After a disappointing run last season, the Phoenix Suns are in a state of uncertainty as opening night draws closer. While some still doubt that they are real contenders, NBA legend Kevin Garnett still believes that they can make a serious run in 2025.
Paul Pierce: “What seed were they? Sixth?”
Kevin Garnett: “Yup, and that was a so-called terrible year for them.”
Kevin Garnett: “Devin Booker can be an MVP, you know what I’m saying. Beal, he can be an MVP. These guys, they got it, bro. And you got KD."
The Suns are one of 10 NBA teams who have never won a title. Despite a rich history of stars, from Charles Barkley and Steve Nash to Kevin Johnson and Amar'e Stoudemire, the Suns have only made the Finals three times since their debut season in 1968-69. In modern NBA history, the Suns were consistently among the worst teams in the West before the rise of 4x All-Star guard Devin Booker changed everything.
Booker's ascension into stardom put the Suns on the map and it set them up to build a team that could compete with the best of the best. Today, the roster includes Booker, Kevin Durant , Bradley Beal, and an impressive cast of veteran role-players to fill out the rotation.
Based on star power alone, the Suns have to be considered a threat to win it all and team owner Mat Ishbia sacrificed his team's future to give them the best chance of winning a title. But after last season's underwhelming finish, there are doubts that this team can go all the way.
Despite the best efforts of Booker and Durant, the Suns struggled to keep up with their competitors. A lack of cohesion offensively and limited resistance on defense made the Suns a wild card on the court and they barely managed to finish 6th in the West at 49-33. In the playoffs, they were swept in the first round at the hands of Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves .
Going into next season, the Suns are running it back with almost the same exact roster but there is reason to believe that they can achieve a better outcome. For one, they'll be playing under a new head coach.
The defensive-minded Frank Vogel failed to maximize his team's potential but now that former Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer is in charge, there is renewed hope that he might improve their performance on both ends of the court. They also acquired backup point guard Tyus Jones. The 9-year veteran averaged 12.0 points per game for the Wizards last season and he'll be the perfect fit for the Suns off the bench.
Most important of all will be the performance of Kevin Durant. As the best and most accomplished player on the team, the pressure will be solely on him to deliver an All-Star season and lead the Suns on a deep playoff run. The 35-year-old superstar averaged 27.1 points per game last season and he'll need a similar campaign to achieve success in 2025.
Between Durant, Booker, and Bradley Beal, the Suns have to be considered a championship threat and Kevin Garnett is just one of many who believe that they may be poised for redemption after the 2023-24 season.
Related: Kevin Garnett: "I Don’t Think Anybody In This Generation Could Have Played 20 Years Ago"
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