Suns proving they don't need key player to win games

The Phoenix Suns have returned to winning ways in recent games, and that is thanks in large part to the return of Kevin Durant. Since being inserted back into the starting lineup, the team have jumped up to 14-11 in the Western Conference, and enjoyed back-to-back wins over the Utah Jazz and New Orleans Pelicans.

Durant alone isn't the only reason for this - even key role players have had a hand in the uptick in fortunes - but when the 36-year-old is out there and giving this group 30 a night as he so often does, the Suns become a different beast. With Devin Booker along for the ride as co-pilot, all of a sudden this franchise looks like fringe contenders again.

But they've left Bradley Beal behind in the process.

Beal has missed the last two victories with right knee swelling - which is never the kind of health update you want to hear - and has looked on as Durant, Booker and company have looked like a competitive team once again. In Beal's defense, this coincided with the Suns having a softer spot in their schedule, with the Jazz and Trail Blazers having won 13 games all season.

That's less even than the up-and-down Suns have managed with their 14 victories, and Beal being out there likely would have made those wins all the more comfortable as well. But it is telling that this team looks more cohesive on both ends of the court for large stretches of games when Beal isn't out there.

Royce O'Neale is comfortable in the starting group, while Grayson Allen looks like he has a clearer idea of how he fits into this puzzle as well. Not only that, but the absence of Beal allows Ryan Dunn and Josh Okogie to play spot minutes as needed, so as to help the Suns out defensively and slow down bigger, wing scorers.

Even Monte Morris is getting more of a look in as the backup point guard - and although that is not reason alone to claim that this team is functioning better without Beal - it does ensure quality point guard play throughout the entire 48 minutes. To make matters worse for the former Washington Wizards standout, the team were 1-8 when he and Booker were leading the way without Durant.

There's no question Durant is obviously the better player of the two, but the evidence is now mounting that Beal complicates the rotations and roles of his teammates when he is out there. Even Booker looked more assured of his spot as secondary scorer who can carry the team for stretches alongside Durant in the two recent wins.

The talk of the Suns getting involved in Jimmy Butler trade speculation was strange at the time, and they moved quickly to distance themselves from the Miami Heat star. But you have to wonder if - assuming Beal would waive his no-trade clause - this is a situation they would revisit. Even if the ideal minimum player (Thomas Bryant) that the Suns could have used in the trade is no longer available.

A more likely outcome - although still one that feels some way off actually happening - is Beal coming off the bench, so as to give the entire rotation more stability. All of O'Neale, Allen, Morris and Okogie would know where they fit in around that, and it would ensure Durant and Booker continue to lead the way. It also looks more and more like the best use of Beal as a turbo-charged sixth man too.