Recent play of Suns suggest they've identified and removed their biggest problem

The Phoenix Suns have put a couple of wins together to move above .500 and into the eighth spot in the Western Conference, although that was exactly what they were supposed to do at this point in the season. With a harrowing loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers still fresh in their minds, beating up on the Brooklyn Nets and Washington Wizards afterwards was the perfect tonic to their woes.

They did just that, and the addition of Nick Richards during this period has really helped this team. Fans are already loving the effort and ability on the defensive end he has brought to the rotation, while his rebounding ability has been a massive help as seen by the monstrous double-double he posted versus the Wizards.

Ditching Jusuf Nurkic altogether has been the real turning point.

Center Nurkic is now out of the rotation entirely, and that was the case even before Phoenix managed to acquire Richards. Now the organization boasts a depth chart of the former Charlotte Hornets big man, Mason Plumlee and rookie Oso Ighodaro. It was clear the Suns could not win at a high level with Nurkic playing a meaningful role, and so far with him gone they look so much better.

Part of the reasoning behind this is the fact the schedule is softer - he was also a DNP in that loss to the Cavaliers - but there's no doubt this group looks better. Trying to quantify the "vibes" around a group is also a difficult thing to do - after all we are not in the locker-room - but it certainly looks better since Nurkic was removed from the rotation.

Looking at some harder evidence and in the last three games - admittedly a small sample size but crucially also including that loss to the Cavs - the Suns rank a hugely impressive sixth in defensive rating (106.9). Contrast this with how their season as a whole has unfolded, as they currently sit a lowly 23rd (114.8).

This makes sense because the addition of Richards - as well as rookie Ryan Dunn before exiting the the Wizards win with an ankle sprain - to the starting lineup has given the group much better balance. Bradley Beal is now coming off the bench - although we may have to revisit that soon - and Devin Booker and Kevin Durant now have more help than ever before on the defensive end.

That wasn't the case when Nurkic was out there, and his recent comments in speaking to Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic about not bringing any chaos to the team because "they already have plenty of it" seemed to indicate that the turbulent regular season that it has been in The Valley is not all a result of him.

Unfortunately for the franchise, that may also be why they recently turned one of the most valuable trade assets in the league into three first round picks that will convey in 2025, 2027 and 2029. The thinking behind this had seemed to indicate that this could be a ploy to finally go and get Jimmy Butler, but there's a far less appealing alternative.

With Nurkic unlikely to ever play for the Suns again, one of these picks could be attached to finally end the Bosnian's stay in Phoenix. Not the best use of these assets, but if you cast your mind back the team couldn't wait to get rid of Deandre Ayton. No matter what happens with Nurkic, the Suns are clearly an improving team now that he is no longer touching the court. Long may it continue.