Why Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns Keep Losing Without Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal
The Phoenix Suns entered the 2023-24 NBA season with sky-high expectations after forming a superstar trio of Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and offseason acquisition Bradley Beal. Fans and analysts predicted the Suns would dominate the league, thanks to this unparalleled offensive firepower. However, injuries to Durant and Beal have derailed these expectations early on, leaving Booker to shoulder an immense load. Despite his best efforts, the Suns have struggled to win consistently without their two injured stars.
This article examines the reasons behind the Suns’ struggles, the limitations of a depleted roster, and what this means for the team’s season moving forward.
1. Missing Key Superstars: Durant and Beal’s Absence
Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal are two of the league’s most prolific scorers, and their absence has left a gaping hole in the Suns’ lineup. Durant’s scoring versatility and defensive presence, combined with Beal’s shot-creating abilities, were expected to complement Booker and create a nearly unstoppable offense. Without them, defenses can focus solely on Booker, making it much harder for him to operate efficiently.
Beal, sidelined with recurring back issues, hasn’t been able to contribute much since joining the team. Meanwhile, Durant’s ankle injury has kept him out of critical games, forcing the Suns to rely on lesser options.
This lack of availability has exposed the team’s overreliance on their star players, particularly in high-pressure situations.
2. Overburdening Devin Booker
Devin Booker is one of the most talented guards in the NBA, but even he has limits. Without Durant and Beal, Booker has taken on an increased workload, playing heavy minutes and being the focal point of the offense every night. This has led to exhaustion, as defenses throw double-teams and aggressive schemes at him to wear him down.
While Booker has put up impressive numbers, basketball is a team game, and one player alone cannot carry a team to consistent success. His efforts have been heroic, but they haven’t been enough to overcome the Suns’ roster deficiencies.
3. Lack of Depth in the Supporting Cast
One of the key issues for the Suns has been the lack of depth in their supporting cast. After acquiring Beal in a blockbuster trade, the team sacrificed much of its depth, including role players and future draft capital. This left the roster thin, especially at critical positions.
Players like Eric Gordon, Grayson Allen, and Yuta Watanabe have had their moments but are not reliable enough to carry the team when stars are missing. Deandre Ayton, who was traded for Jusuf Nurkic in the offseason, was expected to anchor the team defensively, but Nurkic’s contributions have been inconsistent, leaving a void in the paint.
The Suns’ bench, once a source of strength, is now a glaring weakness. When Booker is off the court, the offense often stalls, and the team struggles to generate points.
4. Defensive Struggles
Beyond the offensive challenges, the Suns have also struggled defensively. Durant is not only a scoring machine but also an underrated defender, capable of guarding multiple positions and protecting the rim. His absence has left the team vulnerable on that end of the floor.
Meanwhile, Beal, while not an elite defender, provides size and physicality in the backcourt that the Suns currently lack. Without these two, opponents have been able to exploit defensive mismatches, particularly in transition and pick-and-roll situations.
The lack of defensive cohesion has been evident, as the Suns have allowed opponents to score at will, especially in crunch time.
5. Chemistry and Adjustments
The Suns’ struggles also stem from a lack of chemistry and time to adjust. Building a team with three superstar players is no easy task, and it takes time for such a group to gel. Injuries have disrupted the team’s ability to develop chemistry, as Durant, Beal, and Booker have rarely shared the court together.
Head coach Frank Vogel, known for his defensive acumen, is still experimenting with rotations and trying to find the right combinations. However, the lack of continuity has made it difficult for the team to establish an identity on either end of the floor.
6. Increased Pressure in a Competitive Western Conference
The Western Conference is as competitive as ever, with teams like the Denver Nuggets, Dallas Mavericks, and Golden State Warriors all playing at a high level. In such a stacked conference, every game matters, and the Suns’ inability to capitalize on winnable matchups without Durant and Beal has pushed them down the standings.
Booker’s individual brilliance has kept the Suns afloat, but it’s clear that he needs help if the team hopes to compete with the conference’s elite squads.
7. The Path Forward
The Suns’ immediate priority is getting Durant and Beal healthy and back on the court. Both players are essential to the team’s success, and their return would alleviate the pressure on Booker while restoring the offensive firepower that makes Phoenix so dangerous.
In the meantime, the Suns must find ways to improve their defense and get more production from their role players. Players like Nurkic, Gordon, and Allen need to step up and provide consistent contributions to keep the team competitive.
Additionally, Vogel will need to adjust his strategies to maximize the current roster’s strengths and minimize its weaknesses. Whether it’s experimenting with small-ball lineups or leaning more on Booker’s playmaking, finding creative solutions will be key.
