Phoenix Suns Remove Bradley Beal, Jusuf Nurkić From the Starting Five, But Why?

The Phoenix Suns are going to adjust to the big changes after suffering a disappointing four-game losing streak. High expectations for the season are not living up to the bill so far this season.

With these unfortunate losses, the management decided to remove the two main players of the starting lineup: Bradley Beal and Jusuf Nurkić.

Phoenix Suns Make Lineup Changes to Address Struggles

Phoenix Suns Remove Bradley Beal, Jusuf Nurkić From the Starting

The Suns are said to be taking Bradley Beal off the starting five shooting guard position and Jusuf Nurkić off the starting five center position, with that change said to go into effect with Monday's game against the Philadelphia 76ers, as per Bleacher Report.

According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, Beal and Nurkić will be replaced by rookie forward Ryan Dunn and veteran center Mason Plumlee. This lineup change is an important move for the team as they look to find a winning formula and regain their early-season momentum.

Tensions High in Suns' Locker Room

Amid this change, sources say there is a growing "tension" in the Suns' locker room. Players are frustrated with their roles, and the coaching staff hasn't figured out how to maximize the team's potential.

The Suns started the season on a hot streak, winning eight of their first nine games, but since then, their performance has plummeted to a disappointing 15-18 record and last place in the Pacific Division.

High Expectations, Huge Payroll, and Unmet Results

It is even more disappointing that the Suns are having a bad season, considering the large amount of money the team invested this season. The Suns are carrying the largest salary in the NBA with a whopping payroll of $226.2 million, dwarfing the payroll of the second-place Minnesota Timberwolves by nearly $21 million.

The team had hoped that the addition of Bradley Beal—acquired from the Washington Wizards in the 2023 offseason—would create a dynamic new Big 3 alongside Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. However, Beal's first year in Phoenix was marred by injury and inconsistency, contributing to chemistry issues on the court.

Offensive and Defensive Imbalance

The Suns are struggling on both offense and defense despite having such a high-powered roster. The Suns average 112.1 points per game, but they are allowing the opponents to score 114.4 points per game, which reflects poorly on their overall team dynamics. Their defensive issues have been a point of concern as they work to re-establish themselves as a top contender in the West.

Can the Suns End Their Losing Streak?

The Suns will look to bounce back when they face the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night. Phoenix managed to defeat the Sixers in their first meeting this season, so they will hope to use that win as momentum to end their four-game losing streak.

Time will tell if the changes to the lineup and the adjustments made to the coaching strategy will turn things around for the Suns.

With time passing on in the season, there's much pressure upon Phoenix to produce the correct mixture of players and chemistry. They should work this out sooner.