The Phoenix Suns are struggling to regain momentum in their quest to contend, despite exploring potential trade deadline moves. Wednesday’s 140-109 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder was a stark reminder of their current status.
The Suns shot well in the first half, outscoring OKC by 15% and hitting 10 three-pointers. However, they were hindered by 11 turnovers and 10 Thunder offensive rebounds, which allowed OKC to stay within two points at halftime.
In the second half, OKC’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continued to dominate, scoring 50 points in 34 minutes while Phoenix struggled to contain him. The Suns’ inability to maintain efficiency throughout the game was a major issue, and it raised concerns about their consistency without Kevin Durant.
The trade deadline saw some significant moves, including the Golden State Warriors acquiring Jimmy Butler from the Suns. However, the deal signals that Bradley Beal is unlikely to be involved in any future transactions, further solidifying Durant’s status as a top target for the team.
The original dialogue hinted at the Suns’ willingness to focus on trades with value around present-day assets rather than long-term prospects. However, this approach may not address their deeper issues, such as maintaining future assets and addressing inconsistencies in their on-court product.
With a tough schedule ahead and other trade activity increasing competition for Western Conference spots, it remains to be seen if the Suns will finally “read the room” and make the necessary adjustments to overcome their struggles.
Source: https://arizonasports.com/nba/phoenix-suns/suns-thunder-blowout/3572861