Phoenix Suns Offseason Plans
After another second-round exit, can the Valley be rallied for another run in 2023?
As James Droz said, “Phoenix Suuuns!! What haaaappened???!!!”
After constructing one of the more formidable “big threes” in the league with the trade deadline acquisition of Kevin Durant, the Suns and their fans lived through deja vu last night, trailing by 30 at halftime in a second-round elimination game on their home court. This time, however, they fell to Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets, 125–100.
Despite their 8–0 record with Durant, Devin Booker and Chris Paul in the regular season (and a 15–10 record after the Feb. 9 trade deadline), Phoenix’s hopes at an NBA title were dashed once again. Now, they look to rebound in the summer, faced with some critical decisions if they want to redeem themselves with a healthy roster and two stars at the helm.
Status of the Dynamic Duo
Durant and Booker remain under contract with Phoenix until the 2026 and 2028 offseasons, respectively. The Suns are very top-heavy in terms of contracts, with Durant, Booker, and Chris Paul making between $114 million and $130 million between 2023 and 2025.
Money aside, it’s clear that KD and Booker thrived next to each other. Durant’s hot scoring continued in the valley, averaging 26 points per game in the regular season on 57–53–83 splits. It jumped to 29 PPG on 48–33–91 splits in the playoffs. Booker was sensational in the postseason (aside from his 12-point blunder in game six), averaging a career-high 33 PPG and 7.2 APG on 59–50–86 splits.
And, as everyone knows, you can’t have two dynamic scorers without a great facilitator. CP3 remained the steady floor general he is, posting 7.4 dimes per game in addition to 12.4 PPG on 41–32–50 splits during the Suns’ playoff run.
Free Agents
Shifting attention to the Suns’ supporting cast, it appears that only a few are going to be back for the ride next season — assuming they stick around, of course. DeAndre Ayton is under contract until 2026 after signing a four-year, $133 million contract last offseason. Landry Shamet has three years and roughly $33 million left on his deal. And Cameron Payne has a non-guaranteed salary of $6.5 million, but given his success with the Suns so far, it’d be surprising to see him land elsewhere.
Everyone else? They’re on their own.
Among the Suns’ notable free agents are Torrey Craig, a wing who quickly improved his three-point percentage (39.2% regular season, 44% in the playoffs); Bismack Biyombo and Jock Landale, who both became serviceable backups for Ayton; and Josh Okogie, a rotational guard known for his defense with a respectable three-point shot (33.2% this season). The Suns might be able to bring them all back…at a cost.
Trade Rumors
Even though the team revolved largely around Durant and Booker, the Suns’ lack of depth post-Durant trade was a major concern, and potentially the biggest reason why they faltered in the playoffs. With that in mind, rumors have emerged regarding the futures of Paul and Ayton with Phoenix.
ESPN’s Tim MacMahon appeared on The Hoop Collective Podcast Friday morning and delivered news that fans may have expected regarding CP3 (as reported by Mark Chiari of Bleacher Report):
“[MacMahon] expects the Suns to “aggressively shop” Paul on the trade market.
MacMahon called it ‘pretty likely’ that CP3 will play for a different team in 2023–24 and added that he believes the Suns will try to trade Paul before June 28, which is when his guaranteed salary goes from $15.8 million to $30.8 million.”
As for Ayton, who averaged 13 points and 10 rebounds per game in the playoffs while making $30 million a year, there’s a chance he could be out the door as well, with some suitors in mind, according to HoopsRumors:
“There should be teams interested in acquiring Ayton but only at a good price when factoring in he’s on a maximum contract. The Mavericks could be interested in him, and some other teams that could make sense for him include the Bulls, Spurs, Hornets, and Pacers, who originally signed him to his offer sheet.”
The Mavs’ intrigue in Ayton was brought up by The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor when he appeared on “The Bill Simmons Podcast” on Wednesday (as reported by Michael Mulford in Sports Illustrated):
“He needs somebody that can continue to push him and motivate him. Maybe a Luka [Doncic] in Dallas.” [O’Connor told Simmons]
“The Ayton-to-Dallas rumor has been floated out there before as the Mavericks have reportedly always had interest in the former №1 overall pick in the 2018 draft. Last month, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon reported that the Mavs feel that Ayton is an ‘extremely talented young big man who has a lot of untapped potential’ when speaking on a potential sign-and-trade with Phoenix involving Kyrie Irving.”
While the Suns sulk in yet another disappointing postseason, the future remains bright. Expect some major changes to be made — the main one being the addition of much-needed depth — all in order to help a roster with championship potential on paper.
