The NBA's Curious Case: Why Are the Suns Getting Snubbed on National TV?

The roar of anticipation around the Phoenix Suns reached a fever pitch this offseason. With the blockbuster acquisition of Kevin Durant joining forces with Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, the Valley of the Sun was poised to become the undisputed epicenter of NBA excitement. Many expected the Suns to be plastered across national television, a must-watch spectacle for basketball fans worldwide.

Yet, as the official schedule dropped, a curious silence, or rather, a surprisingly muted signal, emerged from the league office.

Despite assembling arguably the most potent offensive trio in the league, the Phoenix Suns find themselves with a mere 16 national television appearances on ABC, TNT, and ESPN for the upcoming 2023-24 season.

For a team boasting two-time NBA champion Kevin Durant, perennial All-Star Devin Booker, and scoring sensation Bradley Beal, this number feels perplexing, almost like a deliberate undersell. Compare this to teams like the Golden State Warriors (29), Los Angeles Lakers (28), and Boston Celtics (25) – teams that, while stellar, didn't necessarily undergo the same seismic shift in star power this summer.

Last season, even before the mid-season arrival of Durant, the Suns were slated for a robust 26 national TV games.

The dramatic drop-off begs the question: What message is the NBA sending to the desert? Is it a subtle nudge towards new owner Mat Ishbia, whose aggressive moves have certainly shaken up the league's landscape? Or perhaps it's a reflection of the team's playoff struggles last season, where early exits despite high expectations might have cooled some of the league's enthusiasm?

The NBA often prides itself on marketing its brightest stars and most compelling storylines.

The Suns, on paper, tick every single box. They have star power, championship aspirations, a new, energetic owner, and a fanbase hungry for success. Limiting their national exposure seems counterintuitive to the league's own commercial interests and its mission to showcase the best of basketball.

While 16 national games is by no means a paltry sum in isolation, it's the context that makes it noteworthy.

When measured against their peers – particularly those with less recent star acquisitions or perceived hype – the Suns' allocation feels like a deliberate tempering of expectations, or perhaps a strategic move to spread the national spotlight. Whatever the reasoning, it has certainly sparked debate among fans and analysts alike.

One thing is clear: the Phoenix Suns will have to prove their mettle on the court, not just with their star power, but with consistent, winning performances to force the league's hand and earn the prime-time slots they arguably deserve.