Phoenix Suns' big three are back with a new coach and a true point guard

Last year's new-look Phoenix Suns fell short of expectations, but offseason changes could bring new success as their big three — Bradley Beal, Devin Booker and Kevin Durant — begin their second season.

The big picture: Phoenix has a new head coach, a new point guard and an intriguing rookie.

• The Suns fired head coach Frank Vogel after one season, replacing him with former Milwaukee Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer.
• Phoenix's signing of Tyus Jones in the offseason gives the team a true point guard, something it was sorely lacking last year.
• Rookie forward Ryan Dunn, the 28th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, is turning heads with his defense and improved long-range shooting.

Catch up quick: The Minnesota Timberwolves swept Phoenix in the first round of last season's playoffs, the latest in a string of disappointing ends to Suns seasons since they reached the NBA Finals in 2021.

• The Suns have gone through a lot of changes since losing the championship to the Bucks, including owner Mat Ishbia taking over, his blockbuster trade that brought Durant to Phoenix and last year's addition of Beal.

What we're watching: The Suns' vaunted big three were hindered by injuries last season — Beal missed 29 games and the trio played in only 41 regular season games together. Their health will be a major factor in the team's hoped-for success.

• Durant just turned 36 but is still playing at an elite level, averaging 27.1 points, 6.6 rebounds and 5 assists per game last year. This summer, he helped lead the U.S. to a gold medal in the Paris Olympics.
• Booker, another member of the Olympic squad, enters his 10th season in the prime of his career.

The intrigue: The Suns lacked a true point guard last season following Chris Paul's departure, and with Jones filling that role as the team's primary ball handler and distributor, the big three can focus on scoring and less on playmaking.

• Budenholzer is encouraging the team to shoot more from long range, and the Suns averaged 45.7 three-point attempts in their first four preseason games, the Arizona Republic reported.

Yes, but: With Beal, Booker and Jones in the starting lineup, the Suns will be a smaller team this year.

• Only 40.4% of the Suns' points last year were scored in the paint, one of the worst percentages in the league, according to ESPN. That means center Jusuf Nurkić has his work cut out for him.

1 tough conference: The Western Conference is stacked, so the Suns will have a tough road ahead.

• Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets look to continue their dominance, the Dallas Mavericks added Klay Thompson to an already-impressive lineup, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's Oklahoma City Thunder are on the rise.

What's next: The Suns open their season on the road Tuesday against the Los Angeles Clippers.