In the competitive arena of the NBA, no team can always stand at the top, and if there is a peak, it will inevitably experience the cycle of troughs.
This season's playoffs were a painful blow to the championship-winning Phoenix Suns, who were swept away 4-0 by the young Timberwolves, a result that not only disappointed fans, but also exposed the team's deep-seated problems.
You must know that in the 20-21 season, the Suns once entered the finals stage with good squad depth, and it has only been less than three years; now they have fallen in the first round, which is really embarrassing, what happened to this luxurious Suns team?
There are obvious problems with the Suns' roster configuration, the team lacks players who can organize tandems, resulting in a single tactical system, and the offensive end is too dependent on the individual ability of the stars, which is especially fatal in the high-intensity confrontation of the playoffs.
Durant, Booker and Beal may excel individually, but basketball is a team sport after all, and the Suns, who lack teamwork, struggle in the playoffs. In addition, the team also appeared to be weak on the interior defense, and Nurkic was barely able to provide effective help against the Timberwolves' twin towers, which directly led to the team's collapse on the defensive end.
Looking back at last offseason's trade, the Suns sent Chris Paul and Ayton, which was considered a risky move at the time. At the moment, this decision did not have the desired effect for the team. The departures of Paul and Ayton not only weakened the team's defensive capabilities, but also affected the team's chemistry. Paul's playmaking ability and Ayton's interior defense have been key factors in the Suns' previous success, and their departure has left the Suns without consistency in the new season.
In addition, Beal's arrival did not have the desired effect, and his injury problems and lack of run-in with the team made the Suns lack effective scoring points in key moments. The combination of these factors led to the Suns' rout in the playoffs.
The Suns' future is uncertain, with the team not having a single first-round pick between 2025 and 2030, which greatly limits the team's development potential. At the same time, Beal's contract issues will also be a big burden for the team. In the next three seasons, Beal's contract salary is 50 million, 54 million, and 57 million respectively, which is a huge challenge to the team's salary space, which means that the Suns do not have much salary space to continue to strengthen the roster.
Even if the team is to rebuild, it will be challenging, but it will also be bred with opportunities.
The team will need to face up to the current squad structure, especially the compatibility of the Big Three. Durant, Booker and Beal may be star-studded, but their styles of play and positions overlap, resulting in a lack of necessary tactical diversity and teamwork. The Suns must retain their core power while bringing in players who can organize the offense and activate the whole team.
In addition, the Suns' weakness on the interior is another issue that needs to be addressed urgently. Nurkic's defensive ability is not enough to support the team's interior line, and the team needs to find or develop an interior player who can provide a solid barrier on the defensive end. At the same time, the Suns' perimeter defense also needs to be strengthened, which may require a draft or trade to acquire young defensive players with potential.
With limited draft picks, the Suns' rebuilding will require more intelligence and strategy. Teams can accumulate future draft picks through trades or look for cost-effective role players on the free market. In addition, Suns management needs to focus more on player potential and team spirit, rather than just chasing star fame.
Of course, the Suns' coaching staff also needs to be adjusted, and a new coach who can bring out the best in players and build team basketball is needed, and Vogel will most likely be replaced. The new coach needs to have a clear tactical concept and be able to develop the right tactical system according to the characteristics of the players to help the team make breakthroughs in the new season.
The Suns' rebuild won't happen overnight, but with smart decision-making and patient training, the team is expected to be back in contention for years to come. Fans have reason to expect that after a "bone remodeling", the Suns will be able to shine again in the NBA with a new look and stronger strength.
The Suns' rebuilding will take courage and determination. Fans, how do you think the Suns should rebuild, should they trade away their stars, or should they find a new coaching team? Leave your predictions and thoughts in the comments section and let's discuss the future of the Suns.