HomeArizona Sports Betting NewsShifting Sands: The Phoenix Suns’ Fight to Stay in the Championship Chase

Shifting Sands: The Phoenix Suns’ Fight to Stay in the Championship Chase

The Phoenix Suns entered the 2024-25 season with lofty expectations and a trio of superstars in Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal.

Image: IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire

Their championship odds initially stood at a competitive +2404, reflecting optimism around their revamped roster. However, as of midseason, the Suns’ odds have plummeted to a staggering +5000, signaling their slide down the Western Conference hierarchy.

Despite a promising 9-2 start, injuries derailed their momentum. Durant’s absence due to a calf injury left the Suns scrambling for consistency, and the lack of cohesion between the team’s Big Three — who have played only 19 games together — has magnified their struggles.

Currently sitting 11th in the West with a 19-20 record, head coach Mike Budenholzer admitted,

“We just feel like we needed to make a change… trying to figure out your best combinations.”

The drop in title odds reflects skepticism about the Suns’ ability to recover, despite their star power. With contenders like the Boston Celtics, Oklahoma City Thunder, and New York Knicks surging, Phoenix’s path back to prominence seems steeper than ever.

Jusuf Nurkic’s Benching and Its Implications

One of the most glaring challenges for the Suns has been Jusuf Nurkic’s underwhelming performance. Acquired in the 2023 offseason to anchor the paint, Nurkic has struggled mightily, posting career lows in multiple categories and displaying diminished confidence on both ends of the court.

Defensively, the starting unit has allowed a dismal 122.3 points per 100 possessions with Nurkic on the floor. Budenholzer acknowledged the team’s need for improvement, stating,

“We’re all trying to figure out the best way to be our best.”

Nurkic’s benching, alongside Beal’s demotion, was a bold move aimed at finding better rotations. While Beal has managed to adapt as a facilitator, Nurkic’s regression has raised questions about his fit. The “Bosnian Beast” has been far from ferocious, lacking the interior dominance that his nickname implies.

This move could signal the beginning of the end for Nurkic in Phoenix. With rumors swirling about a potential blockbuster trade for Jimmy Butler, the Suns may look to package Nurkic’s contract to address their glaring weaknesses in the paint and on defense.

Betting on Nick Richards: A Calculated Gamble

In an effort to stabilize their frontcourt, the Suns recently traded Josh Okogie and three second-round picks to acquire Charlotte Hornets center Nick Richards. While not a headline-grabbing move, the deal represents a calculated gamble to address Phoenix’s need for rim protection and athleticism.

Richards, a 6’11” big man with strong defensive tools, offers Phoenix a low-cost solution to their interior woes. Budenholzer’s history of developing rim protectors provides some optimism, as does Richards’ potential to thrive alongside playmakers like Booker and Durant.

The Suns also gain financial flexibility with Richards’ $5 million non-guaranteed salary for next season, which could prove crucial in orchestrating future trades. However, the move is not without risks.

Richards lacks the statistical pedigree of a high-impact center like Daniel Gafford, whose midseason trade sparked the Dallas Mavericks’ Finals run last year.

Still, the Suns made this move early enough to evaluate Richards before the February trade deadline, giving them options to pivot if needed. Whether Richards can fill the void left by Nurkic’s struggles remains to be seen, but Phoenix has little room for error in their quest to salvage the season.

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