basketball | Monday, July 3, 2023 9:52 AM (Revised at: Monday, July 3, 2023 9:59 AM)

What does the Bradley Beal Trade Mean for the Phoenix Suns?

Sam Cox

Are the Suns good value for the title after compiling the NBA’s latest superteam?

First trading for Kevin Durant, then swapping Chris Paul and Landry Shamet for Bradley Beal, the Phoenix Suns have become the latest NBA franchise to go down the well-trodden superteam path. Phoenix now has three All-Stars, accompanied by former first-overall pick Deandre Ayton.

Like many billionaires before him, Mat Ishbia was determined to make a mark when he bought the Suns, and there’s no denying he’s done just that. Phoenix sold off its Draft picks for the foreseeable future in the Durant trade, along with sending out wing duo Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson.

The Chris Paul era came to an end in the Beal deal, with the Suns in salary cap jail for years to come with mega bucks committed to Durant, Ayton, Devin Booker and Beal for most of the 2020s.
There was a change on the bench, too, with Monty Williams replaced by Frank Vogel after the Suns fell to the eventual champion Denver Nuggets in the second round.

In this article:

Suns Among the Favourites
James Jones Taking a Huge Gamble
What to do at this price?

Suns Among The Favourites

Bookmakers had the Suns among the title favourites when they acquired Durant. Some even had them favoured over the Nuggets in the second round. Phoenix is currently just behind Denver in the Western Conference odds, and has a best price of 7.50 to win the title.

On top-end talent alone, the Suns are clearly a serious title challenger. Yet, teams going this all-in has had mixed results over the last half-decade to say the least.

The Lakers and Bucks got their titles. The Clippers have not come close. Brooklyn tried with Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving, but their supposed dynasty came tumbling down in acrimonious circumstances. Philadelphia has also succumbed to the James Harden experience.

It’s early going, but the Hawks and Timberwolves look set for some tough decisions after their respective blockbuster deals for Rudy Gobert and Dejounte Murray.

James Jones Taking A Huge Gamble

The Suns are banking on the health of their core four players. Durant is heading into his age-35 season and has not had an injury-free campaign since he was wearing a Warriors jersey. Beal has not played over 60 games in a season since 2018-19.

They are relying on playmaking by committee. Booker, Beal and Durant are all solid to good passers, but does this risk falling into a repeat of the iso-dominated offence we saw with Durant, Harden and Irving in Brooklyn?

This offence should at least be efficient, even without a true lead playmaker. Their defence is a much greater concern.

What to Do At This Price?

If healthy, the Suns are going to be a threat in the Western Conference. It’s a massive ‘if’, though, and they’re still not better than the Nuggets. Others have room to improve during the offseason or before the deadline while the Suns are locked into the roster for the foreseeable future.

It shouldn’t be laden with off-court drama like Durant’s Nets stint, yet there are some on-court similarities to be wary of.

This team is built to win the Finals. In a deep Western Conference, however, they cannot afford to take the regular season for granted, such is the risk of falling into the bottom half of the bracket or even the Play-In tournament.

Bookies are reflecting the Suns’ upside with their current title odds. The 13.3% implied probability of Phoenix lifting the Larry O’Brien trophy next June is far too high. We’d steer clear unless their odds lengthen significantly.