A storm is brewing in the desert. of phoenix sunsmade the decision to send the team because changes were needed to improve their standing in 12th place in the West Division with 16 wins and 18 losses. bradley beer and Jusuf Nurkic Returns to the bench in what could be the harbinger of some transfers. A surprising decision had a positive impact on the whole mike budenholzer Who beat the Sixers in Philadelphia without any players? joel embiid (99 wins, 109 losses) Maybe it’s because of a sprained foot, or maybe they’re being careful not to let their star players play too much this year. The Suns ended their losing streak at four.

Tyrese Maxey led to failure philadelphia Another step forward with 31 points and 10 assists Gershon Yabusele The former Real Madrid player responded to ownership with a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds, and is said to have continued to earn the right to continue in the NBA after June. That was also up to the standard. kelly oubre jr. He had 26 points and 11 sacks, but it wasn’t like this. paul george He was booed by Sixer fans with his 13 points and 4-of-17 shooting.

Paradoxically, Beal led Phoenix with 25 points and was second in points, as playing off the bench inspired him. kevin durant For 23, on the other hand Devin Booker He had a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, but shot just 3-of-16 on a cloudy night. Beal and Nurkic were replaced by Ryan Dunn and Mason Plumlee. Nurkic had already started off against the Grizzlies.

Some naive people in the U.S. speculate, but have a feeling, that the Suns benched the former Washington Wizards to pressure him into waiving his non-transfer clause, the only privilege in the NBA. is saying. Beer…and LeBron James.

According to John Gambadoro, insider phoenix point guard 31 years He would be willing to waive his no-transfer clause to go to LeBron’s Lakers or LeBron’s Nuggets. Nikola Jokic Or to the Heat, who lost their leading role. jimmy butler Suspended due to intention to transfer.

And the Suns failed in their attempt at a formidable trio of Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal, with more words than actions. Above all, those arrogant words from Booker in the summer of 2023.

“I don’t know how the team is going to protect us.”

Devin Booker signs with Beal

“With all due respect, I don’t know how teams are going to protect us,” the point guard said when Phoenix had just added Beal.

But in reality, combining Beal, Durant, and Booker yielded virtually no results. Last year, the Suns minnesota timberwolves The first round of the playoffs (4 wins, 0 losses) shows how the team’s ability to advance into the playoffs is in jeopardy, having not been able to play until the final game last year. Impact on the bench mike budenholzer – replacing the fired Frank Vogel – got off to a great start to the season as the Suns returned to their unorthodox ways, but that momentum has waned.

And, of course, Bradley Beal has a lot to do with it, barely playing in 53 games last year, concerns about his precarious health becoming a reality, and already having played in 24 of 34 games this season. He was absent from the game. This season, in 33 games, he has 17.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3 assists, shooting 48% from the field and 39% from triples, which is decent but not good enough. Minutes. Even statistics a little bad More than last year.

However, the Suns have an exorbitant salary and don’t have many options left to improve their roster. The Suns are the most expensive team in the NBA 217 million Salaries and conscription funds are virtually zero. Choking in their own sins, the only respite for them is to remove the $50 million Beal is owed this season and next season and $53 next season, and the league’s highest-paid player, Jusuf Nurkic. It’s about getting some of it. The team after the trio should have $18 million and suitors to receive this year.

It cannot be overlooked that Kevin Durant’s contract expires this year. 2026 And the Suns are expected to extend their renewal with a star this summer. 36 years I was convinced to continue in the desert.

“Change needed to happen.”

Mike Bundeholzer on the bench with Beal and Nurkic

Coach Budenholzer explained the decision to bench Beal and Nurkic:

“We felt we needed to make a change. We needed to find the best combination. They are important players for us, very good players. We had a good, healthy conversation,” Ring said. The coach who attended the meeting emphasized. milwaukee bucks In 2021.

Beer himself said:

“I’m going to be the sun until someone talks to me and says different,” the point guard said. butler They grow too. Abandoned by a mortgaged future, they cling to the present with all their might in Phoenix. Is it the first ring? A drought that lasts for years.