Editing Phoenix Suns (section)

====2022–present: Transition of ownership and the arrival of Kevin Durant====
[[File:Kevin Durant - TechCrunch Disrupt SF 2017 - Day 2 (36933445680).jpg|thumb|right|[[Kevin Durant]] is eighth on the NBA's [[List of National Basketball Association career scoring leaders|all-time scoring list.]]]]
On September 13, 2022, the NBA fined owner [[Robert Sarver]] $10 million and suspended him for one year after an independent investigation determined that he used the "[[N-word]]" multiple times in public, as well as conduct that included "unequal treatment of female employees; sex-related statements and conduct; and harsh treatment of employees that on occasion constituted bullying."<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 13, 2022 |title=NBA statement about independent investigation regarding Robert Sarver and the Phoenix Suns organization |url=https://pr.nba.com/nba-statement-about-independent-investigation-regarding-robert-sarver-and-the-phoenix-suns-organization/ |access-date=September 13, 2022 |website=NBA.com: NBA Communications |archive-date=September 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913162711/https://pr.nba.com/nba-statement-about-independent-investigation-regarding-robert-sarver-and-the-phoenix-suns-organization/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Suns' owner Sarver suspended from NBA/WNBA for one year, fined $10 million |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/robert-sarver-suspended-nba-wnba-163858663.html |access-date=September 19, 2022 |website=sports.yahoo.com |archive-date=September 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920172648/https://sports.yahoo.com/robert-sarver-suspended-nba-wnba-163858663.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Both current and former NBA players, including [[LeBron James]], Suns player [[Chris Paul]], and [[Draymond Green]], said that the punishment was too lenient, with Green requesting for a league vote to terminate Sarver as a league owner.<ref>{{cite news|first=Kendra|last=Andrews|title=Warriors' Stephen Curry says he spoke with Adam Silver about Robert Sarver discipline, calls impending Suns sale 'exactly what should have happened'|date=September 25, 2022|work=ESPN.com|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/34666992/warriors-stephen-curry-says-spoke-adam-silver-robert-sarver-discipline-calls-impending-suns-sale-exactly-happened|access-date=September 26, 2022|archive-date=September 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220926012605/https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/34666992/warriors-stephen-curry-says-spoke-adam-silver-robert-sarver-discipline-calls-impending-suns-sale-exactly-happened|url-status=live}}</ref> On September 21, Sarver announced he would begin the process of selling both the Phoenix Suns and the [[Phoenix Mercury]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 21, 2022 |title=Robert Sarver says he's starting process to sell NBA's Phoenix Suns, WNBA's Phoenix Mercury |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/34636682/robert-sarver-says-starting-process-sell-nba-phoenix-suns-wnba-phoenix-mercury |access-date=September 21, 2022 |website=espn.com: ESPN Inc. |archive-date=February 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230208043242/https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/34636682/robert-sarver-says-starting-process-sell-nba-phoenix-suns-wnba-phoenix-mercury |url-status=live }}</ref> Sarver eventually accepted the sale of both teams to [[United Wholesale Mortgage]]'s CEO [[Mat Ishbia]] and his brother [[Justin Ishbia|Justin]] for a record-high $4 billion purchasing price on December 20, 2022, with the move being made official on February 7, 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 20, 2022 |title=Ishbia agrees to Suns purchase for record $4B |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/35292815/sources-mat-ishbia-finalizing-suns-purchase-4-billion |access-date=December 27, 2022 |website=ESPN.com |archive-date=February 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230214122520/https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/35292815/sources-mat-ishbia-finalizing-suns-purchase-4-billion |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nba.com/suns/news/mat-ishbia-assumes-controlling-ownership-interest-of-phoenix-suns-and-phoenix-mercury |title=Mat Ishbia Assumes Controlling Ownership Interest of Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury |website=[[NBA.com]] |access-date=February 16, 2023 |archive-date=February 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213035410/https://www.nba.com/suns/news/mat-ishbia-assumes-controlling-ownership-interest-of-phoenix-suns-and-phoenix-mercury |url-status=live }}</ref> At 43 years old, Mat Ishbia became the 2nd youngest team owner in league history.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mat Ishbia confirms he's finalizing Phoenix Suns, Mercury purchase; price reportedly $4 billion |url=https://www.freep.com/story/money/business/2022/12/20/mat-ishbia-phoenix-suns/69744393007/ |access-date=December 21, 2022 |website=Detroit Free Press |archive-date=February 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230208184310/https://www.freep.com/story/money/business/2022/12/20/mat-ishbia-phoenix-suns/69744393007/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

During Ishbia's first few days of ownership, the Suns acquired 13-time All-Star and four-time scoring champion [[Kevin Durant]], along with reacquiring [[T. J. Warren]], from the [[Brooklyn Nets]] in exchange for [[Mikal Bridges]], [[Cameron Johnson]], [[Jae Crowder]], four unprotected first-round picks, and a 2028 first-round pick swap.<ref>{{cite web|title=Suns Complete Trade For Kevin Durant, T.J. Warren|url=https://www.nba.com/suns/news/suns-complete-trade-for-kevin-durant-t-j-warren|website=NBA.com|date=February 9, 2023|access-date=February 9, 2023|archive-date=February 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230225055313/https://www.nba.com/suns/news/suns-complete-trade-for-kevin-durant-t-j-warren|url-status=live}}</ref> Durant had previously requested a trade during the 2022 offseason, with Phoenix being listed as one of Durant's preferred landing spots.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Botkin |first1=Brad |title=Kevin Durant trade request: Nets superstar lists Suns, Heat among preferred destinations |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/kevin-durant-trade-request-nets-superstar-lists-suns-heat-among-preferred-destinations-per-report/ |website=CBS Sports.com |date=June 30, 2022 |access-date=February 16, 2023 |archive-date=February 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216002120/https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/kevin-durant-trade-request-nets-superstar-lists-suns-heat-among-preferred-destinations-per-report/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Following the acquisition of Durant, the Suns' odds to win the NBA Finals surged from +1800 to +450 per [[BetMGM]], trailing only the [[Boston Celtics]] at +350.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Santaromita |first1=Dan |title=Suns jump to second in NBA championship odds after trading for Kevin Durant |work=The New York Times |url=https://theathletic.com/4172324/2023/02/09/suns-nba-championship-odds-kevin-durant/?source=googlesearch%3Fredirected%3D1&access_token=12484026 |access-date=February 16, 2023 |archive-date=February 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216002120/https://theathletic.com/4172324/2023/02/09/suns-nba-championship-odds-kevin-durant/?source=googlesearch%3Fredirected%3D1&access_token=12484026 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In the first round of the [[2023 NBA playoffs|2023 playoffs]], the Suns would defeat the [[Los Angeles Clippers]] in five games.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Scott |first1=Dana |title=Phoenix Suns close out series over Los Angeles Clippers |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2023/04/25/los-angeles-clippers-phoenix-suns-nba-playoffs-game-5-score/70151050007/ |website=azcentral.com |access-date=May 10, 2023 |archive-date=April 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230426042043/http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2023/04/25/los-angeles-clippers-phoenix-suns-nba-playoffs-game-5-score/70151050007/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In the second round of the 2023 playoffs against the [[Denver Nuggets]], the Suns lost the first two games to Denver, as Chris Paul suffered a groin injury in game 2.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 1, 2023 |title=Phoenix Suns lose to Denver Nuggets in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals |url=https://www.12news.com/article/sports/suns-lose-to-nuggets-in-game-2/75-1536fef0-986c-4f6e-8c95-d36c71d3a16e |access-date=May 9, 2023 |website=12news.com |archive-date=May 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230509151238/https://www.12news.com/article/sports/suns-lose-to-nuggets-in-game-2/75-1536fef0-986c-4f6e-8c95-d36c71d3a16e |url-status=live }}</ref> The Suns came back to win the next two games at home without Chris Paul, as Devin Booker and Kevin Durant became the first duo in NBA playoff history to each record 35 points, five rebounds, and five assists in consecutive playoff games.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Linn |first=Joey |date=May 7, 2023 |title=Kevin Durant and Devin Booker Set NBA Record in Game 4 vs. Nuggets |work=si.com |url=https://www.si.com/nba/nuggets/news/kevin-durant-and-devin-booker-set-nba-record-in-game-4-vs-nuggets |access-date=May 9, 2023 |archive-date=May 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230509151241/https://www.si.com/nba/nuggets/news/kevin-durant-and-devin-booker-set-nba-record-in-game-4-vs-nuggets |url-status=live }}</ref> However, after dropping game 5 in Denver, Phoenix went on to lose the series to the Nuggets in six games, as they trailed by 30 points at halftime in an elimination game at home for the second straight season.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Brandt |first1=David |title=Nuggets blow past Suns 125-100, advance to Western Conference finals |url=https://apnews.com/article/nba-playoffs-2023-suns-nuggets-acbe7347fec1903efa1d9cf99a8227d0 |website=AP News |date=May 12, 2023 |access-date=May 12, 2023 |archive-date=May 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230512051502/https://apnews.com/article/nba-playoffs-2023-suns-nuggets-acbe7347fec1903efa1d9cf99a8227d0 |url-status=live }}</ref> Following their series loss to the Nuggets, the Suns dismissed head coach [[Monty Williams]] after four seasons with the team. Williams finished his Phoenix tenure with a record of 194–115 (.628) in the regular season and 27–19 in the playoffs.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wojnarowski |first1=Adrian |title=Phoenix Suns fire coach Monty Williams after four seasons |url=https://www.espn.com.au/nba/story/_/id/37644346/sources-suns-dismiss-coach-monty-williams-4-seasons |website=[[ESPN]] |date=May 14, 2023 |access-date=May 16, 2023 |archive-date=May 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230516062648/https://www.espn.com.au/nba/story/_/id/37644346/sources-suns-dismiss-coach-monty-williams-4-seasons |url-status=live }}</ref> Subsequently, the Suns hired [[Frank Vogel]] as their new head coach on June 6, 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Suns hire Frank Vogel to fill coaching vacancy |url=https://www.nba.com/news/suns-hire-frank-vogel-as-coach |access-date=June 7, 2023 |website=NBA.com |date=June 6, 2023 |archive-date=June 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230607042244/https://www.nba.com/news/suns-hire-frank-vogel-as-coach |url-status=live }}</ref>

On June 24, Phoenix acquired veteran guard [[Bradley Beal]] from the [[Washington Wizards]] in a three-team deal also involving the [[Indiana Pacers]], with the Suns sending Chris Paul, Landry Shamet, five future second-round picks, four future pick swaps and cash considerations to Washington and one future second-round pick to Indiana.<ref>{{cite web |title=Suns Acquire Beal, Goodwin, Todd |url=https://www.nba.com/suns/news/suns-acquire-beal-goodwin-todd |website=nba.com |access-date=August 31, 2023 |archive-date=June 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629000531/https://www.nba.com/suns/news/suns-acquire-beal-goodwin-todd |url-status=live }}</ref> Just before the start of the regular season on September 27, the Suns traded [[Deandre Ayton]] and rookie [[Toumani Camara]] to the [[Portland Trail Blazers]] in a three-way deal that sent 7-time All-Star Trail Blazers guard [[Damian Lillard]] to the [[Milwaukee Bucks]], in exchange for Milwaukee shooting guard [[Grayson Allen]] and Portland center [[Jusuf Nurkić]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/news/damian-lillard-traded-to-bucks-2023 |title = Blazers trade Damian Lillard to Bucks in blockbuster 3-team swap |website=NBA.com|date=September 27, 2023|access-date=September 28, 2023}}</ref> After starting the [[2023–24 Phoenix Suns season|2023–24 season]] with multiple injuries and a 14–15 record, the Suns went 35–18 the remainder of the season and were one of five teams to rank in the top 10 offensively and defensively during that span.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Young |first1=Shane |title=Phoenix Suns Avoid Play-In Tournament, Face Timberwolves In First Round |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/shaneyoung/2024/04/14/phoenix-suns-avoid-play-in-tournament-face-timberwolves-in-first-round/?sh=1d2af920248a |website=forbes.com |access-date=April 18, 2024}}</ref> They finished with a 49–33 record, securing the sixth seed in the [[2024 NBA playoffs]] and clinching their fourth consecutive playoff appearance.<ref>{{cite web |title=NBA playoff standings: Suns clinch playoff berth on last day |url=https://arizonasports.com/story/3544985/nba-playoff-standings-suns-play-in-tournament-playoffs/ |website=arizonasports.com |date=April 14, 2024 |access-date=April 18, 2024}}</ref> However, they were promptly swept in the first round by the [[Minnesota Timberwolves]], marking the first time the Suns were swept in a playoff series in 25 years. On May 9, 2024, Vogel was fired after one season with Phoenix.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Brandt |first1=David |title=Suns part ways with coach Frank Vogel |url=https://www.nba.com/news/suns-part-ways-with-coach-frank-vogel |website=NBA.com |access-date=May 9, 2024}}</ref> Two days later, the Suns hired [[Mike Budenholzer]], who previously coached the [[Milwaukee Bucks]] and defeated the Suns in the [[2021 NBA Finals]], as their 22nd head coach in team history.<ref>{{cite web |title=Suns Name Two-time NBA Coach Of The Year And Arizona Native Mike Budenholzer Head Coach |url=https://www.nba.com/suns/news/suns-name-arizona-native-mike-budenholzer-head-coach |website=NBA.com |access-date=May 11, 2024}}</ref>