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Suns Coach Responds to Reports of 'Toxic' Locker Room After Tumultuous Trade Deadline

Phoenix is locked in a tight playoff race.

Patrick Andres

Mike Budenholzer during the Suns' 118–92 loss to the Cavaliers on Jan. 20, 2025.
Mike Budenholzer during the Suns' 118–92 loss to the Cavaliers on Jan. 20, 2025. / David Richard-Imagn Images
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The 2025 trade deadline was by all accounts an awkward one for the Phoenix Suns.

It seemed at times like every Sun was involved in some form of trade speculation. Some were floated as pieces in a hypothetical deal for forward Jimmy Butler, who ultimately wound up traded from the Miami Heat to the Golden State Warriors. Star forward Kevin Durant was kicked around in potential deals as well—only to remain with Phoenix.

On Thursday, ESPN's Ramona Shelburne reported that constant trade speculation had brewed "toxicity" within the Suns locker room. That invited a rebuke from Phoenix coach Mike Budenholzer Friday.

"Making it through a season, and all the things that come with that, are never easy," Budenholzer said. "It's not like this has been a perfect or easy ride, but I think the guys' commitment to each other and the guys' willingness to learn and grow is good—and that's what I see."

The Suns are currently 26–25, ninth in the Western Conference and a half-game behind the eighth-place Dallas Mavericks.

Phoenix might be trotting out the same old lineup, but it appears the team has work to do if it wants to stabilize itself by playoff time.

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Patrick Andres
PATRICK ANDRES

Patrick Andres is a staff writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. He joined SI in December 2022, having worked for The Blade, Athlon Sports, Fear the Sword and Diamond Digest. Andres has covered everything from zero-attendance Big Ten basketball to a seven-overtime college football game. He is a graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism with a double major in history .

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