According to NBA insider Brian Windhorst of ESPN, the Phoenix Suns intend to keep Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal.
The Suns went 49-33 during the regular season but were swept in the first round of the 2024 playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Suns Intend To Keep Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Bradley Beal https://t.co/gj8QuWPT8k
— RealGM (@RealGM) May 7, 2024
Durant averaged 27.1 points, 6.6 rebounds and 5.0 assists this season while shooting 52.3% from the field, 41.3% from beyond the arc and 85.6% from the free-throw line. The two-time NBA champion will make $49.9 million next season.
Booker averaged 27.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 6.9 assists this season while shooting 49.2% from the field, 36.4% from beyond the arc and 88.6% from the free-throw line. The Kentucky product will make $49.4 million next season.
Finally, Beal averaged 18.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 5.0 assists in his first season with the Suns while shooting 51.3% from the field, 43.0% from beyond the arc and 81.3% from the free-throw line. The veteran, who has a no-trade clause, will make $50.2 million next season.
According to NBA reporters Shams Charania and Doug Haller of The Athletic, Durant never felt comfortable with his role in the Suns’ offense alongside Booker and Beal this season.
Phoenix could fire head coach Frank Vogel after just one season.
“Meanwhile, Durant, among the best scorers in NBA history, was not always happy with how he was used,” Charania and Haller wrote. “Sources briefed on the matter told The Athletic that Durant never felt comfortable with his role in Phoenix’s offense alongside Booker and Beal this season. Those sources said Durant had persistent issues with the offense, feeling that he was being relegated to the corner far too often and not having the proper designs to play to his strengths as the offense was built around pick-and-rolls.
“At the same time, some teammates and people close to the organization believed Durant needed to voice his concerns more adamantly and directly with Frank Vogel and his coaching staff.”
The Suns enter the offseason with $209 million in salary, the biggest payroll of any NBA team, and face a projected luxury tax penalty of $116 million.
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!