Phoenix Suns
The 2024-25 Phoenix Suns can be defined by being a disaster to the highest degree.
What did we learn?
Not only did the Suns not make the playoffs…
They didn’t even make the Play-In.
There is spiraling out of control and being stranded in the desert — and then there is the current state of affairs that is the Phoenix Suns.
A 36-46 record and No. 11 finish in the West after a preseason win total of 47.5, thought of as a contender and left as another cautionary tale.
New owner syndrome has upended this franchise that was recently on a meteoric rise.
Just four years ago, the Suns were in The NBA Finals. It was their first trip to the playoffs in 10 years.
Who is left from that 2020-21 Finals team?
Devin Booker and Devin Booker only.
Mat Ishbia showed up as the new owner and went all-in right away, trading all those assets for KD and moving on from Ayton to bring in Nurkic who was benched and traded this season.
Poof.
Booker was left with aging and injury-riddled stars on the decline.
The supporting cast they brought in last summer looked good on paper and it was difficult to not be blinded by their offensive ceiling.
But far more important than offensive ceiling is team chemistry and being able to play enough defense to give you an actual chance.
This team had neither.
And so, Coach Bud is out as swiftly as he and Vogel both arrived.
All signs point to KD being traded this summer and Booker will still be left looking around like the Fresh Prince or John Travolta Pulp Fiction meme.
For KD:
Mikal Bridges (who was himself traded for 5 draft picks to the Knicks)
Cam Johnson
Jae Crowder (to the Bucks)
2023 1st Rd. pick
2025 1st Rd. pick
2027 1st Rd. pick
2028 1st Rd. pick swap
2029 1st Rd. pick
Three of the top-6 players from the Suns Finals team and four unprotected firsts and a pick swap.
And the Suns will only have one playoff series win to show for it.
Mat Ishbia really showed up and burned this shit to the ground.
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Additional Notes
The Suns actually started the season scorching hot at 8-1 — then KD went out with a calf strain. The Suns instantly cratered to 1-6 over the next seven games and they never really recovered.
Bradley Beal played 53 games and started 38 of them. We haven’t even mentioned how bad that trade was, too.
Rookie Ryan Dunn did have some eyebrow-raising games and moments, most notably a power dunk on Giannis.
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Did our preseason Over/Under prediction hit?
Another one where everyone is on it. What could go wrong? Over 47.5 wins.
Suns 2024-25 record: (39-43)
NOPE. Everything went wrong.
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What’s Next?
What does a return package look like for KD in the big 2025?
At least this isn’t a luxury tax team… Oh wait. Well, at least they aren’t at the next apron. OH WAIT.
At what point does Book want to move on like all of the rest? Who could blame him.
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Favorite Suns Highlight of the 2024-25 Season:
Takes him to the WHAT!?
