3 Biggest threats to the Suns' title ambitions

Winning the NBA title would validate the changes and moves the Phoenix Suns made over the years. The Larry O'Brien trophy would cover everything, from assembling a super squad to developing their young core. For a long time, it's been evident that contending for the title isn't easy. There have been hurdles from every angle but this year looks like the Suns might have a real shot.

The 2024-25 NBA season is Phoenix's second attempt to contend for a title with their star trio of Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal. Last season was their first and it didn't go according to plan. There were several issues throughout their campaign, which hurt their chances.

Hindrances like injuries, awkward roster builds and a consistently terrible game plan took over the Suns. Beal was out for most of the season as he only suited up for 53 games. He was also inconsistent as he rarely showed his star qualities. The former Florida Gators guard averaged less than 20 points for the first time since the 2016-17 season.

And then there's the weird roster look. The Suns didn't have a true point guard throughout the year. This forced former head coach Frank Vogel to play Booker out of his natural shooting guard position. Sometimes, Grayson Allen and Eric Gordon would take turns handling the point guard duties.

Lastly, the team didn't make any significant adjustments to improve their game plan. With their lack of a point guard, the Suns racked up the turnovers. They finished the season with 1,220 turnovers, which is the sixth most in the league, not ideal for a contender.

For next season, the threats surrounding the Suns' chances of winning the title could vary.

The Suns will face a tough road to compete for a title next season. The threats against them won't be limited to a player or a team. There's a diverse amount of danger that will affect their road to securing the NBA title.

3. The chemistry among the stars

It's no secret that the Suns boast one of the best offensive trios in the league. All three of their stars are elite offensive players, capable of taking over games at any moment. However, because of their similarities on the floor, playing the same way could affect how each would react.

Booker, Durant and Beal are quite similar players. Their offensive-minded approach to the game makes it difficult to create a game plan where everyone is satisfied. They're the kind of stars that would demand the ball when the team is down or when they need to get into their rhythm.

The star that has struggled to adjust is Beal. The three-time All-Star has been used to playing solo with the Washington Wizards since he emerged as a star. Last season, fans saw that difficulty in the star guard since Booker and Durant also demanded the ball to be effective.

Following their first year together, there's hope that the three stars have learned how to play along with each other. After all, the three stars are important to the team's goal of winning the title.

2. The injury bug

Injuries are no fun. Last season, The Valley experienced a few players go down with the injury bug. Beal had difficulty staying healthy, even Booker missed a few key games in their campaign. The only healthy star in the team was Durant, who played 75 games.

Over the summer, the stars had ample time to let their rest and recover before the 2024-25 campaign started. Well, one out of the three All-Stars was able to do that since Booker and Durant were both active during the offseason. The two played at the 2024 Paris Olympics for Team USA.

Although they only played six games (excluding their exhibition games), it was still a strenuous task to fulfill, For an athlete's body, that time could've been used for resting might have affected how they'll perform for the Suns. Additionally, the two stars will play 82 games, which isn't the easiest task to do.

Staying healthy has and always been a significant part of any title-contending team. The same demand will be asked from the Suns and their players next season.

1. The improved Western Conference

After the 2023-24 NBA season ended, teams started to make moves to improve their roster. A few contending teams added valuable assets to their group. One example would be the Denver Nuggets, who signed former MVP, Russell Westbrook. Although he's past his prime, there's a chance that Westbrook's addition could work out in their favor.

Another example would be the Dallas Mavericks, the team that made it to the NBA Finals last season. The Mavs lost to the Boston Celtics, which made them pull the trigger in trading for a former All-Star, Klay Thompson. Dallas added another lethal scorer to their roster, which made them an immediate favorite to contend for a title.

The New Orleans Pelicans also capitalized on the group they had. The front office strengthened their backcourt after they traded for Dejounte Murray.

Those are just examples of what some of the teams within the Western Conference made this summer. Other teams like the Sacramento Kings and OKC Thunder also added key players to their respective teams. The Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies and San Antonio Spurs should also be considered threats since their young core might creep up in the standings.

Of course, the Suns weren't lazy this offseason as they also made a few changes to their team. But the question is, would that be enough?