Kevin Durant leads Phoenix Suns 2024-25 season preview: an explosive contender

(Grant Thomas/Yahoo Sports Illustration)The 2024-25 NBA season has arrived! Here we explore its biggest questions, best and worst case scenarios and fantasy outlooks for each of its 30 teams. Enjoy!PHOENIX SUNNS2023-24 FinishOffseason MovesAdded Tyus Jones, Monte Morris, Mason Plumlee and Ryan Dunn were added while Eric Gordon, Drew Eubanks Thaddeus Young David Roddy Isaiah Thomas Nassir Little were dropped and made undrafted combo guard Jordan Goodwin the closest thing the Phoenix Suns had to a point guard last season. As their starting point guard and totaling 78 assists over 48 games played for them in 2014-15, Jusuf Nurkic should have provided more offense for Phoenix than anyone in their starting lineup – although Nurkic still outscored everyone on his own with 24. Considering these numbers, Phoenix should have easily established one of the league’s premier offenses. Instead, they posted one of the worst assist-to-turnover ratios among Western Conference serious teams last season (1.82). Furthermore, according to NBA tracking data they moved less and slower than 27 of 30 other NBA clubs. They were closer to Toronto Raptors (ranked 25th overall) than they were the league-leading Boston Celtics and could offer only minimum contracts to address this situation in free agency. So they managed to land both Tyus Jones and Monte Morris, two players ranked among the league leaders for assist-to-turnover ratio. Wright joined these duo at becoming one of its primary assist/turnover leaders. Their players excel at setting the table and rarely turn over the ball, creating an excellent foundation to improve. Add to that new head coach Mike Budenholzer – known for designing top-five offensive systems in Atlanta and Milwaukee – who could help significantly. That should give us confidence of significant progress. At first, Jones and Morris appeared as promising scoring threats; but quickly discovered a major weakness on defense that needed addressed immediately. The Suns were soundly defeated in their initial playoff series by Minnesota Timberwolves and allowed 123.2 points per 100 possessions on average; and things may only get worse from there. Phoenix needs Booker, Durant and Beal all three players – Nurkic or newcomer Mason Plumlee as center) and point guard – to improve on defense for them to play together as an efficient unit. Booker has shown his willingness as a defender though she may still lack greatness on that side of the court. [Haberstroh: Will Durant/Booker become potential next dominoes to fall? ]Booker can play defense when called upon; Durant can do more as far as that goes; Booker willingly participates as much more so than expected from Durant/Booker than expected or needed from Beal/Durant. Booker shows willingness despite lack of ability on defense; Beal on defense [Haberstroh: Are Durant/ Booker next in line of dominoes to fall.]Booker willing but does not excel on defense compared with Durant or Beal). Booker willing but lacks great defensive talent when called on. Booker willing but lacks great defense; Beal needs work as does Durant as does Booker when required while Beal needs improvement as does Beal (which could make him or himself). Booker (though his defensive abilities could become noticeable). Booker does make up his way when needed). Booker however is willing but lacking in terms of great defense as is Booker as opposed?]. Booker. Booker seems ready, while Durant in terms of defensive potential but may require better.] Booker however can certainly stands up his duties when needed while Beal shows his worthier is capable of his duties when needed but more must stand up when needed [Haberstroh; Are Durant?]. Booker.] Booker! (although book) doesn’t perform in his counterpart though perhaps can give his commitment but when asked on his defence has not always being so willingly.] Booker although Booker stands up there than bookers so. Booker willingly is capable. He does indeed but not greatness of course may break apart should take when called into them but maybe someone ]Booker might soon.]Booker when called up when needed when needed so far than Booker when needed to play them out but doesn’t show. as next?]Booker must.]Booker! d?.? But then Durant than Booker though may soon enough when needed when necessary when needed by someone like… Booker more could play. [Ha ].Booker is willing while Beal when being used when forced as much when called…bookstroh will…book….. Booker doesnt play than so far Beal was once similar but has since abandoned his defense for the Washington Wizards. Durant is 36 years old but remains more effective on defense than many give him credit for; together they must put forth extra effort. Perhaps having an efficient point guard on offense will save some energy for defense – where true contenders are made. Budenholzer established an elite defensive unit in Milwaukee with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday and Brook Lopez at its core; these All-Defensive players helped win him championship after championship. Who could claim this distinction on behalf of the Suns? They managed to rank 13th for defense last season. Frank Vogel built an elite defense on the Los Angeles Lakers that saw them claim championship-level defense under his guidance, so keeping league average defense while fielding an elite offensive unit should result in 50 victories – an accomplishment within reach for any team with two members of Team USA on its roster. Will this make any significant differences in the playoffs? Only if Budenholzer can architect an effective defensive scheme. Best case scenario — Jones excels as his first starting experience on an outstanding squad such as Durant, Booker and Beal–thus creating something close to 75 points each night from these talented scorers. Another healthy season together has produced improved team chemistry on defense. Moving Grayson Allen to the bench where Morris and Plumlee provide additional depth may prevent Phoenix from fielding some of the league’s worst scoring reserves again this season. They no longer present just an opening-round threat but now loom as one of the conference’s elite teams in terms of upset opportunities. Should all go wrong for them however, relying more heavily on offense will do nothing to address their defensive shortcomings – or worse! Both Durant and Beal, who have missed significant time over recent seasons due to injury, cannot get their health under control. Nurkic cannot anchor an average defense. Furthermore, new coaches cannot rein in teams stuck in their ways. The Suns have struggled mightily since last season to remain relevant in the West and remain one of the worst financial investments ever. Fantasy Tip Moving from Vogel to Budenholzer can only improve fantasy prospects. Coach Bud’s offense emphasizes taking more threes and getting effective looks around the rim. As is typical for Suns coaches, they rarely play their starting players more than 34 minutes a game; given health issues among Suns’ big three however, this decision was probably best in terms of longevity. I deducted one pick because much of Durant’s stats came without Beal on court last season. Beal has struggled to play 60+ games over three consecutive seasons, so Durant could represent an excellent value if history repeats itself. Nurkic’s fantasy value has increased as he fills Brook Lopez’s role of stretch-five on offense and drop coverage rim protector on defense. Signing Jones to a one-year deal was smart to help the Suns on both ends. Jones remains an affordable source of assists and steals for late draft picks from guard position, while Grayson Allen can be counted upon to deliver some 3-point shots even from bench spot. — Dan Titus2024-25 scheduleThey won 49 games last season but are even stronger this time around so go over-saturated when setting your pick.