The Phoenix Suns are between a rock and a tough place proper now. Since new proprietor Mat Ishbia took over, the group has made drastic strikes to enhance their probabilities of competing for a title. First, it was the trades for Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal in fast succession, earlier than they modified head coaches within the offseason.
Sadly, the experiment hasn’t panned out, and now, Phoenix is trying to blow it up. Each Beal and Durant might be on the transfer if the previous voids his no-trade clause. Nonetheless, no deal has been made but, and in accordance with one outstanding reporter, it’s inflicting friction within the locker room.
Phoenix Suns Locker Room in Shambles After Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal Commerce Rumors
Since going to the NBA Finals in 2021, the subsequent few seasons have been removed from what the Suns had been hoping for. After getting walloped by Luka Dončić in a Recreation 7, the place they walked in because the No. 1 seed, the Suns made hasty choices to accumulate Durant.
Nonetheless, they instantly misplaced in six video games in Spherical 2 earlier than being swept final season by the Minnesota Timberwolves. The autumn has continued into this season as nicely, as they presently sit on the tenth spot in a jam-packed Western Convention with a 25-25 report.
In consequence, rumors about trades have been rampant — and it has divided the locker room aside. Earlier than they acquired Jimmy Butler, the Golden State Warriors had been eyeing a reunion with Durant, however the 7-footer vetoed the commerce.
Based on Ramona Shelburne, one of the trusted voices in NBA media, it has created a downright “poisonous” scenario in Phoenix’s locker room. Talking on NBA Right this moment, Shelburne didn’t mince phrases in regards to the scenario in The Valley.
“The phrase I might use is poisonous. That shootaround yesterday, I heard, was very awkward, very bizarre at Oklahoma Metropolis as a result of everybody was on pins and needles questioning what they had been gonna do.”
Now that the commerce has fallen by way of, although, it’s turn into much more complicated.
Phoenix’s locker room is ‘poisonous’ proper now, per @ramonashelburne
(h/t @ohnohedidnt24 )pic.twitter.com/38K9jL8WVe
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) February 6, 2025
“Now you’ve gotten this reset. How do you progress ahead as a group when there’s a clear mandate right here that they must do one thing? In the event that they’re not in a position to get something finished…And the factor they had been making an attempt to do didn’t come to fruition as a result of Kevin Durant stated no, it’s laborious to maneuver ahead.”
On the season, Durant is averaging 26.9 factors, 6.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists per recreation on 52.4 % taking pictures from the sector and 40.1% from distance. Even at 36, he stays one of the full and harmful gamers within the NBA.
In consequence, there’s a risk {that a} deal for the two-time NBA champion will get finished with the Suns strolling out with a hefty package deal. Nonetheless, within the interim, it’s laborious to think about the scenario getting higher within the locker room.
