Phoenix Suns Eliminated From 2025 Playoff Contention

After a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Phoenix Suns have officially been eliminated from playoff contention in the Western Conference. With a 35-45 record, it has been a disappointing season for the Suns. Many believed they would be a playoff team again with talents like Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. Recent moves have aged poorly, leaving the team and organization in a difficult spot heading into the offseason. The Phoenix Suns are on an eight-game losing streak and vibes around the team have not been pleasant leading many to expect big moves in the summer.

The Phoenix Suns’ Disappointing Season

On paper, the Phoenix Suns look like a playoff team. Durant is still one of the best players in the NBA averaging 26.6 points per game. Booker is another great shot-maker, averaging 25.7 points per game. Durant was named an All-Star for the 15th time in his career. Booker was not an All-Star this year, and his scoring and efficiency have dropped from 27.1 to 25.7 points and 49% shooting to 45.9%. Despite these drops, they are both talented players. It is the core that surrounds them that is lacking and has been a byproduct of poorly aged moves to contend.

The biggest of these moves was the acquisition of Bradley Beal. The Phoenix Suns traded Chris Paul, Landry Shamet, six second-round draft picks, and four first-round pick swaps. This is a significant haul, and that is before taking Beal’s massive contract into account. Beal is on the third year of a five-year, $251 million contract with a no-trade clause and a player option. This season Beal has averaged 16.9 points per game. Since joining the Phoenix Suns, he has not averaged more than 20 points after averaging 30 for multiple seasons with the Washington Wizards.

Beal’s regression has not helped things in Phoenix. His contract, along with Durant and Booker’s, has caused the roster around them to deplete. The Suns have gotten some solid stretches out of role players like Ryan Dunn, Grayson Allen, and Collin Gillespie, but most of their roster outside of their big three is cheap and thrown together. The organization tried selling the farm to contend, but it made a top-heavy roster that has struggled to win without Durant and Booker carrying the load.

Offseason Direction

The Phoenix Suns have an interesting road ahead of them. They got into their current situation by trading for stars to contend for a title. After making the NBA Finals in 2021 and getting eliminated in 2022, they traded two great young pieces Cam Johnson and Mikal Bridges for Durant. When that didn’t work instantly, they traded former first-overall pick Deandre Ayton and made the infamous Beal trade. The team gave up more and more assets for big-name talent, now the only assets they have left are the star players they traded for.

The biggest rumor surrounding the Phoenix Suns is the status of Durant. Many speculated that Durant would be moved at the trade deadline as part of a deal for Jimmy Butler, but that fell through. Now, many believe that Durant will be traded this offseason. Durant has made it clear that he wants to play for title contenders. In the past, Durant has been rumored to teams like the Boston Celtics, but teams like the Rockets, Timberwolves, and Heat had rumored interest at the deadline. Booker could also be moved if the Suns decide to blow it up completely.

Final Thoughts

The Phoenix Suns’ playoff elimination leaves them with many questions moving forward. The strategy of trading all assets for stars has not been effective, and they now face the prospect of trading those stars to other viable contenders. Durant and Booker could be on the move after a disappointing season.