The Phoenix Suns are going through an offseason of transition at the moment - and when it comes to their search for a new head coach at least - [that appears to be going in the right direction](https://valleyofthesuns.com/suns-rumors-exciting-name-finalist-head-coach-role-phoenix-chris-quinn). Not only do the franchise look like they are going to hire a first time head coach to grow with this group, including cornerstone Devin Booker in the process [is a good look for owner Mat Ishbia](https://valleyofthesuns.com/suns-fans-ecstatic-about-devin-booker-latest-involvement-team-head-coach).
As the NBA gears up for a finals matchup that had a one percent chance of happening prior to the season beginning, it is clear the Suns are a million miles away from the level of both the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder. Even worse, getting back to their level is going to take a lot of hard work, as well as luck in trades, drafting and injuries.
Suns know what they have to do now in order to compete again.
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Coming at this from a more optimistic point of view however, and the Suns already have the hardest part of this process in the bag. In Booker they have a legitimate star, even if the 2024-25 season was one for him to forget personally. He wasn't an All-Star and didn't sniff All-NBA, and at this point it is fair to say he is being overlooked as the likes of Anthony Edwards ball out on the big stage.
But at only 28-years-old and with the experience of being to the NBA Finals already in the bag, let's not forget that Booker is a killer. He certainly looked like one when he played next to Chris Paul - and while we haven't quite seen that level of intensity in a couple of seasons - we know he is capable of getting back there.
But what the Thunder and Pacers have shown - and which the Suns now need to get back to - is that having depth around your star is the key. The Thunder are probably the best example - and although Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the MVP of the league this season - defensively especially they are built on so much more than that.
Alex Caruso is their sixth or seventh man, and he would walk into 35 minutes a night in the Suns' current rotation. The Pacers just advanced to the finals and their best player Tyrese Haliburton wasn't even named MVP of their Eastern Conference Finals victory over the New York Knicks despite his obvious heroics.
That accolade went to Pascal Siakam who again, if he called The Valley home on some nights would easily be their second best player because of his two-way abilities. Had the Suns made it that far - and given they won 36 wins it is laughable how far off the pace they were this season - the only players who would have been in contention for awards would have been Booker and Kevin Durant.
All of which is to say - and the Thunder and Pacers have now proven it - the Suns simply have to trade Durant this summer. He might be one of the best to ever do it, but at 36-years-old you simply cannot build a winner around his and Booker's talents alone. Instead you need much more depth, and the likes of Grayson Allen and Tyus Jones aren't going to cut it.
Yes they will have to wait and see what happens with Giannis Antetokounmpo - but once that has been decided - Durant has to go. It would be ideal if they got some players back for his services as well who can actually help, and not just a bevvy of draft picks. This is the only way, that much we now know for certain.