As the Phoenix Suns gear up for the 2024-25 season, there's a sense of optimism around the team. While their plan of forming a Big 3 with Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal ended in sheer disappointment after they were swept by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round last season, the hope is that their recent success—having two of their marquee stars on the 2024 gold medal-winning Team USA squad—will generate momentum heading into the upcoming campaign.
However, not everyone shares this positive outlook. Robert Horry , for instance, has boldly predicted an outcome Suns fans may not want to hear.
Horry on his expectations with the Suns
Speaking on the 'Big Shot Bob' podcast, the seven-time NBA Champion pointed out how the Western Conference is going to become even more competitive in the next season, with three of the teams that didn't even feature in the postseason expected to get better. Consequently, Robert went on to predict that the Suns, who registered 49 wins in the 2023-24 campaign, will not even win 50 games this season as they have failed to address their biggest void.
"The Rockets are going to be good. The Grizzlies are going to be good. The Pelicans are going to be good. San Antonio's going to be good. The Kings are going to be good again. I think everybody except for the Portland Trail Blazers, Utah Jazz, Clippers are going to be better," Horry said . "So it's going to be hard for the Suns to get 50 wins."
Last season, the Suns posted the 9th-best offensive rating in the league, averaging 116.2 points per game. Of these, 72.4 points per game were scored by their Big 3, meaning 62% of the team's offense was generated by three players. On the defensive side, the team was ranked 13th, yet they failed to acquire a traditional back-to-the-basket rim protector. Ultimately, this lack of improvement in key areas is where much of the skepticism, including Horry's, originates.
Furthermore, the 54-year-old's doubts about the Suns also stem from their failure to address one of their most significant issues—bench depth. While Coach Mike Budenholzer's team boasts an incredible starting lineup, they have yet again put themselves in a situation where their Big 3 is bound to carry a game-winning scoring load on their shoulders.
"Your starters can carry you so long, but it's your bench that will get you to the finish line," Horry added. "And their bench is whack. You gotta have some reserves, man. You're gonna have some times when you're not gonna play your (main) guys 35 minutes a game. So, you need some depth."
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What do the Suns need to improve?
With Kevin Durant aging and Beal's tendency to miss games (he hasn't played 60 games in a season over the last five years), Big Shot Rob's concerns are understandable. Bradley's availability has been a recurring issue, and his absence for large stretches the previous season undoubtedly made it difficult for coach Frank Vogel to establish solid chemistry within the team. It was also one of the reasons why Phoenix struggled with turnovers, ranking among the worst in the league in that category.
However, Phoenix might have made no big-name additions but have acquired Mason Plumlee, who can provide valuable minutes on the bench to backup Jusuf Nurkic. The Suns have also acquired a veteran point guard in Monte Morris, who can steady the second unit. Additionally, the addition of Tyus Jones can be the x-factor for the team this season. A highly underrated point guard, Jones can set up the table and get the stars going with his dimes.
So while Phoenix may not appear as a clear-cut title contender, their main objective should be finding the right balance within the team. Lastly, with role players like Grayson Allen and Royce O'Neale staying on the squad, the Suns surely have enough firepower to improve on their win tally from last season.
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