What's next for Phoenix Suns after failing to make NBA postseason? What we learned (2025)

The Phoenix Suns are done.

It’ll be official April 13 when they end the 2024-25 regular season at Sacramento, but losing, 125-112, on Wednesday, April 9, to short-handed Oklahoma City ended their play-in tournament chances.

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A season that began with championship expectations and the NBA’s first $400-million team starting 8-1 reached a new low in dropping a season-worst eighth straight game.

The Suns (35-45) could’ve stayed in the running for the 10^th seed had they beaten the NBA-best Thunder (66-14), which sat leading MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (shin), Lu Dort (knee), Isaiah Hartenstein (Achilles) and Cason Wallace (shoulder).

Dallas (38-42) lost earlier to the Los Angeles Lakers in Luka Doncic’s return against his former team. Phoenix needed to win its last three games against OKC, San Antonio and Sacramento and have the Mavericks drop their final two against Toronto and Memphis to force a tiebreaker situation.

The Suns have the tiebreaker over the Mavericks, but they were unable to beat the Thunder. Jalen Williams scored a game-high 33 points to lead OKC to victory.

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Bradley Beal paced the Suns with 25 points while Devin Booker posted 20 points and 14 assists.

Here are takeaways as Phoenix plays its final home game on April 11 against the Spurs and then closes the season on April 13 at Sacramento.

Budenholzer another one-and-done?

Regardless of this season’s record, Mike Budenholzer is a very good coach who won nearly 70% of his games (271-120 in five seasons) in Milwaukee. He coached the Bucks to an NBA championship.

Yes, having Giannis Antetokounmpo greatly factored in Budenholzer’s success, but he came from the Gregg Popovich family tree and won in Atlanta (213-197 record in five seasons).

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All of that means nothing right now, though.

He’s being viewed as the main reason Phoenix fell way short of championship expectations. The Suns are perhaps this season’s biggestdisappointment in the league as far as a team.

They played horrible defense. Allowed a 43-point third quarter on April 9 as the Thunder shot 52.3% from the field, going 12-of-30 from 3.

They didn’t protect the ball, turning it over 15 times, which led to 25 OKC points.

Kevin Durant and Budenholzer didn’t see eye-to-eye. The players didn’t respond to Budenholzer well enough.

The fan base quickly turned on the home-state guy.

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Budenholzer said he and Mat Ishbia haven't talked, when asked if the team owner assured him he'll be back next season. If Ishbia fires Budenholzer, he'll be looking for his fourth coach in four seasons.

Sounds crazy, but how do you keep Budenholzer after such a bad season?

Here’s one possible way. Say, ''Coach, we’re going to fix this roster the way you see fit, but if the team doesn’t perform at an improved level, by midseason, you’re out.''

Big 3 done?

All signs point to Kevin Durant being traded. If that happens, it’s insane to think his last game with the Suns ended with him spraining his left ankle on March 30 against Houston and limping off the court.

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Don’t expect him to play in Phoenix’s last two games. Don't expect Booker and Beal to suit up, either.

The Suns would’ve already traded Beal if he didn’t have a no-trade clause. Booker, Durant and Beal haven't been an ideal fit.

Booker will return, but which version will the Suns get?

The one looking to score first, pass later or the playmaker who passes up shots and looks to make the right play? Booker admitted he didn’t impose his will enough or was vocal enough this season.

If he can get back to those qualities and enhance them, the Suns are in good hands moving forward, but it’s on the management to build a roster around him and find a coach who can bring out the best in not only him, but the entire team, if Budenholzer is let go.

Gilgeous-Alexander MVP, but can OKC win title?

As great and historic as three-time MVP Nikola Jokic continues to be, it’s going to be hard to deny Gilgeous-Alexander the award this season.

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He’s the NBA’s leading scorer on the NBA’s best team that threatened to win 70 games.

The bigger question is can the Thunder win an NBA championship this season?

They have the go-to of go-to guys in Gilgeous-Alexander, a super solid second option in Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren is a big man who can be a difference maker.

Lu Dort defends. So does Alex Caruso and every other role player.

The Thunder are the best at switching, recovering and contesting shots, a big reason why they’re first in the league in defensive rating.

Three teams in the West could keep them from reaching the finals — Golden State, Denver and the Los Angeles Lakers.

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The Warriors went 3-1 against OKC — and are even better with Jimmy Butler.

The Nuggets split four games with the Thunder — and have Nikola Jokic. They have no answer for him.

The Lakers split their last two games against OKC in April — and have Luka Doncic paired up with LeBron James.

What Suns said after loss

Budenholzer on if Ishbia has assured him he'll be back this season: "It's raw. We just lost. It's been a tough season. There's been no conversations."

Booker on being eliminated from postseason consideration: "It's been a slow bleed out. I've been feeling this way for the majority of the season."

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Have opinions about the current state of theSuns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin atdmrankin@gannett.comor contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at@DuaneRankin.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: What's next for Phoenix Suns after falling out of play-in chase?