Former NBA player Robert Horry isn’t too optimistic about the Phoenix Suns’ prospects for the 2024-25 season. On a recent episode of his Big Shot Bob Podcast, Horry was asked about Kevin Garnett predicting the Suns will win more than 47 games next season and he stated he doesn’t share the Hall of Famer’s optimism.
“When you’re a starter for so long, you forget the most important thing is your bench,” Horry said. “Your starters can carry you for so long but your bench is going to get you over the finish line, and their bench is wack… You got to have some reserves, man.”
Co-host Rob Jenners asked if the Suns could win 50 games next season and Horry said they won’t.
“No,” Horry replied. “… I’m not saying Phoenix is a scrub, I’m just saying everybody else is good. Think about this – the Rockets are going to be good. The Grizzlies are going to be good. The Pelicans are going to be good. San Antonio’s going to be good. The Kings are going to be good again.”
Horry reckoned that only a couple of teams in the Western Conference aren’t going to be better than they were last season, making 50 wins difficult for the Suns.
“I think everybody except for the Portland Trail Blazers, Utah Jazz, (and) Clippers are going to be better,” Horry added. “So it’s going to be hard for the Suns to get 50 wins.”
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The Suns went 49-33 last season and I believe even with the Western Conference potentially being stronger next season, they have a shot at improving on that record. While Horry is completely down on their bench, it’s not as bad as he might think.
In my opinion, the Suns have three good to very good reserves, Tyus Jones, Grayson Allen, and Royce O’Neale. The likes of Josh Okogie, Mason Plumlee, and Monte Morris are solid options off the bench too. This isn’t a great bench unit, but it isn’t a terrible one by any means either.
What could lead to the Suns potentially having a worse record than they had last season, is injuries. Bradley Beal spent a fair chunk of last season on the sidelines, playing just 53 games. Beal recently turned 31 too and he isn’t going to get healthier as he ages.
Kevin Durant, meanwhile, played 75 games last season but with him turning 36 later this month, I struggle to be optimistic about his health. As for Devin Booker, he played 68 games last season and is the only one of this Big 3, that anyone can have some confidence in to stay on the court.
If all three of Booker, Durant, and Beal stay healthy, 50 wins shouldn’t be much of a problem for the Suns, but that’s a big if. Even if that miraculously happens somehow, I still don’t think they’ll be serious title contenders.
The Suns have addressed their point guard issues by bringing in Jones, but defense remains a big problem. Compared to some of the heavyweights in their conference, they are weak at the five too, with just Jusuf Nurkic and Plumlee. I think the Suns, who were swept by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round last season, could win a playoff series in 2025, but that’s about as far as this team will go.
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