The SUNS' Splurge.

The assets the Suns surrendered for Beal, an All-NBA selection in 2020-21, were not an issue: the 38-year-old Paul, Landry Shamet, six second-round picks and four first-round pick swaps. IN MID-MAY, a few days after the Suns' season ended and with the wounds from a second straight second-round playoff exit still fresh, Phoenix's basketball brass- owner Mat Ishbia, CEO Josh Bartelstein, and GM and president of basketball operations James Jones-gathered in a conference room at the team's practice facility. Vogel believes Durant, Booker and Beal will welcome a reduced burden. Since acquiring controlling interest in the team last February, Ishbia had signed off on every deal, including the Durant trade, which added $40 million to the Suns' luxury tax bill. [Extracted from the article]