Brendon Kleen and Ben Garcia here, the hosts of the daily Locked On Suns podcast, with your daily Locked On Suns newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Suns and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
The Pheonix Suns Continue To Skid, Could Jimmy Butler Be On The Horizon?
Jan 22, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) and Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (3) and Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) reacts during the second half of the game against the Chicago Bulls at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports | Joe Camporeale/Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
The Phoenix Suns are in a tough spot, having lost four straight games and looking worse than ever. We’re diving into the team’s struggles, their response to the losses, and whether they’re losing faith in themselves.
• We’re seeing a mirror image of last season, but in the opposite direction. Last year, the Suns won four straight after Christmas. This year, they’ve lost four straight.
• The team’s current situation is worse than last season. They have a 5% chance of making the playoffs and a 20% chance of making the play-in, according to Basketball Reference.
• The Suns’ lack of energy and spirit on and off the court is at an all-time low. We’re seeing players laughing on the sidelines while down by 20 points, which is concerning given their recent struggles.
• There’s a noticeable lack of fight in this team. When was the last time we saw them go on a big run or make a comeback? It’s been a while.
• The three main issues plaguing the Suns are defense (they’re 24th in the league), the center rotation, and the fit of the three stars.
• We’re questioning whether this trio of stars believes they can work together anymore. Their body language and on-court performance suggest they might not buy into the system.
• The team’s offensive efficiency is still 10th in the NBA, which seems hard to believe given their recent performances.
• There’s a clear lack of leadership and culture on this team. This falls squarely on the stars, particularly Devin Booker as the long-time Sun.
• We’re seeing parallels to the Lakers team from years ago with Dwight Howard, Kobe Bryant, and Steve Nash that completely flopped.
• The Jimmy Butler situation with the Miami Heat could potentially benefit the Suns. Butler’s openness to leaving Miami increases Phoenix’s chances of acquiring him.
• However, acquiring Butler isn’t straightforward. It would likely require a third or fourth team to facilitate the trade, given Bradley Beal’s no-trade clause and the Heat’s potential disinterest in Beal.
• We estimate a 40% chance of Jimmy Butler becoming a Sun, but we’re not sure if he’d fix the team’s current issues.
• The Suns seem to be holding out hope for a Butler trade, which might explain why they haven’t made other moves yet.
• Remember, this is a talented team. They should be beating some of these weaker opponents based on skill alone. The fact that they’re not is concerning.
• We’ll keep you updated on any developments with the Jimmy Butler situation and the Suns’ performance in their upcoming games.
Jan 4, 2025; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) greets Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) before a game at Frost Bank Center. | Scott Wachter/Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
Casting a cursory eye up and down the standings this weekend, I noticed some appearances that made me take a second look. This went for teams for climbing and sliding. So, I’m introducing a potentially recurring feature called “Monday movers”, highlighting teams jostling and jockeying in the standings, likely bound to get more contentious as the season goes on.
San Antonio Spurs
What a thrill it must be for long-suffering Spurs fans to take a glance at the West’s top 10 and see their team there, after so many seasons spent hanging around the bottom of the conference. What a thrill it was for me, too!
It’s not all because of Victor Wembanyama, but the phenom did hit two milestones this weekend: he played his 100th NBA game and he turned 21. His in-game numbers are similarly worth celebrating.
He’s the first player since Shaquille O’Neal to average at least 20 points and 10 rebounds before turning 21, and the 7th player in the last 45 years to score over 2,200 points (he’s scored 2,278) through his first 100 games. Other than Bill Walton and Brad Daugherty, Wembanyama’s the only other 7-foot center with 385+ assists before turning 21, though their first 100 games. He’s also put up more threes than Steph Curry did, with 225 to Curry’s 200 through their first 100 games.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Feel Good In a moment of levity amidst challenges, Kevin Durant and Devin Booker were seen sharing a smile during a recent game. Their camaraderie offers a glimpse of positivity for the Phoenix Suns. (Bright Side of the Sun)
Analysis The Phoenix Suns’ struggles continue, raising questions about the Bradley Beal trade. Expert opinions are divided on whether the team, under Coach Vogel, has failed to maximize its potential with Booker and Durant. Explore the team dynamics. (Bright Side of the Sun)
Roster The Suns are making significant adjustments to their starting lineup, with Bradley Beal and Jusuf Nurkic reportedly being replaced. This strategic move aims to enhance team performance. Discover the lineup changes. (Sports Illustrated)
Injury Joel Embiid’s status remains uncertain for the upcoming game against the Suns. This development could impact Phoenix’s strategy and game plan. Stay updated on Embiid’s injury status. (Sports Illustrated)
Roster Reports indicate that Bradley Beal and Jusuf Nurkic will be removed from the Suns’ starting lineup, prompting a strategic overhaul. Learn more about the roster changes. (Bleacher Report)
Preview The Suns will meet the 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center at 7:00 PM ET. Read the preview.(NBA)
Trades The Jimmy Butler vs. Heat saga escalated quickly: Here’s what we know. (ESPN)
Biz Amazon adds Blake Griffin and Dirk Nowitzki to its inaugural studio coverage for the 2025-2026 season. (The Athletic)
Jan 5, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; Utah Jazz guard Brice Sensabaugh (28) is interviewed by Seg Media reporter, Lauren Green following a game against the Orlando Magic at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Russell Lansford-Imagn Images | Russell Lansford/Russell Lansford-Imagn Images
One of the most intriguing developments on Sunday came from the Utah Jazz, where rookie Brice Sensabaugh has suddenly burst onto the scene with a scoring explosion.
Sensabaugh dropped 27 points against the Orlando Magic, following up a 34-point performance in his previous outing. That’s a staggering 61 points over two games for a player who had been largely off the fantasy radar. His usage rate has skyrocketed to over 30% in these contests, and he’s been scorching hot from beyond the arc, hitting 12 of 17 three-point attempts.
However, before we rush to add Sensabaugh in all leagues, it’s crucial to examine the context of his breakout. The Jazz were missing several key players, including Lauri Markkanen, John Collins, and Jordan Clarkson. This opened up a significant opportunity for Sensabaugh to showcase his scoring prowess.
The sustainability of Sensabaugh’s production is questionable. His three-point shooting percentage is bound to regress, and when the Jazz get healthier, his minutes and usage are likely to decrease. That said, he’s shown enough to warrant consideration as a streaming option in deeper leagues, particularly when Utah is shorthanded.
Click the button below for more insights, including another Thunder player to keep an eye on for your fantasy roster.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Suns podcasts.
Phoenix Suns Eek Out Victory Over Washington As Ryan Dunn Posts Career Night
The Phoenix Suns escaped Washington with a win over the Wizards despite an ugly fourth quarter from Devin Booker and Co. Brendon Kleen and Ben Garcia recap the 130-123 win, including how the fourth quarter slipped away, continued questions around Tyus Jones, the solid flow between Booker and Kevin Durant, and Ryan Dunn’s career night.
Phoenix Suns Acquire Nick Richards: How Much Of a Boost Will He Bring?
The Phoenix Suns upgraded their center rotation on Wednesday by trading for Nick Richards, who is expected to start right away. Brendon Kleen and Ben Garcia break down the deal, including the price of the deal sending Josh Okogie out, how much better Richards makes the Suns, and what comes next ahead of the NBA trade deadline.
Phoenix Suns Lose Tight Game In Atlanta Despite Kevin Durant & Devin Booker Combining For 66
The Phoenix Suns dropped a tight game in Atlanta despite Kevin Durant and Devin Booker combining for 66 points on the road. Brendon Kleen and Ben Garcia break down the loss, including how Bradley Beal came up short late, how familiar issues plagued the Suns again, and the night of growing pains for the Suns’ rookies.
