The Phoenix Suns suffered a disappointing end to their season with a 125-100 home loss to the Denver Nuggets in Game 6 of the Western Conference second-round playoff series. Following the loss, the Suns have made some changes, and more could be on the way as per Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report.
In what could be start of many changes for Phoenix Suns, the team dismissed a front office executive and two scouts today, league sources tell @NBAonTNT, @BleacherReport.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) May 13, 2023
One of the significant changes for the Suns is that they are now under new ownership after Mat Ishbia purchased a controlling interest in the team and Phoenix Mercury in February. Ishbia released a statement after the end of the Suns’ season, expressing his disappointment with the loss but also his confidence in the team’s future.
Suns Fans:
Thank you for an unbelievable few months and a very special start to my experience as team owner/steward. You welcomed me and my family and have been awesome every step of the way. You are the absolute greatest fans in all of basketball.
While we have a lot to be…
— Mat Ishbia (@Mishbia15) May 12, 2023
The Suns made a significant move earlier in the season, acquiring superstar forward Kevin Durant in a blockbuster deal with the Brooklyn Nets on Feb. 9. However, Durant and Devin Booker had to do much of the heavy lifting in the Denver series.
Chris Paul was absent from the final four games due to a groin injury, and Deandre Ayton struggled, missing Game 6 with a ribs injury. Backup center Jock Landale proved to be the better option down low.
The rest of the Phoenix roster struggled against a deep Denver team that shone thanks to the heroics of two-time MVP Nikola Jokić and a deep rotation. Thus, the Suns need to figure out how to build around Booker and Durant this offseason. The team is moving quickly to figure out how to finally win the franchise’s first-ever championship.
While the foundation is in place for greater success, Phoenix feels that more work needs to be done soon. A full offseason and training camp with Durant in the Suns mix should only help the team. The Suns’ future looks bright, and with the right moves, they could be one of the top contenders in the Western Conference for years to come.
Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns face uncertain future after playoff exit
Kevin Durant’s arrival from the Nets at the trade deadline was expected to boost the Phoenix Suns’ postseason prospects. However, their season ended earlier than anticipated with a Game 6 loss to the Nuggets in the Western Conference second-round playoff series. After the defeat, Durant described it as “embarrassing” and acknowledged that the Suns need to be better next year.
He also refrained from blaming his ankle injury, sustained during the Suns’ warmups on March 8, as a contributing factor to their early exit, as he believed that it would be considered an excuse.
The future of the Phoenix team’s starting center, DeAndre Ayton, who missed the season-ending Game 6 with a rib injury and was also benched in Game 3, is also uncertain. ESPN reported that Phoenix could “aggressively explore” trade scenarios for Ayton. However, Durant believes that the team has a good foundation and infrastructure to build on and move on from the defeat.
Durant averaged 26.0 points and 6.4 rebounds per game in eight regular-season games with the Suns, and those numbers increased to 29.0 and 8.7, respectively, across 11 playoff games against the Clippers and Nuggets. Meanwhile, Denver advanced to the Western Conference final and will face the winner of the Lakers.
