Plumlee served his purpose as a physical force who played hard and gave his all during an up-and-down season.
Welcome to our Phoenix Suns Season in Review series, where we take a closer look at each player who suited up during the 2024–25 campaign. One by one, we’ll break down what went right, what went wrong, and what each player can do to take the next step heading into next season.
The Phoenix Suns landing of Mason Plumlee as their backup center was a perfect fit for the team’s dynamic, veteran, experienced, and possessing a high basketball IQ.
While Plumlee’s contributions on the court weren’t enough to turn the tide for the Suns in terms of wins, he was reliable in the role he was asked to play. When pressed into a starting position or asked to do too much, he occasionally seemed out of sync. Despite the challenges, he became one of my favorite players last season.
Mason Plumlee
- Position: Center
- Vitals: 6’10”, 254 pounds, 35 years old
- Experience: 11 years
- Stats: 74 GP, 4.5 PPG (61.9 FG%, 64.8 FT%), 6.1 RPG, 0.6 BLK
Contract Details
Mason Plumlee agreed to a one-year contract with the Phoenix Suns worth $3,303,771, fully guaranteed, with an average annual salary matching the total value. It was a one-year deal and he will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.
Regular Season Recap
The plan for Mason Plumlee to back up former Suns center Jusuf Nurkic fell apart midway through the season as the coaching staff soured on Nurk, forcing Plumlee into more of a starting role at times. This wasn’t what Suns fans expected — or wanted — to see unfold.
Plumlee was solid, but far from spectacular. Kevin Durant had a few animated moments shouting at him, but to his credit, Plumlee was one of the few Suns who played with consistent effort every night. Despite the ups and downs, I appreciated having him on the roster this season.
STEVEN ADAMS AND MASON PLUMLEE SCUFFLE
Both players got ejected after altercation. pic.twitter.com/dgji2IBhOo
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 13, 2025
The most memorable moment of Plumlee’s season came when he took down Houston Rockets big man Steven Adams in a game where he’d clearly had enough. At times, Plumlee looked like a madman on the court, visibly frustrated with the team’s performance, much like many of his teammates. His edge and intensity stood out during a year when the Suns often lacked both.
Biggest Strength
Mason Plumlee was a reliable rebounder last season, showing a knack for positioning and timing on both ends of the floor. He also had a few impressive rolls to the rim that highlighted his underrated basketball IQ and feel for the game. While he wasn’t a focal point in the Suns’ offense, especially in pick-and-roll sets, that wasn’t necessarily a knock on his ability, but rather a reflection of his role and age as a veteran backup.
Given his limited usage, Plumlee still managed to leave an imprint in key moments. His physical presence around the basket, particularly on defense and during second-chance opportunities, helped give the Suns some grit in the frontcourt. When the team struggled with consistency, Plumlee’s effort and willingness to battle in the paint didn’t go unnoticed.
While he was never meant to be a long-term solution or game-changer, Plumlee filled the role he was brought in for: toughness, veteran experience, and dependable minutes off the bench. In a season that often felt disjointed, his stability, however subtle, was appreciated.
Biggest Weakness
Relying on Plumlee to do too much this season ultimately became a strain, and it showed on the floor. But considering what was expected of him as a backup center, he largely delivered. There weren’t any glaring weaknesses in his game relative to his role; he rebounded, played physically, and gave consistent effort.
Really, his only challenge might’ve been trying to stay on Durant’s good side.
Likelihood of Return: 0
With the Suns revamping the roster, it’s unlikely we’ll see many of the same faces from last season, and Mason Plumlee will probably be wearing a different jersey come opening night. I appreciated his effort and physicality as a backup big, but the Suns seem intent on getting younger, faster, and more athletic across the board to better complement Devin Booker’s prime.
Plumlee’s skill set still has value in the league, especially for teams needing a reliable veteran to stabilize second units. But as Phoenix looks to evolve into a more dynamic, high-tempo team, it may prioritize mobility and versatility over brute strength in the frontcourt.
Overall Grade: B
Really, what more is there to say about Mason Plumlee? He came to Phoenix, did the job he was brought in to do, and when asked to step up, he showed up almost every night. He wasn’t flashy, but he was dependable. And in a season full of inconsistency, that counted for something. Not a bad job at all.
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