The Phoenix Suns have less continuity than almost every NBA team going into 2025-26, and they’re an impending move away from having the least.
Phoenix is currently tracking to return 59% of its 2024-25 minutes, but that number will drop below 50% — where the last-place Atlanta Hawks sit — after Bradley Beal is waived, according to NBA.com‘s John Schuhmann.
Kevin Durant and Tyus Jones each played more than 2,000 minutes last season. Their departures to the Houston Rockets and Orlando Magic, respectively, account for over half of the 41% — for now — that Phoenix is losing.
Houston, which added Durant in exchange for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks and draft capital, is losing 34% of its minutes. Green and Brooks accounted for more than two-thirds of those lost minutes, and Green playing all 82 games was a big reason for that.
Mason Plumlee is the only other Sun with at least 1,000 minutes played that won’t be back. Beal (1,702 minutes) will join him if and when he’s waived.
Jusuf Nurkic, Monte Morris and Josh Okogie are among the other Suns who won’t return.
Which NBA teams have the most continuity entering 2025-26?
The reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder will essentially run it back after signing young stars Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren to long-term extensions. The 95% they return beats out what the previous champion Boston Celtics brought back after their title (93%).
The Minnesota Timberwolves (87%), Indiana Pacers (83%), New York Knicks (80%) and Toronto Raptors (80%) round out the top five.