Suns: New additions, season forecast, and free agents for 2024

Suns: New additions, season forecast, and free agents for 2024
analyzing Phoenix’s expectations prior to the start of the 2023–24 season.

After two straight second-round exits, the Phoenix Suns decided to start over, firing head coach Monty Williams and hiring Frank Vogel to oversee a completely reorganized roster. This was two seasons after the team had advanced to the NBA Finals. After acquiring Kevin Durant in February of last year, the Suns added even more star power to their roster in June when they acquired Bradley Beal from the Wizards. This trade involved the departure of veteran point guard Chris Paul, Landry Shamet, and a number of future pick trades.

These actions have prepared Phoenix to be genuine title contenders in 2023–2024 and maybe the favorites to win the championship.

What’s fresh?

Beal, who has averaged 22.1 points per game throughout his career, is a significant scoring threat as a third option. Despite being a traditional shooting guard, the veteran will go to point guard, which may need some ingenuity on Phoenix’s part.
In his debut season with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the defensive-minded Vogel led the Los Angeles Lakers to a championship. Equipped with the same weapons as Phoenix’s coach, he has Devin Booker, Durant, and Beal on his roster.

After joining the Suns in February of last year, Durant struggled to fit in with the new team. However, he returns to the team in 2023–24 after spending the whole offseason—including his first training camp—off.

Can the Suns advance further?

With Durant, Booker, and Beal as their top three choices, Phoenix has the offensive firepower necessary to contend for the championship. More opportunities should arise for Jusuf Nurkic, the new center who may be a step down from Deandre Ayton. Although there are questions over the team’s depth and Beal’s potential transition from shooting guard to point guard, Ishbia has already shown during his brief stint that he is prepared to spend whatever money is required to improve the club.

In fact, as general manager James Jones begins to decide the Suns’ course following the early part of the season, we should all expect additional Suns movements in the months to come.

a player who needs to jump

Nurkic Jusuf. It’s not simple to deal with centers in the West like Nikola Jokic and Anthony Davis, and Phoenix made it harder by selling Ayton for Nurkic, who hasn’t participated in more than 56 games since the 2018–19 campaign owing to a variety of injuries. All of Nurkic’s leg problems throughout the years, to be honest, have made it harder for the 29-year-old to move around and play efficient pick-and-roll defense.

As Phoenix looks to make a deep playoff run, Nurkic will need to make up for his declining athleticism with physicality, screening skills, and accurate passing, all while staying healthy enough to be a mainstay.

Season-long Competition

West Group A is where the Phoenix Suns play. Here is a recap of the In-Season Tournament’s operation.

Future Free Agents

Eleven players for the Phoenix Suns will be unrestricted free agents in 2024.

Allen Grayson
Ish Wainright Dickey Metu
Keita Bates-Diop
Bol Bol
Eubanks, Drew
Jordan Goodwin
Eric Gordon
Damion Lee
Josh Okogie
Watanabe Yuta
Bol, who signed a one-year contract with Orlando, comes into 2023–24 off of a season in which he reached career highs in almost every statistical category. Bol is an athletic, long-term replacement for Nurkic in the post. Gordon’s contract includes a player option at age 34. He provides Phoenix with the quick offense off the bench that it has been lacking for the past few years. He scored 12.4 points per game on 44.6% shooting from the field last season (and On 3-pointers, 37.1%. Watanabe, a lethal option on catch-and-shoot threes and from the corner, is also part of a deal that includes a player option for 2024–25. Allen is a valuable 3-point shooter who was acquired in the Nurkic trade. Next summer, he’ll be a free agent without restrictions.

You can view Phoenix’s whole roster right here.