NBA News: Bradley Beal, Nurkić Reportedly Will Be Removed from Suns' Starting Lineup
January 6, 2025
Amid a four-game skid, the Phoenix Suns are reportedly set to make some major changes to their lineup.
According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, the Suns are removing shooting guard Bradley Beal and center Jusuf Nurkić from the starting five beginning with Monday's game against the Philadelphia 76ers. They will reportedly be replaced by rookie forward Ryan Dunn and veteran center Mason Plumlee.
Chris Haynes @ChrisBHaynesSources: In midst of 4-game losing streak and tension in locker room, Phoenix expected to make drastic change by removing Bradley Beal, Jusuf Nurkic from starting lineup beginning Monday at Philadelphia. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/haynesbriefs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#haynesbriefs</a> <a href="https://t.co/utz0FNLppB">pic.twitter.com/utz0FNLppB</a>
Haynes added that there's "tension" in the Suns locker room, with players who are "unsure of their roles and frustrated with how they're being used" and a coaching staff that is "still figuring things out."
After starting the season with eight wins in their first nine games, the Suns now rank last in the Pacific Division with a 15-18 record. The team kicked off a three-game road trip with a 126-108 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Saturday.
Phoenix's struggles this season are particularly embarrassing when considering the investment put into the team. At, $226.2 million, the Suns have the highest payroll in the NBA this season, nearly $21 million more than the second-place Minnesota Timberwolves ($205.4 million).
Beal was acquired from the Washington Wizards prior to the 2023-24 season in hopes of creating a new Big 3 alongside stars Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. However, the 31-year-old appeared in just 53 games in his first year in Phoenix, causing chemistry issues for the team. Things haven't gotten much better this year, as the Suns are averaging 112.1 points per game while allowing their opponents to score 114.4 points per game.
The Suns won their first meeting against the Sixers in November, so perhaps they will be able to end their losing streak when the two teams meet on Monday night.
