The holiday season hasn’t been kind to the Phoenix Suns. Since the start of December, the once-upon-a-time 1-seed out West has gone 5-12, sinking from a top spot in the conference standings all the way to eighth. Injuries remain the biggest catalyst behind the Suns’ ongoing skid, but this shorthanded stretch has also magnified inherent roster flaws that were present from the start of the season: Devin Booker is carrying this team, neither Deandre Ayton nor Mikal Bridges is a capable second option, Chris Paul is a shell of himself, Phoenix lacks reliable creators on offense, and barring a trade, their immediate title window may have already closed. With Booker’s left groin strain set to be re-evaluated in just over…

Friday night represented the kind of get-right opportunity the Phoenix Suns have typically relished over the last three years. They were coming off a loss, which, in and of itself, was usually a winning recipe for a group of “sore losers” who own the NBA’s best record coming off a loss dating since 2020-21. They were embarrassed in that loss, getting gobsmacked by 27 points at home against the No. 1 team in the Eastern Conference. And that humiliation was the second course after an appetizer of humble pie 48 hours prior, when the team that sent them home in the playoffs in such embarrassing fashion whipped Phoenix by double digits. But instead of following up those inexplicable efforts against…

On Tuesday, general manager and newly appointed president of basketball operations James Jones spoke publicly for the first time since Phoenix Suns Media Day. Between his new title, injury updates, the ongoing Jae Crowder situation and the Suns’ 14-6 start that has them sitting in first place in the Western Conference, there was plenty to discuss. Here are the most notable takeaways from Jones’ 19-minute press conference. What comes with James Jones’ new title? In terms of his new title, not a ton will change for Jones on the Suns’ side of things, but he’s excited to be more involved with the Phoenix Mercury moving forward. “My efforts to continue to bolster both teams will continue,” he said. “That’s something…

Jae Crowder still hasn’t been traded. Despite his agreement with the Phoenix Suns to remain away from the team until they could navigate a trade, despite Phoenix’s 6-1 start to the season, and despite Crowder’s value as an experienced 3-and-D wing, Bossman still technically remains a member of the Suns. Last week, The Athletic’s Shams Charania listed the Milwaukee Bucks,...

At Media Day on Monday, Monty Williams was intentionally coy when asked about Cam Johnson in a starting role. The Phoenix Suns coach simply smiled and said, “We’ll see.” Three days later, the oversized cat is out of the world’s most transparent bag: Johnson will be the Suns’ new starting 4. “I think when you have Cam Johnson moving into...

Despite the storm clouds swirling overhead in the desert, Phoenix Suns training camp is finally here. It’s a moment Dario Saric has been awaiting for over a year. After tearing his ACL in Game 1 of the 2020 NBA Finals, Saric had to watch from the sidelines as his team went up 2-0 in the series…and then went 0-for-4 the...

After a summer stuffed with an embarrassing Game 7 loss; Deandre Ayton contract consternation; Kevin Durant trade rumors; the NBA’s findings in the Robert Sarver investigation; and now Jae Crowder’s not-so-private trade request, the Phoenix Suns held their annual Media Day on Monday morning. Here’s a look at a few of the biggest topics that general manager James Jones, coach...

Jay-Z should feel bad for the Suns; they’ve got 99 problems and Jae Crowder is one. It’s been a long, brutal, drama-filled summer for Phoenix. After winning a league-best 64 games and cementing themselves as title favorites, the last few months have included: The Suns coughing up a 2-0 series lead, getting steamrolled by 35 at home in Game 7 for the most embarrassing playoff loss in franchise history against an inferior Dallas Mavericks teamPhoenix falling short of championship aspirations with an infamous second-round exitReports of a COVID-19 outbreak during that seriesSoap-opera drama surrounding Deandre Ayton after his sideline blowup with Monty Williams in Game 7 and signing a max offer sheet with the Indiana Pacers that was immediately matched…

In the wake of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ surprising trade for Donovan Mitchell on Thursday, it was only reasonable to wonder which Utah Jazz players might be on the move next. With the Kevin Durant Sweepstakes put on hold for the time being, the Phoenix Suns are just one of many teams eyeing Utah’s imminent fire sale. Jordan Clarkson? Mike Conley...