It has been a disappointing season thus far for the Phoenix Suns as they are fighting for their playoff lives.
Entering the season, the Suns were expected to compete near the top of the Western Conference thanks to their superstar trio of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, along with them having the highest payroll in the NBA.
Instead, Phoenix currently sits 10th in the Western Conference standings with a 33-37 record.
The good news for the Suns is that they have moved in front of the Dallas Mavericks for the final Play-In spot in the West thanks to Dallas' injury problems and recent losing skid.
Phoenix has also played better as of late despite being without Beal for the entire week as he continues to be sidelined due to a hamstring injury that he suffered in Sunday's loss the Los Angeles Lakers.
Of course, the Suns tried to trade Beal at the deadline but failed to do so due to his no-trade clause, but some recent statistics show that they may need to just shut him down for the season ahead of the playoffs.
The Suns are a much better team when Beal is not on the court this season as they rank in the top 12 in offensive rating (116.2), defensive rating (112.5) and net rating (+3.7) without Beal.
The Suns are a great team this year when Bradley Beal isn't on the court:
116.2 OffRtg (7th)
112.5 DefRtg (12th)
+3.7 NetRtg (9th)
Phoenix also holds a 10-3 record, a 63-win pace, when Kevin Durant and Devin Booker play together without Beal. pic.twitter.com/JqtOs82dJH
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) March 20, 2025
Phoenix also holds a 10-3 record when Durant and Booker play together without Beal, which is a 63-win pace.
Of course, it would be a tough decision for the Suns to shut Beal down for the season and hope they can find a trade partner for him in the offseason due to his massive contract, but it may be in their best interest to do so.
It is clear that the Suns are a much better team without Beal and with him dealing with multiple injuries this season, including a hamstring injury that is currently sidelining him, Phoenix has a tough decision to make that could affect whether they make the playoffs.
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This story was originally published March 21, 2025 at 12:19 PM.