Stephen A. Smith attributes the decline of the Phoenix Suns to poor ownership decisions and the loss of key personnel and assets.

“You get the ownership of the Phoenix Suns. Monty Williams who took your team to the finals is gone. Chris Paul, who was your point guard in the back court with Devin Booker, he's gone. DeAndre Aton who was your starting center he ultimately departed. You fire Monty Williams you bring in Frank Vogel ”

Brian Windhorst believes the Phoenix Suns organization suffers from a failure in team building rather than just the coaching, noting that their reliance on talent acquisition has come at the expense o

“If you look at the talent they've brought in, Durant Beal, even getting a guy like Tus Jones, hell that they acquired Grayson Allen. Grayson Allen led the league in three point three-pointers last year. This year had some injuries and didn't. They get talent. What they can't do is team build.”