Valley of the Suns
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3 goals for Bradley Beal’s return to the Suns’ lineup

By Luke Duffy

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 26: Devin Booker #1 and Bradley Beal #3 of the Phoenix Suns follow the action from the bench during the first half against Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on October 26, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 26: Devin Booker #1 and Bradley Beal #3 of the Phoenix Suns follow the action from the bench during the first half against Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on October 26, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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PHOENIX, ARIZONA – OCTOBER 16: Bradley Beal of the Phoenix Suns dribbles the ball. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – OCTOBER 16: Bradley Beal of the Phoenix Suns dribbles the ball. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) /

2. Average 20 points a game

It seems like a lot to expect Beal to come off the treatment table and straight into 20 points per game, but he is a pure scorer who will have never had a teammate like Durant before. Beal has put up over 30 points per game in his career in the past, but that was as the focal point of a mediocre Washington Wizards team.

With the Suns he will be the third option when everybody is healthy, but will easily slip into the second spot in Booker continues this worrying trend of not being available. The 17.6 field goal attempts Beal put up last season was his lowest output since 2016-17. In between that season and last year, he was a three-time All-Star.

The days of making the midseason exhibition for him may be over, and with Durant and Booker both comfortably in the top 15 in field goal attempts per game at around 20, Beal is going to see and shoot the ball less than ever before as well. But if he can chip in 20 points relatively quickly from his new position, the Suns will shoot up the Western Conference.

This will require Beal to be more efficient than ever before, and if there’s reason to believe he can do that, it’s because he put up 23.2 points per game for the Wizards last season the aforementioned 17.6 attempts per game. The year before? Again it was 23.2 points, but on 19.3 attempts. Less can be more with Beal, and there’s every reason to believe that will happen.

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