The Phoenix Suns have been desperately trying to find the right combination to make it back to the NBA Finals. In doing so, the team has made some bold moves in hopes of doing so.
The Suns have created a roster with some of the biggest names in the league. However, it may be more about how they utilize their players than about having the most talented roster.
“In Phoenix, (Bradley) Beal needs to embrace being a role player. Making 3s, playing defense, deferring to (Devin) Booker and Kevin Durant,” RealGM's Wes Goldberg wrote Monday.
“Beal made a career-high 43 percent of his 3s last season on his highest 3-point attempt rate since 2020. He made 43.6 percent of his catch-and-shoot attempts. Under coach Mike Budenholzer, Beal should tilt his game even further in that direction. Less dribbling and playmaking should encourage him to play the best defense of his career."
Beal joined the Suns in an offseason move last year after the long-time Washington Wizards guard opted to waive his no-trade clause to join Phoenix. In his first year with his new squad, the Florida product looked a shell of himself at times.
Despite the decline, in 53 games with the team, Beal averaged 18.2 points, five assists, and 4.4 rebounds while shooting 51.3% from the floor.
At times last season, the Suns looked the worst when all three stars were on the floor due to the team’s lack of identity. The chemistry was hard to build when one of the three stars was missing from the lineup every other night which resulted in the team struggling to build continuity.
However, the hiring of Budenholzer could be the missing piece to put this team over the top. If the veteran coach can get his best players to buy into a role greater for the team rather than themselves, they could be in a similar position as the defending champion, Boston Celtics were last year.
Nevertheless, if the 31-year-old were to buy into a smaller role with the team and serve as the team’s third option behind Booker and Durant, Phoenix could be a force to reckon with.
