Quality Depth is a Must for Phoenix Suns This Offseason

The Phoenix Suns have already made some noise to begin the 2023 offseason.

Just 48 hours after losing in the second round of the postseason, the Suns parted ways with head coach Monty Williams. Three weeks later, Frank Vogel was hired and is now surrounded by two top assistants in Kevin Young and David Fizdale - both of which were compensated very well to coach under Vogel.

Now, the Suns look to address their roster, which already went through some major change during the season but will endure more as nine players are set to hit free agency in some capacity.

Bleacher Report's Grant Hughes went through each eliminated team from the postseason and picked their top priority - and Phoenix's came as no surprise.

Quality Depth is a Must for Phoenix Suns This Offseason

"It turns out Devin Booker and Kevin Durant aren't quite good enough to make a title run on their own. The Phoenix Suns learned that in the 2023 playoffs as their lack of depth exacerbated a spate of injuries and ultimately left them without enough serviceable support pieces for their two superstars," said Bleacher Report.

"Durant averaged 42.4 postseason minutes per game, with Booker narrowly behind at 41.7. As those two fatigued in the second round against the Denver Nuggets, it was clear the Suns were cooked.

"Phoenix could address its thin bench by flipping Deandre Ayton for two or three usable pieces, ending a saga that has seemed destined for dissolution since 2021. Failing that, Chris Paul might fetch a starter and a reserve, depending on how desperate a contender might be for an injury-plagued 38-year-old.

"Reinforcements will have to arrive via trade because the Suns project to be $37 million into the tax with just Durant, Booker, Ayton, Paul, Landry Shamet, Cameron Payne and Ish Wainwright on the books for next year. Free agents Torrey Craig, TJ Warren, Damion Lee, Bismack Biyombo, Terrence Ross and Jock Landale could all return on new deals, but the postseason just proved that no combination of that player group was good enough to help KD and Booker get the job done."

Financial restrictions will impact the Suns this offseason - at least in terms of free agency. Phoenix will likely have to offload both Ayton and Paul to get some serious help back for Booker and Durant, though it appears Paul is likely to stay at this point in the season.

Yet when you look at the two teams playing in the NBA Finals (Denver and Miami), depth is a must to reach those heights, and time is ticking for that elusive first championship to come back to Phoenix.