The Phoenix Suns went all in on trying to win a championship with their star-studded trio of Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal.
On paper, the Suns big three was expected to succeed.
However, between their injuries and struggles, they were never able to hit the ground running.
During Beal’s tenure with the Suns, the team was eliminated in the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs and failed to make the 2025 NBA Playoffs.
It is hard to pinpoint the reason why they couldn’t get it together, but former Suns guard Vasa Micic has some insight on the situation.
Vasa Micic says it was a ‘bit of everything’ why Phoenix Suns trio didn’t work out
Vasa Micic played in just five games for a total of 21 minutes with the Suns during the 2024-25 season.
He didn’t score a single point during his short time with Phoenix; however, he was still very observant during his time with the team.
Micic speculated about why the Suns’ trio didn’t pan out in an interview on the X&O’s Chat YouTube Channel.
“Booker is an outstanding guy, but different. He thinks that’s what the offseason is for. He believes that you strike the iron while it’s hot, and during the regular season it’s money time.
“But he’s also an outstanding leader. He was a bit in the shadow, not in a bad way, because he really respects KD so much. His own leadership — which is pretty solid. He’s very much about the team, about involving all the players… couldn’t fully come through, because KD is way bigger than that whole story.
“Bradley Beal is also a really good guy, a true professional. So that trio was just… a beauty to watch. Why didn’t they succeed? I think it was a bit of everything — issues with the coach, issues with working together, which… I don’t even know what it was. I think they started 9–0. Yeah, they did.
“And then that, let’s say, self-sacrifice for the team — it disappeared and everything fell apart. But an unbelievably talented trio.”
Devin Booker remains as Phoenix Suns’ big three splits up
Booker is still a member of the Phoenix Suns after the trio disbanded this offseason.
Durant was part of the largest deal in NBA history which saw him join the Houston Rockets.
Meanwhile, Beal joined the Los Angeles Clippers on a two-year, $11 million deal.
Booker will try to carry a Suns team that doesn’t have high expectations for this season. Phoenix is expected to take a step back, but they do have a promising duo brewing with Booker and Jalen Green, whom they acquired in the deal for Durant.
The Suns, who were once dubbed a championship contender with their All-Star trio, will now look to get the most out of Booker and their new-look team.
