Watching the Phoenix Suns collapse should come with a warning label: May cause secondhand embarrassment. Just two years ago, NBA executives studied their roster-building strategy. Now? They’re a cautionary tale after getting demolished by the Warriors 133-95 to end their season.
Their big three of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal was supposed to dominate. Instead, it became basketball’s version of buying a championship lottery ticket – and accidentally using it as kindling for a bonfire.
The first casualty? Coach Mike Budenholzer got fired after one season. That’s not even enough time to break in new sneakers, let alone fix this mess.
By the Numbers: A Historic Waste of Money
The Suns made history as the NBA’s first $400 million team, paying their star trio $150 million this season alone. Here’s what that bought:
✓ A losing record (36-46)
✓ Zero playoff games
✓ The most expensive lottery team ever
✓ A 7-game losing streak to finish
For comparison, you could buy 80 million tacos from Jack in the Box with that money. Probably a better investment.
The Moment Everyone Knew It Was Over
After the Warriors humiliation, Booker perfectly diagnosed the problem: “They built a culture… they don’t expect nothing less than a championship.”
Translation: “We’re three All-Stars with no plan while they’re a well-oiled machine.”
Phoenix has been chasing quick fixes since blowing the 2021 Finals. They became that friend who keeps buying expensive gym memberships but never works out.
The Deal That Exposed Everything
The Jimmy Butler situation says it all. Phoenix wanted him badly but couldn’t navigate Beal’s no-trade clause (one of only two in the league). Meanwhile, Golden State:
– Made the trade look easy
– Went from lottery team to playoff contender
– Made Butler fit seamlessly
The Warriors prove culture beats checkbook every time. Phoenix proves money can’t buy chemistry.
What Comes Next? More Pain.
Reports say Durant could be traded this summer. Booker stays as the franchise player. Budenholzer joins the unemployment line just 12 months after winning a title in Milwaukee.
The lesson? Phoenix sacrificed everything for star power – depth, defense, future picks – without asking if the pieces fit. Now they’re stuck with the NBA’s most expensive rebuild.
As the Warriors advance, the Suns’ failed experiment serves as a reminder: Championships aren’t purchased. They’re built. Sometimes the hardest thing to do in sports is… nothing at all.
Leave a Reply