’ disappointing finish and whose long-term futures in Phoenix aren’t assured.
- Williams took responsibility for the Suns’ poor start on Thursday after the team fell behind by 30 points before halftime. “I take (this) personally, not having our team ready to play in the biggest game of the year,” Williams said, according to Doug Haller of The Athletic. “That’s something that I pride myself on. It just didn’t happen tonight. That’s something that I have to really take a look at, everything I’m doing to allow us be successful on these days.”
- While the exact details of Williams’ contract with the Suns aren’t known, John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 (Twitter links) believes that the deal has at least three years and $21MM left on it, so making a coaching change may not be prudent from a financial perspective even if the club wanted to consider the idea.
- Bobby Marks of ESPN (Insider link) and Yossi Gozlan of HoopsHype look ahead to the difficult offseason decisions facing the Suns. As Marks and Gozlan outline, Phoenix will be hamstrung going forward by the introduction of a second tax apron and has a decision to make on Chris Paul, whose $30.8MM salary for 2023/24 is only partially guaranteed for $15.8MM.
- The Suns’ tentative media deal with Gray TV and streamer Kiswe, which we explained here, has been voided by a federal bankruptcy judge following a lawsuit from Diamond Sports Group, reports Daniel Kaplan of The Athletic. According to Rankin at The Arizona Republic, the Suns issued a statement indicating that they’re seeking a “fair resolution” to the dispute with the parent company of their previous broadcaster, Bally Sports Southwest.
Ayton should be traded away. I also think they missed Crowder more then they were thinking they would.
They need depth in general. Any solid, defense-oriented center could replace Ayton. Trading Ayton for depth pieces is probably the only way they improve. Maybe Dallas wants an actual Center?
Dallas has nothing to trade. Maybe see if Pacers still interested in moving Myles Turner/Buddy Hield?? Chicago has DeRozan, and you can add Vucevic to package via sign-and-trade.
Why would the Pacers downgrade from Turner to get Ayton? That’s a direct downgrade.
And none of that helps with depth. They have KD and Booker. They don’t need more ball-dominant players. Dallas could probably be duped into trading Maxi Kleiber, Josh Green, and a couple others who would help with their defense and spacing.
Ayton isn’t going to bring back a true star in return. His value is probably at an all-time low right now. But they have to move him. Trying to get complementary players who can boost their stars is probably the best use of Ayton’s contract.
Paul is not able to play 20 consecutive playoffs games in his career
Trade away superstar
For who?
Other than being a salary dump who can be bought out for under $16M, the Suns don’t have any picks/young assets to attach to him.
No contending/want to be contender is giving up much for him.
The Suns might as well pick up his option and wait until the Trade deadline to try to move him.
This is what you get for tying your horse to Chris Paul. Anything but a disappointing playoff exit with Paul being hurt would have been a surprise.
Tyrese Haliburton is the guy that makes the most sense to me. Move Paul and figure out how to get Haliburton.
There’s a zero percent chance the Suns could acquire Haliburton, but you knew this right? So why take the time to post such nonsense?
Lol maybe they can get a time machine and get Larry Bird, too
I’m not sure Paul is a good fit even when healthy. Such an overrated player. He’d just take the ball out of the other 2’s hands and his defense is good but not amazing. And the suns don’t need a ball handler that isn’t Booker. This Paul+shooters experiment already failed in Houston so I don’t know why phoenix thought it would work there.
Dump Paul and add a few perimeter players like a Pj Tucker or KCP type. Dump Ayton and get any other big. They will probably not be better than Ayton but they will be much cheaper.
They should of never gotten rid of Johnson and Bridges for Durant, plus the next multiple picks of 1st and 2nd for years ahead. Ya, that would hamstring your choices. Dumb, and stupid trade, lousy head coach.
Totally agree mortgaged the future for the fantasy that they could make a title run. How’d the whole Kyrie Hardin Durant thing work out for the Nets? Nets won that trade for sure
Monty gotta go too !
That’s the first step Suns gotta make. ASAP.
And another KD super team fails miserably!