Phoenix Suns v Milwaukee Bucks / Patrick McDermott/GettyImages
The NBA’s regular season is winding down, and the Phoenix Suns still have so much to play for. Their most recent win over the Denver Nuggets making it four victories in their last five, washing away the taste of losing to the San Antonio Spurs a ridiculous three times this season in the process.
With the Suns still not clear of a potential play-in battle, it feels like this season is ultimately going to end in disappointed for the franchise, relative to what their goals are at the start of year. Which was to win a championship, although superstar Devin Booker should get none of the blame for how this has all unfolded.
As you will see, all are here for different reasons and that begins with the fact they had varying degrees of expectation placed upon them by this organization. Backup center Drew Eubanks for example is a divisive figure with fans in The Valley – and although he is limited in what he gives the team on the court – he still does just enough and has been what the team thought he would be.
3. Bradley Beal
Perhaps this is unfair on Bradley Beal – because when he has been fit – he has been exactly what the Suns have needed to be as their third option offensively. The problem there though, is that Beal has only played in 44 games so far this season, which is one of the key reasons the Suns are in a play-in battle right now.
When he’s healthy, Beal has shown that he can even be the answer to the Suns’ point guard question. But a combination of back, ankle, nose and hamstring issues throughout the season do not bode well for a 30-year-old player who is making over $157 million for the next three seasons after this year.
As we’ve said, expectations differ for each player on this list, and a lot more was expected of Beal this season given how much he is being paid, the fact he’s a multiple time All-Star and the unknown length of the organization’s current championship window. Having a no-trade clause that is still intact after landing in The Valley is something to keep an eye on in the background as well.
Really though what sums up the disappointment that Beal has been this season is this… he has been less important to this team than Grayson Allen. Yes it is fair to point out Allen is in a contract year and he’s also never likely to lead the league in 3-point shooting percentage as he has this season again. But he’s been a better defender, outplayed his own role and most importantly, he’s been available.
2. Yuta Watanabe
This list is not limited to players who are still on the roster, which is why Yuta Watanabe makes the cut. In fact he was so bad for the Suns this season that head coach Frank Vogel had no choice but to dump him at the trade deadline, and he is a guy who thinks David Roddy could get some spot minutes at point guard.
It just never happened for Watanabe in The Valley – although given that Bol Bol somehow revived his ailing career with this team – it is not immediately clear why. Watanabe shot 44.4 percent from deep last season with the Brooklyn Nets, and arrived to the Suns with a glowing report from Kevin Durant. The two having shared together in New York.
Watanabe was also in possession of a large frame and a willingness to just stand in the corner and shoot the 3-pointers that were always going to come his way. Perhaps Beal being out so much had a negative knock-on impact on Watanabe’s role? Maybe Allen became so good and so crucial to the starting group, that Watanabe became an afterthought?
In reality both of those factors played a part, but so too did his own glaring lack of confidence out on the court. Maybe coach Vogel never believed in him, and the 13.2 minutes in only 29 games played would appear to back that up. Shooting 32 percent from deep on a career high 2.6 attempts per night though? It doesn’t get much more disappointing than that for the Suns.
1. Eric Gordon
Everything about Eric Gordon this season has just been… well a bit meh really. Without looking, could you guess how many games he has started to this point? A whopping 24 out of the 60 he has appeared in, which seems a high number for a guy who would probably lead the Suns in “I didn’t realize he was on the court” mentions this season.
His 11.7 points per game have been fine, and shooting a shade below 40 percent from deep on six attempts a night has been needed and noted elsewhere. That is Gordon’s highest output since the 2020-21 season, when he was a member of the Houston Rockets. Is it harsh then to see him top this list, even if at times you can forget he is out there, and his impact doesn’t appear that great?
Not really, because there haven’t been many – if any – times this season that you can remember there being an Eric Gordon game or signature moment. Josh Okogie might have more, while Bol certainly does. Given that the Suns signing him to the veteran’s minimum was met with such fanfare, the return has been disappointing.
