Budenholzer Praises Suns’ Stars Kevin Durant, Sets Sights on Point Guard in 2024 Free Agency
At a Friday news conference to introduce new Phoenix Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer, he said he was “excited” about the current roster, but stated a goal for improvement and admires the Suns, star Kevin Durant for his performance.
“I am positive that working with this group of players will be my priority”, – Budenholzer said, according to ESPN. “We have this big team and within big teams, there are great players. And with great players come great expectations. And I believe we accept that.”
“You got to coach them hard. You got to demand of them. You got to have high expectations for them. And usually they thrive.”
📺 Watch Head Coach Mike Budenholzer’s Introductory Press Conference: https://t.co/yXy9FvhUYs pic.twitter.com/FzijpA1OF3
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) May 17, 2024
However, Mike Budenholzer is satisfied with the current roster – a trio of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal. But he feels that acquiring a point guard this offseason may be something to work on.
Actually, “the conversations have been quite pleasant, and there is no question that we need to carefully evaluate the lineup and take another look at the point guard position,” – Budenholzer said. “The fact that this is a controversial issue here related to the press, players, or the administration is highly probable.” We have to take this into consideration.
Mike Budenholzer on the importance of making the Suns a high-volume 3-point shooting team, primarily with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker:
“When I think about Kevin and Devin — 2 of the greatest (mid-range shooters), I think of it as adding to what they do. They’re so talented… pic.twitter.com/4ioHejMLEy
— Booker Muse (@DevinBookerMuse) May 17, 2024
“It’s true, we may want it but not need it. We could be rather versatile — play different ways.
In fact, the Suns’ roster backed a strong players like Kevin Durant, Booker, and Beal, had no more a true point guard for her in the 2023/24 season. I believe that to be among the principal reasons for a quick playoff crush; the team was unable to fence off against Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round.
At the regular season, the Phoenix ranked the least efficient with an assist-to-turnover ratio of sixth-worst (1. 82—a number that certainly can be better if the scorer who will be running the setup is improved.
The Suns are coming up on their only NBA Finals appearance and just a few seasons a while back they lost out in 2021 to Jay and the Milwaukee Bucks who studied under the ex-coach of the San Antonio Spurs, Jim Budenholzer. The line-up of the 2021 edition of Phoenix that got to the finals shone with the very essence of what a point guard should be: Chris Paul.
Putting together an equivalent roster for the 2021 team but adding Kevin Durant, Booker, and Beal among others can be a recipe for success.
‘Kevin Durant returns to Golden State’ 👀
Would y’all do this trade? pic.twitter.com/KtLDTRKST7
— 30🅿️roblemz (@30problemz) May 18, 2024
Why don’t the Suns try to bring back Paul who in the event the Golden State Warriors do not exercise their $30 million team option for next season will be in the right of becoming a free agent?
“Chris Paul has a year left on his Golden State Warriors deal, but the $30 million is non-guaranteed. If Paul is gone, he leaves behind teammates and fans who got to see him in a different light,” writes columnist Scott Ostler. https://t.co/s4OwHSLXXm
— San Francisco Chronicle (@sfchronicle) April 18, 2024
Whether it’s Paul himself or someone else, it seems evident that acquiring a point guard should top the offseason agenda for the Suns.