The Phoenix Suns missed the playoffs, despite a massive payroll. They won just 36 games and were one of the most disappointing teams in the NBA. If not for the 76ers disaster, the Suns would have topped that list. Poor play, coaching issues, and an ill-fitting roster were to blame and left Phoenix searching for answers.
The Kevin Durant trade rumors are not going away, but that deal alone won’t solve it. The Suns need a complete roster makeover, including getting younger and more athletic if they want to return to contention. Owner Mat Ishbia doesn’t want to tank, which will further complicate their ability to build a winning roster.
The Suns had several players who did not live up to their contracts this season. That is how a team goes from preseason contender to missing the playoffs, but these four were egregiously awful in the 2024-25 season for Phoenix.
5. Cody Martin
The Suns acquired Martin in the Jusuf Nurkic trade. They wanted to dump the center’s contract, so Phoenix’s desire to land this 6’5 wing can be questioned.
Still, it doesn’t make up for how bad he played in his 14 contests with his new franchise. Martin averaged 3.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 0.9 steals in 14.7 minutes per game where he shot 35.1 percent from the field and made three of his 27 3-point attempts.
The Suns only had to a portion of his $8.1 million salary, but even a slice was too much. Martin produced a negative value over replacement player (VORP) and was abysmal by every advanced metric. Phoenix should let him walk this summer. It is the only option after how bad things were in his brief opening sample.
4. Monte Morris
The Suns signed Tyus Jones and Morris to revamp their point guard position. They wanted low-turnover decision-makers to lead their offense, but the results were disastrous. Jones was ultimately benched as he did not fit with their starters. Morris was worse and struggled to get on the floor.
The 6’2 guard averaged 5.2 points, 1.6 assists, and 1.5 rebounds in 12.7 minutes per game over just 45 contests. He shot 42.6 percent from the field and produced a 0.0 VORP.
The Suns were hoping for more for the 29-year-old. He was on a minimum contract, but Phoenix wasted that spot on a player who produced replacement-level value. Not ideal for a team hoping to contend for a championship.
3. Nick Richards
The Suns had a hole at the five and traded for Richards. It cost them a net of two second-round draft picks and Josh Okogie to land the seven-footer. Phoenix planned for him to step into a larger role as their starting center. Richards did start, but his minutes didn’t climb.
He averaged 9.5 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks in 22.7 minutes per game. Those are strong numbers, but his negative-0.4 VORP over those 36 contests tells a different story. Richards struggles on defense were easy to see. The Suns allowed 125.9 points per 100 possessions with him on the floor and just 117.1 when he was on the bench. It helped make Phoenix 7.0 points per 100 possessions worse when he was in the game.
The Suns only paid a portion of Richards $5 million salary, but he far from solved their issues at the five. Expect him to return, but Phoenix desperately needs to acquire a starting center this offseason.
2. Jusuf Nurkic
Nurkic was traded on Feb. 6, but the Suns paid the majority of his $18.1 million salary this season for abysmal production. Nurkic averaged 8.6 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 23.7 minutes per game, but his rim protection issues and offensive struggles led to him producing a negative-0.2 VORP. The Suns were outscored by 5.9 points per 100 possessions when Nurkic was on the floor.
Phoenix had to part with a first-round pick to dump his contract on the Hornets. This was the player the Suns targeted in the Deandre Ayton trade. Things were so bad by the end head coach Mike Budenholzer had benched Nurkic and refused to play him.
Nurkic’s struggles at the five left Phoenix with a massive hole, but the Suns' biggest problem was the worst value contract in the NBA being on their roster.
1. Bradley Beal
Beal made $50.2 million this season. He was the fifth-highest-paid player in the NBA but did not perform like a star. Beal had a career-low 0.4 VORP and the Suns were outscored by 7.7 points per 100 possessions with him on the floor.
The three-time All-Star is ruining the Suns. He is not living up to his contract, but has a no-trade clause that prevents the Suns from moving him. Phoenix is stuck with Beal and has to actively watch him tank their title hopes. He has two years left on his contract at massive salaries, so waiving him isn’t an option. The Suns don't have an answer.
Bradley Beal played like someone making the mid-level exception not a max contract in the 2024-25 season. The Suns cannot expect the 31-year-old to be better next year. He will keep robbing the team blind, and Phoenix will struggle to contend until they get his massive contract off their books. It could be a while, but that won’t stop the front office from trying.
The Phoenix Suns will make changes this offseason. Fans are hopeful, but not optimistic. The Mat Ishbia era has been a disaster so far. Can he finally right the ship? Only time will tell.