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[Phoenix Suns]

2025 Suns Player Review: Jalen Bridges didn’t pop in Phoenix but the tools are still there

Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Jalen Bridges has a jumper and a frame but is it enough to stay in Phoenix?

Welcome to our Phoenix Suns Season in Review series, where we take a closer look at each player who suited up during the 2024–25 campaign. One by one, we’ll break down what went right, what went wrong, and what each player can do to take the next step heading into next season.

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You might be wondering why we’re spending time doing player reviews for guys on two-way contracts. Why bother dissecting the brief, flickering presence of someone like Jalen Bridges, a name you barely heard on the broadcasts and probably couldn’t pick out of a lineup at Sky Harbor?

Here’s why.

Because sometimes these obscure little footnotes in May turn into something that matters in March. Maybe one day we’ll look back at this piece and say, “Yeah, that’s where it started.” The first breadcrumbs. The first glimpse. That spark of potential Phoenix actually managed to nurture instead of squander.

But more likely?

More likely, we’ll be digging this write-up out of the archives to send over to the editor of a different SB Nation site after a trade. Some other fanbase trying to talk themselves into a bench wing with “positional versatility” and a “high motor.” This review becomes a scouting report, a receipt, a eulogy.

That’s the nature of it. That’s the grind. We track it all, even the long shots. Because in this league, the margins matter. And sometimes, those margins grow into something worth remembering.

Jalen Bridges​

• Position: Wing
• Vitals: 6’8”, 225 pounds, 23 years old
• Experience: 1 year
• Stats: 8 GP, 1.1 PPG (28.6 FG%, 28.6 FT%), 0.5 RPG, 0.0 APG, 0.5 TO

Contract Details​

Jalen Bridges wasn’t drafted in the 2024 NBA Draft out of Baylor. The Suns signed him to a two-way contract for this past season, and he will be a restricted free agent this summer.

Regular Season Recap​

Jalen Bridges was a very James Jones signing. Textbook, even. An older rookie fresh out of four seasons in college (two at West Virginia, two at Baylor), the 6’8” wing fit the mold Jones seems to favor: seasoned, mature, low-risk. He brings just enough athleticism to be intriguing and a confident enough three-point stroke to keep the dream alive. That’s the profile. Age, shooting, and a hope that maybe he could be something.

Bridges didn’t get much of a chance with the big club. His time with the Phoenix Suns was more of a cameo than a role: 30 total minutes, 9 total points, and every single shot attempt came from beyond the arc. No dribble drives, no off-ball cuts, no chaos. Just spot-up threes in the waning seconds of lost games. Garbage time, meet development time.

Where Bridges made his name this year was in the G League with the Valley Suns. In 31 games, he put up a respectable 14.3 points a night on solid 43/39/80 shooting splits. He helped lead the Valley Suns to the G League playoffs, where they were bounced by the eventual champs, the Stockton Kings. It wasn’t flashy, but it was functional. And if nothing else, he proved he belongs somewhere in the professional basketball ecosystem.

Still, that leap — the one from promising G Leaguer to meaningful NBA contributor — never came close to materializing. There were no “wait a minute” moments. No glimpses of something that demanded another look. For now, Jalen Bridges feels like a placeholder. A developmental bet that didn’t pay immediate dividends.

But that’s how it goes with two-way guys. Most don’t hit. Some do. And the question now is whether Bridges gets another roll of the dice, or if he becomes another line on the long list of G League guys who almost were.

Biggest Strength​

Bridges has all the physical tools you’d want in a developmental wing. The length is there. The athleticism? No question. And most importantly, in today’s NBA, the man can shoot. He knocked down 39.8% of his threes in the G League this season, hit 37% over his college career, and finished his senior year at Baylor at a blistering 41.2%. That’s not fluky, that’s a track record.

So why hasn’t it clicked yet?

Maybe it’s as simple as this: he hasn’t had the reps. The rhythm. The leash. With Phoenix, Bridges was never given a real opportunity to show what he could do. You can’t evaluate a player on garbage-time threes and box scores filled with zeros. Some guys need a consistent run to reveal their value, to play through mistakes, to find their place, to let instincts take over.

Bridges has the deliverables. The raw material is there. Now it’s a question of whether the Suns, or some other team, are willing to give him the one thing he hasn’t had yet at the NBA level: real, meaningful minutes. Because until then, he’ll remain what he is now: a maybe.

Biggest Weakness​

Bridges looks the part defensively. Long frame, wiry athleticism, the kind of physical profile you’d expect to translate. But as of now, that promise hasn’t materialized into production. If you’re hunting for a true “3-and-D” contributor, Bridges hasn’t yet filled in the “D” half of that equation.

His defensive rating with the Valley Suns was 111.2, fourth worst on the team, and the tape backs it up. He struggles with positioning, gambles too often, and hasn’t quite figured out how to use his physical gifts to disrupt rhythm or shut down space. It’s not for lack of tools. It’s about timing, instincts, and effort, all of which can come with experience...or never show up at all.

Then there’s the rebounding.

For a guy with his length, his numbers on the glass are underwhelming. That’s part of the trade-off with modern perimeter wings. They’re trained to live from arc to arc, to leak out instead of crashing the boards, to chase space instead of seizing it. It’s how the game is taught now. And while it works for some — those who shoot well enough or defend consistently enough to justify the trade-off — it leaves guys like Bridges hanging in the liminal space between “maybe” and “not quite.”

There’s talent here. But talent without a defining strength at the NBA level is just potential waiting to expire.

Likelihood of Return: 7.5​

With Bridges entering restricted free agency, the uncertainty is thick. You’d be hard-pressed to say he put enough on tape to spark real intrigue from another front office, at least not the kind that leads to a guaranteed deal. He’s a flyer, a project, a “maybe” in a league that often doesn’t have the patience for maybes.

If no offer sheet comes — and that feels likely — Phoenix could easily bring him back on another two-way. Low risk, low cost, and the developmental runway still stretches out in front of him. They’ve seen the flashes. He knows the system. And there’s a certain comfort in continuity, especially when the player is still a moldable piece of clay.

Bridges’ journey isn’t over. But the next step, whether it’s a breakthrough or another year of seasoning in the G League, probably comes back in a Suns jersey.

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Overall Grade: D+​

As an NBA player, Jalen Bridges still has a long road ahead of him. And that’s not an indictment. It’s just the reality of where he is. We didn’t see much of him in a Phoenix Suns jersey, and when we did, the flashes were faint. I remember being intrigued by him during last year’s Summer League, circling his name like a maybe-lottery ticket. That excitement never cashed in during the regular season.

On a roster starved for youth and athleticism, Bridges might’ve had a narrow window to make an impact. But two-way players live on the fringe for a reason. They’re development swings, not rotation saviors. And let’s be honest: given how Budenholzer mismanaged this team — like I mismanaged my first credit card at 18 — there probably wasn’t a realistic path for Bridges to matter this year. That’s not entirely his fault. That’s just how things shake out when timelines clash and roles are locked in by veteran inertia.

Still, he has tools. The jumper is real. The frame is NBA-ready. And if he sticks around, likely on another two-way deal, there’s time to smooth the edges. Bridges isn’t ready yet. But “not yet” isn’t the same as “never.”

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Listen to the latest podcast episode of the Suns JAM Session Podcast below. Stay up to date on every episode, subscribe to the pod on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, YouTube Podcasts, Amazon Music, Podbean, Castbox.

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Source: https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/...2025-g-league-stats-two-way-contract-analysis

 

[Phoenix Suns]

How a Bradley Beal buyout would work (and why it makes sense for all parties involved)

Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images

How would it work? Let’s break it down.

I’ve been turning this over in my head for weeks now, trying to land on a clear, cohesive thesis for how the Phoenix Suns should navigate the coming offseason. The options aren’t plentiful, but they exist.

Somewhere in an office filled with trade possibilities, cap sheets, and whiteboards scribbled with scenarios, new Suns’ general manager Brian Gregory is undoubtedly doing the same thing. He’s sifting through the narrow pathways available, mapping out what can be done within the suffocating constraints of the first and second apron restrictions, weighing mid-level exceptions, buyouts, stretch provisions, and the rapidly tightening trade market.

And looming over it all is one pivotal decision: what to do with Bradley Beal.

His no-trade clause remains a towering obstacle, limiting flexibility and leverage, but if a mutual understanding can be reached — if both sides quietly admit this arrangement isn’t working — a path forward exists. The math isn’t really complex, the consequences real, but possible.

I’m grateful to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, whose insights into the cap gymnastics have helped frame the potential outcomes and made sense of an otherwise tangled situation. And to Fanning the Flames’ hosts, Paul and Justin, as we spent way too long in a group chat last night playing out scenarios and checking each other’s math like we were doing peer review in 8th grade.

I’ve been discussing the CBA in a group chat with @DervishOfWhirl and @DarthVoita for like the past 2 hours and I just realized we are all sick, sick individuals

— SoSaysJ (@SoSaysJ) May 9, 2025​

Like, seriously. We’ve beaten this topic into the hardwood. We’ve dissected it, debated it, diagrammed it like it’s the Zapruder film. I owe a formal apology to our group chat for the hours of discussion. Because at the end of all the mental gymnastics and CBA-speak, it turns out there’s a loophole. A wildly expensive, diamond-encrusted loophole that, if Mat Ishbia is willing to empty his Scrooge McDuck vault, could liberate the Suns from both cap hell and Bradley Beal.

At least, that’s how I understand it. That’s how Bobby Marks explained it to me. And frankly, if he’s wrong, then we’re all just floating in the salary cap multiverse, clinging to hope and hypothetical stretch provisions.

It’s doable. It’s logical.

So before we chart those potential moves, here’s a clear-eyed look at where the Phoenix Suns currently stand relative to the cap heading into next season, with 10 players under contract and the NBA salary cap climbing to $154.6 million. This is the starting point.

How a Beal Buyout Works​

Let’s break down how a buyout would actually work.

It can sound confusing because NBA salary cap rules have a lot of complicated terms, numbers, and restrictions. But at its core, it’s like negotiating a settlement with a player so both sides can move on. This is a unique scenario because it is for a player with two years left on his deal, so it makes the math kind of funky. But at the end of the day, it’s not as complicated as it seems.

Let’s start with the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Per the CBA, Article VII, Section 7(d), Line 5:

In the event that a Team and a player agree to amend a Player Contract in accordance with Article II, Section 3(p), then: (i) for purposes of calculating the player’s Salary for the then-current and any remaining Salary Cap Year covered by the Contract, notwithstanding any stretch of the player’s protected Compensation payment schedule, the aggregate reduction in the player’s protected Compensation, if any, shall be allocated pro rata over the then-current and each remaining Salary Cap Year on the basis of the remaining unearned protected Base Compensation in each such Salary Cap Year; and (ii) the Team shall not be permitted to sign the player to a new Player Contract (or claim the player off of waivers) before the later of: (x) one (1) year following the date that the player’s Player Contract with such Team was terminated; or (y) the July 1 following the last Season of such Player Contract.

Got that? Yeah. Now you see why I was in group chats with Bobby Marks, Justin, and Paul for hours. The CBA is 676 pages long. Mat Ishbia, Brian Gregory...if you’re reading...feel free to hire Justin, Paul, and myself. Justin’s a lawyer, Paul’s an accountant, and I’m kind of the “let’s think outside of the box” guy.

It’s practical exercise time.

Bradley Beal is owed $110.8 million over the next two seasons. If the Suns decided to buy him out, they’d essentially offer him a smaller chunk of that total in exchange for walking away from the deal and hitting free agency. Say they offer him $66 million. That means Phoenix would save $44.8 million, and Beal would be free to sign with any team he chooses.

How does that affect the Suns’ salary cap?

Since Beal still has two years remaining on his contract, the cap hit from a buyout wouldn’t hit all at once. It would be spread out over time. The amount is prorated, meaning it’s divided based on when the buyout takes place and how much salary is owed in each of the remaining years. Essentially, it’s weighted by the contract structure.

In this case:

• 48.4% of the $66 million buyout counts against next season’s cap ($53.7 million is 48.4% of $110.8 million)
• 51.6% counts against the following season

If Beal takes the $66 million buyout of his $110.8 million contract, the cap hit would not occur in just one year. It would hit for the next two. So if you prorate that amount, you get the following:

• $66 million × 48.4% = $32.0 million
• That is next season’s cap hit in this scenario.

The same formula applies for the next season:

• $66 million × 51.6% = $34.0 million
• This is the cap hit in 2026-27

In Beal’s case, if the Suns paid him $66 million to walk away, they’d carry dead cap space over the next two seasons — the duration he was originally signed to play — based on the prorated savings from the buyout.

Since the NBA salary cap goes up by about 10% every year, those cap hits would take up about 21% of the team’s salary cap next season and 20% the following year.

But the Suns would have another option. The stretching of the buyout.

If Beal agrees to a $66 million buyout, the Suns could stretch the remaining amount. What that means is they’d spread out the total amount left over five years (which is twice the number of years on his contract, plus one extra year).

In this case:

• $66 million total cap hit
• Divided over 5 years = $13.2 million per year

That’s a much smaller cap hit each season, which gives the Suns more flexibility to build a roster.

So from a cap perspective, it would look like this:

• Option 1: Buyout without stretching — $66 million cap hit, $32.0 million in 2025-26, and $34.0 million in 2026-27

• Option 2: Buyout and stretch — $13.2 million each year for five years

In both scenarios, the Suns free up much-valued cap space.

Again, all of this is based on a $66 million buyout. The math changes if the buyout number goes up or down.

Let’s say Mat Ishbia really opens up the purse strings and the Suns offer Beal an $80.8 million buyout. In this deal, Beal would be giving up $30 million, which is a likely number, seeing as that is the mid-level over the next two years. It would break down to a $39.1 million cap hit in 2025–26 and $41.7 million in 2026–27. If the Suns chose to use the stretch provision, $80.8 million would be spread evenly over five years, resulting in a cap hit of $16.2 million per season.

On the other hand, if the Suns and Bradley Beal agreed to something small, a buyout offer of $30 million, the numbers become Suns-friendly. The cap hit would only be $14.5 million in 2025-26 and $15.5 million in 2026-27, or $6 million per year over five years with a stretch.

The higher the buyout number, the higher the cap hit. Simple in theory, costly in practice. It’s a financial balancing act. The more cash you’re willing to shell out upfront, the less you’re penalized on the books.

I previously had reported that Ishbia could pay the entire amount, and the cap hit would be zero. That was incorrect.

Offseason video: Phoenix Sunshttps://t.co/DZvdlkGfZx

via @YouTube

— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) April 19, 2025​

Why Would Beal Do It?​

So why would Bradley Beal ever consider this? Why would he leave $110.8 million on the table to take $66 million in a buyout from the Suns in this dream scenario? That’s a difference of $44.8 million, a massive number to give up.

But here’s the way to look at it.

Beal is about to turn 32 years old when next season tips off. Realistically, he probably has one more solid contract left in his NBA career. He’s still a capable scorer and a respected name in the league, but it just didn’t work out for him in Phoenix’s current roster setup. So, instead of sticking around in a bad fit and playing out the string, he could turn this into a long-term, strategic move.

If Beal accepts a buyout — we’ll stick with that $66 million, which is like $33 million per year number — he instantly becomes a free agent, free to sign with a team where he could both reclaim his role and potentially make up some, if not all, of the money he’s sacrificing.

For example, if Beal signs a three-year, $75 million deal elsewhere, that’s $25 million per season. Here’s how the numbers would shake out:

• This year: $33 million from the Suns + $25 million from his new team = $58 million. That’s actually $4.3 million more than the $53.7 million he was set to make.
• Next year: $25 million from his new deal, but remember, he already got $33 million from the Suns up front. So while it’s technically a financial wash compared to the $57.1 million he was owed, he’s no longer tied to Phoenix and still banking good money.
• Year three: Another $25 million. Money that wouldn’t have existed for him under his current Suns deal.

In short, it’s a move that secures short-term cash and a path to long-term stability. And for those who might argue Beal isn’t worth $25 million a season, here’s a look at a few players currently making in that ballpark:

There are always teams out there with cap space to burn, looking for ways to reach the salary floor or add proven talent. In that sense, it makes plenty of sense for a team to take a swing on Bradley Beal.

And when you consider the way the cap keeps rising, it gets even easier to justify. By the 2027–28 season, a $25 million salary would account for only about 13% of the projected cap. In NBA terms, that’s solid value for a veteran scorer who can still put up numbers and bring experience to a locker room.

Beal likely wouldn’t agree to a buyout unless he had a new deal lined up elsewhere. He’d want to know his market value first, then use that as leverage to negotiate a number with the Suns that makes walking away worthwhile. It’s not just about leaving money on the table, it’s about making sure the next table is already set.

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This is the path.

It makes sense for Bradley Beal to accept a buyout, if the number is right. He walks away with immediate money in hand, the chance to earn even more elsewhere, and secures an extra year of financial stability.

For the Suns? They’ll have to wear the cap hit, whether it’s over two years or stretched across five. But the bigger win is freedom. They’ll finally be out from under the contract. Out from under the no-trade clause. And out from under the suffocating constraints of the second apron, with a real shot to reshape the roster and regain flexibility for the seasons ahead.

It’s the cleanest imperfect option they’ve got. It’s either that at least one more year of Bradley Beal. Which option would you choose?

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Listen to the latest podcast episode of the Suns JAM Session Podcast below. Stay up to date on every episode, subscribe to the pod on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, YouTube Podcasts, Amazon Music, Podbean, Castbox.

Please subscribe, rate, and review.

Source: https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/...-nba-salary-cap-options-offseason-plan-ishbia

 

[Phoenix Suns]

2025 Suns Player Review Anthology: One final look back at every player on the 2024–25 Phoenix Suns

@Grok

Every Phoenix Suns player is reviewed as we bury the season.

It’s been 28 days since the Phoenix Suns played their final game. As the playoffs roll on — teams trading blows deep into the second round — the Suns have gone to Cancun and come back by now.

Every year, we try to put a bow on the season. Wrap it up. Clean out the locker, pack away the pens. School’s out for the summer. This time, our writing team went the extra mile, delivering in-depth reviews for every player who suited up in a Suns jersey. And based on their insight, I’ve stitched together this final anthology. A complete, player-by-player breakdown of how this season unraveled.

We know the epitaph: “Here lies the Phoenix Suns, 36–46, no playoffs”. But how did we get here?

We’ve done the weeklies. We’ve tracked the fall. And now, at last, we close the book with one final chapter: the individual stories. The moments. The misfires. The glimpses. All of it.

To the Bright Side writing staff: thank you. This kind of work takes time, focus, and care. Your words helped shape this. And mine, as usual, took far too long to put together. But now, at least, it’s done.

We can finally move on.

Player Reviews​

Did you miss the reviews? Need a place to catch up on every single player breakdown from the 2024–25 Suns season? Look no further. This is your one-stop shop. Every recap, every grade, all in one place. Bookmark it. This is the page.

Player Recaps​

Kevin Durant​

Kevin Durant didn’t just play well. For stretches this season, he carried the Suns. Early on, he was the engine, guiding them to an 8–1 start with surgical precision. In clutch time, he was ruthless: 5 points per on 63% shooting, leading the league and slamming doors shut nightly.

But when he missed seven games? The Suns went 3-17. That told the story: with KD, they had a chance. Without him, they were cooked.

He logged 62 games, dropped milestones (hello, 30K points), and was quietly one of Phoenix’s best defenders. His net rating (-1.9) reflects how often he was propping up a flawed roster. Say what you want about the man. Even at 36, he’s still elite.

Devin Booker​

Devin Booker became the Suns’ all-time leading scorer this season, passing Walter Davis with his signature blend of grit, loyalty, and buckets. Ten years, 642 games, and 15,666 points later, he etched his name atop the franchise’s history books.

Only he and Giannis have averaged 25+ points over the last seven seasons. That’s rare air. Sure, this wasn’t his prettiest year (career-low 46.1% shooting since 2018), but the man still poured in five 40-burgers and a season-high 47-piece against Utah.

Unfortunately, it all came in a season where the wheels fell off. He and Beal never clicked. Durant went down. And any momentum they scraped together eventually evaporated. In Booker’s words? A slow bleed. And a bitter end.

Photo by Kate Frese/NBAE via Getty Images

Bradley Beal​

Bradley Beal’s second year in Phoenix felt more like a ghost story than a fresh chapter. He drifted in and out of games, rarely imposing his will, never truly syncing with the team. His usage rate (22.1%) was the lowest of his career, even lower than his rookie season.

Nine single-digit scoring nights. Just one 30-point game. This from a guy who once averaged 30+ in back-to-back seasons.

The low point? That Boston game in April: 1 point on 0-for-7 shooting while the Suns were clinging to postseason hopes. It was a statline that doubled as a metaphor. Beal was out there, technically, but barely. If there’s a snapshot of his season, that game is it. Disengaged. Disappointing. And impossible to ignore.

Grayson Allen​

Grayson Allen’s 2024–25 season felt like a vanishing act. After starting the year before, he moved back to the bench. And nearly disappeared with it.

His minutes dropped by 10, and his impact somehow dipped even more. Catch-and-shoot looks that once felt automatic were now just slightly off. Wrong spot, wrong time, wrong rhythm.

He bulked up in the offseason, sure, but the added muscle didn’t translate. On defense, his body language often said more than his play. Yes, he technically shot over 40% from deep, but it felt like 35%. No flow, no identity, no spark. Just a guy on the court, floating around the edges of a broken rotation. Blink and you missed him. Most nights, we barely knew he played.

Nick Richards​

Nick Richards wasn’t supposed to be a difference-maker, but he kinda was.

After starting the year in Charlotte, he landed in Phoenix midseason as the Suns scrambled to patch up a fractured center rotation. Budenholzer soured on Nurkic, and Richards stepped in like a pro. No drama, just boards. He dropped 21 and 11 in his debut and never looked back, starting 34 of 36 games and grabbing double-digit rebounds in 13 of them.

Offensively? Meh. 9.5 points in 22.7 minutes. But compared to Nurkic? More impact, less baggage, and over $10 million cheaper. He wasn’t flashy. He was functional. And in a season full of underwhelming returns, that actually meant something.

Royce O’Neale​

Royce O’Neale’s Suns season started slow, but he eventually found his footing.

By Game 5, he dropped his first 20-piece against the Clippers, and December was his sweet spot. Six straight games in double figures, shooting over 50% in five of them. His high-water mark came February 20th vs. the Spurs: 27 points on 62.5% shooting, plus six boards and three steals. The Suns still lost, but it was a glimpse of what Royce could bring when things clicked.

That said, those flashes were few. Just one more 20-point game followed, and as Phoenix sputtered late, his role shrank. Still, he was a steady rotation piece all season, never spectacular, but rarely out of place. A pro’s pro.

Ryan Dunn​

Ryan Dunn’s rookie year was a blend of promise and puzzlement. He started hot—13-of-33 from deep, the Suns went 7–1, and it felt like they’d struck gold. Defensively, he was a breath of fresh air: energy, grit, effort. Everything the team desperately needed.

And yet, Mike Budenholzer couldn’t seem to decide what to do with him. Dunn played fewer than 20 minutes in nearly half his games, often disappearing from the rotation entirely without explanation. For a team starving for perimeter defense and heart, benching Dunn felt like coaching malpractice.

Still, he made noise: 74 games, 44 starts, no DNPs, and a poster on Giannis that cracked the NBA’s Top 10 dunks list. Oh, and he never fouled out. Not once.

Poster dunk by Ryan Dunn on Giannis Adetokumbo #NBAX pic.twitter.com/1drv2zxgiB

— NBA Dracos (@NBADracos) March 25, 2025​

Oso Ighodaro​

Oso Ighodaro’s rookie year was a tale of two seasons. Early on, he carved out a real role. 26 appearances in the first 32 games, giving the Suns steady minutes, smart cuts, and sneaky rebounding. For a team desperate for dependable depth, it felt like they might’ve found something.

But when January rolled into February, and Phoenix hit a lull, Budenholzer did what he does: youth got the boot. Oso vanished.

Then came March. He clawed his way back into the mix, playing all 17 of the Suns’ final games and flashing the same intrigue. 25.6 minutes a night, modest stats, solid presence. He didn’t save the season, but he didn’t sink it either. He competed. And that mattered.

Bol Bol​

Bol Bol’s season was mostly forgettable, save for one bizarre highlight: while the Suns and Rockets squared up mid-game, Bol was off to the side...practicing layups. That moment, reportedly not well-received by Coach Bud, pretty much summed up his year.

Bol Bol getting dropped from the Suns rotation for the season by Coach Bud for not having Plumlee’s back in the Adams scuffle is hilarious https://t.co/OQ7F1Lu584 pic.twitter.com/DKvQqexEpA

— Steven Adams Stats (@funakistats) April 19, 2025​

We had high hopes entering the season. Thought maybe he’d turned a corner. Nope. His three-point shot regressed, his court awareness was still lacking, and his basketball IQ never quite caught up. Despite a 25-point outburst with five threes that teased what could be, Bol never earned a real role.

The tools are still there. The intrigue is still there. But the clock is ticking, and so far, it feels like he’s still more myth than material.

Mason Plumlee​

Mason Plumlee’s season with the Suns wasn’t exactly by design. Originally brought in to back up Jusuf Nurkic, the coaching staff soured on Nurk, forcing Plumlee into more of a starting role. It wasn’t pretty, but Plumlee kept grinding.

He was steady, never flashy, and a rare source of consistent effort on a team that often lacked it. Kevin Durant’s occasional shouts at him were a testament to the frustration, but Plumlee kept his head down and played through it.

The high point? That memorable, gritty clash with Steven Adams shown above. That altercation summed up his season: intensity, frustration, and a refusal to back down. He wasn’t the solution, but for a team in chaos, Plumlee’s edge stood out.

Monte Morris​

Monte Morris started the season as a reliable bench option for the Suns, offering steady contributions in limited minutes. Through the first 48 games, he averaged 5 points and 1.7 assists per night, with eight double-digit performances that highlighted his value.

But his 30.4% shooting from three became a glaring issue, and as the season progressed, his role diminished. By the final 34 games, Morris saw just seven appearances. Despite his early flashes, his struggles from beyond the arc and inconsistent role ultimately kept him from carving out a more significant spot in the Suns’ rotation.

Collin Gillespie​

Collin Gillespie’s rise from a two-way contract to a key contributor for the Suns showcased his resilience and skill.

After dominating with the Valley Suns, averaging 21.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 11.1 assists, he made his Phoenix debut in October but got his real chance in January. His turning point came on March 4th with clutch shots against the Clippers. Gillespie’s best performance arrived on March 26th against the Timberwolves, scoring 22 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, and dishing 5 assists while shooting 9-of-11 from the field and 4-of-5 from three, without a single free throw attempt.

His ability to step up in crucial moments highlighted his potential as a future asset for the Suns.

Cody Martin​

Martin’s stint with the Suns was brief and marred by injury, as he was sidelined with a sports hernia when acquired in March. In his 14 appearances, he averaged just 14 minutes a game and took only 4.1 shots per night, his lowest since his rookie season. His shooting was inconsistent, hitting 50% or better in only five games, and struggling in nine others with under 35%.

He didn’t have enough of an impact to be considered a significant factor in the Suns’ struggles, but his best performance came in a key win against the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he contributed 4 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, and a block in a rare bright spot.

Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images

Damion Lee​

Damion Lee’s season was defined less by his on-court play and more by his personal journey. His emotional Media Day speech, where he opened up about battling depression and overcoming a major injury, set the tone for a year that never quite materialized.

Despite his efforts, Lee barely made an impact once the season started. He struggled to find his role, and his best game was an 11-point performance in a lopsided loss to Denver, which accounted for nearly 13% of his total points for the season. With just 83 points on the year, it was a far cry from the contribution many expected from the veteran guard.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t the comeback season Lee or the Suns had hoped for.

Vasilije Micic​

Vasilije Micic’s time with the Phoenix Suns was a non-factor. Acquired at the trade deadline as part of the deal for Jusuf Nurkic, Micic was mainly a salary filler and was never expected to make a meaningful impact on the court.

In his five appearances with Phoenix, all in garbage time, he didn’t score or contribute much beyond a turnover in one brief eight-minute stint. His lack of action wasn’t due to any specific reason or injury, but rather because he simply didn’t fit into the rotation. Micic spent most of his time inactive, serving more as an observer than a player, and ultimately, his role with the Suns was as expected. Minimal.

TyTy Washington, Jr.​

TyTy Washington’s transition from the G League to the Suns was a tough one. In 16 games, he logged just 118 minutes, totaling 35 points. His best performance came in a 25-minute stint against Houston, where he scored 11 points.

Despite flashes of potential, the jump to the NBA was a struggle. His 16 assists in those minutes weren’t terrible, but they didn’t indicate he could lead an offense. Defensively, he showed effort, but against stronger, quicker guards, that effort wasn’t enough. The hope was that his G League confidence would translate, but it never fully materialized.

Jalen Bridges​

Jalen Bridges was peak James Jones: seasoned, low-risk, and built in a lab to shoot corner threes. Four years in college, 6’8”, and just enough athleticism to justify a flyer.

He got the classic two-way treatment. 30 NBA minutes, all garbage time, every shot a three. No creation, no chaos, just catch-and-shoot reps while the buzzer ticked down. His real work came in the G League, where he was solid. 14.3 points, efficient splits, playoff berth.

But that leap from “hmm, interesting” to “hold on, we’ve got something” never happened. No flashes. No buzz. Just a guy doing his job. Maybe he gets another look. Maybe he’s just another G Leaguer who almost made it. That’s the math on two-way bets. Most don’t cash.

Final Grades​

We wrote, we graded, and you chimed in. Below are the final marks. Each player’s grade from our writers, your input included, and our take on their chances of returning next season.

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And that, my friends, is the end.

No more deep dives. No more player recaps. This is the final word on the 2024–25 Phoenix Suns. We’ll reference this season forever. The weight of expectations, the bloated payroll, the slow unraveling. It’ll linger. But this level of detail? This kind of dissection? We’re closing that chapter. I’m closing it.

This took far too long, and it’s time to move on.

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Source: https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/...-recap-analysis-roster-grades-final-breakdown