Before reading this article, please click "Follow" to facilitate your discussion and sharing. This article is only published in today's headlines, and no platform is allowed to carry it, and it must be investigated!

Is the sun really not good? Replacing the Warriors, the Clippers became the No. 1 luxury tax in the West, is it a joke?

The Sun's Gamble: The Ambitions and Concerns Behind the West's No. 1 Luxury Tax

Last season's Suns, indeed, was a joke. The Big Three, which spent a lot of money to build, rarely got together due to injuries and other reasons, stumbling in the regular season and entering the playoffs as sixth in the West, and was swept out of the first round by the young Timberwolves. For a while, ridicule abounded, and Durant's "carefully selected" team became the talk of fans after dinner.

The offseason did not see the disintegration of the Big Three that fans expected, and the Suns owner doubled down on it, not only retaining the core lineup, but also decisively changing the coach, signing championship coach Budenholzer on a five-year 50 million contract. This is undoubtedly a sign of the Sun's determination: they want to win, and they want to win now.

But behind this big gamble, there is a high price. The Big Three's salary of more than 150 million makes the Suns' total salary exceed the 200 million mark, firmly sitting on the throne of the first luxury tax in the West. The former "local tyrants" Clippers and Warriors both chose to tighten their belts this season and control their salaries below the second local tyrant line, but the Suns did the opposite, is this the courage of desperate bets or the stupidity of spending a lot of money?

1. Desperate gamble: the ambition and pressure of the sun

The Suns' huge investment reflects their desire for a championship. The NBA is a business league, and winning or losing is the measure by which everything is measured. The huge investment in the Suns boss is in exchange for the glory of the championship, and also to increase the team's market value and brand influence.

The high luxury tax has also put a lot of pressure on the sun. According to NBA regulations, teams that exceed the second local tyrant line will be extremely limited in terms of recruitment, and can only sign players through base salary contracts. That means the Suns' roster depth and flexibility will be put to the test.

Data backing: According to Spotrac, the Suns' total salary is expected to exceed $170 million for the 2023-2024 season, and the luxury tax is expected to exceed $50 million. (Source: Spotrac)

2. The budget-conscious "leakage": the arrival of Jones and O'Neal

With limited salary space, Sun's management has demonstrated shrewd operational ability. They signed Jones, the point guard who excelled with the Wizards last season, with a base salary, and the player who had the league's best assist-to-turnover ratio perfectly solved the shortcomings of the Suns' point guard. They also signed O'Neal on a four-year, $44 million contract, improving the team's defensive strength.

Case Study: The addition of Jones has made the Suns' offensive organization more fluid, and his efficient performance has also brought more winning opportunities for the team. O'Neal's arrival made up for the lack of the Suns' interior defense and made the team's overall defense more solid.

3. Squad depth and injury hazards: the Suns' double-edged sword

The Suns' current lineup looks quite luxurious on paper. Jones and Payne on the point guard, Beal and Booker on the guard, Durant, O'Neal and Okogie on the front, and Ayton and Plumlee on the inside. This lineup is both offensive and defensive, which is enough for them to achieve good results in the regular season.

Opinion refinement: The Suns' roster depth is their strength, but there are also certain pitfalls. Ball distribution will be a challenge, and balancing the number of shots taken by the Big Three will be a challenge for Budenholzer. Durant, Beal and Ayton all have extensive injury histories, and how to ensure their health will be key to the Suns' success.

Fourth, the western race against the deer: the challenges and opportunities of the sun

In the new season of the West, the competition will be even more fierce. Although the defending champion Nuggets lost Bruce · Brown, their overall strength is still strong. Young teams such as the Thunder, Mavericks, and Timberwolves are also on the rise, posing a threat to the Suns' supremacy.

Viewpoint refinement: The fierce competitive environment in the west is both a challenge and an opportunity for the Suns. If they can overcome headwinds such as injuries and find the best roster combination, they have the ability to go far in the playoffs. Conversely, if they fail to cope with the challenge, they could repeat the same mistakes as last season.

5. Future Prospects: The Fate and Choices of the Sun

The sun is full of uncertainty. Whether their big gamble can be exchanged for championship glory will take time to test. But one thing is for sure, the Suns have embarked on a path of no return, and they will have to give it their all to live up to this huge investment.

Future trends: In the coming years, the Suns will continue to build their roster around the Big Three, and they have one goal in mind: a championship. If they can stay fit and find the right pieces of the puzzle, they could be a strong contender for the championship.

6. The Sun's gamble is a game between dreams and reality.

The sun is full of unknowns and challenges. Will they be able to stand out from the competition and lift the championship? Let's wait and see.

Keywords: Suns, NBA, luxury tax, Durant, Booker, Beal, West, playoffs, championships, Budenholzer, Jones, O'Neal